Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[Nemo14]

Thank you both for your advice, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I have worked myself to the bone the last four years to obtain a degree in Animal Science. It has been the most challenging thing I've ever done. Every waking moment I've had off from school I've been working. Whether it's been internships or volunteering, I've done everything I can to get myself ahead. My dream has always been to work as a zookeeper in DAK someday.
For now I will have to find an alternative until I get there. Unfortunately working in a grocery store or drug store is not an option during a pandemic for me as I suffer from chronic health conditions. I just wish I had certainty in my future. That's the hardest part of it all. It's scary to work so hard and finally have things come together to have it all ripped from you in just a few weeks timespan.

I know it's frustrating, but I firmly believe that if it's meant to happen, it will happen. None of us has absolute certainty in our future, but as I said, better days will come.

 

[George]

Thanks but I hate to tell you I am reporting your post as being in the wrong category. It is a trip report and should be cataloged as such so that it may be located by all and read for eternity.

I may do a trip report. Just thought I’d kind of advertise in this incredibly popular thread. Weird thread. Can’t figure out what’s going on.

 

[ElvisMickey]

Back from my trip. Incredibly weird. Magic band never worked quite right, but the cute little Mickey head scanners never did anything. I've never had to run so many rides myself and prepare my own meals in eateries. Plus, some places only had things like corn meal available when I peeked in the back. Luckily I always travel with eggs, sugar packets, little bottles of vegetable oil, butter, and creamed corn so I was able to approximate my own corn spoon bread. Still, on the whole, I would rate the experience as a little less than magical. I did get to ride Everest 37 times in a row with no waits. Worked out well since I forgot to get fastpasses.

I went to Pleasure Island last night and tried to pick up some chicks like the good old days. New Year’s Eve party of one didn’t turn out that well . But hell, there’s always 192 .

 

[danitaytay]

Animal science jobs www.indeed.com
There are about 6K job openings but if you are willing to relocate. Get experience then apply at Disney in a few years, just my suggestion.

Thank you...I've applied to many, unfortunately nobody wants someone fresh out of college in the middle of a pandemic. But I'll keep trying.

I know it's frustrating, but I firmly believe that if it's meant to happen, it will happen. None of us has absolute certainty in our future, but as I said, better days will come.

Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words.

 

[Lilofan]

Thank you...I've applied to many, unfortunately nobody wants someone fresh out of college in the middle of a pandemic. But I'll keep trying.



Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words.

In this corona laden environment, if you are willing to do volunteer work and maybe you can sleep on someone's couch. Nothing to lose if you are able to do it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This may be a shot in the dark, and I don't know if anybody knows of any way to help, but I'd really appreciate some insight.
I was supposed to be a part of the FA DCP that arrived on June 1st. Of course that was outright cancelled this morning. In addition to that, I've lost the rest of my senior year as well as my graduation.

I feel lost right now...I really don't know what to do. A ton of us have contacted Disney programs support, and they basically told us they can't accommodate us by letting us push our dates to the fall, which I don't get since we were supposed to be there anyways. But I understand the logistics of them not knowing when they're going to reopen, how they're going to train CMs, etc. Additionally, they have not mentioned anything besides waiving when graduating seniors can apply to future programs about the re-application process. Which would mean if I wanted to apply for Spring 2021, I would have to go through the entire process again and risk getting denied, even though I've been accepted, paid my fees, and selected my housing over 2 months ago. I know it's an extremely difficult situation on the part of the company, but a huge part of me feels like we're being completely scr*wed over.

This issue is, my plan was to try and stay full time with the company after my program. I now have nothing. No school, no job, no hope. I don't know what to do. I feel like my entire life has fallen apart in the span of a few weeks. I'm scared and I don't know what my future would hold.

Any advice would be appreciated. I just don't know how to further go about this. I just wanted a future with the Walt Disney Company.

I have to limit my comment here (i’m trying, Mom )

1. I want to give you mental support for your situation. This isn’t your fault and really messes you up.

2. This is the danger of the “college program”...which very little of qualifies as “internship”. It’s wrong to present that way for most...and wrong for schools to count it as such in many cases.

But if I may ask: what specifically were you set to do? Just curious?

Nevermind...I just saw it. Animal science. I feel really bad for you now.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

While I understand your disappointment and your fears, it's important to point out that you have a lot to be grateful for too. You're young, and assumedly not trying to support a family or a lavish lifestyle. Yeah it stinks that you have to put your plans on hold for now for a few months, but please understand that there are people genuinely suffering right now, and fearing for their veritable lives every minute of the day. Maybe a Disney career will eventually happen for you, but right now is not the time to mourn for that. Take this time now to set your priorities, research your possibilities, and prepare to be flexible. Better days will come eventually.

I don’t know how it makes it “better” to use things beyond the stage in life they’re in to create happiness in a lack of “responsibility”

This sucks...plain and simple.

It’s sucks when someone dies and leaves someone alone at age 95...and it sucks when a 7 year old doesn’t get what they want from Santa Claus

The situations and gravity are different...but pain and disappoint is tough uniformly.

Just my opinion.

