Disney College Program???

[Bailey Irwin]

Hi guys! I am an absolute Disney FANATIC and I am looking at the DCP and it is making me very excited and I think I might really want to do it! But I have a few questions for anybody who has taken part in it before:

1. Did you take classes while you were there? If so, which ones?
2. Did said classes clash with your work schedule?
3. Which job did you have and did you enjoy it?
4. Did you use the bus system? If so, did it work and did you like it?
5. One suggestion you have for someone looking to do it?
6. Did you stay with Disney after the program was over? If yes, what did you do and did you have to reapply for a job?
7. Did you drive or fly, and where from?
8. How much did you get paid and how much extra did you have a week? (not that I'm in it for money obviously)

Thank you anyone who can help!!!

 

[joanna71985]

Hi guys! I am an absolute Disney FANATIC and I am looking at the DCP and it is making me very excited and I think I might really want to do it! But I have a few questions for anybody who has taken part in it before:

1. Did you take classes while you were there? If so, which ones?
2. Did said classes clash with your work schedule?
3. Which job did you have and did you enjoy it?
4. Did you use the bus system? If so, did it work and did you like it?
5. One suggestion you have for someone looking to do it?
6. Did you stay with Disney after the program was over? If yes, what did you do and did you have to reapply for a job?
7. Did you drive or fly, and where from?
8. How much did you get paid and how much extra did you have a week? (not that I'm in it for money obviously)

Thank you anyone who can help!!!

To answer your questions:
1. I took 2 classes on my 5th CP (they were for fun though, as I had already graduated). They were both DES classes- Exploring Leadership, and I forget the name of the other (but it was about Disney history). Both were really good, and really interesting

2. Nope. My class days were my days off

3. Oh boy. This could be long, as I did 6 CPs. My role were, in order: Fantasyland merchandise, character attendant, Epcot WS custodial, Casey's Corner/character attendant, TSM attractions, and GMR attractions. All were fun, but my favorite roles were tied between CA/GMR

4. Yes I did (didn't have a choice, as I didn't have a car). As long as you give yourself enough time, it will be fine

5. When applying, only pick roles you will be comfortable in (because if you even give low consideration, you *could* wind up in a role you don't like)

6. Yep (and am still at WDW, 4 years later). I applied at Casting 6 weeks before the end of my last CP, and a couple of weeks later got the call that I got FT. I stayed at my current location, so it was an easy transition

7. I came down from NJ. My dad drove me down for all my CPs except one

8. It will vary by role. But as long as you don't go crazy (or party every night), you should have enough

 

[Journey_On]

Glad you are thinking of doing the CP!

1. Did you take classes while you were there? If so, which ones? Yes - I took one of the Disney Exploration Series classes - Exploring Guest Service class - I loved it. I wish I could take it again.
2. Did said classes clash with your work schedule? Not at all. The class met once a week, and I had off work that day every week.
3. Which job did you have and did you enjoy it? Entertainment - and yes, I enjoyed it.
4. Did you use the bus system? If so, did it work and did you like it? I used the bus system most of the time. It worked for me. I would usually take an earlier bus than normal - better to be early than late. It worked well for me. I used my car sometimes when I had late shifts and possibly for very early ones? Perhaps one thing that was annoying was that if you had a closing shift at MK, the CP bus was packed.
5. One suggestion you have for someone looking to do it? Have fun. You are working where many guests dream of vacationing. Display excellent guest service so guests want to return to WDW again and again - go above and beyond. Participate in the CP events. Make friends. Visit the parks on your days off and explore. (Oops, that was not one suggestion.)
6. Did you stay with Disney after the program was over? If yes, what did you do and did you have to reapply for a job? Yes, I went seasonal after my program ended. I stayed in the same role. All I did to convert my status was speak with a manager. I know things have changed a bit from the past, though, if you want to stay on after your program ends.
7. Did you drive or fly, and where from? I did drive. Just had to drive about 1 hour and 15 minutes from where I was currently living at the time.
8. How much did you get paid and how much extra did you have a week? (not that I'm in it for money obviously) I got paid seven dollars and some change, maybe? I had enough to live on - but I also did have some financial assistance.

 

[CaptainShortty]

Hi there! Congrats on wanting to do the CP, it truly was an amazing experience for me.

1. Did you take classes while you were there? If so, which ones? Yes, I wasn't getting credit for the classes through my school so I decided to take one to interest me which was the DES: Disney Heritage. I had so much fun in the class and learned a ton about history of Walt, Disney World and the entire Disney organization.
2. Did said classes clash with your work schedule? Your work scheduler schedules you around your Disney classes. You could potentially work on the days you have class depending on how timing works out but you will be given off during the time of your class (as well as travel time).
3. Which job did you have and did you enjoy it? I was in Hospitality which means I worked the Front Desk. I was placed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and absolutely loved it! I worked at both Jambo House and Kidani Village depending on the day.
4. Did you use the bus system? If so, did it work and did you like it? I did use the buses and it worked just fine for what it was but if you have the option of bringing your car I HIGHLY recommend it. I had the benefit that 4 of my 5 roommates had cars so I used them to take me to the grocery store and when we wanted to go out at night and explore around Orlando. Again, it's fine if you have to use it and it'll get you where you need to go but a car will only make your experience more enjoyable.
5. One suggestion you have for someone looking to do it? Don't be discouraged if you don't get in the first time. It's become an incredibly competitive program but many people have luck if they apply multiple times.
6. Did you stay with Disney after the program was over? If yes, what did you do and did you have to reapply for a job? I did and still work for Disney today! I stayed on as a campus representative back at my school which means that I didn't get paid and could still be out of Florida earning my degree but I was still employed by the company. I then went on to have accept a management internship at the Front Desk of Coronado Springs where I was for 6 months. After that, I got the opportunity to work as a Professional Intern with Disney's Fairytale Weddings where I got to be a wedding coordinator and assistant. After that I jumped around on multiple temporary assignment jobs in Disney leadership (as a manager) and am now a permanent manager with the company. (For myself I don't like to let it be known on here exactly where I work in the company)
7. Did you drive or fly, and where from? I flew down from New York. My family has a vacation home in Ft. Lauderdale so we did ship some of my stuff there and then drove it up to Orlando when we rented a car when we arrived in Florida. Going home, I shipped about 4 big boxes home plus 3 suitcases that we took on the plane.
8. How much did you get paid and how much extra did you have a week? (not that I'm in it for money obviously) Mine was a few years ago so what I got paid really won't be relevant to you right now. that being said, don't go down to the program to make money...you won't. I had a decent amount of financial assistance (ie...health car, car insurance, car payments, gas money) from my parents and with that did have enough to pay my rent, food and some fun money to enjoy my program. I was also not 21 on my program so not paying for alcohol definitely helped me not spend as much money. You'll get paid right around minimum wage (depending on your role) and will be eligible for overtime and to pick up shifts to gain some extra money. Some people go down there thinking that they're going to make a lot of money and wind up hating the program because they aren't. You're there for the experience, not the money.

Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you!!