The Disney College Program - Pros and Cons

[ZephyrHawk]

DH worked two summers of the CP back when we were in college. I don't know if it's still the case, but it was perfectly fine to work just the summer back then. He loved his time there. Did it help his resume? I don't know, but I doubt it. We're attorneys, so hospitaly training doesn't exactly fit into our employers' concerns. Did it make him a better all around person? Perhaps. Did it improve his life? Well, he struck up a conversation about Disney with a young co-ed who thought it was the coolest thing in the world that he'd worked in WDW....so yes, I think he'd say so.

 

[ORMom2Four]

Would this be a good program for an introvert?

DD20 works 35+ hours a week at a teen girls clothing store, is finishing up her 2nd year at community college (full time course load) and maintains a minimum 3.8gpa. She has always wanted to go into animation, and is going to major in Graphic Design at the University when she transfers next spring.

I've talked to her about the Disney program, but she worries about being roommates with girls who are more interested in parties and drinking. She's the kind of girl who would much rather read a book than go to a party She is also worried about moving so far away from the family (we are in Oregon)

I think it would be a great way to move towards independence

 

[metalis4ever]

Would this be a good program for an introvert?

DD20 works 35+ hours a week at a teen girls clothing store, is finishing up her 2nd year at community college (full time course load) and maintains a minimum 3.8gpa. She has always wanted to go into animation, and is going to major in Graphic Design at the University when she transfers next spring.

I've talked to her about the Disney program, but she worries about being roommates with girls who are more interested in parties and drinking. She's the kind of girl who would much rather read a book than go to a party She is also worried about moving so far away from the family (we are in Oregon)

I think it would be a great way to move towards independence

I was very much the same way, participating in the WDWCP helped me break out of my anti-social shell. I'm not sure if it's still the case but back when I participated they had dry apartments at Vista Way (forget the term Disney used). Which meant that it would be less likely that there would be parties going on in ones own apartment.

I'm not stating that your DD is anti-social or needs to break out of any shell, I was strictly speaking from a personal perspective I was an introvert prior to participating and came out of it far more sociable than I had been going in.

 

[Traveliz]

Would this be a good program for an introvert?

DD20 works 35+ hours a week at a teen girls clothing store, is finishing up her 2nd year at community college (full time course load) and maintains a minimum 3.8gpa. She has always wanted to go into animation, and is going to major in Graphic Design at the University when she transfers next spring.

I've talked to her about the Disney program, but she worries about being roommates with girls who are more interested in parties and drinking. She's the kind of girl who would much rather read a book than go to a party She is also worried about moving so far away from the family (we are in Oregon)

I think it would be a great way to move towards independence

Ok Honestly I think the whole roommate thing is way overblown. My daughter did the program for two semesters and had over 30 different roommates (we lost count) in and out due to a variety of circumstances. She was originally placed in an apartment with all culinary students whose time frames are different and as they left other students came in for whatever reason. She had three roommates in one apartment termed (for park problems) in one week, she had ICP students placed in her apartment until they could get them where they belonged. Out of all of these she has only kept in touch with two of them. As a CP you are rarely at home. If partying is your focus then you can make that work but if it isn't that doesn't mean you will be forced into it either. She typically worked 6 days a week often until closing and had no desire to do anything other than sleep when she got back.

My daughter is a bit shy (I don't know if I would say introvert but still pretty to herself until she gets to know you) and she met tons of people she is still friends with mostly at her work site. Those are the ones she tended to do things with and have kept up with. All said when she left to do the program I reminded her that no one knew she was shy and she needed to step out of her comfort zone and meet up with people and enjoy her time there.

Liz

 

[frndshpcptn]

I participated in the WDWCP Spring 1999 and I can honestly say I would not be as successful as I am today had I not participated. The experience was life changing.

Having said that as others have stated it is what you make it. I know people who hated their assignments, became homesick and/or couldn't handle the demanding work schedule.

I was a QSFB Host at All Star Sports Resort and worked 4PM - Midnight or 1AM. Although it was demanding I enjoyed it and I especially enjoyed the people I worked with.

The joke that used to go around in my day was that WDWCP stood for WDW Closing Person

Beyond the working and learning aspects of participating in the WDWCP, the social and cultural shock was most beneficial for me. I was able to learn and grow personally through meeting people from all over the World.


The Disney College Program has definitely been a resume enhancer, I was offered the Job I have now out of College based heavily on having it on my resume.

I enjoyed my experience and came away with skills and a new found work ethic and motivation which carried me though College and into a successful career as an adult.

