College Program Questions Thread, Pt 4

[1pixiemom]

How far in advance can a cp book discounted reservations for ones self and family. How far in advance do they usually put up the discount info

 

[Sparrow03]

What are the core requirements for applying to the Disney College Program?

 

[Joanna71985]

What are the core requirements for applying to the Disney College Program?

Complete 1 semester, and be in good standing with your school

 

[DucksInThePool]

Hi, I'm planning on applying for the DCP Spring 2016 and had a couple questions:

1. What’s the difference in applying for the spring and spring advantage program? Is applying for one harder to get in than the other? Would it be easier to apply for the regular spring and then extend it later on or the other way around? I’m applying for 2016 and I get credit for the DCP through my college, and could possibly get internship credit if I extend through the summer, so I was just wondering which would be better to apply for?
   
   
2. To what extent do they consider you major? I’m a Hospitality and Tourism Management major. Is it more favorable, or do they pay little attention to majors even if they’re related?
   

 

[randinicole]

Hi, I'm planning on applying for the DCP Spring 2016 and had a couple questions:

1. What’s the difference in applying for the spring and spring advantage program? Is applying for one harder to get in than the other? Would it be easier to apply for the regular spring and then extend it later on or the other way around? I’m applying for 2016 and I get credit for the DCP through my college, and could possibly get internship credit if I extend through the summer, so I was just wondering which would be better to apply for?
   
   
2. To what extent do they consider you major? I’m a Hospitality and Tourism Management major. Is it more favorable, or do they pay little attention to majors even if they’re related?

hi chelsea! i just finished my first CP and will be beginning a PI in just a few weeks so hopefully i can help you answer your questions.

1. in terms of spring vs. spring advantage, the only difference is the duration of your program. i just completed spring 2015 and was there from january to may whereas my spring advantage friends started around the same time as me but will be there until august. i can't exactly say if applying for one is harder than the other but on your application you're allowed to put a first, second, and i believe third choice so you can choose either spring or spring advantage as your first choice and then the other as your second option - if you're a qualified candidate, i can't imagine your preferred program would make or break your acceptance. i chose to apply for only the spring program because it's rather easy to extend! as long as you're in a good employee standing and have few to no reprimands on your record, you'll most likely be able to extend your program. i personally chose to only do spring rather than advantage because i knew that i could extend if i wanted to but also had the freedom to choose if i wanted to continue working for the company or pursue other options.
2. i'm sure your recruiter will notice your major and will ask about it during your phone interview but i can say that it isn't an end-all-be-all. i graduated with a degree in elementary education which doesn't necessarily fit into the 'tourism' niche at disney but i was accepted all the same. i met people of all majors on my CP so it's safe to say that disney pays a lot of attention to your interview abilities, personality, etc. rather than just major and school courses.

hope these helped!

 

[DucksInThePool]

hi chelsea! i just finished my first CP and will be beginning a PI in just a few weeks so hopefully i can help you answer your questions.

1. in terms of spring vs. spring advantage, the only difference is the duration of your program. i just completed spring 2015 and was there from january to may whereas my spring advantage friends started around the same time as me but will be there until august. i can't exactly say if applying for one is harder than the other but on your application you're allowed to put a first, second, and i believe third choice so you can choose either spring or spring advantage as your first choice and then the other as your second option - if you're a qualified candidate, i can't imagine your preferred program would make or break your acceptance. i chose to apply for only the spring program because it's rather easy to extend! as long as you're in a good employee standing and have few to no reprimands on your record, you'll most likely be able to extend your program. i personally chose to only do spring rather than advantage because i knew that i could extend if i wanted to but also had the freedom to choose if i wanted to continue working for the company or pursue other options.
2. i'm sure your recruiter will notice your major and will ask about it during your phone interview but i can say that it isn't an end-all-be-all. i graduated with a degree in elementary education which doesn't necessarily fit into the 'tourism' niche at disney but i was accepted all the same. i met people of all majors on my CP so it's safe to say that disney pays a lot of attention to your interview abilities, personality, etc. rather than just major and school courses.

hope these helped!

Thanks, this definitely helped! And congrats on your PI!

 

[randinicole]

Thanks, this definitely helped! And congrats on your PI!

glad i could help! let me know if there is anything else i can help you with! what roles are you considering?
and thank you! i start in like 10 days so i'm starting to freak out a bit.

 

[LunchBox]

What happens if you cannot last the full six months? Does Disney fine you?

 

[randinicole]

What happens if you cannot last the full six months? Does Disney fine you?

Fine? No, they won't charge you but if you either choose to 'self-term' (a.k.a quit) or get 'terminated' (a.k.a. fired), housing does reserve the right to charge you a full week's worth of rent even though you may not work a full work. Getting terminated (in either sense) does prevent you from applying for another job with the company for I think 6 months and stays on your record - so if working for Disney is something you want to do in the future, I would try to avoid leaving your program early.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Today is the day my DD has been waiting for- she's leaving for WDW to start the program on Monday. I hope it is everything she has dreamt it would be. It's going to be a long 6.5 months. And not have her home for the holidays is going to be tough. Lookimg forward to the stories.

