Daughter is going to College Intern Program

[AngieBelle]

I'm an alum! I did the program in spring 2001 as a merchandise hostess in Tomorrowland. I kept a journal on the program which I shared on the community board here on the DIS. You can access my journal on my webpage- http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/bdwaybelle/ it should give you a good idea of what the program is like. While I was down there, I had the opportunity to audition for characters and wrote a pretty detailed description of how that works. Please go check out my page! I have photos too.

 

[rip109]

Great subject, since I do have a SON in the CP right now. SafteyMom he is also a Resuce Ranger in Epcot, but he applied for the job of Grand Teller in the UK and did get that job. He does do the Rescue Ranger job once a week though. The best part about the Grand Teller position is that he makes more per hour at that job, instead of the 6.00 an hour for the CP jobs. He loves being at Disney, and is now transferring to University of Central Florida next semester and hopes to keep working at Disney part time. He went down in Jan. and will be working through early August. His college also did not want to give him credit for the internship since he was only a freshman, but they did concede to give him credit for one of the courses he is taking down there. Best advice for check in day is to go early, no matter what they say about not coming until the posted time. We arrived aobut 25 minutes before actual check in line and the line was probably 75 kids long. Next advice, is they definetly need start up funds...400.00 is probably a good cushion. They will have 2 weeks rent taken out of that first check, so they will need money for those supplies and groceries and lunches and entertainment funds. I am sure she will have a great experience, and rest assured, they are very safe where they house them. My son does not have a car with him (we are from CT) but 2 of his roomates do (he is in a 4 BR in Chatham) and the buses work very well for all their needs, wether shopping or getting back and forth to work. Good luck to her.

 

[leslieh]

My DD did the program last year Aug. 02-Jan. 03. She had a really bad experience. Roommates from hell. Guys staying over all the time, etc. Then the job sucked, she got quick service food, which put her in a resort and she cleaned tables, served counter food and prepared food. Her hours varied up and down every week. They gave her hours at several resorts during the same week. She had 3 different custumes at one time. She liked the class, learned alot about disney, more then she cared too. We have been disney nuts, owners of DVC. So kinda knew alot going in. They dont make much money, just enough for expenses. Had it with her roomates, left three days later. So she left about 4 weeks before she should have. She received her college credits for the class. And has gotten letters from disney to recommend people for the program. Go figure. My niece did this 5 years ago and had a great time, even went to Paris with disney. Everyone is different I guess. Email me if you have any questions at lescas@hotmail.com i can even forward to DD for answers.

 

[SoonerKate]

Wait, I was one of Leslieh's daughter's roommates! (But I think I was the good one...our other two roommates were AWFUL)

For the most part, I enjoyed my College Program. I had one good roommate, out of three. Thank god we shared a room!

I was lucky though -- I had a good (most of the time) job, at the ESPN Club and was even able to go home for 3 1/2 days during my program. Most of my friends weren't on the college program, so I was easily able to get away from the whole CP atmosphere if I wanted to.

I didn't take any of the classes, but my friends who did really enjoyed them.

 

[safetymom]

Zoo- Animal Kingdom
ER- early release
CR- casual regular
GMR- Great Movie Ride
ADO- additional day off
ST- straight time

 

[RweTHEREyet]

O.K.

Nahtazuh------------------ no wonder I didn't get that one. I don't think of it as a zoo.

GMR, I should have had that one.

The rest, I see those now, no idea to begin with.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

rip108. So just exactly what is a Grand Teller?

I tell you some of the Disney terminology for jobs is fascinating. They make every position sound desirable from the titles. I gathered from the description of Vacation Planner in this program that what it really means is you are in the ticket booth selling park tickets?

 

[safetymom]

I like when my daughter refers to on stage and off stage. There are certain requirements for each. When she ate lunch with us one day she had to take off her costume.

 

[Snowlet24]

A grand teller is also a General Teller it depends were you are working this person is responsible for give you a bank....aka a till register anything with money. Disney is great for big and fancy words


anyone coming to wdw come and find me i am at the start of the world showcase at the 2 merchandise shop...my name tag will say Katie.....Carousel of Progress right were the big red bus goes for characters


have a magical day

wdwcp 2002-2003


katie

 

[leslieh]

True, SoonerKate was one of her roommates, but not the ones Im referring to. She was the one who shared a room, and some fun and at least had each other to talk to. Thanks Kate.

 

[AngieBelle]

I've heard extremes on both sides- people who went and absolutely loved it and then those that were downright miserable. I think it depends a lot on where you work and who you live with. I'm somewhere in the middle. I got along ok with my roommates, but we never really clicked. My immediate roommate decided she didn't want to share a room with me and moved in with 2 of the other girls. (6 girls in one apartment is too many!) I was the outsider of the group- pretty common for me. My job, Tomorrowland merchandise, went either way. I liked it more on some days than others. Being a theatre major who dreams of Broadway, I often got very frusterated being stuck selling stuff when I longed to be a character or parade performer. I almost cried whenever I watched the entertainment crew backstage preparing to go on!

