College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[Amanda132]

Just keep in mind that if you're on your parent's health insurance, and you take a semester off, you might lose that insurance. At my school, they don't offer credit for the CP, but they help you enroll in an internship credit thingy at the local community college. The credits don't transfer, but you're considered a full time student for health insurance purposes. In this situation, I assume (I haven't yet done the CP, so I don't know for sure) you pay for these credits.

But since your school is so involved, I'm sure they have a way to do this. Also, as someone said before, since you won't be living on campus, that's money saved.

 

[BabyPiglet]

My parent's health insurance has that 'must be a full time student' stipulation AFTER I turn 19, so that's something you really need to look into and get the specifics about.

 

[mollay]

Okay here's another question that I feel I must have read somewhere but I wanted to double-check..
What sort of things does Disney take into account when looking at your application? Like, do they weigh in your grades/extra-curriculurs/etc. or is it all mainly based on your interview?


BTW, thanks for the heads-up about the health insurance. My mama and I are gonna double-check that as well!

 

[cuethemusic]

I believe this question has been answered in some form or another here already but I have seen differing answers, so i'm looking for some further insight. It's probably a stupid question

Let's say I audition for a character performer role, and in the meantime I am offered another role, and accept. Does this mean I can no longer be considered for a character role, or can I still switch to character performer if I get offered?

 

[ZeroToHero]

I believe this question has been answered in some form or another here already but I have seen differing answers, so i'm looking for some further insight. It's probably a stupid question

Let's say I audition for a character performer role, and in the meantime I am offered another role, and accept. Does this mean I can no longer be considered for a character role, or can I still switch to character performer if I get offered?

No. The way they have it now (it changed recently) is that you get offered a different role before the audition. You then have to accept that, to do the program. Then, if you pass the audition, you get switched to character. Otherwise, you stay in the other role.

 

[cuethemusic]

No. The way they have it now (it changed recently) is that you get offered a different role before the audition. You then have to accept that, to do the program. Then, if you pass the audition, you get switched to character. Otherwise, you stay in the other role.

oh, what a relief! I was afraid I would just blow my whole chance at the program. Thanks!

 

[Eraina]

I'm new here...I'm super excited about the idea of working at DisneyWorld, and I have a ton of questions I know I would want to ask my interviewer, but I thought it would annoy them less if I tried to find the answers in other places first! Can you guys help me out with some of this? Thanks a bunch!

1. Is the interviewer the one who decides what you get, or is that someone else in the process? Can you pass on what you’d like to do (i.e. which attraction you’d like to work) to the interviewer, or would that be useless? I know I’d love to work the Haunted Mansion (oh, the spiel I could give...) and would do just about anything to let people know!…

2. If I apply later in the year for an August-December internship, does that cut down my chances of getting a specific park or attraction to work, since there will (presumably) already be other people there…? At what point do they decide where you’ll be (park and attraction)?

3. When’s the latest you can apply?

4. At what point in the process do you tell them what apartment complex (i.e. Chatham vs. Vista, Wellness vs. Non-wellness if you’re over 21) you want to be in?

5. Do you have to be able to get credit for classes in order to take them? I’ll be out of school, you see. And when can you sign up for them?

6. What appliances do the apartments come with? (i.e. pots, pans, mostly cooking stuff)

7. If I don’t call within 72 hours after doing my web-based interview, is that OK, or does it reset?

Thanks again guys!

 

[lala88]

I can't answer all of your questions but I will try on some
2. I know that you don't find out what attraction you are at until you arrive in Florida so I think you can request and still have a shot even if it is late in the term.
4. You pick your apartment and everything the day you check in. You get it based on if it is still available.
5. You do not have to be able to get credit to take them. I do not think many school actually give credit for them. I do not know when you sign up for them though.
6. There is a list on the college program website that i think is pretty good (I don't really remember what is on it) but that should help a little.
7. I heard that the 72 hour window is just so you remember to call, it is not actually a deadline.
I hope this helps a little! °o°

 

[ZeroToHero]

I'm new here...I'm super excited about the idea of working at DisneyWorld, and I have a ton of questions I know I would want to ask my interviewer, but I thought it would annoy them less if I tried to find the answers in other places first! Can you guys help me out with some of this? Thanks a bunch!

