disney college program? help!!!!

[CandyHead09]

Ok so my best friend and I obviously LOVE disney we want to do the disney college program in DW hopefully in 2012 (MAYBE 2011) anyways, how does it work? I've gone through the website VERY briefly and would rather just hear straight from people who have gone through the whole experience. How do the classes work? Is their a certain ammount of hours you have to work in disney? Do you get a set schedule or does it frequently change? Can you pick your roomate or is their no exceptions? How many people live in an apartment (or are they dorms? I heard they were apartments) ? Does your degree have to do with the job you get? Like I want to be a photographer will I get a job as a photographer or will they just randomly pick something for me? My friend wants to major in phsychology so she's just hoping she gets to work the pirates of the carribean ride haha.

And more importantly did it take any of the magic of disney away being behind the scenes?

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

1. Can you pick your roomate or is their no exceptions?

2. How many people live in an apartment (or are they dorms? I heard they were apartments) ?

3. Does your degree have to do with the job you get?

4. Like I want to be a photographer will I get a job as a photographer or will they just randomly pick something for me?

I haven't done the program, but I can answer a few of your questions.

1. I don't think you can pick a roommate, but if you show up early to check-in with the person or people you want to live with, you have a better shot at getting put together.

2. It depends on the size apartment you get. There are 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments and there are 2 people per bedroom. So if you had a 1 bedroom- you would have 1 roommate, 2 bedroom- 1 roommate in your bedroom and 2 other roommates, and so on...

3. No.

4. When you apply, you get a role checklist. This is where you mark off what role you want- so you would mark Photopass Photographer and anything else you might want to do. This, however, does not guarantee you will get that role. It all depends on your interview and how many positions they have open. If they don't have a Photopass position open, they will assign you a different role from your checklist.

 

[RyeCrimsonMoon]

Ok so my best friend and I obviously LOVE disney we want to do the disney college program in DW hopefully in 2012 (MAYBE 2011) anyways, how does it work? I've gone through the website VERY briefly and would rather just hear straight from people who have gone through the whole experience. How do the classes work? Is their a certain ammount of hours you have to work in disney? Do you get a set schedule or does it frequently change? Can you pick your roomate or is their no exceptions? How many people live in an apartment (or are they dorms? I heard they were apartments) ? Does your degree have to do with the job you get? Like I want to be a photographer will I get a job as a photographer or will they just randomly pick something for me? My friend wants to major in phsychology so she's just hoping she gets to work the pirates of the carribean ride haha.

And more importantly did it take any of the magic of disney away being behind the scenes?

I've been accepted, but I haven't gone yet (9 days~!) but I can try to answer some questions.

Amount of hours? Disney says they'll work you a minimum of 30 hours a week, but I think it depends on where you work and what role you get. During peek times, you'll work more and during lower times, you don't work as much.

Schedule changing? I doubt it'll be a set schedule, it's like working a regular part time job where you might be working tuesday to friday one week then sunday to thursday the next.

Pick your room mate? Yep, you can. Once you're both accepted, you can go on the website and do the "room mate matching" and put their ID code into it and you'll be room mates! Or you can do what BellaDisneydncr said and stand next to each other in line, but it's never a guaranteed thing.

People living in the apartments? Anywhere from 2 to 8 people. One bedrooms to four. They're apartment-styled dorms. Two people to a room, with a living room and kitchen in the apartment. They're not what I consider "traditional styled dorms" (2-3 people to room, like a hotel)

Degree? Nope, maybe for a PI, but not a CP

Jobs? You CAN get a photopass photographer job, but I wouldn't bet too much on it. Nothing is guaranteed, but there is a chance you could get it. As for your friend, I think PotC is a highly requested ride, and she can try to request it, but it's still a maybe.

Taking away from the magic? I've heard it go both ways. I heard it does and from others I've heard it adds more and you get a different perspective.

 

[CandyHead09]

Thanks for the questions but now I've got more. How much does the program cost? How much di the apartments cost? Do you rent them? Do you have to pay gas, heat, electric, cable, internet?