The only Con if you can call it that was my obsession with everything Disney as a result of participating

Vista Way 4 Life!!!!!!

I would agree with all this

I did the CP in 1998 and 1999. My first summer I was going into my junior year at college. I drove one of the Friendship boats in Epcot. AMAZING opportunity. I was terrified my first day - I had never driven a boat before. By my third day I was 100% thrilled with my job. I found confidance and really grew up that first summer. I talked in front of hundreds of people each day and really discovered a whole new side of myself that I didn't find while at University.

My second summer I worked at the Magic Kingdom. Again - incredible opportunity. I worked several attractions, as well as Parade Crowd Control.

I know it enhanced my resume - for the first few years after school it was all HR / potential employers wanted to talk about.

I would 1000% reccomend the CP.

I also made my two best friends on the CP and still talk with them every single day.

I can't say enough good things about it and I look forward to going "home" to Orlando every year to visit.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I did the internship spring of '05. Words cannot express how positively I view my experience there. My roommate parlayed her job into an advanced internship and finally a full time position. I have another friend from my time there who just finished up her advanced internship, as well. I had every intention of applying for the advanced internship during my final semester of college and attempting to turn that into a full time gig, but I met this guy, fell in love, and decided to get married instead of moving to Florida. It was absolutely the right decision, but I would be lying if there weren't times where I asked myself "what if...."

Let me say this. I matured so much more in my one semester at Disney than I did in my three and a half semesters at college. I went to a fantastic university that well prepared me for life after graduation, but Disney gave me the education that you don't get from books and professors. It gave me the education that you can only learn from experience. I had an interesting experience in that I was hired for one position and ended my time in a different one. I was hired on as custodial (called "showkeepers at the studios) and it was a rather humbling experience. It certainly was less strict than other positions. For many jobs your are told exactly where to be at what time. For example, if you are working Great Movie Ride, you might be working the front from 1:43 until 3:12. At 3:12, a person is supposed to come relieve you by giving you a sheet of paper that tells you where to report next. Very structured. We didn't have that in custodial. There were times that you were told to do a trash run, but other than that, you went where you were needed. I loved that freedom.

Because of my job, I got to experience a lot of guest relations, observe how various rides and shows operated, and view how things worked in merchandise and food service. I got to play with children when they were separated from their parents and was able to give out No Strings Attached cards to make up for poor experiences that guests had. I learned a lot from my managers (special shout outs to Rob, A.J., and Cathy) who absolutely adored their jobs and wanted all of us to adore ours, as well. I learned how to deal with the public, keep my head in a crisis (what do you mean 3 toilets are all over flowing at one time, the trash was thrown about by a child, and another child has messed up the bathroom by having diarrhea and vomiting at the same time?), and learn that no one is ever above any job. That was one thing that was truly special about Disney, I think. There were times that you would see the head guy of the Studios and he would be picking up trash or cleaning a toilet because, well, it had to be done. I know that this helped my resume because everyone wanted to talk about my experience. When I mentioned all that I had to deal with, as well as seeing that a boss would do the "lowest" of jobs no matter his rank, it often seemed to impress the interviewer.

I will agree with some previous posters that it is.... suggested... at times that you transfer to UCF and continue working for Disney. That wasn't for me, but I was also at one of the top institutions in the nation and loved my school (still do). If you choose not to, I have never heard of it hindering your ability to get an advanced internship or a full time position. For me, it was an experience that I have always treasured and would definitely do again if I had it all to do over again. I still speak with numerous friends from my time in the program, have friends all across the country, and, while no job is perfect, I must admit that I have had a hard time finding one that ever came close to that one. I joke with my husband that if anything were to ever happen to my daughter and him, I would re-enroll in school just to do the college program again.

 

[goofy4tink]

My 18 y/o dd has talked of nothing other than being able to do the CP since she was 13!!! The college she has chosen really doesn't support it, unlike other schools she looked at.
But, here's the thing. I told her I didn't care what college she goes to...she can apply to the CP after Christmas, her senior year. Then, if accepted, she can head down that summer or fall..whichever she is given. Then, if she completes the session and is offered a job, she can stay there and work.
I am very afraid of her going down there, in her junior year and never coming back to finish college. Even dd agreed that was a distinct possibility!!

So, here's hoping it all works out. I haven't heard from too many people that haven't felt it was a worthwhile thing to do. In fact, dd made some online friends that are in the CP now. So, when she and her friends went down a few weeks ago, on their high school graduation trip, they were able to meet up with some of the CP kids and hang out with 'em. Had a ball from what I hear. And one is in maintainence...they have a great shot of him with his sweeper upper stuff!!! And he seems to be very happy there.

