Hi,
I am new today to Disboards so hey everyone!
I'm 20 years old (will be 21 by the time I do my CP) and I'm from the UK. I'm currently looking at applying to the CP in WDW next summer for 2 and a half months and I was wondering if anyone had been on a college programme? Or knows a little bit more about it than I do? I have heard you can become a character attendant which I am very interested in, and maybe auditioning to become a character, however, I've had a job in a mascot outfit before and I get a bit claustrophobic so I was wondering if you could apply for a "face" character as I think they are called? (Where the character is a real person such as Mary Poppins, The Princesses, Alice in Wonderland etc?)
And my last question is how much does it cost or how much do you get paid? The applications for next year aren't open until August so I am waiting to find out more then
If anyone could help me at all that would be great
I am starting to get excited about it even before Ive applied so I would love to know more so that I can start my application 100% certain that I want to do it
Thanks Guys xxx
Hi there! I'm Ashleigh, also from the UK and did the ICP last summer (I worked in Merchandise, Magic Kingdom)! I'm also thinking of applying again next year or doing the full-year Cultural Representative Program as I will be graduating next June, and quite fancy a post-uni gap year! I'll do my best to answer your questions, if you have any more, post away or PM me
. If you want to nosey around my ICP photos on my FB, feel free to send me a PM and I'll send you a link to my FB page.
1. Yes you can become a character attendant! In fact, one of my friends from the ICP last year is doing that role this summer. I think it is one of the best jobs to have out there; so much guest interaction and getting up close and personal with the characters. Although I have also heard it has its downsides, such as not getting to know 'one set' of co-workers very well (as character attendants tend to move locations quite a lot).
2. You can be a character performer (you select the roles you would be willing to do at the face-to-face final interview); but only a 'fur characer' (i.e. Minnie Mouse, Pluto etc). Internationals cannot be face characters due to some local restrictions set in place
. A shame I know as some of the British accents attempted are pretty questionable!
3. The pay depends on your role, but I think I earned somewhere between $6-$7 an hour. If you are thinking that this experience is a good way to earn money, the experience is not for you. I came home with $300 that I saved, and quite honestly wish I had spent it. Looking at my spreadsheet I made last year, the actual ENTIRE cost of applying, getting there etc cost me £1208.00!
Breakdown:
Flight: £583
CRB Check: £60
Travel/Interview costs: £30 (varies on where you live)
Travel to Embassy: 25 (again, varies)
Visa: £120 (2012 cost)
Medical Insurance: £100
Housing Fee: £75
Work Shoes: £30
Initial Spending Money: £170*
Airport Money: £15
Total: £1208.00
Don't let that figure put you off! The costs are spread throughout the year, and some costs such as travel to interviews and spending money is down to you! I found £170 lasted me way into my program and probably was more than I needed (you don't get paid for a couple of weeks so need some money to keep you going). Some people will say they spent a lot less on the program (some other breakdowns I have seen online) but I have been as fussy as I can with the smallest expenses.
It might seem pricey but it was the best experience of my life - I would go back again in a heartbeat.
More answers below!
Thanks so much for that, Im still getting used to the boards, it took me an hour to learn how to make a thread! haha! Id really appreciate any help I could get from anyone who knows something about the college programme.
How long does it go on for? Do you have to do the minimum of 90 days stated?
The dates vary; this year I believe there were two arrival dates. My arrival date last year was 10th of June, which was also an arrival date for this year. My contract ended on the 31st of August last year, but they appear to have got shorter this year, ending around mid-August.
What do you mean by minimum of 90 days? This year's contracts are definitely not 90 day contracts - if you mean to get some of the benefits (I think those on the CRP might/used to) - then nope, you get most of your benefits within a few weeks of being there.
What kind of jobs are there? I know there are character attendant, character performer, concierge, BBB stylist, food, merchandise etc. I'm really looking to be a character attendant and a character performer.
As far as I am aware, we can't be BBB stylists . We can work there though, I think, as a Merchandise role. Other roles I can think of are Merchandise, Operations (Attractions/Maingate operations), Custodial (A massively underrated job!), Full Service Food and Beverage, Quick Service Food and Beverage, Recreation, Housekeeping Lifeguard.. I am sure I have missed some. The more roles you select, the better your chances. I think the only roles I consciously did not tick were Custodial, Housekeeping and Quick Service. Although I would consider Custodial if I were to apply again - they have so much freedom and guest interaction! In my interview, I stated my preferences would be Operations and Merchandise - and I got Merchandise. Disney do try to accommodate preferences but it is not in their interest to do so. We're basically filling in gaps - so try not to be too fussy if you are really eager. Every role has their ups and downs.
Will me family be able to visit me while I'm over in the States?
Definitely! Mine did. I was able to get them a discounted stay at a Disney Hotel and get them in to the parks for free, on my 'Maingate Pass' which enabled me to get up to three guests free entry into any Disney theme park for a certain amount of times (I can't remember how many days!). Although this year, I know Magic Kingdom isn't included! Next year it might be though, who knows.
What is the accommodation like? I've seen a few photos from Jess' thread and it looks nice, but will I be with only people who do the same job as I do or will we be separate? How many people can share rooms?
Accommodation is lovely (I stayed in Chatham Square). I was sort of concerned about sharing a bedroom with a total stranger, but it was fine (you only share an actual room with 1 other person). The apartments are either 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. My first apartment was a 3 bedroom, so sharing with 5 other girls! It was really great, and all the girls were lovely. I was the only one from the UK. We all had varied jobs; my roommate worked in Quick Service at a resort, another in Quick Service at Magic Kingdom, one worked in a resort (forgot what she did!) and the last in Merchandise. They were all Canadian or American - I am still close with the Canadian I shared a room with. Best experience ever! (See www.wdwip.com for the differences between each housing complex and what facilities they have etc). The second apartment I had was a 1 bedroom, and I shared with a lovely lass from Lancashire. The 1 bedroom was a lot easier to keep clean, but I missed having a lively apartment to be honest.
It all looks so exciting but being in the UK, the application isn't open yet o its hard to find information about the CP and I don't really know anyone who has done it.
Go on www.wdwip.com - there is SO much information there.Read the site then go on to the discussion forum, it is where I found out about the program and will have literally every answer to your question.
Any help will be really good because I'm getting more excited and more confused every day! haah xxxx
There are other ICPs on this part of the forum - we just aren't as obvious with the abundance of CPs! There are quite a few ICP's on here who post on CP threads. So if you have many more questions, ask away or as I said earlier, PM me!
If you apply, you won't regret it! Maybe I will see you at interviews this year - Good luck
P.S - There is a link in my signature for my International College Program blog which details the application process.