1. Is the interviewer the one who decides what you get, or is that someone else in the process? Can you pass on what you’d like to do (i.e. which attraction you’d like to work) to the interviewer, or would that be useless? I know I’d love to work the Haunted Mansion (oh, the spiel I could give...) and would do just about anything to let people know!…

I don't know the answer to the first part of your question, but I imagine they have a very large part in deciding.... or at least recommending you or not to whoever does decide.

And you can pass it on, but it really doesn't matter that much. They aren't able to do much for you in terms of that, people later on in the process decide.

2. If I apply later in the year for an August-December internship, does that cut down my chances of getting a specific park or attraction to work, since there will (presumably) already be other people there…? At what point do they decide where you’ll be (park and attraction)?


Not that I'm aware of. The Fall Advantage people aren't going to take everything, and some of them will drop out. Also, the Spring Advantage people will be leaving around then. They decide your spot a few weeks, maybe closer to a month, out. Before you get down there, for sure, although your position is always subject to change.

3. When’s the latest you can apply?


Probably sometime in April or May? I know applications were open until early December last season.

4. At what point in the process do you tell them what apartment complex (i.e. Chatham vs. Vista, Wellness vs. Non-wellness if you’re over 21) you want to be in?

You (sort of) get to decide when you get down there and check in the first day. It depends on what's left, but you get your pick of that.

5. Do you have to be able to get credit for classes in order to take them? I’ll be out of school, you see. And when can you sign up for them?

No, they are open to all CPs. And... I don't know the answer to the second half.

6. What appliances do the apartments come with? (i.e. pots, pans, mostly cooking stuff)


Pots, pans, cutlery, I believe there are lists out there if you google it. It might even be on the College Program website, now that I think about it.

7. If I don’t call within 72 hours after doing my web-based interview, is that OK, or does it reset?


That's a general timeframe, other people have asked, and been told it's not going to reset but you should call soon (like, try not to let it get past 5 days).

Answers in red.. I answered what I could.

 

[teamlouise]

1. I don't think the interviewer decides your work location. You can state a preference during your interview or e-mail a request after your acceptance but there are no guarantees, so make sure you're OK with working at whatever ride you're assigned if you get attractions!

2. Applying later in the application period won't hurt your chances at a work location (I think) since it seems like they're assigned much closer to the actual arrival dates. People are offered jobs on a rolling basis though, so the earlier you apply the more spots are probably open.

3. The latest you can apply for Fall 2010 is probably around the end of March or early April.

4. All the housing stuff is sorted out when you get there.

5. You don't have to be getting credit to take the classes and you sign up for them also after you arrive.

6. Here's the link to all of the stuff that housing comes with:
https://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/housing/housing_amenities.html

7. Yeah, I don't think you'll have to start over if you don't call in right away.

 

[vegetablegirl]

Hey, can anyone tell me the usual time when the regular Spring program ends? My sister is getting married June 4th of next year, so I want to make sure I'll be back before then.

Thanks a lot!
Katy

 

[glendalais]

Hey, can anyone tell me the usual time when the regular Spring program ends? My sister is getting married June 4th of next year, so I want to make sure I'll be back before then.

Thanks a lot!
Katy

I do believe that the Spring programs generally end in mid-May to early-June.

 

[BabyPiglet]

1. Is the interviewer the one who decides what you get, or is that someone else in the process? Can you pass on what you’d like to do (i.e. which attraction you’d like to work) to the interviewer, or would that be useless?

-- My interviewer tells me that she passes her suggestion of acceptance/denial on to the Planner, who decides what role you get. After you've been accepted, you can email recruiting with your area request, but it's not guaranteed. Also, HM is VERY VERY hard to get into. I wouldn't count on getting that, TBH.

2. If I apply later in the year for an August-December internship, does that cut down my chances of getting a specific park or attraction to work, since there will (presumably) already be other people there…? At what point do they decide where you’ll be (park and attraction)?

-- I think they cut off applications right before the FA people start to go down. Otherwise, your question is worded weirdly, lol. They decide what area they're going to put you in like 2 weeks before you get there, and it just depends on where they need you at.

3. When’s the latest you can apply?

-- I'm not sure. Probably around late April or May.

4. At what point in the process do you tell them what apartment complex (i.e. Chatham vs. Vista, Wellness vs. Non-wellness if you’re over 21) you want to be in?

-- You can request your apartment choice at check in. Get there early!

5. Do you have to be able to get credit for classes in order to take them? I’ll be out of school, you see. And when can you sign up for them?

