The College Program Questions thread

[chelle la belle]

Stellah, my recruiter told me that it could be a week, or at most, TWO weeks before you hear a result. Because, if you are being considered, the judges are assigning points to all the girls and guys they are auditioning, and they need time to deliberate and compare you to other performer candidates. That's what I gathered anyway... Tomorrow will be exactly one week since my audition, so if I don't get some sort of response tomorrow, I will be able to let you know if you should freak out!

Oh P.S.....think of this though...NO news is GOOD news

they will probably know sooner if they don't want you, than if they are actually considering you! (this is what my dad has been telling me and hes usually right!)

 

[magic626]

Hi everyone, I'm pretty much new to this board and Disneyland COllege recruit is coming to my school next Thursday to do some E-presentation.

From my very limited understanding of the college program, I know that we get at least 30+ hours a week, we MUST take a couple disney type college courses, and that the Spring season lasts from Jan- June? Can anyone verify this and correct the info where I got it wrong? Also, with the 30 hours a week of work and the disney coursework, do we get to choose exactly what times we want to work or we must schedule or normal school class hours around Disneys time?

I'm planning to take 15 semester (22.5 quarter) units during the Spring Semester and that starts from Feb- June. Can anyone give me some advice whether or not I should even try to apply for the disney college program? Would I be able to handle it and has anyone done it? Im just afraidd I might fall behind in school doing this so I'm debating whether or not I should just apply as an employee part time at Disneyland or try to beef up my resume and go for the Disney College Program. Either way, I love Disney and it would be a great opportunity to work there for half a year!

 

[Joanna71985]

Are the lists of the regular cast member auditions around the country updated well on the website? I've been trying to figure out if there will be people other than CP at my audition. Just a thought. I've been reading about people's diff auditions one girl on myspace in the group is a dancer and she got a phone call that she got it. It seems like a lot of people are finding out rather quickly by phone call.

The audition website is www.disneyauditions.com. There sometimes will be other people at the auditions as well.

 

[MissSpooky]

thanks. i thought i checked before and didn't see dates that were the same as CP but people have had others at theirs. So I guess I'll see!

 

[Joanna71985]

Hi everyone, I'm pretty much new to this board and Disneyland COllege recruit is coming to my school next Thursday to do some E-presentation.

From my very limited understanding of the college program, I know that we get at least 30+ hours a week, we MUST take a couple disney type college courses, and that the Spring season lasts from Jan- June? Can anyone verify this and correct the info where I got it wrong? Also, with the 30 hours a week of work and the disney coursework, do we get to choose exactly what times we want to work or we must schedule or normal school class hours around Disneys time?

I'm planning to take 15 semester (22.5 quarter) units during the Spring Semester and that starts from Feb- June. Can anyone give me some advice whether or not I should even try to apply for the disney college program? Would I be able to handle it and has anyone done it? Im just afraidd I might fall behind in school doing this so I'm debating whether or not I should just apply as an employee part time at Disneyland or try to beef up my resume and go for the Disney College Program. Either way, I love Disney and it would be a great opportunity to work there for half a year!

Yes, we are guaranteed at least 30 hours a week. But you don't have to take classes unless your school is making you (I didn't have to take any for my CP). The Spring program is from Jan-May. And no, you do not choose your hours. You are scheduled hours, and usually will be the times that the FT/PT people do not want.

Edit- wait, are you asking about the CP or something at Disneyland?

 

[scasta86]

Kay I totally got it wrong. I was confused. There is no state income tax! It was a long day and I shouldn't be allowed to post after a certain point!

Don't worry about it, it was also reasurring to hear from JOanna who said that she's doubled her capital since starting the program..........Now I just have to make up my mind whether I'm willing to take Spring Semester off for this...

 

[Joanna71985]

Don't worry about it, it was also reasurring to hear from JOanna who said that she's doubled her capital since starting the program..........Now I just have to make up my mind whether I'm willing to take Spring Semester off for this...

I hope you do. The CP is a lot of fun.

 

[teh fish]

at the end of my program, I probably cleared around $2,000.

 

[MissSpooky]

at the end of my program, I probably cleared around $2,000.

