Fall '05 Presentation tomorrow!!! Questions...

[ColorMyWorld]

Hi!!! I'm Jessica, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, and I am planning on doing the WDW College Program in the summer/fall semester. I would love to be a face character. I remember how excited I was to "meet" the characters and it would feel so good knowing I might help another child to feel that way. But the nearest college student audition is a couple hours away, and I'd have to miss at least a day of classes, so I want to know if it even worth it to go, if I even have the slightest chance, and which character(s)...BTW, I'm 5'2". (My photo page is at http://public.fotki.com/jess123 .)
If not, I'd be okay with another role, as long as it doesn't have heavy lifting or involve working with food.

Also, I'm trying to decide whether to be a camp counselor during the summer and then do the 5 month program, or just go for the 8 month program.

Has anyone else done this program? If so, I'd LOVE to hear your experiences. I'm not sure what to expect, and I'm kinda nervous. I mean, I spent a year of high school as a foreign exchange student (pics from that are here: http://jessvenezuela.fotopic.net ), which was amazing, so it's not really the being away that bothers me. I am recovering from an eating disorder though, and also have depression and anxiety (though I hide it well, so it wouldn't interfere with my work)...so I want to be sure I will be able to continue therapy and stuff while I am there. I don't think I'm going mention that when I apply, though, since that was the advice I got on another Disney board I found (the one I got this address off of). That would probably come back to bite me in the you-know-where. Anyway thanks for listening...hope I didn't bore you to death. I'm so glad I found this board! Thanks for any input...I really appreciate it!!!

Jessica

 

[ColorMyWorld]

One more thing...This may sound like a strange question, but are there any nearby grocery stores that are easy to get to from the housing villages? I don't really like eating out, and would be more comfortable if I had access to grocery stores while I was there. Thanks again!

Jessica

 

[Atta83]

For character auditons all I can say is that they do look for them and sometimes they dont. I remember at mine there were none that were looked for face. You can also audition once you are down there, but you have to finish up your contract with the dept you are in.

They have busses that take you to and from Wal-Mart, if you wanna go anywhere else you have to ask for transportaion from a friend who has a friend. I did the college program and loved it.

 

[togasports]

As much fun as it is, some people do not enjoy the program I would do the Fall Program. You are always able to extend your program if you would like at the end. You can also always also come down as a "Seasonal" Employee and work on vacations. That way you aren't committed for any longer than you would like.

 

[ColorMyWorld]

Hey thanks for your replies!!! Atta - Walmart is perfect, thank you.

The presentation last evening was pretty cool. They said something about characters having to have a strong background in dance, so for me that's out. I put my top 3 choices as Character Attendant, Operations (attractions), and Merchandise. I decided I'm gonna put down that I am available for either program, so that way I have a better chance of getting accepted, and I'll have the decision made for me . My phone interview is in 15 min, so I gotta go. Wish me luck!!!

Jessica

 

[DCL]

Hey thanks for your replies!!! Atta - Walmart is perfect, thank you.

The presentation last evening was pretty cool. They said something about characters having to have a strong background in dance, so for me that's out. I put my top 3 choices as Character Attendant, Operations (attractions), and Merchandise. I decided I'm gonna put down that I am available for either program, so that way I have a better chance of getting accepted, and I'll have the decision made for me . My phone interview is in 15 min, so I gotta go. Wish me luck!!!

Jessica

Good luck!! Let us know how you did when you find out! :wave:

 

[DisneySaint]

Hope you did well - and don't worry about immediately doing the character thing - just think of this as the foot-in-the-door. You'll have many more opportunities to do what you want in the future and the CP will be a great way to make the connections you want.

 

[WDWKat26]

Hey there!

I was actually going to say (before I read your post where you already talked to the people from Disney) that a Character Attendant would be a great position, especially if you want to work with the characters. That's awesome that you want to be a face character, but beware...the auditions are rough! At my audition we had about 34 people in the room and they took 1 guy for I believe Peter Pan! They really are that picky. Plus, if you want to be a face Character, you have to be a regular costumed character too. You said that you weren't able to do any heavy lifting, the only problem is, when you are a costumed character, you have to be able to carry your costume from one spot to another, which (trust me I know) can be very strenuous on someone's back. But hey, it's always a lot of fun working for Disney no matter what you do, Attractions was actually my 2nd pick if I didn't make Entertainment.

Anyway, I really hope you get something good! Let me know if you become a Character Attendant! Good luck!

