A few reservations about applying for the CP

[jediobiwan]

So my fiance and I are interested (to different degrees) in applying to the college program. We both have some likes, dislikes, and questions.

We like that we would get away from the craziness of engineering majors for a term!

We would love to be in Disney World!

We are worried about how crazy it would be to work there. I know so many people love doing the CP, but what experiences have people had that they did not like or where annoyed with.

We are worried about how much time we would get to spend with each other. Would we have a good bit of time every day, or just on off days? Would we be likely to even have the same free time? How does the schedule changing from week to week work.

Would we be likely to get placed in the same park/ apartment complex if we request? Due to the visitation rules, the same complex would be a must.

I am sure we will have more questions, but that's it for now!
TIA!

 

[CP2003Alumni]

The chance of getting the same location are slim - same as same schedule. You are under Disney Control plain and simple, that is what you sign on for. That being said - it is a great program. If you live separate now, no biggie, but if you live together you will be seprate at Disney. As for complexes - you can go to and from any Disney complex with your college ID, so you could stay with each other, but you will be sharing a room with another person, so please respect that person's wishes if they say they do not want your fiance sleeping over.
I loved my college program, and sharing it with someone is great! Hope this helps, I was just trying to be truthful.

 

[taigirl87]

actually, youd only be able to stay overnight at each others apartments if you lived in the same complex. like when i go to my friends apartment in vista(i live in chatham) i have to be out by 1am, or he can run the possibility of getting termed(it does happen) if him and i both lived in chatham though, we wouldn't have to worry about it. also, with your housing id, you can come and go into each apartment complex, until 9pm, when you have to be signed in by someone who lives in the complex you are visiting.

its kind of lame, but their reasonings make sense...now if only theyd extend the "curfew" times...itd make for late night wendy's runs to be easier.

 

[DisneyAngie]

deleted

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

When are you getting married? If youre married, I do believe you can be in a 1 bedroom apartment in the CP housing together. I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure.

I agree with the Animal Kingdom idea so you know you'd have evenings off. But even if youre both working at the Magic Kingdom, that doesn't mean you'll be working until midnight every night. And if you do.. then you can spend the mornings together.

 

[Sorahana]

Housing complex-It shouldn't be too hard to end up in the same complex, just request the same complex at check-in =).

Job location-Chances of you being in the same park are VERY SLIM, people are placed based on operational need, especially if you get different roles. As someone stated, Disney is in control of all of that, you go where they put you. You can request a park but there's no guarantees.

Time to see each other-Schedules vary by location, role, etc. When I did the CP in spring of 08, my days off varied every week and I worked longer hours. On my summer cp, I had the same days off every week for the most part (two days a week, either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday) and my hours were the same for the most part except if it was a busy day. Depending on where you're placed you may have more time to see each other during the day (Animal Kingdom), or you'll see each other on your days off if you at least get one of the same days off.

Hope that helped!!

 

[zulemara]

hhmm things I get annoyed with? see my signature

The way to handle being annoyed with things is to view it as an educational experience. For instance, on the launches(39 passenger sail boats) people with strollers love to sit on the white benches where I have to squeeze through to get to the wheel. Instead of complaining about it, I started asking people with strollers to sit in the back of the boat. The same thing applies to the cruisers...people with strollers, with 100 people behind them, will plop down with their triple wide mercedes and block the other 100 people from efficiently getting on the boat. When I'm the pilot, I get on the mic and make sure people keep moving to the back of the boat, sit down, including strollers, and then fill in the aisle with people standing. I've increased loading efficiency almost 50% by doing that.

So if you take the things that annoy you and realize people just don't know, then find a way to flip it around and make it educational to the guests, it's a lot easier to deal with. Of course you can't do that for everything, but it helps a little bit.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I'm one of those that loved basically everything about the cp, which is why im applying again for Fall 2010.

A couple things were annoying to me, though:

1. American Coach- I had a car with me, but wanted to take the bus the first couple weeks until i felt comfortable with the route to work and where to park. Words can not express my dislike for American Coach. It's a great system for CPs and ICPs that can't or don't have their car with them, but often times for me, The bus would either get me to work an hour before I had to be there, or it would be scheduled to get me there 2 minutes late, which would give me 1/2 a point.

