Any tricky CP interview questions?

[Haphazard Hero]

Yeah, during your program you will have an official record that notes any attendance issues (call-ins, late arrivals, etc.), discipline and any recognition. Even though it doesn't carry over from program to program, it can and will be reviewed if you ever re-apply for the program or to the company.

Ah, interesting. Well, I'll be on my best behavior then.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm not saying you'll do this (this is for anyone reading), please do not abuse the points system. Every year there are CPs who take advantage of the system and the short amount of time they are down there. They call in when they aren't sick and make sure to time it so they don't get in trouble. Unfortunately, you will find not every area or CM is pro-CP. I dealt with some anti-CP sentiment when I was down there, and this is one of the reasons. CPs have a reputation of slacking off and working the system. Please don't do that, as it gives us all a bad name. (And please don't let this scare you, the majority of hte people I worked with were all very nice.)

 

[Joanna71985]

There is no summer program for first tiem CPs. Once you have participated on the CP, you can then return as a Summer Alumni. If you just want to work there for the summer and have not been on a CP before, you can try to go seasonal, but they will not provide you with housing or transportation.

There was a first-time Summer CP in 2006 (only roles were custodial and QSFB). But they haven't done it since.

Can you do the program again?

You sure can!

I've done the program 3x, I think Joanna is getting ready for her 4th, I had a roommate who had done it somewhere between 6 and 8. As long as you are in college when you apply, you can do it as many times as you like. (Don't forget to keep your record card clean).

Joanna is there!

I'm not saying you'll do this (this is for anyone reading), please do not abuse the points system. Every year there are CPs who take advantage of the system and the short amount of time they are down there. They call in when they aren't sick and make sure to time it so they don't get in trouble. Unfortunately, you will find not every area or CM is pro-CP. I dealt with some anti-CP sentiment when I was down there, and this is one of the reasons. CPs have a reputation of slacking off and working the system. Please don't do that, as it gives us all a bad name. (And please don't let this scare you, the majority of hte people I worked with were all very nice.)

The point system was actually changed because of this.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Changed? Do tell!

 

[csaribay]

Changed? Do tell!

Early last year they changed the system to disallow call-continuous... so now each call in accounts for one point. Three points in any 30 day period is a reprimand (and 6 in 60 days, 9 in 180 days, 12 in 365 days - and this includes call-ins, lates and no shows), and participants are terminated when a fourth reprimand is due. Clocking standards remain the same.

Record cards are also now a factor when a participant wants to extend (the way I remember it was written, previously this wasn't the case).

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Record cards were always a factor in extensions. They determined if you could extend, and if you extended, whether or not you could switch areas. (You had to meet the transfer requirements that regular CMs have to meet if they want to transfer roles).

 

[csaribay]

Record cards were always a factor in extensions. They determined if you could extend, and if you extended, whether or not you could switch areas. (You had to meet the transfer requirements that regular CMs have to meet if they want to transfer roles).

You know, I thought that as well, but the exact verbage on the "changes" page for the attendance matrix was similar to:

Also effective immediately, a Cast Member's record card will be one of the determining factors in their eligibility to apply for an extension.

Not saying it wasn't a factor before... just that it was kind of written that way.

 

[Disneylover08]

Is it likely they'll accept you for an extension or is there something you have to do? Because I got into the program for Disneyland and it's only for four months and I kinda wanted longer....what would I do?

I don't start until Aug..but I was just wondering..

 

[csaribay]

Is it likely they'll accept you for an extension or is there something you have to do? Because I got into the program for Disneyland and it's only for four months and I kinda wanted longer....what would I do?

I don't start until Aug..but I was just wondering..

The program at the Disneyland Resort (DLR) works a little differently, but they do offer extensions that are similar to those at the Walt Disney World Resort. DLR participants should keep an eye out on The HUB company portal and the emailed Community Updates for specific instructions (this past term, it involved contacting their programs office via phone or email to begin the process). As long as you have a solid record card, you should be able to extend into the following season.

 

[glendalais]

Is it likely they'll accept you for an extension or is there something you have to do? Because I got into the program for Disneyland and it's only for four months and I kinda wanted longer....what would I do?

I don't start until Aug..but I was just wondering..

The program at the Disneyland Resort (DLR) works a little differently, but they do offer extensions that are similar to those at the Walt Disney World Resort. DLR participants should keep an eye out on The HUB company portal and the emailed Community Updates for specific instructions (this past term, it involved contacting their programs office via phone or email to begin the process). As long as you have a solid record card, you should be able to extend into the following season.

What csaribay said is right. However, I should point out, that our CPs here at the DLR, rather than extending their programs as is the common route for staying longer at WDW, more often convert to CT or CR status at the end of their programs.

