Looking for info on the WDW College Program!

Andrew015

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I'm not exactly sure what would be the best board to post this on, but I figured I'd give it a shot here, so here it goes. Thursday here at Mount Union College, the Walt Disney World College program was on campus recruiting new interns. I picked up a brochure and noted that there was an informational meeting later on in the evening. I figured I'd stop by and check it out, just to get some additional information. Turns out to be a prety cool presentation, and the next thing you know, they're interviewing me for the position. I won't know for a few more weeks whether or not they've accepted me, but I seemed to impress them with my "Disney Knowledge!"

I am curious whether or not anyone has gone through this program, or if anyone has some general infro about it. (Pros / Cons) Any information would be greatly appreciated. It seems like a great opportunity, but I'm sketchy on the details.

Someone please fill me in!!!
 
Hi Andrew, this is not Baron, this is his daughter and I recently went through the WDW College Program. If I have to say one thing about the program, sum it up in one word, I would have to say EVIL! Honestly, it will put Disney in your blood, your mind, your heart, and all you will think about after you go home is how soon you can go back.

I arrived down in Disney last Aug. My job assignment was in Adventureland/Liberty Square Operations. When they told me my assignment I was thrilled to pieces. I just knew I would be assigned to one of my favorite attractions, The Jungle Cruise or the Haunted Mansion, I was even willing to settle for Pirates. But, alas, no such luck. I got stuck at the ATT Complex, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, The Enchanted Tiki Birds, and the Swiss Family Robinson Tree house. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper and I just wanted to go home. But, they said that in the beginning you may feel like that, just stick it out and you’ll love it. Well, let’s just say at the end of my program, in January, I decided to extend my program till May! It was a decision I do not regret. I especially like the part where extended CP’s get to cross train at another attraction of their choice, so I got the heck out of Agra bah and moved to the Haunted Mansion! Working 2 attractions defiantly made the experience that much better.

While down there, you will make some of the best friends of your life. I was very fortunate, not once, but twice, to have the best roommates. From both programs, there was never any roommate drama and I still talk to all of them. My friends I made at work were wonderful. I have had 5 people come and visit me over the summer and I am currently trying to plan ways to go and visit some of them. It is hard work and a lot of e-mails, letters and phone calls, but the friendships I made are surely worth the hard work.

The WDW college program was one of the best decisions I made in my life. Once you leave (as long as it is in good standing) you can go seasonal and when you go back down to Disney, you can work a couple of days and then you can receive all your discounts and free entrance to the parks during your stay. If you turn into the “Disney freak” as most do, this is a wonderful, wonderful thing. I have in fact already made one trip back down since my program ended to visit and work.

Now for some of the cons. You will be POOR. After all that is what CP stands for, Constantly Poor. Depending on the room you choose, I had a three bedroom, 6 girls, they will take rent out of your paycheck. Mine was $67.00 a month. You will be making only $6.00 an hour so you will have to learn to live off of that. I ate a lot of pasta—Ragu was 2 for $1.50 and noodles were only 89 cents. Frozen Waffles were always a good thing. Make sure to check the Extra Hours Hotline on your cast portal and try to pick up anything you can, in your area or in another that does not require training. You can work PAC, Parade Crowd Control or perm greet at an attraction or fill drinks at any quick service restaurant. There are many opportunities to make money, you just might have to look for them. Don’t go there with the intention of saving anything, you wont and what you do save I would recommend spending. Get the most out of your program. Eat in the Disney restaurants, go to Universal and Sea World, explore the area right outside of Disney, there is tons to do.

Aside from the money and possibly the heat, there really is no other cons I can think of off the top of my head. When are you planning on going? Next Spring? If there are any questions you have on anything I may not have answered, feel free to ask. I have millions of recommendations and suggestions for things I did do and things I wish I would have done. To sum it all up, it is a wonderful program and I am jealous you are going and I am not. Once again, any questions don’t hesitate, just ask.
 
It is great to hear thoughts on the program. I just applied last week and have the info session and interview in late October. I can't wait and think it would be so much fun. Hopefully I get in now, lol!
 

Don't forget the (literally) hundreds of WDWCP alumni sites on the internet: disneycp.net, wdwcp.org, wdwcpinfo.com, disneyalumni.com....there are tons of them!
 
Well said, Baron's daughter.

There are definitely a lot of highs and lows to the program, but it is a wonderful experience!

I had the time of my life, and I hope that if you are accepted and decide to go.

I worked MK custodial during the Summer of 2000 (when they still had a summer program). I enjoyed the program so much that I applied and was accepted to be a representative for the program on my undergraduate campus.

I'm now in law school, and am still looking for ways to enter back into the company! I miss it. Baron's daughter is right - it creates or reaffirms a Disney obsession.