2. Housing Rules- I understand them, but nothing on the walls was kind of annoying. People found ways around that but inspections were part of that annoyance.

Also, if you both live in the same complex you can be with eachother 24/7 if you want. Well, aside from working If you live in different complexes, you have to be signed in after 9. They take your license plate number if you drive in so make sure to be out of there by 1am otherwise you could get termed.

Depending on your work location, you could have every chance of working insane hours. I know a jungle cruise skipper who worked 75 hours one week during Spring Break. While I never had more then 42 hours in hospitality.

When you accept your role with the college program you are agreeing to full availability.

Could you guys be in the same park/resort? Sure! Could you guys get the same days off? Sure! Are the chances of that good? Eh, maybe. Make sure to email recruiting to put in your work requests ASAP and that will help your odds

With all that being said, the college program was BY FAR the best experience of my entire life. The good FAR FAR FAR outways the bad (in my opinion) and I can't wait for the chance to do it all over again!!!

Good luck! (and congratulations!! )

 

[jediobiwan]

So a few things have changed from when I first posted!

Due partially to the fact that we can live together if we are married (emailed housing and they gave me this response:

Thank you for your email. Married housing is offered within the Disney sponsored apartments. In order to be eligible to request such accommodations, both you and your spouse will need to be participating on the Walt Disney World College Program and have the same arrival and departure dates. If you are chosen to participate on a Walt Disney World internship and would like to request married housing please send a certified copy of your marriage certificate with an original stamp and signature to the address below. Unfortunately this document will not be returned as the housing placement team will need to keep your certificate on file.

) and partially due to financial aid reasons and housing at college we are going to go ahead and get married this winter. We are not planning on applying for the college program for Spring, but likely for Fall 10. Everything is worked out as long as we can work out the classes we are taking to graduate on time so that is the only remaining reservation with applying for the CP. What is the timeline like? I know a lot of people have already been accepted, but my universities presentation is not till next week. Would it be better if applying for Fall 09 to go ahead and view the e-presentation as soon as spring rolls around?

Also, from everyone's advice I think we may try to get Animal Kingdom. My preferred park and really preferred roll would be Attractions for Star Tours, but it is my understanding that even though it is easy to get attractions it is impossible to ask for a specific one, correct?

Also, how does food work? Do you have to pay for food while working or is that covered? Also, what are the best roles to ask for to make sure you get accepted? (Food and Janitorial first I suppose, but what about past that?)


Thanks for so much good info!

 

[abmagical]

Everything happens for a reason

 

[abmagical]

I have no clue how that got posted there...haha! I thought that I was posting somewhere else....

 

[abmagical]

Wow I don't know how to use computers....anyway good luck with everything! I don't know much yet because I will be a CP for Spring 2010, but I hope everything goes well for you

 

[jediobiwan]

Everything happens for a reason

So what is the reason for misposting that?

 

[Sorahana]

So a few things have changed from when I first posted!

Due partially to the fact that we can live together if we are married (emailed housing and they gave me this response: ) and partially due to financial aid reasons and housing at college we are going to go ahead and get married this winter. We are not planning on applying for the college program for Spring, but likely for Fall 10. Everything is worked out as long as we can work out the classes we are taking to graduate on time so that is the only remaining reservation with applying for the CP. What is the timeline like? I know a lot of people have already been accepted, but my universities presentation is not till next week. Would it be better if applying for Fall 09 to go ahead and view the e-presentation as soon as spring rolls around?

Also, from everyone's advice I think we may try to get Animal Kingdom. My preferred park and really preferred roll would be Attractions for Star Tours, but it is my understanding that even though it is easy to get attractions it is impossible to ask for a specific one, correct?

Also, how does food work? Do you have to pay for food while working or is that covered? Also, what are the best roles to ask for to make sure you get accepted? (Food and Janitorial first I suppose, but what about past that?)


Thanks for so much good info!

You can request an attraction but that doesn't mean you'll be put there. My first program I requested Animal Kingdom and I got it, summer program I requested Animal Kingdom again (either the attraction I worked prior or a show) and I got Test Track @ Epcot. It's based on operational need.

