All of you have worked in Florida before. I have NEVER been to Florida. I will work F & B for 3 months [ International College Programme] Which park is the best for me to work F & B? Could you Plz kindly introduce me good places to go, cheap shops to stop by, cheap cafes or restaurants to have my lunch and dinner. Oh yes. What is the MUST -Buy stuff and Must-Eat stuff in Florida?
Well its highly unlikely you will get a choice about where you work to be honest but if you do then Magic Kingdom has its good points (and bad points cause there are loads of kids). Animal Kingdom is good cause you will never have a late finish as the park always closes earliest (but the costumes are the worst) When you're working you will eat in the staff 'canteen'. Each park has one which is run by Aramark and the food is OK but don't expect too much. You won't be able to eat in the Disney restaurants when you're working. As for where to go on your days off there are loads of places. In the Disney parks, eat at Flamin' Tree B-B-Q in Animal Kingdom, Casey's in Magic Kingdom, Cantina de San Angel in Epcot and ABC Commisary in Disney-MGM Studios. Outside Disney, places like Bennigans (opposite Vista Way) are a must. There is some nice food available from the premium outlet stores across from Chatham and The Commons. Pretty much the food is good everywhere. Just follow people who have been there for a while really. Be prepared to eat in your apartment a lot though. The pay isn't that good so you won't be able to eat out very much but pizza is always a good options. The number for Dominoes is (407) 239-1221 (shows how much we used it seeing as I can remember it 2 years on. You'll have fun though and just kind of follow other peoples lead. Things change so quickly out there that people will know whats best and where to go. Rich
Dear Rich, Thanks a billion for telling me all the inf. about the parks, where to hang out, food etc. Thanks for pointing out the Pros and Cons of the Magical King and Animal Kingdom. You told me that Animal King closed early. THat means it would be difficult for me to work OT there, right? um.. the costumes are the worst. DO you know if I can have a look at the costumes on the web-site of Disney. ALso, will i have time to go aorund the Dinsey before receiving training and working there? Thanks for telling me that I will NOT be able to eat in the Disney restaurants when you're working. I thought I would go there. I was afriad that I could NOT afford to eat there. It's ok for me to e at at STaff Canteen as long as the food is cheap. Talking about eating in my apartment, at first I thought so. But my prof. who is from California told me that the price of food sold in Grosery shops is as high as those in fast food shops. Dominoes... There are also branches of it overhere. ok. I will joint down the no. of it. Thanks for telling me about all this USEFUL , Precious information. Melissa
Hi Melissa! Don't worry soo much! You will figure it out when you there. You will have enough money to eat and have fun. Just be happy that you got the job and enjoy it there. I haven't been to Florida before I started the international program and everything was fine. The first days you have classes like traditions (they teach you everything about disney) after them you could go to the parks but you have also a discovery day (they show you around the park where you work). Chrissi
Dear Chrissi, Thanks for comforting me. Yeach. To be honest, i was quite worried not being able to survive in DIsney as I know nothing about it and earn little $ there. THanks for telling me that I would have a discovery day to get to know Disney. Hey! you went there last year right. Could you plz share your experience there with me? You can send also send me personal msg. Looking forward to hearing from you. Melissa
Just to put your mind at ease, I had never been to Florida either, prior to my job at WDW. I was nervous at first, but everyone there will guide you in the direction that you ask.....whether it be about food, shopping or anything else. My saviour was Walmart - everything there is cheap. I just avoided brand name foods, and I never went hungry. Also, if you are out and about, try and eat in the Cast Member cafeteria in Magic Kingdom. I got many a cheap meal there....and if you are IN the park, and don't feel like going to Cast Member areas, ask for a kid's meal. They are cheaper, and they won't question you....the them, you are just another guest and they don't want to 'ruin the magic' by questioning why you are buying a kids meal. As for shopping, well, again Walmart (aka Wally World). But there are also Cast Member days in certain pavillions sometimes (I got a TON of Helly Hansen clothes in Norway when they had cast member day at an extra 20% off)....and all WDW shops you get a discount on things, so if you look for sale racks you can get good deals....I bought some nice clothes at a great deal (like Mossimo) at the shops in Pleasure Island... WDW cast members get discounts at all kinds of places (even haircuts!)...either you will find out at Traditions, or through word of mouth --- or just ask. I was often surprised at how many places will give you a discount if you just ask if WDW cast members get a deal. And remember to relax and have fun. I was VERY nervous and scared when I first went, but remember, everyone around you will have been though the same thing, so they all know how you feel, and are all willing to give tips when needed. Remember, all you have to do is ask..... Oh here's a tip....God I can't remember the name of the store, but there is a grocery store in the same 'mall' as TGI Friday's --- AVOID IT. Great selection, but they are SOOOO expensive. You can get everything you need at Walmart or Publix (though even Publix is more expensive than Walmart).
Dear Sarah, hey! Thanks a BILLION for your useful [ and precoius] adivice. I have just COPIED all them down together with RIch's advice. Yes. There is still 1 month to go. I'm very nervous and Scared. It seemed that many pariticipants had been to Disney and Florida for many times [ ranging from 5 times - 23]. I was the ONLY one that KNOW NOTHING about DIsney, know NOTHING about Florida. I know wanna go there and goof around not knowing where the washroom is. Thanks so much for telling me the MOST IMPORTANT thing- to avoid TGI Friday. I will DEFINITELY NOT GO to TGI Friday. I wonder why there was sb who recommended me to go there.
Dear Rich, Thanks so much Dear RIch, Thanks so much for giving me USEFUL advice. I have just copied all them dowm together with Sarah's. I 'm sure all new participants will find it useful. After hearing what you 2 say, I have a CLEARER picture in my mind what it will be like in Disney and Florida. Now I know better where to eat and what to choose. Thanks a lot. Melissa
Yeach. I will DEFINITELY look for sale racks. Girls are good at that. haha. It would be cool if I have a haircut in Disney.
I have to say thank you to SarahJane, Chrissi and RIch having giving me VERY UESFUL information about the DIsney park and FLorida. NOw I am less apprehensive knowing where to go and eat. Thanks.
