The College Program Questions thread

[weirdpaintballr]

Hi. I was just wondering if anyone has had any problems with their room mates? Eating your food, using your stuff, or people you just can't stand. Or are you just too tired to care?


Also, I know this is going to sound a little strange, but where do CM's go to use the restroom while working, And do you get breaks often? I'm one of those girls that has to go fairly often....not like every 5 minutes or anything...but atleast every couple hours, will that be a problem?

 

[Joanna71985]

Hi. I was just wondering if anyone has had any problems with their room mates? Eating your food, using your stuff, or people you just can't stand. Or are you just too tired to care?


Also, I know this is going to sound a little strange, but where do CM's go to use the restroom while working, And do you get breaks often? I'm one of those girls that has to go fairly often....not like every 5 minutes or anything...but atleast every couple hours, will that be a problem?

I actually didn't really have problems with my roomies. In the first apartment we had some issues with taking out the trash and dishes, but that was about all.

As for the bathroom, make sure you talk to your managers. Because if you're with people, you may be able to step away to run to the bathroom quick, but if you're in an area by yourself (say, like a cart or something), you could have a problem. So talk to your managers.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Ah...ok..so say, if I was working at a ride, I could go when I needed? I can hold it for atleast an hour or two....its just if I drink A LOT, I might have a problem.

Also, do you get breaks? And if you do how often???

 

[Joanna71985]

You do get breaks. How many depnds on how long your shift is. I believe it's 1 break for 6 hours and less, 1 1/2 for 7 hours, and 2 breaks for 8 hours+. And if you were doing ops, you would still need to ask and make sure that there are enough people covering.

 

[sugahappy]

Hey everyone,
I have a slighly unrelated question but I think it pertains to this board. Does anyone know of any disney cast member or college programer currently working at Disney that keeps a blog? I have found tons of websites from college program alumni, but I would really like to find a blog/journal of the day to day life of a current disney cast member. Just wondering if anyone knew about one!

Thanks,
Janet

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Hey everyone,
I have a slighly unrelated question but I think it pertains to this board. Does anyone know of any disney cast member or college programer currently working at Disney that keeps a blog? I have found tons of websites from college program alumni, but I would really like to find a blog/journal of the day to day life of a current disney cast member. Just wondering if anyone knew about one!

Thanks,
Janet

Hmm...I didn't even think about that..I would love to read about a day a work also.

 

[UTphipsi...942]

I worked rides last spring and they would do a thing called a rotation about every 45 minutes and you could usually sneak away to go to the bathroom during those. I also only worked about 35 to 45 hours a week. sometimes they would schedule a 12 hour work day but it wasnt too often.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Hey...I just thought of another question....what banks are nearby? I live on the east coast by a major navy base, so i have an account with Navy Federal Credit Union...do they have any of these banks nearby? or if i decide to do the CP, do i need to switch to a more common bank? and if so, which one?

 

[Harmony272]

I believe Disney uses a bank, I think its called Vista Credit Union or something of that nature. You can sign up with them when you do the college program, or send your check direct deposit to the bank you have now.

 

[TSR6]

Yes..

There is Vista Federal Credit Union that you can sign up for. They have several locations on property ( at DU, behind chatham, at Team Disney, couple others ). They have ATM's inside Chatham and Vista. You can setup your account during your check-in days, and then have automatic direct deposit - or you can setup direct deposit with your bank back home - or pick up a physical paper check. It's your choice.

See if your bank has locations near the 32821 zip code.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Nope..none near Disney...I"ll probably just switch to the banks on Disney property...probably just easier...I'll just bring some money with me (if i decide to go/get accepted) then maybe write myself a check and deposit it

 

[teh fish]

I did direct deposit and just used my credit card for everything. If you need cash, use a debit card at the grocery and get some cash back. That way, you get cash without using an ATM, as long as you have money in your checking account.

 

[TSR6]

I did that until I got my Vista card - I went to Walgreens which there is one right across from Vista - and then another about a minute down the road from Chatham. I did cash back there after buying a stick of gum. $20.50 ( or something ) did $20 cash back.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

So...does any one else who has participated in the college program want to give a very detailed description of responsibilities and other things such as how the money was/is? Also, are the beds comfortable? i need me my sleep



I love disney

 

[Joanna71985]

Responsibilities like what? For work? As for money, I was able to bring home about $1500. I loved picking up extra hours. On my next CP, I know I will pick up more. Also, the beds were fine. I was able to sleep very well on them.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Yes...Responsibilities for work...I'm just curious to see if the CP is something I will want to do...

 

[Joanna71985]

Yes...Responsibilities for work...I'm just curious to see if the CP is something I will want to do...

I see. Well, I did merchandise in Fantasyland at the MK. I almost always closed at my location. However, I did occasionally open. When I closed, I would get to work around 4-6 pm. I would get my costume at work, and then go up. I almost always was on the register, so this meant that I would work the register, assist guests, and help keep the store looking clean. If I was on a cart, I would do both by myself. The carts would close early, so that meant cleaning up, taking the register out, and locking up the cart. The same thing went for the shops- just straighten up, count the registers, and stock for the next day. Once in a while I would get to be a shop stocker. This meant I would spend the whole day just stocking the shop and keeping it clean. The best part about closing was that I could sleep in, or go into the MK early and play before work. Now on my next CP, I am going to be a character attendant ( ). This means that I am going to be assisting the characters. I am also going to help the guests by taking photos for them, answering questions about character locations and show times, making sure the guests don't bring any food or drink around the characters, and making sure the characters don't get attacked. If you have any more questions about the CP, you can feel free to im me. My aim is joanna71985.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Thanks Joanna.....you've been a big help....haha...I so just remembered that one of the family friends is a CM...hahaha...I could probably talk to her when I get older....haha..Only 14...still got a while.....hahaha...I just get kinda bored..

 

[teh fish]

Sometimes when I read these questions I just think: PEOPLE! RELAX! Just sit back and let the College Program be a surprise

Everyone's experience is different and unique. Keep in mind that it is what you make of it. If you take advantage of the behind the attractions tours, network like crazy, and attend a presentation or two, then you'll have learned more than a lot of people who just showed up to work.

 

[imagineerhopefull]

Okay this really isn't much of a specific question but rather what do you think would be the best thing for me to do.


Right now I'm a sophomore at Clemson majoring in civil engineering. After I graduate I would like to go to grad school to get my masters in structual engineering. After that, it has been my dream to work for Walt Disney Imagineering some day. I know that they don't go and hire just anyone, and I thought that it would be a good idea to either to the CP or PI or even both. I also know that even though it is not required that you do the CP before PI for some positions, that it is deffinitly recommended that you do, and I'm sure that it would be a foot in the door for the PI. Also I know that the PI would probably be a HUGE foot in the door as far as some day working for Imagineering goes.

My main question right now is when do you think I should go for the CP and then eventually the PI. The problem for me is that I'm on the five year program because some things got screwed up when I transfered over to Clemson in the spring of my freshman year. I know that Disney doesn't offer a summer CP so I would have to take at least a semester off, or even the summer if I do the extended program. My biggest problem is that I dont know whether or not I should go and do the CP and PI because I want to do a Co-Op with a company in the area, which would put me back a whole year as it is.

So my dilema really lies in whether I should do the CP and PI and get my foot in with Disney or if I should go and do a Co-Op with another company in the area and gain some actual work experience... or should I just go ahead and do both and stay in school for at least an extra semester, bringing my grand total to 6 and 1/2 to 7 years.