College Program Questions

S

Sassagoula-Rvr

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello! I have my phone interview for the college program soon and was hoping to get some input!

I have heard that the phone interview would be the place to put in a request if you have a burning desire to work in one sport...What are the best/worst attractions/jobs? I mean my favorite attraction at WDW might be the worst one to work...who knows.

What are the classes like you can take down there? I have heard they offer management/Customer service classes as well.

Do you get any time off? My family was planning a vacation to the world during the period I am applying for and this would throw a big wrench in it.

How is it being gone/working for the holidays?

Thanks!!
 
lego606

lego606

MagicBandit
Sassagoula-Rvr said:
Hello! I have my phone interview for the college program soon and was hoping to get some input!

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Hey! Good luck on the phone interview :D

What are the best/worst attractions/jobs? I mean my favorite attraction at WDW might be the worst one to work...who knows.
That's really a matter of your preference. Most of the attractions are managed similarly, it really depends on how fast you want to work. For example, Space Mountain CMs need to move because you need a train out of there every 20 seconds... for hours...

What are the classes like you can take down there? I have heard they offer management/Customer service classes as well.
The college classes are very much like the courses you would have in college. They have homework, tests, etc. They're fun (what other class goes to the Magic Kingdom to learn about corporate structure?) but they're definitely work.

Do you get any time off? My family was planning a vacation to the world during the period I am applying for and this would throw a big wrench in it.
You don't get any prescheduled time off, but you can request days from your manager (up to 10 or 15 in a row, I forget, but be sure you're able to make rent!). If they say no you can attempt to trade away your shifts.

How is it being gone/working for the holidays?
I was never really home for the holidays, but yea it can sometimes feel lonely.
 
StarWarsGirl

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I'm thinking of applying in a few years, so I've been doing some research...unfortunately, the site is down right now, otherwise I would link you to it!

There are classes in hospitality, as well as some tech courses and business, really anything that has to do with the parks and preparing for a career in the parks. I know there's an entire list online. I would link you to it IF THE SITE WERE UP!

Like any other job, you can request time off. Whether or not you'll get it will depend on the time of year. You can get up to three people in the park for four days (?) during your time at the park.

Here is the URL for the site. Check it out when it goes back up. Frustrating right now. Right when I need it...
 
Gabe1

Gabe1

Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
Sassagoula-Rvr said:
Hello! I have my phone interview for the college program soon and was hoping to get some input!

I have heard that the phone interview would be the place to put in a request if you have a burning desire to work in one sport...What are the best/worst attractions/jobs? I mean my favorite attraction at WDW might be the worst one to work...who knows.

What are the classes like you can take down there? I have heard they offer management/Customer service classes as well.

Do you get any time off? My family was planning a vacation to the world during the period I am applying for and this would throw a big wrench in it.

How is it being gone/working for the holidays?

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I don't think it would throw a monkey wrench in a visit. Even if you have to work, it is just a portion of the day.

My son did 2 CPs, and when he worked, he swiped us into the parks and met up with us later. Not a problem.
 
steviej

steviej

Well-Known Member
my first cp was in innoventions and I LOVED IT! my 2nd cp was in merchandising in america in ws, those cast members also worked village traders, that cp? not so much lol.

Have you thought about where you wanna live?
 
coilback

coilback

Active Member
Just thought I'd throw this in. I would recommend working one of the stunt shows. I did my CP at Epic (Indiana Jones) and it was great, because it's always a little different each time and you sort of work in "waves." Basically it's not a continuous thing (like the rides are), you just do stuff when the shows are going on.
 
S

Sassagoula-Rvr

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Update, I was offered a position in attractions...decided to turn it down due to some financial issues, as well as I just couldn't figure out a way to make the timing work. Hopefully this won't hurt me in the future with a prof. internship or a different CP session.
 
novawildcat18

novawildcat18

Well-Known Member
coilback said:
Just thought I'd throw this in. I would recommend working one of the stunt shows. I did my CP at Epic (Indiana Jones) and it was great, because it's always a little different each time and you sort of work in "waves." Basically it's not a continuous thing (like the rides are), you just do stuff when the shows are going on.
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Do you have to be cast in attractions in order to work at the stunt show? Or can anyone just pick up shifts there, similar to the parade control?

