Cultural Representative Programme

[xPrincessSmilesx]

Hey everyone!

I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about the international programme.

I'm a uni student in the UK, I'm in my first year of a Midwifery degree (just finished my first exam this morning )

As much as I love my degree to bits, I'm starting to wish I'd taken a gap year, so I'm making tentitive plans for a year out after graduation, which while admittly is a good 2 1/2 years away it's keeping me sane right now!

I'd heard about this programme at Disney before and it's something I would LOVE. I'm a bit concerned about heading out of my degree into something unrelated for a while, but at the same time this is the only chance I'll ever have to do something like this so why not, and I have a couple of other things lined up after for which I'll require my degree

So basically just wondered a bit more about it, would I be eligible, peoples won experiences, is it a good idea etc (bear in mind I can't start til August 2012) Thanks

P.s Sorry for the essay!

 

[glendalais]

The Cultural Representative programme allows Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. to deliver an authentic experience to our Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida by staffing select areas with appropriate Cast Members.

As a British Citizen, if you were to participate, you would be working in the United Kingdom pavillion at Epcot in one of four positions:

Food & Beverage: You would work in the Rose and Crown Pub and Restaurant, as well as the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. In this position, you may be utilized as a Tipped Server and receive gratuities.

Merchandise: You would work in the Gift Shops and Carts throughout the Pavilion.

Kidcot (Attractions): You would staff the Kidcot station, interacting with young Guests and sharing your culture and language.

Heraldy Merchandise Shop: This shop is operated by one of our Operating Participants. The job duties are the same as for the Merchandise position, but you would be an Employee of Heraldy Research Center, Inc., as opposed to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc.. You would still receive Housing and Transportation.

Most Cultural Representative contracts are for a duration of one year and include housing and transportation.

As a British Cultural Representative, with the exception of the Heraldy Shop as mentioned above, you would be considered a Full Time Cast Member of the Walt Disney World Resort. As such, you would receive all the benefits extended to other Full Time Cast Members, including a guranteed 32 hours per week as well as a generous Health Insurance benefit package.

 

[xPrincessSmilesx]

^ Thanks for that definitley sounds interesting.

Do you get any say over where you get put or are you automatically asigned. To be fair I wouldn't mind what I did as long as I was working Disney

 

[MissRiss89]

I was just a regular CP last year, but I pretty much worked every single day in the UK with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Alice, and Mary Poppins and got to know a lot of the ICP's who worked in merchandise and Kidcot. They all really loved it, and I was so jealous of them getting to spend a whole year there! I don't think you really get much of a say in where you're placed. I know in the regular CP we can make requests, but they are not guaranteed to be honored, and more often than not, my friends who made requests ended up wherever they were needed. I'm not sure if it would be the same for Cultural Representative. If you have any specific questions, I may be able to ask some of my friends if I don't know the answer

 

[xPrincessSmilesx]

I was just a regular CP last year, but I pretty much worked every single day in the UK with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Alice, and Mary Poppins and got to know a lot of the ICP's who worked in merchandise and Kidcot. They all really loved it, and I was so jealous of them getting to spend a whole year there! I don't think you really get much of a say in where you're placed. I know in the regular CP we can make requests, but they are not guaranteed to be honored, and more often than not, my friends who made requests ended up wherever they were needed. I'm not sure if it would be the same for Cultural Representative. If you have any specific questions, I may be able to ask some of my friends if I don't know the answer

Thanks for that everyones always super helpful on these boards

I don't suppose you know when the best time to start applying is, and also are they picky about who they're looking for - is they're like an 'ideal' age range and canditate, I will only just be turning 21 come Summber of 2012, so not old by any means but will they be funny about me just having done a degree in a pretty specialist field which while I'm sure I'll be able to bring many transferable communications skills etc with me, by and large is not really going to be of huge use at disney - hope that makes sense

 

[hogwartsdropout]

If you need to know anything else, just PM me. I just finished the Cultural Rep program last year, and it was the best year of my life Happy to answer anything.

 

[phil_green18]

Hello ther hope you don't mind me messaging you. My name is Phil Green from middlesbrough England and i have an interview a week friday in london for the program. I saw on the boards that you have completed you program and was wondering if you could answer some questions for me? Would be much appreciated, Thank you for your time!

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

Hi there,
I'm thinking of applying in June for start in early 2011. I've got a strong retail background but not a great deal in the way of education (though I do have AS levels in communication and a btec national diploma in media). Do you think I would be a good candidate?
I absolutely love Disney and Epcot is possibly my favourite Disney park, so to work there in the UK pavillion would be ideal for me

 

[Katieinwonderland]

If you need to know anything else, just PM me. I just finished the Cultural Rep program last year, and it was the best year of my life Happy to answer anything.

I was on the Cultural Rep program from 2007-2008 (Hogwartsdropout, wondering if I know you?!) so I can answer questions if you like! I LOVED it - I actually ended up staying in Florida (I have a green card) and I still work at Disney!

 

[glendalais]

Thanks for that everyones always super helpful on these boards

I don't suppose you know when the best time to start applying is, and also are they picky about who they're looking for - is they're like an 'ideal' age range and canditate, I will only just be turning 21 come Summber of 2012, so not old by any means but will they be funny about me just having done a degree in a pretty specialist field which while I'm sure I'll be able to bring many transferable communications skills etc with me, by and large is not really going to be of huge use at disney - hope that makes sense

There is no maximum age limitation (you must be at least 18 years old, though), you can apply at whatever stage of life feels right for you.

However, the United States Visa and Work Authorizations which Cultural Representative Cast Members work under (Q-1/Nonimmigrant Exchange Program) does not allow visa holders to bring their families with them. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts US, Inc. does not provide family housing for Cultural Representatives. As such, if you are married and/or have children, they would either need to remain in the United Kingdom and/or enter the United States under another visa category.

 

[Cazz]

Hi,
I live in scotland and was thinking about doing the cultural representative programme..
im just a bit confused as to who you actually work for? (i read on the website that what you get paid etc depends on the company you work for) so is it not actually disney?
and do you get free admission into the park? or do you have to pay?
not sure whether to apply or not :\
thanks

 

[Soarin08]

Clarification- Kidcot and merchandise are in the same position. I'm not a CRP but my best friend on my last college program was, he was from London and did merchandise in the UK pavilion and also would work Kidcot quite a bit (often he spent half a shift on Kidcot and the other half on registers so I'd sit with him at the Kidcot table for quite a while and talk when it was slow).

You get free admission to the parks just like all the other Disney employees as well.

 

[Cazz]

Thank you

 

[crazy_cremello]

I was on the Cultural Rep program from 2007-2008 (Hogwartsdropout, wondering if I know you?!) so I can answer questions if you like! I LOVED it - I actually ended up staying in Florida (I have a green card) and I still work at Disney!

How did you manage to get a green card!? Did you get married??
That is literally my dream, have a green card/become an american citizen. I am so jealous right now! Hoping to do the Cultural Rep programme in 2015 but applying Spring 2014