Fall 2007 College Program

[Azure Kaito]

Ok, so what we wear when at work is covered but they also talk about a Business Attire? Assuming that we need to purchase that ourselves before we get there right?

*I am driving down this weekend to make sure I know my way so I don't get lost*

 

[MickeyD's]

Ok, so what we wear when at work is covered but they also talk about a Business Attire? Assuming that we need to purchase that ourselves before we get there right?

*I am driving down this weekend to make sure I know my way so I don't get lost*

You need that kind of attire for Traditions when you first arrive, I believe. Also, they hold a dance and other things, so you might want some nice clothes and/or a suit. I'm bringing both just to be covered.

 

[Azure Kaito]

Thanks.

My mother is so psycho because she is going to be come down with me to get me settled in. XD

 

[MickeyD's]

I definitely know what that's like. My mom did that for me when I moved into a dorm for college last year. I got so made fun of with the bath mats she put down and the other things girls do to make stuff guys dont care about look nice.

Whatever you do don't let her go decorating crazy. Just talk her into giving you some money to decorate yourself, which of course you go spend at Taco Bell or something like I did.

 

[Azure Kaito]

Oh god, Taco Bell. *drool*

Yea, I hope she won't do that. On May 23rd we are getting up at 530 and then leaving at 630 to get there at 9AM.

75 more days!

 

[sweet maxine]

***********

 

[jmt0158]

When I went to my presentation on campus, one of the alumni said that the custodial position was her favorite job. She had tried a few other positions and said the custodial position was the most fun because you were able to walk around the park and interact with guests. You will be cleaning, but you will also be helping guests find their way around the park. The name does not sound that appealing, but that position allows you to have to most freedom in the park. You are lucky you got accepted, I would not pass this offer up because of the position title. Disney is a remarkable company, and will teach you so much more than how to empty a trash can. You will meet many people, and have an experience that will be remembered for the rest of your life. Just look at the positive side of this opportunity! I am sure you won't regret it.
I am currently waiting for my pending application to process through its final stage. I will be so grateful if I am accepted, no matter which position I receive. Hopefully you make the right decision. Best of Luck!!

Anxiously waiting,
Jenn

 

[jmt0158]

I really need your input to help me make my decision. I have been accepted to the Disney College Program as custodial, but I am unsure wether to do it or not. Since I'll be spending five months cleaning I am worried that I may become bored and wish that I was back in school taking classes. I really just did this on a whim and it worked out and I am excited just reluctant because it is such a big decision.

I was hoping you might give me some encouragement and the pros and cons (if there are any) of the disney college program. I really need some help.

When I went to my presentation on campus, one of the alumni said that the custodial position was her favorite job. She had tried a few other positions and said the custodial position was the most fun because you were able to walk around the park and interact with guests. You will be cleaning, but you will also be helping guests find their way around the park. The name does not sound that appealing, but that position allows you to have to most freedom in the park. You are lucky you got accepted, I would not pass this offer up because of the position title. Disney is a remarkable company, and will teach you so much more than how to empty a trash can. You will meet many people, and have an experience that will be remembered for the rest of your life. Just look at the positive side of this opportunity! I am sure you won't regret it.
I am currently waiting for my pending application to process through its final stage. I will be so grateful if I am accepted, no matter which position I receive. Hopefully you make the right decision. Best of Luck!!

Anxiously waiting,
Jenn

 

[zada82]

I really need your input to help me make my decision. I have been accepted to the Disney College Program as custodial, but I am unsure wether to do it or not. Since I'll be spending five months cleaning I am worried that I may become bored and wish that I was back in school taking classes. I really just did this on a whim and it worked out and I am excited just reluctant because it is such a big decision.

I was hoping you might give me some encouragement and the pros and cons (if there are any) of the disney college program. I really need some help.

I definately had to write you back on this one. First of all, if it is only the position that you are worried about, I think you could probably talk to your recruiter about that. As far as the Disney Experience and whether it is worth it, DEFINATELY!!!!!!!! I think some of my most memorable moments have been with the custodial cast members. Retail, food service, attractions, transportation, etc. are busy as bees the whole day. There have been so many times that I have asked questions to the custodials (because they are always around and more than happy to chat) , and we would end up in long, interesting conversations about Disney parks, history, events, and many other things. I have even had some who had lots of Jokes to tell and trivia to ask. One of the most important jobs of the custodial is to entertain and educate the guests. The only reason I did not select that position is because I have a very weak stomach and you do occasionally have to clean a trash can. I think you just have cold feet and are a little worried about all of the changes you might have to experience. I can't speak for everyone, but MOST of the students who have taked part in the program have had some sort of positive experience. Maybe it was the school credit, or the guests, or the apartment activities, or the lifelong friends and memories that they acquired, but they would not trade what the learned for anything in the world. Also, most that I have talked to either came back for a second time in the college program, later applied for the professional internships, or came back to be with Disney permanently because of their experience with the college program. I hope I at least helped you to see what it could be for you so that you can better decide if this is the right decision for you. Good luck and hope to see you there!!!!!!!

 

[MickeyD's]

So I just finished doing the Roommate Matching thing and apparently they really do want you to wait until at least 4 weeks before you leave. I'm the type of person who needs to do everything while I'm thinking about it and can or else I'll forget later, so I went ahead and did it thinking they'd just match me with someone else who did it early.

Not so. They didn't inform me whether or not I'd have to redo the thing later though. They gave me the option to redo, but they didn't say if I'd need to. I guess I'll just have to wait until 4 weeks before, which at this rate seems like forever from now....

I did notice they asked if you knew someone already in the program the give you the option to list their applicant number so they can match you together. That'd be pretty neat if I actually knew someone though....