 

[newdrama12]

There is an initial fee of $100 which will pay for the cleaning of your apartment when you move out and activities that housing holds. The rent has a range but I don't remember exactly what it is. It is less than $100 a week and is automatically deducted from your check. The utilities are included in the rent.

The amount of rent you pay depending on how many bedrooms you have. the more bedrooms, the lower amount of rent each week.

 

[Disney_Lover06]

Thanks for the questions but now I've got more. How much does the program cost? How much di the apartments cost? Do you rent them? Do you have to pay gas, heat, electric, cable, internet?

The housing fee is $104 after online taxes and such. The rent includes everything and ranges from about $78-$94 per week depending on complex and the amount of roommates you have. The following are the prices that were last reported (correct me if they are wrong).

Vista Way
1/2BR $88
3/4BR $78

Chatham Square
1/2BR $92
2/3BR $82

Patterson Court
1/2BR $93
3/4BR $84

 

[CandyHead09]

Thats not terrible! I was expecting it to be wayy more expensive!

I'll be saving a lot of money for this so it shouldnt be too bad. How neccesary is a car? I live pretty far from disney by plane it takes about two hours by car it takes about two and a half days should I just pack my stuff throw it in the car and take off or spend the 40 bucks on baggage at the airport? How far away is the closest grocery store, walmart, pharmacy, ect. should I just take cabs?

 

[Disney_Lover06]

Thats not terrible! I was expecting it to be wayy more expensive!

I'll be saving a lot of money for this so it shouldnt be too bad. How neccesary is a car? I live pretty far from disney by plane it takes about two hours by car it takes about two and a half days should I just pack my stuff throw it in the car and take off or spend the 40 bucks on baggage at the airport? How far away is the closest grocery store, walmart, pharmacy, ect. should I just take cabs?

The main College Program site has most of this information.

You don't need a car but most people suggest bringing one if you can. Disney provides buses to travel all over Disney World (all 4 theme parks, water parks, DTD, and resorts). They also have a bus that goes to Wal-Mart and publix. People suggest to take the bus about an hour or more before your work shift due to the unreliable of the buses.

 

[vickalamode]

The housing fee is $104 after online taxes and such. The rent includes everything and ranges from about $78-$94 per week depending on complex and the amount of roommates you have. The following are the prices that were last reported (correct me if they are wrong).

Vista Way
1/2BR $88
3/4BR $78

Chatham Square
1/2BR $92
2/3BR $82

Patterson Court
1/2BR $93
2/3BR $94

I currently live in a 3BR at Patterson and it is actually $85 a week

 

[Mstymay]

I currently live in a 3BR at Patterson and it is actually $85 a week

How much spending money do you get a week? If you don't mind me asking. I heard someone said I'd only have like $34 a week to spend on activities and stuff after rent, laundry, food, etc. Is that true because it has me worried and my father mad and thinking I'm stupid for going...

 

[vickalamode]

How much spending money do you get a week? If you don't mind me asking. I heard someone said I'd only have like $34 a week to spend on activities and stuff after rent, laundry, food, etc. Is that true because it has me worried and my father mad and thinking I'm stupid for going...

My hourly rate is $7.89 and I pretty much always am scheduled to work 40 hours (5 days) with the rare exception of when it's slow and I'm scheduled for 32. Working 40 hours my paycheck is usually $313 before rent and taxes, but after rent and taxes are taken out I'm generally left with $198...I probably spend about half of that on food/gas/laundry and have the other half left over

 

[Mstymay]

My hourly rate is $7.89 and I pretty much always am scheduled to work 40 hours (5 days) with the rare exception of when it's slow and I'm scheduled for 32. Working 40 hours my paycheck is usually $313 before rent and taxes, but after rent and taxes are taken out I'm generally left with $198...I probably spend about half of that on food/gas/laundry and have the other half left over

omg that sounds much more manageable then $34, and I won't have gas so that will help too. I muuuuch too afraid to drive in Florida, we have like no where near the amount of cars in Vermont. Thanks!

