?'s about WDW CP

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pyschotropic

New Member
Original Poster
I am a student of a local community college and will be traveling
about 2 hours into Virginia to attend a presentation on 9/22/03 I will also be sure to metion this fact so that my efforts to attend will be recognized. I was curious though as to what kind of questions they will ask throughout the interview and what it is they look for that would qualify a person to attend, I will be sure to mention my services in the hospitality industry and the fact that I am a fan of Disney and their Imagineers, also I was wondering if I mentioned to them the fact that I am taking engineering for the sole purpose of one day becoming an Imagineer that they might specifically place me in the area of working on Disney attractions throughout the parks? How long after the interview process will a person know wether or not they have been accepted and if so what do they and don't they provide for you? If you let them know what it is you are interested in doing within the program will they specifically place you in that areaand oh yes how long does the program last do you ever get days off to wonder around the parks and will they show you the backstage area's that you never get to see as a guest?
 
Monorail Lime

Monorail Lime

Well-Known Member
I was curious though as to what kind of questions they will ask throughout the interview and what it is they look for that would qualify a person to attend, I will be sure to mention my services in the hospitality industry and the fact that I am a fan of Disney and their Imagineers, also I was wondering if I mentioned to them the fact that I am taking engineering for the sole purpose of one day becoming an Imagineer that they might specifically place me in the area of working on Disney attractions throughout the parks?
The WDW CP is looking for people with strong outgoing personalities who are reliable and eager to please because that's what guests want to see in a cast member. They will want to know how you performed in previous customer service type jobs and you will be asked what you would do in hypothetical guest situations. It'll be very similar to any other interview for a people-related position except that they want someone who can add a little bit of extra magic. Bring a resume and make sure your hospitality industry experiences come up.

How long after the interview process will a person know wether or not they have been accepted and if so what do they and don't they provide for you?
You'll find out in about two weeks. If you accept the role they offer you will get a ton of paperwork to get you oriented to the program and various forms you need to fill out.

If you let them know what it is you are interested in doing within the program will they specifically place you in that area
The recruiter will have a certain number of openings in the various departments to fill so if you request a certain area and are very enthusiastic about it in the interview they will try to accommodate you. It has to be a role within the scope of the College Program, so you can't walk in and be like "make me an Imagineer, doods". If engineering is your thing you should shoot for an Attractions Host role.

and oh yes how long does the program last do you ever get days off to wonder around the parks and will they show you the backstage area's that you never get to see as a guest?
The program lasts for a full semester. There is also a summer program but I think they are only letting alumnis in it now.

You will get days off and you have free access to all four parks so you can wander around them if you wish, but believe it or not you will get bored of them after a few months. There are a lot of other things to do in the area if you are willing to explore a bit.

You will get to see the backstage areas that guests don't see because that's where you'll be working! There are special activities (such as the tour of Ride & Show Engineering tour, a must see for you engineering people) so be sure to attend the CP seminars so you find out about them.

Good luck!
 
T

TURKEY

New Member
It seems that it's taking 3-4 weeks for many people now.

Attractions would be a good choice if wanting to be an imagineer. They will try to place you in a specific park and role if possible, but NO GUARANTEES are made about it.

Keep in mind, most roles are for food and beverage so that may be what you are offered.

You will probally work 5 days a week, maybe 4. Other days you get to do what you want (going to parks, shopping, laundry).

Depending on where you work, you might/should get a tour of the area where you are working.

As far as what they provide, check out the wdwcollegeprogram.com website as well as my site that's linked in my signature. I've got a list of things that you do need, what you might want to take, etc.

If you have any more questions, email me or PM me.
 
M

MicBat

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by wdwprincess03
AHHH Don't tell me that! that will be a harder wait!
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:lol: We'll be driving eachother crazy in that 3 - 4 weeks time, Im sure!! :dazzle: :animwink:
 
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greeneyes

New Member
I was supposed to do that interview on the 22nd, but because of the hurricane it was cancelled. So I went up to northern VA yesterday instead. I think I did pretty well (the girl I interviewed with says I "rocked.") I was the first one into the presentation and made small talk with the recruiters, welcomed the second person who came in and gave her some answers to questions she had, had a resume and a cover letter, asked for a role in Merchandise, QSF&B, or Custodial, and sent my recruiter a thank you email today. I was also very professionally dressed. I just wish I didn't have to wait three weeks to find out anything.
 
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pyschotropic

New Member
Original Poster
It went pretty well I think I interviewed around 8:30pm I asked the recruiters about Mission Space and told them about this website and how I keep up pretty well with what's going on around Disney World especially Expedition Everest. I was kind of dissapointed to hear that they don't really pay you enough to live off during your time there though I'm sure people manage alright
I guess I'll have to wait for the next 2-3 weeks now!
 
kal1484

kal1484

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by MicBat
:lol: We'll be driving eachother crazy in that 3 - 4 weeks time, Im sure!! :dazzle: :animwink:
Click to expand...

