Disney College Program, is it worth it?

[spbink]

There's no age limit for the College Program, as long as you are currently attending college or have just graduated. Graduate schools count too.

 

[wdwjmp239]

I think the WDW College Program is pretty cool! I've had friends in the past who've done it and they've really enjoyed the experience! I'm sure some experiences I read on here are worse than others, but it's all about what you make the most of your experience. While I haven't done the WDW College Program (the colleges I've attended don't participate in it), I can imagine Disney's thought behind it is to ensure employment after the student graduates. Unless I'm wrong?

 

[CaptainShortty]

I think the WDW College Program is pretty cool! I've had friends in the past who've done it and they've really enjoyed the experience! I'm sure some experiences I read on here are worse than others, but it's all about what you make the most of your experience. While I haven't done the WDW College Program (the colleges I've attended don't participate in it), I can imagine Disney's thought behind it is to ensure employment after the student graduates. Unless I'm wrong?

I'm not sure what college you went to but I'm pretty sure that every college is allowed to do the CP. There aren't any exceptions from what I know of. That being said it may have been hard with your major to fit it in and not graduate on time. But I'm not sure what your case it. Disney doesn't guarantee CP alumni a job after graduation but it certainly gives you a leg up. I was once told that about 80% of Disney management are college program alumni. So with that figure it certainly doesn't hurt you. Plus it's a great experience to put on your resume no matter where you apply for a job and its so much fun! I'll remember my time down there are long as I live. =)

 

[joanna71985]

The management at MSN shops (Casey's and Bakery and Cone Shop) is horrible! I've never met such rude and unhelpful managers in my life. They just sit in their office and gossip and do things behind the employees backs. They don't care about their employees or getting to know them, they treat them like ________ and think of them as a number.

I'm sorry you had problems there. I worked at Casey's in 2008, and loved the MSN managers

 

[wdwjmp239]

I'm not sure what college you went to but I'm pretty sure that every college is allowed to do the CP. There aren't any exceptions from what I know of. That being said it may have been hard with your major to fit it in and not graduate on time. But I'm not sure what your case it. Disney doesn't guarantee CP alumni a job after graduation but it certainly gives you a leg up. I was once told that about 80% of Disney management are college program alumni. So with that figure it certainly doesn't hurt you. Plus it's a great experience to put on your resume no matter where you apply for a job and its so much fun! I'll remember my time down there are long as I live. =)

I went to Hodges University in Naples, FL where I completed a Bachelors in Computer Information Technology and two Masters Degrees in Management Information Systems (with concentrations in Systems Analysis & Software Engineering). That school didn't participate in the Disney College Program.

Thank you for the correction about the CP "guaranteeing" a job after graduation. I'm sure it would've give that particular individual a leg up in the hiring process for full time work.

 

[CaptainShortty]

I went to Hodges University in Naples, FL where I completed a Bachelors in Computer Information Technology and two Masters Degrees in Management Information Systems (with concentrations in Systems Analysis & Software Engineering). That school didn't participate in the Disney College Program.

Thank you for the correction about the CP "guaranteeing" a job after graduation. I'm sure it would've give that particular individual a leg up in the hiring process for full time work.

Impressive. I know a lot of school's won't give you credit for doing the program (mine didn't) but I've never heard of a school not allowing their students to participate until you. Interesting. I'm going to have to ask my boss (I'm currently a student CP recruiter) about that one. And not a problem about the clarification. =)

 

[wilkeliza]

Quick question. How is the CP program handled if you start after you graduate? I have read as long as I apply while I'm still a student I can do CP the entire year after I graduate. So my question is, Is you school technically involved at that point? I won't be getting any credit so it will basically be just like I was really working for Disney instead of CP. Also besides the obvious are there any major difference between Disneyland CP and Disney World CP? I know at Disneyland money is due before you get there for your rent etc. but are their different requirements.

I'm asking because I was originally going to apply for the theatrical technician/design internship but after talking to a few people at Disney they told me do the CP first and then apply for the internship because if my name is familiar with the Disney bunch I have a better shot because they like to hire with in for the bigger internships.