Doing that did you still do a lot of things while you were down there? I mean I'm not planning to spend money on drinks and partying but I mean you know park stuff and sight-seeing and all that.

And thanks for the understanding. I look at taking the time off as work experience I would get after I graduate anyway and it's a mental health (what I call a vacation fm school) between going on to get my BA after mucking through all the general ed stuff.

 

[teh fish]

I went skydiving ($115), ate out a few times (usually went to Publix and spent about $60 every three/four weeks), and went to PI now and then. I didn't buy many souvenirs (~$50) and I'm pretty tight with my money. I didn't go to any other theme parks and pretty much was either working or doing my classwork. Most of it went to groceries.

 

[MissSpooky]

Sounds about what I'll prob be doing. Minus the skydiving. I don't think I'll ever do that. I won't even ride most roller-coasters. But I'm just a target freak and I live for sales. And I know there will be nights I go out.
About how much comes out for taxes each paycheck? Are we all classified as FL residents in pay or do we have to go through our states where were from?

 

[DZMike]

I've been following the threads on CP because I'd like my son (HS Senior) to do CP in college. He wants to work for ESPN some day and I think the Internship chance might be better for him if he can show how good of an employee he is first on the CP.

Miss Spooky, I am a NYS CPA and noticed your comment about working in Florida where they have no State income tax. That's true. Florida residents do not have to pay state income tax.

Unfortunately, you are not a Florida resident. You are still a resident of your home state (CA?) until you establish permanent residency in Florida. There are several requirements to be considered a FL resident that involve questions like:
- do you have a permanent place of abode in FL?
- do you still have a place of abode in CA?
- do you have a FL driver's license?
- are you registered to vote in FL?
- is your car registered in FL?

Residents of California are taxed on all income, including income from sources outside California. That means your income from Disney will be taxable on your CA state return (if you even have to file one). You should check with a tax professional to find out if you will have to pay taxes in CA for this income. A lot of things will affect this question:
- do your parents claim you as a dependent on their return?
- do you have other income from CA?

Good luck

Mike

 

[MissSpooky]

I've been following the threads on CP because I'd like my son (HS Senior) to do CP in college. He wants to work for ESPN some day and I think the Internship chance might be better for him if he can show how good of an employee he is first on the CP.

Miss Spooky, I am a NYS CPA and noticed your comment about working in Florida where they have no State income tax. That's true. Florida residents do not have to pay state income tax.

Unfortunately, you are not a Florida resident. You are still a resident of your home state (CA?) until you establish permanent residency in Florida. There are several requirements to be considered a FL resident that involve questions like:
- do you have a permanent place of abode in FL?
- do you still have a place of abode in CA?
- do you have a FL driver's license?
- are you registered to vote in FL?
- is your car registered in FL?

Residents of California are taxed on all income, including income from sources outside California. That means your income from Disney will be taxable on your CA state return (if you even have to file one). You should check with a tax professional to find out if you will have to pay taxes in CA for this income. A lot of things will affect this question:
- do your parents claim you as a dependent on their return?
- do you have other income from CA?

Good luck

Mike

Wow that gives me a lot to think about and add to my ever growing list. Paying CA taxes suck! I think I'll look into it though. I can imagine it gets confusing for them down there with people coming from all over and them having to pay their homestates back.

 

[DZMike]

Wow that gives me a lot to think about and add to my ever growing list. Paying CA taxes suck! I think I'll look into it though. I can imagine it gets confusing for them down there with people coming from all over and them having to pay their homestates back.

I'm from NY. Tell me about it!

It's all up to you. Disney just pays you. You have to figure out the tax stuff from your own state. Unless you make a lot of money from other sources, you probably won't even have to pay income tax on the Disney income. Talk to your parents about it. They must have somebody that does their returns that they can ask.

I doubt that Disney provides tax professionals to help file returns. Anyone know if they do?

 

[MissSpooky]

I'm from NY. Tell me about it!

It's all up to you. Disney just pays you. You have to figure out the tax stuff from your own state. Unless you make a lot of money from other sources, you probably won't even have to pay income tax on the Disney income. Talk to your parents about it. They must have somebody that does their returns that they can ask.

