Sad times

Before I get started Becky has given me a brilliant idea (thanks Beck) to include a stupid conversation from a guest at the start of every blog so idiot of the week (I know I don't write every week but it fits!) is below. This one has actually come from my friend Beth.

We have a UK quiz in one of our stores and the first question is 'Name the four countries that make up the UK'. Beth had this answer from an American: "Erm, England, Canada...?"


As I mentioned on my blog before we have had quite a few people leaving and it's been very sad. The other week Katie, Kate and Scott left, their last night at Bennies was a sad one and there were lots of tears shed. When someone leaves they have a leaving song, we stand in a circle with them in the middle and sing Greenday's 'Time of your life'. I can never think of that song in the same way again now! I'm really missing Scott, he would have been a really great potential friend here so it's abit strange without him especially in Merch.

Another Merchie is leaving this week too. Tino is a huge character here and is very popular with everyone. We went to Cowboys in Downtown Orlando the other night as it's his favourite place. I really didn't know what to expect as it's a line dancing bar with lots of rednecks! It is abit of a dive but it was really good fun! I even managed to do the 'Cha Cha Slide' and who knew cowboys could be that fit?! lol. It's Tino's last meal at TGI's tonight but i'm ill so i'm not going to be able to make it :-( It will be his last night at Bennies tomorrow though so I will go to that and be there for his last song. As before there will be lots of tears. This is the first time people leaving has really affected me, it's weird as i've only been here two months but you become very close to people especially in Merch as we're such a small group.

What else has been happening apart from the sad times? Disney put on a celebration for cast members in Epcot at the World Showplace which is behind the UK Pavillion. It was really great, they had free food for us which was delicious, there was a DJ and you could have your photo taken with Mickey, Goofy etc. (I forgot my camera!) They also had old merchandise on sale with 70% off! I got a hoody, a top and some orginal artwork posters- was really chuffed! They're the perks of working for Disney!

Beth and I went to Hollywood Studios last week. It rained most of the day but it was still fun! They have the new American Idol experience there which is fantastic and also the new Toy Story ride. We also went on Tower of Terror and Aerosmith's Rockin Rollarcoaster and watched the High School Musical Parade and Beauty and the Beast.

We couldn't watch the Indiana Jones show because it was closed and we later found out why. One of the new cast members was rehersing and fell and has died. Not only that another cast member was doing the Pirates of the Carribean show at Magic Kingdom and fell and hit his head, he was taken to hospital but later died as well. It's really terrible. The news out here has been critising the Disney Company for over working it's cast members as along with the Monorail accident this is the third death in two months which is unfortunate but really doesn't look good.

Another new place I have been is Jellyrolls at The Boardwalk. One of the new girls, Becky turned 21 so we went there to celebrate. It's a piano bar and it's amazing. Basically two guys are on the stage playing the piano and other instruments and singing. If you want them to sing a song you write it on a napkin with a $5 bill rolled up in it and pass it to them. The crazy thing is they can literally sing and play anything from Beyonce to Meatloaf to Ice T! They had Becky up on stage and sang Happy Birthday and also some Mary Poppins songs as that's her favourite Disney film. It was a wicked night.

Lasses was interesting on Monday night, the theme was cops and robbers and it was also take over. Basically that meant the head lads took over lasses and the head lasses took over the lads. They had a hard time controlling the girls but there was alot of throwing up as they made them drink so much! We went to Bennies after which was rather eventful. There were a couple of fights and arguments and one of the boys had to go to hospital for stitches. Just like a night in Croydon lol.

Beth and I have been to the cinema a couple of times in the past couple of weeks. It's great as we get Disney discount at Downtown Disney. We went to see 'The Time Travellers Wife' which had us both crying our eyes out at the end and yesterday we went to see 'District 9'. I haven't heard much about this film over here but Luke told me it has smashed all the box office records and there is a lot of hype around it. I didn't know what to expect and i'm still unsure about it but one thing I will say is definitely go and see it to judge for yourself! It's kind of documentary style like 'Cloverfield' although not as much camera bouncing! When it started I thought it was ridiculous and thought I was going to hate it but by the end Id changed my mind! A totally original concept and definitely worth a watch!

Lastly Rachel, Beth, Kirstie and I went to TGI's on the 23rd to celebrate two months here! Can you believe it's been two months already?! It's going crazy fast! I get homesick every so often but not to the point where I want to come home! I'm really looking forward to October as Keeley will be here at the beginning of the month and then my parents and Luke at the end of the month, I just hope I don't get too much of a downer once they both leave.

I have to go to bed now as I am working from 8.30am until 9.30pm tomorrow! We have a meeting with France and Canada from 8.30 until 10.30 (with role plays-ugh!) and then I have a two hour break and then I am working from 12.30 until close. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, it's going to suck especially as then we have to say goodbye to Tino in the evening! This is the not so fun stuff at Disney!

