Welcome (or welcome back) to our series, 15 Days to 15 Years! Thank you for joining some of the most talented Disney bloggers as we countdown to the 15th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Today, my co-host Beth, from Pursuing the Magic and The Magical Blogorail, and I open the Savannah to Mark of Thoughts from the Dark Side.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 2000
Part 1 – August 2000
Our trip to Disney World in August 2000 was nothing like any
other trip we have taken since I started going in December 1971. Right from the
beginning this trip was different. My daughter and I were in the car driving
down – with all of her “stuff” filling the trunk and the backseat. My wife was
at home and would fly down to meet us – since there was no room in the car. No,
this was not your normal run of the mill trip to Walt Disney World.
other trip we have taken since I started going in December 1971. Right from the
beginning this trip was different. My daughter and I were in the car driving
down – with all of her “stuff” filling the trunk and the backseat. My wife was
at home and would fly down to meet us – since there was no room in the car. No,
this was not your normal run of the mill trip to Walt Disney World.
When my kids were in high school, they spent a week every
February in Disney World performing with their marching band. In my daughter’s
senior year I overheard her telling a friend that after college she would come
down to work for Disney. Now it was just 2 months after she had graduated and
here we were at the beginning of her Disney career.
February in Disney World performing with their marching band. In my daughter’s
senior year I overheard her telling a friend that after college she would come
down to work for Disney. Now it was just 2 months after she had graduated and
here we were at the beginning of her Disney career.
While in college – my children both attended the same
college – both my son and daughter interviewed for the Walt Disney World
College Program (WDWCP). My son decided to attend during the fall term of his
sophomore year, while my daughter would actually do her program after she
graduated. So by now, my son had already worked in the Haunted Mansion during
his WDWCP
days. As we drove down, we had no idea yet where my daughter would be
assigned.
college – both my son and daughter interviewed for the Walt Disney World
College Program (WDWCP). My son decided to attend during the fall term of his
sophomore year, while my daughter would actually do her program after she
graduated. So by now, my son had already worked in the Haunted Mansion during
his WDWCP
days. As we drove down, we had no idea yet where my daughter would be
assigned.
When we arrived in WDW my daughter and I checked in to our
room at All Star Music and got ready for her check-in at Vista Way and
the WDWCP. We have one day together before she has to check in, and we spend it
in EPCOT. Bright and early the next morning we drove to Vista Way and while
she was checking in and registering with the program, I found a place to sit and
wait. When she returned we found her apartment and moved her “stuff” in. More
important, we now knew that she would be working in Conservation Station at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK).
room at All Star Music and got ready for her check-in at Vista Way and
the WDWCP. We have one day together before she has to check in, and we spend it
in EPCOT. Bright and early the next morning we drove to Vista Way and while
she was checking in and registering with the program, I found a place to sit and
wait. When she returned we found her apartment and moved her “stuff” in. More
important, we now knew that she would be working in Conservation Station at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK).
Once she was settled in, I drove to the airport to pick up
my wife. We would see our daughter tomorrow night, after her first day of
orientation. Traditions would start the following day and would keep her busy
for a while.
my wife. We would see our daughter tomorrow night, after her first day of
orientation. Traditions would start the following day and would keep her busy
for a while.
While she was getting started with Traditions, my wife and I
decided that a trip to DAK would definitely be in order. It’s one of our
favorite places to visit – having been there for the first time only weeks
after it first opened. With both my kids having majored in areas of biology, it
was only to be expected that DAK would quickly become a favorite – especially
Conservation Station (not yet named Rafiki’s Planet Watch).
decided that a trip to DAK would definitely be in order. It’s one of our
favorite places to visit – having been there for the first time only weeks
after it first opened. With both my kids having majored in areas of biology, it
was only to be expected that DAK would quickly become a favorite – especially
Conservation Station (not yet named Rafiki’s Planet Watch).