Good luck! :)
 
Andrew, in considering the WDWCP, one thing you may want to do is go back and look at the Concierge thread you started on the debate board. The way you treated the CM at WL (or the "elf," as you referred to him), is how you will be treated by many guests. You will get much better, but you will also get much worse. Are you ready to do that?

In addition, are you ready to go down and be an "elf?" or perhaps have that person have senority over you in your work location?
 
I loved the CP!! I did it way back in 1991!! It was so much fun! I worked at the Liberty Inn. I too saved no money-there was too much to do! We hit every disney place and every beach in FL!! We(my roomies!) even took a week and went to Key West! I hope you get to do it!
KAren:bounce:
 
I did the program in Spring 99, I was tour guide (Attractions Host" at The Magic of Disney Animation. I had a great time - definately worth it. I'm on AIM from 9-5 most week days (rsohorjr) so IM me if you need info.
 
Originally posted by Andrew015
I am curious whether or not anyone has gone through this program, or if anyone has some general infro about it. (Pros / Cons) Any information would be greatly appreciated. It seems like a great opportunity, but I'm sketchy on the details.

I've been looking into doing the college program also and I was getting REALLY excited for it. But in time I realized that I really can't afford to take a semester off from college. I know I'd be able to get a credit or two from the WDWCP, but that's not enough, I'm already gonna be at school for more than four years! But a few weeks ago there was a representative of the CP on my campus, and he gave me a bit of very nice information, maybe you'd find it interesting. He said I would be able to do the CP the semester after I graduate! I was so excited when he told me that because that would just be perfect for me! I'll graduate from college, do the CP, then off to grad school!
 
This is really more of a community board thing, so I'm going to relocate this thread.

Sarangel
 
I will be doing the CP for the fall semester, which is, in my case, the semester after I graduate. I haven't experienced it yet, so I don't know what it's going to be like, but pretty much everyone I've talked to that has done it loved it.

I think Karen (who posts as MickeysDisneyPrincess) is also doing the CP in the fall.
 
My daughter did the Cp June 2001-Jan 2002..she worked half the week in costuming for the parade in the Magic Kingdom, the other half of the week she did custodial.... I expected her to hate the custodial part, but she actually loved it because of the opportunity to talk to guests....she loved the Cp so much that she went back and did it again May 2002-Jan 2003..

as Baron's daughter stated,,my daughter talked about nothing but going back, permanently....

she also made terrific friends and is in touch with most of them,,she has flown from PA to Seattle to visit one..and another flew from New Mexico to PA to visit her..

I had the opportunity to meet a lot of her friends and they are great people..

since she has graduated,, and has been job hunting, every interview she's gone on the interviewer talked mostly about her experience with disney once they saw that on her resume..

it's a great thing to have on your resume since most companies know the training and work ethic that disney teaches..
 
Recently I went to a seminar about the program back in April. I was so happy to finally hear experiences from people who had gone through the program themselves. Currently I am a junior in high school, and ever since I've learnt about the program I've been trying to get as much information on it as possible. Yes, I'm Disney obssessed, I've been researching the program for about the past four years.
Next year as a senior in high school I'll be taking advantage of enrolling in the Running Start Program, thus allowing me to go to college on the school district's bill. By the time I graduate high school, I'll have a full year of college behind me.:) I have decided, as well as my boyfriend, to enroll for the Fall 2005 program. We're both excited. He had never heard about the program nor thought about doing it. My parents and I have turned him into a Disney Nut.......:p Yes, guilty as charged.
Now, for those of you who have been in the wdwcp, have any of you gone during the Fall?? I know I'll find it hard being away from my family especially during the holidays. How was it for you? My parents and I usually go to wdw a week before Christmas, and they said that will probably be about the time they would come to see us..... thankfully. And I also have another question... I was wondering if they still have an orchestra, one to possibly play for... I play the viola.:charac2: Thanks for any help and information, it will be greatly appreciated. If you want, PM me.
Thanks again,~~ pirate: Jenpirate:
 
I agree with everything Landbaron's daughter said. I was a CP back in the summer of 1999.

And Kate - I remember that thread as well.
 
I would really like to do this too, but I just don't know. I love Disney World and all, but I really have to decide if I want to do it. I don't see why I can't make up my mind. :confused:
 
More positive things from me as well. I was there with one of my best friends from school last spring and although I kind of complained while I was there because it is hard work and stuff, I talk about it all the time now and miss it sooooo much. It was worth taking the semester off and some of the other sacrifices that I made because the payoff is huge. I worked in the MK at the Emporium and had over 70 CP's that I worked with. I now have friends from all over the United States that I still keep in touch with. Good luck and let me know if ya have any questions...I'm always up for talking about the program!:wave:
 














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