If you're applying for Fall 2010, you'd watch the e presentation and/or attend a live presentation in the spring. You can attend one in the fall for more info/to get any questions you have answered though. Then in the spring (around February) you'd actually apply. You watch the e presentation, submit your application, and then you have to pass a web based interview. If you pass the interview then you'll be invited to call and schedule a phone interview. Then comes the phone interview. After that they will contact you anywhere from a few days to 4-6 weeks later as to whether you're accepted or not, it varies.

You have to pay for your food while working, they have cafeterias backstage at all the parks. Also, you are responsible for your own food if you live in housing. You're essentially living in an apartment, so you'd take care of your own food.

As for what roles to make sure you get accepted? It's never a "for sure" thing you'll be accepted no matter what roles you pick. The highest "in demand" roles is QSFB (Quick Service Food and Beverage). Other roles that are higher in demand are custodial, attractions, merchandise just to name a few.

Hope that helped!

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I did not enjoy my Disney CP and ended up leaving early but there were a variety of reasons for that happening. Also, three of my other roommates ended up leaving as well. First of all know that above anything else you are there to work. I had back to back shifts of thirteen hours sometimes. I know people say that they don't care because it's Disney (I said the same thing) but after being really rundown from work you will start to care. I also found it very hard to work in my certain environment with terrible management and sexual harassment. But it really depends on where you work. I had some health problems that were making it hard for me to be so dedicated but my managers didn't care.

I had good days and some very bad days. I would give it another shot though, although I would find my own housing for sure. The housing company was terrible. I mean there is only so long you can share a fridge between eight people. Not to mention food was constantly stolen. The inspections are ridiculous. If you have a few things on your counter the WHOLE apartment fails and you're charged twenty five dollars each for maids to come and vacuum...and don't try reaching the housing office because they just hang up on you. Seriously, every time we called.

The perk of being able to go into the parks whenever you want is really nice but after a while it gets boring going to where you work on your days off. And all of us were too tired to go out.

Even though there were far more bad times than good some of the best memories I have are from the program. I had amazing friends and we had some crazy adventures. If it wasn't for the CP I probably wouldn't have decided to go to college. It motivated me to get a degree because I don't want to be rolling silverware for six hours a day for the rest of my life!

My recommendation, from the heart, is to go to college. THEN when you're done, do the CP. It's really not worth getting behind for. But others will say otherwise and tell you they had an awesome time. It really depends. I will probably try it again after college, with my own housing. And i'll have the proper expectations of work hours and how I will be treated. We really are seen as nothing more than workers. Management gave me no reason to believe otherwise. There are thousands of people coming in to take your spot. So if you decide to leave, it's really not a big deal. Just please know what you're getting in to. I was extremely excited as well but it certainly wore off quick.

As my health problems escalated due to many different things I decided to leave. My health \y was waaaay more important than anything else. Just take care of yourself above everything else because you're going to be the only one looking out for yourself. Be careful of your surroundings too. It's not as safe as you think. I ran into a police officer during the CP and when I told him I was on the CP he warned me to be very careful. There are several robberies, rapes, etc. at knife point that happen to CP kids. Locals in the area know who we are and that they can take advantage of us. Just be careful!

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I did not enjoy my Disney CP and ended up leaving early but there were a variety of reasons for that happening. Also, three of my other roommates ended up leaving as well. First of all know that above anything else you are there to work. I had back to back shifts of thirteen hours sometimes. I know people say that they don't care because it's Disney (I said the same thing) but after being really rundown from work you will start to care. I also found it very hard to work in my certain environment with terrible management and sexual harassment. But it really depends on where you work. I had some health problems that were making it hard for me to be so dedicated but my managers didn't care.

I had good days and some very bad days. I would give it another shot though, although I would find my own housing for sure. The housing company was terrible. I mean there is only so long you can share a fridge between eight people. Not to mention food was constantly stolen. The inspections are ridiculous. If you have a few things on your counter the WHOLE apartment fails and you're charged twenty five dollars each for maids to come and vacuum...and don't try reaching the housing office because they just hang up on you. Seriously, every time we called.

The perk of being able to go into the parks whenever you want is really nice but after a while it gets boring going to where you work on your days off. And all of us were too tired to go out.

