Reckoning in the Sunshine State

Chapter Four

On day two of orientation, part of me had hoped that I would see Kenny again but to my dismay the Front Desk Agents were ushered shortly after arrival to different rooms where we had 30 minute small group interview sessions with Assistant Front Office Managers. There were a total of 8 properties that you could end up at.

The premier locations were Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort, these locations included fast passes included with the guests stay. Then there was the preferred value resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort which did not include fast passes but was still a resort style hotel. Then the Prime Value properties which were Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal's Aventura Hotel, were at a lower end in terms of price. Then finally you had the newest properties which was Universal's Endless Summer Resort: Dockside and Surfside Inn and Suites.

I wasn't sure how the process to be placed in a specific group went but this time we ended up with an hour lunch break today to permit time for the Assistant Front Office Managers to make a decision. I could only imagine their deliberations would be something similar to The Voice or maybe the NFL Draft as that is the only thing in my mind that seems to make sense.

After the lunch break had passed, Angela called out names for 8 different groups then the original groups we had for the mini interviews. There were only three in my group this time as we walked into a room that was decorated with blowup palm trees, colorful balloons, and straw hats. I assume this was meant to be Caribbean vibes. The Assistant Front Office Manager Catie held a sign that said "Welcome to Paradise at Sapphire Falls Resort!"

She was a short Spanish woman, she had to be a little over 5 '2 or so, her curly brown hair flowed to the sides of her face as she smiled brightly. I gave her a grand customer service smile as I picked up one of the straw hats and put it on. I must be searching for the One Piece here.

We were given welcome packets and provided a tour of the actual property along with the other hotels. I must say they were nothing like any hotel I have ever been to. For the most part it was as if I was transferred to a different location. A true "vacation" style resort, if you ask me.

Sapphire Falls resort had 1000 rooms and was bridged together through the conference rooms to Royal Pacific Resort. Royal Pacific was built first and is considered a separate resort with "island vibes" similar to to the Pacific Islands whereas Sapphire was geared towards the Caribbean Islands. They were both respectively grand properties and incredibly large. The uniforms were different and we were advised that as Sapphire Falls was considered Venture III we were not able to work at other properties however, those at Royal Pacific could work at Portofino or Hard Rock and vice versa if ever needed. They made it simple with premier can exchange with premier and since there were no other hotels included in the Preferred properties we were unable to cross work with another location.

After the tour we were able to go home as the tour of the properties would have to be finished the next day with our trainers along with the Universal Parks. They advised us to dress in business casual and comfortable shoes. I was able to drive home relatively easily, as I lived only 15-20 minutes away, although traffic getting there was another story.

When I parked once more, away from my apartment building Angie was sitting on her balcony and could see me walking up. She smiled at me waving hi and gleefully entered her apartment. I used the key fob to allow myself into our building and made my way up to the second floor where my unit was and when I arrived at my door Angie was already in front of her door, ushering me inside her apartment.

"Come in! Come in!" she said, waving motions towards her door. I looked at my door right across from hers and smiled weakly.

"Can you give me 15 minutes? I want to change and maybe grab a bite to eat." I said and as if right on que my stomach growled loudly and she bellowed a laugh.