College Program Questions Thread, Pt 3

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Yep, you can be mixed. I have never heard of a person getting called back but not cast, although I'm sure it's possible. It is also very possible to be cast without call backs. Most people do not get callbacks but are still cast. The only exception to this is if they are doing puppet auditions. If you are of the height range (5'0" or greater) for puppets and are called back for puppets, that is a good sign. In my experience, if they are doing puppets and you do not get called back (and are of the height range) that is a bad sign. It is important to note that they do not do puppets at every audition.

 

[CptJackSparrowsGirl]

Does anyone know what the official roles will be for Spring? I mean, will anything knew be added? Since they have that new Pirate Boutique up?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I haven't heard. The roles stay fairly steady every year. The boutique internships are very limited because of how few CMs are needed for them, and with the economy the way it is right now, I would not necessarily count on them being available. A lot of time they use the CP to help fill vacancies. Where youa re placed is based on operational need. If htey don't believe they will need people at the boutiques they may not even offer them.

 

[Berlioz70]

CPs will eventually be added to The Pirates League, but not anytime soon (that's what we were told). It took nearly 3 years before they added CPs to the BBB - I don't think it'll take that long, but probably still at least a year. Maybe next fall (10) for the earliest.

 

[CptJackSparrowsGirl]

CPs will eventually be added to The Pirates League, but not anytime soon (that's what we were told). It took nearly 3 years before they added CPs to the BBB - I don't think it'll take that long, but probably still at least a year. Maybe next fall (10) for the earliest.

That would be nice Thanks Brenna

 

[GreatWideSomewhere]

Hey guys, I was wondering if you any of you alumni remember what day the next weeks schedule is usually posted?

I'm currently Seasonal and I'm waiting until the next schedule is posted before I book my hotel, but I can't for the life of me remember what day it comes out. I'm thinking it was Tuesday, maybe Thursday?

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Joanna71985]

Hey guys, I was wondering if you any of you alumni remember what day the next weeks schedule is usually posted?

I'm currently Seasonal and I'm waiting until the next schedule is posted before I book my hotel, but I can't for the life of me remember what day it comes out. I'm thinking it was Tuesday, maybe Thursday?

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!

It should be Sat or Sun, I believe.

 

[GreatWideSomewhere]

It should be Sat or Sun, I believe.

Alrighty, thanks Joanna.

 

[andy.b]

Hey everybody, got a couple question to ask.

1. I know it's best to apply early for a better chance of getting in, but does that mean you should schedule the phone interview as early as possible also?
2. I've heard, but it might not totally be true, that sometimes they put you in a role similar to jobs you've already had. Is this true, and if so, I work at my uncle's auto repair, cleaning, answering phones and fixing cars. Would this increase my chances of getting into attractions?
3. Does/has anybody gone to some concerts while on the CP? Like the band type of concerts. I know the House of Blues is one place to go, but what are some of the other venues in/near Orlando?

Thanks.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The first one is up to you. I wouldn't wait til the very last day, but it's not necessary to jump the gun either.

As for the second one. I don't think that it will help you much with attractions. Working around cars is not the same as having attractions experience. The skills you describe would help you at pretty much any role. They really do try to givce you your first choice of role, and attractions always takes a lot of people. So I wouldn't be overly worried.

 

[BethAnne Sthrn Belle]

I would apply pretty early if I were you.

For example the Fall 2009 applications came out sometime in January. I filled out mine the first week in February and called a few days later for an interview , which they scheduled for a couple days later. My acceptence letter was dated 2 1/2 weeks after my interview and my bro was denied a week or so after his.

So the sooner you apply the sooner you will know.

I wanted merch and have really no Merch expereince but I got it. I would just explain to them your passion and dream for attractions.

 

[hyperflame]

The spring program is early/mid January to May. Spring Advantage is January to August.

In the Character Performer auditions, you get scored in both animation (your ability to communicate without speaking) and dance. I know you can do parades if your dancing score is high enough, but your options are limited depending on how well you do in the audition. Also, even if youre the greatest dancer in the world, you still have to do well in the animation portion of the audition to get an opportunity as a character performer. AND every person in the character performer role will perform as a Disney character, possibly in addition to dancing, being a face character, etc. So you couldn't just dance, at least in the college program. Full Time may be another story.

Most shows are reserved for dancers in the entertainment Equity union, but I know there are a couple (HSM might be one of them?) where its a mix of Equity performers and regular status performers.

Maybe someone can help with the specific shows that aren't reserved for equity?

Quick question about Character Performer auditions: Are they broken down depending on the roles you're trying out for? I'm pretty... awkward, to say the least, and there's no way I could perform the dance routines that Disney shows in their example movie at the College Program site.

