WDW College Program Spring '10

[hoke2007]

Hi everyone.

I was thinking about doing the WDW CP in the Spring of 2010 (spring semester of my Junior year) and had a few questions:

1. When do you normally apply? Would I apply a year in advance or wait until the fall semester of my Junior year?
2. How hard is it to get accepted?
3. Do you decide how many hours you work or is it decided for you?
4. Are you still enrolled in college even if you aren't taking any classes?
5. How much fun was it? What did you do?

Thanks guys!

-Matt

 

[joanna71985]

Hi everyone.

I was thinking about doing the WDW CP in the Spring of 2010 (spring semester of my Junior year) and had a few questions:

1. When do you normally apply? Would I apply a year in advance or wait until the fall semester of my Junior year?
2. How hard is it to get accepted?
3. Do you decide how many hours you work or is it decided for you?
4. Are you still enrolled in college even if you aren't taking any classes?
5. How much fun was it? What did you do?

Thanks guys!

-Matt

Hey Matt. I would say that:
1. For the Spring CP, Disney starts recruiting in Sept (and I believe the online presentation goes up on the website late Aug).

2. It usually isn't too hard to be accepted to the CP (as long as you are in good standing with your school, and have a good personal record). However, the CP has become more popular recently. So if you want one of the more popular roles, it might be a good idea to apply early.

3. As a CP, you are supposed to be guaranteed 30+ hours a week (but you can be scheduled more). You can also pick up extra hours if you want.

4. I believe so. I was (I had to be a FT student to stay on my parent's insurance).

5. The CP is so much fun! I have done 4 CPs (merchandise, character attendant, custodial, and QSFB/character attendant), and I will be applying to go back down in May.

Good luck!

 

[ntoeman]

I too plan on applying for the spring '10 program and I was wondering about the benefits that come with the program. I know on the site it lists a few, but are there any others? Could someone go into a little more detail about the "Main Entrance Pass" and about the resort discounts for family and friends? Are the times when those discounts can be used the same every semester or what? Also, is internet a part of the costs of living in the condos or what kind of internet is available?
Thanks!

 

[joanna71985]

I too plan on applying for the spring '10 program and I was wondering about the benefits that come with the program. I know on the site it lists a few, but are there any others? Could someone go into a little more detail about the "Main Entrance Pass" and about the resort discounts for family and friends? Are the times when those discounts can be used the same every semester or what? Also, is internet a part of the costs of living in the condos or what kind of internet is available?
Thanks!

Sure! Here is how the Maingate works- you are able to get up to 3 people into the parks on 6 different occasions. Just be aware that if you don't bring in 3 people one time, the extra person/people do not carry over (for example- if you only bring in 2 people one day, the third person doesn't carry over).

There are 2 different resort discounts- one for if you stay in the resort, and another for if you don't. The one where you stay is up to 50% off, and the one where you don't is up to 40% off (based on availability).

The discounts stay the same for the whole CP, except during the Christmas holiday (the discounts go up. Merchandise goes from 20% to 40%, for example).

Internet is included in the rent for the CP apartments.

 

[hoke2007]

As a part of the WDW CP, do we get to visit the parks as often as we like? Do we have to enter in the employee entrances or can we go in the main entrances like the guests?

 

[joanna71985]

As a part of the WDW CP, do we get to visit the parks as often as we like? Do we have to enter in the employee entrances or can we go in the main entrances like the guests?

Yes. CPs can visit as much as they like with their ID.

If you are not working, you are supposed to go through the main entrance.

 

[Tinkrbell]

As a part of the WDW CP, do we get to visit the parks as often as we like? Do we have to enter in the employee entrances or can we go in the main entrances like the guests?

You get free park admission with your cast member id, so you can go as much as you want, as long as its not block out dates. (CMs cant go to MK as a guest next saturday because of the christmas parade taping for example.) You are encouraged to go through the main turnstyle like regular guests, but if you are taking the bus from the apartments, some of them drop you off at cast services so thenn you dont really have an option of which way you go in.

 

[joanna71985]

The only one that does that is Epcot. The other 3 stop at the front.

 

[hoke2007]

Thanks a lot of the info. It really helps! Here are a few more questions:

What would you do for fun? Would you normally go to the parks on your days off or would you hang back at the apartments?


How difficult would it be to get into the attractions or merchandise area of the CP program?

 

[joanna71985]

Thanks a lot of the info. It really helps! Here are a few more questions:

What would you do for fun? Would you normally go to the parks on your days off or would you hang back at the apartments?


How difficult would it be to get into the attractions or merchandise area of the CP program?

I usually went to the parks on my days off. And sometimes I would go play in the parks before/after work.

I don't think it's too hard to get into those roles.

 

[hoke2007]

I usually went to the parks on my days off. And sometimes I would go play in the parks before/after work.

I don't think it's too hard to get into those roles.

What are the best/most fun roles at the WDW CP in your opinion?

 

[joanna71985]

What are the best/most fun roles at the WDW CP in your opinion?

For me, I think the most fun roles are:
*character attendant (I've done that role twice now)
*attractions
*character performer
*photopass (new CP role)
*BBB (females only)
*FSFB

 

[hoke2007]

Do you request where about you want to work or do they assign you without asking?

Did you take any classes while doing the program or did you just take a semester off?

 

[joanna71985]

Do you request where about you want to work or do they assign you without asking?

Did you take any classes while doing the program or did you just take a semester off?

You can put in a request. But there are no guarantees.

I took a class my first CP. But I didn't my last 3.

 

[hoke2007]

What are the apartments like? I read that the prices go from $90 to $105. Do the apartments get nicer as the price goes up or do you just live with fewer people? Where are the best places to stay?


And what kinds of discounts do CP people get?


Thanks a lot!

 

[joanna71985]

What are the apartments like? I read that the prices go from $90 to $105. Do the apartments get nicer as the price goes up or do you just live with fewer people? Where are the best places to stay?


And what kinds of discounts do CP people get?


Thanks a lot!

The fewer people in the apartment, the cheaper the rent. That's why I like staying in a 3BR apartment. I also prefer staying at Chatham. I hope to stay there again next time.

Oh there are a lot of discounts!
*resort discounts
*merchandise
*food
*tickets

Just to name a few

 

[hoke2007]

I'm getting really excited!


I know they said that any majors can apply, but do they reject people with certain majors? I'm a history major, but I've loved Disney since I was 5 years old. It seems like a natural thing to do


As a CP person, do you get free admission into the water parks? Or do we just get in for free at the theme parks?

 

[Tinkrbell]

Disney doesnt care what your major is. The list on the college program website lists the most common majors, but they accept all majors.

You only get free admission to the theme parks, but you do get a discount to the water parks. Once in a while, they will offer free admission to the water parks.

 

[hoke2007]

Is it best to bring a car or could I get away with using the bus system?

Also, could you describe to me your overall experience? What did you do for fun? How many hours did you work? Are the shifts the same every week or do they mix it up?

 

[lespicer]

umm i would bring my car....you can get away without bringing your car...but where getting to work in your car takes ten minutes it can take up to an hour using the busing system...and you have to plan your schedule around the bus which can be an inconvienance....this is just what i have heard