Even though there were far more bad times than good some of the best memories I have are from the program. I had amazing friends and we had some crazy adventures. If it wasn't for the CP I probably wouldn't have decided to go to college. It motivated me to get a degree because I don't want to be rolling silverware for six hours a day for the rest of my life!

My recommendation, from the heart, is to go to college. THEN when you're done, do the CP. It's really not worth getting behind for. But others will say otherwise and tell you they had an awesome time. It really depends. I will probably try it again after college, with my own housing. And i'll have the proper expectations of work hours and how I will be treated. We really are seen as nothing more than workers. Management gave me no reason to believe otherwise. There are thousands of people coming in to take your spot. So if you decide to leave, it's really not a big deal. Just please know what you're getting in to. I was extremely excited as well but it certainly wore off quick.

As my health problems escalated due to many different things I decided to leave. My health \y was waaaay more important than anything else. Just take care of yourself above everything else because you're going to be the only one looking out for yourself. Be careful of your surroundings too. It's not as safe as you think. I ran into a police officer during the CP and when I told him I was on the CP he warned me to be very careful. There are several robberies, rapes, etc. at knife point that happen to CP kids. Locals in the area know who we are and that they can take advantage of us. Just be careful!

wow, sounds like you had a terrible CP experience. I'm so sorry! I'm sure there are others out there like you which is so unfortunate.

Inspections do suck, but it depends on the people inspecting your apartment. We had things on our counters, my roommates had stuff on their walls,etc and we passed every time. The only thing they said to us was just to make sure to take it down and clean it up for next time. Then they always left us treats, so go figure!

I've never heard of rapes at knife point during the CP. I have heard of a lot of stories about why Playboy ranks the Cp as it does, but never about Rapes. I suppose it might happen though. But like you said, just watch out for yourself... like you should do anywhere. No matter if it's Disney on the CP or at the local grocery store.

As far as work goes, I loved all my managers and they backed up the CPs endlessly. Sometimes I think we were even taken better care of then the full timers. Speaking of, I've heard how full timers hate CPs, but the full timers at my location were like moms and dads to me. They loved all of us and greeted us with warm "welcome homes" every single day.

I know what you mean when you say you get long hours and back to backs. I had my share of them, too. It does start to ware on you after a while, but it's what we signed up for at the same time: full availability. It does ware on you though, especially if you aren't feeling well.

Regarding the fridge situation, i was in a 4 bedroom, too. You might be happy to know that all 4 bedroom apartments now have TWO fridges and TWO freezers. In all complexes. It helps a lot. It also sounds like you had terrible roommates if they ate all your food... mine never ever did that.

I'm interested in knowing if you would share your work location and when you did the CP. Maybe if people get placed there it will help them keep a heads up as far as sexual harassment goes and be prepared to deal with any potential management issues that might arise.

Also, if you know the hours are bad and you disliked your experience so much and you're going to school so you don't have to fold silverware for 6 hours a day, I'm also interested in knowing why you would consider doing another college program.

All in all, I'm so sorry you had such a bad time down there. Sounds like everything was against you. Know that while people definitely have their bad days, most people would say the good far outweighs the bad.

I wish you nothing but happy times if you do consider another college program

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

wow, sounds like you had a terrible CP experience. I'm so sorry! I'm sure there are others out there like you which is so unfortunate.

Inspections do suck, but it depends on the people inspecting your apartment. We had things on our counters, my roommates had stuff on their walls,etc and we passed every time. The only thing they said to us was just to make sure to take it down and clean it up for next time. Then they always left us treats, so go figure!

I've never heard of rapes at knife point during the CP. I have heard of a lot of stories about why Playboy ranks the Cp as it does, but never about Rapes. I suppose it might happen though. But like you said, just watch out for yourself... like you should do anywhere. No matter if it's Disney on the CP or at the local grocery store.

As far as work goes, I loved all my managers and they backed up the CPs endlessly. Sometimes I think we were even taken better care of then the full timers. Speaking of, I've heard how full timers hate CPs, but the full timers at my location were like moms and dads to me. They loved all of us and greeted us with warm "welcome homes" every single day.

I know what you mean when you say you get long hours and back to backs. I had my share of them, too. It does start to ware on you after a while, but it's what we signed up for at the same time: full availability. It does ware on you though, especially if you aren't feeling well.

