Disney College Program

IowaHawks7

IowaHawks7

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hello all! I am going to be a freshmen in college this year and was wondering whether or not I should do the Disney college program? I love the company and the parks and have always wanted to work there. I was just wondering if it was well worth it to do.
 
ImagineerDude

ImagineerDude

Well-Known Member
moconnell57 said:
Hello all! I am going to be a freshmen in college this year and was wondering whether or not I should do the Disney college program? I love the company and the parks and have always wanted to work there. I was just wondering if it was well worth it to do.
Click to expand...
I have never done it, but I plan to!!! Go for it! Everyone I've talked to loves it :)
 
wilkeliza

wilkeliza

Well-Known Member
moconnell57 said:
Hello all! I am going to be a freshmen in college this year and was wondering whether or not I should do the Disney college program? I love the company and the parks and have always wanted to work there. I was just wondering if it was well worth it to do.
Click to expand...

I'm 17 days away from my check in date. I say it is totally worth it. If you do it while you are in school you may have to take a semester off if you campus does not have online courses but if they do Disney has a test center where you can take your online tests and everything. Also they offer courses that may be good for your major like I am taking Entertainment Show Production which is an in-depth look at the making of the "show".

Now I will warn you the College Program is first and foremost a job and should be treated as such. It is a great place to network and meet new people but a lot of people get there expecting it to be all magic and pixie dust but it is hard work. The contract you sign says you can work up to 60 hours a week during the busy season of your program and each program has their own "busy season". You also can get terminated from the program and sent home for a number of things. Like I said it is a job 100%. The other thing to remember is to have fun in your program. It is all about balancing the parties and events with the work.

I think it is worth it because Disney looks amazing on a resume and it is a great networking job. They are always having seminars and meetings with heads of departments and managers and such. It only takes 1 time for your name to come across them before they might remember it when a position is open in their department or for professional internships or management internships.

I say go for it. Also if you don't want to take the semester off because your school doesn't have online courses you could take the risky route of applying the last semester of your senior year. Your program would be the fall after graduation but if you don't get in during that program that's it you can't apply again unless you go back to school.
 
wilkeliza

wilkeliza

Well-Known Member
moconnell57 said:
My major is business administraition. Would I be working at the parks or at corporate?
Click to expand...

With the college program your degree has little to nothing to do with where you work. You will be working either in Attractions, Merchandise, Character Attendent, Lifeguard/Recreation, Housekeeping, Concierge, Custodial, Transportation, or Costuming. I may have forgotten a role but I think those are the major ones. You work at the parks or a hotel. A corporate internship would be the PI's and MI's that come after your college program. However, there may be classes that are great for your major. Some classes (such as the one I"m in) are only for students in specific majors and have great opportunities to network.
 
joanna71985

joanna71985

Well-Known Member
moconnell57 said:
Hello all! I am going to be a freshmen in college this year and was wondering whether or not I should do the Disney college program? I love the company and the parks and have always wanted to work there. I was just wondering if it was well worth it to do.
Click to expand...

After doing the CP 6 times, I definitely think it's worth it.
 
T

Tim_4

Well-Known Member
moconnell57 said:
My major is business administraition. Would I be working at the parks or at corporate?
Click to expand...
You'd be in the parks. First of all, "corporate" is in Burbank. Business professionals in Orlando are mostly in the Team Disney building and none of them are CPs. There are professional internships in business roles but those are for seniors and/or MBA students and they are extremely competitive.

moconnell57 said:
Do you earn college credit for doing the CP?
Click to expand...
Depends on your school. Very rarely. There's virtually zero academic merit in the college program. If you want to do the CP, do it with the knowledge that you will basically be a minimum wage laborer. Do it only if you want to work for the company you love so that you'll have a great six months and stories to tell. Do not do it with the thought that it will benefit you professionally.
 
