The College Program Questions thread

[KashK404]

I was wondering how hard it is to get into this college program and when do you know when your interview is??

 

[Tifftiff]

go to wdwcollegeprogram dot com and just look up the presentation schedule. It's not hard to get into if you have a good personality and seem like you actually want to be there

 

[superdiz]

It also helps to present yourself nicely. Disney's all about good "show" ie no odd piercings, crazy hair color, etc. I dyed my highlights out of my hair before I went down for my college program. HTH! Good luck!

And the BEST jobs seemed to have been Ride Operator at the water parks (Slide op??)! They will ask you what your top 3 are. Lifeguards had it made too. I did merchandise and it was ok but the hours were long since I was in MK. AK has the best hours, MGM, Epcot then MK but I don't think you get much of a choice... just try to sound really enthusiastic about your top pick.

 

[knash7777]

hello everyone, ive been reading for awhile but im new at posting but i just have a question...i just applied and did my phone interview last wednesday..i should be hearing next week or so if i got in or not but it seems like a lot of people get accepted and not to many get rejected...is this true? im just nervous and this is something i really want to do...thanks

 

[khancock]

it seems like a lot of people get accepted and not to many get rejected.

Those that get accepted tend to be quite vocal about their acceptance. Those that don't get in, aren't vocal about not getting in.

Keep in mind that the number of people active on message boards is a small percentage of those that really do apply. Even then, with so many message boards, that small number is divided into even smaller numbers.

Human nature keeps most people from standing on hilltops announcing their defeats.

They have a lot of jobs to fill. Over the years, the program has increased in size, so they aren't as selective as they used to be. If someone isn't qualified for the jobs they indicate that they want, if they don't meet the application requirements of the program (either Disney's or their school's), or if they have a bad criminal background, they aren't going to get in.

 

[scasta86]

Those that get accepted tend to be quite vocal about their acceptance. Those that don't get in, aren't vocal about not getting in.

Keep in mind that the number of people active on message boards is a small percentage of those that really do apply. Even then, with so many message boards, that small number is divided into even smaller numbers.

Human nature keeps most people from standing on hilltops announcing their defeats.

They have a lot of jobs to fill. Over the years, the program has increased in size, so they aren't as selective as they used to be. If someone isn't qualified for the jobs they indicate that they want, if they don't meet the application requirements of the program (either Disney's or their school's), or if they have a bad criminal background, they aren't going to get in.

Would the amount of people that get accepted also be contingent on the number of apartments that are available? Speaking of which how much space is there for people to live in the apartments?

If anyone has a myspace feel free to join my CP related group. It's been steadily growing and it's been pretty active lately, so if your trying to meet new people and learn new info you can find it at: http://groups.myspace.com/wdwcpfall07

 

[hudie1311]

Hey guys!!! I went to the presentation today and I have my interview tomorrow!! Most likely a "character" interview from what the lady said since that was my first choice! Any helpful hints or questions I could think about? It would be great!! Thanks!!! Muah

 

[khancock]

Would the amount of people that get accepted also be contingent on the number of apartments that are available? Speaking of which how much space is there for people to live in the apartments?

In a way. The maximum number of total people on the CareerStart, College, and International programs combined would be limited to the number of people that can live in the apartments. Everyone on these programs all live in the same apartment complexes.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Has anyone been down there during a hurricane? In a way, thinking about it is scary, but its also kinda exciting...

I was on the College Program for Fall Advantage '04... I was there for 3 hurricanes. It was AWESOME! I was scared at first, but was so excited durring them and had an awesome time. Now clean up on the other hand REALLY sucks. I was a lifeguard at Blizzard Beach and for everyone who's ever been to BB, there are trees and plants EVERYWHERE!!! I watched the tree in front of building 34 @ Vista blow away durring Hurricane Charlie... Anyway, the apartment complexes are pretty quick at cleaning up, and you'll never even know when it got done, because you'll be at work cleaning up the parks! Anyway, it was fun... not scarey at all!

* Shari *

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Since I've heard that your scheduled for 30 hours per week, how long are each of the shifts per day? 6 hours? How long is your break usually? Do you have to punch out during your break?

I will be doing Custodial so do I have to notify someone that I will be taking my break?

You're prolly gonna be working 40+ hours a week. Your contract just says that you will for sure have 30 hours a week... During the summer, lifeguards at Blizzard Beach (at least when I was there) we worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and usually got ABOUT 20 minutes worth of breaks in a work day....

