First few days in Oralndo, Fl!...

Ok, I am doing this very fast in order to get updated my blog, too many things have happened........

March 22nd:

I went to the airport with my parents and Diana, we took a breakfast once there but the time just came, I had to take the plane... It was so difficult for me, well for them also it was really hard.

At 5:00 pm I was landing into the MCO airport, the flight was a little late. I met the mexican guys with the same arrival date, we rented the car and went to Vista Way (where the welcome IP office is). They gave us the paperwork needed and the key of our apartment. When I move to the apartment I found that I will be living with another mexican Jonathan, well he is leaving in 20 days aprox. One UK named Ben, and with Fabio who is from Italy. They are pretty cool, but the apartment wasn't clean enough for me. Apparently the french guy who was living there before me was a mess!... Well everything was fine, just the fridge was really really dirty.

I did some shopping with the mexicans, we went to wal-mart to buy some stuff for the next days and my bedding. Finally time to relax, we took a dinner at Buffalo Wings.

March 23th:

We had a official meeting at the club house in The Commons were I met all the other March 22nd arrivals. Some of them were at the facebook group so I went a little bit familiar. We started with all the paperwork then we ate something and return to another meeting.

When everything finished I went to my apartment to start unpacking haha.... After all the mexicans call me to do something... We attended to Chiller's, it is a club in downtown Orlando. I liked it, there are three floors with different kind of music, we met some other mexican girls from the CRP who were there also.

March 24th:

More meetings!... More paperwork!.. Some pictures for the housing ID. We finished around 3:00 pm then it was a soccer cup. The first Disney Housing Operations event (they do a lot of events during the year), we went there ate some hotdogs and we started playing some soccer but you know? It is not my favorite sport hahaha, we decided to change it so we started with a voley-ball thing. It was fun, we all were bad but we really had fun... We were playing till around 7:00 pm. It was at Mikey's something park  I don't remember the name but it is close to The Commons and the other housing complexes.

We decided to got and have some fun at the pool, after changing our clothes the water were cold so we didn't. There were a mexican in Patterson Court (another housing complex) we went there, it was cool, there was an apartment with lights and everything like a bar, was funny. They give us our welcome party called throw in or something like that, some free pizza and beer. Thank's guys!...

March 25th:

Day off!!!.. Ohh thanks.... I needed time to organize my apartment, the fridge, everything! I wanted to feel like I am at home. I cleaned some in my bedroom, organize and I decided to ask for another bed, because mine sounds a lot. Hopefully they are changing it. I went to Publix, a super market, bought some cleaning stuff a basket for my dirty clothes, etc. I went to wal-mart also, I ate there and bought some food for next 2 or 3 days.

After cleaning the fridge I put my things in it, now everything is different. I feel like this is my apartment haha, the other guys barely spend time in here. Just Fabio eats at home somedays I guess, so it will be fine I am sure.

March 26th:

Traditions day!!!... We went to the Disney University where the meeting were going to be. The building is really nice, you can see some pics at my facebook profile. The spoke about Disney's past, present and future. What do they expect from us, the culture, the objectives, the values. I liked it we were in teams where I met Maren and Gunnhild from Norway, Isabella from China and Emmanuel from Puerto Rico. It was a long time, were some of we started to falling asleep but suddenly we came to Magic Kingdom, why? to check about 4 keys the have, Safety, Courtesy, Show, Efficiency bla bla bla.... then we came back to the University, our new boss visited us. (Mikey) They gave us our name-tags and more paper to fill and read. Some more about history, it was cool!... Ohh they gave us our training schedule haha btw, I am starting today!!!!... Woo...

When we were done at the University we were free, so I came to The Commons to change my clothes. I talked to Joe from UK, and I asked if I could go with them to the park, they are like friendly, all his group to say something are from UK and Canada, so it is a good opportunity to start the english practice haha they are Joe, Heyley form UK, Daniel, Shelby,  and another one from Canada, Euan from Scottland. We went to Magic Kingdom, I really had fun with them!...

March 27th:

Ok.... Everything is going good!.. Lets see how the work is going to be!... I have to be at Epcot today at 12.30, my first training day I think...

