How old is too old?

[peterpan2011]

Kimberry, I hope you are still checking on your thread!! !

I'm 55 and so excited to be accepted for Spring 2012!! WDW has always been a big part of our lives (me, hubby & two sons with college degrees).

** I never ever imagined I would be a college student at this stage in my life. Like many people... times are tough. So here I am, trying to reinvent myself.

My oldest son was in the 2010 Spring Program (with my encouragement). Said he'd go back in a heartbeat.

I am so proud of him... He is who urged me to apply! All his idea. How cool is that?

He helped me realize I'm so lucky to be in this position (smart kid). When will this ever happen again? So here I am packin' to go to WDW in January! Who knew?

What did Walt say?

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible". "If you can dream it, you can do it".


I would love to hear from you!

Hey you "non-traditional" CP Students out there? It would be great to get acquainted!!

Lynette

Lynette, I am excited for you! I just returned from Spring 2011, am 43 years old and had the time of my life. It was, I think, an even richer experience for me, as I had a marriage and family at 23 and never really attempted something truly on my own. I commuted to college when I was younger, so it was really a learning experience to live apart from my loved ones, and it was so good for me. I met a few others my age...I won't lie, you will be surrounded by younger cast members most of the time, but it turned out ok! I endured a few stares during Traditions, because others are curious as to the age difference, but met a lot of wonderful younger cast members that I had fun with and keep in contact with to this day. I think about it this way...if I had known about this program when I was younger, I would have gone too. So now you are on your way! If I can answer any questions for you, I would be happy to. Good luck and have a wonderful time.

 

[jewjubean]

I'm not considered "older" by CP means turning 23 during the program. But I had a bunch of friends who did the program that were older. Some of my closest friends were in their late 30's early 40's. I hope that you guys enjoy your program!! Keep in mind that there are idiotic CP's so if you can find a roommate that you are comfortable with before hand, I would. Keep in touch!

 

[Wicket912]

I'm 26 and just accepted my role! Go for it!

 

[Kimberry]

Wow! Thanks for all the encouragement here!!
I definitely went for it and am currently pending... It's been quite the roller coaster and I'm hoping I'll be able to meet up with all of you and celebrate!!

Lynette, I hope we get to meet, your post has made more excited than ever

Congrats to you, Wicket!!

 

[dustydanny]

Wow! Thanks for all the encouragement here!!
I definitely went for it and am currently pending... It's been quite the roller coaster and I'm hoping I'll be able to meet up with all of you and celebrate!!

Lynette, I hope we get to meet, your post has made more excited than ever

Congrats to you, Wicket!!

Oh heyyyy, I'm so happy to hear from you! So you've had your interview and got the "pending" message? That what I got too. I think thats a good thing!

I was worried at first because it indicated that I might not get an answer until December 19 (whut??? you guys are killin" me!).

I'm gonna send all of my positive energy in your direction!!

Oh geze, I gotta get to class! Haaaaaaaaaaa

L

 

[dustydanny]

Wow! Thanks for all the encouragement here!!
I definitely went for it and am currently pending... It's been quite the roller coaster and I'm hoping I'll be able to meet up with all of you and celebrate!!

Lynette, I hope we get to meet, your post has made more excited than ever

Congrats to you, Wicket!!

KB
Just wondering if you've heard anything yet?
I know the waiting is hard.

 

[dustydanny]

I'm 26 and just accepted my role! Go for it!

Congrats to you!!

 

[BigDreamer]

Hi! Just adding my two cents in here, but I turned 29 while doing the Spring 11 CP and it was amazing!! One of my closest friend down there was 21, and while I didn't get a long with everyone, I enjoyed every minute of it! It was even better BECAUSE i was older, I was much more self-sufficient and totally comfortable going to the parks on my own when all my other friends were at work. I too was pended this time last year (I had had my phone interview August 28th and eventually accepted November 4th, so it was a looooong wait, but so worth it!) Good luck!!

 

[bandigirly]

Thanks Kimberly for posting. I just turned 30 in september, and applied for the CP. I am still pending and was worried about the age factor, and this is my second term applying. I have also applied for some PIs to extend my chances.

