Caitlin & Derick: Disney World

Exactly two years ago I was a scared and lost soul arriving in Orlando, Florida. I can't believe it has been two whole years!

Doing the Disney college internship had been an idea in my head for a few years since my sister Olivia had done it and raved about how much fun she had doing it. This idea didn't become reality though until Derick got his mission call. I became panicked at the idea of being stuck in Logan without him so I made sure to do exactly what needed to be done. Being accepted was a whole lot easier than I thought it would be. The acceptance process consisted of going to an orientation, taking a survey online, and then -- if passing the survey, a phone interview to find out what role you would be receiving. A few weeks after the phone interview I received my acceptance email telling me I would be working in Quick Service food and Beverage. I would be leaving the second sunday of February until the middle of August. I would be leaving 6 weeks after Derick, which was perfect.

At the orientation. Olivia was a recruiter for Disney.

I was a little nervous to be moving across the country all by myself, but I knew I would be alright. My sister Jillian had decided to do the internship also and she had left a month before me since she was only doing the one until May. She told me all the advice she could think of about transportation and what would be happening once I got where I needed to be. I figured if Jillian could do it then I could do it.

To say I had nothing but fun while I was there would be a lie. I'll admit, more times than not I got so homesick to the point where i seriously considered coming home. I even looked up plane tickets a few times. I am glad I always talked myself out of it because once I got over the culture shock and used to working 50 hours a week I grew to love my experience there. I worked at Columbia Harbor House which was the best location to work at. I am not biased. I happen to know it was a very good location to work due to being deployed to 3 different locations during my internship. The best way to describe these other locations would be to say they were Satan's armpit. The guests were meaner than usual (which is SO scary. Hungry guests, standing in the sun all day, spending more money than they have.. who can blame them?) I guess something about CHH lightened their moods a little, the managers seemed to not care less about the cast members, the cast members weren't as fun, and these locations were busy to the point where you felt like a chicken running around with it's head cut off. I don't think I appreciated my job until I got deployed, though, so I am glad it happened! But 3 times?? and 3 different locations? that was a little over the top but I guess it was supposed to happen! I loved my location. Everyone, for the most part, got along so well and we were always laughing about something. The building was by far the coolest out of all the restaurants in Magic Kingdom, and it wasn't near as busy as the rest.

I was lucky enough to have 5 sane roommates. I have heard of many horror stories and I really was blessed to be roomed with the girls I was. It took me awhile to step out of my shell and get to know them but once I got comfortable there I grew to love them, even when we did sometimes have our differences. Living in an apartment with 6 girls we were bound to have a little "drama" as you must say, but it all made for some funny stories in the end.

Me with two of my roommates at the Mardi Gras Party

Me and Jillian weren't able to see each other too much but
the days we were able to get together until May were definitely
my favorite.

Jill came to visit me at work. Great uniform, right?

All of my roommates minus Marissa

My favorite week, by far was the week my family came down to visit. They came down on mother's day and stayed 7 days. I love my family! We spent an entire week breaking ribs from laughing too hard. We definitely played hard and didn't have a single wasted second. I was sad to see them go especially because Jillian was going home with them. I was suddenly all alone. The two weeks following their visit were definitely my hardest. I had never been so homesick in my life!

I always got stuck sitting by a stranger. I wasn't too
thrilled.

Me, and Rach at the beach

Once again, I am so glad I decided to stick out my journey in Florida. My sister Rachel and her husband, Derrek, came down to visit me for my birthday in June and I was convinced I was going to go back with them to live in Alabama. Rachel talked me out of it saying I had come so far and I only had 2 months to go. I would end up regretting it. She was very right. I think their visit was exactly what I needed to get back on my feet again. I wish I had spent my entire time there the way I had spent my last 2 months. They were so much fun. I made more friends during those two months than I did during the first 4. I got to know my roommates a whole lot better, and I spent more time having fun than sleeping and feeling sorry for myself.

Derrek, Rachel, and I at Sea World on my birthday.

In June, right after Rachel and Derrek left, I met my best friend at Disney. The answer to my prayers. His name is Brandon Morrel and he is a straight up riot! We made the best of every day at work and made sure to always have fun. I can't even begin to think of all of the funny inside jokes we have together.

July went by in a blur. I had too much fun, and not enough sleep but I loved every single second of it. I was anxious to get back home but I am glad I can say I didn't completely take my experience for granted. Come August I had to start saying goodbye to all the friends I had made. It was hard to do because I don't know when or if I will ever see any of them again. Thank goodness for Facebook!

Moving to Florida was exactly what I needed in my life. It helped me grow in so many ways, and it definitely kept me busy for the first 8 months of Derick being gone :)