5 months in the Most Magical Place on Earth...my College Program TR

[sherylcin]

I'm trying to imagine 5 months of unlimited park access.

Still loving your report. Can't wait to hear how your first day at CRT goes.

 

[Tinkerbellgal]

Living my dream...

I'd love to do the DCP but it's really difficult for us Brits to do it apparently 'cause not many universities/colleges have been paired up, here's hoping!

 

[YayDisney]

I love following your posts, but am not on this board too often, so in order to find it, i need to go to my statistics, find the posts I have done and then look for yours. I would love a short cut to your posts and look forward to keeping up with your story! Thanks so much for this detailed report. I would have loved to have done this when in college. What a fun opportunity - Keep up the awesome posting.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Hello! My name is Jess and I am currently a Freshman in college. I have been wanting to do the DCP since I was like 10 or 12 years old. I have transferred colleges and switched majors (to theatre and communications) this year so it's been kind of insane... but I am hoping that next year in the spring maybe I can go! I cannot explain in words how much I want to do the DCP. Ahh I think about it every day

Someone who is reading my trip report actually referred me to your TR, so I had to come check it out. I was totally thinking of writing one when I finally got to do my DCP because I absolutely LOVE writing trip reports. So it'll be nice to see how you write this!

I was totally tearing up when I was reading your intro because I am going to go through THE SAME emotions that you experienced when I finally get to do my program. Like... I seriously just can't even wait. Ahh one day. Just gotta survive two semesters. I CAN DO THIS.

Once I have a free moment, I am going to catch up on this whole thing. Because, like you, I have an obsession with reading stuff about the DCP (and Disney in general)

So okay. Basically, I'm here! And I'm excited! I can't wait to read! Thanks for writing!

 

[jenseib]

I love following your posts, but am not on this board too often, so in order to find it, i need to go to my statistics, find the posts I have done and then look for yours. I would love a short cut to your posts and look forward to keeping up with your story! Thanks so much for this detailed report. I would have loved to have done this when in college. What a fun opportunity - Keep up the awesome posting.

Just go to your profile and edit your setting to recieve email notifications.

 

[spiroff.natasha]

Hi
I just found your TR - it's very interesting.
My DD is in 8th grade and we've talked about the CP before. I know it's early - lol, but we love WDW and it would be great for her to be able to go there for a CP. And I'll remember to tell my DH that (frequent) trips from Mom will make it go smoother
My DS is in 5th grade so it would be nice to have them both do the CP.
My brother lives in Riverside, CA and we hope to visit next year and go to Disneyland.
Can't wait to read more.
Amy
btw - we live in WV - I can't wait to tell my DD that one of your roommies was from WV.

That would be awesome if both of your children did the CP...LOTS of trips for you ​

HaHa...you and that ice cream cone! You know, every time we go to Disneyland I always think of it when we walk by the place where it should be IF we were at Disneyworld!! I meant to tell you that last week when we were there!!

Two weeks....two weeks!!

Can't wait! And I always think of my ice cream place too when we are at Disneyland...guess I'll have to get one when we are there!!!​

Wait! I know I love the giraffes.....but YOU love the Rhinos????????? HUH???!! Who knew..

​

I would love just being able to go to the parks whenever and thinking oh well we have 5 months to ride it, no need for it today!

It was SO nice, never felt rushed in the parks ​

You look so excited in all of the pics! I would be too... 5 months of "living" at Disney World? I wouldn't know what to do with it

I was soooo very excited five months in WDW is a dream come true ​

I'm trying to imagine 5 months of unlimited park access.

Still loving your report. Can't wait to hear how your first day at CRT goes.

First day at CRT is coming up soon!! Glad you are enjoying ​

Living my dream...

I'd love to do the DCP but it's really difficult for us Brits to do it apparently 'cause not many universities/colleges have been paired up, here's hoping!

Have you looked into the ICP? It's a little bit different of a program but might work better with your university ​

I love following your posts, but am not on this board too often, so in order to find it, i need to go to my statistics, find the posts I have done and then look for yours. I would love a short cut to your posts and look forward to keeping up with your story! Thanks so much for this detailed report. I would have loved to have done this when in college. What a fun opportunity - Keep up the awesome posting.

Jenseib wrote out instructions below Let me know if you have any more questions! Glad you are along for the ride!!
​

Hello! My name is Jess and I am currently a Freshman in college. I have been wanting to do the DCP since I was like 10 or 12 years old. I have transferred colleges and switched majors (to theatre and communications) this year so it's been kind of insane... but I am hoping that next year in the spring maybe I can go! I cannot explain in words how much I want to do the DCP. Ahh I think about it every day

Someone who is reading my trip report actually referred me to your TR, so I had to come check it out. I was totally thinking of writing one when I finally got to do my DCP because I absolutely LOVE writing trip reports. So it'll be nice to see how you write this!

I was totally tearing up when I was reading your intro because I am going to go through THE SAME emotions that you experienced when I finally get to do my program. Like... I seriously just can't even wait. Ahh one day. Just gotta survive two semesters. I CAN DO THIS.

