College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[Berlioz70]

I didn't get credit from my university... but I do have a M.Ed. in Higher Ed so I'll take a stab!

1. Have any of you that have participated in the program been able to balance your credit hours from your University while on the program? Do they give you time to do that?

I kind of remembering hearing that they may give you time, but my understanding is that they will not set aside specific time for your outside course work. You'll just need to balance your time and you should be fine.

Maybe someone else will disprove me.

2. I CAN still take courses while I'm in Florida online through my university, even if I don't get any of the ACE credits that are potentially offered, right?

Oh yeah... feel free to take as many on-line courses you want. My roommate was in 3.

3. Has anyone had to pay anything to their respective Universities while on the college program even though they are not THERE at their university? I'm assuming you'd still have to pay for the classes you take online though

You're right... if you are taking on-line courses you will have to pay the tuition for those through your institution. Depending on your university policies, you may also have to pay the other student fees (activity, health, or computer). I know some schools will waive that fee if you're not attending class on campus but others do not. You'll want to talk to your tuition and fees office to see what their procedures are.

 

[kmg148]

The quality standards! I knew they weren't the basics..those we all know by heart, lol.

 

[sajanie8302]

Hi Everyone

I'm new posting here...but have lurked off and on for a while. I am a 25 year old Graduate Student currently living in Florida trying soo hard to get a job at Disney and thinking about the College Program as another way to get my foot in the door. (I've applied hourly....waitlisted, I applied last fall to a few internships which were later discontinued...)

I realize this is "aimed" towards undergrads, but as I understand it, I am still able to apply, correct?

Secondly...would I be required to live in their housing? I'm currently 5 minutes away from Downtown Disney (heck I basically live across the street from Vista Way). I just say that because I am kind of settled in my apartment and have 2 kittens, which I know wouldn't be allowed. I've read about some "older" CPers and would assume?! they lived off campus?!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!,
Sarah-Jane

 

[kmg148]

Sarah-Jane, you can live off the housing, you just have to appeal to be an exceptionm. Graygables has done it and so has Berlioz, I'm sure they can answer any questions!

As long as you are enrolled in a college program of some sort when you apply, you can be in it, no matter how old you are!

 

[ZiPaD3doDAH]

Hey!

I realllllly want to do this in about two years, after i finish my associates.


1. How does your break work? How long?
(If your given 1/2 hour, yet your still in character uniform, clock out, need to get dressed as a regular disney vistor, walk alll the way to a resturant, make the big line if its summer, order something, eat it, walk alll the way back, undress and put your costume on again....you won't have time)

2. Can you do the program in whatever semester you want or you have to have a specific one?

3. If they give you a specific job, what is the possibility that you can get switched into doing something that you actually want to do and was not assigned to you (such as they assigned you to work at store but you perfer to work on a ride)


For number 2, i'm going to tell you my plan. My plan is to go to college for my associates and after i'm done head to disney, and then stay in the orlando area and go to a university. So, will they allow me to finish my associates and just leave my college and stay in orlando or do i need to return back? It's a bit confusing. I just don't want to go to Orlando, come back, and go to Orlando again.

 

[PrincessJordynx]

Hey!

I realllllly want to do this in about two years, after i finish my associates.


1. How does your break work? How long?
(If your given 1/2 hour, yet your still in character uniform, clock out, need to get dressed as a regular disney vistor, walk alll the way to a resturant, make the big line if its summer, order something, eat it, walk alll the way back, undress and put your costume on again....you won't have time)

2. Can you do the program in whatever semester you want or you have to have a specific one?

3. If they give you a specific job, what is the possibility that you can get switched into doing something that you actually want to do and was not assigned to you (such as they assigned you to work at store but you perfer to work on a ride)


For number 2, i'm going to tell you my plan. My plan is to go to college for my associates and after i'm done head to disney, and then stay in the orlando area and go to a university. So, will they allow me to finish my associates and just leave my college and stay in orlando or do i need to return back? It's a bit confusing. I just don't want to go to Orlando, come back, and go to Orlando again.

as i havent been there yet, i go in the fall, i can't answer number 1.

number 2. yes you can do whichever semester you want as long as you have atleast one semester of college done. and as far as your plan i think that should work because many people end up staying in florida after their programs.

number 3. honestly when you get accepted into a role, thats what you do. you can always try to switch but its pretty much a deadlock. however if you extend your program at the end of the current one, you can apply to extend into a different role. no garantees though. which is why they tell you when you check off a role, don't pick one you wouldntwant to do, if you check it, you could get it.

