First Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular!

Tuesday, July 8 (Day 51) -- First Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular!

Hello, and happy Tuesday! Made the decision to get up around 11AM after having awoken throughout the night. Went to Panera for breakfast with a friend and work best friend, where I had 3 too many cups of coffee. Parted ways as she had work, so I took her best friend to Publix shopping. While she was shopping I looked through all of the birthday cards as Isho's birthday is up and coming, then I walked through the rest of Publix, stopping at the Disney area.

Drove Bri home, and after helping her upstairs with all of her groceries, went home myself. Since the coffee has different side effects on me, I was talking to my roommate really quickly which he didn't mind. Next, I called Cast Services at Downtown Disney in regards to training and scheduling an appointment for calligraphy. I've been working getting everything together to sign up for the Ornament Calligraphy and Personalization in the Magic Kingdom, which requires interest indicated on the HUB in addition to the form I've been trying to get the past month. My first step of action was signing up, then asking a leader if he'd assist me in doing so, which he was fully supporting me on. I decided to finally take the initiative to figure out the form after waiting for quite a bit, and called this afternoon. One of the ladies was kind enough to forward me the interest form that required Manager's Signatures and two practice sheets detailing the Calligraphy for my test on Wednesday.

After printing out the forms, I took a bus to Port Orleans then another bus over to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since it was my first time arriving at the bus depot, I went to the left side and walked all the way around, meaning I've still yet to see the Monster's University topiary located near the entrance. On my way in, the gentleman working bag check talked for a bit, asking where I was headed and whatnot since I had my nametag in my work bag. I walked through five and dime, along with the entire right side. Went to Sunset and found a Coordinator who was working floorstock to ask about the whereabouts of my Manager that I've been speaking to. She told me that they were across the way usually in their offices, but were now in a meeting. I walked across the way, and asked one of my friends working floorstock after giving Jade a hug and talking for a bit. They end up sending David twenty minutes later, who I then ask for my manager whom he says he will go look for, and to just wait for a bit. I walk around the store, and he comes back another twenty minutes later informing me that my Manager who has been helping me the past while on the matter is "busy with personal related matters, and unable to see you" which he kept repeating as I asked if he could get with him to get all the information I had given. David said he'd look into it with another manager, after stumbling over his words and checking his phone a million times. I finally just asked him if two hours would be sufficient enough, which he said would be fine.

...Meaning I was stuck in Hollywood Studios the next two hours from 5PM to 7PM to pass the time. Since Bri had also come to the Studios, she was in the American Idol experience. I made my way to the American Idol experience, stopping at the Monster's booth, which I found had the hats on request-only during the dance party. I tried texting her, then calling her and she didn't answer. I finally decided on Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular! since Idol is too loud, plus I'd been really wanting to finally see Indy. The entire show was awesome, as one of the gentlemen sitting next to me was cast as an extra. It's honestly a lot of fun as it's essentially the making-of Indiana Jones in the perspective of stunts, which I love. The other aspect was how every stunt was put together, which really is awesome as I know the perspective on everything given I'm originally a Technical Theatre Manager. There's also another part towards the end where Marion picks an "extra" to practice techniques on to show the audience how fight scenes work, and end up knocking out the gentleman to unconsciousness. I realized as soon as the extras walked out that he was out of place, given the different outlandish look compared to the guest extras.

The entire time I was watching the Indy Stunt show, I really wanted to meet the gentleman that was Indiana Jones' Stunt double. They thankfully did a meet and greet to talk with all the little kids and get pictures which was really nice of them. I let most of the little kids go in front of me, so that I could talk engineering and show with them without breaking it for the little kids. I shook Marion's hand, thanking her and then shook Indy's hand which got me really nervous. I mentioned to Indy what field I was in, and he just started going off as he knew exactly where I was from. I talked to him about being a previous stage manager, and he told me that he used to do for the longest time, just pointing at the booth. After I asked him about how he made his way in as a Stunt actor, he told me the story of how he went from being a techie to having a love for the actors and what they did, so he practiced and made his way up there. Marion also piped in when I asked about schools, training and everything else. Both were very kind, and I thanked them for their time heading out.

On my way out, they finished with the group of kids, as Indy yelled at me to come back down to talk at the right stage. Since I know the majority of the show aspects of Indiana Jones, we talked for a bit. He told me in how he started at Lights, Motor, Action! and went from there. The funniest part was them being their own team to fix things called the "Imagineers" saying "well I'd imagine..." which I got a kick out of. We talked about the future of things, as he got that I knew a lot already, along with the future of our backlands. I'm not normally nervous around people, but it was really nice for them to give their time to talk with me for 20 more minutes, which definitely made my day.

I made my to Guest Relations next after walking through a few stores, and really contemplating an Indiana Jones hat. I stopped in Mickey's of Hollywood to purchase a Jedi Mickey which I've been wanting for the longest time, then made my way to guest relations. Since I'd been using my hand a lot, my wrist was really hurting. I arrived at guest relations, which had a nice little line which I waited in. The gal that I had assist me wasn't too enthused to be there, and asked me what she could assist me with. She said they did do Great Service cards for the shows, and took a scrap piece of paper, writing down the information that I told her, eventhough she had no idea about the show. She said bye, and shoved the piece of paper in her pocket, which I assume was later thrown away without entering in anything.

Made my way to Toy Story to see Sarah, after rudely told that they didn't know anyone by that name. Walked around the backlot and streets trading pins while checking through merchandise. Made my way over to the Muppets area, stopping through the gift shop, and being amazed by the Christmas Store! Made my way back to the Manager's office to receive my papers, as I ran into one who didn't even recognize me as he ignored me. Another walked over to help the first with something, then came over to me as I was asking for David. He handed me the paper saying that they wouldn't support my decision as I hadn't met the criteria of six months, and because it was "already too late, so no". I tried explaining that I had previously been with the company, as they all knew which he denied, and explaining that I already had a test set up for Wednesday which he denied as well while walking away from me.

Reasonably upset, I made my way out to leave but ended up stopping myself as it had been a great day, heck I even met Indiana Jones and Marion, plus I had the opportunity to talk with them!! Stopped by 50's Prime Time Cafe on my way out, standing over near the bar as I was waiting for my friend Joey to return from her break as I was previously told she went on it 15 minutes ago. I stood around, and connected to the internet (which I still don't understand why I can't get it offstage) to check my twitter and what have you. When Joey came back out, I said hello as she gave me a hug and we caught up really quickly. Since I knew her boyfriend, Blaine was out of town I offered to spend some time together soon which she definitely considered. We talked for a bit, then I headed to catch the bus.

...Which is when I finally run into Bri, who is waiting at the bus stop. She tells me she turned off her phone to save it, then complains about them not taking her to see where the ice cream was. The bus didn't show up 3 times in a row, and after 3 people called two showed up back-to-back.

Spent the rest of my evening catching up on blogs, and just relaxing while DJing!

Have a Magical Day!