Javier

Almost everything ready!!!....

Last post was about the embassy stuff to get the Q1 Visa... I got it!!!... Last week I came to pick it up on the DHL office in Toluca. So guess what???... I am getting more nervous than ever!!!! I happy because I know it will be awesome but it isn't that easy! Thanks God I have the best family, friends and girlfriends they are always supporting me in what I am interested. Thanks them I am a few days to leave, there are only 9 days left to start one of the best experiences I will ever have on my life.

Everything is done! I just printed some forms sent by Disney, there are a lot of paperwork to do once I get there but I think all is going to be easy at least I hope it lol!... Well I am sure because I have been in touch with some gals and fellas who are actually there. I don't know if there is in one post the information about the program but many people from the 10 countries represented at Epcot are arriving in different dates during the year. For example last arrival date was on March 8th. So, following that people plus the information given by Disney I have now an idea of what I am doing the first days overthere, but.... please wait, I will be posting that info whilst I am having each experience.

Departure date March 22nd, I am flying alone but there are 5 more guys landing same day in the MCO airport around 4 or 5 pm as I will do. It is stange but everyone is flying in different flights. Now that we know that we are meeting us 5 pm on the Mears shuttle, the company which we have a discount to get from the airport to the Vista Way Office. Once we get there they will asign us where we will be living, at that point starts the wire stuff because we will find who ours roomies will be, where are they from and bla bla bla...... Maybe the apartment would be alone or maybe I would be the last one. Don't know. Will be great found it out.

Next week will be difficult because the real goodbyes are starting, there are some plans to have a great time with different important persons on my life. Mom, dad, sister, girlfriend and friends, will be really hard to say goodbye. I am not sure if I am seeing some of my family members but almost everyone had say goodbye, take care and enjoy it!.... I am taking everyone with me!...

Finally the packing!!! Wow.... I already did a list of what I am packing, so hopefully it wents good!...

The count down is right here!....

Javier (Still from Mexico)

Embassy stuff done!!....

So, I am here writing about my embassy apointments.

As I told you in the past post the us embassy change a little bit the way of getting any kind of us visa, now there are two apointments needed, why??? I really don't know, I prefered the old way of getting them, let's see why.

On Monday, when I came to the CAS I found it not as util as many could say because practically they just asked me if it was my first Q1 Visa, then just the picture and some fingerprints on their electronic devices. After that "Thank you that would be all, you embassy apointment is next wednesday 6.30 am". I was like what?? Thats all??.... I am no lying when I say it took me 3 to 5 minutes since the entrance to the exit. I live in the State of Mexico, it took me like 1.30 hours to came to Mexico City just to stay there 5 minutes??.... Mmm ok I did the first step.

Last Wednesday, on the embassy was great. I talked with Hector Flores who is another guy going to Disney, we both know we had the same date and time there, what we didn't know was that there were more Disney CRP's going the same. Once I got on the line I saw Mariana who was the girl got my disney package if you remebered, and Emilio who I recognized from the F2F interview in Puebla last Octuber.

Well, you know that in the US offices you must not carry any electronic devices and some other prohibited products, we also had to take the belts and jackets off just to pass the metal detectors then we got dress again.

They asign us a number or a turn as we were going into the main offices, sitted on chairs I found Emilio and were just talking when I realize next to me was another girl with the disney folder, I asked her about it, it was true she also was there with us. Her name is Erika.

After passsing through the desk where they verify our identity and the process we were requesting for I found everyone in the next chair room where we need to wait until the consuls open their windows, it was so early I think but we were talking about Disney, where we are arriving Orlando and some other stuff like that, so it goes very fast. The first one was Mariana, she done it very fast, then Hector, the same, Erika same thing, Emilio were asked to talk in english haha but he got it as well in a few time, finally my turn, ohh it was fast too. Consuls just asked what I will do in Disney, what I used to do before getting that job, again a singular phrase "your visa has been approved". That was all!!!....

Now I just need to wait for it, it is going to be delivered by DHL which is better than the last delivery agency Pegaso I think.

The airplane ticket?? I got it... I am flying next march 22nd.