Once I have a free moment, I am going to catch up on this whole thing. Because, like you, I have an obsession with reading stuff about the DCP (and Disney in general)

So okay. Basically, I'm here! And I'm excited! I can't wait to read! Thanks for writing!

Glad you are here! You HAVE to do the CP, you will have an amazing time I've been reading your trip reports too and am loving them! WDW twice in December?! SO jealous!!​

Just go to your profile and edit your setting to recieve email notifications.

Thank you ​

 

[spiroff.natasha]

WARNING: long update ahead with not very many pictures

I didn't have my camera with me since it was a work day but since I hate updating with no pictures I will be throwing in some stock photos

No matter where in the Walt Disney World Resort you will be working, you will attend a resort/park specific orientation. At Hollywood Studios it is called "On with the show". At the Polynesian you take part in "Aloha Day". As a CM at Magic Kingdom I spent one of my training days at "Once Upon a Time is Now" Ok, so when I tell people at home that this is what it was called, I usually get some eye-rolls or a chuckle and comment about how unbelievably cheesy Disney is. I loved it and I'm sure you DISers can agree

I showed up to Disney University briiiight and early to meet for the orientation. After checking in, we were directed to the cafeteria where we were to wait for our leaders to come take us over the park. When I was sitting down I met up with Megan. She was going to be working in the castle as well but as a FGIT (Fairy Godmother in Training) at the BBB! After everyone was checked in we were divided up into groups and put on busses to MK.

{via}

Unlike for Traditions, we went straight to the front entrance of the park and huddled near the turnstiles. I say huddled because it was FREEZING and we were all trying to get close to each other to keep warm! (without being weird )

There were already guests lined up for park opening and we definitely got some strange looks when we showed up in our business attire. Those strange looks quickly turned into evil looks when our leaders took us through the main gates before the park opened

{via}

Throughout the course of the day we would walk through the park and stop at different areas to hear some fun facts. Example: as soon as we walked into the park we stopped and were told that the train station was purposely built in the way that it is so that you can not see the castle from the outside. Walt really wanted it to be a special moment for all of the guests as they walked in and kept the suspense going as long as possible!

We made our way down Main Street and then stopped into Cosmic Rays to defrost and listen to the park's opening ceremony on the speakers. After that, we headed over to Tommorrowland and they let us all ride Buzz! Getting paid to ride? Yes, please!!

{via}

We took another defrosting break in Columbia Harbor House and while we were sitting there, our leaders asked us if we wanted to hear the story behind the Haunted Mansion.

Pretty much everyone was like "What?! There is a story behind the Haunted Mansion?! Tell us!!!" (I am included in this group)

{via}

So we sat down as they told us the story of a lonely old man who was very wealthy and lived in a mansion on a hill. He had more money than he knew what to do with, was able to buy all the finest things but all he really wanted was to share his life with someone special. One day, he visited the towns' physic medium (Madame Leota) and she told the old man that he would soon meet a woman who was not what she seemed. Leota warned the man to take caution with his new lady friend and to not let her get too close. Desperate for companionship, the old man took this woman under his wing and eventually they were married. Not long after the wedding, the old man was found dead in his yard from an apparent fall from the attic. It was then revealed that this woman had a reputation for preying on wealthy men, getting them to marry her, and then killing them off. This woman can be seen in the attic scene of the Haunted Mansion attraction. If you look closely, you will notice that in each framed painting she is seen with a different man and has another strand of pearls around her neck...one for each of the husbands she has killed.

They also pointed out that when on the attraction, you are never acknowledged by the happy haunts until you too are pushed out of the attic by the woman and fall backwards to your death.

Pretty cool right?

So after telling us that story, they asked if we wanted to ride.

Um..DUH!

We went through the side entrance and hopped in our doom buggies. I rode with Megan and we were both wicked excited (she's from Maine, had to say it!) to ride with our new knowledge. The whole attraction made so much more sense! It was awesome!!! Until after we got off...

We took a CM door and it led us backstage. Our leaders asked us what we thought and we all told them how cool it was! And then they told us it was completely made up hahahaha

The point of the whole made-up story was to show us how as cast members, we make the magic for our guests. The wire that Tinkerbell flies down?

It's Prince Charming's ESPN line.
It helps hold the castle down cause it's filled with so much pixie dust!
It is a line in the sky that Peter Pan drew so Tink could always find her way back to Neverland

After the Haunted Mansion experience, we hopped on buses and headed back to Disney University. It was there that we were split into even smaller groups and brought over to costuming. More about that in my next post

​

 

[oopsiDAISY]

That was a great post...loved it! Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!

 

[stimmons]

Hey! I felt guilty for reading this far before telling you I have subbed to your TR. I guess it's not really a TR and more like a delayed blog....lol. But I am absolutely loving the scoop that you are dishing. Thanks for posting and I can't wait to hear about the rest of your CP experience!

 

[sherylcin]

Ok, I totally bought the whole Haunted Mansion story so I think you learned very well!!

Sounds like a fun day so far even if you are in "school"..............

 

[blessedby3]

What a fun day so far! I would LOVE to got to Disney U

 

[mauigal]

Really loved this last update!!

