College Program Questions Thread Pt 2

[jjlara21]

Does anyone know when we start to pay rent for the DLR CP? Do we pay when we get there or after the first week or what? And if we pay when we get there how much is it? Is it for the first month? I've called housing but its busy every time i have called. I really need to know

 

[deadtoaster2]

Does anyone know when we start to pay rent for the DLR CP? Do we pay when we get there or after the first week or what? And if we pay when we get there how much is it? Is it for the first month? I've called housing but its busy every time i have called. I really need to know

The rent is $159 a week at both Carnegie Plaza and Broadway Arms. You start paying the second week you are there and the rent is taken out twice to pay for the first week and the second week.

 

[Joanna71985]

HEY!

So I applied and watched the e-presentation last night! I set up my interview for Monday night at 6. Wish me luck? Haha.

Also, one more question for now. The job description for full service f&b says that it includes "working outdoors." Are there a lot of full service resturaunts (sp?) outside? I was kind of hoping for something inside...for me that's one of the big perks of the job. Thanks!

Good luck to anyone else interviewing in the coming days!!

I believe all the restaurants are inside. However, there may be an outdoor seating area, or if you're a greeter then you may be outside.

I didn't see any spot on the application to choose Spring or Spring Advantage, do they just ask you in the phone interview?

You tell the recruiter during the interview.

 

[Ashley022489]

Hey everybody! I've been lurking around the boards for a while know and I finally have a question that hasn't been asked. I was just in Disney earlier in the month and a CPer who I was talking to mentioned that she had heard rumors that right now--Fall 08--is gonna be the last semester Vista Way will be available for housing because they are gonna tear it down and build a new housing complex or just refurbish it or something. Anyone heard anything else along these lines?? It really doesn't matter but I was just wondering since I plan on being there for Spring 09...

 

[Traveliz]

Hey everybody! I've been lurking around the boards for a while know and I finally have a question that hasn't been asked. I was just in Disney earlier in the month and a CPer who I was talking to mentioned that she had heard rumors that right now--Fall 08--is gonna be the last semester Vista Way will be available for housing because they are gonna tear it down and build a new housing complex or just refurbish it or something. Anyone heard anything else along these lines?? It really doesn't matter but I was just wondering since I plan on being there for Spring 09...

My daughter did CP last year and moved out this May - she had said at that time she was under the impression they were rehabbing the buildings completely over the summer and if fact had a friend who was moved out of his building for renovations. But don't really know anything for sure.

Liz

 

[Joanna71985]

Hey everybody! I've been lurking around the boards for a while know and I finally have a question that hasn't been asked. I was just in Disney earlier in the month and a CPer who I was talking to mentioned that she had heard rumors that right now--Fall 08--is gonna be the last semester Vista Way will be available for housing because they are gonna tear it down and build a new housing complex or just refurbish it or something. Anyone heard anything else along these lines?? It really doesn't matter but I was just wondering since I plan on being there for Spring 09...

Heh heh. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Disney is struggling to find room for the CPs even with all 3 complexes running (well, both Chatham and Vista, and half of Patterson). Vista is not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I'm really sorry if any of these questions have already been asked but I need some help because I just applied and i'm really nervous!

Okay, first:
(I'm pretty sure this has already been addressed but I can't find it because this thread is so long XD)
I'm planning on doing the Spring Advantage but if I like it a lot can I stay through the fall session as well without having to move around? And if so, am I able to change my role?

Second:
Which apartments are better? I'm under 21 so i'll be in a dry apartment but I think there are different ones to choose from... Also, it said that the rent ranged from like 75 a week to 97 a week - even if I was making the highest paying amount, 8.14, and working 45 hours a week I would still fall 20 dollars short. I realize the rent is a good deal but I don't want to lose money!

Third:
I'd like to be considered for the role of a character performer so I want to attend an audition but it doesn't look like they're going to be hosting auditions in California. Does that mean I have to fly to Seattle (where i'm originally from) just to audition?!! Also, I know i'll be really nervous, so could someone please tell me how the audition process is? Do you tell them what role you want specifically? Like, I want to be in a parade, or I want to be Cinderella. I don't have any formal dance training but i'm pretty sure I have some rhythm and i'm a quick learner but do I even have a chance in a parade or something?

Whew, sorry for all the questions but I could really use some help! Thanks

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm really sorry if any of these questions have already been asked but I need some help because I just applied and i'm really nervous!

Okay, first:
(I'm pretty sure this has already been addressed but I can't find it because this thread is so long XD)
I'm planning on doing the Spring Advantage but if I like it a lot can I stay through the fall session as well without having to move around? And if so, am I able to change my role?