The insurance??? I know which I am taking, I will get it this weekend by internet.

The problem will be packing the stuff I use every day in a small suitcase. 23 kg???.. Ouch!!! Will ve difficult to choose what to get with me.... I am starting to make a list, would be better.

Less than 20 days.. I am getting more nervous.. Actually I am freacking out!!!....

Javier...

Going to the us embassy next week!...

Hey!!!.... I am just thinking that the time is going to fast!!.. Wow there less than a month left to take that airplane if everything goes fine!!...

Last week I talk with Mariana Moran, the girl who got my package and I got hers... We met us near her house and we made the change, so now I have mine!... After that I read everything and it was time to call or made the visa appointment on the us embassy web site. It was better because there I payed with credit card what is cheaper and easier than going to the bank.

There was kind of problems with their web servers that I had to call in order to make me sure my appointment was set. The woman who answer just asked about when I wanted to attend and she emailed me the confirmation because all the other paperwork was done by myself.

So this is it, I have to attend to days it means travel two different days from home to mexico city, kind of boring but there's no other option. My appointment at CAS is next Monday 1.30pm and the one on the us embassy in next Wednesday. That day I will know if I am getting the Q1 Visa or not. People say there are 99% of possibilities that I get it, I have everything the petition and the congrats letter from Disney. The US Citizenship something approved my petition so, hopefully there will be no problem.

No much to do since I quit my job, just relaxing and enjoying my family, girlfriend and friends. Actually I have being exercising myself a little bit, maybe I'm attending to swimming classes next week, I am not really sure because there is just like 3 or 4 week left.. OMG I am getting scared I have to admit it!!!.....

I am really thinking about everything all the day, just to know being away 12 months? Wow, I am sure it will be amazing but it is scary nowadays. I guess all will be different once being there with a lot of guy in the same situation.

I think there is all for now, I don't have to many things to talk about, but I'll do next week I want to share my experience in the Q1 process visa.... Later....

Javier...

Disney Pack on its way!....

Hello!!!.......

Yesterday I called Natalie to see what was happening with the package, I am getting a little nervous because the time is going so fast!.... Fortunately she said she had just sent them through RedPack. A few minutes later I recieved an email from her with the number to track the package.

Of course I checked it, I wanted to know where my pack was haha... It still was in Puebla, so I checked it today and thank God it is near to my town!!!... I gues I am getting it tomorrow, I hope because saddly Natalie called to say that it was a problem.. Ouch somebody else got my package, I migh be getting someone else one.

Can't believe it!!! There's a long time waiting for this? haha, I understand it was a mistake so hopefully it arrives tomorrow morning to call her back and see how are we changing them. I want to make my embassy apointment, I want my visa!!! haha.

I am actually having good days with my girlfriend, we both want the time goes slower now, sounds crazy everybody else want to be in Orlando and I want the same but it is gonna be too much time. Well I'll be waiting for her vac time and it will be awesome having her overthere we have been talking about that trip, she may be flighting with my parents which is the best!.

Im writting as soon as I get my pack and then the visa appointment to tell you about that process ok? See you then!....

Javier...

The one with my girlfriend!...

Hey everybody, I am still waiting for my package I haven't hear enything from Natalie, that is getting me more nervous than I actually am.

I was reading the wdwip forum where I found the topic about leaving girlfriends/boyfriends, few day ago it wasn't really hard for me because my girl and I were like in break since some months ago. That topic help me to realize having a relationship in our home contry and leaving it could be very hard so I think I was ok with the break, but then one day I was thinking about the time I've lost with Diana (my grils name). We are gonna be so far during a year and this will have two options, the one where we both forget about each other, or the other where we both stay together.

Well, first of all why did we brake it up??... The mean reason was because we barely hang out, her parents are so hard with her and with our relationship talking about going out. I thought we would be better if we found one different guy or girl respectively or even being alone for a while would be great for me.

Going back about that day I had a big thinking I really awake of what I was doing, some questions come out like Javier why are you doing this crazy stuff???... Man!!! I really care about this girl. So Why Why Why??...

