College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[Pecobill]

Depends on the role.

At the Walt Disney World Resort, most of our Hourly Guest Service roles, along with some of our Office & Technical roles, are Unionised, so applications for transfer into a Full Time role are considered based upon Seniority and available positions.

In these cases, CPs are at the very bottom of people to be considered, right before we open positions for External Hires. It would be easier to convert into a Casual Temporary (Seasonal) or Casual Regular (Part Time) position and then apply for a conversion into a Full Time position from there.

In our Non Union roles (Photo Imaging, Reservation Centre, etc.), positions are filled based upon qualifications and availability. An interview would be required in those instances.

At the Disneyland Resort, all Disney College Program and Disney CareerStart Program Participants are statused as Casual Regular Cast Members and are eligible to roll over into regular Casual Regular positions at the end of their programmes. From that point, conversions to Regular Full Time (RFT) status are decided based upon the Collective Bargaining Agreement in place in their Line of Business. For those in Hourly Non Union roles, conversions are decided based on performance, qualifications and available positions.

And of course, all Full Time, Casual Regular and Casual Temporary Salaried positions throughout Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are filled based on qualifications and availability.



At the Walt Disney World Resort, College & International Programme Participants can take advantage of a wide variety of Collegiate Courses which are recommended for College/University credit by the American Council on Education. These classes cover a wide variety of topics, from Hospitality Management to Self Development to the history and culture of The Walt Disney Company and Affiliated Companies.

Participants can also enrol in the Disney Education Series. These are a series of conversations and presentations faciliated by Leaders from thoughout the Resort, and give Participants a peek into the many intricate processes that go into making The Most Magical Place on Earth just that. The Professional Development Series operates in much the same way, but are centred around specific topics, and are intended for Participants who are majoring in related topics at their College or University.

At the Disneyland Resort, there are two Collegiate Courses, Corporate Analysis, which covers the history and culture of The Walt Disney Company and Affiliated Companies and Marketing You: Personal and Career Development, which covers just that. Like their Florida-Site counterparts, both courses are recommended for University or College credit by the American Council on Education.

The Leadership Speaker's Series allows for Participants to hear from Disneyland Resort senior leadership (Senior Director level and above) about their careers and how our Leaders got to be where they are today. In addition, the Professional Development Study: The Business of Show Business allows Participants to see first hand how the grand show that is the Disneyland Resort operates each and every day, amazing our Guests as we've done for over 55 years.

In addition, Participants at both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are eligible to take part in the many Professional Development Opportunities available to all Cast Members as part of the Disney Difference. Both sites also offer Disney University Libraries (formerly referred to as Disney Learning Centers), which offer a wide variety of resources for Self-Development.

For more information on Educational Opportunities available through the College & International Programmes, please visit one of the sites below:
Walt Disney World Resort
Disneyland Resort

Wait so even after working 7 months for the company I don't increase my chances? And I thought Florida was a right to work state and we didn't have unions.Also I can't live in Orlando on a Part time paycheck.

 

[Berlioz70]

Wait so even after working 7 months for the company I don't increase my chances? And I thought Florida was a right to work state and we didn't have unions.Also I can't live in Orlando on a Part time paycheck.

No, it does! They will hire you before hiring someone else off the street!

Universal is non-unionized, but Disney does have unions. There are positive and of course negative sides. I've learned which battles I can fight and which ones are out of my hands. The hiring process would be something out of your hands, I tried talking to my managers but it's out of their hands too.

In these cases, CPs are at the very bottom of people to be considered, right before we open positions for External Hires.

 

[ZeroToHero]

It's actually an 8-week series, meeting once a week with each session consisting of a 2-3 hour presentation.

Aha - so what are the things where you can sign up to, for example, go on a "behind the scenes" tour of the Great Movie Ride?

 

[glendalais]

And I thought Florida was a right to work state and we didn't have unions.

"Right-to-Work" refers to an Employee's "right to work" without having to join a Labour Union.

The Walt Disney World Resort is a Union workplace, but Cast Members in Union roles are not necessarily required to join the Union. Those who don't join are still covered under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated by the Unions.

This is in contrast to states like California, which is not a "Right-to-Work" state. Cast Members in Union roles at the Disneyland Resort can be terminated for failing to join and maintain membership in good standing with the Labour Union covering their role.

At the same time, with over ~40000 Hourly Frontline Cast Members, there's almost always a Full Time position open on property somewhere. It may not be in the most glamourous and desired positions (i.e. we seem to be continually short FT Housekeepers and 3rd Shift Custodial), but if you really need a FT position and are willing to be extremely flexible, Internal Casting can usually shoehorn you in somewhere.

The hiring process would be something out of your hands, I tried talking to my managers but it's out of their hands too.

At least here in Florida, Managers do have some influence. Labor demands permitting, they can open a requisition with Casting Services.

Requisitions still have to go through internal skill code lists, so there really isn't a gurantee that the Participant they mean to give the position to will be the one who gets it, but it's something.

Aha - so what are the things where you can sign up to, for example, go on a "behind the scenes" tour of the Great Movie Ride?

Those are part of the broader Professional Development offerings offered by the Company - specifically part of the efforts to foster an understanding and appreciation for Company Heritage.

Those are usually offered through Disney University (our internal training centre) or through the Operating Areas. College & International Programme Operations on both coasts will also sometimes organise them just for Participants.

 

[Berlioz70]

At least here in Florida, Managers do have some influence. Labor demands permitting, they can open a requisition with Casting Services.