But I would like to audition for the fully costumed characters (such as Mickey, Winnie the Pooh, etc). Do they require a lot of dancing and maneuvers, or is it basically just walk around and greet/sign autographs, etc?

 

[MKandy]

Hey everybody, got a couple question to ask.

1. I know it's best to apply early for a better chance of getting in, but does that mean you should schedule the phone interview as early as possible also?
2. I've heard, but it might not totally be true, that sometimes they put you in a role similar to jobs you've already had. Is this true, and if so, I work at my uncle's auto repair, cleaning, answering phones and fixing cars. Would this increase my chances of getting into attractions?
3. Does/has anybody gone to some concerts while on the CP? Like the band type of concerts. I know the House of Blues is one place to go, but what are some of the other venues in/near Orlando?

Thanks.

1. I personally scheduled my phone interview as soon as I could. I would suggest doing that and getting it over with.
2. I believe they place you in a role that they feel suits you, based on your application and interview. Whether or not this has to do with previous work experience, I don't know. However, in my case it did seem that my previous work experience influenced what role (specifically what attraction) I got.
3. House of Blues is my favorite venue for concerts, but there are some others in downtown Orlando.

Hope this helps and have a magical day.

 

[graygables]

Hey guys, I was wondering if you any of you alumni remember what day the next weeks schedule is usually posted?

I'm currently Seasonal and I'm waiting until the next schedule is posted before I book my hotel, but I can't for the life of me remember what day it comes out. I'm thinking it was Tuesday, maybe Thursday?

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Schedules post on Sunday, paystubs on Monday, and paychecks come on Thursdays. I loved those days.

 

[GreatWideSomewhere]

Schedules post on Sunday, paystubs on Monday, and paychecks come on Thursdays. I loved those days.

Ahh, thank you! I did remember about Thurdsays...who could forget (E)very (P)aycheck (C)omes (O)n (T)hursday? And I didn't even work at that park. hahaha

Okay, so now the countdown is Sunday. This is my first time back since my CP ended in May and I cannot believe how incredibly excited I am, nor can I believe just how incredibly broke I am going to be once I get home.

 

[Berlioz70]

But I would like to audition for the fully costumed characters (such as Mickey, Winnie the Pooh, etc). Do they require a lot of dancing and maneuvers, or is it basically just walk around and greet/sign autographs, etc?

College Program students are auditioning for said characters, so the video you saw is what you need to do for all characters. Disney requires that everyone in the Entertainment department has basic dance skills. You do not have to be stellar by any means, but you do need to be able to move and pass the dance audition.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Quick question about Character Performer auditions: Are they broken down depending on the roles you're trying out for? I'm pretty... awkward, to say the least, and there's no way I could perform the dance routines that Disney shows in their example movie at the College Program site.

But I would like to audition for the fully costumed characters (such as Mickey, Winnie the Pooh, etc). Do they require a lot of dancing and maneuvers, or is it basically just walk around and greet/sign autographs, etc?

Adding to what Berlioz said, you have to be able to pass the dance portion to pass the entire audition. Similar to what I said before, you could be the best at the animation part, but you still have to pass the dance part to have a chance to be a character performer. The dance portion is set up to where each 8 counts gets progressively more difficult and that's how they know what color code to place you in. It starts out simple with things like marching and pivet turning to the beat, then the steps get harder and they fit more into the 8 counts and it continues like that. The steps themselves weren't very difficult, at least in the beginning, what was difficult was remembering when to do what and trying to keep up with the beat while being super nervous and overwhelmed. haha. The choreographer DOES perform the dance routine with you each time you practice and again for your actual audition in front of the judge, so you have that to lean on. I was number 76 out of 87 so while majority of the people were doing their actual audition, I got a lot more time to practice, so you may not want to be the first person there (But don't be late!). If being a character performer is really important to you, I say go for it. Remain calm, have fun, and do the best you can.

Also, here's a thread all about character performer auditions. Its quite long but it may help answer some questions for you.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1949108

 

[CMHopeful!]

I'm having a difficult time deciding what I want to major in, so I'm thinking I may just spend my first two years of college at my county college...instead of wasting money, & then transferring for my junior year. Has anyone here waited until their junior year of college, or know anyone who has waited that long to do the Disney College Program?

This is really upsetting me. I've been dreaming soooo long about my freshmen year, heading to work at Disney World, but I just don't know if it's worth all the money it'd take to transfer from University to University...you know? The only thing I know for certain is that I want to work for Disney, but not the area in which I'd be working in! I NEED HELP, PLEASE!

 

[disneychickforever]

people do the college programs at different ages and college years. I think Berlioz waited until she got her Master's until doing the CP (correct me if I'm wrong). Also some people wait until their last semester in college to apply. It's never too late.

 

[disneychickforever]

whoops double post!