Past CP/Campus Rep/Disney Employee - new to board - taking questions

[chrstina]

Hello,

I was on the CP in 2001 (I checked in 9/12/01) so it was interesting with the change in security and anthrax and whatnot. I have loads of experience and thought I would open myself up to some questions.

Background:
I am from Ohio, was CP in attractions at EPCOT, had 7 roommates at Chatham Square, met my now husband at Disney, Was Campus Rep when I returned to school, Moved back to FLA after graduation of college to work at WDW, was EPCOT attractions again (Land Boat Ride) then transferred to V&A's reservationist and then to an Executive Sales Assistant. I miss it very much as my husband and I really didn't like living in FLA after the CP so we moved back north.

Ask away - this is exciting - it was the best decision in my life to do the CP and I would LOVE to live vicariously through you....

 

[MaryPoppins86]

wow 2001! and you checked in the day after 9/11. that must have been something wild. what was the cp like then when you went? any stories to share? i'm hoping to do the cp next year. if i don't get in i'll just have to keep trying untill disney has no choice but to take me. lol.

 

[MaryPoppins86]

oh and also, welcome to the dis!

 

[chrstina]

Stories will be a plenty when you are on the CP. It was AMAZING! I worked EPCOT fastpass on the CP (team no longer exists) so I would float between the fastpass attractions (before Soarin') and then come time for Illuminations, we would do crowd control....so I would get paid to stand and watch the fireworks.

My stories waver around how stupid tourists can be. You'd be amazed as to what questions you get! Also, the way Disney runs things is awesome! pretty neat system and I am sure that things are tweaked and better now.

Also, when you start, you have training and Traditions class (basic class on Disney) but you also get one 8 hour day to "explore" your park. Mine was called Discovery Day (since it was EPCOT) and we walked around as a group and went on rides, pointed out hidden mickeys, best day of work ever! There are many cast member perks, we went to MK at 2AM to preview one of the new parades....and roommate had a part at the Haunted Mansion one day where they open all the stretching rooms. You'll all have a BLAST!

OH and another good story is how I met my husband there. ) From what I hear, many people meet their matches there as well and makes for a great story for kids.

 

[Holly_Golightly]

Please do share the story of how you met your husband I imagine it's a very "magical" story, lol.

Also, how easy was it to become a full-time Disney employee? I really want to work for Disney after I graduate. I'm doing the CP during the fall semester of my senior year, and plan on applying for a PI during my Spring semester in the hopes of getting my foot in the door and working my way up, but what are the chances of my being offered a full-time job once my internship is up?

 

[chrstina]

Husband Story: He worked for Research and was near the entrances where my roommate worked maingate. She would come home and tell me how we were the same person. She was a matchmaker of sorts. She was very adament as to how alike we were and wanted us to meet. We ended up finally meeting in front of the MK, before you walk under the train station. A bunch of roommates and I were headed there to "play" in the park and it was a complete "by chance" meeting. The roommate that knew him was with us and pointed him out. He was transferred into Security after many positions opened up after 9/11. He had to take care of a "wagon" situation and then came over to talk to us. I met him and although sounds corny, sparks flew. I've NEVER had this reaction to anyone. We invited him out that evening but he had plans and we proceeded with the rest of our day in the park. A few other by chance meetings and one forced invite from roommate to go bowling with us, the rest was history. He was dating another CP....but it wasn't serious and maybe he had the same reaction I did when we met. I left the CP and went back to Ohio in Jan '02. We had a long distance relationship until May '02 when he decided to move to Ohio to be with me. We've lived together ever since, traveled/moved back to Florida and now back to Ohio. We went to Disney in May '04 for my roommate's wedding (she had a Disney wedding) and he proposed to me in the same spot, at the MK that we met at the same time of day. He said it was 2:00PM. He planned it perfectly. We were married in Oct. '05 and are expecting our first child now in December. I get whitty all over again re-creating the events to how we met! That place is truly magical.....(PS, we go at least once a year back to Disney)

Now what was your other question?

