The College Program Questions thread

[er3465]

i've got a couple questions:
1. do we get to keep our name badges after our program?
2. for those on the cp now, or anyone ever on it actually, is there a rubber sheet/rubber matress cover on the matress? i know that may seem like an odd question but i don't want previous cp funk on me ^_^

1. Yes
2. No, however mine seemed really new and had a washable surface so it could be easily cleaned.

 

[andie_mac]

yay for the name badge!!!

 

[BornToPerform]

Does anyone know if signing up for the fall vs. fall advantage makes a significant difference when auditioning for an entertainment role? I'd always planned on signing up for the advantage program, but I've also just been given the opportunity to direct a children's theatre program next summer. If I took the job, I wouldn't be able to start the CP until August. However, if not being around for the summer is really going to count against me at my audition, that might sway my decision towards going Advantage. Unfortunately, I have to give my answer about the camp job in just a couple of weeks, so I don't have time to wait until the CP auditions in the spring to see if they hire me. I'm sorry that I'm rambling. If anyone in entertainment or with friends in entertainment can shed some light on the situation, that would really help me out! Thanks!

 

[Sleeping Beauty415]

I am starting the CP on August 22nd. I am starting to get anxious and really excited but I am also a little concerned. I have a VERY strong preference for Chatham. Can anyone who has done the program before tell me if I will be able to ask for it the day I get there? I have already gotten notice about my roommate but haven't heard back from her yet. Honestly I really don't care switching roommates as long as I get into Chatham. Thanks!

 

[er3465]

I am starting the CP on August 22nd. I am starting to get anxious and really excited but I am also a little concerned. I have a VERY strong preference for Chatham. Can anyone who has done the program before tell me if I will be able to ask for it the day I get there? I have already gotten notice about my roommate but haven't heard back from her yet. Honestly I really don't care switching roommates as long as I get into Chatham. Thanks!

Is August 22nd one of the first days for the fall, do you remember if there were dates before that? If so then you have a better chance for getting Chatham. My date was only the second one in so I was able to get into Chatham, and they had asked me where I wanted to be placed. As for the roommates I don't know how easy it would be to switch, because when I was down there we got them then, and had to live with them for a month before even being considered to move. Good luck, I hope you get Chatham its a really awsome place, but so is Florida in general!!!!!

 

[mmmbop]

I'm due to graduate in May of 2009. From reading previous posts, I see that one can apply the following "semester" (Fall 2009 in my case).


The hitch of it is, from what my career services department says, (and from friends' experience), is that companies looking to fill entry-level roles in my major do most of the hiring the year before. (Hiring for Fall 2009 would have conducted interviews/hired during Fall 2008).


Is there any way to perhaps interview for fall 2009 in fall 2008? I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and just think, "I'll interview Spring 2009 to do a CP in Fall 2009", then end up not only without the CP, but also without a job due to thinking I'd do the CP.


Has this been done before, or should I just give up the thought of working in Disney? Or, you know, blow off the interviewers, go for Disney and if I don't get it...? Oh well?



I hope this made sense. TIA!!!

 

[DisneyDarling89]

I can't answer all your question but I do know for Fall 2009 you would interview in Spring 2009.

 

[Evil Princess]

I am starting the CP on August 22nd. I am starting to get anxious and really excited but I am also a little concerned. I have a VERY strong preference for Chatham. Can anyone who has done the program before tell me if I will be able to ask for it the day I get there? I have already gotten notice about my roommate but haven't heard back from her yet. Honestly I really don't care switching roommates as long as I get into Chatham. Thanks!

My check in date was August 21st last year, and I EASILY got into Chatham. Just to let you know, if you're really worried, you can check in like an hour or so earlier than what your time says. I think mine said 8 or 9, and I got there an hour before and MANY people were checking in. Though honestly, it won't make much of a difference, that's an early check in and everyone I know who wanted Chatham got it.

(Good choice with the Chatham too, IMHO!)

 

[Joanna71985]

i've got a couple questions:
1. do we get to keep our name badges after our program?
2. for those on the cp now, or anyone ever on it actually, is there a rubber sheet/rubber matress cover on the matress? i know that may seem like an odd question but i don't want previous cp funk on me ^_^

Yup, you sure can keep the nametag. I have 3 now, one from each CP.

I am starting the CP on August 22nd. I am starting to get anxious and really excited but I am also a little concerned. I have a VERY strong preference for Chatham. Can anyone who has done the program before tell me if I will be able to ask for it the day I get there? I have already gotten notice about my roommate but haven't heard back from her yet. Honestly I really don't care switching roommates as long as I get into Chatham. Thanks!

Just get there as early as possible. I arrived each time around 8am, and each time got Chatham.

I'm due to graduate in May of 2009. From reading previous posts, I see that one can apply the following "semester" (Fall 2009 in my case).


The hitch of it is, from what my career services department says, (and from friends' experience), is that companies looking to fill entry-level roles in my major do most of the hiring the year before. (Hiring for Fall 2009 would have conducted interviews/hired during Fall 2008).


Is there any way to perhaps interview for fall 2009 in fall 2008? I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and just think, "I'll interview Spring 2009 to do a CP in Fall 2009", then end up not only without the CP, but also without a job due to thinking I'd do the CP.


Has this been done before, or should I just give up the thought of working in Disney? Or, you know, blow off the interviewers, go for Disney and if I don't get it...? Oh well?



I hope this made sense. TIA!!!

Unfortunately the interviews are only done one semester before (for example, Fall 2009 would be done during Spring 2009).

 

[Sleeping Beauty415]

thanks for all the replies! i'm able to relax more hearing so many people say it is easy enough to get Chatham as long as I get there early, so that will be the plan.

