Friendsgiving and a new roommate

So instead of doing Thanksgiving with our families this year we did a "friendsgiving" similar basis, lots of food, laughing, its just a really good time. 
We found out we will be getting a new roommate on Dec 1st. So today we have a cleaning crew in our apartment to make sure everything is up to code for when she arrives. 

Basically I just wanted to update everyone on why I have been so busy lately. I've been working a lot and trying to set my room up the way I want it. So it's been a busy time. 
My thanksgiving day vlog will be up sometime over the next week, hopefully. I do have more adventures planned for this week. so it may just end up being one big joint vlog of several events. Including my DCP graduation. 

keep your eyes out for more updates! 

Day 185: Change is in the Air

Not a lot has happened lately, my last adventure was to the outlets with Amber on Tuesday. So nothing crazy. But as I sit here writing this a lot is about to change. Tomorrow my roommate moves home, due to health reasons. I'm sad she'll be leaving but I recognize that this is what she needs. 
Trust me when I say sitting here watching her pack her stuff has been a strange experience, and it's bringing up all the emotions I am sure I will face when I finally say goodbye to everyone in January. 

From the first time I spoke to Amy I knew we would be friends, at this point we are not always friends but we are always there for one another. We may butt heads a lot, but every friendship has those moments. I remember saying "I'm glad I found someone like you." back when we first decided we would be rooming together on this intense journey we decided to take. 

The first time I ever actually got to go enjoy the magic kingdom was with her,

and we shared a lot of 'firsts' throughout this experience being the only two 

who had never been to Disney before.

and somehow 99% of our photos look like this.

Of this. 

We are a lot a like personality wise, and I think that's one of the only reasons we ever 

butt heads. I wouldn't change who I picked to room with me if I had to do this whole program again.

If I hadn't lived with her who knows how my program would have been. 

The long nights, the heart to hearts at 3a.mm, the sobbing in the movie theater when we saw the fault in our stars. The screaming and yell over the stupidest fights. We are basically family. 

I can't think of a better photo to end this on. The first thing we ever did as a group.

Other than lay around the pool and play cards, was go to Downtown Disney. All of the photos we 

took that night were horrible but they mean something to us now. Knowing that this is where we started this amazing journey we are now on. 

So long story short, I am really going to miss you Amy, you've sometimes been an awful roommate and sometimes been an amazing roommate. I want you to be okay, and if that meas going home and having a 'lifestyle' change as you just put it from the other side of our room than so be it. 

I hope you find everything in life that you are looking for, and don't forget to keep dreaming. 

I love you, and I will miss you so much. 

In other news as well, I will be switching rooms with Libby so she can have her own space. 

Have a Magical Day everyone! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Part two, and adventuring with Amber.

Okay, so I cut the first part a little short, and I apologize for that. I was trying to get it published as soon as I could... mainly because I had been trying to write it for a week and was struggling. 
So hopefully this one is a tad bit wordier and well thought out. 

So like I mentioned in my vlog for the second night that after a series of unfortnate events on the first night and a run in with a really rude character attendant Ashley and myself decided we wanted to go again to accomplish the other things we needed to get done. Amber decided to go with us, so we took a lot more photos than the night before. 

Also in the post I am going to include some of the photos from Amber and I going to see the Magic Kingdom opening show, although I did film it the file got deleted, but what I can tell you is it was absolutely adorable. 

One of the main reasons we came back was so that Ashley could  get this photo. 

I think that makes Amber and I the perfect best friends to have because we willingly wait 2 hours, roughly, to meet this. He was perfection and I am so glad I got to help Ash do this for her dad. 

After meeting Jack we went to Cosmic Ray's to eat and get warm, there was a character dance party in there, but we weren't even remotely interested in it. Instead we watched the cast members passing out candy dance (video in my vlog) because they literally made my night. 

After meeting them we paid another visit back to Storybook circus to meet the ducks; Daisy, Donald, and Scrooge. 

They were literal perfection. Donald and I basically got married. 

Make sure if you stop by instagram you hashtag Scrooge. (cause he said so)

#Scrooge 

After meeting Scrooge and Donald (Daisy had to go because Hewy, Dewy, and Lewy got into a bit of trouble) we went to meet some familiar faces from the night before. Cinderella, Prince Charming, Rapunzel, and Flyn Rider.