 

[chrstina]

Also, how easy was it to become a full-time Disney employee? I really want to work for Disney after I graduate. I'm doing the CP during the fall semester of my senior year, and plan on applying for a PI during my Spring semester in the hopes of getting my foot in the door and working my way up, but what are the chances of my being offered a full-time job once my internship is up?

OH, right, OK. If you stay an employee, it is relatively easy. You just go to the casting building and request a transfer to full time. I was CP, but then kept my active cast member status by being a campus rep and then when I graduated, just moved down to FLA and transferred to an open full-time position....I was attractions so it wasn't too too easy to find one but it seems that there is always something that opens up. My one roommate was merch and she stayed a cast member/seasonal and just would go down like twice a year to work at the store and she was good. You couldn't be that flexible with attractions. Once you are in at Disney, it is relatively easy to move around. Basically they pride themselves at working your way to the top. Starting at EPCOT fastpass and then ending is Resort Sales as an Executive Sales Assistant working under Megan Ditka (Mike Ditka's daughter) wasn't too shabby!

 

[Holly_Golightly]

That is such a sweet story. And even more romantic since both the meeting and the proposal took place at Disney. Thanks for sharing. I think you've just upped my expectations for my proposal someday. I would love to have a story like yours where I meet my hubby at DW and get proposed to there too

Regarding the FT thing, what does it take to be a campus rep? Since I'll be in the DCP during my Fall semester senior year, I'll be back at school for my Spring (and last) semester, which is when I would apply for a PI. Or maybe I should just apply for the summer alumni program during senior spring semester and transfer to FT then . . . ah I guess I have some more planning to do.

Thanks for all this great advice! I'll probably think of a lot more questions since you basically lived the life that I hoping for, working for Disney and all . . .

 

[chrstina]

Holly Golighty - you are too sweet! Thank you!

As for campus rep, I forget exactly how I got into it but I asked before I left the CP. Towards the end. I think it depends on how many campus reps there are for your university. I went to OSU (Ohio State University) and there were maybe 1 or 2 reps and of a campus that size, there really needed to be more. I also felt that the program didn't get enough exposure to the students as only a few went. I asked and expressed these concerns and got transferred. My roommate and I both did this route. Basically it's all about your connections, make a lot of them while you are down there. It is SUCH an amazing time! I wish blogs existed back then, then I'd have record. My diary/journal didn't cut it. WAY to much going on to document via book so I pooped out about 2 weeks in.

 

[disneychickforever]

it's great to meet someone who was a CP back in 2001. How did you handle check-in right after 9/11? I know that I'd be a wreck going through that....

 

[chrstina]

The check in had to be extended a few days because of the delayed flights. I think my one roommate didn't check in until a week later. I drove so I was there ON 9/11, they closed Disney. It was really scary/surreal. The parks were E-M-P-T-Y a few weeks later. I'm talking about descolate. It got better though but then there was the Anthrax scare, I heard many rides getting closed due to "white powder" but it turned out to be baby formula. A roommate of mine had a father high up in the military and he wanted her to come home because of a threat to the parks. Luckily nothing came out of it and we pretty much said that we weren't going to change our plans for what "might" happen.

You'll LOVE it! I had SUCH a blast! I can't believe how long it has been!

 

[disneychickforever]

The check in had to be extended a few days because of the delayed flights. I think my one roommate didn't check in until a week later. I drove so I was there ON 9/11, they closed Disney. It was really scary/surreal. The parks were E-M-P-T-Y a few weeks later. I'm talking about descolate. It got better though but then there was the Anthrax scare, I heard many rides getting closed due to "white powder" but it turned out to be baby formula. A roommate of mine had a father high up in the military and he wanted her to come home because of a threat to the parks. Luckily nothing came out of it and we pretty much said that we weren't going to change our plans for what "might" happen.

You'll LOVE it! I had SUCH a blast! I can't believe how long it has been!

Wow, that's crazy. Glad everything worked out though!

I can't wait to get there it'll be so much fun!