College Program Trip

[Joanna71985]

Mariaºoº- I hope to move down here and go full-time once I finish school. I am loving it so far and see myself doing this as a career.

scanne- I hope to see you guys when you arrive. I love the characters too ( ). And tell your cousin good luck. I did merchandise my first CP and enjoyed it a lot. So I hope he likes it too.

 

[pumba]

thanks so much for telling us.......hope you come and tell us your day by day excursions when yu are OFF DUTY......we would love to hear about your running around disney and if you like the rides enough to do them when you go around....have fun with the characters......we had a nice lady that was in JO JOs area.....and she made me go and have my photo taken with them and Joliath.......I had a good time and sent the photo to my 2 year old grandson who loves jo jo......thanks again

 

[Joanna71985]

thanks so much for telling us.......hope you come and tell us your day by day excursions when yu are OFF DUTY......we would love to hear about your running around disney and if you like the rides enough to do them when you go around....have fun with the characters......we had a nice lady that was in JO JOs area.....and she made me go and have my photo taken with them and Joliath.......I had a good time and sent the photo to my 2 year old grandson who loves jo jo......thanks again

Don't worry. I always post when I am off of work. And I always have fun with the characters- they are just a blast to be around (either working with, or visiting).

 

[jodistar]

Love all of the pictures --- Can't wait to read more, as you get time to post of course

 

[Joanna71985]

It's me! I rode the new Pirates ride today, and all I can say is that it's great. I love the new changes. I went to the MK early today because there was a preview to ride it. So I went on around 8:50 and rode it. I got off in time for the park-opening mob to come by. And did it ever! In about 10 minutes the wait for Pirates was 1 1/2 hours long! The line stretched almost to the treehouse in Adventureland. After that I had to go to work at Epcot. Work wasn't too bad. I was at the International Gateway with the Chipmunks. It rained for most of the afternoon however. And before I left I got a CM opening-day pin for POTC. It has a picture of Jack Sparrow with a pirate dangle. It's pretty cool. I will try to get a picture of it up.

 

[Joanna71985]

Well, I just needed to post again. I have been so busy lately that I couldn't get on to post about my birthday. I turned 21 on Wednesday! It was great. I had lunch in CRT with 3 friends. I had the pasta for lunch (I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone). The princesses there were: Cinderella in the Lobby (didn't get her unfortunately), Snow White, Belle, Aurora, and Fairy Godmother. It was so much fun. I got pictures that I will post as soon as I download them. Anyhoo, it was a great day. Many people (including a lot during the parades) said "happy birthday". My friend who was doing Fantasyland PAC made a huge group of people sing happy birthday (that was rather embarrassing ). So all in all it was a good birthday.

 

[OhMari]

Happy belated birthday, how was the food otherwise.
For your job, do you help the characters, or are you a character?

 

[sammielynn]

I just love the CP! I have several students coming in August from Roane State in Tennessee. If you happen to meet them tell them Sammie said "Hi".
Have a great time

 

[Joanna71985]

Happy belated birthday, how was the food otherwise.
For your job, do you help the characters, or are you a character?

Oh the food was amazing. They do such a great job at CRT. And I help out the characters. It is a wonderful job for me.

 

[lady&tramp]

Happy Birthday!
What a great place to spend your birthday!!
Thanks for posting, its really interesting reading from someone working there! How long are you there for? Will look out for you in September if your still there!

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

super duper! what an experience, for sure! our oldest a
junior majoring in computer programing...& he interesting @ disney's
opportunties? soooooo i've interest in rerading your adventrues.

any kid spit/slobbery on you yet, any unruling line cutters, and
what's been your most inspirational interaction?

* yes, we are going to world after doing the wonder 11days. we
will be doing aniaml k., epcot, & mnsshp-sept. and since you show
yor pics...we know to say hi! [you look so "professional,disneyfied
= campers > "us"

some of our most "treasured" moments came from our
encounters with the handlers! what an important job you have!
p.s.. great pics!

 

[Joanna71985]

Happy Birthday!
What a great place to spend your birthday!!
Thanks for posting, its really interesting reading from someone working there! How long are you there for? Will look out for you in September if your still there!

Thank you for your kind words. I am here til January 5. I hope to see you in September.

 

[MomPlanner22]

Joanna,

It looks like you are having a great time!

