College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[DisneyTampa]

Anyone know where I can buy the CP sweatshirts and tshirts? I went to Cast Connection at MK today and they said they don't carry them and they didn't know where I could buy them.

 

[CTKris10]

They usually have CP t-shirts, sweatshirts, pins, window clings, etc. at the cast store in Disney University.

 

[Joanna71985]

Anyone know where I can buy the CP sweatshirts and tshirts? I went to Cast Connection at MK today and they said they don't carry them and they didn't know where I could buy them.

Try the Company D stores (there is one in Disney University, at Epcot in the Cast Services building, and at DHS in the CM cafeteria).

 

[DisneyTampa]

Thanks! I will check next time I am near a location.

 

[graygables]

Anyone know where I can buy the CP sweatshirts and tshirts? I went to Cast Connection at MK today and they said they don't carry them and they didn't know where I could buy them.

AK Company D had them, but the DU location had more. Another thing you may want to do is go to the Design a Tee place at DTD and make your own! If you do it before 2/12, you'll get 40% off, too.

 

[graygables]

In a recent chat with a manager, I was strongly advised that I look into extending my CP if the PI/MIs don't pan out, BUT she strongly advised that I extend in a different line of business and kept saying "guest services" or "front desk" a lot and with emphasis.

My 20yo changed from merch to BBB for her extension, but I was wondering what other's experiences were and if it was easy to do. Also, how long is the extension for?

 

[Joanna71985]

In a recent chat with a manager, I was strongly advised that I look into extending my CP if the PI/MIs don't pan out, BUT she strongly advised that I extend in a different line of business and kept saying "guest services" or "front desk" a lot and with emphasis.

My 20yo changed from merch to BBB for her extension, but I was wondering what other's experiences were and if it was easy to do. Also, how long is the extension for?

It usually is pretty easy to extend, especially if you keep your record card clean. However, it usually is easier to extend in your own location (as preferences are given to people extending in their locations, and because sometimes there are limited spots for those who want to transfer). I extended my first CP in my current location.

The extension runs for up to 1 year. SA people extend to Jan (so they are there for Jan-Jan). Spring people can extend to Aug then again to Jan (I don't know if there is an extension straight to Jan).

 

[gill17]

Okay so this might sound silly but I'm attending a college presentation next week and meeting with an recruiter in person for an interview (due to hearing problems)...what would you all suggest clothing attire to be? Can i wear jeans or should it be professional?

Also, does anyone know if the apartment complexes have strobe lights in the apartments?

 

[Meg13]

I couldn't tell you about Business Management either, but I think it would be as beneficial as majoring in English. It's your choice!

What kind of band are you in? I love band, I play the trumpet. It's something I definitely want to do in college...

I'm in the high school band; I play the flute. I would love to play in college as well, but I'm not sure my skill level would allow it.

 

[christiemarsh88]

I have a few questions, too! I'm sure they'll be simple questions for some of you, but I'm having trouble finding the answers!

First:
It says on the WDWCP website that you get: "A Main Entrance Pass that allows you to admit as many as three friends or family members in to our theme parks six times during your program"

So what exactly does this mean? If I have two friends, Friend A and Friend B, that come to visit me, but Friend C decides to stay home, does that mean I lose out on one of the passes? Does that make any sense? If I let in Friends A, B, and C one time, can I let in Friends D, E, and F the next time, or does it have to be the same three people? I hope my question is making sense, because the official answer sure isn't!

My next question is a little more abstract:
I think it would be cool to be a face character (who doesn't?) but I have absolutely zero, and I do mean ZERO dance experience or talent. The animation portion, however, I feel that I could do pretty well at. Do they typically hire non-dancers to fulfill the roles of face characters in meet-and-greets? Also, I am (a slim) 5'11" tall. Does any body know if they ever hire women that tall for face characters?