Pfff.... I decided I have to do something, forget everything or get involved again... Last monday I came into her place, we got a ride on the bike and ice cream, but I couldn't say anything haha... When I was leaving we talk but I didn'y know what happended to me, I was questioning her again about many things we have been living. Finally she said ok lets do it again, not actually coming back together but trying to be fine, during my ride back to home I had again that thinking stuff on my mind, when I arrived I had decided to put all from me to recover all we had one day. No matter the time away, no matter anything... Chatting on the bb msn we got some deals and plans, ok!! now everything's gonna be fine!!! So happy about it!...

It was tuesday afternoon, we were at the gym we have a big fight because she was talking with some guy on her phone, I asked her to give it to me and she didn't!!... Wow!!! I have to say I am a very jelous boy, that situation made me crazy!! Everything finish really bad, I though now it was everything. It was very hard because we had a deal from the day before, how come those it is happening again?? Is she interested in someone else??.. Oh my god! My mind was flying so far!!!.................

At evening I got only just to send her a mail, because after some hours I realize that was my fault, I told her many times to have friends, hang out with them (but just girls!!! haha)... Now she is being different with me, she's having some experiences and those ain't with me... Definitely it was all my fault, I really wanted she could live everything with me and now it is not being that way!! So sad!!... Fortunately she was online also, she chat to me, explaining some about what happened, I can't belive it, we have talked the day before!!!..

Ouch I am doing this a little boring or long at least, but it helps me to relieve myself.

To finish this... everything went ok... I now I have failed her before, again my mind saying Javier you really care about her... don't be silly!..

Yesterday was her b-day, I asked a day off on the work to be with her but she had classes on the school haha, then she said she was going to spend some time with her friends then we could meet us. Nothing to say!! Ok let's go have dinner!... I picked her up on the school at 5pm then we had all the afternoon and continue talking.. I gave her some flowers then a letter to ask her being with me again, not just as we are but into a relationship.. I don't know if it is the best we can do, what I am sure is that I lost a lot of time, now I want to have the best time ever.. No matter if is one month, one year or more but having the best time together will be a great life gift for her and for me of course!... Se agreed with me... So, I am really happy!!!...

I have to admit I am still thinking about how is she being last days!... She has friends, she talk with a lof of people on the chat, facebook, etc.... I am so jealous about it... But you know what!!! I am trying not to be that way, I want to trust.. If everything went wrong some day I will be fine cuz at least I try... I am promising to my self not to have crazy jelous thinking anymore... If she cares about me so as I do about her everything will be great!!!.....

Javier

Waiting for my Disney package...

Hey... You know, everybody accepted in this program has his/hers days count down, actually mine is in 48 days... Wow!!

A few days ago I recieved an email to confirm my address in order to be sent my Disney package, well I am still waiting!!.. I want it asap!!.. There is more thing to think about like make the embassy date, read all the info in the package and prepare all the documentation needed.

Thanks to the wdwip forum I have an idea of the interview but that post was few years ago, so I am waiting for people going before me posting about theirs. There is a girl also from Mexico who just said she is writting her experience about the process, so now I can't wait for her visa approval.

These days I have been reading insurance infromation, as I will be working directly with Disney Company we need to wait 3 months before we have access to their insurance (I really do not know why it is a little bit weird). I found that there is many insurance company with great policies but, what I found also is that many of them are like if you need something in a hospital for example you need to pay them first and then make claim so the company pay you back. I don't like this way because what happen if I had an accident, or I need soemthing that is really expensive (as us health is known for) I really would need a credit card!!! Otherwise the hospital would not accept me. Obviosly these kind of insurance polices are cheaper.

On the other hand, there are some of them having a network health, so if I need something I would go to the hospitals, doctors or even laboratories in their network without paying anything, (well maybe the deductible but it will be 100 dls at most) in these you don't need to have a credit card, the insurance company will pay directly.

I think I am getting the second option I just had told you, there are more expensive but I am sure it worthwhile. Now am at  http://www.sevencorners.com/ they have a lot of plans which I think could be nice to get, so I am reading a lot of medical stuff!!...

