I met a Disney Legend

After spending 2 1/2 hours in line Wednesday morning and being turned away because he ran out of time I finally got to meet Disney Legend Marty Sklar at Downtown Disney Art of Animation shop in the Market Place. I must say it was magical! I'll admit i've only gotten through half of the book so far, but his accomplishments are unparalleled to any other Disney imagineer or Disney Legend! Marty's book "Dream It! Do It!" is about his journey through the Disney company and along side the Disney family. Marty had personal relationships with Walt and Roy Disney through out his life and the stories he has to tell truly put the Disney spirit into perspective!
Before meeting Marty in true fangirl fashion I had a list of questions and things to say, but it all went out the window when I walked up to him and he said Hello and asked me where I was from. I told him that I was from Michigan recalling that he spent quite a time up there in my neck of the woods with Walt working with a handful of businesses GM and Ford being one of them. He proceeded to ask me how it was there and I told him that it could probably be better, but they were working on trying to get everything sorted and fixed. He said at least it isn't cold yet.
I do wish that I had mentioned I was a cast member and I had big dreams in the company, but I was a bit starstruck. Maybe in the future I'll be on the list of Disney Legends right next to Marty Sklar.

My idea of success

I used to think in order to be happy I had to be successful, so i would chase around this shadow of an idea of what I thought success was. I would grieve over an absence from class and shut myself down at the slightest grade under a B because that was not being a success and in my mind it just meant failure. I had been taught by society to believe that success meant having a fortune and a strong job title with a reputation built on the words of my peers, but it was all wrong. In my yearning and searching for this type of success I only ever found anxiety and panic over the fact that I could not live the expected life needed to become that person, to become that success. I spent a long time with this idea that I was a failure, and I won't deny that the constant fear of failing looms over me with every decision I make. I am stronger today because I know that failing is not what I should be afraid of, and not what I should have ever been scared to experience. The experience of failing or making a mistake is the most wonderful thing because with every tiny mistake a lesson is learned and you have the ability to grow as a person! 

I make mistakes everyday, and I am coming to a point where I am no longer ashamed of them I just accept them for what they are which is my learning opportunities. Mistakes should be glorified and praised for their educational capacities not shamed and looked down on. 

I don't know if I will ever have the stereotypical idea of success, but I know that I am successful everyday that I can admit to a flaw and overcome it. I have grown to shine above any mistake or flaw I have and accept them all as my own. Maybe some of them can stand to be changed or adjusted, but some of my flaws are just part of the things that make me who I am and they shouldn't have to be changed. 

The key to being successful is really just being happy with who you are and what you can do, and realizing that if you are not happy with that you can change it all at any time.

Monthiversary!

I moved into my apartment at Disney World one month ago today. Time here is so strange some days feel like years, but other days already feel like distant memories. It is really sad to think that my time here is already 1/5 of the way finished at that before we can even fathom it our programs will be over and it will be time to say good bye.
I am very glad to say that I love it here, I love every aspect of the company and even though I think there are better ways to do things sometimes I know that it is cast members like me who look towards to future who will keep this company on the right track and advancing.
While my ultimate goal is to write music for Disney movies and maybe even the shows they have here in the parks I have come to terms and realized that if I really want to accomplish that goal I must leave Disney in the future to further my education.
I have tons of plans and goals for my university education but nothing it set in stone just yet and I have plenty of time to decide what exactly I will be doing with my life still.
I can honestly say though that I am so excited for the future and for living and just being here and that is the best feeling. I wake up everyday maybe not jumping out of bed, but with a smile on my face because I realize how lucky I am.
I am doing a job that I love, in a place that I could have only ever dreamed of being. I am not sure if fate is being kind to me, or if I've just worked really hard to accomplish this, but I am so grateful for this opportunity and for this experience.

I leave you tonight with my character photo with Peter and Wendy:

Main Street and I

Photo Credit to the Beautiful, Stunning Kayla Justice

Main Street USA is one of my favorite places inside the magic kingdom, it's better to me then any ride in the park or even the castle. You can sit on the curb and watch people walk in under the train station and see that look on their face, that light in their eyes that begins to glow as they realize they've just entered a whole new world! When you see a little girl walk down main street and see the castle and have that look, that moment of realization that it's real! So i love Main Street, because it's where the magic really happens. The magic that puts a light in a childs' eye, or makes an old woman feel like a little girl again! That is what Disney magic is, it's that feeling it creates deep down in your soul that impossible smile that can't be wiped away.

Life at Disney

I am currently on the bus back to my apartment after working an awesome 6 hour shift and my beautiful resort the Polynesian.

I realize I haven't updated in a while! I am going to work on that I promise maybe not everyday but hopefully once a week!

Here's a brief overview of my role as a custodial cast Member at Walt Disney World Polynesian Resort!

I trained for about 2 weeks with 6 days of on the job training.

As a custodial cast member I am responsible for one of several different roles I can be working the pool or beach, restrooms, or the hotels lobby as well as a number of other things.

It is really great! I get to interact with guests and little princesses and answer questions or help them when they need it.

When I first applied this wasn't the role I would have chosen for myself, but after reflecting on my phone interview answers and what this role entails it really was a perfect fit!

I am so excited to be here living one of my biggest oldest childhood dreams, I will definitely be posting more!