I promise, I don't have many more questions to go(at least not that I'm going to ask right now! )

Lastly:
I'm definitely a morning person. While I could certainly work the late hours in the park, I function best and am happiest when I can get to work early in the morning, and get in bed by a decent hour at night. Do they ever take this into account when doing scheduling? I would imagine that they would be happy to have somebody to volunteer to work in the mornings, because there seem to be a lot fewer early birds than night owls among college students!

Thanks for reading my long post, and (hopefully) taking the time to answer.

P.S. One last question...anybody else going FA09?

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

I have a few questions, too! I'm sure they'll be simple questions for some of you, but I'm having trouble finding the answers!

First:
It says on the WDWCP website that you get: "A Main Entrance Pass that allows you to admit as many as three friends or family members in to our theme parks six times during your program"

So what exactly does this mean? If I have two friends, Friend A and Friend B, that come to visit me, but Friend C decides to stay home, does that mean I lose out on one of the passes? Does that make any sense? If I let in Friends A, B, and C one time, can I let in Friends D, E, and F the next time, or does it have to be the same three people? I hope my question is making sense, because the official answer sure isn't!

My next question is a little more abstract:
I think it would be cool to be a face character (who doesn't?) but I have absolutely zero, and I do mean ZERO dance experience or talent. The animation portion, however, I feel that I could do pretty well at. Do they typically hire non-dancers to fulfill the roles of face characters in meet-and-greets? Also, I am (a slim) 5'11" tall. Does any body know if they ever hire women that tall for face characters?


P.S. One last question...anybody else going FA09?

You have it exactly right. You have six days to use your pass. On each day, you can have up to 3 people use the pass. If only one person uses the pass, you lose the other two for that day. You now have 5 days left. And it doesn't have to be the same people each day.

I don't know about dance experience for meet and greets but as far as your height, I'm pretty sure Cruella and Maleficent are up there.

I'm hoping to do the Fall 09 program too. Where would you be auditioning?

 

[christiemarsh88]

I hadn't thought about the villains! I was just thinking of petite princesses.

I haven't really looked into the auditioning really, yet. I'm in Missouri, and I didn't notice any too close by. At this point, I'm still just deciding what I want to do, but I wasn't even sure if I should bother researching the audition process because of my lack of dance experience and my height.

If I don't do the audition process, I'm really hoping for a "spiel" role: Jungle Cruise skipper or the like.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

I hadn't thought about the villains! I was just thinking of petite princesses.

I haven't really looked into the auditioning really, yet. I'm in Missouri, and I didn't notice any too close by. At this point, I'm still just deciding what I want to do, but I wasn't even sure if I should bother researching the audition process because of my lack of dance experience and my height.

If I don't do the audition process, I'm really hoping for a "spiel" role: Jungle Cruise skipper or the like.

Well your height could also help your chances of becoming a fur character. You're pretty close to the 'special consideration' height range (6' +), meaning they're have a larger need for people around that height range because it isn't very common.

You could also audition, and if you don't pass, you'll be put in one of your other choices. Good luck deciding!

 

[Joanna71985]

Okay so this might sound silly but I'm attending a college presentation next week and meeting with an recruiter in person for an interview (due to hearing problems)...what would you all suggest clothing attire to be? Can i wear jeans or should it be professional?

Also, does anyone know if the apartment complexes have strobe lights in the apartments?

I would not wear jeans if you are interviewing in person. I would wear nicer clothes.

I have a few questions, too! I'm sure they'll be simple questions for some of you, but I'm having trouble finding the answers!

First:
It says on the WDWCP website that you get: "A Main Entrance Pass that allows you to admit as many as three friends or family members in to our theme parks six times during your program"

So what exactly does this mean? If I have two friends, Friend A and Friend B, that come to visit me, but Friend C decides to stay home, does that mean I lose out on one of the passes? Does that make any sense? If I let in Friends A, B, and C one time, can I let in Friends D, E, and F the next time, or does it have to be the same three people? I hope my question is making sense, because the official answer sure isn't!

That is correct. If you do not have 3 guests come on one day, the extra person/people do not carry over (so they are wasted).

Also, the 3 people do not have to be the same for all 6 days. you can let different people in each time.