Requisitions still have to go through internal skill code lists, so there really isn't a gurantee that the Participant they mean to give the position to will be the one who gets it, but it's something.

I had a manager try to open a req so that I would get a specific job, but since I wasn't the next one in "line" the job wouldn't go to me and I'd have to wait my turn anyway. Haha, so I stopped holding out for that particular position and moved on.

 

[kateymcg]

I've just decided to do the Disney's Princess Half Marathon! Any other CP'ers doing it? Anyone know the path that we run for it?

 

[TheBeckyZone]

[double post, sorry]

 

[TheBeckyZone]

I've just decided to do the Disney's Princess Half Marathon! Any other CP'ers doing it? Anyone know the path that we run for it?

My aunt is running the half marathon this year. I think this is a current path:

http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go.com/media/dwws_v0222/en_US/pdf/09NEWPrincessHalfMapweb.jpg

(I'd post it as a picture, but the map is quite large.)

 

[mollay]

Hey Mollay!

As far as partying goes, it is similar to college in the respect that, if you look for it, you'll find it and if you want to avoid it, you can. If you don't want anything to do with it, you'll do just fine. I did not party while I was on my CP. I knew people who did, but it wasn't something where I couldn't go anywhere without finding people drinking and partying all the time. There are quite a few people there who would much rather go to the parks or do something other than party. I wouldn't let that dissuade you from doing the program though.

Thank-you so much for this answer! I definitely feel a lot more assured hehe. I was just shocked because, even though I know there must be 21 year old residents, I thought Disney would be super strict about that sort of thing.

Either way, thanks! I will keep that all in mind.

 

[Joanna71985]

I've just decided to do the Disney's Princess Half Marathon! Any other CP'ers doing it? Anyone know the path that we run for it?

I haven't officially registered for it, but I am pretty sure I will be signing up. It looks like a lot of fun

Aha - so what are the things where you can sign up to, for example, go on a "behind the scenes" tour of the Great Movie Ride?

The backstage tours are a lot of fun. I highly recommend them. However, you have to sign up very early (as space is extremely limited).

I've been doing a lot of reading... no... I'm not obsessed... and it seems like everyone I've talked to or read about has switched roles a bunch of times during their program season. Why/how does this happen? How would I switch to a different role once I'm there and would I request a different role or would they just place me? Anyone have experience with this sort of thing happening to them?

I can count all the people I know that have switched roles on their program on one hand.

One was cast as Tiana and was pulled from her role in QSFB. Another had to switch her role for medical reasons. And I'm sure Joanna will chime in, but she was able to switch on her alumni program back to a role she was already trained in.

Like Brenna said, I was able to change roles on my Summer Program in 2008. That was because I wasn't getting that many hours at the current location (and my manager was able to switch me back to my old role). But I would have to say, the majority of the time it is pretty hard to change roles mid-program (and to do so, you would need a good reason).

 

[Pure_Imagination]

So I'm curious, what kind of hours do you work at Animal Kingdom? I assume you work open to close, but do you get good hours per week? Is it easy to pick up hours in other parks? I'm wondering about merchandise specifically, if possible, since that's what I'll be doing.

 

[Joanna71985]

It's pretty easy to pick up extra hours in other parks, especially in merchandise (because it's the same training for the most part).

 

[Pure_Imagination]

So there's a concert I really want to go to in Florida in April. There are three different cities, but they're all in the middle of April Is that traditionally a hard time to ask off for? I'm not sure when the Spring break rush begins at Disney.

 

[kateymcg]

Anyone know what kind of shoes custodians need to wear for work?

 

[glendalais]

So there's a concert I really want to go to in Florida in April. There are three different cities, but they're all in the middle of April Is that traditionally a hard time to ask off for? I'm not sure when the Spring break rush begins at Disney.

Generally, yes. That timeframe is the peak of the Central Florida Spring Break tourist season.

Get your requests in as early as possible, though be prepared for the likelihood that no one will be allowed to take off during that period.

Anyone know what kind of shoes custodians need to wear for work?

In the Theme Parks/Downtown Disney Area: Black athletic shoes

In the Water Parks: White athletic shoes

At the Resorts: Varies by resort.

 

[Romulan248]

Do they have opportunities for all majors, or only certain ones?

 

[ZeroToHero]

What do you mean by opportunities? Any major can participate, but not all majors (or schools, for that matter), offer credit for it. It's a case by case basis, so you have to ask your school what they think.

 

[Romulan248]

What do you mean by opportunities? Any major can participate, but not all majors (or schools, for that matter), offer credit for it. It's a case by case basis, so you have to ask your school what they think.

I heard that only majors that would apply to jobs at Disney would be accepted. I'm a political science major, so I didn't think I could participate.

 

[Toffy]

I heard that only majors that would apply to jobs at Disney would be accepted. I'm a political science major, so I didn't think I could participate.

Quite the contrary, ANY major is welcome to participate in the DCP

 

[teamlouise]

I heard that only majors that would apply to jobs at Disney would be accepted. I'm a political science major, so I didn't think I could participate.

Major definitely doesn't matter when it comes to Disney accepting you into the college program. Except, i think, if you wanted to do something with Guest Relations or Vacation Planning... then they mostly only take Hospitality or whatever majors.

But yeah, I'm a History major and I got accepted for the program with no problems on the Disney end. I'm would not get any credit through my school, though, which is why I'm applying (again) for the session after my graduation.