I doubt that Disney provides tax professionals to help file returns. Anyone know if they do?

Thanks for the tip! My aunt does my taxes for the fam so I'll ask her. I've only ever filed one time myself. Did you say your son is going in spring?

 

[DZMike]

My son is a SR in HS right now. Assuming he gets accepted into college next Fall, I'd like him to consider the CP for Spring 08. I guess it will depend on the college and their policy as well.

Our whole family is pretty much Disney obsessed so I'm sure he would like it. When I get home from Kuwait in December, I plan to sit down with him to see if he would be interested.

While you are doing CP next Spring, you don't still have to pay tuition to your school, do you? Do they consider you still enrolled while you are gone? I have read about getting "credits" for CP or CP classes. I have read about the classes that are offered. Do you get credit for that class or for the whole CP experience?

 

[nearlychildless]

I have a DD who is waiting to hear back on her interview and application. She is a soph. at LSU on scholarship. LSU has a lot of kids doing the program every year so I think they deal with it better than alot of the college I have read about on here. After acceptance the student takes the paper work to Career services, the office that handels internships, fills out paper work and pays $275. registration. That keps them as a full time student at LSU so they even get to sign up on line for classes the next semester. It will also put her scholarship on hold so she still has 5 semesters after she completes her CP. As to credit that is up to the academic advisers in the diffrent areas. She has to go to each one to determine she what course or work hours she can get credit for, if any, that applies to her degree. She is going for double degrees, one in communications, the other in ThreatreAdministration. Evidently the Theatre department has given some sort of credit in the past, she doesn't know yet about communications. If she get accepted then she will meet with the advisers to work that out. Even if she doesn't get credit she loses nothing, gets a break, some ideas about what kind of career she might really like , and some life experience. While there a draw backs to being a big school like LSU it makes dealing with a program like this eaiser. Hope this helps

 

[Joanna71985]

My son is a SR in HS right now. Assuming he gets accepted into college next Fall, I'd like him to consider the CP for Spring 08. I guess it will depend on the college and their policy as well.

Our whole family is pretty much Disney obsessed so I'm sure he would like it. When I get home from Kuwait in December, I plan to sit down with him to see if he would be interested.

While you are doing CP next Spring, you don't still have to pay tuition to your school, do you? Do they consider you still enrolled while you are gone? I have read about getting "credits" for CP or CP classes. I have read about the classes that are offered. Do you get credit for that class or for the whole CP experience?

It depends on the school. For example, for my first CP I got credit for both the internship and taking a Disney course (Hospitality Management). But for this current CP, I am just getting credit for the internship. And some schools don't give any credit at all.

 

[KimAJ]

Wow! Lots of talk in the last day.. lol.

My 2 cents...

I only took home about $500 on my first program BUT I did A LOT. I often bought food at work for lunch, got a Universal Season Pass, went to Busch Gardens, down to the Keys.... My days off I spent a lot in the parks (which involves eating in the parks).. In the beginning I was good, ate food from teh grocery store, saved money. Then I stopped. I didn't buy a lot of merchandise or do much shopping at all really.

I worked about 40 hours/week.. except for Spring Break and a few other weeks were I went much higher. It was all by choice though, don't worry. Overtime was my friend.

 

[MissSpooky]

Wow! Lots of talk in the last day.. lol.

My 2 cents...

I only took home about $500 on my first program BUT I did A LOT. I often bought food at work for lunch, got a Universal Season Pass, went to Busch Gardens, down to the Keys.... My days off I spent a lot in the parks (which involves eating in the parks).. In the beginning I was good, ate food from teh grocery store, saved money. Then I stopped. I didn't buy a lot of merchandise or do much shopping at all really.

I worked about 40 hours/week.. except for Spring Break and a few other weeks were I went much higher. It was all by choice though, don't worry. Overtime was my friend.

I wanna do a lot while I'm there too and was hoping it was do-able with the program, pay, etc. When u went down to the Keys how long did it take you to get down there. I mapped it quick on google and it was like 5 hours. I've never been and would love to go. Did you take a couple days off to go?