 

[ColorMyWorld]

Well I just got accepted yesterday...just 9 days after the interview! I couldn't decide between Fall and Advantage, so I said I was available for both and got Advantage, which I am really happy about bc that's what I really wanted I think. I decided not to go for character role, since I don't dance, but I wanted to be character greeter or do operations/attractions.

I'm really excited, but kind of disappointed that I didn't get one of those. I got merchandise, which is cool, but one of the things that really puts me in a state of anxiety is handling money...I obsess about if I'm counting it right, and fast enough, etc...and when there are long lines I get extremely on edge. Plus, I can't do the heavy lifting they say is involved.

Should I speak to my recruiter? Or would I just get on Disney's blacklist if I even asked for a change? Would they see that as "just an excuse"? If there's no way to change to operations or whatever, I will do it. Who knows...maybe it will work out okay. There is NO WAY I am giving up this opportunity! Does anyone have any info on working Merch? The good, the bad and the ugly...I want to hear it all. Is Operations better/worse? What kind of stuff can you do for people? Like I love hearing about the "magical moments" people make for kids, when they see them crying or whatever...but in Merch you can't just give stuff away, so what CAN you do? Thanks for listening!

Jessica
Fall Advantage '05

 

[DSpear456]

Hey Jessica-

Merchandise is a lot of fun so dont worry. I did custodial, but I had friends working in merchandise. Dont worry about handling money and so forth. You'll be trained well and any anxiety you might have will ease as the days go on. In fact, operations and character greeter can be a tad more strenuous when dealing with Guests who can get very mad when waiting in line for a long time. Ive helped out CMs in attractions as a Greeter and people can get upset easily.

Its actually really easy to have magical moments with Guests, particularly kids. Remember there are a lot of toys and other souvenirs to use in interacting with Guests. I've been involved in many sword fights as well as squirting water at Guests as they pass by with those water-spraying fans.

In some cases, you can "give" stuff away. Say for instance a Guest has a toy doll or balloon or something that they lost. You will have a "No Strings Attached" card that will allow you to replace the item. Every Cast Member uses these in recovering Guest situations.

 

[ColorMyWorld]

Thank you...I've been thinking about it the past few days, and I'm actually getting pretty excited about Merchantainment. I think I was just really anxious in general the other day. I actually have an anxiety disorder, LoL, and just the fact that I was not expecting to get Merchandise, reading it caught me off guard and my mind went kinda nuts. After reading some people's webpages and stuff about their experiences, I am more excited about the role. Still nervous about "heavy lifting" since I can't do it, but I'm sure they won't make me. BTW, does each CM get one card or something? Is that how it works? Thanks again!

Jessica

 

[se8472]

What do you mean my 1 card?

But don't think if you got operations, you would not be doing any heavy lifting. If you got space mt. and worked there, the rockets weight in at over a ton, and guess who has to push them

 

[Dolphinea01]

hi, were u spring or spring advantage? i was at the land and seas from may til aug.. just wondering if i worked with u hehe
Karen

 

[ColorMyWorld]

se8472,

I meant the "No Strings Attached" card that DSpear mentioned. And about Ops, you're right...I didn't even think about that, LoL. Anyway I'm getting really excited now about my Merchantainment role! How am I ever gonna make it through the next 3 months before I go???

Jessica

 

[egionet]

se8472,

I meant the "No Strings Attached" card that DSpear mentioned. And about Ops, you're right...I didn't even think about that, LoL. Anyway I'm getting really excited now about my Merchantainment role! How am I ever gonna make it through the next 3 months before I go???

Jessica

No strings attached cards are little pieces of paper that you fill out and give to a guest usually to replace an item or as a priority entrance pass. It would be used as a priority entrance if a ride went 101 and a family was next in line and had waited a long time for the ride. You would give them a No Strings Attached card that they could use for any ride in the park. They are really cool, and you'll probably write them out often.

As for being anxious don't worry about it. A few of my roommates on the CP were Merchandise and really enjoyed it. They both worked at Downtown Disney and had a blast. I'm sure you'll be fine. And even if you don't love your job, this is a chance of a lifetime. You'll make great friends and have a lot of fun! Good luck with everything!!!

 

[se8472]

Yeah don't worry to much about going. I remember being a wreak before I went but I talked to some people online before I left who where also going. That did wounders for me.

But no strings are awsome. I don't write them to often but when guest come up to me in the fastpass line and want in, one of the mean things I like to do is tell them they can't use it there...I just love the faces they make. But it always makes them laught in the end

Look me up at space over the summer.