We will be at WDW in December and it will be our first trip taking our children who will be 4.5 and 2.5. Since you are working with the characters, I am sure you see lots of children interaction. Do you have any advice on how to introduce the characters to your children so they are receptive and not skittish? I think my 4.5 DS will be fine but am worried about DD, 2.5.

I'd appreciate your insight!

 

[Joanna71985]

Joanna,

It looks like you are having a great time!

We will be at WDW in December and it will be our first trip taking our children who will be 4.5 and 2.5. Since you are working with the characters, I am sure you see lots of children interaction. Do you have any advice on how to introduce the characters to your children so they are receptive and not skittish? I think my 4.5 DS will be fine but am worried about DD, 2.5.

I'd appreciate your insight!

I have seen a lot of interaction with children. The funny (or maybe not so funny) thing is that some little children (toddler aged) will go up to the characters while some older children will be afraid. If you wait to introduce the characters until you arrive, start the child off slowly. Let them size up the character at their own pace. Perhaps even start by visiting the Princesses or characters like that, who can talk and may not be so imtimidating. Or maybe there are places back home with characters, like a Chuck E Cheese (indoor play area). You could try that out and see how it goes. I wish you the best of luck and hope they like the characters.

 

[Deebo]

Hi Joanna.
I just discovered this thread, and have enjoyed reading your posts. What an awesome opportunity you have to participate in the CP. It sounds like a lot of work, but also very rewarding!

We will keep an eye out for you when we're there in 3 weeks. We love the characters, so maybe our paths will cross! Enjoy the rest of your stay.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We'll be there in 11 days! I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you so we can say Hello!

If we miss you this time around maybe we'll see you in December!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Hi Joanna
I am enjoying reading about your experiences. My DS and my newphew are interested in the CP- but won't be in college for another 4-5 years.
Is is all on the job experience that you get? There are no classes, right? Do you get college credits? Do the work you hard?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to know what the CP is all about.

I'll be in WDW in August, I'll keep an eye out for you and say Hi if I see you.

 

[Joanna71985]

Hi Joanna
I am enjoying reading about your experiences. My DS and my newphew are interested in the CP- but won't be in college for another 4-5 years.
Is is all on the job experience that you get? There are no classes, right? Do you get college credits? Do the work you hard?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to know what the CP is all about.

I'll be in WDW in August, I'll keep an eye out for you and say Hi if I see you.

Hi there. I think it's great that they are thinking about the CP already- I didn't find out about the CP until I started college. There actually are classes you can take down in Disney. However, getting credits for them depends on the school. For example: last CP I got 3 credits for the class I took (Hospitality Management). This CP I am not getting credits for the class (Experiential Learning). I took it because it looked interesting (and it is). I am getting credits for the internship however. I am getting 8 credits for the CP. As for work, the amount of hours depends on the role and the location. Right now I am working about 40 hours on average (though I also pick up a lot of hours). For more info on the CP, here is the official website- www.wdwcollegeprogram.com.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Sorry to cut in on your thread Joanna (isn't the CP great?! So many CPs waste so much time and take nothing away from it but complaints about being Disney slaves - there is SO much more than that though! )

Hi Joanna
I am enjoying reading about your experiences. My DS and my newphew are interested in the CP- but won't be in college for another 4-5 years.
Is is all on the job experience that you get? There are no classes, right? Do you get college credits? Do the work you hard?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to know what the CP is all about.

I'll be in WDW in August, I'll keep an eye out for you and say Hi if I see you.

One thing for your DS and nephew to keep in mind is that more and more universities are expanding their extended learning programs. Disney does offer classes, but your DS's and nephew's best chance may be to check into online or distance courses offered by whichever school he chooses, that way he can get credit right from his university and won't have to worry about the transferrability of credits, he'd be able to keep his status as a student (I was considered a "dropout" for my semester), and as long as he takes enough credits to be considered half time, most insurance companies will allow him to remain on his parents' insurance if he is on theirs when he goes (I lost my insurance as well) Depending on how many credits he gets for the program (if at all, but most schools will give credit as internship or professional field experience)

I did my CP the first semester they offered classes (it was just a couple classes they started out with) and it was the last semester they did business seminars . . . I SO wish I had thought then to find out what online classes I could have taken.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Thanks for all the info on the College Program.
My son, and my nephew have quite a while before college, but both have Disney careers in mind for their future, so the CP interests them.

Joanna, I am enjoying your TR/CP experiences, keep writing