 

[danitaytay]

I have to limit my comment here (i’m trying, Mom )

1. I want to give you mental support for your situation. This isn’t your fault and really messes you up.

2. This is the danger of the “college program”...which very little of qualifies as “internship”. It’s wrong to present that way for most...and wrong for schools to count it as such in many cases.

But if I may ask: what specifically were you set to do? Just curious?

Nevermind...I just saw it. Animal science. I feel really bad for you now.

Thank you so much for your kindness, I know it probably pains you to talk about the DCP. But you were right, and I should've heeded your warning weeks ago.
I applied for 2 PI's with Disney in the animal science field. I got an interview for one and NLIC'd for the other. Unfortunately my interview got cancelled because of the coronavirus. I also had an interview 2 weeks ago for an internship for the Naples Zoo. It was the only one not cancelled. Unfortunately they emailed me 2 days ago cancelling the internship altogether.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Unfortunately in my particular field, it's extremely to get a position full-time with Disney without doing the CP first. I've spoken to so many people that work for Disney in my field and they all told me the same. It's very discouraging.

That’s part of the false image that Disney creates around the College Program. They only have so many entry level positions, so they push the idea that months of hard grunt work unrelated to tour field of study is the way to those few openings. Nothing says you can include your acceptance on a future resume if you feel it is important.

In this corona laden environment, if you are willing to do volunteer work and maybe you can sleep on someone's couch. Nothing to lose if you are able to do it.

What is lost is actual appreciation for the labor.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thank you so much for your kindness, I know it probably pains you to talk about the DCP. But you were right, and I should've heeded your warning weeks ago.
I applied for 2 PI's with Disney in the animal science field. I got an interview for one and NLIC'd for the other. Unfortunately my interview got cancelled because of the coronavirus. I also had an interview 2 weeks ago for an internship for the Naples Zoo. It was the only one not cancelled. Unfortunately they emailed me 2 days ago cancelling the internship altogether.

You’re welcome and I hope for the best...I wish I could directly help...but an department manager of an engineering company near New York/Philly doesn’t help much

I’m also not known to be “nice”...but it’s genuine here.

 

[Calmdownnow]

We have a cruise planned for September and hopefully it will be available.

Do you already have travel insurance for this trip? If so, check the details because there will be a number of potential issues: will all of the cruise lines be running full or even partial schedules; will connecting flights be available if air travel remains curtailed; what happens if the cruise goes ahead but the connecting flights aren't available or affordable; will insurance policies cover repatriation costs in the event of an outbreak at sea or at port of calls?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you already have travel insurance for this trip? If so, check the details because there will be a number of potential issues: will all of the cruise lines be running full or even partial schedules; will connecting flights be available if air travel remains curtailed; what happens if the cruise goes ahead but the connecting flights aren't available or affordable; will insurance policies cover repatriation costs in the event of an outbreak at sea or at port of calls?

Disney parks are in a tough spot for re-opening...I have NO idea how a cruiseline does??

Noroviruses typically don’t kill people...just makes a mess.

Stories out of the New York area are some people have started symptoms and crashed to flatline in 3 days or less!
How do you sail without vaccinated passengers? Or workers?

I can’t see it...somebody educate me

 

[Polynesia]

Do you already have travel insurance for this trip? If so, check the details because there will be a number of potential issues: will all of the cruise lines be running full or even partial schedules; will connecting flights be available if air travel remains curtailed; what happens if the cruise goes ahead but the connecting flights aren't available or affordable; will insurance policies cover repatriation costs in the event of an outbreak at sea or at port of calls?

Thank you for your advice. I live in Florida so I don’t have to worry about air. The final payment is due the end of June. I’ll wait and see how things progress. I always have travel insurance for those just in case situations. It is possible that the Bahamas may restrict ships at their ports, also. If the cruise is on, I’ll go. If not I can reschedule for next year. We’re hoping to go to Disneyland in December. That, too, will depend on what’s happening with the virus.

 

[Nemo14]

I don’t know how it makes it “better” to use things beyond the stage in life they’re in to create happiness in a lack of “responsibility”

This sucks...plain and simple.

It’s sucks when someone dies and leaves someone alone at age 95...and it sucks when a 7 year old doesn’t get what they want from Santa Clause.

The situations and gravity are different...but pain and disappoint is tough uniformly.

Just my opinion.

I agree - just trying to share some sage wisdom from another generation.

 

[TheDisneyDaysOfOurLives]

While I understand your disappointment and your fears, it's important to point out that you have a lot to be grateful for too. You're young, and assumedly not trying to support a family or a lavish lifestyle. Yeah it stinks that you have to put your plans on hold for now for a few months, but please understand that there are people genuinely suffering right now, and fearing for their veritable lives every minute of the day. Maybe a Disney career will eventually happen for you, but right now is not the time to mourn for that. Take this time now to set your priorities, research your possibilities, and prepare to be flexible. Better days will come eventually.

