College Program Trip

[Joanna71985]

Ok, so this isn't "technically" a trip. But it is going to Disney, so I think that should count. I am going to Disney on the College Program through my school-Montclair State University in NJ. This is so I can put down the experiences of doing the CP. For those who don't know, the CP is a paying internship between Disney and colleges. So anyway. I am leaving at 3 am tomorrow. I am driving down with my dad, and will take about 18 hours. I check in on Wednesday, and my role is being a character attendant! I am so excited about that part. So if anyone is going to be in Disney at the end of May until January 5, I will be working in Disney. So stop by and say hi!

 

[lizardqueen]

YAY! I am excited for you. Do you know what park you'll be working in or will it change? I will be there with my DH, DD, DS and in-laws August 31 through Sept 5. We are from Jersey too. I'll be looking for you.

 

[OhMari]

Where do you go to school?

Glad you decided to do a trip report.

 

[Joanna71985]

YAY! I am excited for you. Do you know what park you'll be working in or will it change? I will be there with my DH, DD, DS and in-laws August 31 through Sept 5. We are from Jersey too. I'll be looking for you.

I won't know what parks I am in until I get down there, and it will change. So I will be posting what parks I will be working in. And that's cool you are from NJ too.

Where do you go to school?

I go to Montclair State in NJ. I am a recreation major and want to work for Disney full-time when I graduate.

 

[Joanna71985]

Today me and my dad arrived in Disney. We decided not to stay in a Disney resort, but in a Holiday Inn on 535 because it is closer to the area where I am checking in tomorrow. Anyway, we arrived at the hotel at 11:30 am and checked in. We then decided to go to Epcot. So we got there at about 1 pm and the first thing we went to was Soarin. The wait was 90 minutes, but there were still fast passes, so we got them for 4:51-5:51. While we waited for them, we rode Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, and then had lunch at the Electric Umbrella. After lunch we rode Imagination, rode the Land boat ride, and then saw the Circle of Life show. After that it was finally time to ride Soarin. So after that we walked around the World Showcase. I was able to get pictures of most of the topiaries (is that spelled right?). They are the hedge statues. So after we walked through all the countries we decided to go. But we checked Test Track and decided to go on before we left. So for all the rides, the longest wait was about 15-20 minutes for Test Track- all the others were walk ons. All in all it was a nice day. And hopefully tomorrow is too.

 

[Joanna71985]

Well, I am officially checked in to the CP. It wasn't as bad as last time. I got to Vista at 8:15 am- I was done in 40 minutes. I got the apartment complex and size that I wanted. I am in a 2 BR in Chatham (building #14). My roomies are really nice. Something funny happened- 3 of us are character attendants and the 4th is in operations. The ironic thing is that on my last CP 3 of us were in merchandise and the 4th was custodial. So here's hoping the CP goes well. I go for work locations tomorrow.

 

[DisneyGirl83]

I just had to drop by and say good luck with the CP. I go to Montclair State too...have a great internship!!!

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks a lot! I got my schedule and I start training on Sunday. I am really nervous and hope it goes well.

 

[Minniespal]

Very excited for you.

 

[disney4ever26]

WOW! I am from NJ to and I want to do the college program...when i get there. I am going to Disney in July. PM me when you have your park schedule and i'll stop and say hi. It sounds like a lot of fun, i hope your enjoying it!

 

[Joanna71985]

Well, today I had off so I went to MK. It was pretty hot out again. I didn't do much in the way of rides, just did shows (Cinderellabration, Hoedown) and the 2 parades (SADCT and both Spectros). I did ride JC, and Splash Mt 2 times while waiting for Spectro #2. I feel that today was a day for idiots. During Spectro #1, a lady tries to dash across the street. The PAC person says "you can't cross here". The lady just says "I have to get across" and just runs. Grrrr. Also, while in line for Splash, we are having a wait. The person doing Fast Pass says that someone had gotten out of the boat, so CMs had to work that out. Sheesh! But overall, it was a fun day. Now I have to go- gotta get up early for training day #2.

