Disney College Program for Parents Thread...

[susieb16]

My daughter checked in on Monday as well. She will be working in attractions at Epcot. I am so excited for her and can't wait to hear all about her adventures!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Thanks! I have two trips planned. I am just waiting for her to get access to the HUB so we can get any good hotel deals.

Those discounts spoil you!!
If she stays with you expect 50 or 60% OFF. If she doesn't, it'll be 40 or 50%. And keep checking back closer to your travel dates if you got the smaller percentage off because sometimes they will increase it. Plus they usually don't add the discounted DDP until shortly before the time frame for which it will apply. And you get a much better rate on the DDP if she stays with you....about $20pp/night. ENJOY!

 

[mlaw]

Once my daughter has training on the HUB, are reservations made by her on-line or over the phone? And DDP for $20 per person? Seriously? Wow, and she will definitely be staying with us so hopefully she gets a discount that allows us to try out a deluxe resort.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Once my daughter has training on the HUB, are reservations made by her on-line or over the phone? And DDP for $20 per person? Seriously? Wow, and she will definitely be staying with us so hopefully she gets a discount that allows us to try out a deluxe resort.

The easiest and quickest way is online thru the hub. She will have to use a credit card to pay the first night's deposit. And then you don't HAVE to pay the balance until you check in, unless you want to.
There is a CM phone number for reservations. Sometimes some specials you have to call for, as in they can't be booked using the hub reservation system.
And yes, if she stays with you, quite often you can get the DDP for $20pp. It may be a few dollars more if they increased the reg DDP prices. I even got it in JUNE!!
Hope she has a Great Time. Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

 

[Joanna71985]

Well my daughter is checking in right now for 2014 Spring Advantage. She will be a character attendant and just found out she got assigned to Magic Kingdom. It is a dream come true for her! I don't know how I am supposed to focus at work today. Husband is there with her. Wish I was there!

Congrats to her! Maybe I'll wind up working with her (I'm a character attendant at MK too).

 

[1pixiemom]

Well its a dream come true for my son!! He is working in AK and so far loves it!! We have our trip (with discounts and dining plan) all booked to go see him in March 4 nights cant wait !!!

 

[carol-lamb]

Well its a dream come true for my son!! He is working in AK and so far loves it!! We have our trip (with discounts and dining plan) all booked to go see him in March 4 nights cant wait !!!

Where does your son work in AK? My daughter just finished up her CP in the beginning of the month. She worked at Kilimanjaro Safaris and loved it so much that she extended twice. She is now seasonal and will be down the first week of March to get some hours in. Still enjoying the cast member discounts but I will have to have her look into the discounted dining plan.

 

[1pixiemom]

Where does your son work in AK? My daughter just finished up her CP in the beginning of the month. She worked at Kilimanjaro Safaris and loved it so much that she extended twice. She is now seasonal and will be down the first week of March to get some hours in. Still enjoying the cast member discounts but I will have to have her look into the discounted dining plan.

He works food service in Africa...

 

[dsanner106]

My son started monday as well, he will be a character performer and is very excited. what a great experience for them all.

 

[wilkeliza]

Actually you are incorrect....
They will mail you a return shipping label for you to mail the uniforms back to them. and they Don't put you on the No Hire list you speak of... you are placed on a restricted rehire status until the uniform situation is resolved.
Those are the more accurate facts!
At least with the CP program....not sure how it works if you were a P/T or F/T CM but the other poster inquired about CP.

I know you replied awhile ago but I hadn't really been checking this forum. I was just giving information based on what one of the CPs in my area was told when she left in January. She was given a letter that said if she did not return the missing article by a certain time (it was 2 days after her last official day) she would face a fine and be put on the no hire list. It could be based on the amount she would owe but sadly someone stole the garment she needed to turn in so we still haven't found it for her.

Maybe what she told us was not right or since I think she was ICP maybe that is the difference. I went seasonal right after my CP so didn't have to worry about costumes.

 

[jce2]

Things must be moving fast at Disney right now! My daughter applied for Fall Advantage on Friday, almost immediately got the web-interview, finished it last night and already has the phone interview set up. As a parent I have mixed emotions but take a great deal of comfort that she has a long-time friend already down there. She is hoping for a hospitality (hotel) position.

 

[SilverMickey]

Things must be moving fast at Disney right now! My daughter applied for Fall Advantage on Friday, almost immediately got the web-interview, finished it last night and already has the phone interview set up. As a parent I have mixed emotions but take a great deal of comfort that she has a long-time friend already down there. She is hoping for a hospitality (hotel) position.

I wish this were the case for my son, He applied however has not been given the chance for a web based interview. The waiting is killing us! I hope he can move on with this as he is a great young man, and a Disney nut!

Good luck to your daughter!

