Disney Cultural Exchange Programme

[Kiwifan]

I was wondering if anyone has been accepted for this or has had a child accepted?
My daughter has progressed to the interview stage & I was hoping someone could give me a heads up on what type of questions they ask.

 

[bswift]

I was accepted into the program in April but unfortunately decided to turn it down to continue in my full time job

The interview was basically the same as most retail kind of interviews, like why you want the job, previous experience etc. I talked a lot about my trip to HKDL which I'd just got back from the week before and also mentioned how I keep up to date with what's happening at WDW even though I don't have a trip planned there. My first preference was hotel front desk, which is what I was accepted for. I said I wanted that role because it's often the first stop on people's vacations and I wanted to help make it special or something. I can't remember the name of the lady who interviewed me but as far as I know, she is always the one who comes out for it (plus a guy) and she was really nice. It might have just been the set up of the Melbourne location but when I did it, they were both interviewing in the same room. It was kind of annoying being able to hear the other interview while I was talking.

If your daughter really loves Disney, it will show on her face and she should get in! I don't think I stopped smiling once during the interview

 

[bswift]

Oh and I just remembered, before the interview they do a presentation as a group about the program. They ask questions during it and give out prizes (I think there was 5 questions all). I think answering a question really helps you stand out. I did, it was about where Anna and Elsa are located at WDW (at that time they had just moved into MK and I talked about that). The prize was a blue Mickey head luggage tag, and I put it on my bag so they could see it when I was in the interview.

 

[Kiwifan]

Thanks bswift. I'll pass on your comments to my daughter. Like me she's a huge Disney fan & is hoping that if she gets into the programme she can progress to working for Disney Cruise line afterwards.

 

[bswift]

Good luck to her!

Tbh I regret my decision to decline the offer every day. I'm not really enjoying my job (first one out of uni) but I'm just hoping it will lead to better things. Like a DLR vacation next year

 

[BecBennett]

It might have just been the set up of the Melbourne location but when I did it, they were both interviewing in the same room. It was kind of annoying being able to hear the other interview while I was talking.

That would be annoying, part of you would want to hear what responses they were giving, and the other part would know it would just be throwing you off!

You have some really great tips! I haven't done it myself, but I even found those tips helpful!

 

[miss.potatohead]

I've applied a few times and got to the interview stage before turning my offer down due to other opportunities. As has already been said, there was the presentation (I got a Mickey shaped pen for knowing the names of the cruise ships!) and then they hold Interviews later that afternoon or the next day. Questions were the standard tell us about you, why do you want to do this, what can you bring to Disney and they talked about the roles I applied for on the form. If your daughter is dead against a certain role make sure she doesn't tick it as they can put you in any of your marked positions and it's very difficult to change once you are allocated and even more so when you get to Florida!

I've applied one more time for the January 2015 program as that'll be my absolute last time I'm eligible due to the visa restrictions.

In saying that I have friends who have done it and they said both good and bad things. Good being they made amazing friends but bad as Disney work them incredibly hard and it's very different working conditions in Australia vs USA. Pay is low, hours are long and many say they take advantage of workers. But you're there to work first, party/travel second. The Aust/NZ kids often get the roles that the US college kids say are more difficult to get, like front desk/concierge in the hotels.

Everyone has different reasons for doing the program though and working in the ICP could definitely assist in getting a role in the DCL in the future! Good luck to your daughter

 

[Kiwifan]

Thanks Miss Potatoehead. I've warned her about the working conditions (I've been reading the college program forum). She knows she won't be earning much money but the experience is worth way more than money. Good luck with your application. Who knows you might end up working together