While at Conservation Station, we visited Affection Section
and soon we were talking to a cast member about our daughter’s assignment. As
it turned out, that was a good thing. Cast members were told that they would
need to bring black shoes with them for when they are in costume, and my son
certainly did, so my daughter was prepared with comfortable black shoes. But in
talking with the cast member we found out that for this assignment she will
need work boots rather than black shoes. Since we are meeting her for dinner
that night, we make a trip to Walmart and the proper footgear is obtained.
and soon we were talking to a cast member about our daughter’s assignment. As
it turned out, that was a good thing. Cast members were told that they would
need to bring black shoes with them for when they are in costume, and my son
certainly did, so my daughter was prepared with comfortable black shoes. But in
talking with the cast member we found out that for this assignment she will
need work boots rather than black shoes. Since we are meeting her for dinner
that night, we make a trip to Walmart and the proper footgear is obtained.
We don’t see much of her for most of the rest of the trip –
though we do get to see her for a bit working in Conservation Station before we
head home. But not to worry, because we will return in December.
though we do get to see her for a bit working in Conservation Station before we
head home. But not to worry, because we will return in December.
Part 2 – December 2000
If our August trip were not a normal trip, our December trip
would not be either – though we realized that we must be prepared for that to
become the norm. The original plans called for my wife, my son (on winter break
from college) and myself to head down to spend the last week of December in WDW
– and get to see our daughter working at the newly named Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
(The building however is still Conservation Station.)
would not be either – though we realized that we must be prepared for that to
become the norm. The original plans called for my wife, my son (on winter break
from college) and myself to head down to spend the last week of December in WDW
– and get to see our daughter working at the newly named Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
(The building however is still Conservation Station.)
However, shortly before we were to leave, my son received a
call from WDW asking him if he would like to come back for winter break and
work again at the Haunted Mansion. So, shortly before my wife and I headed
down, we were putting him on a flight to Orlando, and would meet him down
there.
call from WDW asking him if he would like to come back for winter break and
work again at the Haunted Mansion. So, shortly before my wife and I headed
down, we were putting him on a flight to Orlando, and would meet him down
there.
The first day my wife and I arrive in WDW our biggest
challenge is to see what both of their schedules is and to coordinate our
visits. Our first full day turns out to be Christmas Day, and we are surprised
that both schedules are such that we could all get together for dinner. (Since
Christmas is not our holiday, my daughter has always volunteered to work
Christmas so that those who celebrate can be with their families.)
challenge is to see what both of their schedules is and to coordinate our
visits. Our first full day turns out to be Christmas Day, and we are surprised
that both schedules are such that we could all get together for dinner. (Since
Christmas is not our holiday, my daughter has always volunteered to work
Christmas so that those who celebrate can be with their families.)
Because she is working during the day (DAK always closed at 5:00 PM back then
and had no nighttime hours) we visit with her first.
and had no nighttime hours) we visit with her first.
As we arrive on the train, she is on the platform, directing
guests and making the announcements regarding what they will see and when they
can
catch trains returning to Harambe. (Forgive the quality of the videos as they
were taken on “ancient” equipment and then prepared for the web back in the
early days of video sharing.)
guests and making the announcements regarding what they will see and when they
can
catch trains returning to Harambe. (Forgive the quality of the videos as they
were taken on “ancient” equipment and then prepared for the web back in the
early days of video sharing.)
When she rotates inside, at first she is stationed at the
Eco-Web booth, followed by some time walking around Conservation Station.
During this time she introduces us to some of the keepers before she must
assist one in an animal presentation. As she goes on a break, my wife and I
watch an audience participation presentation and then visit Affection Section
and the animals therein.
Eco-Web booth, followed by some time walking around Conservation Station.
During this time she introduces us to some of the keepers before she must
assist one in an animal presentation. As she goes on a break, my wife and I
watch an audience participation presentation and then visit Affection Section
and the animals therein.
We stay until the end of the day at which time she
accompanies us back to the hotel where our son will meet us when his shift is
through (no way am I going to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day) and then we
head to Downtown Disney for dinner.
accompanies us back to the hotel where our son will meet us when his shift is
through (no way am I going to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day) and then we
head to Downtown Disney for dinner.
Later in the week she would visit him with us at the Haunted
Mansion, and he would visit her with us at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. On the last
day of our stay, our daughter is presenting the interactive presentation that
we watched on the first day of this trip, and she has prearranged with her
brother that he would be the guest selected to take part. However, this day has
turned very cold and it was decided that
it was too cold for the animals, which were part of the presentation, to be
outside – so it was cancelled.
Mansion, and he would visit her with us at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. On the last
day of our stay, our daughter is presenting the interactive presentation that
we watched on the first day of this trip, and she has prearranged with her
brother that he would be the guest selected to take part. However, this day has
turned very cold and it was decided that
it was too cold for the animals, which were part of the presentation, to be
outside – so it was cancelled.
However, it was still a very productive visit for our son as
his sister introduced him to a number of keepers and managers since he was
hoping to obtain a full time position here once he graduated (remember, his
degree is in Biology). When he did his WDWCP program, he participated in a
program for college credit and for one of his courses he shadowed a
Conservation Station manager. One thing that the WDWCP program taught him was
to network.
his sister introduced him to a number of keepers and managers since he was
hoping to obtain a full time position here once he graduated (remember, his
degree is in Biology). When he did his WDWCP program, he participated in a
program for college credit and for one of his courses he shadowed a
Conservation Station manager. One thing that the WDWCP program taught him was
to network.
As we returned to the train to head back to Harambe , our
daughter was on the train station so was able to see us off. As she secured the
door to our car on the train, it finally struck me that she would not be coming
home when the program was over, and would be living in Florida on a permanent
basis.
daughter was on the train station so was able to see us off. As she secured the
door to our car on the train, it finally struck me that she would not be coming
home when the program was over, and would be living in Florida on a permanent
basis.
Since then she has worked at Caribbean Beach Resort, All
Star Sports, and Grand Floridian. She currently works backstage in the IT
department. She has been there for 13 years now – including a Disney Fairytale
Wedding along the way.
Star Sports, and Grand Floridian. She currently works backstage in the IT
department. She has been there for 13 years now – including a Disney Fairytale
Wedding along the way.
But it all started at Conservation Station in Disney’s
Animal Kingdom in 2000.
Animal Kingdom in 2000.
(You can see a more detailed report from this trip here and here.)
Harambe- it’s a family affair! Mark, you truly have some special connections to this park, Africa, and the year 2000. How fortunate we are that you shared this particular time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom history with us. If you’d like to read more about Mark’s family and unique trip reports, follow him @marklf, Like him on Facebook, and check out his Reporting From Disney World. (Don’t you just NEED to know more??)
Harambe- it’s a family affair! Mark, you truly have some special connections to this park, Africa, and the year 2000. How fortunate we are that you shared this particular time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom history with us. If you’d like to read more about Mark’s family and unique trip reports, follow him @marklf, Like him on Facebook, and check out his Reporting From Disney World. (Don’t you just NEED to know more??)
Please return tomorrow, when Melissa @DisneyonWheels, shares her 2001 Animal Kingdom odyssey!
Hope you enjoyed this memory, but my apologies, I just noticed that the link(s) for the more detailed reports lead to an old website. The correct links are
http://www.thefendricks.com/disney/TRAugNov2000/tripreportl.htm
and
http://www.thefendricks.com/disney/TRDec2000/tripreport.htm
Also, if you would like to skip by my personal blog and go directly to my Disney blog – where my trip reports (and other posts) reside – use this link.
http://disneyworldreports.blogspot.com/
Again – thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed it. 🙂
Mark, we are so grateful that you shared this very unique perspective of Disney's Animal Kingdom with us!!!
I've known several people who have participated in the college program at WDW – what an amazing experience! I enjoyed reading your story!
That's great that your daughter is still living her dream! Did your son end up working for Disney too? I hope so if that was his dream too. My oldest daughter just did the DCP in the fall and I too drove her and her stuff down in August and visited her in December. Thank you for sharing.
He did continue as a Cast Member through the rest of his college time as a Campus Rep for the WDWCP. No pay, but all of the CM benefits.
He did apply for an animal care position at DAK for after graduation (a full time position), but the competition was fierce for a single opening. His prior zoo experience did get him into the finals for the position, but in the end he did not get it.
After graduation he worked a year in research and then became a high school science teacher – a position he still holds today.
He is the daddy of 3 and a half year old twin boys who will be making their third trip to WDW this summer. 🙂
Now THAT'S happily ever after Mark!!