Also stuck with a four year degree that she can't possibly do anything with at this point in time or potentially anytime in the near future. Who knows what her field (animal services) holds in the near future. She potentially has student loans that she will be responsible for and potentially stuck with dead-end front-line jobs for the foreseeable future, if she can get one when millions are laid off. She's worked for years to achieve her dreams, to do what America 'thinks' everyone has to do (go to college) and is now stuck without much of a future in the present. Students who graduated in 08/09 were in the same position and they have considerably less wealth at this point in their life then previous generations. There is no need to respond like this. She has every right to deal with the gravity of this and her plight is no less or more important than anyone else who is dealing with the fallout of this, whether sick or not.

 

[danitaytay]

Also stuck with a four year degree that she can't possibly do anything with at this point in time or potentially anytime in the near future. Who knows what her field (animal services) holds in the near future. She potentially has student loans that she will be responsible for and potentially stuck with dead-end front-line jobs for the foreseeable future, if she can get one when millions are laid off. She's worked for years to achieve her dreams, to do what America 'thinks' everyone has to do (go to college) and is now stuck without much of a future in the present. Students who graduated in 08/09 were in the same position and they have considerably less wealth at this point in their life then previous generations. There is no need to respond like this. She has every right to deal with the gravity of this and her plight is no less or more important than anyone else who is dealing with the fallout of this, whether sick or not.

Wow, I seriously have no words. Thank you so much for understanding. Unfortunately not many people do. I've been harassed on Twitter and other boards by adults and people my parents' age for sounding selfish and ungrateful for what I've been given in life. I promise, I feel so blessed for every opportunity I have. My parents allowed me to get an education at my dream university in a field I've been talking about working in since I was 3 years old. I've dealt with health issues since I was a teenager and didn't even know if I was going to be able to go to college.
I worked so hard to get my degree. I developed anxiety and depression but it's all been worth it. College was the best experience of my life. And I thought the Disney College Program was going to be the start to my future. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic my entire life has been turned upside down. And I know I'm young and have a full life ahead of me, but when you have your childhood dreams crushed before your eyes it hurts so much.

 

[Trentster05]

Wow, I seriously have no words. Thank you so much for understanding. Unfortunately not many people do. I've been harassed on Twitter and other boards by adults and people my parents' age for sounding selfish and ungrateful for what I've been given in life. I promise, I feel so blessed for every opportunity I have. My parents allowed me to get an education at my dream university in a field I've been talking about working in since I was 3 years old. I've dealt with health issues since I was a teenager and didn't even know if I was going to be able to go to college.
I worked so hard to get my degree. I developed anxiety and depression but it's all been worth it. College was the best experience of my life. And I thought the Disney College Program was going to be the start to my future. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic my entire life has been turned upside down. And I know I'm young and have a full life ahead of me, but when you have your childhood dreams crushed before your eyes it hurts so much.

This is my first post on this website and I want to use it to encourage you.

There is so much ahead for you in opportunity, you just have to be open to it and be willing to walk through open doors that you may have not expected. You may not have control of the circumstances, but you can let the circumstances not control you. Like others have already said, keep pursuing what can make you better by connecting with others, reading, praying (if that is your thing), taking some classes, signing up for another internship (there will be some virtual internships during the summer). Don't stop is my biggest encouragement. The biggest regret you will have is not the loss at this season, but the loss of having the chance to make yourself better.

You've had multiple people respond to you already showing you that multiple people empathize with you. Now we are telling you to get up and start making those goals and seeking wisdom in all other areas (health, finances, etc.).

I will be keeping you and all those in your position in my prayers!

 

[TheDisneyDaysOfOurLives]

Wow, I seriously have no words. Thank you so much for understanding. Unfortunately not many people do. I've been harassed on Twitter and other boards by adults and people my parents' age for sounding selfish and ungrateful for what I've been given in life. I promise, I feel so blessed for every opportunity I have. My parents allowed me to get an education at my dream university in a field I've been talking about working in since I was 3 years old. I've dealt with health issues since I was a teenager and didn't even know if I was going to be able to go to college.
I worked so hard to get my degree. I developed anxiety and depression but it's all been worth it. College was the best experience of my life. And I thought the Disney College Program was going to be the start to my future. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic my entire life has been turned upside down. And I know I'm young and have a full life ahead of me, but when you have your childhood dreams crushed before your eyes it hurts so much.

Sorry you have people harassing you for no good reason. People like to bring others down. Those people were once your age, dealing with some of the same things. They forget it because it's so far in the past that they've buried it deep in the recess of their minds. Or they conveniently forgot that it cost a fraction of the cost of what it costs now to go to college. There will be brighter days. I'm sorry you don't get to enjoy your graduation and get the next chapter of your life started the way you thought it would. There will be a next chapter though and you're going to knock it out of the park.

 

[Calmdownnow]

And I know I'm young and have a full life ahead of me, but when you have your childhood dreams crushed before your eyes it hurts so much.

The crushing of dreams is temporary. If you feel that this is as personally devastating as you describe, please seek some mental health support. There are people and organizations in your community who can help you come to terms with both your feelings and your economic well-being.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I agree - just trying to share some sage wisdom from another generation.

Just to be clear: on another day I may have written the same thing. I completely get you.