FAQs

These are all legitimate, serious questions. The answers, not so much. 

Quite seriously though (no, I am really being serious), feel free to ask me any of these questions or other questions about the program if you talk to me. I even put that last sentence in italics, so you'd know I was being serious.

When do you leave?

The 7th of January. Oh, wait, that's tomorrow.

How long will you be gone?

6 to 12 months.

Where are you going?

To Disney World in Florida.

At Disney World or Disneyland?

Disney World.

In America?!

Yep, in Florida.

Would you stay over there indefinitely?

If by indefinitely, you mean the definite time frame of my program expiration date of January 13, 2016 combined with a 30 day grace period, then yes. Oh sorry, you meant indefinitely. Then, no. I quite like the idea of Medicare and annual leave. (Immigration spies please note my intention to strictly adhere to your rules).

Will you be living with your sister?

She lives about 4 hours away. That would be a very long commute to work. I'll be staying in one of the four Disney run housing complexes with anywhere from 2 to 8 people in the same apartment. Each room has either two twin beds or a bunk bed and a twin bed. I'm yet to understand why they call it a twin bed with such small dimensions. I fear what their version of a single bed would be. And yes, I put the bunk bed room options down the bottom of my housing pre-registration. Can you imagine sleepwalking off a top bunk?

So it's like you'll be living in a dorm?

Yes, it is. They refer to the housing as DORMS and the entire program is called the Disney College Program. You can even study there. I won't be studying though. My lifelong hiatus from study began when I rage quit my Masters degree.

Will you be seeing your sister?

Yes, I'm flying in to Miami and staying with her and Carlos (her husband) for a couple of days and then going to Orlando to go to Universal studios.

When I got back from my last trip my mum asked if I'd seen the view from their balcony. It was then I realised I didn't even go on the balcony. My big plans for this trip to Miami are to go on the balcony (probably shout out, "Romeo! Romeo! Where for art thou, Romeo?") and to eat at the Cheesecake Factory.

Which character will you be or will you be dancing?

Neither. I have a "role" in quick service food and beverage.

But you look like Ariel?

Thank you, you're too kind. But I look a lot less like her now that my red hair has been subdued.

Oh, your hair is darker now?

Yeah, they have this thing called the "Disney Look". Every "cast member" (yes, even food and bevies are called cast members) has to maintain a presentable appearance. I had to make my hair more natural. The whole process was quite long (6 hours over 2 days to be precise). The first dying attempt at the hairdresser left me with horribly dark hair. It was as if I was about to be cast in "Finding Emo: the teenage angsty non-adventures of a black gilled fish with a father who travels through the Great Barrier Reef in search of his son's manners".

Do they know you can dance?

American program hopefuls can attend an audition. Australian program hopefuls just go to an interview. They do know that I have a Bachelor of Dance and that my first preference was character performer. But I guess with over 20 years dance experience and over 7 years working for a fashion chain they think I'll really excel at the whole food and bevie thing.

How much will you be working?

At the presentation before my interview they said we would usually work 5 days a week, but I'm sure that's subject to change.

Was it hard to get the job?

Not really. You just had to be a uni student and apply online. I also went to a presentation and interview. It also probably helped that at the interview I felt as though my eyeballs were going to pop out of my head due to severe excitement.

Oh, so you had an interview did you?

Yeah, in the city.

Aren't the wages crap in America?

Yes, $9 an hour crap, but I'm not going for the money. If sustenance wasn't an issue the free Disney parks entry and merchandise discounts would be enough.

Are you all organised?

I want to say yes, but I'll definitely find out when I get over there.

Are you packed?

Mostly. There's just a few last minute things to pack, like all my make-up, toiletries, most of my unmentionables, my technological devices, my carry on liquids...

Are you excited?

I think so. It's doesn't quite feel real yet. I feel like the reality of it all is going to set in while I'm shopping for toilet paper. I am pretty excited about the Disney VoluntEARS program and the prospect of new pals.

Are you going to stay more up-to-date with your blogs this time?

I'm not going to lie.