The College Program Questions thread

[Joanna71985]

Can someone who's had recent experience shed some light on the CP buses? I'm trying to decide whether to fly down and use the buses (easier option in the short term) or drive the 22 hours to Orlando. I've relied on public transit before, so I do realize there are some limitations.

Are they as bad as many of the stories say? Is it hard to get on a bus to get to the parks for work at peak times of the day and what happens if the bus is full, do they send another? How easy is it to catch one of the Orlando Lynx buses from Chatham or Vista?

TIA for the help!

I've had experience with 2 different bus companies. The current one is much better then the old one. However, the bus system can still be...adventurous. That being said though, it is nice if you can't bring a car. It gets you around to almost anywhere you would need to go. Yes, sometimes they can get crowded, especially the Epcot buses in the morning and again at closing. There are set times for the buses. Some leave once an hour (DTD, Walmart), some leave 2 times an hour (AK, MGM) and others have multiple times an hour (MK, Epcot).

 

[shastatikipunch]

When I do finally participate in the program, I think I'm going to rely on the buses. Having a car would be convenient, but I don't feel like driving down the entire East Coast by myself, and on top of that I really don't want to have to worry about oil changes and random stuff breaking on my car. I haven't used public transportation on a regular basis before, but I'm sure it's not all that hard to figure out.

 

[dispatch]

Does anyone know what the process would be to audition for a character role if I only want to pick up extra hours? I am hoping to be in Florida for a PI in January, but would love to pick up extra hours performing!

Also, does anyone know what the requirements are to be a parade dancer or in shows such as the High School Musical 2 Pep Rally? I am not equity, but have a dancing background.

 

[Joanna71985]

When I do finally participate in the program, I think I'm going to rely on the buses. Having a car would be convenient, but I don't feel like driving down the entire East Coast by myself, and on top of that I really don't want to have to worry about oil changes and random stuff breaking on my car. I haven't used public transportation on a regular basis before, but I'm sure it's not all that hard to figure out.

It is definitely doable. I have done 3 CPs (and hopefully a 4th) without a car.

Does anyone know what the process would be to audition for a character role if I only want to pick up extra hours? I am hoping to be in Florida for a PI in January, but would love to pick up extra hours performing!

Also, does anyone know what the requirements are to be a parade dancer or in shows such as the High School Musical 2 Pep Rally? I am not equity, but have a dancing background.

I am not sure how/if there are auditions for people on a PI. But for any character audition there is 2 parts. The animation and dance. Animation is basically like charades. They have you act something out (for example, making a sandwich). Then comes the dance part. It is in counts of 4.

Also, I don't know what the requirements are, but you have to be selected for parades and shows. You also have to have a high-enough color code.

 

[shastatikipunch]

It is definitely doable. I have done 3 CPs (and hopefully a 4th) without a car.

Yeah, plus I know with the pay and bills it isn't the easiest thing in the world, but I wanna try and put some money away while I'm down there even if it's only a few hundred, and not having to pay for gas will definitely help me do that. Cause right now I'm barely making it paycheck to paycheck. I heard hours are basically however open you leave yourself in the CP, so I'm hoping to get as many hours under my belt as I possibly can and have some money left over at the end of each week.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

i'm taking my car and i'm not going to worry about gas. the longest drive should be no longer than 15/20 mins away so you will not go through gas as much since its a short distance so that is the least of my worries and I will be thanking my parents a ton for letting me bring my car lol

 

[imagineerhopefull]

The buses are ok, but can be a very large headache. I had to experience the AK bus this past spring, and then take a shuttle bus over to Blizzard Beach. Each morning the AK bus would be packed, sometimes they would use a smaller bus instead of a regular sized one, which would cause more of a headache. Once getting to AK I would then switch to a van to get to BB, which was more than packed, think 24 people in a van thats only supposed to seat 14! Then trying to get the van to pick you up on the way home, sometimes it wouldn't come for two hours!!! Getting to Walmart was always an adventure, it taking 2 hrs when with a car it can take 30 minutes. If given the option, BRING YOUR CAR! It makes it much more convenient and allows you to do much more than Disney. I was lucky enough that my girlfriend had a car and being able to go to Clearwater or Celebration or any of the resorts any time we wanted. Again, if you can... Bring A Car!!