My next question is a little more abstract:
I think it would be cool to be a face character (who doesn't?) but I have absolutely zero, and I do mean ZERO dance experience or talent. The animation portion, however, I feel that I could do pretty well at. Do they typically hire non-dancers to fulfill the roles of face characters in meet-and-greets? Also, I am (a slim) 5'11" tall. Does any body know if they ever hire women that tall for face characters?

Yes. I know people who don't dance who have passed the audition.

As for that height, you could possibly be friends with Maleficent (and possibly Lady Tremaine).

I promise, I don't have many more questions to go(at least not that I'm going to ask right now! )

Lastly:
I'm definitely a morning person. While I could certainly work the late hours in the park, I function best and am happiest when I can get to work early in the morning, and get in bed by a decent hour at night. Do they ever take this into account when doing scheduling? I would imagine that they would be happy to have somebody to volunteer to work in the mornings, because there seem to be a lot fewer early birds than night owls among college students!

Thanks for reading my long post, and (hopefully) taking the time to answer.

P.S. One last question...anybody else going FA09?

No. CPs are given the hours that FT CMs do not want. So depending on the role, you could be working in the morning, but you could also be working late at night. For 1.5 of my CPs, I had all evening shifts. When I had custodial, I was split 50-50. And for character attendant, I was mostly morning/afternoon shifts.

 

[Simple_Motions]

I have a question about Career Start/College Program. Is there any kinda of LGBT/Gay straight alliance groups? I know theres schools that are picky about stuff like that, so I figured I'd ask.

 

[_frazzle]

I have a question about Career Start/College Program. Is there any kinda of LGBT/Gay straight alliance groups? I know theres schools that are picky about stuff like that, so I figured I'd ask.

They do, I believe it's called Pride or something like that.

 

[glendalais]

I have a question about Career Start/College Program. Is there any kinda of LGBT/Gay straight alliance groups? I know theres schools that are picky about stuff like that, so I figured I'd ask.

Heh....

The one thing you'll learn quickly about working at the Disney Parks (both WDW and DLR)...a unusually large proportion of your fellow CMs are GLBT .

At both resort sites, we do have PRIDE (People Respecting Individual Diversities in Everyone), which is the Company's GLBT Diversity Resource Group. Basically what they do is represent GLBT interests inside Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and ensure that the company is aware and responsive to the needs of the GLBT Community. They also provide resources and a supportive network for GLBT CMs.

 

[Simple_Motions]

Heh....

The one thing you'll learn quickly about working at the Disney Parks (both WDW and DLR)...a unusually large proportion of your fellow CMs are GLBT .

At both resort sites, we do have PRIDE (People Respecting Individual Diversities in Everyone), which is the Company's GLBT Diversity Resource Group. Basically what they do is represent GLBT interests inside Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and ensure that the company is aware and responsive to the needs of the GLBT Community. They also provide resources and a supportive network for GLBT CMs.

Thank you so much for the info! That makes me feel a lot better. Im so excited for this!

 

[khancock]

No. CPs are given the hours that FT CMs do not want.

Just to elaborate on this statement a bit, Full Time Cast Members get to pick their schedules based on seniority every couple of months. Part Time, Seasonal, College Program, CareerStart, and some of the International program (like International College Program) Cast Members fill in the gaps in the schedule that are left over.

This isn't to say that the shifts you are given are bad shifts.

I hated my opening shifts and loved when I got to work from 2pm - 10pm.

 

[futreWDI]

Just to elaborate on this statement a bit, Full Time Cast Members get to pick their schedules based on seniority every couple of months. Part Time, Seasonal, College Program, CareerStart, and some of the International program (like International College Program) Cast Members fill in the gaps in the schedule that are left over.

This isn't to say that the shifts you are given are bad shifts.

I hated my opening shifts and loved when I got to work from 2pm - 10pm.

As for the original quote that stemmed this... the one about being a morning person, you could always express interest in Animal Kingdom over your phone interview. The park is only open till 5 right now and at the latest till 8 so there are no late hours!