 

[glendalais]

1. How does your break work? How long?
(If your given 1/2 hour, yet your still in character uniform, clock out, need to get dressed as a regular disney vistor, walk alll the way to a resturant, make the big line if its summer, order something, eat it, walk alll the way back, undress and put your costume on again....you won't have time)

WDW Cast Members receive a 15 minute paid break for each four hours worked, as well as an additional break if they work 10 hours or more.

In addition, each Cast Member receives a 30 minute unpaid lunch period.

Finally, Cast Members statused to or working shifts at locations within the Magic Kingdom Park, with the exception of those at the Transportation and Ticket Center, will receive 10 minutes dress/walk time.

 

[kmg148]

Pretty much every location has a backstage area to purchase food. I always pack lunch. No need to change and enter the park/resort, unless you want that specific food.

The likelihood of switching roles is low, but you have a greater chance of switching locations. I had the opportunity to switch if I wanted to.

 

[graygables]

Hi Everyone

I'm new posting here...but have lurked off and on for a while. I am a 25 year old Graduate Student currently living in Florida trying soo hard to get a job at Disney and thinking about the College Program as another way to get my foot in the door. (I've applied hourly....waitlisted, I applied last fall to a few internships which were later discontinued...)

I realize this is "aimed" towards undergrads, but as I understand it, I am still able to apply, correct?

Secondly...would I be required to live in their housing? I'm currently 5 minutes away from Downtown Disney (heck I basically live across the street from Vista Way). I just say that because I am kind of settled in my apartment and have 2 kittens, which I know wouldn't be allowed. I've read about some "older" CPers and would assume?! they lived off campus?!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!,
Sarah-Jane

I'm a 44yo grad student and I'm currently on the CP and, no, I'm not the oldest one Getting into the CP was no problem for me being in grad school. I live offsite with my kids. I did have to go through an approval process, but their biggest concern was having my own transportation and registering contact info. One issue I have had is it's a pain in the rear to get to Chatham or Vista for classes/meetings b/c I don't have a housing ID. You'd think it was the White House. I haven't even bothered to try to go to any CP events there b/c I'm sure it would be futile trying to get on after office hours.

 

[Berlioz70]

(heck I basically live across the street from Vista Way). I just say that because I am kind of settled in my apartment and have 2 kittens, which I know wouldn't be allowed. I've read about some "older" CPers and would assume?! they lived off campus?!

I was 24 and just finished my grad program when I came down (similar boat to you). I completed my CP in January and am currently on a PI - with the jobs so tight down here I'll be returning to my CP role (character performer) as a seasonal cast member in June and will wait it out until something full time becomes available.

I too live by Vista - Sabal Palm. I was able to secure off site living pretty easily because I'm married. You may be able to appeal your case since you've already established residency here. Before I moved out, however, I did live in Patterson and I had a 28 and 26 year old roommates, so I was not the oldest in the room.

One issue I have had is it's a pain in the rear to get to Chatham or Vista for classes/meetings b/c I don't have a housing ID.

Have you gotten your Classes Parking Pass to get into the complexes for classes? I got one from the education office at Vista and it worked like a charm - I was also able to use it to get into the CPASS events... however, it did take a little more explanation on my part. Eventually everyone would let me in though.

 

[graygables]

I kind of remembering hearing that they may give you time, but my understanding is that they will not set aside specific time for your outside course work. You'll just need to balance your time and you should be fine.

I'm actually going through this right now...in the Program Guide it states that they will schedule a 4 hour block of time on a M-F from 8-12 or 1-5 for Distance Learning classes. You pick the day, give the education office your schedule, and you are not supposed to be scheduled during that time period (unless it's a "labor exception" period, which is around Easter, for instance). Them's the rules.

Now, onto reality... I had to jump through many hoops to prove this to my scheduling manager back in January and I thought we finally had it sorted. I started getting scheduled on my distance learning time again a few weeks ago and I've been going around and around with everyone from my manager to the scheduler to Cast Services to get it fixed. The scheduler is staunchly insisting that it is NOT the case, but I have everything in writing to back me up. I won't see the scheduling manager again until tomorrow, so I'm hoping it's finally settled once and for all (but I'm not betting on it). All that to say, yes, you are supposed to have it, but no, it might not be as easy as they make it sound.

 

[GiggleGoddess]

Pretty much every location has a backstage area to purchase food. I always pack lunch. No need to change and enter the park/resort, unless you want that specific food.

The likelihood of switching roles is low, but you have a greater chance of switching locations. I had the opportunity to switch if I wanted to.

What role did you have?

 

[Ava Northwest]

So I applied for the fall advantage College Program for Disneyland and was accepted =) BUT I got a role that I have close to zero interest in doing. It's the busser/steward role. It's my fault for selecting it but I also selected 19 other roles, a total of 20 out of the 27 possible roles there are. Looking back now I really think I should have been more selective but I was told at my information session to select as many as possible. I thought after hearing my interview and what I was interested in and looking at my previous work experience and considering I'm close to graduation I would get a better role. I didn't apply late or anything.

