Any DVC folks have family/friends that have done the College Program at Disney?

[edk35]

Our daughter is going to apply for the Fall 2011 semester. She is SUPER excited. She eats, breathes and sleeps DISNEY. She is a sophomore in college now and is majoring in Mass Communications with a PR track and will also get a certificate in Marketing. Her ultimate dream is TO WORK FOR DISNEY ESPECIALLY DVC. Our DVC guide told her back in Jan. of 07 to let him know once she is college and he would do what he could to help her get on the right path. I would love to hear more if you have a son/daughter or relative that has done it. Shoot maybe some of you have done it?!!! If she makes it through the web interview/phone interview she plan to go down for an audition. She is a dancer (well she has danced since she was 3 and does not dance all the time like in high school, but she still takes classes in college) and would love to to get a dancing type role for the internship. Did you plan visits staying in a DVC resort while they were there doing the program? THANKS for any information.

 

[luvthattink]

I have two cousins who did the college program and one is thinking of doing it again. They loved it.

 

[Disney Princess]

We did it! I went down for the CP after I graduated. I knew I was going for my Master's afterward in Special Event Planning, so I wanted the Disney experience. While there, I took some of the offered classes - not for credit, but for the experience. I signed up for the Disney Management Internship program, and I was able to sit in on planning meetings with the Special Event coordinator at the Magic Kingdom. I went to a couple of grad nights with her while I watched her plans unfold. The good news is I learned that I did NOT want to be a special event planner, but without the real-life experience, I would not have known. I did get my Master's - in Spanish. A lot of my students are curious about the program, and I am able to answer their questions.

One of my CP roommates stuck around for an advanced internship and to this day, is working with her career at Disney. (6 years later!)

I would not change doing the program for anything. It was a great experience, and didn't ruin the magic for me. In fact, I met my husband while we were both on the CP. Our first date was at the Magic Kingdom, and we have a lot of special memories. We bought DVC when we'd been married for a year and a half because we knew we would want to have vacations there for years to come.

My parents were DVC members when I was in the program. They did schedule a couple of visits during my time there. It was fun to share my days off with them.

Let me know if you have more questions. I think you get from the program what you put into it. You will hear lots of complaints from some people, but if you go for the right reasons, it'll be a great experience. If your daughter loves Disney and is committed to using the program to her advantage, it'll be a great opportunity for her.

 

[LoveKermit]

My DH did it in the mid-90s. He was one of few certified lifeguards so his placement was the pool at the GF! He met all sorts of celebs. He also worked the water sports and I think valeted (sp?) some. When he was done with work, he'd go into MK and ride Space Mountain before going home.

I believe his parents came to visit (not DVC members at the time) as did his girlfriend at the time. Why not? The kids do not work all of the time.

Just make sure your DD is not disappointed in her placement.

I had a friend in college who was placed at DL and she worked the Jungle Cruise for the whole summer, if I remember correctly. Not her intended line of work, but she still had a great time.

 

[skruggie]

She should look into doing a professional internship rather than the college program, she would have better chance getting placed in an opportunity where should could get experience relating to her major

http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/internships/wdw/students/roles/communication.html

 

[slmjam]

Our daughter was accepted into the Spring 2011 Advantage program. Woohoo!!!!! Her check in date is January 26 and she is super excited!!!! She is currently a sophomore in college and is majoring in Education. Her role will be in Merchandise but won't find out where until she gets down there. We were actually surprised how many people knew of Disney's College Program. Both my husband and I work with people who have either had children or friends in the program. Everyone we have spoken with loved the experience!

 

[Beavertails Queen]

I participated in the international program in 2003. I think that the nice thing about the CP is that most only go for 12-16 weeks. My program was one year.
It is a great experience. Gives you a chance to learn a lot about the company.
The important things to remember are that you won't be making money and that the work will be hard - but fun too.
It didn't ruin Disney for me - but I will admit that after 12 months I needed a Disney detox and stayed away for a little bit.

 

[leanne2255]

My DD did it twice, both for 9 month terms. She LOVED it, and if she wasn't past the age for it, she'd do it again. We spent a lot of time down there visiting, especially since we got free admission as part of her employment. It was a great program for her, since she went right out of high school, and got the chance to live and work on her own, and now she has that on her resume which has helped her immensely.

Great program and I would highly recommend it for any young person. I wish they did something like that for the AARP set. I would do it in a heartbeat.

 

[edk35]

My DD did it twice, both for 9 month terms. She LOVED it, and if she wasn't past the age for it, she'd do it again. We spent a lot of time down there visiting, especially since we got free admission as part of her employment. It was a great program for her, since she went right out of high school, and got the chance to live and work on her own, and now she has that on her resume which has helped her immensely.

Great program and I would highly recommend it for any young person. I wish they did something like that for the AARP set. I would do it in a heartbeat.

I asked my dd if they need a ROOM MOM. LOL Now they require you to have a semester of college before you apply. However they have a career start program too...where you can go straight out of high school.

How did the "free admission" work?