 

[jenseib]

That is so funny, because I have a dvd that shows the inside of haunted mansion and they go through and point out different things...and as you were telling that story...I thought...thats not the story I heard.....kind of similar, but still different in most ways. Both are probably made up

 

[chiefdragon]

We need more please

 

[francis6306]

I love that story!! I will totally take that as the truth from now on!

I have said that if I win the Lotto and we move to Orlando, I want to work in the BBB as a FGIT! How much fun to make over those little girls. Unless I got a crier!

 

[Joanna71985]

What role does your brother have?

 

[spiroff.natasha]

That was a great post...loved it! Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us!

You're welcome! So glad you loved it ​

Hey! I felt guilty for reading this far before telling you I have subbed to your TR. I guess it's not really a TR and more like a delayed blog....lol. But I am absolutely loving the scoop that you are dishing. Thanks for posting and I can't wait to hear about the rest of your CP experience!

Welcome!! Yea it is definitely like a delayed blog haha...good thing since I didn't really keep up with mine while I was there!​

Ok, I totally bought the whole Haunted Mansion story so I think you learned very well!!

Sounds like a fun day so far even if you are in "school"..............

My favorite type of "school" ​

What a fun day so far! I would LOVE to got to Disney U

The training days at DU were great! The rest of the day was fun too...I LOVED the costuming building ​

Really loved this last update!!

Thanks madre! ​

That is so funny, because I have a dvd that shows the inside of haunted mansion and they go through and point out different things...and as you were telling that story...I thought...thats not the story I heard.....kind of similar, but still different in most ways. Both are probably made up

hahaha yea I don't think there is an "official" story for the HM but it kind of makes it more fun! I would love to watch that DVD!! What is it called?
​

We need more please

Coming up soon ​

I love that story!! I will totally take that as the truth from now on!

I have said that if I win the Lotto and we move to Orlando, I want to work in the BBB as a FGIT! How much fun to make over those little girls. Unless I got a crier!

Definitely a fun story to tell to people you are at the park with before you get on the ride!

Yea working at BBB would be awesome! Their costumes are ADORABLE and *most* of the princesses that go in are sooo cute (the non-screaming ones ) Plus, some of your training consists of going to classes all about hair braiding! Sounds like a great class to me ​

What role does your brother have?

He is going to be QSFB!​

 

[Crystal824]

I am LOVING your trip report. It is bringing back so many memories. I first went to WDW when I was 17, a senior in high school. That trip, in and of itself was a dream come true as I had always wanted to go the WDW. My family didn't go on alot of vacations growing up and when we did it was usually to the beach or the mountains. We lived in N.C. and about 2 1/2 hours from either place.

Anyway, I was talking to a cast member in Toontown, a custoidan, who was a CP and told me about the program. From that moment on, I knew I HAD to do this program. During my sophmore year, I interviewed. I agree that it was a LONG wait to find out I had been accepted. I still remember opening that envelope. I was so nervous and excited. I was first assigned to the boats at Animal Kingdom but they were shut down the week before I started my CP. I was reassigned to Flights of Wonder. I did crowd control. Honestly, I would have done anything. I loved the group at FoW.

I must say my first CP was one of the best experiences of my life. Don't get me wrong, I have a great life now, I'm a professional with a husband and child. If I could stop time and just go back to one point in my life (for a couple of hours or days), I would probably choose my first CP. I met some amazing people (some I still keep in touch with) and had an amazing time. I loved it so much, I did a second CP the next summer, which was fun but not as much fun. I really missed the people from my first CP. Also, they realized they didn't have enough housing so we were placed in an apartment complex near Universal. There were three or four aparments of CPs in the whole apt. complex. The only upside is we were able to rent a washer and dryer from a rent to own place for the summer. We were all repeats doing a second CP with cars. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't the same. I worked at MK as a character greeter that time.

It is fun to see how much things have changed. In 1999, there was only one housing complex, Vista Way. They were actually building Chatham then; it was avaliable for my second CP b/c some of my friends that also came back that summer stayed there. (I didn't get in there because my school got out so late. I think once they ran out of room they started putting us in random apt. complexes.) Also, there were NO room checks ever. Ok, I take that back there were searches if someone suspected underage drinking or drugs (usually resulting in a termination) but not room checks for pictures/posters. We put whatever we wanted up on the walls.

I stayed in a 3 bedroom and no one cared about our ages. 3 of us were under 21 and 3 of us were over 21 although they did have wellness apartments even then but it was your choice to stay in one of them no matter your age.

Also, I'm jealous that you got to go to casting to get your role. They had conference rooms at Vista Way where we went to get our roles. When we checked in for our apartment, they gave us a time to go to the conference room to get our roles. I have completed 2 CPs and never once stepped foot in the casting building.

Anyway, thanks for letting an old woman reminisce about her youth and CP.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Great trip report! CAn't wait for next chapter.

 

[Kelliroo3]

Fantastic report! I'm loving it. I loved your last update; so cool with the Haunted Mansion story and the Tinkerbelle line. Thanks for sharing.