It's funny that Rapunzel has her crown on, because she never wears it. Flynn had taken it 

out of his bag to show the little boy that went before us so she just left it on. So these are pictures we couldn't get any other way. 

We obviously couldn't not take pictures at both of these spots, 

We also paid a visit to Meet (talking) Mickey Mouse. Who apparently Amber had never met, 

and did't know that you could meet. Turns out she is terrified of him, and I wish our photo pass guy had gotten the photo of Mickey pretending to be a monster behind her. 

We ended our night there. For firework and parade photos and videos you will have to check out my vlog channel. They were both insanely amazing. 

NOW: On to adventuring with my main squeeze. 

Amber made me get up at 6:30 on my day off to go to the Magic Kingdom Opening show. She met me at my apartment door with Starbucks in hand, so I "wouldn't be half awake" She was entirely right. 

We start out adventures at the Poly waiting for the monorail, made a fool out of ourselves having a conversation with a fellow cp. 

Ended up here: 

Our favorite spot at the Poly

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum 

Practicing Princess with Stitch 

Stopped for Tea with Alice and the White Rabbit 

Got a once in a life time photo with Amber in front of the 

Royal carriage. 

Met a sassy cat.

Got a once in a life time photo with these lovely ladies too 

Met our FAVORITE Peter Pan. 

Is it sad that I am whiter than Snow-White.... 

FINALLY got to meet these guys 

Stopped by the swamp to meet this beauty too. 

I am finally coming into my own here, making memories, and having a great time. Just in time to get ready to say goodbye to all these wonderful people I have met. 46 days from now I won't be saying goodbye, I will be saying see ya real soon. This is killing me already. We find ourselves talking about home and then getting sad because as much as we miss it...this is also home now. Florida will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Keep on dreaming.

Have a Magical Day. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.. ..Part one.

So as you well know I recently attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, not once but twice.
So let's get started and jump right into this.

Thursday 11-13-14: Day One. 
So we woke up, not early, and got ready to go to Hollywood Studios first. We had reservations at the 50's Prime Time Cafe for 1:30. We got to the park around 1, which was clearly to early to check in for our reservation. So we did this instead:

We decided that we need to get a couple photos done in-front of the Hollywood Hat since it is going to be removed in early 2015. We dressed in what we would wear to the Christmas Party that night, which wasn't the greatest idea because it was 80 degrees during the day that day. Luckily for us, it cooled down to a decent temp in time for the party.

So our server at 50's Prime Time Cafe was 'Cousin Josh'.Once we were seated Josh told us the rolls
1.) No elbows on the table
2.) No complaining
3.) Eat all your Veggies.
 Ashley and I both ordered the fried chicken and chocolate shakes. The fried chicken comes with a side of garlic roasted mash potatoes and the choice of: green beans, corn, or collard greens. Ashley chose corn, and I chose green beans.
The chocolate shakes were sooo yummy. I would recommend 50's to anyone. It is so good and the cast members that work there really keep you in the decade.

After we ate we split up, Ashley had to go class and I decided to just go hang around Magic Kingdom until the party started.
When I got there I waited to meet a couple characters and then watched the Froze Castle Lighting Show until Ashley came back to the parks.

It was while waiting to meet these two that I was bitten by a 

toddler of unknown gender, (I refer to it as an 'IT') and it also at this time

that I lost all faith in the human race when it's mother said 

"Kids will be kids." 

Who lets their child bit strangers? Or anyone for that matter. 

I also met these two love birds, although I had to go have my pictures recovered. 

Because the family before me didn't claim their photos, they ended up 

on my band. So I have a strangers daughters photos on my account and it 

really makes me uncomfortable.

So after meeting these guys I went to watch the Castle lighting, and my thoughts are...WHY ELSA WHY. I am crushed by the fact that I won't get to see the Fairy Godmother light the Castle. It's still glorious. 

So, there is a video on my vlog channel that includes the castle lighting show, so go check that out! 

Finally Ashley showed up and the first thing we did was wait to meet the Pooh Characters! 

