WDW College Program Spring '10

[joanna71985]

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?

Trust me- if you can, bring a car! The bus system is doable (I have gone with the buses for all 4 of my CPs), but a car makes everything so much easier. And you don't have to use the car everyday if you don't want to (and want to save gas).

For overall experience- I have had so much fun while in FL. As soon as I did my first CP, I knew what I wanted to do once I graduated, and that was work at Disney. I have met so many wonderful people, and still see a lot of them everytime I go back down.

Hours will vary, by both role and location. As a CP, you are guaranteed at least 30 hours a week. But it can be more then that. When I was in merchandise, I usually worked around 35-40 hours. In custodial, I got about the same. For character attendant, it would be anywhere from 40-55 hours a week (though last summer it was about 40 hours, since I was at the same place almost every time). And as for the shifts, it can be either. Merchandise was almost the same shifts (the hours sometimes varied, but I just about always closed). Custodial was one of 2 different shifts. When I did character attendant in 2006, I had a lot of different shifts (then last summer, they were all the same).

 

[hoke2007]

Trust me- if you can, bring a car! The bus system is doable (I have gone with the buses for all 4 of my CPs), but a car makes everything so much easier. And you don't have to use the car everyday if you don't want to (and want to save gas).

For overall experience- I have had so much fun while in FL. As soon as I did my first CP, I knew what I wanted to do once I graduated, and that was work at Disney. I have met so many wonderful people, and still see a lot of them everytime I go back down.

Hours will vary, by both role and location. As a CP, you are guaranteed at least 30 hours a week. But it can be more then that. When I was in merchandise, I usually worked around 35-40 hours. In custodial, I got about the same. For character attendant, it would be anywhere from 40-55 hours a week (though last summer it was about 40 hours, since I was at the same place almost every time). And as for the shifts, it can be either. Merchandise was almost the same shifts (the hours sometimes varied, but I just about always closed). Custodial was one of 2 different shifts. When I did character attendant in 2006, I had a lot of different shifts (then last summer, they were all the same).

Sounds great! I'm trying to get my girlfriend to do the program at the same time I am, but she seems pretty against the whole idea. I thought it would make things a lot more fun, but we'll see.

If I wanted, could I request more hours? I would like to work around 40 hours a week, so if they gave me 30 could I ask for one more shift?

Will I always work in the same place or will I be moved around?

Also, can you request where you'd like to live?


I know I've said it a lot, but thank you so much. You guys are the best!

 

[joanna71985]

Sounds great! I'm trying to get my girlfriend to do the program at the same time I am, but she seems pretty against the whole idea. I thought it would make things a lot more fun, but we'll see.

If I wanted, could I request more hours? I would like to work around 40 hours a week, so if they gave me 30 could I ask for one more shift?

Will I always work in the same place or will I be moved around?

Also, can you request where you'd like to live?


I know I've said it a lot, but thank you so much. You guys are the best!

Oh yeah. You are able to pick up extra hours (either in your area, or on the HUB as long as they don't require special training). I love getting HUB shifts.

You will always be in the same place, unless you are cross-trained (and it's rare for CPs to be crossed-trained). You could also be deployed to another place (for example- when I was in merchandise in 2006, I was sent to Liberty Square and Adventureland for 2 weeks each). Oh, I almost forgot something- if you are in entertainment (performer or attendant), you can (and most likely will) work in all 4 parks.

At check-in, you can say where you would like to live, and they will try to grant your request.

 

[hoke2007]

Where is the best place to live? Which one is closest to the parks? Or are they all about the same? Are they on property or off-property?


Where did you find to be the best place to work? Park? Land?

 

[joanna71985]

Where is the best place to live? Which one is closest to the parks? Or are they all about the same? Are they on property or off-property?


Where did you find to be the best place to work? Park? Land?

Well, the parks are different distances away. There really is no difference for that. I think it comes down to preference. I like Chatham better myself (like I said before). I just find the apartments to be a bit nicer (and I'm not a big party person, so I like the peace and quiet at Chatham). The apartments are technically off-property.

I've worked in all 4 parks now. I've liked them all, but my 2 favorites probably have to be MK and DHS. I'm lucky, because my role doesn't really have late hours (so that hasn't factored into it recently). The park with best hours would probably be AK. MK has the longest hours (and Epcot and DHS are in the middle).

 

[hoke2007]

Well, the parks are different distances away. There really is no difference for that. I think it comes down to preference. I like Chatham better myself (like I said before). I just find the apartments to be a bit nicer (and I'm not a big party person, so I like the peace and quiet at Chatham). The apartments are technically off-property.

I've worked in all 4 parks now. I've liked them all, but my 2 favorites probably have to be MK and DHS. I'm lucky, because my role doesn't really have late hours (so that hasn't factored into it recently). The park with best hours would probably be AK. MK has the longest hours (and Epcot and DHS are in the middle).

Is Chatham generally known as a quieter place to live? Where about is it located?

 

[hoke2007]

I just thought I'd revive this thread.


How are the apartments? Are they fairly large or small? Do all of the apartments have similar floorplans or do they vary?

 

[joanna71985]

Is Chatham generally known as a quieter place to live? Where about is it located?

Yes. Chatham is quieter then Vista.

I just thought I'd revive this thread.


How are the apartments? Are they fairly large or small? Do all of the apartments have similar floorplans or do they vary?

The apartments are decent size. Obviously the more bedrooms, the larger the apartments. Vista apartments are smaller then Chatham/Patterson ones. I believe the Vista floorplans are also different, but not positive about that (Chatham and Patterson are pretty similar).

 

[ntoeman]

About bringing a car....are there any used car dealers in the area where you think I could buy a car once I'm down there?