Anyone else try the Roommate Matching thing yet?

 

[Feigned]

I didn't try it yet. I am hoping to find a roommate beforehand to use their applicant number. I think that might be the best way, since the roommate notification thing only asks 4 questions... and I don't know if I want to be mathed based off of that.

If you go to the LJ community I run, we have a roommate search survey where you can try to find someone to room with based on a whole bunch of different things (age, room size preference, arrival date & program, tidy/messy, etc)- http://community.livejournal.com/wdwcpfall07/ . Good luck with getting a roommate, no matter which you decide to do.

 

[igo4yellin]

I can confirm that custodial is pretty much the best job. I was a custodian at Downtown Disney for Fall 06.

My days consisted of walking around, interacting with guests, and pin trading.

Best job in my life.

My roomates were so jealous - they actually had to do work!

 

[Disneygirl3919]

When I went to my presentation on campus, one of the alumni said that the custodial position was her favorite job. She had tried a few other positions and said the custodial position was the most fun because you were able to walk around the park and interact with guests. You will be cleaning, but you will also be helping guests find their way around the park. The name does not sound that appealing, but that position allows you to have to most freedom in the park. You are lucky you got accepted, I would not pass this offer up because of the position title. Disney is a remarkable company, and will teach you so much more than how to empty a trash can. You will meet many people, and have an experience that will be remembered for the rest of your life. Just look at the positive side of this opportunity! I am sure you won't regret it.
I am currently waiting for my pending application to process through its final stage. I will be so grateful if I am accepted, no matter which position I receive. Hopefully you make the right decision. Best of Luck!!

Anxiously waiting,
Jenn

Hi Jenn-
You know how you mentioned your status was "pending"...are you going to be doing an audition for a character performer in a few weeks? This is my best guess why you might be "pending" rather than already accepted. They'll probably tell you one way or the other after the audition so that they can tell you what role you have at the same time. Just a thought. Any one else have any ideas?

When I went to my presentation on campus, one of the alumni said that the custodial position was her favorite job. She had tried a few other positions and said the custodial position was the most fun because you were able to walk around the park and interact with guests. You will be cleaning, but you will also be helping guests find their way around the park. The name does not sound that appealing, but that position allows you to have to most freedom in the park. You are lucky you got accepted, I would not pass this offer up because of the position title. Disney is a remarkable company, and will teach you so much more than how to empty a trash can. You will meet many people, and have an experience that will be remembered for the rest of your life. Just look at the positive side of this opportunity! I am sure you won't regret it.
I am currently waiting for my pending application to process through its final stage. I will be so grateful if I am accepted, no matter which position I receive. Hopefully you make the right decision. Best of Luck!!

Anxiously waiting,
Jenn

 

[igo4yellin]

There will be a nightly AIM chat for us to discuss the college program. Invite yourself to chatroom "wdwcpfall07" to join.

You can also IM me directly at screen name "igo4yellin" if you have any questions about the college program experience. I have extensive knowledge about being a custodian for Disney.

 

[packwingfn]

The reason why I chose custodial was because of the freedom and guest interaction that you receive. I'm sure there will be some bad moments but the feeling of doing your own thing as long as you get your job done as been something I've been doing for my 6 years of work and I'm looking foward to continuing it again in Disney.

 

[khancock]

... I went ahead and did it thinking they'd just match me with someone else who did it early.

Not so. They didn't inform me whether or not I'd have to redo the thing later though. They gave me the option to redo, but they didn't say if I'd need to. I guess I'll just have to wait until 4 weeks before, which at this rate seems like forever from now....

I read your message earlier and was just looking over this new info with my friend (hi stacey) who is doing the program this fall.

It has this in the FAQs.

I've completed the profile. Now what do I do?
About four weeks prior to your arrival date, we will attempt to match you with another participant who meets the basic requirements - same gender, both over 21 years of age or both under 21, and same arrival and departure dates.

We will send you an e-mail with your roommate's name and e-mail address. At that time, we encourage you to start getting to know each other! Please remember that this process is a pilot program, and we ask you to be flexible and patient and we work through the steps. We look forward to getting your feedback about the process later in your program.​

They probably want to have more people in the system so they can get better matches.

Here is where I'm going. 100 people are on your arrival day so far. 50 are males and 50 are females. 25 females are over 21 and 25 are under.

So if they did the match now, they would have to put you with one of 24.

If they wait until closer to the arrival date, there is more people. More people allows better matches.

So let's say its 4 weeks out now and there are 600 people on your date. 300 are males. 300 are females. 150 are over 21. 150 are under.

Now you have 149 others that could be potential matches.

You have a much better chance of getting paired with someone who matches your "profile" with a group of 149 than with a group of 24.

 

[MickeyD's]

khancock that actually makes perfect sense. I just wish Disney would put it that way themselves because they hvae to know we're excited for this and to push signing up for a roommate this early....I guess it's nice to have your bases covered so you don't forget.

 

[Disneygirl3919]

So with the roommate matching program...do you get to put your housing preference (Chatham or Vista, number of roommates, etc) or is it totally random?

 

[Azure Kaito]

From my noobie knowledge of when you arrive, they will most likely ask you what you want or if they don't you could ask for it, I hear they try to fill Vista up before going to Chatham but I do think you can specify at Check-In.

 

[Feigned]

So with the roommate matching program...do you get to put your housing preference (Chatham or Vista, number of roommates, etc) or is it totally random?

There are only 4 questions to answer.

If you would prefer 1-2 or 3-4 bedrooms.
A state you would prefer your roommate to be from.
A hobby off of a short list.
Your favorite type of music.

You will be matched with someone who is also the same sex, age (either over or under 21), and has the same arrival/departure date combo.