I don't regret doing the program though! I did manage to find some really great friends despite being shy, and when I graduate college next month, I'm moving back down to FL! I think having done the program will be a big help in getting to work at WDW again.

 

[leslieh]

Safety Mom~ It's leslieh's DD here. The onstage offstage thing is very true, especially working in Quick Service Food. If we wanted to buy something to eat on break we couldn't order in the kitchen or anything, we had to bring a change of clothes, change, go out and order with the guests, wait in lines, and then take the food back to the breakroom. We weren't allowed to be seen with drinks or carrying purses or money. Our managers said that it keeps up the illusion that we lived at the resort and that we were welcoming the guests to our own community. In my mind it was a lot more of a hassle than it was worth. After a few attempts at using more than half of my breaktime (and most of my paycheck!) to get food I gave up and ended up staying in costume and drinking water on my breaks. If you are not working you cannot have your ID anywhere in view. This is difficult for a lot of CMs, especially CPs because that ID card becomes your lifeline, it's how you punch in, it's your security pass for both the apartments and your workplace, it's your discount card, everything, and you get used to having it on your lanyard at all times. Then one day you go to the parks (it's your park pass too) or Downtown Disney and get a stern "talking to" because you may not be representing disney properly while wearing your ID card.
The initials get a little out of control around Disney. I could say I was a CM in the CP in QSFB based at POFQ, but often deployed to PORS, DAKL, *** (sorry, it's the real initials they used!), and GF, and most CMs, especially those in the resorts, would know what I'm talking about.

Kate~ I finally found you on here! Of course you were the good one, how's your Colorado boy?

 

[rip109]

Yes the Grand Teller position is one where they are responsible for counting all the money for their particular area for the day. He is at the UK based in the Rose and Crown, so if you see a strawberry blonde teller, name of Patrick, give him a big hello, he loves meeting new people. They do get relieved from the tellers cage from time to time, so he has a chance to mingle with the guests while tending the beer stand or other areas at the R&C. He too has had both good and bad roomates, but for the most part he is very easy going and gets along with most of them. That is the flip side of staying in a large apt, usually if there is one or two you dont get along with then there are just as many as you do. These guys do well with housekeeping sharing and grocery shopping too. Like everything else you have those with great experiences and those disappointed in it. Fortunately he loves being there. Good luck to yoru DD!

 

[prince of thieves]

Ok, so it has been over two weeks and i was getting super anxious about knowing if i got accepted into the program or not so i did a bad thing. I checked online (and i know that you're not suppose to) and it let me in and told me that i got accepted into the program!!!!!!!! I don't know what my role is yet b/c they will tell me in my letter and since i don't have my letter with my role then i can't accept it just yet. But right now, i could care less to what role i got, just as long as i get to go work for disney world for a little bit. Anyways, its 2:10 AM my time and i need some sleep (don't think i will be able to though)!


I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JAM

 

[safetymom]

Congratulations!!!!!! When my daughters letter arrived she was at school. I got my camera ready, I focused it on the chair she would sit in. I even photographed the envelope before she got home.

I was hoping it was great news so I could capture the moment. When she opened the envelope the look on her face was priceless.

You will love the CP.

Congratulations again.

 

[jk1]

Congratulations! I have it tell you, my daughter did the same thing! But now you'll still be on pins and needles waiting for that letter with your assignment! Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll be happy! I hope you have as much fun on the program as my daughter is having! Congrats again!

 

[prince of thieves]

Oh, I know that i will be having fun down there. I've been going to wdwcpinfo.com for awhile now and someone posted that they open a chat room every night for cp people. So i've been going to the chat room and talking to people that have been accepted and the such and making all sorts of new friends.

 

[BuzzMe]

Congratulations!! .

 

[Flower4Pwr]

YAY! Congratulations! Are you Fall or fall adv.? What is your role? I'm going down for fall and still don't know my role so waiting for that SUCKS...but at least the worst part is over!
I also post on the WDWCPinfo boards. My SN is ShellySunshine and on AIM I'm Michelle02MHS. I think I talked to you in a chat or IM at some point. But again congrats!

 

[prince of thieves]

I post on wdwcpinfo too. My name on those boards is animationkid. If you have been in the chat wdwcp 2003 chat room everynight then yes you have spoken to me. My Screen name is applyandy9. I just found out that my letter was sent to my house an that i was accepted for Fall advantage even though i wanted fall. My role is a lifeguard which is what i wanted. I'm calling my recruiter to see if there is anyway that i can switch to the fall b/c i do have some specific plans for the summer. If I can't then i will just have to cancel those plans b/c i'm not going to pass up on this offer again!!!!!!


JAM