Training to be a WDW Security Host Heads Outside

   After the introductions were over and classroom training began, we were told that part of our training would be held "on the road". There would be in fact three all day sessions that would take place in the parks and at various locations around property.

   The first one was a field trip to Animal Kingdom, but first we had to get our costumes. Several security vans, GMC Savannah's, were brought to the front of DC2 and we all trundled in. Each van held seven people and we sort of extended that number in each van.

   Each van also had one of the trainers. My vehicle had Karen as the host trainer and off we went to the Cast Services building that served Animal Kingdom to get fitted and be assigned our costumes. Remember, we are WDW Security Hosts, there are no guards, officers etc. we are hosts because we are hosting guests to the "show" and as in any show, the cast wears costumes.

   When we arrived at the Costuming Center at Cast Services, we went into a large room with thousands of costumes for every position at Animal Kingdom.
   We were allowed three costumes which included: a black belt, royal blue trousers, a light blue police style shirt, alittle blue bag that would hold our medical gloves and small flashlight etc. and an eight sided policeman's type cap which itself had to be assembled with different parts. The hat had a frame that you had to put a blue cloth cover that was attched with band that was adjustable.
   On our first day of training we were issued two items that we were to wear on our costumes. One was our nametag, the other was a red ribbon with the words "Earning My Ears" embossed in gold on it.
   Back into the van we went and off to Animal Kingdon. We arrived at the backstage entrance to the security office and were greeted and briefed by the AK security manager. We then split into two groups. My group, headed by Karen entered the park and were trained in park and guest interaction procedures. The other group got back into the van with Angel as their trainer and driver. They were going to learn the backstage, kiosk and other areas of backstage security. After lunch we were to switch. My group would then go with Angel.

Pride Rock is on the left, Animal Kingdom with the Tree of Life is on the right.

     Karen was a great trainer. She had patience which is not a gift everyone posseses. We were trained on how to interact with guests. "Always smile, if a guest needs directions always take them don't just tell them where it is. If there is a question that you don't know the answer to, take the guest to the appropriate person who will have the answer. Common sense stuff, but it is important to the guest and they are why we are here."

   For lunch we went to Pride Rock which is a cast member restaurant back stage. It's kind of like McDonald's. Burgers and such ordered at a counter and taken to your table. Pretty good and no one but cast inside.

   As we were getting up from the table to head out to the van, one of the security candidates who had been with Angel that morning leaned across the table and and in a low voice said, "You're gonna love this. Angel is well...unique."
   And he was. More on that next time. Have a Magical Day!