 

[wdwjmp239]

Impressive. I know a lot of school's won't give you credit for doing the program (mine didn't) but I've never heard of a school not allowing their students to participate until you. Interesting. I'm going to have to ask my boss (I'm currently a student CP recruiter) about that one. And not a problem about the clarification. =)

Even if the school did participate in the program, I wouldn't have been able to attend anyways. But, as I said, I heard some pretty cool things about it! And the experiences I've heard really don't do it justice! I guess you really have to go THROUGH the program.

 

[joanna71985]

Quick question. How is the CP program handled if you start after you graduate? I have read as long as I apply while I'm still a student I can do CP the entire year after I graduate. So my question is, Is you school technically involved at that point? I won't be getting any credit so it will basically be just like I was really working for Disney instead of CP. Also besides the obvious are there any major difference between Disneyland CP and Disney World CP? I know at Disneyland money is due before you get there for your rent etc. but are their different requirements.

I'm asking because I was originally going to apply for the theatrical technician/design internship but after talking to a few people at Disney they told me do the CP first and then apply for the internship because if my name is familiar with the Disney bunch I have a better shot because they like to hire with in for the bigger internships.

If you do the CP right after graduating, your school won't really be involved (I did that myself- I had my last class July 2009, and went down on the CP about 3 weeks later).

Now, for DL and WDW- DL costs more up front, takes less people, there are a few role differences, and guaranteed hours are different (while at WDW you are guaranteed 32 hours, at DL it could be a lot less).

 

[wilkeliza]

If you do the CP right after graduating, your school won't really be involved (I did that myself- I had my last class July 2009, and went down on the CP about 3 weeks later).

Now, for DL and WDW- DL costs more up front, takes less people, there are a few role differences, and guaranteed hours are different (while at WDW you are guaranteed 32 hours, at DL it could be a lot less).

Thanks for the information. As of right now I won't be living on campus with either program but that could change before I apply. Can I apply for both parks and just turn down which offer I don't want?

DL is what I am leaning towards as a compromise for my boyfriend. He can find work in his career in L.A. and I want to work my way up through Disney Theatricals so either park is fine. Talked to a lot of people who keep telling me working my way up the internships including a year in either park is the way to get my foot in the door with Disney Theatricals. I either want to do lighting for shows or even in the restaurants. I know WDW has more to offer because there are more jobs, more places to be placed, and more people so I have to keep debating for this semester and then apply next semester.

 

[joanna71985]

Thanks for the information. As of right now I won't be living on campus with either program but that could change before I apply. Can I apply for both parks and just turn down which offer I don't want?

DL is what I am leaning towards as a compromise for my boyfriend. He can find work in his career in L.A. and I want to work my way up through Disney Theatricals so either park is fine. Talked to a lot of people who keep telling me working my way up the internships including a year in either park is the way to get my foot in the door with Disney Theatricals. I either want to do lighting for shows or even in the restaurants. I know WDW has more to offer because there are more jobs, more places to be placed, and more people so I have to keep debating for this semester and then apply next semester.

That's fine. I know a lot of people that apply to both.

 

[KamiNoMakai]

I am planning on applying for the spring 2013 year. Is there anything really important that I need to know for the application? And does the program accept people on grants?

 

[Taylor]

Just found out that the college I'm planning on going to gives credit hours for the CP and that I won't lose my scholarship. Applying for the CP next year

 

[lego606]

I am planning on applying for the spring 2013 year. Is there anything really important that I need to know for the application? And does the program accept people on grants?

The program will accept anyone, you just have to make sure your college is OK with it

 

[Taylor]

Can I decide which park that I'd want to work at? And also which job class did some of you have?

 

[lego606]

Can I decide which park that I'd want to work at? And also which job class did some of you have?

You can request a park/location but they make no guarantees.

 

[Taylor]

You can request a park/location but they make no guarantees.

Thanks.