College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[Joanna71985]

Today I got a letter in the mail from Disney saying "at this time, your status is pending a final decision." It also says, "Our team is evaluating your qualifications, and you will be contacted with an update on the status of your application by April 17th 2009."

Does everybody get one of these letters before being accepted/rejected, or is this kind of like a deferment letter? I'm just curious as to whether or not I'm really going to have to wait until April, or if I'll still find out within the 4-6 weeks. (FYI, I interviewed Feb. 18).

No. Not everyone gets a pending letter. Only some people do.

However, it doesn't always take til the date listed to hear back from Disney (sometimes it is a lot sooner).

 

[glendalais]

You all might not know this one, but I'm just wondering. I'll contact WDW Casting when they open tomorrow to make sure.

Do Cast Members and Employees of The Walt Disney Company get to keep their length of service when doing WDW's CP?

It's not that big of a deal. However, I've been with Disney for nearly 2 years now, and I only need another year of service with Disney, in any form, to get my 35% Merchandise Discount. That, and I would still want to be able to wear my Disney 1-Year Pin on my nametag if I do go to WDW.

(And yes, I am considering doing the WDW CP this coming semester. Some things are happening here at the DLR which make it so that I should probably take a few months and go east for a while, lol. And I do need an internship for school, anyway.).

Just in case anyone is wondering on this. Cast Members and Employees of The Walt Disney Company do retain their Company Length of Service when doing the WDW CP.

Those Cast Members and Employees who are statused to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (DLR, etc.) will be treated as inter-resort transfers rather than new hires, and will keep their Hire Date, main effects of which will be to allow them to continue to wear their most recent Service Award Pin on their WDW Nametag.

However, as WDW does regard it's CP Participants as Hourly CT (Seasonal) CMs (though I believe Inter-Resort transfers get the Red CT ID Card rather than the white temporary ones issued to New Hires), they will only receive the 'A' 20% Merchandise Discount, even if they have become eligible for the 'B' 35% Merchandise Discount thru Length of Service or previously held positions with the company.

Anyway, that being said, I have another question.

Can you indicate your preference for an arrival date. I'm applying for the Fall Advantage programme, but I let out of school in late May, so I would much prefer to be able to arrive in June sometime.

 

[Joanna71985]

Anyway, that being said, I have another question.

Can you indicate your preference for an arrival date. I'm applying for the Fall Advantage programme, but I let out of school in late May, so I would much prefer to be able to arrive in June sometime.

No. There are only 3 check-in dates for Fall Advantage, and only one is in June. It all depends on what is available when you accept (and some dates are not available for every role).

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Here's my q:

I want to audition to be a character performer for the CP, but what are the benefits of doing the CP instead of just getting a job w/ Disney and doing the same exact thing? I haven't looked into this part much, but I heard that they don't have entertainment classes. Comments and opinions are TIA!

 

[Meg13]

Okay, I'm going to ask a rather stupid question: the months for the Spring CS are generally February to May, right? You cannot extend the CS program, can you?

 

[graygables]

just getting a job w/ Disney and doing the same exact thing?

Right now, that's impossible. There is a hiring freeze and no end in sight. Once the freeze is lifted, there are THOUSANDS (yes, literally thousands) of people on waiting lists to be hired. Consider the CP fairly competitive foot in the door.

 

[Joanna71985]

Okay, I'm going to ask a rather stupid question: the months for the Spring CS are generally February to May, right? You cannot extend the CS program, can you?

Spring CS is Feb to Aug. And it can be extended.

 

[ParanoidAndroid]

For nametag information on the acknowledgment form it asks for hometown, but a lot of CPs have their college name on their nametag. So if one wanted their college name, would they put the name of the university or their hometown as it says.

 

[twinsfreak]

I have always loved going to WDW, but i have always wondered...does working there make it any less fun to be there?

 

[Joanna71985]

I have always loved going to WDW, but i have always wondered...does working there make it any less fun to be there?

Nope, not at all. For me, I find going even more fun now.

 

[Alex|Kies.47]

Hi everyone, I'm from Canada and I'm looking to apply for the Disney CareerStart program. I'm having a fair bit of trouble trying to figure out what type of US working visa I would need and how to go about obtaining it. If anyone has any information that would be helpful, that'd be greatly appreciated. THANKS.

 

[twinsfreak]

Nope, not at all. For me, I find going even more fun now.

ok thanks!

 

[princessaurora1]

Random question -

I'm currently doing the CP, and one of my roommates has decided that she is 99% sure she wants to self-term herself (due to being extremely homesick, etc.). She wasn't sure how to go about this (or how much notice she would have to give), so I told her I'd post it on here. Does anyone have info on what steps she'd have to go through? Feel free to PM me the information too, thanks!

 

[Berlioz70]

She needs to talk to her manager, preferably a scheduling one if available. She should tell her manager that she wants to go home, but does not want to leave the area short staffed. That way she can leave with a good conscience. Most CPs just up and leave and never talk to anyone.

 

[jen22va]

For nametag information on the acknowledgment form it asks for hometown, but a lot of CPs have their college name on their nametag. So if one wanted their college name, would they put the name of the university or their hometown as it says.

I'm pretty sure I remember asking for my hometown to be on my nametag but instead I got one with my college name.. so I think everyone that does the CP gets their college name on it. However, you can go to the costume department and order another one and get your hometown on it if you want... but they will deduct $5 from your paycheck for it. (I had to do this because I lost my original one, haha)

 

[MelissaMouse]

Hi everyone. I know there is a checklist of items to bring to disney with me. I did have a question about the items that are already there. Is there only one set of pots and pans and silverware? I read somewhere that people like to steal things out of the rooms, such as utensils and pans. I am coming in a couple weeks, (the 25th!!) so I believe I will be placed with current CPer's, so I shouldnt bring my toaster, right? They don't make it very easy for us people who move in the middle of the program because we dont have a clue of what will already be there!

Also, this is off topic but, is it harder to get to know people when they are already comfortable with the people there, and know each other? I do not have ANY trouble making friends but some people can just be rude and I don't want to feel like an outcast! Thanks everyone!!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Right now, that's impossible. There is a hiring freeze and no end in sight. Once the freeze is lifted, there are THOUSANDS (yes, literally thousands) of people on waiting lists to be hired. Consider the CP fairly competitive foot in the door.

Let's just say that there isn't a freeze in hiring. Are there CP perks than just being a CM?

 

[Berlioz70]

The advantage of the CP over a regular CM is the housing. I did the CP so that I could "test" Disney before I moved there. I'm still here... living in my own place, so it worked out!

 

[GreatWideSomewhere]

Random question -

I'm currently doing the CP, and one of my roommates has decided that she is 99% sure she wants to self-term herself (due to being extremely homesick, etc.). She wasn't sure how to go about this (or how much notice she would have to give), so I told her I'd post it on here. Does anyone have info on what steps she'd have to go through? Feel free to PM me the information too, thanks!

My roommate has decided to leave as well. I'm really upset over her decision, but I also don't want her to stay someplace she is miserable. It sucks.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

The advantage of the CP over a regular CM is the housing. I did the CP so that I could "test" Disney before I moved there. I'm still here... living in my own place, so it worked out!

Is that the only thing? Are there advantages of being a CM that you don't get while being in the CP? Being in the CP sounds like a lot of fun, but I'd really like insights on what the differences are.

P.S. I really like your blog Berlioz70! Very informative!