Some Disney CP Questions..

[DisneyVixen]

Hi everyone! I'm new around The DIS parts! I am a slightly confused college student, kinda stuck in a bind as to what to do next. I have my AA, but I'm just not so sure where my life is headed just yet. I have a FIERY passion for all this Disney (especially the theme parks ) and in the past, I have considered applying. I have been browsing this particular forum to see what things are like for the CP individuals and I'm thinking you may hold the answers I'm seeking! So if you don't mind helping, it would GREATLY be appreciated... Here goes! lol


1.) I'm kind of confused as to what I would like to seek my future degrees in. Kind of teetering between marketing/psych/graphic design/PR.. something along those lines. I would also like to try for a future with the Disney Company somewhere in the ranks of project designer/planner type work. (I'm sure this all seems like high expectations, but it's just a general idea of what I'd someday like to accomplish ) Have any of you noticed the jobs you've held through the program show potential leads to better positions within the company, or no? Do you maybe know anyone who has moved significantly higher in the food chain? lol
2.) I notice some of you are mentioning different starting dates as to beginning the program. How often do they begin programs and when are any up and coming?
3.) I know that the Disney Co. goes overseas to recruit many individuals from other countries to work in the EPCOT World Showcase. Are these people in the college program as well?
4.) Also, any age restrictions to the program?
5.) Many people I mention this to are skepticle that working for this company will decipate the "magic" for me.. How do you feel about this?

Any other information you may feel would be helpful would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance for your help, sorry if some of my questions seem redundant, I'm just very curious.

 

[styloviolet]

Hi, DisneyVixen!

1) A big part of landing future employment with the Company (especially in an area of interest) can be determined by how you leverage your College Program experience. There are tons of opportunities to job shadow, take classes, and network with people in all areas of the Walt Disney Company. If you really work the experience, you can find a way to go pretty much any direction you want. And, as an Alumni of the program, you can participate in a Professional Internship, which is a more structured and area-specific internship opportunity than the general College Program.

2) The College Program is divided into two seasons: Fall/Fall Advantage and Spring/Spring Advantage. The Spring program goes from approximately January-May (Spring Advantage January-August), and the Fall program from August-early January (Fall Advantage June-early January). You need to apply for the College Program during the semester BEFORE you would like to go (i.e. apply for the Fall program during Spring semester).

3) The wonderful people who work in the World Showcase at Epcot and some of Disney's Animal Kingdom are participants in the International Program. They are year for approximately a year as representatives of their respective countries. International participants live in a different apartment complex than the College Program students.

4) You must be 18 years of age upon arriving in Orlando.

5) I think that the "destroying the magic" factor is different for each person. I too have a passion for all things Disney, and working for the Company and having such great experiences has only made me love it more!

 

[Joanna71985]

I think you should definetely consider doing the CP. I did it Spring 2005 and had a BLAST!! It was one of the best times of my life. I am also hoping to do another CP for the Fall 2006 program. I didn't think that working at Disney "ruined" the magic for me. In fact, I think it made it stronger- I want to work at Disney full-time! So keep thinking about it. You can find some info at the website www.wdwcollegeprogram.com Good luck!

 

[DisneyVixen]

Thank you so much for answering my questions! So I suppose, like anything else, its what you make of your experience I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions for me! I will definitely be looking into more information regarding this program, or maybe just asking you about it! lol, if you don't mind of course! Actually I have one request, is there anyway I can have some information sent to me? Should I visit the website for that? I'm also looking for information on if this costs anything? I wouldn't think so if we are working for Disney, but I know that we are supplied rooms to live in. I'm sorry if my questions seem redundant! The site didn't answer some of the questions I have. Thank you SO much for taking the time to answer my inquiries

 

[Principessa1284]

1.) Once you complete the CP, you can apply for a professional/advanced internship, which are often management positions. They are the way to go if you want to rise in the ranks.
2.) They have new arrivals 3 times a year: January: Spring (Jan-May), and Spring Advantage (Jan-Aug).. interviews are Sep-Nov of the previous semester. May: Fall Advantage (May-Jan), and August: Fall (Aug-Jan).. both Fall programs interview Feb-April of the previous semester.
3.) They're on the international program. Some are college students, some are just college aged, but either way they all have different arrival dates and free washers and dryers.
4.) Must be 18 by the time you begin the program. I have a friend here now who's 26, and know there are people in their 30's here now too.
5.) Well, the magic has only been "ruined" in one way.. lets just say I was backstage after the character parade ended. Besides that, the magic has only been amplified.

 

[Joanna71985]

Thank you so much for answering my questions! So I suppose, like anything else, its what you make of your experience I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions for me! I will definitely be looking into more information regarding this program, or maybe just asking you about it! lol, if you don't mind of course! Actually I have one request, is there anyway I can have some information sent to me? Should I visit the website for that? I'm also looking for information on if this costs anything? I wouldn't think so if we are working for Disney, but I know that we are supplied rooms to live in. I'm sorry if my questions seem redundant! The site didn't answer some of the questions I have. Thank you SO much for taking the time to answer my inquiries

The prices are like this. One- to four-bedroom apartments are available, and housing costs vary depending on the size of the apartment and which complex a participant is assigned to live in during his/her program.

In assigning apartments, all participants will be separated by gender and whether they are over or under the age of 21. Cast Members living in our housing complexes who are under the age of 21 upon arrival automatically will be placed in a Wellness apartment (dry apartment, no alcohol). All others will be placed in Non-Wellness apartments, unless you request otherwise upon arrival.

All apartments are designated non-smoking.

Housing costs: (This includes all amenities.)

Vista Way: $69 or $81 a week
Chatham Square: $71 or $83 a week
The Commons: $75 or $87 a week
These rates are based on the number of bedrooms and varying amenities among the complexes. They do not include any applicable taxes.

Housing costs are automatically deducted weekly from a Cast Members' paychecks, so they don't worry about turning in a check at the beginning of the month. We make every effort to ensure the living component of our program is as convenient as possible for our participants.

(this is off of www.wdwcollegeprogram.com.)

 

[DisneyVixen]

The prices are like this. One- to four-bedroom apartments are available, and housing costs vary depending on the size of the apartment and which complex a participant is assigned to live in during his/her program.

In assigning apartments, all participants will be separated by gender and whether they are over or under the age of 21. Cast Members living in our housing complexes who are under the age of 21 upon arrival automatically will be placed in a Wellness apartment (dry apartment, no alcohol). All others will be placed in Non-Wellness apartments, unless you request otherwise upon arrival.

All apartments are designated non-smoking.

Housing costs: (This includes all amenities.)

Vista Way: $69 or $81 a week
Chatham Square: $71 or $83 a week
The Commons: $75 or $87 a week
These rates are based on the number of bedrooms and varying amenities among the complexes. They do not include any applicable taxes.

Housing costs are automatically deducted weekly from a Cast Members' paychecks, so they don't worry about turning in a check at the beginning of the month. We make every effort to ensure the living component of our program is as convenient as possible for our participants.

Wow, alright, that makes sense As far as apartments go, do they all have double rooms, or do any rooms have single bedrooms? I did the dorming thing in college (shared a room with someone else) and I'm not too fond of it. No offense to anyone, just like my own personal space. I didn't see any images of single rooms or single rooms as a part of an apartment on the website.

 

[Joanna71985]

Unfortunately, all apartments are shared bedrooms. So even if you are in a 1-bedroom apartment, there will be 2 people in the apartment. I had 4 people in my first apartment, and 3 people in the 2nd (1 roommate moved out).