Yes. You can apply to extend, which would take you to the following Jan. So if you start in Jan 2009, you would be in FL til Jan 2010. You would have to change apartments though.

Second:
Which apartments are better? I'm under 21 so i'll be in a dry apartment but I think there are different ones to choose from... Also, it said that the rent ranged from like 75 a week to 97 a week - even if I was making the highest paying amount, 8.14, and working 45 hours a week I would still fall 20 dollars short. I realize the rent is a good deal but I don't want to lose money!

There are 3 different complexes to choose from: Vista, Chatham, and Patterson. Don't worry about the money. Unless you spend a lot and are a partier, you should have enough to make rent. I just got back from my CP. I had one of the lower-paying roles and only worked about 40 hours a week, and still made rent (and even brought home a lot of money too).

Third:
I'd like to be considered for the role of a character performer so I want to attend an audition but it doesn't look like they're going to be hosting auditions in California. Does that mean I have to fly to Seattle (where i'm originally from) just to audition?!! Also, I know i'll be really nervous, so could someone please tell me how the audition process is? Do you tell them what role you want specifically? Like, I want to be in a parade, or I want to be Cinderella. I don't have any formal dance training but i'm pretty sure I have some rhythm and i'm a quick learner but do I even have a chance in a parade or something?

Whew, sorry for all the questions but I could really use some help! Thanks

Yes. To be considered for the performer role, you have to attend one of the CP auditions. When I auditioned in 2006, there were no auditions in NJ. So I had to go to Boston to audition. The audition itself is really not that bad. There is 2 parts to the audition: animation and dancing. The animation part is like charades. They give a scenerio, and you act it out (for example- making a sandwich. You act out making a sandwich. It really is quite fun). The dance part is just that...dancing. They teach a routine, and you perform it back. Now, parades/shows and face are totally different. You don't get picked for parades until you are down in FL (and even then, not all CPs are picked for anything). It all depends on your skill levels. And not all the auditions pull for face.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Thanks so much for your reply! It really helped.

I just don't know whether it would be worth it to fly out for an audition if I don't have a chance at getting anything.


I also have been kind of wanting to ask a question but I didn't want to offend anyone. A lot of people like the program and everything, but I keep hearing that basically you are overworked and underpaid. Basically Disney slaves. I love Disney so I think I could get by but I don't really want to be used when I could be back home getting college classes out of the way. I think the experience would be good though...

I hope I have some free time that I can spend in the parks. It seems like you get good discounts. I hope so, because then my family could visit! That would be great.


Sorry, one more question! If you choose food and beverage can you specify? (I'd love to serve ice cream or make treats)

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks so much for your reply! It really helped.

I just don't know whether it would be worth it to fly out for an audition if I don't have a chance at getting anything.


I also have been kind of wanting to ask a question but I didn't want to offend anyone. A lot of people like the program and everything, but I keep hearing that basically you are overworked and underpaid. Basically Disney slaves. I love Disney so I think I could get by but I don't really want to be used when I could be back home getting college classes out of the way. I think the experience would be good though...

No problem! It doesn't hurt to audition. I will be auditioning again in the spring, and most likely will have to go out of state again.

As for your second question- yes, the CP does not pay that much. But the fact is...it does pay. Most internships do not pay anything at all. So you are making at least $6.79 an hour then you would at other internships. Plus, like you said, it is a great experience. I have learned so much while down on my CPs (I just completed my 4th, and will hopefully be doing a 5th in May).

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

No problem! It doesn't hurt to audition. I will be auditioning again in the spring, and most likely will have to go out of state again.

As for your second question- yes, the CP does not pay that much. But the fact is...it does pay. Most internships do not pay anything at all. So you are making at least $6.79 an hour then you would at other internships. Plus, like you said, it is a great experience. I have learned so much while down on my CPs (I just completed my 4th, and will hopefully be doing a 5th in May).

I would love to audition but I don't know if I can afford to fly out for it. Plus, i'll look pretty ridiculous next to the experienced dancers XD

If I like the program a lot I think i'll stay for a full year; i'd love to stay for the holidays!


Just wondering, what is Traditions? I keep hearing people talk about it and how you have to dress up?


I just don't want the program to be a disappointment because i'd be taking a year off from school to do it, and I have to take out several piercings XD That might sound dumb but i'm quite attached to them

 

[Jules76126]

Sorry, one more question! If you choose food and beverage can you specify? (I'd love to serve ice cream or make treats).

You can always asked for something during your interveiw and they can make a note of it in your file although nothing is promised. Food is like a grab bag of things. You never know what you are going to get. My roommate got to work at the Grand Floridian doing room service which was a great job but i always know people who got stuck working outside in the sun all day. Just make sure that if you pick that (because it is what you will most likely end up with even if you checked other things off) you really want to do it. Personally its not for me. I want to do attractions again. But either way the program is a blast.

