How long has the CP been around?

[AnnaS]

Good morning - just curious how long the College Program has been around. I am sure it also did not start out with 5-7 thousand students. Curious what the estimated number was

TIA

 

[DavidH]

Someone will be along shortly with a better answer, but this will get you started...

I was a FT cast member 89-96. It was called the WDWCP then and the kids all lived at Vista Way. The program was basically the same as it is today. I heard and saw a few pictures of the early program. It was in the 70's and the kids lived in a group of trailers called Snow White's Village (pretty sure). There was only the MK and a couple of resorts then, so their numbers were likely few. I think the trailers were located near 192 in Kissimmee (not so sure), behind the Big Bamboo (even less sure, but seed for a fun tangent)

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks Dave. Did not realize it went back that far. I know about the Vista way and it's the first complex - now Chattam and Patterson and forget the one that was International. My dd did the program last year. I was just curious about it. Thank you again

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

I remember them coming to Illinois State University in 1986. They did a recruiting presentation that students could attend. I don't remember what it was called then. We didn't have the internet back then so it was done in person.

 

[BobbyT]

The first Disney College Program began in 1981. In the early days, the College Program consisted of just over 200 students from 20 schools working in only one theme park, the Magic Kingdom. At that time it was known as The Magic Kingdom College Program (MKCP). In October 1982, program participants could work at Epcot as well as the Magic Kingdom and the program was known as The Walt Disney World College Program, employing approximately 500 college students each spring, summer and fall session. From the beginning of the program until 1988, almost all program participants stayed in an off-property mobile home park called Snow White Village Campground (the remainder in Lake Vista Village apartments) in nearby Kissimmee, Florida. 1987 saw the opening of Vista Way apartments, which were much closer to the participants' employment. Following the resort's massive growth in the 1990s and the widespread popularity of the internet, the College Program has grown substantially, seeing three new participant housing complexes built and many more colleges represented. As of 2005, 8,000 students have participated each year, representing at least 301 colleges and universities with an average of 4,000 students at any given time

They have bulletin boards about the history of DCP all over the casting building too. Interesting stuff

 

[BobbyT]

The first Disney College Program began in 1981. In the early days, the College Program consisted of just over 200 students from 20 schools working in only one theme park, the Magic Kingdom. At that time it was known as The Magic Kingdom College Program (MKCP). In October 1982, program participants could work at Epcot as well as the Magic Kingdom and the program was known as The Walt Disney World College Program, employing approximately 500 college students each spring, summer and fall session. From the beginning of the program until 1988, almost all program participants stayed in an off-property mobile home park called Snow White Village Campground (the remainder in Lake Vista Village apartments) in nearby Kissimmee, Florida. 1987 saw the opening of Vista Way apartments, which were much closer to the participants' employment. Following the resort's massive growth in the 1990s and the widespread popularity of the internet, the College Program has grown substantially, seeing three new participant housing complexes built and many more colleges represented. As of 2005, 8,000 students have participated each year, representing at least 301 colleges and universities with an average of 4,000 students at any given time

They have bulletin boards about the history of DCP all over the casting building too. Interesting stuff