So you might have to explain why you want to extend as opposed to going CT (i.e., you would like to take another class or something along those lines).

Also, just a heads up if you'be been assigned to work in Foods. The Foods contract limits the number of CPers to 150 per program. Thus, Casting might not be willing to extend you at all if you're a Foods CM.

 

[Chilling Donald]

i have read here that they ask you a space moutain question and if i am correct it goes something like this, "if a guest wants to go on space moutain but he is too short what do you do?" i don't know the answer because i did not get asked this

I think you explain to the child that they may not be able to ride and you suggegst something else and if you have them, give them some stickers.

 

[graygables]

I think you explain to the child that they may not be able to ride and you suggegst something else and if you have them, give them some stickers.

Even though I won't be applying for attractions, I had a dream the other night that I was asked this question and I told the child he could ride on the TTA and at least get to see the inside of Space Mtn, then I gave him a little certificate that said he was an honorary pilot of Space Mtn and could come back when he was tall enough and use the FP line. It was the strangest thing and the interviewer (in my dream) said it was a great response. (do they even have certificates, or did I make that part up??? )

 

[marypatsy]

Yes, there is....Funny enough you knew that in your dreams. And that would be the correct answer I would think.

 

[_frazzle]

My main choice is Merchandise. I know they ask you what to do if someone wants something and they're out of it...what do you say to that and what are some other good answers? I'm SO nervous.

 

[orangekid13]

I had my interview today and used this thread to prep some, I think it deserves a bump for anyone who hasn't interviewed yet that hasn't seen a link to it

 

[Nalla]

for the space mountain question I was asked "A couple with a child is getting in line and you see that the child is too short to ride, what do you do?"
So my answer was to first inform them that the child wasn't tall enough, and then ask to see if they'd be interested in doing a child swap. If the parents were the ones wanting to ride, and the kid was just agreeing to go with them, then that would work. If it was the child who wanted to ride, I suggested that they could try Goofy's Barnstormer because it is a rollercoaster with a similar top speed and max drop, but with a 9" less height requirement.

After I said all that, my interviewer asked "Are you at Disney a lot, you seem to know a lot about the attractions?", so I told her I used to live on the gulf coast (sarasota, fl) so I went to disney 3 or 4 times a year and that now I live in jersey but try to make it down to disney world at least once a year.

Is that a good answer? I really wish I'd thought of mentioning the TTA going inside space mt.
In my interview, as per my movie theater manager's advice, I made sure to use disney lingo and say guests, CMs, attractions etc instead of customers, employees, rides.

 

[orangekid13]

I'll admit I owe graygables a cookie or something, I used the TTA thing when I got that question, now I wish I'd thought of the barnstormer idea too...

 

[Joanna71985]

Is that a good answer? I really wish I'd thought of mentioning the TTA going inside space mt.
In my interview, as per my movie theater manager's advice, I made sure to use disney lingo and say guests, CMs, attractions etc instead of customers, employees, rides.

Yes, I think it was a great answer! When I got the question, I never thought to mention the Barnstormer. Great idea!

 

[Climber656]

So I had my phone interview on Sunday and I feel like it went pretty well. The lady that interviewed me was very nice and personable. We started off with making sure all of my information was correct and that I was able to do somethings like legally able to work in the US and things of that sort. She also wanted to know when I would want to be there. She said that I could put down Spring and if I wanted to extend I could do that while I am down there; we'll see about that! She also asked me if I had been to WDW recently and what my experience was like. I assumed that this was to figure out which park I liked best and which would be best for me to work in.
From there, she asked me about what roles I had check on the role check sheet. I told her I was interested in the following:

1. Hospitality
2. Attractions
3. Character Attendant
4. Full Service Food and Beverage.

She asked me questions mostly about Hospitality and Attractions. I didn't get any questions about Character Attendant (dang! I kinda wanted that one most.) She asked if I was interested at all in dong Quick Service Food and Beverage. I said no. I have worked in restaurants since I was 15 and one of the big reasons I want to work at Disney is that I want an experience that is totally unique and not do something that I could do anywhere. I wish I had specified which resort I wanted to be in. I guess if I get it, I will be in All-Star or Pop! lol....I hope this helps. I wanted to write this while it was still fresh in my mind. My girlfriend, who is a campus rep., sat in the room during my interview. She said I did great.I feel like I answered every question professionally, yet with a certain amount of personality. Hopefully, I will meet some of you this Spring!

Cheers!
-Andrew

 

[MushuGirl06]

I have a quick question...

I was reading through the thread and someone said if you are going to apply you have to take a semester off...is this true?

i thought there were certain classes you could take while you were down in the college program that would turn into college credits; if your college/university was willing to