College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[Zoemickey]

Or could anyone possible give me any information about being on the pending list and what it means for my chances to get in?

 

[TinkerMouse]

It means you could get in, but it also means you could not. It always depends. Some people get pending then get an invite a week later. Some get one months later. Some get denied. There is no real way for anyone but recruiting to know.

 

[thatcrazydisneygirl]

Does anyone know if my discount as a cast membercan apply to campsites at Fort Wilderness? My parents plan to come visit me but they have a motorhome.

 

[Iris]

Soooo, I was accepted on Monday for QSFB and I am VERY excited; however, I was placed in a role that I did not select, it wasnt just not in my top 3, it was not selected period. I have been in the food service industry for 10 years and I was hoping for something different. I dont want to sound ungrateful; Im just worried that I will not like it. I know it will be what I make of it..Im just a lil sad that I didnt get something different! Can any CP alum who did QSFB please tell me you enjoyed it so Ill feel better??

Thanks

Not an alum but my daughter is currently doing QSFB over at the beach club and loves it. She says everyone she works with is super nice and loves talking to the people who come in. She also did not choose QSFB as one of her choices but did have previous experience in the fast food industry. She was also a little disappointed at first when she found out but now she is as happy as she can be. She has met so many other people as well in the same role and they are having a blast. It is definitely what you make of it. I am not sure if she had gotten a busier location if she would be as happy, but I guess we will never know.

I am sure you will love it.

 

[SweetMelissa]

Thanks for the advice! Ive been reading a lot about it and I have decided Im going to have an amazing time no matter what..I can't wait!

 

[avpny@aol.com]

if you go to the college program are the classes they offer regular credited courses, or is it basically taking a semester off?

 

[mooqtie215]

The collegiate courses they have, like Creativity and Innovation, Corporate Communication, etc are "ACE" accredited, ACE standing for American Council on Education, which means they are worthy of being counted as regular college classes you'd take while being a traditional student (3 credits each). Each school is different though, so you have to ask if they would accept a class...it depends on your major and stuff, too. Some schools have tons of students do Disney Internships while my school really doesn't have many students do this, so there isn't a set protocol.

I'm a public relations major, and recieving 9 credits here in Disney. I had no electives left really..but my school was willing to accept Creativity and Innovation as a business elective, and merchandise as a PR internship.. I just had to get a business dept head at school to agree to my getting credit..and my advisor to talk to the President to count my sales associate job, so it might take some work on your part. For me, I wasn't going to put off graduating to work at disney, so luckily for me it worked out, that i can do this and still graduate in the spring. You just have to weight your options.

 

[Zoemickey]

Thanks Tinkermouse i really hope i get in!!

 

[EngineerwhowantsEars]

Hi there former internshipers!

I had a few questions about the Disney College program.

The main concern we have is what would happen if I really need a day off because I'm sick or something.

It sounds like some people work many, many hours a week. I don't anticipate needing a break at all, but I'm concerned that I might have to go in and be exhausted. What are my options for getting days off? What are my options for picking up more shifts if I need more money?

The other question is is there someone (like a supervisor, SA, etc.) who I could go to if I have problems. For example, if my cash drawer was off or I got something on my uniform? I really want to do a good job and I was just wondering if there is a large possibility of getting in trouble if you would make a mistake money-wise, mess-up big time, or something like that or if there are people who would help you and they would just "figure it out"?

How worried are you about making a mistake/ getting into trouble?

Do you get a good amount of training before you are left alone to do your job, or is there a large learning curve?

These are my main concerns. I know it is work, not just play. I know you do not go down there expecting to come back with loads of money. I understand it is still a job and an internship and I am there to learn and work as well as meet new people and have new experiences. I'm concerned I could mess up and someone might get really upset with me and I really want to be part of making the magic and not be concerned all the time if I was going to get into trouble or not feel like I have an "escape plan" for a day if I really needed it.

Thank you!

 

[mooqtie215]

Everything is on the hub..so if you want a day off, you have to request it on the hub and then it will either be approved or denied. I think you have to plan ahead though, the schedule is set 2 weeks in advanced..on Sunday I find out what I'm working the next sunday until Saturday. And keep in mind depending on the season, it will be hard to get off, like thanksgiving and christmas, you cannot request days off when it's black out days.

You can also pick up more shifts on the hub. Because I passed my merchandise assement, I can work in any merchandise place, same applies to qsfb and others. So you can even work at different parks.


(This is my 3rd week here). I felt like I got enough training where I was semi-comfortable, (I wasn't very good at the register until a few days passed, and i still have NO IDEA how to give directions to people from the store) but you don't have to worry, you will be fine because you'll have co-workers next to you who you can ask questions to and they will know the answers, or find it out for you. ( in case your wondering, in my experience yes, there were a few people who were a little rude who have been in Disney a long time and think "oh another rookie") but for the most part everyone helps eachother out. Your leaders know you are new and don't know exactly what you're doing yet, so if you mess up, they won't hold it against you. It's not really something I'm worried about. I'm more worried about being able to handle all the hours, like you said. I've only worked part time jobs so working 40 hours a week is a lot to me. What makes me feel better about it is knowing its only for a short time haha. and the money.

