DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM - A Spring 2013 Adventure! *COMPLETE* 11/20

I just want to say that I LOVE all your TRs!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do them!

And I also want to say...that due to your pictures of the food from Garden Grill...I just make a reservation there for our upcoming trip. The food and atmosphere just look divine! I'm sure we won't be disappointed!

And maybe we'll see you somewhere in Disney....in 1 MONTH!!!! :cool1:
 
It was great meeting you on Saturday night. Hope you are settling nicely in Orlando and that school is going great. Good luck with all of your plans. I hope you continue to enjoy what you are doing with Disney.
 
Just wanted to say that even though I haven't posted a lot I really enjoyed reading about your college program. I know you have had ups and downs, just like everyone else does in life, but it sounds like there were more ups than downs and you got to live your dream and do something that makes you really happy, which is what is important.
 
I am so sad this TR is ending! :sad: Haha, how selfish of me. I can't even comprehend how many hours you must have put in to writing this. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and in such amazing detail. I wish I had known the college program existed while I was in college. When I first read about it on the DIS, I felt like I missed out an amazing experience that I would have loved... Except now it's okay because I really feel like I lived the entire thing through your TR from start to finish. Best of luck with college and your future with the WDW Company. You're definitely going to do big things. I feel like I'll see you one day on a Disney Parks documentary :goodvibes I'll still be following on Twitter too :thumbsup2
 
Jess after reading this post we felt the need to comment we have enjoyed reading your report We see your Dad and our son may be alumni at the same university also our home town too. its a small world we will all be in your world next May..

June 20th-24th, 2013 (Part 2) - My Family Visits!

Then when they came back that night we went to Turf Club for dinner!

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All Natural Lemonade with Wildberry Foam is my favorite.

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Prime Rib:

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So then the next day I had to work but then Mom, Jonathan, and I went to Maya Grill for dinner! I'm glad I finally went there because it was REALLY good.

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This is called the Three Amigos. LOVED IT. Devoured it.

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Fried Ice Cream:

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Then on their last night we went to Via Napoli which is Jonathan and Dad's favorite! They always ask to go there every time they come to Disney.

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We each had a table service dining credit to use (plus one extra!) so we just decided to get one of every dessert on the menu!

Gelato Frizzante:

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Ugly But Good:

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Tiramasu:

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Zeppoles:

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Pistachio Gelato:

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We took some pictures out in Italy since the park was pretty much empty by the time we got out of dinner!

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My family left the next day, and after work I met up with my friend Rachelle at Epcot and we used up the remainder of the quick services and snacks from our dining plan!

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I got some chicken teriyaki in Japan:

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Strawberry Ice Cream:

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Then we went over to Sunshine Seasons. DESSERTS FOR DAYS!

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Continued in Next Post
 
Hey Jess, it was great bumping into you in the MK. My wife and I were the Canadians getting coffee and coke floats just after wishes the other night. Good to see your still having fun!!

Good luck with everything and it has been fun reading your TR!!
 
Alright Jess, I'm officially addicted to your trip report! I'm only in April now... But reading your report makes me so so excited for our two trips in 2014. Coronado springs is our fave resort too, I've subscribed, and can't wait to read more!
 
August 7th, 2013 (Part 1) - Graduation Ears in the Magic Kingdom!

This morning was my last morning at Coronado Springs as a College Program student. I worked morning lounge, which is my favorite! :-) It was the perfect way to end!

During my break, I met some readers of my trip report, Emma and her Mom! Emma has been reading my trip reports for the past two years so I was super excited to meet her! Her and her Mom were some of the nicest people I have ever met. I ended up talking to them for probably 30-40 minutes in the lobby. We just had an endless amount of things to talk about! They had magic bands and magic band covers too that were tiki room and small world themed, so that was awesome!

It really has been amazing getting the opportunity to meet so many people who read my reports. All of the love and support I have gotten over the past 6 months has really meant the world to me! Thank you to each and every one of you, whether I have met you or not!

I finished up the last bit of my shift and then it was time to clock out for the very last time as a CP! SO SAD! I seriously cannot believe how fast the time flew by.

I left at 2:30 pm and went back home to Patterson. I tried packing up a little bit but I was mostly just wasting time until I could go to Magic Kingdom!!

I had a little to do list for tonight: I needed to get my graduation ears embroidered, I needed to take a picture from my favorite view of the castle with my ears on, and I needed to meet Mickey!

So that is exactly what we did! Once we arrived at Magic Kingdom, we went straight to the Chapeau. It was absolutely insane because this girl I went to high school with was working there! Her name is Steph and I was like "what are you doing here!?” Small, small world. Disney really brings people together!