THIS IS THE MISSING FLYNN RIDER PHOTO

What an amazing way to end the first party. 

I felt this would be easier in two separate blogs so keep and eye out for part two. 

Day 184: six-months

I can honestly say I am shocked to still be sitting here. Six months, wow. It seems like just yesterday I was writing about my fifth month, and all my adventures. A lot is change in my life, each and every day. Being down here is nothing short of the greatest adventure I have had in my young life. 

Every chance I get to realize how amazing this program truly has been, no matter the ups and the downs, is a chance I would take each and every time. I may not always seem so grateful for this amazing opportunity, but I truly am. I usually go into the 'things I've learned' from the months that have pasted here, so lets do that. 

*I can fit, uncomfortably, in Lindsey's trunk. 

*Fireball Whiskey and Lemonade should never meet. 

*I hate the sight of dirty dishes AND full trash cans 

*Elsa is going to rule the world.

*I do not like the Astro Orbiter. 

*You will not always get along with everyone you live with OR work with. 

*There is such a thing as spending too much time in the parks

One thing I learned for certain is that without the friends I have made here I don't think I would have been able to make it to the 6 month mark. It's been a long journey filled with adventure, magic, hurt, and all these whirl wind emotions. I found people down here that I know will be a part of my life for a very long time. 

"The important thing is, even if we're apart

...I'll always be with you in heart." 

So happy six months to my fellow fall advantage cps. 

Have a magical day everyone! 

Things to be excited for....

"Sometimes you will never know the 

value of a moment 

until it becomes a memory." 

So when Thursday finally comes around I will be going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with my roommate Ashley. On top of doing that we will be using our 50% coupon to eat at 50's Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios that day as well. We are crossing two things off our bucket lists! 

I've dreamed of coming to this place my entire life, and frankly, up until recently I had completely forgotten about how magical this place can be...and instead replaced that with my hatred of this program. It wasn't until I realized I don't hate this program that I realized I could make this program so much better for myself. I'm making this place as magical for myself as I had always hoped it would be. 

Disney will always hold a place in my heart, even if I decided not to come back. 

Also, I need to mention that the Tower of Terror backstage tour I was supposed to go has been canceled. It was also supposed to be for this Thursday but my managers both have to work so without them we can no longer go. So if and when I find out when it is and if I can go I will let you guys know! 

Thanks for reading guys, and keep an eye out for my vlog which will be uploaded and on my facebook profile in about a half hour! 

Vlog channel: Kayla does Disney

My facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.donohue.3

172 days

It's crazy to think that this adventure is coming to an end so quickly. It's like a whirl wind, and we were just along for the ride. I am looking forward to so many things in the coming weeks. 

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (11/13/14) 

Thanksgiving with my All Star Family (TBA)

Program Graduation (12/09/14 OR 12/10/14) 

CHRISTMAS (12/25/14) 

Family coming (01/01/15)-(01/06/14) 

The End of My program (01/05/15)

The flight home (01/06/15) 

At some point I think Ashley and myself are going to go to come character dinning experiences (including; Ohana, 50's Prime Time, and 1900 Park Fare) 

In the last few weeks I've opened up more about how my outlook on this program has changed. Even though it didn't start out as everything I wanted it too be, as magical as this whole thing has been, I don't think I let myself have the greatest outlook on it. I made every good thing seem small compared to the small bad things I made seem big. 

I'm in love with certain aspects of the program, but I do in-fact hate other parts of it. 

In the past one hundred and seventy-two days I have learned so much. I have gone through so much.

My story here might not be as intense as some of my friend stories, and what they have gone through, but my program hasn't always been the greatest. But you wanna know what's great about it ? 

*My friends - who have my back no matter what. 

*My All Star Family 

*My leaders and Coordinators 

*The people I have had the opportunity to say I met. 

I miss New York more than anything, I miss the weather (The Fall, and seasons actually changing), I miss my friends, and my family. I think it's funny looking back at all the times I said "nine months isn't that long! It's going to fly." 

I was both right and wrong. It's going rather fast in a sense, but in the ache I have to be home it's also going really slowly. 