 

[Joanna71985]

(This is from yesterday, but I couldn't get on til then). Yesterday I decided to go to MGM Studios for a bit. I was on a mission for Star Wars character autographs/photos. Well, I got some. I was able to see Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Anakin, Jedi Mickey, Mace Windu, and Shant ti (please excuse the spelling if its wrong til I can look it up). Anyway, they were great. i had so much fun meeting them. And I saw the parade at 5:30. I now know where I will sit if I go to see it again. I had great character interaction, and was able to get great pics. And besides the Star Wars characters, I also was able to meet: Timon and Rafiki, Lilo and Stitch, Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore, Daisy, Chicken Little, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, Kim Possible and Ron Stopable, and Chip, Dale, and.....CLARICE!! She is soooo cute. I was so happy to get to finally see her. The three of them were meeting together and the picture was great. I got lots of great interaction from my book that I made. Timon drew a heart and got down and "proposed". Pooh kissed his page. And I had a balancing contest with Ron and Kim (Ron who, btw, LOVED his page and was showing it to Kim and the attendant). Well, I have to go- have to go to work at the AK. I will hopefully have pictures up soon.

 

[OhMari]

How long does the college program last. My dd is graduating in December from College and I told her to look into the program.

 

[Joanna71985]

How long does the college program last. My dd is graduating in December from College and I told her to look into the program.

There is actually 3 different program lengths. There is the regular CP, which is about 5 months (Jan-May, or Aug-early Jan). There is the advantage CP, which is about 8 months (Jan-Aug, or May/June-early Jan). And then there is the summer CP, which is 3 months (May-Aug). It used to be that the summer CP was just for returning alumni. But this summer a 1st-time CP summer program started. The roles are only custodial and quick-foods. So those are the CP lengths.

 

[OhMari]

There is actually 3 different program lengths. There is the regular CP, which is about 5 months (Jan-May, or Aug-early Jan). There is the advantage CP, which is about 8 months (Jan-Aug, or May/June-early Jan). And then there is the summer CP, which is 3 months (May-Aug). It used to be that the summer CP was just for returning alumni. But this summer a 1st-time CP summer program started. The roles are only custodial and quick-foods. So those are the CP lengths.

Thanks, my dd told me WDW does heavy recruiting for Security at her school, maybe she will do that before she goes to the police academy.

 

[Joanna71985]

I just wanted to add some pictures from my CP so far.
Here is Leia and Luke.

Here is Anakin.

This is me with Chip, Dale, and Clarice.

And this is me with Brer Fox.

I do have more pictures that I will add in later. I just have to get them resized.

 

[Joanna71985]

Well, it is official. I finally rode EE!! It was absolutely AMAZING!! I rode it 5 times in 2 days (one day 3 times in a row). I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone. Also, yesterday I went to MGM. I decided to go poking in the Animation building. And I saw some special characters- Mr. Penguin and Rabbit!! They are both so cute! I have the pictures and will hopefully get them up soon. So far the character interaction has been great. I'm hoping it will stay that way.

 

[Joanna71985]

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I would stop by. I have been down here for just about 5 weeks. So far I am loving the CP. It is a lot of fun. I am loving my job. I get to work with a lot of great people. Today I was in the Judge's Tent. That turned out to be nice as it absolutely POURED for a couple of hours. So far I have mostly been at MK. I have been at MGM 1 time, Epcot 2 times (with 1 more this week), AK about 6 times, and MK every other day. I have been there all last week, this week, and the 2 upcoming weeks. So that is good. Also, my birthday is in 18 days, and I am really looking forward to that. I am having lunch at CRT with 5 other people and can't wait. Well, hopefully I will have more to post later.

 

[Mariaºoº]

I just wanted to say I hope you have as much of a magical experience as my brother had! He absolutely loved it and ended up moving down there! hehe He use to work at Animation Studio's Tour. He now works for Hard Rock Cafe. He remodels all the Hard Rock Cafe's around the world. He even has a trading "Pin" of himself.

 

[scanne]

Hi!

My cousin Dan will be heading down at the end of August for the CP. He is working merchandise, but won't know his location until he gets there.

We're heading to WDW in 2 weeks and again in the Fall for MNSSHP (and of course to see my cousin in action as a CM!!!)

Lots of luck to you!!! Maybe we'll see you in a couple of weeks. My kids LOVE the characters!!!