 

[graygables]

The main concern we have is what would happen if I really need a day off because I'm sick or something.

If you are sick, you just call in. You won't get paid and you'd better be sick and not just going to the park or the beach or the mall. I've known folks who were at the airport by noon the next day for that. I called in once during my CP, it's not the end of the world.

As far as your costume goes, stuff happens. Unless it's abuse, you just go to costuming, turn it in, and get a new one. If it is abuse (wearing your pants slung low so the hem drags and gets stained or torn), you still go to costuming, turn it in, and get a new one, but your paycheck will be deducted for the cost of the damaged item. ONLY if it your fault, though. A kid running by you with an open Sharpie marker is NOT your fault.

Any training I have experienced or witnesses has been very much customized for the trainee. Some people simply have more skills coming in than others. For me, with a lifetime of retail where I already knew how to count back change the "Disney Way" (and already knew military time), it was a piece of cake. Some of my fellow CPs needed more time and training and they got it. No one pushes you in the water and expects you to swim. You will have lots of people to answer your questions and really, a week or two, and YOU will be the "old hat".

As the PP said, you go through the Hub to request days off. If they are denied, you can sometimes find someone to take the shift for you, but those generally need to be approved by the manager. You can also be the one to volunteer to pick up other people's shifts, just make it known around the area that you are willing. You can also pick up shifts on the Hub, but understand that they are for your line of business and you have to have the correct training. A merch CP can't go operate an attraction, for instance. It will tell you what training you need. Merch is actually a great role b/c it can transfer to some of the special food & bev events.

Don't be nervous! Have a great work ethic and attitude and you'll be fine!

 

[jjlara21]

anyone else not able to get on to the disney college program website? i want to apply but i cant even get onto the website

 

[PrincessBetsy]

anyone else not able to get on to the disney college program website? i want to apply but i cant even get onto the website

I haven't been able to get on the Disney College Program website all day. I think they must be updating it.

 

[SoccerRob12]

anyone else not able to get on to the disney college program website? i want to apply but i cant even get onto the website

It was up Friday night but has been down Sat and Sun. After an email to Tech Support, got an out of office reply that they are closed till Monday. Hope it gets back up soon so I can accept the invitation before it's too late.
-Rob

 

[KBelle5]

Hey Engineer, like others said, it does get easier, even in your second week. I was so nervous when I went on the Vacation Planner (aka ticket sales) window at Disneyland, but you soon get the hang of it. I was so scared my cash drawer would be off too, but counting back gets to be secondhand after about 3 transactions. If there is a problem with the cash, you and your lead can go through the transactions to see what went wrong, and fill out over/short forms so its documented. I got called up to the manager's office twice for different things, where they told me what I did wrong so I knew not to do it that way the next time, and believe me, I never did it wrong again!

As for sick days, I'm sure its roughly the same at World, but if you called in sick, you got 3 points on your record, and could only have up to 21 or so before you got kicked out. Just don't call out and then go to the park, because like someone said above, that will also get you an immediate discharge. You can take a personal day, just make sure you don't go anywhere near the park.

As for costumes, I once decided to wear the honey mustard dressing on my Main St. top instead of using it on my chicken nuggets, and with 10 minutes before I had to clock back in, I ran to Costuming, got a new shirt, and made it back to my clocking location with 2 minutes to spare. Granted, this was Disneyland, and Costuming wasn't too far away, but the moral of the story is, don't fret it. Just do your best, give 110%, just remember that the guest in front of you probably doesn't realize that the 3:30 parade is at 3:30, and you'll be fine.

 

[SportsChick]

Disney World's point system is a bit different than Disney land. A call in is one point. Three points in a 30 day period is a Reprimand. After three reprimands, you're termed.

 

[KBelle5]

Disney World's point system is a bit different than Disney land. A call in is one point. Three points in a 30 day period is a Reprimand. After three reprimands, you're termed.

Wow, World's system seems a little harsh (but totally understandable - I actually would prefer that, since some people abuse the point system). You would think it would be the other way around, since DLR is smaller and sometimes if you call out, there's no one to fill your empty spot. Do you get points for being late? That's what got a few people out here, as it was 1.5 every time you were late.

 

[ZeroToHero]

The World's system is pretty much the same as yours. For you, it's 3 points when you call out, 21 to get kicked out. That means 7 call outs. Here, it's 1 point to call out, 3 to get a reprimand, and 3 reprimands to get termed.. that's 9 call outs. So we actually aren't as bad.

We get .5 if we clock in late (if it's under 2 hours), and 1 point if it's over 2 hours.

 

[Vemnox]

IIRC, the system is a bit "tighter" for CP's since call-in's are a bit more frequent.

 

[jchampl]

all you people are awesome here....

i got through the online portion with ease and now just have my phone interview to look forward to. i have great idea of how to properly prepare and honestly i was much more worried about the online portion than the phone.

thanks to everyone that didn't know they were helping me, because i was lurking. hope to see you all in the spring!