99 Days until I check in!

Oh my goodness I can't believe that in 99 days I'll starting a whole new chapter in my life!
From now until I leave I'll be posting weekly updates of how i am preparing to go!
Starting off I have my roommate survey!
Well I already have my roommate, so it is more of a getting to know me survey instead!

DCP Fall Survey

NAME:

Marissa Parks sometimes known as Maris, Ris or Ginge

BIRTHDATE/AGE:

June 10^th 1992 / 21 for the program

HOMETOWN:

Linden Michigan (and proud)

MAJOR/MINOR:

Basically I’m an educational mess.

Business major Music Major maybe a few other things.

Undecided?

CURRENT JOB:

Bar’s Products I’m a cross between a temp, a secretary and a scientist (I have a lab coat)

RESORT:

Walt Disney World

ROLE:

Custodial!

ARRIVAL DATE / DEPARTURE DATE:

August 5^th -January 3^rd

FLYING IN OR DRIVING:

Driving

HOUSING PREFERENCES

BUILDING:

The Commons (maybe) Patterson

NUMBER OF ROOMMATES:

1 Found her already though!

I COULD NOT LIVE WITH A ROOMMATE THAT:

Whom doesn’t respect my space, or has people over at all hours of the night.

LIFESTYLE STUFF

DO YOU DRINK?

Probably casually

DO YOU SMOKE?

Absolutely not.

DO YOU LIKE TO PARTY?

My idea of party is to have late night chats and movie nights involving anything from horror movies to Disney movies or having friends over for a nice dinner night.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS?

Cystic Fibrosis genetic disorder that effects the lungs and pancrease.

MESSY OR TIDY?

I am fairly tidy, but I will have somedays where I won’t even want to make my bed.

DO YOU LIKE TO COOK?

I LOVE to cook! I love trying new recipes and making all sorts of different dishes! Lately I’ve been experimenting with chocolate and homemade marshmallows yum!

NIGHT PERSON OR MORNING PERSON?

Both

ROOMMATE STUFF

FAVORITE CHORE?

Dishes, sweeping, cleaning the bathroom.

LEAST FAVORITE CHORE?

Vacuuming, dusting.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SHARING?

I am all for sharing! As long as it’s mutual and if you take the last one either replace it or at least let me know!

DO YOU SNORE?

No but I talk it my sleep, and do I have some stories.

WHAT TIME DO YOU USUALLY GO TO BED?

It depends, between 10 and 12 usually sometimes earlier sometimes later.

 WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP ON FREE DAYS?

anywhere between 7 and 11

I PREFER TO SLEEP IN A ROOM THAT…

Is cool and dark, with a little bit of noise like a fan. I like fans a lot.

PERSONALITY STUFF

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU:

Musical, chipper, animated

ONE GOOD QUALITY:

I’m a good adapter. Emotionally it is easy for me to understand and adapt myself to different situations to and connect with people.

ONE BAD QUALITY:

I am painfully shy. I have a bit of social anxiety, but once I get to know you I’m a bit of a chatter box J

5 FAVORITE BANDS/SINGERS:

Queen

Jonas Brothers

Demi Lovato

5 FAVORITE TV SHOWS:

Doctor Who

Hells Kitchen

Kitchen Nightmares

NCIS
Sherlock

5 FAVORITE MOVIES:

Jurassic Park

Twister

5 FAVORITE BOOKS:

The Eternal Ones

 The Forbidden Games Series

John Green EVERYTHING

HOBBIES:

Race Cars, Music music music, reading, drawing, blogging, I’m a mess of hobbies the more you know me the more you’ll realize I am actually just a Hobbist

DISNEY STUFF

FAVORITE MOVIE:

The pressure! Peter Pan II Return to Neverland

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

Peter Pan/Alice

FAVORITE PRINCESS:

Tiana

FAVORITE VILLAIN:

Dr. Facilier

FAVORITE PARK:

E.P.C.O.T.

FAVORITE RIDE:

Tower of Terror

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN TO DISNEY?

Disney World 3 times Disney Cruise Line 2

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT AT DISNEY?

I am really excited start this part of my life! I am hoping to finish my A.A. online over the next year and network within the company to help me discover what I really want to do with my life. Working with the Disney company has been a dream of mine since I was in early middle school or elementary, I’m just frightened that once I get there I won’t leave!

OTHER:

I’m really excited to get to Florida and get everything started. I am confident that it will be an amazing time. I am also running the Tower of Terror 10 Mile event, and I’m the team leader of a charity team for the event so if you’re planning on running and want to be on my team message me! Don’t pay your registration fee yet though, message me first!

I'm Going to Disney World!

I got the E-mail Monday morning that said I was accepted into the Disney College Program! After freaking out for a few hours and telling everyone I know I sat down and paid my fee's and picked my arrival date!
My role in the college program is Custodial, which I've heard from a lot of people is one of the best roles to have!
I am really excited for this opportunity working for Disney has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember and I've finally got my chance to get my foot in the door of the company! This does put my degree off another semester, but I am completely okay with that! I am going to try and take one of the classes Disney offers and a class or two from my College, but I am scared that all the work will be too much and I really want to enjoy being at Disney as much as I can!

I feel like Tiana that dream i've been wishing on has finally come true!

Thank you Disney! and all the people who've supported my decision and encouraged me!

More Disney things to come!

Have a Magical Day!