She took my order for my embroidery for my ears. I wanted them to say “DCP 2013” in gold writing, and that’s exactly what I got!

It only took about 10 minutes for them to be all done, so I thanked her and we headed out.

Then Ryan and I went over to my spot and started having a little photo shoot with my ears. Back in October, my Mom took a picture of me looking out at the castle from this view. (It's actually in the intro post of this report!) So I wanted to recreate the shot with my graduation Mickey ears on. It was magical!!

October 7th, 2012:

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August 7th, 2013:

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COLLEGE PROGRAM COMPLETE.


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After spending a good long time trying to get the perfect shot, we had a Magic Kingdom photo shoot with my graduation ears! Basically think of it as your senior pictures but for the college program. :laughing: Of course we started here at my favorite view of the castle!

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"When there's a smile in your heart..." :-)

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Obsessed with this one.

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GRADUATED.

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Ryan was the first friend I ever made that actually did the College Program, so was pretty awesome that he was there from the moment I went to my first information session about the CP all the way to the very last day of my program. It has been quite the journey, my friend!

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Off to the hub to go see Walter!

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Up Main Street we go!

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THANKS FOR CASTING ME IN MY COLLEGE PROGRAM, DISNEY. I couldn't be more thankful.

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"When one door closes another one opens!"

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Continued in Next Post
 
August 7th, 2013 (Part 2) - Graduation Ears in the Magic Kingdom!

I get VERY excited about balloons.

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Teehee :-)

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I had to get a picture with my boy. <3

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LET'S FLY HIGH, BUDDY!

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God, I love that castle.

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Thank you for making my dreams come true, Walt and Mickey. It means more to me than you'll ever know.

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After taking all of those pictures, we realized that we were both starving. So off to Pecos Bill we went! I got a Taco Salad and sweet potato fries and Ryan got some French fries.

Once we finished eating, there was one more thing I had to do: I needed to go meet the boss.

The parade was going on so we were pretty much escorted right in to meet Mickey! We said “HEY BOSS!” and he was so excited to see my graduation ears! Meeting Mickey is just as exciting as meeting a celebrity EVERY TIME. I love him so, so much. Meeting him in my Graduation ears really meant a lot to me. I can’t believe I was two days away from officially completing my program. I can’t believe it was finally ME on the other side of the picture, wearing these ears and proudly standing next to my boss. It was a big moment. I could tell that Mickey was very proud. :-) I felt very accomplished!

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Mickey wrote a very special note in my autograph book that I will cherish forever!

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"Thanks for the Magic! - Mickey Mouse"

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Thank YOU, Mickey, for giving me the most incredible and life-changing experience of my entire life.

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It was a great run!

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I will never, ever forget my Disney College Program.

We headed out of the park right after that. I was all smiles, super happy, and in love with my Disney life and for what the future had in store. Seriously, it’s just the most incredible feeling to feel like you're finally in the place where you belong after all of this time. To put the past in the past and to have the whole entire world in front of you. It’s magical, inspiring, and all-around wonderful. I’m so happy that I got to share this time of my life with my family, friends, and all of you. I truly hope that all of our futures brings forward as much happiness as I felt in that moment.

We went back home after that and that was my last night ever sleeping in Patterson Court. Things were really, officially wrapping up. As is this trip report. Stay tuned for the last three updates!

Continued in Next Post
 
I cant believe it's nearly done. I thank you so much for this! It's been wonderful to follow along. Will you still do trip reports, even though you are now living in Florida?
 
Jess aka Jas, I am so happy you are living out your dream! I actually got emotional seeing what Mickey wrote in your autograph book. I don't think you ever told me that. AWW. And your Peter Pan shirt reminds me of our time in MK the other day which I MISS SO MUCH! I CAN NOT WAIT TO COME BACK!!! SLEEPOVER AT JESS'S WOOOOOOHOOOOo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Say hi to Duffy pan for me. I miss him too!
 
I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts this past year, you are in an exciting time in your life. Cherish and enjoy and I sincerely hope you do some more trip reports in the future!!!
 
It's kind of surreal to see this part of your journey coming to an end. I know it was now a few months ago and A LOT has happened since, but reading this, I feel like MY DCP is ending too. :sad1:

I assume the boys at Disboards have a special order in for a new "Thread of the Millennium" banner to replace the mere "Thread of the Month" since that hardly seems appropriate anymore.

Through it all, thank you for sharing, thank you for keeping a smile on your face, and thank you for keeping a positive attitude even in times when it would seem to be impossible. Disney is lucky to have you, and you are clearly the type of CM the rest of us as guests cherish so much.