 

[orangekid13]

You're prolly gonna be working 40+ hours a week. Your contract just says that you will for sure have 30 hours a week... During the summer, lifeguards at Blizzard Beach (at least when I was there) we worked 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and usually got ABOUT 20 minutes worth of breaks in a work day....

aren't there labor laws that say you have to get 30min for lunch and 2 15min breaks every day? or is this just a Washington State thing?

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Yeah, there are labor laws about things like that, but it's Disney... they get away with it. I think they get away with it because you have the break time scheduled but as a lifeguard you have a rotation and the person coming off of break has to go and get to their stand and bump the person at that stand, that person goes to the next stand, and so on and on...... until about 6 people later they get to you... while all of these people are going between their stands they are eating into your break time... so if someone (gasps!) WALKS to their next stand, or hits the potty (you're sposta pee in the water or on yourself) all of those things eat up your break time... so by the time all of those people bump, you have enough time to run backstage and refill your water bottle and get back to your next stand in the rotation so hopefully the next person will get a little bit of a break. It's just a nasty little circle that they can say they gave you your break, but if you don't actually get one, it's not Disney's fault. Don't get me wrong... I LOVED my college program! I actually met my husband while on the college program... but I definately don't agree with what some managers will stoop down to just 'to get the job done'

* Shari *

College Program Fall Advantage '04 - Blizzard Beach Lifeguard - Vista Way 1911/3403

 

[orangekid13]

so i'll try real hard to be anything but a lifeguard when i do the cp... i'd rather sweep up cigarette butts!

 

[Loves Disney]

Let me first admit that I have not read through every single post here, I have skimmed through most of the pages, however. I appologize if I ask similar questions. Also, I must confess that I am not a college student yet, but will be as of this fall. (senior in high school at the moment).

I am extremely interested in the Disney College Program but I had a few questions.

I am going into college as an English major. Do you have to be a certain Major to take part in the CP? I heard from someone that to be a character, you had to be involved with acting and drama. Is that true? If they only allow certain majors, as an English major, am I unable to take part?

A major reason I want to take part in the CP is to gain a firm idea whether I want to work for Disney as a future career and to also gain a good idea of the work-force through taking part in the CP. I may not have anything to do with Disney after I graduate college and maybe I will. Is it true that in order to take part in the CP, you have to be planning to stay involved with Disney? (that is, working for Disney after college).

Also, I know certain majors benefit from the CP. Actors and actresses benefit by performing as characters, then there are the lifegaurds, animal care takers, etc., but as an English major, there really isn't anything "educational" I can take from doing the CP...will that greatly harm any chance I have for applying for the CP?

I know one of the requirements is the completetion of at least one semester at college. When is a good time to get involved with this? I heard most people get involved with the CP during senior year.

Once I get into college and I qualify, I want to be apart of the CP very much. What do you guys think about the questions?

 

[Sehsun]

Hi Loves Disney,
To answer your questions.....

Do you have to be a certain Major to take part in the CP? I heard from someone that to be a character, you had to be involved with acting and drama. Is that true? If they only allow certain majors, as an English major, am I unable to take part?
~ The CP is open to students of ALL majors, and you want apply for any role you want, regardless of what you are studying or what you want to do for a career in the future.

Is it true that in order to take part in the CP, you have to be planning to stay involved with Disney? (that is, working for Disney after college).
~ Nope, that is not true. Several people do want to work for Disney full-time afterwards, but that is not a requirement to do the program. It is an internship. Some people do it to get their foot-in-the-door and others do it for the awesome experience (like me!).

.....but as an English major, there really isn't anything "educational" I can take from doing the CP...will that greatly harm any chance I have for applying for the CP?
~ It will not (I am a Psychology major).

When is a good time to get involved with this? I heard most people get involved with the CP during senior year.
~ I'm not sure, to be honest. I have heard of people doing it in the middle of their schooling, some doing it right after they graduate. Any time is a good time.

Good questions! Let me know if you have any more questions. I have not done the CP yet but am in the process of getting there. There are others on this board who have done the CP and will probably be a little better at answering your questions.

Good luck in your last year of high school!

 

[cam-89]

Hi guys! It's really great to find that there is a forum dedicated to asking questions about the college program with people who have actually experienced it! With that being said, I have a bunch of questions I need answered.

If I'm starting college this September and I'm only going for one semester because I want to do the Disney program, at what point would I actually go to Disney? I mean, if I'm in college for September, October, November, and December, does that mean I'd start at Disney in January? Secondly, what is the interview like? What type of questions do they ask you?

