Last Park Day

July 9th was the middle day... we didn't have to work, but we didn't have to leave yet.  So Rebecca and I decided to spend the day visiting our favourite spots, and saying goodbye to Disney.

We started the day, not at Disney, but Geocaching.  Geocaching involves finding a small container hidden somewhere.  There's always something hidden inside these geocaches, and Rebecca wanted to add something special.  This geocache was located just outside of The Commons.

  

After finding the geocache we drove to Epcot. We rode Spaceship Earth one last time and went to recreate our Magical Moment during Orientation, when we were welcomed as new Epcot Cast Members.

 

  

We went to say our final goodbyes and thank you's to our managers and then said goodbye to backstage Epcot.  I don't think I'll ever have a reason (or excuse) to go back there again.

After Epcot, we headed to the Magic Kingdom for parades, rides, and shows.  In the evening we had reservations for a final dinner at Citricos.  It was delicious!  I had the chicken and a mango creme brulee!

After dinner it was back to the Magic Kingdom for a couple more rides (you know I had to max out Buzz Lightyear's again), and then our final Wishes.  The only problem was, after Wishes I didn't want to leave.  Then SpectroMagic started so we stayed for that, but Rebecca and I still didn't want to leave.  We stood by the Castle, took pictures, and were eventually dragged out by David and Ali.  It was so hard to leave.

After leaving our last park, we headed back to the Commons for a pool party, and packed to get ready to leave.  You have to be out of Commons by noon on Friday so there wasn't much time to prepare.  Packing was sad and lonely.  Heather had already moved into Patterson Court, so I was all alone in the apartment.  It looked so empty!  It would have been unbearable, but I knew there was still lots to look forward to in the upcoming weeks!

Last Day of Work

July 8th was my last day of work (and I was a 10:15 to boot)!  Linda was our manager, and she let us pick our sections!  The Northwest Territories (easiest section) was already taken, so I chose Nova Scotia (another three 4-top section).

After getting the restaurant ready, we sat down for our last pre-meal.  Instead of the typical pre-meal, Linda decided that we would each write down the reasons why we're going to miss those of us on our last shift.  It was such a kind gesture, and definitely made me cry!

My last shift went really well, with amazing Guests.  It could be that I was just plain lucky, or I was seeing the job through rose-coloured glasses because I knew how much I'd miss this.  The best table, however, was my last table.  Since the restaurant was slowing down I got to chatting with them, and they asked how long I'd been working for Disney.  I ended up telling them that they were my last table on my last shift, and they were honoured!   I mentioned that my "sing out" would be soon, and they decided to stay (past their dessert) as a show of support!

A sing-out is one of the most difficult things.  Everyone who is working their last shift is asked to stand on the fireplace, and say their name and where they are from.  Then, the entire restaurant sings O' Canada, our national anthem.  Typically, many other CRP's will come into the restuarant to sing their friends out, even if they aren't working.  For our sing-out, as there were five of us leaving, there were two lines from the fireplace all the way to the exit ramp with other CRP's there to show support.

I look like I'm smiling here, but it's really self preservation.

I didn't just cry, I balled.

After the song, everyone comes one by one to say goodbye, and often more tears ensue.

 

(Notice the red eyes)

Oh yes, then afterwards you have to finish serving your Guests, and bank out.

Usually this is accompanied by more tears and hugs.

Then we changed out of our costumes, returned them, checked out of our lockers, and returned to Le Cellier for dinner with friends.

  

After dinner we headed backstage for some more photos and to see the beautiful sunset.

  

After sunset, there was only time for the Canada movie (and more tears) and Illuminations.

As we headed out of Epcot that wasn't the end of the tears, as I still had my throw-out to do!

You'd think that because I was driving home I wouldn't have much to give away, but I had almost a full car load full of stuff!  We just started giving away things, as fast as possible, but then took time for the important things.  This "Minnie" was for F&B Heather.

 

(Note: I'm wearing the T-shirts from our throw-in)

At the end, as we always do, we sang O'Canada... this time we got everyone leaving to join us.

The Fourth of July

To be honest, I'm writing this 2 years later, so I don't really remember what I did July 2nd and 3rd.  There's no photos to look back on, so I'm just going to assume I was working.

July 4th is Independence Day in the US, and luckily I had it off!  Rebecca and I decided that this would be a great opportunity to view the amazing fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom.  So we got up very early to make sure we could get into the park!

We spent the day enjoying the park, and even got to see the newly opened Hall of Presidents!  We grabbed lots of snacks throughout the day, and even got to eat at the Chineese food place in Tomorrowland.  I'm always eager to see it open, because it's SO good!  Just check out my beef and broccoli, egg roll, and iced green tea... mmmm.