-- Nope.

6. What appliances do the apartments come with? (i.e. pots, pans, mostly cooking stuff)

-- There's a list on the CP website under 'housing'. www.wdwcollegeprogram.com

7. If I don’t call within 72 hours after doing my web-based interview, is that OK, or does it reset?

-- I have no idea. But I would call ASAP just incase!

 

[Eraina]

-- My interviewer tells me that she passes her suggestion of acceptance/denial on to the Planner, who decides what role you get. After you've been accepted, you can email recruiting with your area request, but it's not guaranteed. Also, HM is VERY VERY hard to get into. I wouldn't count on getting that, TBH.

Yeah, I know--I read it's the second-most requested place. And I'm not counting on it. But at the same time, it's what I've got my heart set on--you know how hearts can be--and that's why I've asked most of these questions. I'm thinking of applying late so that I can see if I can snag a job in my field (I'm a graduating senior) before the purple folder comes, if it does. If I can't, and I'm left jobless, well, why not go down and take a Disney job (if I'm accepted)? It'd give me great experience at budgeting and working with kids. Plus to up my chances (if ever so slightly!), I'd only apply for Costuming and Attractions, and I only have a learner's permit, so that (I hope) cuts out all the Attractions that require driving.

It's just that I've been told all my life to go for what you want and to work hard at getting it--so yeah, it's kind of a bummer that it seems to be mostly up to pure chance that way. But as you can see, I'm still asking around and trying anyway!

 

[cuethemusic]

Hey, can anyone tell me the usual time when the regular Spring program ends? My sister is getting married June 4th of next year, so I want to make sure I'll be back before then.

Thanks a lot!
Katy

I've never done the program so i'm probably not the greatest one to be answering but from what i've seen, some people were finished by mid-may

 

[Praise2Him]

Hey, can anyone tell me the usual time when the regular Spring program ends? My sister is getting married June 4th of next year, so I want to make sure I'll be back before then.

Thanks a lot!
Katy

I believe your end date depends on your start date, so the earlier you start, the earlier you finish.

For example, my DD is there now, and she started on Jan. 6 (the first available date) and ends on May 14.

You should be fine!

 

[glendalais]

1. Is the interviewer the one who decides what you get, or is that someone else in the process? Can you pass on what you’d like to do (i.e. which attraction you’d like to work) to the interviewer, or would that be useless? I know I’d love to work the Haunted Mansion (oh, the spiel I could give...) and would do just about anything to let people know!

The Interviewer can make suggestions about what role they believe would be best, based off your interview, but they really have no authority in the matter beyond that.

The thing about the process is that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Internship Recruitment (formerly referred to as College Recruitment) utilizes a nationwide network of telecommuting Casual Temporary Salaried Cast Members to conduct Internship Interviews.

Many of these Cast Members used to work at one of our domestic resort sites and took the positions to maintain their link with the company even though they no longer live in Southern California or Central Florida. Particularly because it's a segment process (the same interviewers interview for both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort), they're just not in a position to recommend specific locations for individual applicants.

As to Attractions, please remember that Internship Recruiting is unable to place you in a specific Attraction, they are able to place you in an Area, which then assigns you to a Attraction based upon their labour needs. Please be aware of this when making location requests.

 

[Eraina]

The Interviewer can make suggestions about what role they believe would be best, based off your interview, but they really have no authority in the matter beyond that.

As to Attractions, please remember that Internship Recruiting is unable to place you in a specific Attraction, they are able to place you in an Area, which then assigns you to a Attraction based upon their labour needs. Please be aware of this when making location requests.

I knew that they placed you in an attraction based on if they needed CMs, but after reading others' comments, I thought Internship Recruiting only assigned you a Role. It's great to know that they actually put you in an area, too. How large are these areas? Parks? Lands? Variable? I had heard of someone switching off among Fantasyland rides in my browsing CP blogs.

Thank you; this is all very interesting and useful information.

 

[ZeroToHero]

It depends. In Tomorrowland, you might be working several attractions, but for, say, Hollywood Studios, you could only work the GMR. So I don't think the areas are all one size, but beyond that, I couldn't say (and for instance, GMR is in a bigger area, but you will only work that ride if given it.)

 

[mebbradley]

Ok, so now I'm going to ask a question. How is the transformation of Toontown/Fantasyland affecting CP's in those areas? Or is it not? idk! haha