 

[dmoore22]

Our son participated in the Career Start program several years ago. We went down to visit him and, for lack of a better adjective, it was awesome! I wish there had been something like this when I graduated. Here's the Disney link to the College Programs. http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/studentandcollegeprograms.html

 

[edk35]

Our son participated in the Career Start program several years ago. We went down to visit him and, for lack of a better adjective, it was awesome! I wish there had been something like this when I graduated. Here's the Disney link to the College Programs. http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/studentandcollegeprograms.html

Thanks for the link..but I have already been on there. It is very exciting ..we hope she makes it in.

 

[dislainey]

My son did the Spring 2010 college program and worked in merchandising. We visited a few times using DVC. He then extended for the summer and worked in transportation. When his dad and brother visited him in the summer they stayed in a moderate resort using my son's discount and they got a discounted dining plan since he was staying with them. Now he is back at college but this December he is going down for 6 days and working as a seasonal worker. I will meet him down there and we will use DVC points.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DS did the Disney All-American College Band, which is a college-aged program similar to the semester long college program. On the first day, when his director met him at the airport, he told DS, "Get ready for the best summer experience of your life" and it was. What probably helped a little was that he knew he had the most excited fan back home-he could call me whenever ANY little unique thing happened ("Hi, Mom-we spent all last night in the park") and I'd shriek with excitement. Since he was at DL, and it was before the Villas at the Grand Californian, I stayed at a regular off-property hotel when I visited. It'll be so much fun-good luck to her next fall.

 

[kikiq]

She should look into doing a professional internship rather than the college program, she would have better chance getting placed in an opportunity where should could get experience relating to her major

http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/internships/wdw/students/roles/communication.html

Most of the recruiters that we met during my DD's CP told us that being in the CP helps your chances of being selected unless you are applying to a highly specialized PI. There are classes offered to the CPers that are part of the Disney management program plus there are sets of classes offered for specific majors that can be taken for college credit.

 

[kikiq]

Did you plan visits staying in a DVC resort while they were there doing the program?

My DD did the Fall Advantage Jun - Dec 09 with her BFF. She loved it!! In fact, her old room mates have planned several reunion trips in the next year and she is considering applying for a Professional Internship in the Animal Kingdom or Epcot.

Did we plan visits? YES!!! I flew in with her in June and stayed one night at AKV. We had our summer trip in August at BWV. In October, I spent a long weekend with her at SSR. Then in December, what mother could let their baby spend Christmas without family My DD BFF's mom and I spent 4 days before Christmas with them at SSR. (Please note that we didn't see much of them those 4 days but each of us had one day with our DDs. Also one night we had an early Christmas dinner after each of them got off work) Love our DVC! My DD did reserve one night at POP when I came in really late using her discount.

Good Luck to your DD.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Our older son did the Disney College Program, and then a little later, an Internship. It was great for all of us, even before we joined DVC. He has had a wonderful career in Hotel Management, and now expanded into related areas.

The highest compliment to how the Disney Organization is thought of in the world is this simple fact.... He has never sent a resume in the mail or online without getting an almost immediate response. I don't think you can say more than that, especially with some of the economic turmoil the world has been through lately.

 

[edk35]

My DD did the Fall Advantage Jun - Dec 09 with her BFF. She loved it!! In fact, her old room mates have planned several reunion trips in the next year and she is considering applying for a Professional Internship in the Animal Kingdom or Epcot.

Did we plan visits? YES!!! I flew in with her in June and stayed one night at AKV. We had our summer trip in August at BWV. In October, I spent a long weekend with her at SSR. Then in December, what mother could let their baby spend Christmas without family My DD BFF's mom and I spent 4 days before Christmas with them at SSR. (Please note that we didn't see much of them those 4 days but each of us had one day with our DDs. Also one night we had an early Christmas dinner after each of them got off work) Love our DVC! My DD did reserve one night at POP when I came in really late using her discount.

Good Luck to your DD.

OH that is so nice you were able to visit so often. I would like to do that too. I know we might not see her much but I would really like to be there around the holidays too. I guess we will find out first if she gets in. Then we will figure all of the visits out next.

 

[Anal Annie]

My DD did it twice, both for 9 month terms. She LOVED it, and if she wasn't past the age for it, she'd do it again. We spent a lot of time down there visiting, especially since we got free admission as part of her employment. It was a great program for her, since she went right out of high school, and got the chance to live and work on her own, and now she has that on her resume which has helped her immensely.

Great program and I would highly recommend it for any young person. I wish they did something like that for the AARP set. I would do it in a heartbeat.

They have that - it's called being a bus driver!

 

[starwood]

DS was just accepted for the spring 2011 semester also. He is doing quick service food and beverage. He's excited and I'm apprehensive. Looks like I'll be making a lot of trips to WDW in the next few months.

 

[edk35]

DS was just accepted for the spring 2011 semester also. He is doing quick service food and beverage. He's excited and I'm apprehensive. Looks like I'll be making a lot of trips to WDW in the next few months.

Oh how exciting!!!! GOOD LUCK to him!!!!

I know right now I see our dd at least once a month when she is in college. She will be sooooooo much further away if she gets in and I will miss her so much. However, I really hope she makes it. I will miss her, but I am excited about the program. PLUS it gives me MORE REASON TO VISIT MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD TOO!!!