Questions about the Disney College Program

[lindsaybell1995]

Hi, my name is Lindsay. I love Disney. Anytime, i am having a bad day, I turn Disney music on and my mood turns around. It also has many sentimental connections for me. Forthis and many other reasons I plan to do the Disney College Program in the spring of 2015 (so far away!). I had a few questions for any alumni, current CP's or anyone who can help me.
1. What would you say the best role is?
2. What would you say the best location for that role is?
3. Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but if you have to use the bathroom while working, do you have to wait until your break to go? (I've never had a formal job before.. babysitter here)
4. How often do you get breaks?
5. I am very interested in working in the pirates league seeing as i love doing makeup, but I have not seen any posts about people getting that role, does it actually exsist?
6. Did you find your experience worth the hard work?
7. Is there any tips you can give me?

Sorry for all the questions, I have searched alot of forums and blogs for info, but I'm just looking for a little more. Thank you so much!

 

[PUSH]

I can't help you, but if you have a question, this is the place to come. People here are very friendly and helpful! I hope you enjoy your time on these boards like I do!

 

[MarkTwain]

Hi, my name is Lindsay. I love Disney. Anytime, i am having a bad day, I turn Disney music on and my mood turns around. It also has many sentimental connections for me. Forthis and many other reasons I plan to do the Disney College Program in the spring of 2015 (so far away!). I had a few questions for any alumni, current CP's or anyone who can help me.
1. What would you say the best role is?
2. What would you say the best location for that role is?
3. Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but if you have to use the bathroom while working, do you have to wait until your break to go? (I've never had a formal job before.. babysitter here)
4. How often do you get breaks?
5. I am very interested in working in the pirates league seeing as i love doing makeup, but I have not seen any posts about people getting that role, does it actually exsist?
6. Did you find your experience worth the hard work?
7. Is there any tips you can give me?

Sorry for all the questions, I have searched alot of forums and blogs for info, but I'm just looking for a little more. Thank you so much!

1. Depends on the person. I enjoyed attractions, but one disadvantage is that you can't ever transfer to other locations, and shifts are harder to trade out because they only can be traded out with people from your own attraction. Merchandise allows you to work at multiple locations, if you're okay with retail and handling money. Many even like custodial for its more relaxed pace and what is supposedly the highest guest relaxation of all the jobs. All the character attendants I knew seemed to love their jobs, but requires a certain kind of person and can be competitive to get into.

2. As an attractions person, I only ever worked at one place. Location seems to vary much more heavily with your coworkers and your managers than with the location itself, so a "best" location can be hard to predict. In the end it's sort of a moot point since you don't get to pick your location anyway.

3. Usually it's okay. If a coordinator is around and they're not too busy, often they'll be willing to take over if you can find a way to contact them. Also in attractions, people not currently scheduled to a post or break will be assigned to "tasking," which is when they assist other CMs or can briefly take over for them. In the end it's best to take advantage of your breaks, just in case.

4. Depends on the length of the shift, but in attractions it generally works out to about every 2 hours and in merchandise every 3 hours. Most are 15 minutes, but you'll get longer breaks in longer shifts. Not sure of other jobs.

5. It does exist. The "dress-up" roles in Bibbity Bobbity Boutiqe and Pirate's League are by far the most competitive in the program, but it can't hurt to apply. I imagine the few CPs that get in are the reason you're not hearing about them much.

6. Definitely worth it, if you realize what you're going into is essentially working in a theme park for a few months. The incredible social scene and the unlimited access to Disney theme parks, both onstage and backstage, allow for an experience of a lifetime, and you'll become closer to the theme parks (and to your coworkers) than you would have ever thought possible. That said, people that go into the DCP expecting amazing networking or professional opportunities tend to leave disappointed (I knew many). I'm personally very glad I've done the DCP and am doing it again soon.

7. Don't assume that just because it's Florida that you can forget your winter clothes, or your manager may catch you getting off your ride in an Epcot-branded peacoat because you didn't bring one to Florida (why no, that didn't happen to me... ). Don't drink at loud parties if you're under 21, because that's instant termination. Drink quietly or wait til you're 21 to do the DCP. Don't call in too often, show up to work, listen to your managers, follow the operating guide, don't smart off to guests. Take your job seriously even if/when your coworkers don't.

 

[jakeman]

1. I did attractions, but honestly if I had to do it over again I would pick custodial. You have the highest guest interaction there.

2. See Mark's response. I only worked in one role at Kilimanjaro Safaris. That is even more limited than other attractions as you just work there (as opposed to cycling through several dark rides).

3. As a general rule you should try and wait until your break, but it's not grounds for termination if you have to take a quick break. I noticed in this question you mentioned you had only worked as a babysitter. I highly recommend you get a part time job prior to applying for the college program for some real world work experience you can reference during your interview and while at Disney.

4. It depends on the position. In most cases every 2-3 hours. There were rare occasions where due to an error you'll be working for 4-6 hours without a break.

5. Can't help you there. That's about 10 years after my time.

6. First off, to be perfectly honest, it was probably the easiest job I've ever had. It could just have been my position, but I never found it difficult. It could be mildly frustrating at times, but it was worth it.

7. Mark about covered them all. Also, be careful. Many, many people end up meeting their significant other there without expecting it (myself included).

 

[joanna71985]

To answer Questions 1 and 2:
1. I've done 6 CPs, in 5 different roles of business. My favorite roles were attractions (which can be tricky, because there are many places you can wind up) and character attendant. I LOVED character attendant because I loved being able to work in all 4 parks

2. For attractions, I loved working at GMR. I wound up working there for 2.5 years in total, and I had a blast