After such an amazing journey, it seems only appropriate to quote Dr. Seuss...

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened".
 
So sad to see the end is near. I had a chance to do the program and decided against it. Most definitely the biggest regret of my life. I will encourage my daughter to do it completely. I appreciate the opportunity to come along for your ride. Thank you so much! :flower3:







August 7th, 2013 (Part 2) - Graduation Ears in the Magic Kingdom!

I get VERY excited about balloons.

10372648484_7c6d8b80b4_z.jpg


Teehee :-)

10372857743_40e2a2436e_z.jpg


10372665426_c43555b6a8_z.jpg


I had to get a picture with my boy. <3

10372851103_88c237a14a_z.jpg


LET'S FLY HIGH, BUDDY!

10372849013_2da6096340_z.jpg


God, I love that castle.

10372616804_5bedee0aae_z.jpg


10372653226_95ae04333e_z.jpg


Thank you for making my dreams come true, Walt and Mickey. It means more to me than you'll ever know.

10372652486_8f41fefe6f_z.jpg


After taking all of those pictures, we realized that we were both starving. So off to Pecos Bill we went! I got a Taco Salad and sweet potato fries and Ryan got some French fries.

Once we finished eating, there was one more thing I had to do: I needed to go meet the boss.

The parade was going on so we were pretty much escorted right in to meet Mickey! We said “HEY BOSS!” and he was so excited to see my graduation ears! Meeting Mickey is just as exciting as meeting a celebrity EVERY TIME. I love him so, so much. Meeting him in my Graduation ears really meant a lot to me. I can’t believe I was two days away from officially completing my program. I can’t believe it was finally ME on the other side of the picture, wearing these ears and proudly standing next to my boss. It was a big moment. I could tell that Mickey was very proud. :-) I felt very accomplished!

10372842103_f706b9c05a_z.jpg


Mickey wrote a very special note in my autograph book that I will cherish forever!

10372647146_38d87a8561_z.jpg


"Thanks for the Magic! - Mickey Mouse"

10373028615_726bec6c53_z.jpg


Thank YOU, Mickey, for giving me the most incredible and life-changing experience of my entire life.

10372645286_c0e02a2f18_z.jpg


It was a great run!

10372619274_333ab18017_z.jpg


I will never, ever forget my Disney College Program.

We headed out of the park right after that. I was all smiles, super happy, and in love with my Disney life and for what the future had in store. Seriously, it’s just the most incredible feeling to feel like you're finally in the place where you belong after all of this time. To put the past in the past and to have the whole entire world in front of you. It’s magical, inspiring, and all-around wonderful. I’m so happy that I got to share this time of my life with my family, friends, and all of you. I truly hope that all of our futures brings forward as much happiness as I felt in that moment.

We went back home after that and that was my last night ever sleeping in Patterson Court. Things were really, officially wrapping up. As is this trip report. Stay tuned for the last three updates!

Continued in Next Post
 
I got a little emotional reading your last 2 chapters. It seems just a short time ago I was on pins and needles while you were waiting for your phone interview, waiting to see if you were accepted, your arrival in Orlando, finding out what apt complex you'd be assigned to, your roommates, etc., etc. Your TR has been an absolute delight. Loved all your final CP photos in the MK. Especially loved the ones with The Boss and the 2 beginning/ending photos side by side. Best of luck to you - can't wait to see what's next! When this TR is finished, I hope you continue to post from time to time. You probably need a break but I hope to read future TR's. Don't ever lose the magic!!

Rene'
 
Congratulations Jess! I actually got tears in my eyes when I read what Mickey wrote. It's been such a pleasure watching you grow through your trip report - I know your parents must be so proud if you. It seems like I just started reading the bathrobe princesses! I just want to thank you for the hours of enjoyment your TR's have brought. :goodvibes
 
Sad to see this coming to an end but so happy for your new beginnings. I hope that it's as magical as I believe it will be. I am not sure if you have said what your new "position" will be but my guess is you are being good friends with Jasmine? :thumbsup2
I know there are rules to follow but I hope that you can inform us of this and or do some blogging on it? :confused3
 
Sad to see this coming to an end but so happy for your new beginnings. I hope that it's as magical as I believe it will be. I am not sure if you have said what your new "position" will be but my guess is you are being good friends with Jasmine? :thumbsup2 I know there are rules to follow but I hope that you can inform us of this and or do some blogging on it? :confused3

Haha nope I am not! Thanks for the compliment though.
 
Aww, I'm sad the TR is almost over! I've really enjoyed following it
 

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