So I've been trying to get ahold of my recruiter for over a week now. I got ahold of her assistant once who told me he'd relay my message to her. Then I got a phone message from her last Friday saying she'd be in touch with me either Monday or Tuesday and that she'd go over a possible role change with me. But she never called me and when I called her it went straight to her voicemail or her assistant told me she was out of the office. I've called multiple times a day (I only leave one message a day tops though). And I'm honestly being very polite when I call and leave a message, I'm not trying to be pushy at all. I just have to accept or decline before Tuesday and the way things are going I doubt I'll be able to get ahold of anyone before then.

Does anyone know of another number out there I can call? I've called the main College Program line but it's automated and therefore no help and the only other option is to call to set up or cancel an interview and those people aren't going to be able to help me either. I feel very much at a loss for what to do and frankly forgotten about as well. =(

 

[graygables]

So I applied for the fall advantage College Program for Disneyland and was accepted =) BUT I got a role that I have close to zero interest in doing. It's the busser/steward role. It's my fault for selecting it but I also selected 19 other roles, a total of 20 out of the 27 possible roles there are. Looking back now I really think I should have been more selective but I was told at my information session to select as many as possible. I thought after hearing my interview and what I was interested in and looking at my previous work experience and considering I'm close to graduation I would get a better role. I didn't apply late or anything.

So I've been trying to get ahold of my recruiter for over a week now. I got ahold of her assistant once who told me he'd relay my message to her. Then I got a phone message from her last Friday saying she'd be in touch with me either Monday or Tuesday and that she'd go over a possible role change with me. But she never called me and when I called her it went straight to her voicemail or her assistant told me she was out of the office. I've called multiple times a day (I only leave one message a day tops though). And I'm honestly being very polite when I call and leave a message, I'm not trying to be pushy at all. I just have to accept or decline before Tuesday and the way things are going I doubt I'll be able to get ahold of anyone before then.

Does anyone know of another number out there I can call? I've called the main College Program line but it's automated and therefore no help and the only other option is to call to set up or cancel an interview and those people aren't going to be able to help me either. I feel very much at a loss for what to do and frankly forgotten about as well. =(

When I tried to get in touch with my recruiter it was a game of phone tag. She was VERY busy with the recruitment process and travelling a lot, so it was frustrating. To be honest, your role has very little to do with your experience or education. The idea is to get a foot in the door, get Disney on your resume, network, learn, and look to build transferable skills. In this economy, ANY role is a great one. I don't know the ins and outs of DLR, but here at WDW, they can try to transfer you. You might just get into your role and decide you like it. I had the opportunity to transfer from merch to attractions, but opted not to after my managers gave me new responsibilities to better utilize my skills/experience.

 

[msminnie2010]

Now I've read about a few people packing their lunch to take to work so they could save money, but where do you keep all your stuff like Purses, backpacks, lunchboxes etc? Do they have Lockers?

Also since we cant use the tacky sutff what did everyone use to hang things on the walls like Bulletin boards/dry erase boards/pictures etc?

 

[taigirl87]

Also since we cant use the tacky sutff what did everyone use to hang things on the walls like Bulletin boards/dry erase boards/pictures etc?

i think that it has been stated that push pins and nails are okay.

 

[glendalais]

When I tried to get in touch with my recruiter it was a game of phone tag. She was VERY busy with the recruitment process and travelling a lot, so it was frustrating. To be honest, your role has very little to do with your experience or education. The idea is to get a foot in the door, get Disney on your resume, network, learn, and look to build transferable skills. In this economy, ANY role is a great one. I don't know the ins and outs of DLR, but here at WDW, they can try to transfer you. You might just get into your role and decide you like it. I had the opportunity to transfer from merch to attractions, but opted not to after my managers gave me new responsibilities to better utilize my skills/experience.

Generally, if you've already accepted, DLR generally will not transfer CPers out of Food & Beverage roles. Our Food & Beverage labour contract specifically states that they can only have 150 CPs total in the entire department, so they have to make it count.

Having worked as a DLR Busser in the past, I say go for it. It seems icky at first, but you get a lot of guest interaction, you get to see a great deal of both parks, and the pay is among the highest rates CPers can get.

 

[ZiPaD3doDAH]

Thank you guys SO much for answering my questions!

I really do appreciate it

 

[lulubunson]

I still haven't heard back from them yet! is that a bad sign? and on top of that I have choose where im staying next semester for school in like a week. and i reserve a room and dont take it have to pay fee. so do you think should call them ask what my status is?

 

[christiemarsh88]

I'm sorry, you may have posted this before, but when did you interview?