Regarding the fridge situation, i was in a 4 bedroom, too. You might be happy to know that all 4 bedroom apartments now have TWO fridges and TWO freezers. In all complexes. It helps a lot. It also sounds like you had terrible roommates if they ate all your food... mine never ever did that.

I'm interested in knowing if you would share your work location and when you did the CP. Maybe if people get placed there it will help them keep a heads up as far as sexual harassment goes and be prepared to deal with any potential management issues that might arise.

Also, if you know the hours are bad and you disliked your experience so much and you're going to school so you don't have to fold silverware for 6 hours a day, I'm also interested in knowing why you would consider doing another college program.

All in all, I'm so sorry you had such a bad time down there. Sounds like everything was against you. Know that while people definitely have their bad days, most people would say the good far outweighs the bad.

I wish you nothing but happy times if you do consider another college program

I appreciate you not flaming me and actually responding thoughtfully. The reason I would consider doing another CP is because i'd like to work for Disney someday but in an art position. I'd love to draw characters for the guests and do a character artist P.I. But I won't have a shot for either of those most likely until i've worked for the company doing my share. I also don't think I would have a chance at being hired because I left early so I have to redo the CP.

It's nice they got another fridge but I still think I would do better with my own housing which i'm told you can get if you really push for it. Several people were unhappy with certain managers at my location. A few of them left because of it, a few stuck it out. I realize you have to do grunt work when you start out at any position but I don't think it's worth getting behind in school. I'd rather get my degree out of the way.

But like I said I have some incredible memories there. In a few years I think i'll give it another shot in my own place. At least i'll know what i'm getting into this time.

I'm not trying to complain, i'm just trying to tell the other side of the story. It goes about half and half with the CP and I think it's important to tell the bad side too. I don't feel animosity towards Disney because there's so many kids coming in they can't make sure everything is fine for everyone. I just feel like sometimes we can be taken advantage of as workers because we're so plentiful. And yes, the full timers were not so nice to us, although like you said a few were great.

 

[Ariel864]

I have heard of a lot of stories about why Playboy ranks the Cp as it does, but never about Rapes.

I know what you mean when you say you get long hours and back to backs.

Just out of curiousity what do you mean about the playboy thing?

And when you say back to backs? How close are the shifts together? And what is the longest shift you worked while down there on the program?

Thanks!

 

[theatergal]

its kind of lame, but their reasonings make sense...now if only theyd extend the "curfew" times...itd make for late night wendy's runs to be easier.[/QUOTE]

Actually, technically you're not supposed to have anyone sleep over, even if they live in the same complex. Technically everyone who doesn't live in your room is supposed to be out by 1 am. Iti's just harder to track if you're in the same complex as the person you're visting. CPs and guests visting different complexes need to be signed in after 9pm.

As for living together, you wouldn't be able to share a room but you may be able to live in the same building as each other. And chances are your schedules will be different.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Just out of curiousity what do you mean about the playboy thing?

And when you say back to backs? How close are the shifts together? And what is the longest shift you worked while down there on the program?

Thanks!

If you can, read the book "Mousecatraz" by Wesley Jones. It's a book a guy wrote about the college program and it is HILARIOUS. There, he mentions that Playboy had ranked the college program as the ***iest internship. It's because of the stories that people tell about it. The stuff that some CPs decide to participate in, if you get what i'm saying.

As far as back to backs go, they technically have to give you 8 hours between shifts. I was scheduled until 2 am some days and then the next day i would have to be back at 10 am.... 8 hours between shifts.

It's not too bad if you work close to the apartments, like I did. I worked at saratoga springs which is right next to downtown disney, about 10 minute drive from the apartments. I also had my own car.

but for people that took the bus, they would often have to wait for the bus to show up, stop at a vista first, then get dropped off at chatham at which point they would have to shower or do whatever they needed to do before bed, then wake up early enough to catch the bus to work. It just didn't allow for a lot of sleep, and I think that's what people found most annoying. It's do-able... but can really ware you down if you let it.

and... the longest shift that i ever worked was 10 1/2 hours. At my location is was really really really hard to get extended and i was always scheduled for 8 1/2 hours. I had roommates though that would work 13 hour shifts frequently in merchandise or attractions. Especially during Spring break season.