Say I tell them that I'd like to work in Operations. Would I be able to request to work at certain attractions, like at the Rock n' Roller Coaster or at the Haunted Mansion, etc?

Now for my last question. I have a cousin who is really interested in the Disney college program as well. If we both went down there and started at the same time, would we be able to request to live together? I ask this question because I'll be 18 and my cousin will be 23. I understand that Disney likes to keep the 18 year olds living in the same place because of the no alcohol policy, so does that mean that my cousin and I wouldn't be able to live together? Would they make an exception because we're family?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all of your help! I hope I didn't ask too many questions.

 

[Sehsun]

Hi cam-89!
I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can.

If I'm starting college this September and I'm only going for one semester because I want to do the Disney program, at what point would I actually go to Disney? I mean, if I'm in college for September, October, November, and December, does that mean I'd start at Disney in January?
~ Yes, you would start in January for the Spring Program, which runs from January to mid to late May. You could also do the Spring Advantage program, which runs from January to August.

Secondly, what is the interview like? What type of questions do they ask you?
~ All interviews are done over the phone now. Interviewers ask different questions to every applicant. It sounds like they choose from a "pool" of questions, so some applicants could be asked the same questions. Some examples of questions asked are 1) why do you want to work at Disney, 2) what area do you want to work in and why, 3) how do you feel about living with 1-7 roommates, 4) if you were interviewing candidates for the program, what qualities would you look for? There are many more, these are just examples. Also, sometimes the interviewers ask you a question based on a role that you have chosen. For example....if you checked off "Merchandise," they could ask you a question like, say a family is at Disney for their last day of vacation and an item they are looking for is out of stock. What would you say to them? Or if you checked off "Operations," a common question I've heard is, say there is a kid who doesn't meet the height requirement to ride on Space Mountain. What would you say to him?

Say I tell them that I'd like to work in Operations. Would I be able to request to work at certain attractions, like at the Rock n' Roller Coaster or at the Haunted Mansion, etc?
~ Unfortunately, I don't think you can choose. You could be placed in any of these areas: attractions, parking, ticket operations, and park greeter.

I have a cousin who is really interested in the Disney college program as well. If we both went down there and started at the same time, would we be able to request to live together? I ask this question because I'll be 18 and my cousin will be 23. I understand that Disney likes to keep the 18 year olds living in the same place because of the no alcohol policy, so does that mean that my cousin and I wouldn't be able to live together? Would they make an exception because we're family?
~ If you request a wellness apartment (no alcohol) and stand together in line on the same arrival date and time, there is a better chance that you could be placed together. People under 21 automatically get placed in a wellness apartment, and people over 21 stay in non-wellness apartments unless they request a wellness.

Hope this helped! I am not a CPer yet, but I love to help out with answering any questions future CPers may have.

Oh, and you should check out wdwcollegeprogram.com for more info about the College Program. It may answer many of your questions.

 

[Feigned]

Does anyone know anything about Recreation? I was accepted for fall advantage as a recreation cast member and had indicated to my interviewer that I really wanted to work specifically in children's programs because I have a strong background in that (I've been working in a preschool for 3+ years, I'm planning on becoming a teacher). Is there a good likelihood that I will get to be in children's programs? I'm just wondering if I really would have gotten placed into my first choice role of recreation after making a big deal during my interview that I wanted to do that specifically, just to get something like towel rentals.

If I am in children's programs, does anyone know what my hours will be like? I know that the babysitting places at resorts (like Cubs Den, Neverland Club, etc) are opened from 4:30-12 each day. Would that be my typical hours? My interviewer indicated the babysitting places as somewhere I could be working in children's programs, is there anywhere else?

Sorry to ask so many questions. I've just not heard much about recreation yet. I did read on another forum that a lot of people who get accepted into it do children's programs, but the only people I have read about have been like at the golf courses, etc, so I am kind of clueless.

Does your interviewer make the final choice on your role and possibly where you could work or is that someone else? My interviewer said he would definitely suggest me for children's programs and I just don't see me getting put in recreation if I didn't get that... but I guess you can't be sure.

 

[Loves Disney]

Hi Loves Disney,
To answer your questions.....

.

Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate you taking time to answer all my questions, it really helps and really eases my mind about a few things! `

Also, cam-89, I am glad you asked some of the questions you did! I was wondering a lot of the same thing!!

 

[Sehsun]

Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate you taking time to answer all my questions, it really helps and really eases my mind about a few things!

You are very welcome! I'm glad that it helped.