How has the summer CP worked out?

[lindym]

I know this is the first year of the Summer CP. How has it worked out for anyone? My son is thinking of doing it next summer. He will be a college fresheman this fall and wants to do the Disney College Program. Only problem is that his university has not given any credits for it in the past and that is why he is thinking about doing the summer program. Any advice or info would be appreciated. We do know all about the disney college website but looking for input from ones that are doing it right now. Thanks

 

[TSR6]

The Summer CP is only for Alumni.

The reason being - you're only there for 2 and a half... maybe 3 months max. If they did have a summer program, you really won't have time to settle into your work place. Even the 5-month program is considered to be "short" by many people. The first week at any work location is training, some work locations have training that would be even longer than that! So by the time you arrive, finish training, and finally get to work by yourself - you're already half way through your program!

Thus.... for the summer programs, they just have Alumni come back for that. They're already trained so they litterally just show up and return to their old work location. Some may require a day ( or just a couple hours ) of "refresher" training depending on how long it was since their last shift.

 

[jcollins13]

They've changed it. This was the first time the summer CP was available for first time CPers. Due to the shortness of the program there were no classes and the roles were limited to custodial and QSFB.

 

[SarahKathleen2006]

THANKS FOR STARTING THIS POST! I was gonna start it myself lol...yea this is the first year for the summer one and I am supeer excited b/c I am gonna do it! I always wanted to do the college program but couldn't afford to take that much time off of school! I am so glad that they decided to do this! Anyone who knows anything please feel free to add info. By the way does anyone know if the application process is the same????

 

[TSR6]

Oh wow... Yeah, my school doesn't recruit for this program then... ( I'm a campus rep ).

I actually HIGHLY discourage the summer only program if it is that limited. I mean - there is SO much to do during your program that the extra time is definately to your benefit. Even if it means waiting until the semester after you graduate ( you can do the CP the following semester after your graduation, generally arriving in WDW about 2-4 weeks after you graduate ).

2-3 months is such a short time to be at WDW on the CP. It really is....

Thats my two cents on the topic.

 

[JLindley2003]

Hi! I actually just finished the summer CP as a first-timer. It was an interesting experience. You may or may not know that the only roles available, in general, are quick service food and beverage and custodial. Although not advertised, lifeguard positions were given to many people that had previous experience. From experience, F&B was considerably difficult, in my opinion. It was also a very hot environment. The main and most important thing that helps is a complete separation of work and play, and by play I mean being at Disney World! You've got to take advantage of being at the parks, and for free at that! For me, nothing could replace a summer at Disney, no matter how difficult the work, but I realize that's not the same with everyone. Basically I guess I would say, if the available roles are ones that you would either enjoy or at least tolerate, then by all means go for it, because it was an amazing experience that I'll never forget.

 

[Hogbunny]

Hi! I don't get to come to this board often, but I love hearing the different opinions people can have on the program.

I attended the Summer 06 program as an alumni from Fall 05. Now, I was the only alumni in my apartment, but in my opinion, unless you quite literally dedicate all of your free time to the parks, this program is simply not long enough to truely get the effect of the program. My roommates were miserable as every programmer usually is, but in their case, they didn't have the time to get past it and enjoy it. Instead, they would come home to the apartment and complain *every* night. It really put a damper on *MY* summer too!

So, I know this is subjective, but if you're not someone who can really see the good through the frustrating, I don't recommend the summer program. If you're a reletively positive person, go for it!

Although, I wouldn't get your hopes up for it, because as far as I know, this was a one time thing to help with staffing for the wrap-up of the Happiest Celebration. I could be wrong on that, but I wouldn't bet on it. My advice? Do a semester program or advantage program.

 

[dizprincess717]

Hey I have a question -

I completed the Spring '06 Program as an attractions hostess at Splash Mountain. A girl I worked with and trained with found out about the program because her sister did the program during Fall '06. Her sister came back for Summer '06 Alumni and she worked at Kiliminjaro Safaris.

So are the roles really limited to QSF&B and Custodial? How comes she got to do attractions?

 

[Hogbunny]

The roles are only limited for NEW CPs. If you're an alumni, you can return to your original role.

 

[dizprincess717]

Thanks hogbunny!

One more question - Now, as much as I loved Splash Mountain and being part of the whole Splash Trash gang, would I have to return to Splash or could I go to another role? I ask that because Courtney's (a girl I worked with) sister came down for summer and she worked the Safaris but she was originally at DisneyQuest for her Fall '05 Program. Will they really make me go back to Splash? I would if it meant going to Disney for the entire summer, but I'd like to do something else. Just wondering...

 

[SoonerKate]

Alumni don't have to go back to their original role, though you can request to go back to your old location if you'd like. If you request something new (from a limited list, based on business needs and availability), those requests aren't 100% guaranteed, but the College Recruiting Coordinators do their best to get everyone matched up.

More information will be available about the exact process (specifics still change every year) in the spring; the Disney Job Line can answer any other questions you might have.

 

[dizprincess717]

Thanks Kate!

By the way, I love your sig - Mitch Hedberg was hilarious and I found out about him while I was on my college program!!!

 

[Hogbunny]

Ok, I have to chime in on the Mitch love. The koala bears infestation is my favorite...lol

 

[dizprincess717]

Well now that you've quoted Mitch... I think my favorite is definitely the Quadruple Tree. And to make matters worse there's a Double Tree hotel (the big pineapple) on 536 I believe. And everytime I drove past it I just wanted to cry.

I hardly meet anyone who knows Mitch and now I found 2. YAY!

Back on subject now...

 

[dthmbk]

will there be a summer program for 1st timers in 2007? thanks

 

[JLindley2003]

Yes, there will be summer for first timers in 2007. Presentations are actually going on right now for it. They are ending soon, but a new round of presentations will begin around late January. You can apply as late as early April for it, but the sooner the better if you know that's what you want to do. And in general, the times are still from mid to late May until mid August. Quick service food and beverage and custodial only.

There is a brand new time period too, that goes from March to mid-August, which is summer-ish, if you're wanting something other than food and beverage or custodial, and can afford the extra two months.

 

[dthmbk]

thank you JLindley2003

 

[Feigned]

Yes, there will be summer for first timers in 2007. Presentations are actually going on right now for it. They are ending soon, but a new round of presentations will begin around late January. You can apply as late as early April for it, but the sooner the better if you know that's what you want to do. And in general, the times are still from mid to late May until mid August. Quick service food and beverage and custodial only.

There is a brand new time period too, that goes from March to mid-August, which is summer-ish, if you're wanting something other than food and beverage or custodial, and can afford the extra two months.

According to the college program website, they are only interviewing for Spring & Spring Advantage (as well as some quarterly programs), but not the summer program.

My sister really wants to do the summer program, so I have been checking this out for her. I think they interview for summer the same time as for fall...

 

[Joanna71985]

They haven't posted the schedule for the summer CP yet. They are only doing Spring and Spring Advantage.

 

[dizprincess717]

I went to the presentation at my college for Spring '07 and the one representative there told me that it's not limited to QSF&B and custodial, and that you can in fact return to your original role if there's room there. I know it's Disney and all, but I really don't think Alumni, of all CPs, would want to go and do QS or custodial... I'm sure they'll have all the options open.