Major Homebody Applying for DCP -- Advice, Please!

[majorbsquared]

I haven't been on these boards for a while, but I often browse them for the latest details on the DCP application process.
My story is that I've been wanting to do the DCP since middle school. It's something that I've always pictured myself doing eventually -- Disney is my "happy place."
Being an education major, I didn't have an opportunity to do the program while in school (I applied once and was accepted, but had to decline due to a class I found out was only offered in the spring that I had to take to graduate on time). Now, however, I'm getting ready to apply again for a potential Fall 2015 internship.
The "realness" of it all has had me really considering if I should go ahead and do this. I'm an education major, but I have always pictured myself doing this program and THEN teaching.
However, what's really keeping me nervous is the idea of homesickness. I'm a major homebody, and go to a college that is close to home (not on purpose -- it was the best program). I see my family a lot, and I enjoy being home for breaks and such. It's always hard at first to go back, but eventually, I get into a groove and don't crave home as much anymore.
This DCP matter is different, though -- this is multiple states away from home. I won't be able to go home for six months. The thought of it makes me tear up a lil'.
I also have an anxiety disorder that I have been taking treatment for, which I suppose is important to mention -- however, I don't want my anxiety to "win" in this case, you know?
The Fall program also means missing Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's....all major events with my fam. Oye.
I know in my heart that I want to do this. However, I'm terrified that I'll get down there and discover it's too far from home for me.
I don't wanna give up.
Thoughts/advice from anyone? Muchas gracias.

 

[fugawe09]

You may wish to consult the doctor treating your anxiety issue. Many CPs work A LOT. That kind of workload could distract you from homesickness or anxiety issues or aggravate them. That aside, for many people their coworkers or roommates become close friends like a family of sorts. These are people you may spend a lot of time with and they are all away from their families too. And some people who work on holidays choose to celebrate them a couple of days late when they happen to be off. While it may be difficult to get time off to go home, many CPs have their family visit them at least once for a Disney vacation.

 

[rob0519]

I hope you can work through your separation anxiety issues. Those are real feelings and to your credit you're recognized them and are getting help. Perhaps someone from your family could could take a few days at the beginning of the program to take you down and stay offisite for a few days while you settle in. Our daughter did the August - December program a number of years ago and we stayed offsite for a few days.

Yes, she was gone for Halloween, Thankgiving, the entire Christmas season and New Year's eve and day. I can tell you without hesitation she would not have given up the program to spend one year of holiday's with us.

We live in Illinois, but my wife and other two adult children went to visit her once around October. My wife, son and daughter went down again in December and then I went down on January 2 to drive her car home while she flew back with some newly made friends from the program.

This is a parent's point of view. Hopefully, you'll get some responses from people who have gone through the program. Good luck in getting into and completing the program. You'll never know how you will handle it unless you try.

 

[fireworksandfairytales]

I suffer from anxiety as well and I just completed my program in August. And if I'm being completely honest I'll admit it was a struggle. I had wanted to do the program for the longest time and had dreamed about it for years. The whole application process and buying things for my apartment and all of that was so exciting and I simply couldn't wait to get there....until I got there. It was undoubtedly the experience of a lifetime, but it can be a lot to handle at times. I broke down crying nearly every day of my program. I wanted to self-term multiple times, but thanks to my boyfriend who went through the program with me, I stuck with it. I'm happy that I did it because I learned a lot about myself and it was a once in a lifetime experience. I met so many wonderful people and helped a lot of guests and saw backstage things that every Disney fan dies to see. But, due to my anxiety, I'm rather shy, so it took me quite a while to make friends (finally, in the last two months of my program, I had a circle of super close friends that I still group message daily). I missed my friends back home and the familiarity of my hometown and not working 50+ hours a week to find that my paychecks were laughably small. I definitely think it's worth giving it a shot, because you won't know if you don't try. It really all depends on your role and your location as well. My location for my role wasn't optimal and it was a large part of why I was so unhappy. You could end up getting an incredible role in a great area that makes you walk on air and never want to leave orlando. If you haven't submitted your application yet, I would suggest maybe applying for the regular (not advantage) program. As long as your doing well at work, most every role takes extensions if you decide you want to stay longer. But, my program was 7.5 months long and nearly everyone I knew who did advantage agreed with me that it was waaaaaay too long. Also, make sure not to put interest in anything you don't want to do. If you're completely repulsed by the idea of cleaning up vomit, don't put ANY interest in custodial. I was so desperate to get in that I put interest in a lot of roles that I really didn't want to do because I figured it was Disney and I would be able to make the best of it. But, when you're working so many hours, it's kind of hard to make the best of something that you really hate. Luckily, I got merchandise, but one of the locations in my area was stroller/ecv rental, which meant...cleaning strollers. So, keep that in mind when you're choosing your top roles and such.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope that if you do make the decision to do the program that it ends up being amazing for you!