This morning there was another CP guy in training, as well as a manager, so we were all on a boat together until we could get an extra one running.  I got to stand watch on the back of the boat as Erica took the boat out of harbor - what a cool view.  We watched them train for awhile, then spent some time practicing port docks before break.  After, we had our own boat so we went out on the Studios run to practice for real.  The main difficulty is staying out of everyone else's way so that we don't mess up the normal flow, because it's down to a science.  We then came in for lunch.  Two days ago I had a picture of the boat in the elbow - today I put it in there myself!  That was the only rough landing I had today, and it was probably the worst so far, but it was because of some misdirection - I was doing the right thing and would have been fine otherwise.  After lunch we went out to the resort loop and followed a boat, docking exactly like they did.  Erica went on the way out, and I got to practice my first spiel, and then I drove on the way back and then did the first half right away on our second trip.  I had totally great dockings everywhere, and in fact a few that warranted an A+ appraisal!  Then, we got silly on the way back.  I was hamming it up on the spieling, so then we got to hear some of Captain Don's A material - very funny.  When we got back it was time to clock out, and the rains came.  I brought things to change into, and we finally have lockers over at the International Gateway, so I changed there and headed right back out on the boats.  I got to the Studios at about 5:10, and went to ride Star Tours right away.  The park was dead, so I walked on and got to stick behind and ride it again.  I managed to get a few more pictures of things that I missed, although I'm sure there are many details that I missed.  There was a guy with a nice camera and tripod set up - in fact, a whole collection of geeks were present, which was good because there was almost no one riding.  I went back out because I was feeling urpy so I saw Muppet Vision 3D and then wandered to Sunset to visit my roommate.  I finally found her down by RnRC - apparently she's floating all down Sunset, not just at the Dockside Diner.  I rode Tower of Terror because it had a short wait, then I meandered back to Star Tours, taking time to get water and trying to walk slow.  Then I realized that I could probably get a second ride in if I went then, so I went on and got to stay for the very last ride (open to the public).  I finally got a pretty good picture of Rex too.

I headed outside and noticed cast members gathered, so I thought I could sneak into the special last ride, but found out that it was just for people who worked in the immediate area, so I headed out to the bus.  I was too wiped to make dinner, but I found out that Chick-Fil-A makes a chicken salad!  Yay!  I also figured out today why I've been so exhausted: my schedule seems easier than everyone elses' but I've been physically and mentally done every afternoon.  I realized today that I was physically willing the boat to stop at the dock just right!   I'm not sure why I think I can will a 66 foot boat into submission, so I'm going to work on relaxing that.  Tomorrow should be interesting, as it will be the first time we have to drive in the dark, and we'll have to bring the boats back after Illuminations.  Another exhausting day, I'm sure.

After work I went over to the Studios, because yesterday morning and today the dock manager mentioned that Star Tours is closing for refurb on Wednesday and won't be open again until 2011.  Here's one of the robots ("droid" copyright Lucasfilms, apparently, who knew?) in the queue of Star Tours, which I'm now planning on catching one more time tomorrow before it's rehabed with a totally new 3D film.  I believe the new one will be particularly hard on the motion sickness, so I don't anticipate it being one that I do very often.  Trivia: this was a bird in the America Sings attraction, some of whom still have their skin and you can still see in Splash Mountain (the geese).

And of course our favorite droid...plus the prattling one.

I'll be back to it tomorrow too.

So today I was training to drive the Friendship boats, starting at 7am, which meant I had to catch the 6:17 bus to Epcot to be on time!  Not at all my favorite part of the day, but I was jazzed about starting so it made it easier.  I made the bus, and no problems with delays, and I met my fellow boatmate Erica who also lives in Vista.  We made it inside to the break room by 6:30 (I even dropped off a shirt to be laundered in the nifty scan system) and then met most of the Sunday crew.  Our trainer, Don, came to grab us at 10 til and we headed into the dry dock.  Since I'm new, I don't know how much I can disclose, and I specifically didn't take any pictures until we were onstage, so I'll just mention that we were first out on the World Showcase Lagoon way before the park was open, about 7:15.  This is where I first got to drive, and made several successful dockings...I did so well right away that I didn't get to practice much more in the lagoon!  We put the boat in the elbow (the area right outside of France across from the International Gateway) and went to lunch.  Here's the boat in the elbow.