Plus! they cover you in Hazardous Sports, just as http://www.worldnomads.com/ which was the first I got interested in but they are the way paying you back.

I'll tell you everybody wich one I am choosing, now let me read more!!!!!!!!!!...

Acceptance and job offer letter

Hey everybody this was on November, 10th past year...

I recived and email form Natalie, Subject: "OFERTA DE TRABAJO EN DISNEY"...

I was alone at home watching a movie, I checked my email and wow, What did it say?... Here it is....

I really couldn't believe it, was so excited... Best news by that time!... I read it like 5 times, then I started calling my parents, my sister, everybody who knew I was waiting for it this email, it was awesome... March, 22nd?? Disney Cast Member?? One year out of home?? Orlando, FL??? Ohhh this really happened. I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!..........

They asked for a reply if we were accepting the offer, of course I did. Time to started thinking about everything!!!... Best times was comming, collage graduation, work as software developer at a mexican bank (HSBC), disney job offer confirmed, a nice family supporting all this... Really happy!:.. Can't ask for more!..

F2F Interview - Puebla, México

October 2nd, Puebla, México.

Finally the expected day!!.. It was 4:00 in the morning when I took my way to Puebla, my dad went with me, he drove all the way whilst I took a nap haha!...

We arrive at the University 30 minutes early, that was ok I had time to find out where does the B 206 room was located, after that we returned to the car to pick my tie and be ready with all my paper stuff.

Going back to the B 206 room I met a guy from Queretaro, he is actually a friend of my fiend's girlfriend who is was or is still working as CRP Cast Member. That info went out when we both was talking about the disney program. It was like a coincidence but I felt good with him and I think he felt the same, well at least we ddin't arrive the room alone.

There were a lot of people from Puebla, but there were also from Veracruz, Mexico city, Guadalaja, etc etc etc.... We were 40 boys and girls aprox. Then we finally met Natalie and another guy who I don't remember his name but they were so nice. (They are the mexico contact staff for CRP Program).

They told us people form Disney were in their way from the Hotel to the University. When they arrived we started a meeting where they explained us widely all the program caracteristics.That was a great interactive presentation, all the guy in the attendant were fascinated so as I did.

After it,  the individual interview process was going to start, they raffled the shifts and my turn was at 1:00 pm, (Ohh god to late, I had a wedding that day at 8pm).

Not to much time to talk with another guys, I was hangry I came with my dad to the down town and took some meal.

1:00pm I am ready!!!.. Saddly the interviews were taking more time than the expected, there was like 2.30 pm when the lady indoor called the name of the girl before me. Wow!! that situation made me nervous!!...

20 minutes later my name was the called one, uffff take a breath Javier!!! Don't be shy!! Let's go!!... So, I was there in front of the disney lady greeting me. She explained me about the questions and when I realized I was into the interview haha the are so nice, I swear you I was talking like if she was a friends of mine. Belive me they are good in what they do. The time flew, just talking about myself, why do I wanted to go and work with them, my preffered positions on the staff (merch and attrac), mexican culture aspects to share with people around the world. At last the words "thanks Javier, nice to meet you, hope you will be elected to work with us" finished the interview.

To tell you the truth it was my first english work interview haha. I loved the way that came, and the people inteviewed me.

There wasn't more to do. Everything was done, just the time again was coming. One month they asked us to give the results and the individual job offers if exists, was going to be emailed.

F2F Interview email notification

It was September, 15th when I recived an email with a notification about the Final Interview, or best know as Face to face interview.



That was so exciting, I called my parents to let them know the news!!!!... I must say they are always supporting all decisions taken by my sister and me, it is very gratefully call them as soon as we hear something about what we are waiting for.

I had to confirm my attending to the interview via email. By the time, I started thinking about how everything would be, as I wrote in this blog before there was a long waiting time without any new, but now, with this notification all the dreams came back.

As result of the long period of my application I was asked to send them all paper requirements updated. Fortunatelly looking back on my computer I found the CV and motivation letter I´d sent them, just have to check, update and sent.

17 days to the interview wow!!..

Javier...

