Down Under Disneyana Australian Disney Forum

She has really taken to the role and to the philosophy as well, which I am both surprised and proud of. Every time we talk to her she always has a "ooh, ooh, I have a story to tell you", and it's always about a nice family, a loving kid or funny cast member stories. As expected, everyone loves that she is from Australia!

I had a good chat to her about how she is able to recognize the effort and commitment of cast members in delivering what we all love about the parks, when she enters as a guest versus her role as a cast member. I think knowing and enjoying that feeling as a guest inspires the behavior as a cast member. It appears as well, that the magic is delivered backstage as well which helps keep them interested and fascinated. Jess R could probably confirm that as well.

Sounds wonderful!

This week Jess attended the Winter Formal, an event they hold for the college program participants. She seemed to enjoy herself. She is making many close friends, so whilst she can't wait to come home, she will find it difficult to leave them.

2 weeks of work left to go! All her friends she has made have gone home this week, they're American and the College Program ends January 3. So for a couple of weeks she will be on her own, so to speak. Her friend from home will be there on the 22nd and they'll be touring until Feb 20.

Wow - I can't believe it is almost time for her to return. What a great adventure that must have been - surely a case for post-WDW depression if there ever was one!

surely a case for post-WDW depression if there ever was one!

I think that's going to be very difficult for her to deal with to be honest. Whilst she is so much looking forward to coming home to familiar surroundings and back to her comfortable routine, I think she is going to find it difficult readjusting to not being able to go to a park whenever she likes and even not being able to interact with so many different people every day.

Probably to make things worse for her, we've sold our house and the week she arrives home is the week we'll likely be moving out. So not only will she have to adjust to normal life, her own normal life will be different as well.

Wow - that will be a tough return for her. But maybe it'll inspire her careerwise - she now knows there is a big world out there beyond Sydney and that if you put your mind to it, you can go anywhere.

As I type this, Jess will be putting the final steps in place for her final park clear on her final day working at WDW. For those of you who have followed her on FB, you will have seen she has thoroughly enjoyed her time and the opportunities it presented. I was glad my mum and dad were able to go see her, and also thank Colin and Leanne for making the effort to say g'day to her. I know she did appreciate having people she knew make contact. A girl from her netball team and her family also caught up with her early in the stint as well. She said she will be emotional, Jess R will agree with that I think, but when she has finished her month holiday, she will be so glad to come home. She has made life long very close friends from all parts of the country and France (I think we'll be expecting the French girl here sometime in the next year or 2 ), and for those wondering, yes I do believe she has firm plans to return to work for Disney in a more permanent capacity once Uni has finished.

It was great to see her graduation photos on FB today - I've really enjoyed reading about her work at WDW and how she really embraced the Disney spirit and contributed to the magic experienced by the guests there. She should be very proud of her accomplishments!

I've thoroughly enjoyed following along with her adventures and it seemed that she was such a fantastic ambassador for both our country and her family. What a wonderful experience for her that I'm sure she'll draw from that often in whatever she chooses going forward.

I guess she'll be heading home very soon won't she Anthony? You'll be excited to have her back I'm sure.

Are you still moving house? Will you still be in the same area?

I guess she'll be heading home very soon won't she Anthony? You'll be excited to have her back I'm sure.

Are you still moving house? Will you still be in the same area?

She's currently sailing around the Bahamas on a Royal Caribbean ship after 2 weeks of cold and heavy snow touring around NY and Boston. She will be landing Sunday morning and yes we're all very excited for her to be home, none more than her though. I think she was ready to come home a month ago.

Yes we're still moving. Jess will be home for just over a week before we leave. We're going to be living with my parents until we build a house at The Oaks. All in the same area.

The Oaks. All in the same area.

Nice - I like the rural feel of The Oaks - I used to fly out of the private strip down there in the 1990s.

Have fun picking Jess up at the airport - I'm sure it'll be a great reunion for the whole family.

Hi Anthony - I hope Jess is settling in again - must have been a fun reunion on the weekend!

It was great to welcome her home, we know we missed her, but didn't realize how much until she was back! She has settled in quickly, having had to start Uni on Monday and then get packing this week. Her routine she had before she left certainly wasn't forgotten though . She is definitely richer from her experience that's for sure.