Then later in the afternoon we went out on the studios run. I got to drive on the way back, and while I felt confident driving, I was not so good docking when there wasn't a guide rail.  I have to remember tho that this is the first time I have ever driven a boat, unless you count those little Water Mice they have around property here.  I did the whole run back to Epcot without destroying anything, without running into anything, doing the correct horn beeps and radio signals - I just wasn't close enough to the dock.  I wished that I had more time to practice and get it perfect, but I realized when I got back to the office that the world was a little wobbly - even when I got home after my shift I found that I felt like I was on a boat when I lay down, so I had to have a hand on the wall as I fell asleep.  Soon enough I'll feel confident having people on board - I think that will happen in the next few days.  Wish me luck!  Also, if you're in the area the next few days and see an empty boat go by, it's probably us out training again, and it's ok to laugh if you see us sitting out in the middle of a lake spinning in circles.  Our boat's steering is really cool that way - there is no rudder, so we can turn in a complete circle no problem!  Also, I have a new appreciation for the amount of training that goes into each job in Walt Disney World. I know that it's frustrating to see an empty boat go by without anyone in it, but it turns out that you wouldn't want to be in the boat if you could...we had quite a few rough docks!

Today was my long day of training, but it was a lot of fun.  I spent some time in the classroom first, and then we headed out into Epcot.  After a tour we came back, and it was time for costuming.  I get a special costume for when I'm out on the boats.  I look like a cruise director, which is so far the favorite costume among my roommates.  We have some pretty hideous costumes here.

Taken by Haley tonight before I went to my sister's house.  That's Chrisy in the corner laughing.  I have to be in this, Disney Look ready, to catch the 6:17 bus tomorrow morning for more training, so I am heading to bed super early!  I hope the Trek Triathlon tomorrow doesn't mess up our busses too much, I don't want to be late on the first day out on the boats.

So Haley, one of my apartment-mates who also did not work today, wanted to go explore the other two parks today, so we started off at Animal Kingdom about noon.  We went on the safari, where we saw not only the baby elephant

but the white rhino baby too.  We walked the Pangani Forest Trail so Haley could take pictures of the gorillas, and they were posing for me as always, in both enclosures.

Then we headed over to Everest, Dinosaur!, and then grabbed lunch at Pizzafari.  I understand now why my sister always hated eating in Animal Kingdom...not particularly veggie friendly, and really no healthy choices.  After that we headed out to Magic Kingdom, where we hit up the big rides, and met up with another apartment-mate Chrisy who was done with work.  We're back home early since all of us have to work at 8 am tomorrow.  I finally start training! Hooray!

Hoping to organize my room tonight too...and sleep early.  I have to be up early enough to be Disney Look ready and on the bus at about 7:20...

I did update Wednesday for those who want more description...and one more picture.

Need to go to bed so I don't bother my roommate, but here's us after we got into our first park with our ids.

And here's a pretty picture of Spaceship Earth.  I love the color it gets when the sun is setting - and the sunset was gorgeous tonight.

Then we went to MK for the Electrical Light Parade and Wishes.  I was going to spend tomorrow getting more organized, but my roommie who is off tomorrow too wants "to go play."  She had never been to a Disney park, but I think she got bitten by the bug.  An early convert!

OMG am I tired, but what a great day.  I have been up for 19 hours, and I slept for probably 5 before that.  We had to be on the bus for traditions at 6:45, so that meant I had to be up at 5:45, not to get dressed, but to put on my cover-up makeup and get the stupid glass piercing retainers in, and it turns out make a quick fake hem in my dress pants.  Yay sewing skills!  I also had to sew the bottom of my shirt shut, because it pulls open and doesn't look good.  I had to work hard last night to find a professional outfit that didn't look bad on me, and I had to spend this morning making this one look good.  In my aim to only include things that I was ok machine washing, I didn't pick very good outfits...

We got to Disney University (yay!) and went inside where we were separated into smaller groups.  One  of my apartment-mates, Laura, was in my group, which was nice.  We went up, and before they gave us our cast ids we got the once over.  My name had a little tick mark next to it, so I got a second once over, but she didn't say anything, so I'm hoping I was ok. We went into a conference room that had an amazing mural on both walls (I don't know if anyone else's room looked like that) but I found my favorite little friend in the far corner.

The classroom parts will not be particularly interesting to relay, but the coolest part was getting to go into the Utilidor system underneath the Magic Kingdom.  No pictures, because it's not allowed, but it was awesome getting to go there.  The best part was when we left the system and came out onto Main Street - it was a magical moment for me!  We proceeded to Liberty Square, and when I saw the wait for the Haunted Mansion was 5 minutes, I knew I had to come back after I was done.  I had promised my roommate Avery that I would take her shopping, so we did that first, but then I headed out to the Magic Kingdom to celebrate the occasion.  My pass didn't actually work (oops!) but the gate attendant let me in anyway, and I made it in right at 5pm.  First time I've seen the flag retreat ceremony.  I was very moved by it.

And guess what time it is?  It's Halloween time!

I rode tons of rides before it was time for the fireworks at 9pm (no parade) - I wandered in right before and got a great spot with a nice rail to lean on.  I was surprised that they were back to Wishes already - I'm glad I came out this summer to see the special summer fireworks. Last picture is one for my sister...Wishes (Kaboom)...the frowny face!