Wating time without reciving a call or email

Hello!!... When this pass I was kind of sad, I thought I didn't do well in the phone interview because it was like 4 months with out any mail from CRP staff...

As I wrote in one post during the 8th semester I had to work in Mexico city, there was when I decided to apply for this experience, unfortunately it was a long time without hearing anything about it. I really thought that was all. So, I started looking for another opportuinites.

Suddenly one day a friend from high school who lives near to my town called me ans asked if I want to go to Florida in the summer (It was like 10 days before his departure date) After talking about, he said his girlfriend was working at WDW as CRP in the mexican pavillion. I decided to think more before giving him an answer, I called another friend who also was invited and finally I said ok let's go!!!...

By those days I was still working, there was 20 days to quitt the job but I talked to my supervisor an she said there wasn't any problem if I quitt it 10 days before the date agreed.

We went to Florida arriving at Miami airport, spending one day in that city then we went to Orlando. At the first time we meet my girlfriend's friend at The Commons where she was or is actually living as cast member. Well, this is not about our vacations so to give you and idea why am I telling you this is because after that trip I said "Hey Javier at least you must send and email to know what happened with your app". I spent a good time in Disney with my friends and I had the opportunity to know more about the cast member experience.

Finally, a few days after being in mexico again I emailed Natalie asking what was happening with me. The answer was very nice she said they were waiting for me to finish my bachelor degree which was going to be done by december 2010.

Many months had passed but I was still cosidered to the program, that situation made me happy and I reatake all the enthusiasm I had at the begining.

Javier...

Phone interview

Here again, the update process continue...

How was the phone interview???.... Emmm, I recived an email from Natalie (she is the crp contact here in México) where she explained the phone interview method as follows.

They give us an hour to call them some day in order to be free with time to talk and answer some questions.

Finally I was on date and time, so I called to the office, I really didn't know how it is going to be, or what kind of questions they was going to ask me. After the hey, how are you and all that stuff she started asking me about my hole life, well, she said please tell about yoursefl.

After my own history we were talking about mexican culture, what will I be able to share with people around the world. This was easy on the ideas because I know very well the mexican history, but on the other hand I have to recognize it wasn't easy because the vocabulary to talk about facts and moments in the past may be it was because I felt a little nervous.

Before the hang up Natalie told me that was just to know our english level which mine was not as bad as I probably thought.

When the call was finished disney staff had to review all my papers (resumee and motivation letter) just if I had passed the phone interview and evaluate if I could be a possible candidate to the f2f interview.

So, there was no more to do! Just wait for good news via email!..

Javier...

Application

Hi!...

As I said on the prev post i have to update some steps that nowadays are done!...

First of all, why do I decided to apply?...

This is more or less the history.. During the 8th semester of my bachelor degree I had the opportunity of working in "Grupo Salinas" a mexican group formed by different kind of companies, one of those is "Grupo Elektra" where I was directly working at.

As an IT Consutlant I was in the Software Quality Assurance area where we were responsable of testing the aplications specifically in one that they use to send money like Western Union.

Well, why do I am writing all this??... Because that was the reason why I started looking for an International Program, there were a lot of work, some days we stayed working all night!!! So, thinking about the future i decided to take a year out of the IT field and experiment new opportunites. At first I was looking for volunteering programs after surfing some days google give disneyinternationalprograms, I remebered when I was there as tourist and I said YEAHH!! This is for me!!!.... You know all the magic all the happiness there wow!!..

I wrote to the mexican office, I got more information!... Finally I sent them all my papers needed....

Javier...

Start posting!!..

Well everybody, finally I've created my own blog , it's time to post!.

This blog is about my Disney Cultural Representative Program experience, I am not sure if there is another maxican working at Disney with a blog, what I know is that they were really usefull for me when I was reading and reading about this program before the application process.

I have to say that thanks to the people with this kind of sharing is why I am now 60 days left of arriving at Orlando, Fl.

Actually there are some steps done in my own process but I want to post them here, so these days I'll be working on it.

1. Application
2. Phone interview
3. Wating time without reciving a call or email (This is speciall for me)
4. F2F interview
5. Acceptance and job offer letter

Javier...