ICP Alumni help! Pro's and con's of your jobs

[rosie126]

Hi everyone!

I am new to the site so hello!!!

I have my final interview for the College Program on Tuesday (applying from the UK!). I am applying for Operations, Recreation, Character Attendant, and Merchandise. Has anyone done any of these jobs before? Just wanted to here your thoughts on them! I think any job there would be incredible just would love an in site!

Thank you

Rosie

 

[stefani_]

Hello I am not from the UK--I am actually from Canada--but I know that we both apply through Yummy Jobs. I did the ICP in summer 2012 in a Merchandise role. I worked at Mouse Gear in EPCOT, the largest store in EPCOT and the third largest on property (after World of Disney in Downtown Disney and The Emporium in Magic Kingdom). I absolutely loved it! Mere words cannot describe my experience... I would definitely recommend it. I also worked in several other stores for fun but nothing beats working in a big store for me. Do you have preference between the roles you chose? I have friends that worked in all those roles! Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Hey Rosie, I'm from the UK and did the ICP summer 2012. I loved it!

If you want to send me a private message, I will send you my FB info if you have any further questions/wanna see some photos

I have friends who have done all of those areas and I myself worked in Merchandise.

I worked in Merchandise on Main Street USA (at the Emporium) at the Magic Kingdom. I loved my job - though the pros and cons of each role are also dependent on where you work. For instance, all my shifts were evening shifts. My average finish was around 1-2am, with some finishes being 4.30am at the height of summer. My friend in Merch who worked at Animal Kingdom, never finished past 9pm! - Sometimes my shifts wouldn't even start till 10pm!

My role in Magic Kingdom merch meant long hours - quite a lot of 10-12+ hour shifts. Some days the hours ARE rough (especially when you are stocking - on your feet all day) but it is so worth it.

For me, merch in the Magic Kingdom was being at the heart of the magic. In other roles, you don't necessarily get the freedom to have long discussions with guests whereas in Merchandise it is openly encouraged. I loved creating magical moments for people!

Depending on how you look at it, in my specific location, I was also trained in 'baby care'. Basically, you work in a section of the park next to First Aid and accomodate lost children/parents trying to find lost children as well as sell a few baby-related products, cleaning the changing rooms etc. Obviously for those not comfortable with young children, it isn't great, but I always found myself with late shifts (all the ICPs work late shifts) and late at night, you don't have many kids in the park. So I got to watch Disney movies whilst cleaning up a kids play room - not bad

It's so hard to think of pros and cons - there are however so many pros that outweigh the cons. The only cons I can think of are the long, late hours (it was hard to meet up with my friends outside of Magic Kingdom merch/out door food and bev, as they had similar hours); standing on your feet all day and the bus to work (which takes about 30-40 mins - at least, then another bus before a long walk to where you actually begin your shift).

I would totally encourage Merchandise - I had so much fun!

Good luck

 

[rosie126]

Wow! Both experiences sound amazing! I am so nervous about the face to face interview on Tuesday! Aim going to say the roles I would love to do are: character attendent, recreation, merchandise and operations.. Do you think that is enough to say? I really really really would love a job there and I don't want to disadvantage myself due to not selecting many roles!


Also how was your face to face interview? I found the group interview really relaxed, is it the same?


Thank you!

Rosie

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Wow! Both experiences sound amazing! I am so nervous about the face to face interview on Tuesday! Aim going to say the roles I would love to do are: character attendent, recreation, merchandise and operations.. Do you think that is enough to say? I really really really would love a job there and I don't want to disadvantage myself due to not selecting many roles!


Also how was your face to face interview? I found the group interview really relaxed, is it the same?


Thank you!

Rosie

You will be fine! Are you going to the London one? The Hammersmith offices are so cool. I never had a group pre-screen, I had a telephone interview.

Basically you will be interviewed by two American ladies from the Disney company (if it's the same format as last year). I'd say it was more formal than the pre-screen interview. Also you are interviewed in pairs (which I found really nerve-wracking). The questions are pretty much what you will expect from a standard interview - no nasty tricky questions at all! They were all experience based, no scenario based questions etc.

I actually selected the same jobs as you plus lifeguarding. Do you have a lot of retail experience? From my experiences with UK candidates, most people who select merch with a heavy retail background will get merch. Similarly, ANYONE who puts down Quick Service Food&Bev is likely to get that role.. so if you *really* don't care what you are doing, QSFB or Custodial is likely to perhaps strengthen your chances. However, for me, I would have done anything but wanted a different type of Disney experience than those two. However, Custodial actually does look like a lot of fun.

You will be fine; remember to just smile

 

[rosie126]

Thank you! You have calmed me down lots! Have prepped for interview questions and any job specific ones just in case! Sorry I am applying for life guard too .i have quite a lot of retail experience but lots of work with people which may suit the character attendant SO excited! How long do you have to wait after the interview to find out how you have done?! X

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Thank you! You have calmed me down lots! Have prepped for interview questions and any job specific ones just in case! Sorry I am applying for life guard too .i have quite a lot of retail experience but lots of work with people which may suit the character attendant SO excited! How long do you have to wait after the interview to find out how you have done?! X

I think it was between 7-14 days? And I believe we all found out at the same time (or within a matter of days).

I'm so excited for you
The day will make you want the programme even more; I think I cried during the presentation LOL!

P.S The link in my signature 'International College Programme Blog' has some information regarding the interview/waiting to hear a response. I just wasn't able to keep up the blog (like a lot of people) because I was so busy in Disney!

 

[rosie126]

Thank you I will let you know how I do! We all find out on December 1st apparently so a long old wait! I will have a look at that link!

X

 

[rosie126]

I got offered a role in operations!!!!!!! I am so so so so so so so so so excited!!!!! Do you know anyone that has worked operation or had experiences of it? Want to hear everything about it!!

 

[MrsSparrow..]

I got offered a role in operations!!!!!!! I am so so so so so so so so so excited!!!!! Do you know anyone that has worked operation or had experiences of it? Want to hear everything about it!!

Congratulations!! You're going to have an amazing time!
I had one friend who worked Main Gate Operations at Magic Kingdom. She got to help with the turnstiles and parades/fireworks everyday and she ADORED her job. My other friend in operations worked at Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Jr, he loved it too!
You're going to have so much fun! Welldone!!