------------------On the Other side---------------------------

I feel like when I go home I will want to be here. I will miss everything about this place. The weather, the people, the places, this program. I will miss going to the parks on my day off, because I can't just roll out of bed in NY and think 'I wanna go to Hollywood studios today.' Cause that would be one long trip to spend a couple hours in a park. 

I know in my heart that even though I am struggling, now, with the choice I have made to leave that home is where I need to be. But Florida will always be here. So when I finally decided where I want to attend grad school Florida can consider itself high on the list. 

So I plan to make the rest of this program worth every second of being here. I started with yesterday, lately it's seemed like going to the park has been more of a chore than anything else. Well, last night I made every second I was there count and got countless photos with amazing characters. 

Slowly but surely I am crossing things off my bucket list. 

With that being said, it's time to revisit my bucket list! 

1.) Get into the Disney College Program.
2.) See "The magic, the memories, and you" Show at Cinderella Castle.
3.) Eat at Chef Mickey's
4.) Walk down Main Street
5.)Make a wish at the wishing well
6.)Eat an entire kitchen sick with friends
7.)See Magic Kingdom all dressed up for Halloween
8.)See the Castle covered in lights at Christmas time.
9.) Go to Gaston's Tavern in New Fantasy Land
10.)Ride Splash Mountain
11.)Eat a Dolewhip
12.)Go to Epcots food and wine festival
13.)Eat a Mickey Bar
14.)Take my family to Disney World
15.) Get a Picture with all the Characters - All characters regularly available to meet.
16.)Go to Star Wars weekend (NOT possible now.)
17.)Try the tye-dye cheesecake at pop century
18.)Attend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
19.)Do all four parks in one day
20.)Find the Hidden Mickeys.
21.) Eat a Turkey leg
22.) Send my friends and family at least one post card.
23.)Attend a very Merry Christmas party
24.)See the Magic Kingdom Opening Show
25.)Ride the People Mover
26.)Go to 'It's Tough To Be a Bug' 
27.)Meet the Step Mother and Step Sisters 
28.)Try a Grey Goose Slushie. 
30.)Eat the kitchen sink at Beaches and Cream soda shop. 
31.)Eat at Ohana
32.)Eat at 50's Prime time (I did eat at Hollywood and Vine)
33.)Meet Stitch 
34.)Go up in the hot air balloon at Downtown Disney 


*RED = Completed in the past month
*BLUE= Newly added to the list
*YELLOW HIGHLIGHT= Not possible due to not currently going on

So that's my bucket list right now, I've been able to cross a few things off there! I am taking suggestions though if any one has any ideas of things we can still do! 

I am doing all the things I have always wanted to do, and I wouldn't change that for the world! 

Have a magical day, and thanks for reading!!! 

Christmas Has Come.

So normally I hate Christmas, mainly because I think the real meaning of Christmas was lost in translation at some point. You would think that having Christmas for two full months I would be anything but over joyed. Well, actually I am already really excited about spending my Christmas here.
There's one thing I seemed to over look:

There things are EVERYWHERE .... Literally thought I was escaping them for the season. 

But no, Disney had to go and put them every where. Is it kill Kayla season? 

So I wrote a short post yesterday explaining my excitement to get to meet Amy Puddles today, and it was literal perfection. 

I can't express how nice it was to spend sometime with the girl who inspired me to come down here and do the college program. Even though it hasn't always been exactly what I thought it would be, my program has been pretty freakin fantastic. I couldn't ask for better friends, or even better roommates. 

Yes, my roommates and I may fight, and we rarely all see eye to eye lately...but we still love each other, and when it comes down to it we are there for one another. 

I met so many cool individuals today who have been vlogging their experience here, and it makes me want to push myself to do more, and vlog more, so that I can have these amazing memories to watch and relive when I am home and no longer able to just run to the park on a whim. 

I had another Bow-venture today! I took Rapunzel out for a trip around the kingdom. I got a lot of compliments on this bow, and a lot of cool character interactions! Make sure to check them out in my vlog when it's been uploaded. 

This is where I live. Where do you call home? 

Thanks for reading guys! 

Make sure you go to my facebook and find the links to my newest vlog (Or check out my channel My Youtube channel )

Have a magical day! 

Why I applied.

