The College Program Questions thread

[Mirage]

Okay...I'm only 14, but I'm really interested in the CP...but I have a couple questions
1. What is the difference between the regular program and the advantage program?
2. Do you have to take any classes while you are in Florida?
3. Do CMs get into the theme parks for free when they aren't working?
4. Do you miss the holidays while you are down there? (Christmas, Thanksgiving?)

1. Regular programs are simply shorter in length than advantage programs. For example, Fall Advantage runs May/June-January, while Fall runs August/September-January.

2. You don't have to, and though open to every CPer, most of the classes are geared towards specific majors anyway (hospitality and business majors mostly). They've started to open up opportunities for other majors very recently. I've been told that I'll be involved in a criminal justice class of some kind, for example, most likely working with loss prevention and security.

If you do take a class, it's very time consuming and recommended that you take only one on the regular program and two tops on Advantage programs.

3. Yes! It's very cool to be able to just pop in for a few hours when you feel like catching a parade or grabbing a snack at the bakery in France.

4. Yep. Depending on your location's manager, getting time off can be difficult and around the holidays, nearly impossible. Like with any job, you may luck out and get some good days off, but it's a risk. The holidays around the parks can be really fun though, and the main reason that I decided to go down for a Fall program was because I love Halloween at Disney. I'll get to enjoy it for two months this year!

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Thanks..so let me make sure I understand this--as long as your are a CM, you get free admission to the 4 parks? And does it take away from the magic? Is it a pain to work/live there or is it a fun experience?

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks..so let me make sure I understand this--as long as your are a CM, you get free admission to the 4 parks? And does it take away from the magic? Is it a pain to work/live there or is it a fun experience?

Yes. And I absolutely loved working there. I hope to work for Disney full-time once I finish school.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

What all do you have to do if you work in operations or merchandise? About what time do you have to be at work? How late do you have to stay in the park? Sorry if I seem kinda paranoid

 

[teh fish]

If you work in operations or merchandise, you'll either be at an attraction, doing parking, or taking tickets and if you do merchandise you're in a location that sells products.

You're in whenever they need you, usually you'll be in late, as the full timers like to go to work early. Usually I stayed until an hour after park closing. One time during an extra magic hour I didn't get out until 4 am.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

I think 4 AM would kill me...

 

[TSR6]

Asking for time off is possible - just make sure that you put in for it as soon as possible. I generally put mine in at least a month in advance - and was only denied two days of the time i asked off - which I gave away to part time cast members.

Even if you can't get it off, sometimes there are cast members that can pick up your extra shifts as long as it doesnt put them into overtime. You can also switch shift dates or times with other cast members as long as the manager approves it - basically the only thing that may hold you back is if one CM is or isn't trained on something that you are or aren't. So there is some flexibility, but don't expect to do this every week.

- The latest I ever worked as Operations was 2:30am at Pleasure Island. I was home by 3, in bed by 3:30, and would wake up at noon, go to class or go to the pool, hang out, ect, shower, and then go to work at 6:00pm. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. If i was feeling really ambitious, I would wake up at the crack of dawn ( being 10:00-11:00am ) - go to the parks for a couple hours, return, shower and go to work.

You adjust to your hours, and generally you don't switch back and forth. There is such a thing called "Turn around time" - where if you have less than 8 hours between shifts - it's all overtime for the second shift. Disney doesn't like that - and can't really force you into that situation - sooooo... the worst turn-around situation I ever had was 1:30 at Pleasure Island, and then 10:00 the next morning at Disney Quest.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

TSR6--Did you have fun while you were working for Disney? Would you do the CP again? Did it mess up some of the magic for you? What did you do for food?

 

[band_geek]

was it hard going from school to the cp, back to school... i would imagine it would be... because if you aren't taking any classes there, wouldn't it just be like a job?

 

[weirdpaintballr]

I have a question----If you work in operations..or anything else, I guess...Do you have more than one 'costume'? Like the same one, just more than one? Or do you only have one were if its dirty, you have to wash it before you go to work the next day? Just wondering...is it a pain to wash your clothes? I just really like the idea of working at WDW, but I don't wanna get my hopes up if I think I would be uncomfortable...Oh..another question that I just thought of, if you take classes, do you get credit for them? Thanks

 

[Joanna71985]

I have a question----If you work in operations..or anything else, I guess...Do you have more than one 'costume'? Like the same one, just more than one? Or do you only have one were if its dirty, you have to wash it before you go to work the next day? Just wondering...is it a pain to wash your clothes? I just really like the idea of working at WDW, but I don't wanna get my hopes up if I think I would be uncomfortable...Oh..another question that I just thought of, if you take classes, do you get credit for them? Thanks

You can take out up to 5 costumes at a time. If 1 gets dirty, just return it to costuming and it gets cleaned. As for credits, it depends on your school. I got 11 credits from mine.

 

[band_geek]

You can take out up to 5 costumes at a time. If 1 gets dirty, just return it to costuming and it gets cleaned. As for credits, it depends on your school. I got 11 credits from mine.

how can I find out if the schools i'm interested in attending allow me to go to the cp?

 

[Joanna71985]

You would have to find out who is in charge and go talk to them. Perhaps your school advisor, or someone in charge of am internship department. Good luck!

 

[Uuaww]

don't base your college on something like if it will accept cp credits.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

If you choose to work in operations, what are your chances of working a ride?

 

[TSR6]

TSR6--Did you have fun while you were working for Disney? Would you do the CP again? Did it mess up some of the magic for you? What did you do for food?

Definately had fun.

Would go back, and already have gone back ( did the CP twice ).

It didn't mess up the magic. It made me learn more about the parks, and yes, I know what it looks like "downstairs" - but I kinda laugh at that thinking "below me now is...... "

I cooked food.

 

[TSR6]

I have a question----If you work in operations..or anything else, I guess...Do you have more than one 'costume'? Like the same one, just more than one? Or do you only have one were if its dirty, you have to wash it before you go to work the next day? Just wondering...is it a pain to wash your clothes? I just really like the idea of working at WDW, but I don't wanna get my hopes up if I think I would be uncomfortable...Oh..another question that I just thought of, if you take classes, do you get credit for them? Thanks

Only one for the month. It's your choice if you wash it. I generally washed my one costume once a week. I just sprayed it with Febreeze the rest of the days. :lol

kidding aside, yes. You can take out up to 5 costumes. You don't have to wash them yourself - you can just turn them in for a fresh set. Or if you find a set that you want to keep throughout your CP, you can wash them yourself. It doesn't matter.

You can get credit - but that is up to your college.

 

[TSR6]

If you choose to work in operations, what are your chances of working a ride?

I did operations, and I worked at Pleasure Island Admissions, Disney Quest Admissions and Cirque Ushers and Tickets.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Okay...so it would be really helpful if everyone who has done the CP to post their role(operations, merchandise, etc) and a detailed description of a day at work. (what you had to do, how long, etc) Thanks everyone! Oh, I was just thinking about the parades, so I have another question Who sets up for the parades?

 

[band_geek]

Okay...so it would be really helpful if everyone who has done the CP to post their role(operations, merchandise, etc) and a detailed description of a day at work. (what you had to do, how long, etc) Thanks everyone! Oh, I was just thinking about the parades, so I have another question Who sets up for the parades?

awesome idea weirdpaintballr...! I'm interested in it too, so i'd like to know also!