Unbelievable but true!

So i've been here for roughly seven weeks now and the stupid things that some Americans ask are utterly hilarious (if not embarasssing!) I feel I have to share some of them with you and trust me these are all true and not made up! Some of them really are that ignorant!!



We have this thing called Kidcot where the kids make a mask and go round the World Showcase in Epcot and have the mask stamped by each country. We can also write messages in their Disney passport. So this is what I was doing...



Kid: Please can you write my name in British.
Me: (Trying not to break into hysterical laughter) We write in English, the same as you.



Kid: (Whispering to his Mum in front of me) How do I say brown in their language?



While I was working in the Tea Shop with another cast member an American man asked "So where is the UK? Is it in Germany?"



This was while I was working in Queens Table...



Lady: (Talking to her friend in front of me) Why are they selling Irish rings in England?
Me: Because it's not England, it's the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
Lady: (Looking a tad annoyed) yeah I knew that.



While on cart we sell the different flags for the UK.



Kid: (Talking to his Dad) What's this flag?
Dad: I think that's Norway.
Me: No that's Scotland.



Also on cart I had these bright sparks...



Lady: Is there Ireland?
Me: (Thinking she means Merchandise I direct her)
Lady: No I mean is there Ireland in the World Showcase?
Me: Yes you're in it, it's part of the UK. (How many times???!!!)



Me: (In the middle of closing cart I am in my full costume and holding the money in a safe bag)
Man: Excuse me, do you have a cigarette?
Me: (Looking in astonishment) No, I don't have a cigarette!



Man: Are you pin trading?
Me: Yes.
Man: What pins are you going to buy?
Me: (Laughing) None, I work here.
Man: Oh.
Me: Can't you tell by the costume??
Man: Sorry i'm from the UK. (apparently this is an excuse!)
Me: (Nearly crying by now!) Yeah so am I!!

In the Queens Table we have a photo of Princess Diana on the wall, I overheard this conversation between a Mother and Son (by the way when I say son he must have been at least 13!)

Son: (Pointing at photo) Who's that Mom?
Mom: That's Princess Diana.
Son: Who is she?
Mom: She was a British Princess who died in a car crash.
Son: Wow! I didn't know they had Queens and Kings in England! (Oh dear, what are they taught at school?!)


Anyway there's just a few and it's only been seven weeks so I dread to think what others I am going to get during the year!

Back to what i've been up too. I'm still really busy and working alot of hours. I felt quite run down at the beginning of last week, I think I had a bit of a cold and not enough sleep! Beth has the same days off as me which is great, we spend at least one of two at a theme park. We went to Animal Kingdom the other week which was awesome, watched the day parade which i've never seen before and went on the newish ride Everest- loved it!

We took another trip to Universal Studios the other week, we were hoping the new rollarcoaster was going to be open but they were still testing it. It should be open soon, I cannot wait to try it! You pick your own soundtrack to listen too as you go round! We did go on The Mummy, The Hulk and Duelling Dragons though so that gave us a buzz!

We spent the day at Epcot yesterday which was so much fun. It was nice not to spend a day queueing for rides and just wandering around the shops. Having said that we did Test Track and Soarin' and the new Nemo ride! We walked around the World Showcase twice looking at the countries. I was really pleased to have some crusty french bread in the French Pavillion because i've been missing that! Beth had a recommendation from a guest to try the cookies in Germany and they were lush! The Mexican, Japanese and Morrocan restaurants are definitely on my list to try- the food looks amazing!
We met up with Rachel, her sister and her friend who are visiting and they managed to get us a table in the Rose & Crown (the pub in the UK pavillion). We had a table right by the water, the food was delicious and we had a great spot to watch Illuminations and the fireworks. Not only that, we had free starters, they only charged us for two drinks, and one dessert and they took 50% off the bill so a three course meal came to about $16 each! I love being a Disney cast member!

I'm still going to House of Blues every sunday which is usually eventful and Lasses on a Monday. We have spent the last two lasses partying with the Canadians and the Italian lads which has been fun! Check out my photos on facebook for the different outfits we wear each week!
I also had my first night out in Downtown Orlando the other week which was wicked. We went to a bar/club called Chillers. It has three floors and the bar on the ground floor was serving cocktails all night for $1! The top floor is amazing as it's an open terrace and you are surrounded by high rise buildings! The way home was abit scary as someone pointed out to me that Orlando is the fourth most dangerous city in America and you could definitely tell! It's certainly nothing like Downtown Disney but it was a great night out all the same!

This week is going to be a very sad one for me and others because three Merchies are leaving- Kate, Katie and Scott. I'm most upset about Scott as we have become really good friends since I got here, he is definitely the first person I am upset about leaving. I'm not looking forward to goodbyes on friday! It's the leaving meal tonight so i'm off to get ready, i'll let you know how the week pans out!