 

[imagineerhopefull]

Yeah, plus I know with the pay and bills it isn't the easiest thing in the world, but I wanna try and put some money away while I'm down there even if it's only a few hundred, and not having to pay for gas will definitely help me do that. Cause right now I'm barely making it paycheck to paycheck. I heard hours are basically however open you leave yourself in the CP, so I'm hoping to get as many hours under my belt as I possibly can and have some money left over at the end of each week.

If you're heading down with the intention of making money while there, don't plan on it. It is supposed to be an experience, not a job. At $6.67 an hour, minus taxes, then rent, a 40hr pay check can turn into $150, and that's before food.

 

[dispatch]

I'm assuming I can go to an open audition whether or not I'm full-time/part-time/PI. I guess what I'm wondering is if you can audition under the stipulation that you would not be available full time...

Also, it's been two years since I've worked there--can you re-explain the color-coding to me? Thanks

 

[kaos928]

If you're heading down with the intention of making money while there, don't plan on it. It is supposed to be an experience, not a job. At $6.67 an hour, minus taxes, then rent, a 40hr pay check can turn into $150, and that's before food.

Good news! I just had my phone interview Tuesday and they said starting in January they're raising the pay to anything from 6.70 to 8.14 depending on where you are working and at what role. I don't know what the differences are but you could potentially make a lot more money! btw from my interview I have to guess they'll offer me hospitality but we will have to wait and see!!!!

 

[shastatikipunch]

If you're heading down with the intention of making money while there, don't plan on it. It is supposed to be an experience, not a job. At $6.67 an hour, minus taxes, then rent, a 40hr pay check can turn into $150, and that's before food.

Trust me I'm not heading down there for the money, I make alot more at my current job then what they pay down there. My big problem is spending habits (lots of DVD's, Video Games, CD's, etc...) I'm going down there to hopefully lay down the path to a career with Disney. But if while I'm down there, if I can learn to save money (due to the fact that I probably won't be buying as much cause it has to be transported back home to RI eventually, and because I won't have to worry about gas at all) then that's a plus for me as well (even if I'm not saving a whole hell of a lot and something I'd tie in with the overall experience as well).

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm assuming I can go to an open audition whether or not I'm full-time/part-time/PI. I guess what I'm wondering is if you can audition under the stipulation that you would not be available full time...

Also, it's been two years since I've worked there--can you re-explain the color-coding to me? Thanks

Color codes is what you are scored for dance and animation. The higher the score, the more you could possibly be selected for.

Good news! I just had my phone interview Tuesday and they said starting in January they're raising the pay to anything from 6.70 to 8.14 depending on where you are working and at what role. I don't know what the differences are but you could potentially make a lot more money! btw from my interview I have to guess they'll offer me hospitality but we will have to wait and see!!!!

Dang, that is a big jump. I was quite happy with $6.67 (that was a raise from my previous CP) but that is even better).

 

[Invisible_ears_82389]

Good news! I just had my phone interview Tuesday and they said starting in January they're raising the pay to anything from 6.70 to 8.14 depending on where you are working and at what role. I don't know what the differences are but you could potentially make a lot more money! btw from my interview I have to guess they'll offer me hospitality but we will have to wait and see!!!!

Are you a business major? Because I really want to do hospitality, and I keep hearing mixed stories about how difficult it is to get.

 

[kaos928]

Are you a business major? Because I really want to do hospitality, and I keep hearing mixed stories about how difficult it is to get.