 

[LolaBunny]

My daughter is wanting to work at Disney after high school. Could you anyone tell me about the CareerStart program?

 

[Evil Princess]

My daughter is wanting to work at Disney after high school. Could you anyone tell me about the CareerStart program?

CareerStart participants, when I was there, could only live at Vista and not Chatham. In my area they tended to have different hours than us, and different rules someitmes.

If she can, I would wait a few years and do the CP. I don't know anything about your daughter, but I will say that Disney is VERY strict with underage drinking. Meaning, if she's in an apartment and alcohol just happens to be present, yet she 100% isn't drinking, she will most likely get terminated on the spot. Depending on the person, sometimes it's best to wait a couple of years.

 

[mmmbop]

Unfortunately the interviews are only done one semester before (for example, Fall 2009 would be done during Spring 2009).

That just makes me all sorts of sad. Heh. My only worry is that I'd interview then be rejected, and it be too late to find a job around here. Oh well, here's hoping that something is figured out. Thanks for the answers!!

 

[sandicinderelli]

CareerStart participants, when I was there, could only live at Vista and not Chatham. In my area they tended to have different hours than us, and different rules someitmes.

In response, they now do allow Career Start students to live at Chatham. I had one of my co-workers who was Career Start live right across the hall from my apt this past Spring.

 

[Joanna71985]

That just makes me all sorts of sad. Heh. My only worry is that I'd interview then be rejected, and it be too late to find a job around here. Oh well, here's hoping that something is figured out. Thanks for the answers!!

Oh don't worry! Just about everyone I know who has applied has made it.

 

[kaos928]

Hey everyone I'm new here and I finally got through all 93 pages! I've got a lot of helpful info and I am planning on applying for Spring 08, with my boyfriend, and I'm anxiously waiting for the application to become available. Any way, I am still considering my role choices...

My original thought was to be a character performer, I love kids but my major concern in the heat and cumbersomeness (if thats a word) of the costumes. A friend of mine did this in, I think, Spring 2006 and had some problems. I guess she didn't work almost the whole last month of her program due to injuries from the costumes, particularly Pooh. I guess she had a lot of bruises. I know she's a pretty small girl but has anyone heard of a problem with this?? Is it true that you only work like 20 minutes out of an hour?

Has anyone or does anyone know someone who has done dancing in shows and or parades for their CP? I would love to talk to them about it.

I have heard a lot of great things about character attendant so I think I will be checking that one off. Kids without the hot heavy costumes

I have recently been considering Lifeguarding. This is what my boyfriend wants to do. I think it would be great to be outside so much, and get free water park entry along with the regular parks. I am kinda worried about the responsibilities, I think I read recently that someone switched out because of an incident that wasn't even in their area. Just seems like a lot of pressure. I also read that your breaks a really eaten into by the rotation system they use.

Does anyone have any insights for me other than general role descriptions? Sorry this post was so long, I didn't mean it to be! LOL

TIA everyone

 

[Joanna71985]

Hey everyone I'm new here and I finally got through all 93 pages! I've got a lot of helpful info and I am planning on applying for Spring 08, with my boyfriend, and I'm anxiously waiting for the application to become available. Any way, I am still considering my role choices...

My original thought was to be a character performer, I love kids but my major concern in the heat and cumbersomeness (if thats a word) of the costumes. A friend of mine did this in, I think, Spring 2006 and had some problems. I guess she didn't work almost the whole last month of her program due to injuries from the costumes, particularly Pooh. I guess she had a lot of bruises. I know she's a pretty small girl but has anyone heard of a problem with this?? Is it true that you only work like 20 minutes out of an hour?

Has anyone or does anyone know someone who has done dancing in shows and or parades for their CP? I would love to talk to them about it.

I have heard a lot of great things about character attendant so I think I will be checking that one off. Kids without the hot heavy costumes

I have recently been considering Lifeguarding. This is what my boyfriend wants to do. I think it would be great to be outside so much, and get free water park entry along with the regular parks. I am kinda worried about the responsibilities, I think I read recently that someone switched out because of an incident that wasn't even in their area. Just seems like a lot of pressure. I also read that your breaks a really eaten into by the rotation system they use.

Does anyone have any insights for me other than general role descriptions? Sorry this post was so long, I didn't mean it to be! LOL

TIA everyone

I can't help you with lifeguard unfortunately, as I have never done it. But for performer- some people have issues with certain characters. Some people don't have any issues with characters. It all depends on the person. As for times, it depends on the time of year and whether you are inside or outside. It can be up to 45 minutes on. And parades and shows require a whole different audition to be considered.

 

[kaos928]

I forget if someone answered this already... but do CPs live in the same buildings as PIs? I was looking at some of the internships of disneycareers.com so I am thinking about doing that but my boyfriend would be doing the CP. I think that the internship may count towards my undergraduate research at college of which I am required to take a full year of. And the ones that I want to do so far haven't required participation in the CP. So now I really can't decide! lol

 

[Joanna71985]

I forget if someone answered this already... but do CPs live in the same buildings as PIs? I was looking at some of the internships of disneycareers.com so I am thinking about doing that but my boyfriend would be doing the CP. I think that the internship may count towards my undergraduate research at college of which I am required to take a full year of. And the ones that I want to do so far haven't required participation in the CP. So now I really can't decide! lol

Unfortunately CPs and PIs live in different complexes. In fact, not all PIs live in the apartment- some have to find their own housing.

 

[kaos928]

Unfortunately CPs and PIs live in different complexes. In fact, not all PIs live in the apartment- some have to find their own housing.

And can CPs find their own apartments or do they have to live in either Chatham or Vista? If not I guess he could come stay over a few nights a week or something... oh and maybe I can find a 'dog friendly' apartment! Just thinking out loud here.