 

[ladypage]

Would this be a good program for an introvert?

DD20 works 35+ hours a week at a teen girls clothing store, is finishing up her 2nd year at community college (full time course load) and maintains a minimum 3.8gpa. She has always wanted to go into animation, and is going to major in Graphic Design at the University when she transfers next spring.

I've talked to her about the Disney program, but she worries about being roommates with girls who are more interested in parties and drinking. She's the kind of girl who would much rather read a book than go to a party She is also worried about moving so far away from the family (we are in Oregon)

I think it would be a great way to move towards independence

Your DD is 20, so if she's still 20 by the time she gets there she would automatically be placed in a dry apartment. Disney is VERY serious about this. I had a friend who was termed because of alcohol, her 21st birthday was the next day, and all of the other girls in the apartment were 21. It was actually one of the other girls drinks, but it didn't matter. The entire apartment was sent home, had to be out the next day. You just don't risk it in the CP. They also have security that has every right to come search your apartment at random. Every person gets a locker in their closet, and for some reason everyone assumes security isn't allowed to look at it without permission. Totally wrong. Also, someone mentioned bouncers rarely checking ID, and that is the case in one club I can think of, but most do. And security does as well. If you're under 21 and coming through the gates intoxicated, the same applies. See ya.

 

[ladypage]

I did the program August 2011, and I loved it. It really opened me up as a person, and helped me mature considerably. There's nothing like working 50+ hour work weeks to teach you what hard work is all about.

I was in QSFB, at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot, and it was great. I couldn't have been placed anywhere better, IMO. I had three roommates (honestly, still my best friends), who I still talk to all the time, and made even more friends through work and in our apartment complex (Chatham). Heck, one of my friends and I are moving to the UK together for a semester, to meet up with a third friend, an ICP.

I met people from all over the world, China, Portugal, Brazil, and learned so much from them. We still keep in contact, even now.

The one thing that I want to clear up, is everyone is super concerned about getting a role related to their major. Forget it. 90% of people will get something completely unrelated. You (or your child) will probably not work anywhere near something specific to their major. But that's ok! They offer classes, which will relate, and the major thing is networking. Seriously network, network, network. Meet people, mention that this is what you're interested in, and don't be afraid to do it! I have a friend who was a character performer, his hopes are to be a composer for Disney later. Half of his off time was spent talking to managers, setting up meetings, doing whatever he could to impress those higher ups that would be useful later on. Disney has an open door policy, you can talk to anyone, as long as youre patient enough, and persistent. Disney also does a lot of hiring and promotions form the inside, so when my friend got a professional internship for Guest Relations, it was exactly the stepping point he needed. He's climbing up the ladder as we speak. Now he's full time, and in touch with all the people he needs to be when it comes to the time he can transfer. He's been working with Disney for 3 years, and has never called in or been late, EVER. He just transferred into a full time role for guest relations, so he has to wait another 6 months before he can move again, but he's in touch again with entertainment to work with them again.

SO yeah, if you really work for it, you can go pretty far in the company. Most people don't put that much work in though, so it's really up to what you do.

 

[dakcp2001]

Hi all! Former CP here. I can honestly say it was one of the best things I have ever done, hands down, for my career. My career is in NO WAY related to hotel or travel, I am a nurse. This program is great experience for working in the real world and job expectations. I had never been to WDW or Florida and applied for this program to see what all the fuss was about.

The college program is what you make of it. They are very strict. You have to go to work, you have to be on time, and the housing has very strict rules as well. A lot of people got weeded out for breaking the rules. The rules were not hard to follow. It was great customer service training, that will help in ANY job and any interview. Some people did not like their role or costume, and some of us enjoyed our job. I loved mine. It is what you make of it.

The apartment living was rough in the beginning, there were 6 of us girls in one apartment. I lived in Chatam Square. We each shared a room with 1 other girl and I lucked out. My roommate was awesome. We had one whackaloon, she quit after about a month. We had another girl who got fired for calling out and being late too much. I think she called out and got caught at a park that day (stupid). The rest of us were like family. I love this girls! We occasionally meet up at Disney for a reunion.

For me, it was a financial struggle. I had no outside help and paid my own way. I worked a ridiculous amount of hours, around 50-60 a week because the overtime was great. I had my own car, if you could even call it that, it was on its last leg, but lasted! No AC, imagine that in FL. lol. The CP program did offer classes but they were optional. You could get college credit, I did not need it and did not participate in the classes, 2 of my roommates did and enjoyed them.