I think we are gunna drive EVERYONE crazy dude!!!

2 weeks and 5 days!!! (and that's just till the interview!)
 
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greeneyes

New Member
Well, I got a reply back to my thank you email that thanked me for coming all that way, said I'd hear back soon, and said "It was a pleasure to meet you, too!!" I think I'm in.
 
kal1484

kal1484

Well-Known Member
I have a call into my instructor in charge at my college, because there is some like, informational meeting at 3 on tuesday...but the site says the 13th is the interview...so we'll see!!!
 
T

TURKEY

New Member
Originally posted by wdwprincess03
I have a call into my instructor in charge at my college, because there is some like, informational meeting at 3 on tuesday...but the site says the 13th is the interview...so we'll see!!!
Click to expand...

The information meeting is probally by your local campus rep. Have you seen big yellow posters around campus?

Campus Reps usually do something a week or two before the actual recruiter's presentation. Have some info, answer some questions, etc.
 
P

pyschotropic

New Member
Original Poster
Well what they did with us is interview 2 people at a time which leads me to beleive that it's a process of elimation therefore only one of those people will be accepted. I am kind of starting to wonder now what will happen because I had traveled about an hour to the presentation and have not received an e-mail thanking me for attending like some other poeple have, I have a great passion for Disney however sometimes I am beggining to think that the whole college program is just a means of cheap labor for the company I would like to think they do it for the educational purposes, but working for big corporations can be a cutthroat buissness especially for employees.
 
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greeneyes

New Member
I seriously doubt it's a process of elimination. After all, the girl that I interviewed with ONLY wanted hospitality while I said that I'd like merchandise, custodial, or QSF&B. Also, Max (the male recruiter) said that as long as we showed them we really wanted to do it and we didn't have any major flaws that made them think "We don't want them", we'd be chosen. I do think that those who go to earlier presentations have a better chance of being chosen, though (jmo).
 
T

TURKEY

New Member
Originally posted by pyschotropic
Well what they did with us is interview 2 people at a time which leads me to beleive that it's a process of elimation therefore only one of those people will be accepted. I am kind of starting to wonder now what will happen because I had traveled about an hour to the presentation and have not received an e-mail thanking me for attending like some other poeple have, I have a great passion for Disney however sometimes I am beggining to think that the whole college program is just a means of cheap labor for the company I would like to think they do it for the educational purposes, but working for big corporations can be a cutthroat buissness especially for employees.
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Depending on the number of people interviewing and what they are interviewing for, the recruiters may interview only one person or up to three.

For my program, I interviewed with two ladies. Last time I interviewed, it was just me (but I was applying for an advanced internship).

Unless you have sent a thank you letter or email, you probally won't receive something thanking you for attending and interviewing. If you got your interviewer's card, I would email and write (both would be even better).

I hope you pointed out how far you traveled to interview. Who was the main recruiter there?


It is cheap labor and I don't recommend it for anyone that doesn't have a passion for Disney or the hospitality industry.

However, being a part of the CP is a great experience if you want to work for Disney or another hospitality company in the future. The CP allows for tremendous networking opportunities (if you take advantage of them) for possible benefits down the road.

If you have any questions about what it's like, email me or take a look at my signature.
 
T

TURKEY

New Member
Originally posted by greeneyes
I seriously doubt it's a process of elimination. After all, the girl that I interviewed with ONLY wanted hospitality while I said that I'd like merchandise, custodial, or QSF&B. Also, Max (the male recruiter) said that as long as we showed them we really wanted to do it and we didn't have any major flaws that made them think "We don't want them", we'd be chosen. I do think that those who go to earlier presentations have a better chance of being chosen, though (jmo).
Click to expand...

Well it is sort of a process of elimination. It's just not a process of elimination among each group of interviewees.

Facts: Each recruiter is given a limit of how many positions they can fill for all of their campuses. More may come from one campus than another.

Pretty sure: Usually recruiters make 2 or 3 trips out (2 weeks at a time, 5 schools per week).

MY OPINION: Some decisions will be made immediately (both for and against), others maybe/maybe not. I think that recruiters will examine usually week by week and weed out some more, then after each trip.

***I think this is why it may take longer for some people to hear a decision. Even if a decision is made on the road, I don't think names are given for offers until recruiters return to WDW. So if you go to the first campus on the recruiting trail, the recruiter knows it's going to be you going, you may not hear for 3+ weeks (2 weeks on road, then week or more in the mail)
 
T

TURKEY

New Member
Originally posted by attisb
Usually how many people from each college are chosen (Roughly)?
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It really depends. I know schools that have had zero one year, five the next. I know others that have had 20 chosen.

It really is a secret and up to the quality of candidates per school.
 

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