 

[Joanna71985]

I would love to audition but I don't know if I can afford to fly out for it. Plus, i'll look pretty ridiculous next to the experienced dancers XD

If I like the program a lot I think i'll stay for a full year; i'd love to stay for the holidays!


Just wondering, what is Traditions? I keep hearing people talk about it and how you have to dress up?


I just don't want the program to be a disappointment because i'd be taking a year off from school to do it, and I have to take out several piercings XD That might sound dumb but i'm quite attached to them

Ah, that is understandable. But I am not a dancer either, and I had fun at the audition. But I do understand.

Definitely do! The holidays are so amazing down in FL!

Traditions is where you learn about the Disney traditions. It's sort-of like a class. You do need to dress up for it.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Thanks for all the help!

Since there's no presentations at my school does that mean that my interview will be over the phone or do you always have to interview in person at some point?

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks for all the help!

Since there's no presentations at my school does that mean that my interview will be over the phone or do you always have to interview in person at some point?

If your school does not host a presentation, you can either attend a presentation at another school, or you can do the online presentation. Most likely either way the interview will be over the phone, though. Just about all the interviews are over the phone now, even with live presentations.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

If your school does not host a presentation, you can either attend a presentation at another school, or you can do the online presentation. Most likely either way the interview will be over the phone, though. Just about all the interviews are over the phone now, even with live presentations.

I watched the online presentation so i'm good.

Does having the interview over the phone make it harder to get the position you want? It seems like you'd be able to make a better impression in person.

 

[Joanna71985]

I watched the online presentation so i'm good.

Does having the interview over the phone make it harder to get the position you want? It seems like you'd be able to make a better impression in person.

No, I don't think so. I did my second interview via the phone, and I was accepted. So I don't think it really makes a difference.

 

[yensiD011]

If your school does not host a presentation, you can either attend a presentation at another school, or you can do the online presentation. Most likely either way the interview will be over the phone, though. Just about all the interviews are over the phone now, even with live presentations.

Does that mean that i should just watch the presentation online instead of driving 4 hours to watch it and just have an interview online anyways? I thought it would be in person if you went to a school and I would have better chances if I applied in person. So even if you did see a presentation at a school you would still have an over the phone interview?

and if i want to work merchandise, but want to work inside...say at the emporium on mainstreet, how specific can you be and still get a job in merchandise. i just don't want to be stuck out in the heat selling who knows how many mickey icecreams....

What is better...January through May or January through August? I can't decide what I am going to do and I need to make the decision soon. I hear that 3 months isn't long enough, but at the same time I don't know if I could stay up there for 7 months. I am from Minnesota, so there are no visits home for me. I see that many of you have done the CP numerous times, so it must be an awesome thing. I am one for adventure and trying new things, but I still can't make up my mind...HELP !

 

[CelticBelle]

Second:
Which apartments are better? I'm under 21 so i'll be in a dry apartment but I think there are different ones to choose from... Also, it said that the rent ranged from like 75 a week to 97 a week - even if I was making the highest paying amount, 8.14, and working 45 hours a week I would still fall 20 dollars short. I realize the rent is a good deal but I don't want to lose money!

I just wanted to clarify things about paying rent. There is no way that working 45 hours a week you could not cover the rent. If you work for $7 x 40 hours= $280 and then the 80(or so) dollars are taken out to give you a final paycheck of $220 and then whatever taxes were taken out of course.

I just wanted to show you that you wouldnt be losing money. Of course the payrate and hours vary for everybody.

 

[zulemara]

Does that mean that i should just watch the presentation online instead of driving 4 hours to watch it and just have an interview online anyways? I thought it would be in person if you went to a school and I would have better chances if I applied in person. So even if you did see a presentation at a school you would still have an over the phone interview?

and if i want to work merchandise, but want to work inside...say at the emporium on mainstreet, how specific can you be and still get a job in merchandise. i just don't want to be stuck out in the heat selling who knows how many mickey icecreams....

What is better...January through May or January through August? I can't decide what I am going to do and I need to make the decision soon. I hear that 3 months isn't long enough, but at the same time I don't know if I could stay up there for 7 months. I am from Minnesota, so there are no visits home for me. I see that many of you have done the CP numerous times, so it must be an awesome thing. I am one for adventure and trying new things, but I still can't make up my mind...HELP !

Do the 7 month program. The regular program really is so short. By the time you get trained and settled, you're getting ready to leave again! Also there are certain roles available only to those on the advantage program due to the training time required. I don't think this would apply to food and beverage as much, but you never know.