Sassagoula-Rvr said:
Update, I was offered a position in attractions...decided to turn it down due to some financial issues, as well as I just couldn't figure out a way to make the timing work. Hopefully this won't hurt me in the future with a prof. internship or a different CP session.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry you had to turn it down, but I hope you'll get to experience it at some point in the future. From everything I'm reading, it's definitely something worth making sacrifices for. Did you just get your acceptance letter today?
 
coilback

coilback

Active Member
novawildcat18 said:
Do you have to be cast in attractions in order to work at the stunt show? Or can anyone just pick up shifts there, similar to the parade control?
Click to expand...

Stunt show is a little different than parade since there are some specialized tasks (i.e. waiver person at Epic, etc). I know a few people who did work at Epic would sometimes pic up Fantasmic shifts and every once in awhile we'd get a Fantasmic person in Epic, but that's about it (besides people who were already cross trained at GMR or Star Tours). They don't tend to do a ton of cross training for CPs since you won't be there long enough for it to be useful. Sometimes, it's not too hard to get something else in your area if they have a need (for instance, Epic is in "Icon" which covers Sound Dangerous (well it used to), GMR, Epic and Star Tours. I think American Idol might be part of that now too, but it wasn't done when I finished my CP and I went full time in MK, so I didn't keep track after that). Usually when you sign up for your CP and get your assignment, you'll get your area but won't know your specific attraction until the first day of orientation for that park.
 
novawildcat18

novawildcat18

Well-Known Member
coilback said:
Stunt show is a little different than parade since there are some specialized tasks (i.e. waiver person at Epic, etc). I know a few people who did work at Epic would sometimes pic up Fantasmic shifts and every once in awhile we'd get a Fantasmic person in Epic, but that's about it (besides people who were already cross trained at GMR or Star Tours). They don't tend to do a ton of cross training for CPs since you won't be there long enough for it to be useful. Sometimes, it's not too hard to get something else in your area if they have a need (for instance, Epic is in "Icon" which covers Sound Dangerous (well it used to), GMR, Epic and Star Tours. I think American Idol might be part of that now too, but it wasn't done when I finished my CP and I went full time in MK, so I didn't keep track after that). Usually when you sign up for your CP and get your assignment, you'll get your area but won't know your specific attraction until the first day of orientation for that park.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. I was just curious since I am in Full Service Food & Beverage (but still waiting to hear from the results of the character audition!) and I was wondering/hoping that I could get to work in the parks at a show like that if I wasn't in Attractions but it doesn't seem like it. Thanks!
 
coilback

coilback

Active Member
novawildcat18 said:
Gotcha. I was just curious since I am in Full Service Food & Beverage (but still waiting to hear from the results of the character audition!) and I was wondering/hoping that I could get to work in the parks at a show like that if I wasn't in Attractions but it doesn't seem like it. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah, that is highly doubtful. Food is under a completely different management system and everything than attractions.
 
joanna71985

joanna71985

Well-Known Member
novawildcat18 said:
Gotcha. I was just curious since I am in Full Service Food & Beverage (but still waiting to hear from the results of the character audition!) and I was wondering/hoping that I could get to work in the parks at a show like that if I wasn't in Attractions but it doesn't seem like it. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Only attraction-style shifts you would be able to pick up would be PAC, wristbands, ect (as you have to work at said-attraction to pick up something like Indiana Jones).
 
lego606

lego606

MagicBandit
Do you have to be in the Look when you're coming into work daily, or is that just for when you have your CP class/Traditions?
 
coilback

coilback

Active Member
lego606 said:
So just body and hair, not professional attire, right?
Click to expand...

The "Disney Look" isn't professional attire. It's basically how to handle hair, facial hair, piercings, general grooming plus whatever costuming your role requires. It differs per role, but yes, you have to be "Disney Look" anytime you are working.
 

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