SulleyanBoo

SulleyanBoo

Well-Known Member
YES. DEFINITELY GO FOR IT. I am a DCP ALUMNI from Spring of 2011 and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. The program is filled with hard work..some weeks you will be working up to 50 hours but the experience is amazing. You meet a ton of cool people, there is SO much to do. They do bus trips to MLB games, basketball games, to Miami and so much more. It also looks great on a resume. When I got back from my program, I applied for a job in my hometown and beat 387 people and I swear it was because they lit up when they saw that I particiapted in the DCP. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. If you do it, cherish every moment and take advantage of every opportunity. Good luck! :D
 
wilkeliza

wilkeliza

Well-Known Member
Cody5294 said:
I'm looking into the the Disney CP when I get out of high school this year. When should you apply for the program?
Click to expand...

You would apply in the fall semester to be elligable for the spring semester and you must be enrolled in college and currently taking courses. (DC highschool courses do not count fyi).

Tim_4 said:
You'd be in the parks. First of all, "corporate" is in Burbank. Business professionals in Orlando are mostly in the Team Disney building and none of them are CPs. There are professional internships in business roles but those are for seniors and/or MBA students and they are extremely competitive.


Depends on your school. Very rarely. There's virtually zero academic merit in the college program. If you want to do the CP, do it with the knowledge that you will basically be a minimum wage laborer. Do it only if you want to work for the company you love so that you'll have a great six months and stories to tell. Do not do it with the thought that it will benefit you professionally.
Click to expand...

You don't have to be a MBA to be in the PIs. There are several PIs that are not business releated. Yes they are extremely competitive but being a CP alumni would help you get one.

A lot of schools offer at least an internship credit for the program. Many require you have to take one of the DIsney classes while you are there specifically one of the Professional Development Studies courses or one of the exploring classes. You also will most likely need to take online courses through your college to not loose an entire semester.

So it all really depends on you and your college if it is worth it. If you go to a school like Drexel that makes you take time off and do an internship than yes this will count for that internship. However, if you don't want to do the hard work that comes with being a CM at the parks then it won't be worth it. You will be doing a lot of hard work and long hours most likely in the sun and heat of Florida.
 
erins3204

erins3204

Member
Yes, definitely. It's a great experience even though it's also one of the hardest things I had to go through (working 80+ hours per week making hot dogs). I met some great friends, learned some great things and it will be something I will never forget. Also, I met a guy while I was there and we now have been married for 9 years. :)

Enjoy and have fun!!!
 
W

wiigirl

Well-Known Member
ImagineerDude said:
I have never done it, but I plan to!!! Go for it! Everyone I've talked to loves it :)
Click to expand...
75.gif

My sister did it, SO jealous....she loved it...
 
BeautifulTomorrow

BeautifulTomorrow

Member
Is there anyone that knows of anyone who did the College Program with an Engineering major?? I was just wondering how the seminar is and if they thought it was beneficial!!!
 
wilkeliza

wilkeliza

Well-Known Member
BeautifulTomorrow said:
Is there anyone that knows of anyone who did the College Program with an Engineering major?? I was just wondering how the seminar is and if they thought it was beneficial!!!
Click to expand...

What seminar are you talking about specifically? I have a few friends taking some of the courses that are specific to major and could ask around for you.
 
C

CaptainShortty

Well-Known Member
As a College Program Alumni (Hospitality - Spring 2010), former Campus Rep and current Management Intern I would highly recommend you apply for the program. It is an incredible opportunity and will teach you a lot about not only how to work and deal with people, but a lot about yourself. I learned more than I could have ever imagined, had the best time, met friends from around the world and created the greatest memories that I will keep for as long as I live. My decision to apply and accept my spot in the college program was truly a decision that changed my life forever.

That being said, I highly recommend you do NOT do the program as a freshman. Spend your first year at school getting accustomed to college life. It's important to have a base wherever you go to school, find your friends, your new activities, etc. before you venture down here. I've found that many freshman who do the program don't get nearly as much out of the program as those that have waited until their sophomore or junior or senior year. In addition, check with your school; some have limits on what years you can go to get any credit (or keep your student status).

If you have any questions about the program, please don't hesitate to message me personally. I'd be more than happy to help you out! =)
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom