Time in: 8:45 a.m.
Time out: 7:45 p.m.

Today was my first day legitimately training on MiSiCi. I learned track 1 with this really awesome lady named Ginnie. She's the bomb. She was really fantastic at explaining things but also giving me room to breathe and do things myself. Track 1 is responsible for loading up and driving the truck which I feel so cool knowing how to do now. The first thing we did was build 2 stilt walker costumes and load them in the stilt metros. We then loaded up the truck with 2 empty metros, the 2 stilt racks, a whole bunch of stilt J pads, the laundry sorting basket including 8 empty mesh bags, an empty red bin and an empty metro. It sounds like a lot, but this truck is huge. It wasn't full at all.
We had to leave promptly by 10 so as to not get stuck behind the moving floats. No one is allowed to travel on the road while the floats are moving because it's too easy for the float drivers to hit you. We took the truck to Step Off (where the parade begins) which just happens to be Step Down (where the parade ends) for MiSiCi as well which is very convenient. We then unloaded the truck and got everything set up where it's supposed to be and then checked our presets from the day before. Track 1's presets are Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale. By now it's getting close to when the parade begins so we helped all the characters get dressed and then saw them off for the parade. During the parade, we helped the girl that was on track 2 organize the stilt safety bin. Ten minutes before the parade finishes, we set up water cups and towels for the performers. Track 1 is responsible for bringing towels and water cups to the first float for the performers and helping them cool down. Then we had to make a run back to the PC for something because Track 1 is also the runner. I got to drive the pargo which was really fun. I felt like I was going to fight crime. I was singing the Batman song the whole ride. It was awesome. Then we helped the characters get dressed again and sent them off. Same rules for every parade when it comes to water cups and towels.  Right after the second parade steps down we're off to lunch.
After lunch is when we built the presets for the next day. I already knew how to build Chip, Dale, Minnie, and Mickey so it was really easy. I did learn how to build a Mr. Incredible torso which isn't as hard as I thought it would be but was really scary at first. Then we went and helped Day Parade at their step down and sorted all the costumes. They have tons of costumes so even with all of MiSiCi's crew and Day Parade's crew there was something for everyone to be doing the whole time. Then we went back and loaded up the truck with tomorrow's presets and were off to shade control. We immediately set up for the last parade's step down because it is when all the costumes get broken down and ready for laundry. There's tons of bins and stuff that have to be set out. We helped the characters get ready and during the last parade we unloaded the next day's presets. At the end of the parade, the characters get undressed on this big tarp and we sort all the costumes for laundry. This is when everybody gets really busy because there's tons of laundry to do and we only have a short period of time to do it and be at the clock out place on time to clock out. You can't clock out late, Disney gets really mad. We loaded up the truck with all the racks and metros, unloaded just the in-house laundry when we got there then since I was track 1 we headed straight inside to do in house laundry. We set the washers up first thing and got them going then sprayed out costume shells and hand washed some gloves. We put away the bin full of accessories, then unloaded the washers and hung everything up and put it in the dry room. Then we high tailed it to clock out on time.
MiSiCi is really busy most of the day and I absolutely love that. I love the people I work with, the costuming cast members and also the performers. They mesh so perfectly with my own personality that the day just flies right on by. I am so happy this is my second skill to learn.

That's all the magic for today!!