Should I go back?

[skycraft]

Hey everyone,
I did the CP last Fall in Disneyland anaheim and had the time of my life! I was an attractions Cast Member and wouldnt trade it in for anything in the world.
I decided to come home to another state so i could at least get my associates or BA and go back to Disney. Am I doing the right thing by putting off getting into the program again for at least another two years? Or should I go back as soon as I can considering that's where I want to build my career?
I am also extremely interested in getting into the atmosphere characters department. Any suggestions there? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[maelstrom]

Why don't you try the CP in Disney World next time around?

How were the apartments for the Disneyland CP?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

If you want to build a career, then you should worry about your degree more than the program. You already got Disney experience, which is great. However, Disney wants to hire the best candidates for their jobs like any other company. Without a formal education, you are not going to be able to really move up in the company past those front line levels. Don't worry about doing the program for now, go to school and get your BA and then worry about Disney again afterward. By doing the program again without a degree you will not give yourself any advantage.

 

[skycraft]

Why don't you try the CP in Disney World next time around?

How were the apartments for the Disneyland CP?

unfortunately I was not able to take part in the Disney offered apartments. If your arrival date isnt at least like 1/2 way through all the arrival dates, you have to worry about your own housing. But I had a lot of friends who had housing there and I heard good and bad things. I would imagine it would be very similar to WDW.

 

[skycraft]

If you want to build a career, then you should worry about your degree more than the program. You already got Disney experience, which is great. However, Disney wants to hire the best candidates for their jobs like any other company. Without a formal education, you are not going to be able to really move up in the company past those front line levels. Don't worry about doing the program for now, go to school and get your BA and then worry about Disney again afterward. By doing the program again without a degree you will not give yourself any advantage.

Sounds good! But would I be better off getting my Associates here and then moving to FL/CA and working on my bachalors there while I build up my seniority?

 

[maelstrom]

unfortunately I was not able to take part in the Disney offered apartments. If your arrival date isnt at least like 1/2 way through all the arrival dates, you have to worry about your own housing. But I had a lot of friends who had housing there and I heard good and bad things. I would imagine it would be very similar to WDW.

I would even consider re-enrolling in college to do the Disneyland CP, but there's no way in hell I'd be able to find my own housing in Anaheim.

 

[skycraft]

I would even consider re-enrolling in college to do the Disneyland CP, but there's no way in hell I'd be able to find my own housing in Anaheim.

As long as you get there early (for my program it was before May 23) you can get housing Disney offers. They may change it now though because I received an email a month after starting and it was inquiring for anyone who was interested in living there. Unfortunately I had already signed a 7 month lease and was out of luck.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Sounds good! But would I be better off getting my Associates here and then moving to FL/CA and working on my bachalors there while I build up my seniority?

I would say that it doesn't matter. It is more important to go to a good school than it would be to get to Disney first. I would recommend a good 4 year school where you can get your BA without having to worry about your associates degree. Disney will still be there when you get out of college.

 

[wedway71]

What do you want to do for Disney for a career? I guess it depends on what you want to get into before making a decision.

In some cases going to the CP and then advanced Internship works out.

I knew someone who went to college for Hospitality Management. They got their BA Degree. They could have applied right after college to get into Management.

They chose to work for Marriott Hotels for 2 years in Mgt and then apply since they would know have a degree and real world experience.

They got a Management job at Disney Resorts in Resort Sales.

 

[DisneyChik17]

What do you want to do for Disney for a career? I guess it depends on what you want to get into before making a decision.

In some cases going to the CP and then advanced Internship works out.

I knew someone who went to college for Hospitality Management. They got their BA Degree. They could have applied right after college to get into Management.

They chose to work for Marriott Hotels for 2 years in Mgt and then apply since they would know have a degree and real world experience.

They got a Management job at Disney Resorts in Resort Sales.

This has honestly become my DREAM JOB. I work in a hotel now, and everything I have done with Sales has been wonderful. I work with Hilton now, am doing the CP starting in June, then going back to the Hilton when I return to school. Hopefully as Asst. Director of Sales. Glad to know I'm on the right path. :sohappy:

 

[kcw]

Sounds good! But would I be better off getting my Associates here and then moving to FL/CA and working on my bachalors there while I build up my seniority?

Yes, I think that would be best. I was in a very similar situation. It was very very hard for me to come home to finish school (I was going to extend) but I'm glad I did. The longer you're there at Disney, the harder it gets to go back to "real life" and finish school. I had a lot of friends out there who started on the CP, had every intention of going back to school after it was done, and then 5, 6, 7, years later, they were still there- doing the same job. They never finished school, and aren't able to really move up in the company. Finish school, or at least your associates, THEN go back to Disney- whether it's in CA or FL.

It will be hard, and you'll miss it everyday, but you'll be glad you did. I would sit in class doodling Mickey heads and character autographs, thinking "I went to 'work' everyday at my dream job and simply played all day. I got to make kids and adults laugh, smile, and have fun with their families and friends.... and now I'm expected to sit here in a boring classroom finding similarities between Shakespeare's various works and streaking agar plates in my mic lab.... BLEH" A few wise co-CMs gave me the same advice that another poster already mentioned that Disney will still be there when you're done- it's not going anywhere.

As for advice for getting into atmosphere characters- go to auditions, hold nothing back, make sure your improv is big (bigger than you may feel is comfortable), smile, don't wear a black or white colored shirt, and cross your fingers that you're a good height ;-)