 

[mccreel]

My son has applied for the fall college plan and has his phone interview on Monday. Everything I can see just says Fall Advantage from August through early January. Anyone know how far into January it goes, what date is usually the ending of it? Just wondering because we need to coordinate him going back to college after he finishes the program (If he were to get in).

Thanks
Melissa

 

[jobro912]

Fall Advantage runs mid May/June to early January. Fall runs August to early January. Both end the same day. My son just did Fall 2013 and their last day/checkout of housing day was January 3.

 

[hightown]

Joining the other parents again in the 'waiting room'.

DD applied for WDW the first day that applications opened. She got to skip the WBI since she applied last program (Spring 2014) and passed that. She applied for Spring really late and was held on a waitlist into December but they had everything filled. So this time, applied first day. She did her personal interview on Monday and now we simply wait.

I think several of her high interest roles are hard to get - concierge, hospitality, photopass, transportation. Also attactions and merchandising.
But she's pretty much open to anything except housekeeping.

She's already talked to her advisor and if she's able to do the program will get 3 internship credits but will need to take 3 on line courses through the school so that she can keep her scholarship. That's scary considering the hours they work during Disney's high season.

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say HI while we all wait this out.

Sharon

 

[mobish]

Good luck to your daughter! The waiting is so hard, been through it three times. My daughter did two CPs then finally landed her dream position as a PI at Fairy Tale Weddings. We will go through it again as she tries for a full time position when her PI ends in June. No matter what happens from here this has been an incredible experience for her. There is nothing like WDW on your resume.

 

[carol-lamb]

Joining the other parents again in the 'waiting room'.

She's already talked to her advisor and if she's able to do the program will get 3 internship credits but will need to take 3 on line courses through the school so that she can keep her scholarship. That's scary considering the hours they work during Disney's high season.

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say HI while we all wait this out.

Sharon

My daughter took 3 on line courses through her university this past summer while doing the CP. She had no trouble and still had time for plenty of fun. In fact, she went seasonal and is planning on going down to work this summer and will be taking more on line classes to stay on course to graduate in December.

Good luck to your daughter. Hopefully she won't have too much of a wait. My daughter worked at Kilimanjaro Safaris and loved it. She extended twice. She is going down in a couple of weeks to work during her Spring break. I think I have lost her to Disney!

 

[chefmb]

Hi! My son is in his last semester and this will be his only chance to apply for the CP. He passed the WBI very quickly and has his phone interview in just over a week. He did not get into an overseas teaching program that he was interested in, and this was the other thing he really was hoping to do. Fingers crossed! It's nice to find a thread with other parents in the same position!

 

[dmsr8]

My DD is applying for Fall Advantage. Her phone interview is Mar. 1st, character/performer audition Mar. 11th. I have a few (sorry, more like a lot!) questions as a possible 1st time CP parent:
1) Coming from Utah and no family/friends nearby - how highly would you recommend we fly out with her to get her settled? (she lived at college and took care of all expenses her 1st year...BUT, she was only 30 min. away from home and visited about 1-2x/mth. She is 18.)
2) Since she is doing the audition, will she hear only after all auditions are finished in April or could she hear sooner? Do they have phone interview results at the audition (if she does well on both) could she be told then?
3) If she reaches 5'3" on her good days what does that make her Disney height? The thread talked about fur, fairy, and princess height but what about parade performers? (She is a Dance Major and to get college credit for her scholarship she has to have a related role.) Also, do any of the characters dance so that would count?
Thanks for all who have contributed to this thread! It's a great resource.

 

[leeg229]

My DD is applying for Fall Advantage. Her phone interview is Mar. 1st, character/performer audition Mar. 11th. I have a few (sorry, more like a lot!) questions as a possible 1st time CP parent:
1) Coming from Utah and no family/friends nearby - how highly would you recommend we fly out with her to get her settled? (she lived at college and took care of all expenses her 1st year...BUT, she was only 30 min. away from home and visited about 1-2x/mth. She is 18.)
2) Since she is doing the audition, will she hear only after all auditions are finished in April or could she hear sooner? Do they have phone interview results at the audition (if she does well on both) could she be told then?
3) If she reaches 5'3" on her good days what does that make her Disney height? The thread talked about fur, fairy, and princess height but what about parade performers? (She is a Dance Major and to get college credit for her scholarship she has to have a related role.) Also, do any of the characters dance so that would count?
Thanks for all who have contributed to this thread! It's a great resource.

1. I'd say, if it's convenient (time-wise and financially) do it, but it is definitely not necessary. Some people like to show up completely alone and make friends right off the bat and others like to spend time with their families for a few days before venturing off on their own to make friends. Ask HER opinion too.
2. She will not hear anything at her audition. It is possible that she could be accepted to the program BEFORE the audition as a performer pending her audition. If she doesn't perform well at the audition her role will be switched to another role.
3. I'm not sure what height you need to be for a dance in a parade or show but I THINK you need to be on the taller side. Someone will definitely correct me if I'm wrong.