 

[jesusluvsu2005]

Has anyone did the college program married with kids? Is there any housing available for those types? I am currently in college as is my husband, but we live in TN. Also, are there any areas that wouldn't have you on your feet for so long? I have back issues that would make it hard for me to stand for that long without frequent sitting breaks.

 

[randinicole]

Has anyone did the college program married with kids? Is there any housing available for those types? I am currently in college as is my husband, but we live in TN. Also, are there any areas that wouldn't have you on your feet for so long? I have back issues that would make it hard for me to stand for that long without frequent sitting breaks.

I have read that housing is available for married couples but I haven't heard of Disney providing College Program housing for families. The four CP housing complexes are reserved for working Cast Members only so I unfortunately can't imagine that married couples and their children would be able to live in the complexes. There are quite a few apartment complexes right around the four CP complexes that would accommodate a family while also remaining close to all the goings-on. For a specific answer, I would recommend either emailing or calling Housing at wdw.housing.dorms@disney.com or 1-800-722-2930.

As far as specific roles related to physical needs - the best advice I can give would be to talk your recruiter while you're on your phone interview and explain your concerns. If you're a qualified candidate, I'm sure Disney would happily work to find you a role that you can excel in! Roles that I can think of off of the top of my head that don't require a lot of standing are transportation, vacation planner, and floral. You can read more about the different roles that CPs fulfill and their expected requirements here: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/program-components/earning/role-descriptions/.

Best of luck!

 

[::Snow_White::]

How far in advance can a cp book discounted reservations for ones self and family. How far in advance do they usually put up the discount info

Once a CP gets their ID and goes through traditions they can start booking discounted reservations. You have to have a perner number with the company. I can't remember how early, but I started in August and by September I had booked a hotel for my family for December. But they only hold so many discounted rooms for CM discounts so make sure and book as early as possible.

What happens if you cannot last the full six months? Does Disney fine you?

You'll probably be fined for your week of rent, otherwise no. I know of two varying situations with this:
1. My friend has CF and in October of 2013 she got extremely sick and had to go to the hospital back in-state. She talked with her managers and everyone and then self-termed. She was never a restricted rehire and never had to wait 6 months to reapply because she left in good standing. She just applied for another CP for this fall and was accepted rather quickly.

2. Someone else I knew termed one week before the end of her program because of a death of her family, but from what I know she didn't tell any of her managers or anyone, she just left. She's been a restricted rehire and has applied to the company 4-5 times and has been denied (because of her restricted status) every single time.

So if you have to self-term, it would be best to go in and talk to your managers and see what you can do to leave in good standing. Depending on your managers they can pull strings for you, but they might not be able to. Especially if you anticipate you could have to term due to medical conditions. Definitely don't just try and get yourself fired, there's not really a point to that, you'll just screw yourself over for the future.

 

[chelikay]

How far in advance can a cp book discounted reservations for ones self and family. How far in advance do they usually put up the discount info

1. I believe you can book up to a year in advance? I'm not definite on that though! However be aware there is only a limited number of discounted rooms so it can be very hard to get one. When my boyfriend came to visit they only had one moderate resort available and the rest were deluxe. However, when my family came down there was nothing available. But they visited during Thanksgiving. Try and book as far ahead as possible and try to stay clear of busy times!

2. I'm really not sure what you mean by this question. Sorry! But if you're there during the fall you get your Holiday Discounts in October.

 

[Joanna71985]

Has anyone did the college program married with kids? Is there any housing available for those types? I am currently in college as is my husband, but we live in TN. Also, are there any areas that wouldn't have you on your feet for so long? I have back issues that would make it hard for me to stand for that long without frequent sitting breaks.

Unfortunately there is no CP housing for families

 

[Amy in Mouse Ears]

Hey!
As I'm a entering college freshman, I have a lot of interest in the college program. Do you take a semester off of school? Or can you stay up to date with classes? Also can you request the type of job you would like?
Thank you so much!

 

[Dizzyworld]

Hey!
As I'm a entering college freshman, I have a lot of interest in the college program. Do you take a semester off of school? Or can you stay up to date with classes? Also can you request the type of job you would like?
Thank you so much!

You take a semester off from your college. Although some people, due to loans and scholarships, take online classes through their college. DCP does offer some credit classes but they don't always transfer to your college. You might be able to apply the DCP as an internship. Best to talk to your college to see what they do.
You can request the job you are interested in working when you fill out the application. There will be several areas of interest with your ranking of interest in that job category.

 

[rosie1423]

I have a couple of questions. Would it be possible to take online classes while in the program? Also, do you need a car since I dont drive yet? I plan on going to Anaheim Disneyland DCP.

 

[goldmay]

I have a couple of questions. Would it be possible to take online classes while in the program? Also, do you need a car since I dont drive yet? I plan on going to Anaheim Disneyland DCP.

You can take online classes. I haven't been in the program but I know some areas get a lot of hours and might not have time to take on a class as well.

A car isn't necessary, but it does make it easier to get around. Not just for work but in day to day errands. Not sure if you have someone to drive you or not, but public transportation can be unreliable. You can always try to find a carpool with other cast members though.

 

[LunchBox]

Anyone have a rough idea how much a pay check will be after taxes and rent are taken out?