   

After grabbing our delicious dinner we decided to stake out a spot in front of the Castle for the fireworks.  People line up earlier than usual on holidays, this is the photo at 7:30pm, a full hour and a half before the show!

Fortunately, we were prepared with Disney trivia cards to keep us entertained during our long wait.  But the wait was definitely worth it!  The fireworks were amazing!  The show was almost 15 minutes, and fireworks were set off from several locations surrounding the Castle and Main Street USA.

When the fireworks ended, Rebecca and I made a run for the exit, because we knew that the Epcot fireworks would be starting only 45 minutes later and we wanted to see if we could make both shows.  We were lucky, and squeaked in just as Illuminations started.  Since the Independence Day fireworks followed Illuminations, we hadn't missed anything.  The fireworks at Epcot weren't quite as big as the ones at the Magic Kingdom, but they were all set up to highlight the American Adventure pavillion, which was really neat.  Definitely not something I've ever seen before!  I loved it!

Canada Day

Canada Day is a very special day to me, not only because it's a celebration of Canada, but because it's the day Rob and I had our first date!  And so, on our first anniversary we found ourselves thousands of miles apart... but that didn't stop us from celebrating!

Canada Day is a fantastic day to be a Cultural Representative!  You're in Florida, with so many great Canadians, and you get to celebrate in Disney!

Our day started out with a pancake and mimosa brunch at Julie's!

 

Eventually, we all shuttled off to Epcot to enjoy the rest of the day.  Once in Epcot, we headed straight to the Canada Pavilllion, which was decked out in flags from all of the provinces and territories, and of course, our national flag!

 

But that wasn't the only special trick Mickey had up his sleeve.  They planned a party in the break trailer for all Cast Members (whether working that day or not), so we all enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream courtesy of The Mouse!

As with every couple of Wednesday's, we also had a sing-out for Cast Members leaving.  This time it was Mercedes and Cherish.

Then, we started our tour of the world.  One of the best things about doing this as a group, was running into all of the other groups of Canadians doing the same thing!

After the tour, we returned to Canada (which is generally not recommended) to listen to our favourite band, Off Kilter, and watch Illuminations!  Then it was time to head home... but the party didn't stop!

 

Disney Graduation

June 25th was our Disney Graduation (and Graduation for anyone leaving in the Summer/Early Fall).  This meant Heather and Bryce were graduating too!  Disney organizes a bus to Graduation, but fortunately Bryce offered to drive us in!

Graduation is an awesome celebration!  There were artists ready to do your charicature, Mickey and Minnie there for pictures, flags from every country, a delicious breakfast, and of course... our ear hats!

 

Yep, my characture was me in a bikini, on a beach, with a guy drooling... very Disney (?!).

After Graduation was over we headed into the Magic Kingdom for a photo shoot, and to get our ear hats embroidered (they do it for free)!

  

Next up, we headed to Le Cellier for lunch.  As always, I got the Prime Rib Burger.  I just really love the ketchup-relish.  I don't like ketchup, but to me, this stuff is like pure deliciousness.  Whenever I work a MID (which is pretty often) this is what I eat.  Then we went around the pavillion, saw the Canada Movie (cried) and took some pictures.

 

Following the photo shoot Rebecca, Lyndsay, and I went on a shopping trip to prepare for a Star Wars themed party.  The two already had a Star Wars cook book, and tons of recipes they wanted to try, so it was just time to get the ingredients.  We made a Star Wars cake, Yoda Soda, Wookie Cookies, Tie Fighter Ties, Princess Leah Buns, Light Saber Popcicles, and more, watched movies, and had a Star Wars Guess Who? tournament.  It was so much fun!

 

 



June 27th I worked an AM, and then went to a Candlelight Reunion Dinner at Trails End.  It was really amazing, because everyone was so kind!  They scheduled it before I left, so we could all say goodbye, paid for my dinner, and I even received a Tinkerbell figurine to remind me to "Let My Dreams Blossom", even when I return to Canada.  I'm really going to miss these people!

After dinner I met up with Lyndsay to start celebrating her birthday!  People didn't end up going out, so we stayed in, played DDR and Sing Star with a couple of friends. Just one comment: Craig is an awesome singer!

 

June 29th I was only supposed to work an AM, but I offered to extend because they needed someone to, and I'm starting to realise that I only have a few more days of work, so I might as well earn money while I can.  Heather was frustrated after work, so we went to my place to relax. We had everything girls need: popcicles, icing with smarties, and cheap wine.