*So if at any point the letter "N" is missing from words it's because it is sticking on my keyboard, typing is a constant struggle right now*

So, I don't think I ever wrote about the reason I applied for the Disney College Program, but I get asked that question a lot. I didn't really have any clear motivation for signing up. But I can tell you this, two people that I am/was friends with had done the program and only had amazing things to say about it. 

So it got me thinking maybe I should apply. I never thought I would get accepted. 

SO I applied and then started looking up DCP vloggers on youtube to see what other people thought of the program. 

I found quite a few, but none more important to me than Amy Pond ( Amy Puddles ) In the months leading up to me leaving for Disney I watched all of her videos, some of them more than once. She's part of the reason I thought I would fall in love with this program. 

I think if things in my life had been different while being here I would have enjoyed the start of my program so much more. I am living it up now, and so happy here. I can't believe I wasted so much time. 

Well, Amy is coming to Disney TOMORROW ... and I get to meet her. It's funny because she's just a normal girl who wanted to Document her time here and is now looked up to by so many people. 

I can't wait! more to come on this matter tomorrow! 

Have a Magical Day. 

The story of my 167th day.

It's scary to think that just 167 days ago I took a life changing step and moved 1,000's of miles away and started a completely different life. It's even scarier, and yet super exciting, that in just 64 days I will be back home in New York. That's 2 months and 3 days. This is all happening so fast lately. 

I'm happier now, than I have been for most of my program. It's because I am living entirely for me, and other than that nothing has changed. I am still broke and hungry all the time. I still get no sleep, and I still work more hours than someone my age should work. 
That's what this program is about though, isn't it? Teaching us that as adults things like this could and will happen to us in the "real world". It's funny because everyone keeps saying "When you are an adult" or "when you live in the real world" Last time I checked we did. We live here. We pay rent. We buy our own food. We supply our own clothes. Last time I checked I lived in the real world. Disney isn't just some magical blanket we live under. It's a nightmare dressed up like a daydream. 

So today is my 167th day on the Disney College Program, and it also happens to be my very best friends birthday. So I took a trip to Magic Kingdom today with Lindsey. We had one mission: Wait in line, no matter the length, to get a video of Ariel wishing Shannon a happy birthday. 
Mission was a success. You can find the video on my facebook! 

This is by far, the best photo I have ever gotten of the Walt Disney World

Gate on the drive in. So Enjoy it. 

And this is also one of the best photos I have ever gotten of 

the Magic Kingdom Gate! 

So It wouldn't be a trip to MK with Lindsey if I didn't make at least one stupid comment or face So....Here is a series of face I just so happened to make a fool of myself in today. 

E.T Phone home....

And then there is this gem....

We are trying to take cute photos on the monorail on the

way out of MK BUT someone had to make me look directly into the

sun, so there is a reason I look like this. 

So, now that we have gotten my usual bad photos out of the way, there were some successful shots today! Also, the only reason I didn't make a vlog out of this is I didn't actually take enough photos and/or videos to have even a minute long vlog. And I didn't feel like putting so much effort into something that wouldn't even be a minute long. 

Alright, so here is the completed Video of Ariel wishing Shannon a happy birthday. Notice that it is in fact SO cold in Orlando right now that Ariel (WHO IS INSIDE A BUILDING) is wearing long sleeve. So to all the people back home telling me to "Suck it up" I will be awaiting your apologies. 
Thanks. 
And to the small child that screamed in the middle of this, I am displeased with you attitude towards waiting in line for your turn. (She was like 8 to be honest) 

Yes, it is this cold that we are ALL wearing long sleeves, and 

Lindsey and I were both in jeans. Too cold for this. Too cold to be out in the parks. 

Unless you were standing in ONE spot in the direct sunlight. 

We also took Ursula out with us today. 

Ariel did not enjoy this at all. 

So all and all it was a great day with this beauty. 

I am enjoying my program so much right now, that I kind of wish that I had extended. I'm going to be so lost without all the wonderful people I have met down here. But I know in my heart that it;s time for me to go home. At least I will be finishing my program on a great note with all the beautiful people I have met here and all the amazing guests I have made magic for. 

On that note, I may go cry about all the mixed emotions about leaving in 2 months and 3 days! 

Thanks for reading! 

Have a Magical day!!