Also thanks to everyone who has responded, you have addressed a lot of my concerns.


-=Jamie=-

PI/CP Hopeful

 

[dustydanny]

Lynette, I am excited for you! I just returned from Spring 2011, am 43 years old and had the time of my life. It was, I think, an even richer experience for me, as I had a marriage and family at 23 and never really attempted something truly on my own. I commuted to college when I was younger, so it was really a learning experience to live apart from my loved ones, and it was so good for me. I met a few others my age...I won't lie, you will be surrounded by younger cast members most of the time, but it turned out ok! I endured a few stares during Traditions, because others are curious as to the age difference, but met a lot of wonderful younger cast members that I had fun with and keep in contact with to this day. I think about it this way...if I had known about this program when I was younger, I would have gone too. So now you are on your way! If I can answer any questions for you, I would be happy to. Good luck and have a wonderful time.

Thanks for the encouragement! Wow, would ya do it again? So what was your role? Did you use the Roommate Matching process? I'm just wondering how specific you can be with preferences. Like apartment complex or the number of bedrooms you prefer? Where did you live? (i'm just fulla questions) Lynette

 

[bandigirly]

Thanks for the encouragement! Wow, would ya do it again? So what was your role? Did you use the Roommate Matching process? I'm just wondering how specific you can be with preferences. Like apartment complex or the number of bedrooms you prefer? Where did you live? (i'm just fulla questions) Lynette

Lynette,

From what I've heard you can get pretty specific with roomates .. the people on fb have chosen who their roommates are. Good luck and best wishes w/ it!!

 

[peterpan2011]

Thanks for the encouragement! Wow, would ya do it again? So what was your role? Did you use the Roommate Matching process? I'm just wondering how specific you can be with preferences. Like apartment complex or the number of bedrooms you prefer? Where did you live? (i'm just fulla questions) Lynette

My role was Merchandise at Hollywood Studios. I tried the roommate matching process, but I never received a response from Disney on that ( I believe there were issues with my particular arrival date/huge number of people requested that date..so many so that Disney was asking people to pick a later start date!) Anyway, I emailed Disney's Housing dept. and outlined my choices of apartment complexes (requested Patterson or Chatham), and explained my preference for a one bedroom due to my age (I was not really interested in living with 4 or 6 other people, haha). When I arrived to check-in, I was automatically given a key to Chatham and they had already chosen my roommate (she was 49, I was 42 at the time). I live right outside Charlotte, NC. I have four children from college to elementary school. I had a wonderful time and no regrets other than being separated from my family. My fellow cast members and managers were very supportive to me, as was my family. I would not repeat the College program as I have gone seasonal, and there is no need to stay away from my family that long again, however, I would like to apply for a PI in the future, possibly. I think the first few days were the hardest. I say that because there is Traditions, and other things going on where you are in large groups attending. It is at this time that you are acutely aware that most are 25 and under. I am not the type to let this bother me, but what did bother me is that some of the Program participants would stare at me (on the bus, etc.) and although I am sure it was not ill-intentioned, I grew tired of it. After starting in my role, however, I felt like I blended in because the parks of full of all age groups. I made friends with some great people and even went out with them a few times (despite being older). So did my roommate, by the way. So there you have it! No regrets at all. Let me know if I can answer anything else for you. Have a wonderful time!

 

[julayla]

I turned 28 in my program. I was kind of lucky, though: Most people thought I was much younger. Two of my roommates were close to my age.

I do remember seeing a CP who was probably in her forties get on the bus once. She showed her housing ID to the driver like everyone else, but he wasn't paying attention. After she sat down, the driver had another look at her and demanded to see her ID (as if she slipped on the bus without showing her ID at all). She told me the drivers do this to her a lot, since she's older. I'm sure it was aggravating, but she accepted it with a shrug and proceeded to have a lively conversation with another CP. She *did* stand out in a crowd of twenty-something-year-olds, but I silently admired her for it.

If you don't look like the typical college student, it's possible you'll encounter a few people who'll give you a hard time about it. Phooey on them. If you really want this experience, don't let age stop you. Embrace it!