Actually no, it turns out just about everything I picked on the role check list was hard to get. My interviewer, Margie, said that she used to work in something like staffing in one of the hospitality locations and asked about my computer skills which I think I sold her on since I've been using computer since I was like 2 and I have used different companies interfaces in jobs I've had in accounting, price control at a grocery store and at a tanning salon. So it will either be that or I'm guessing attractions. I had really wanted the BBB but I knew like no one gets it and she didn't even really bother asking me questions about it so that was sad. But we'll see!

 

[snowflake814]

this board is sooo big. im only on page 23.. i was wondering if someone could tell me all they know that you can expect when doing hospitality & charcter attendant. ive decided i wanna choose between those two and now ive decided merchandice (but that's self explanatory what all you do for that haha) but i hope people can help.

thanks!!

 

[Joanna71985]

this board is sooo big. im only on page 23.. i was wondering if someone could tell me all they know that you can expect when doing hospitality & charcter attendant. ive decided i wanna choose between those two and now ive decided merchandice (but that's self explanatory what all you do for that haha) but i hope people can help.

thanks!!

Well, I did character attendant Fall Advantage 2006 (and hope to do it again this summer). It is soooooo much fun. You get to work in all 4 theme parks. You are assisting the character while maintaining order and helping the guests in line (for example, sending the families up, taking pictures if they want, helping out with a pen or paper, ect). You may have to set up a queue line. Sometimes you work dining (which is a little bit different). If you have any more questions about character attendant I can try to help.

 

[snowflake814]

hey. yet another question. my college isn't having the presentation until nov 5th. and its only october now. this presentation is for spring 08 i hope right? my college hasnt even put up any flyers yet, but it's on the college program site. It better be for spring 08 becuase that's when i want to go haha!

anyone have any ideas if it's for spring?

 

[chuchubipretu]

I am a mom who has some questions for all you vets of the CP.

1. How old were you/what year in college were you when you did your first CP? We would like our DS to complete his first year away at school before doing the CP. He, however, is ready to go for Spring 08 after only one semester at school. (He has already interviewed.)

2. Has anyone done the Fall program? I'll be honest...I'd hate to have my son away for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do you get time to go home during your CP?

3. And finally...has anyone done a summer CP after completing the full Fall/Spring one? Is housing provided for summer only?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[snowflake814]

Has anybody done "Backstage" or know what that involves? I'm just curious because I may want to do that but was just wondering if anybody knows ANYTHING about that at all?

Oh yeah, and I've heard that if you want to, you can choose to stay if you have graduated down there already. Is there anymore information on this? Do you get a better job or is it just a continuation of the CP (with living in the apartment, etc.)

hey did anyone anwser this question.... well the second one about staying down there... or did you find out the answer... if so do u get a better job or is it a continuation.. and an addition to that.. does the page go up if ur hired through disney, and not the program..??

 

[kaos928]

I am a mom who has some questions for all you vets of the CP.

1. How old were you/what year in college were you when you did your first CP? We would like our DS to complete his first year away at school before doing the CP. He, however, is ready to go for Spring 08 after only one semester at school. (He has already interviewed.)

2. Has anyone done the Fall program? I'll be honest...I'd hate to have my son away for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do you get time to go home during your CP?

3. And finally...has anyone done a summer CP after completing the full Fall/Spring one? Is housing provided for summer only?

Thanks for all your help.

Actually a lot of schools require that you finish your first year, or have 30 credits like mine. I assume that being that Christmas and Thanksgiving are such busy times it would be nearly impossible to get time off although I haven't been there. I know if you do the Spring program you have the option to extend to Spring Advantage for the rest of the summer so then you would have the same housing. I had a friend who went back for the Summer the following year. I believe at the end of your CP you have the option to go seasonal so you can come back, I don't know about the pay but since you are no longer a CP the housing wouldn't be available. Unless there is a Summer program which I think they have for Alumni but just for QSF&B and custodial then I believe there would be housing. I'm not the authority on these things though