Yes and no. I apologize for the miscommunication.
But you are right in that it has been easier and easier to get into the CP. The quantity and quality of the CPs are way down over the past three years. This semester there is 61.66% as many CPs as four years ago!!! How sad is that. They are using international and CS participants to float some of the responsibility/budget.** see edit** As well as (the obvious) lesser qualified CPs.
However the answer to this is unique. In order to improve numbers and quality they have decided to do the right thing. Pay has been raised and - unofficially :lookaroun - it will be raised at least once more within the next year - two years. Other benefits and educational opportunities are being considered. Some of them would be great for those who would like to move up in the company.
Disney is improving the program, as well as looking at some dynamic ways of promoting it nationally and internationally. I wish I could disclose some of the possible ways they
might promote the program because some are very exciting... especially if you like ABC and the Disney Channel :lookaroun.
By significantly improving and promoting the Program (as well as Career Start - which is taking off) and the International Program (which I have less info on) they are able to demand higher quantity (and thus quality) applicants and participants. Let's just say that as the decisions are made, nothing is safe and some participants from the late 90s may hardly recognize what the program could possibly look like within the next several years.
I, for one, am excited!
**Edit: I don't mean to imply that International Program participants are any less than CPs. Infact, in most cases it is quite the contrary. International Applicants are more rigorously selected and better/ more professionally prepared for the interview. CPs rarely dress in business attire with resumes in-hand. Although it should be noted that much of this is Disney's fault for promoting the e-presentation so much, as well as telephone interviews. IMO, you need to see the person you are considering for a frontline Disney position.