 

[vickalamode]

omg that sounds much more manageable then $34, and I won't have gas so that will help too. I muuuuch too afraid to drive in Florida, we have like no where near the amount of cars in Vermont. Thanks!

Just keep in mind that you are only guaranteed 32 hours a week though; I almost always got 40 (unfortunately lol...I guess the money was a good thing buuuuut I am at Disney I don't wanna go to work!) but when I got 32 hours my check was around $150. When I was scheduled overtime (more than 40 hours) my check was around $275

 

[Disney_Lover06]

Just keep in mind that you are only guaranteed 32 hours a week though; I almost always got 40 (unfortunately lol...I guess the money was a good thing buuuuut I am at Disney I don't wanna go to work!) but when I got 32 hours my check was around $150. When I was scheduled overtime (more than 40 hours) my check was around $275

You are guaranteed a minimum 30 hours per week.

 

[kmg148]

Usually, I only got around 30-34 hours at my FSFB location. My paychecks left me with around $100 left after taxes and rent per week, which is more than enough.

The CP is never a stupid idea...it's a great resume builder if anything.

 

[Mstymay]

Yea I'm still worried because I'm custodial and only make $7.32 which is under minimum wage where I come from

 

[CandyHead09]

@mystmay just save save save before you go I mean if your fed clothed your bills are caught up your working in disney and happy then what extra spending money do you need? Like how much do you usually spend a weeki f you dont mind me asking? I guess if you want to go to the movies or something (I loveee going to the movies haha) but you could get netflix for 9.99 a month and get a new dvd every two days! just find smart ways to spend your money ;] I'm sure the first coupld weeks in disney can be difficult but after you keep seeing the same merchandise all the time it wont be like "I NEED THOSE MICKEY EARS AND THAT SHIRT!" if you take ten or fifteen bucks out of every check you get now and put it in your bank account by the time your ready for the college program you'll have a good chunk of change which will make things go a little smoother.

 

[Mstymay]

@mystmay just save save save before you go I mean if your fed clothed your bills are caught up your working in disney and happy then what extra spending money do you need? Like how much do you usually spend a weeki f you dont mind me asking? I guess if you want to go to the movies or something (I loveee going to the movies haha) but you could get netflix for 9.99 a month and get a new dvd every two days! just find smart ways to spend your money ;] I'm sure the first coupld weeks in disney can be difficult but after you keep seeing the same merchandise all the time it wont be like "I NEED THOSE MICKEY EARS AND THAT SHIRT!" if you take ten or fifteen bucks out of every check you get now and put it in your bank account by the time your ready for the college program you'll have a good chunk of change which will make things go a little smoother.

It sounds like a good idea but right now only my father has a job. I am using inheritance from my grandfathers passing away to get down there via airplane. I won't have the suggested $400 for the first weeks, I think I will be eating dry cereal for a few weeks down there if I can pack it... But I keep trying to get jobs but no one is hiring. So overall I don't spend any money a week and I have none to save so I'm very worried. I REALLY want to go to universal harry potter too because I may never be in Florida again.

tldr= I have no job and mom has no job and the rest of the money is used for the family of 4. I am scared to death about Disney costs.

 

[SportsChick]

The big thing you have to worry about when you get here is groceries and shoes. You don't know what kind of shoes you need til you get here and you will need to eat. Other than that, you can deal with being broke if you don't have a car for the first couple of weeks until you start getting a "real" paycheck.

If you're not picky, you can eat pretty cheap, so I think while they recommend $400, you could survive on $200 for the 2-3 weeks, if you shop very smartly.

 

[Just_Trish]

For all you looking to eat cheap once you are in FL, please check out this site http://www.iheartpublix.com/ This blog details all the sales at Publix and even has links to coupons, etc. Before I discovered this site, I never realized how cheap you can get things if you just work at it - but this lady does all the legwork. Today for example at Publix I got 4 boxes of PopTarts for .62 each!! LOL!