It really is great for independence. I went to college 2 hours from home but always had my parents to fall back on. The CP program for me was totally out on my own and great for independence.

Also, I must mention, having WDW on your resume makes for a great conversation at every single job interview. I have never NOT been asked about it. It really does work in your favor! I really recommend this program. I did want to stay at the end, it was hard to leave, and I always wonder if coming back home was a mistake even to this day. I think I would have enjoyed staying another semester or extending for a bit. Instead I said I'd go back, but we all know how that goes.

 

[disney1990]

Very good point about the health insurance. We'll have to keep that in mind.

From what I understand Disney offers some classes as well? Are kids in the CP required to take these classes or are they optional? Do they enhance the experience and/or do they increase the chances that you secure a permanent job with Disney after completing the CP?

From what I understand, Disney has select housing for the CP students, right? Of course, at a cost. Do they try to match up requests to be with other applicants or is it totally random? Are they a lot of kids per apartment?

This is no longer an issue because you can keep your child on your health insurance even they aren't in school under the heath care bill.

 

[akelly]

DD did the CP a few years ago. She came back and finished college - applied and got a Professional Internship in her field. She ended up with a permanent position (she's an Imagineer). She absolutely loves her job - and the pay is pretty good too!

How exciting for your daughter to be an Imagineer! What was your daughter's college major?



What kind of classes does Disney offer during the CP?

 

[luvavacation]

My DD did a Professional Internship at Disney over a year ago, and she LOVED it!

When my DD was 12 years old, she saw someone holding a tarantula at a station at Animal Kingdom. My DD really likes insects and arachnids (not sure who her mom was! ), so she struck up a conversation with this person and this is when my DD found out about the College Program. Then and there, my DD decided she was going to do this.

Years later, we were visiting colleges. DD was talking to the heads of department at each university, and one of the things she asked was how involved they were with sending students to the Disney CP. The professor at Purdue mentioned, by name, the people in the department at Disney that he knew, and told DD she needed to go into the Professional Internship program, not the CP, because that would serve her better. Well, Purdue became her college, not in small part because of the connections between this professor and his Disney friends.

As a sophomore, DD applied for the PI. In her field, most of the PI's are college grads, heading into graduate school. Chances were slim my DD would be accepted, and the CP was her backup plan. Lo and behold, she was accepted, and she was the only one in her assignment that was not a college senior or beyond! She was thrilled!

The PI was a shock in many ways. It was a 6 month period away from home, far far away from home. If you are very attached to home, then expect the first month or so to be really tough, but you will come away from it with lots of personal growth!

Also, expect that the roommate situation may not be all the great. DD's roommate was from the deep South, we are Northerners. For us, we enjoy the differences in thinking and viewing the world, and DD especially could care less about political or religious differences.

Well, DD's roommate made life horrible for DD as time went on, always pointing out how heathen and unGodly she was being for being from the North, throwing out DD's things she felt were not to be in "her apartment", etc. The roommate was nothing like this when they first started corresponding, and was nothing like this the first two months, but bam, month 3, roommate was horrible!

The disadvantage of the PI is that the roommates and housing were done on your own, not thru Disney, so there is no one to go to for assistance. DD sucked it up, but thankfully the roommate was the only bad part of her PI.

DD did fall back in her college studies. She will still be graduating on time, as she is at school now making up classes over the summer semester, but for DD, this was a small price to pay. Not everyone would be so inclined to stay at school all summer, but the possibility is something to consider.

DD loved the internship so much, she is now a CP recruiter at her University! From the people she met and the connections she made while at the PI, and continuing on as a recruiter, we are hopeful that future employers look favorable upon her. As we have been told by others we know that do hiring for large corporations, as soon as that Disney experience is on the resume, they always give more consideration. We hope so!

My DD has no regrets, is considering doing the PI after graduation, and hey, visiting the participant is a great excuse for family and friends to go to Disney! I went 3 times in 6 months!

Good luck!

 

[DVC-Don]

My daughter finished her CP the end of May and loved it. She is a business major at SUNY Oswego. She worked merchandise mostly at the Contemporary with brief stints at the Main Street, MK and Boardwalk. She did not lose time at her college as she had 32 college credits before she got to college.

 

[kimmar067]

....my DS will be doing his 'basic' English, math, science courses at our local community college and then he wants to continue on to Johnson & Wales [culinary] with the intention of doing an internship at WDW, so I'm kind of curious as to who did that, as opposed to 'Marketing' or 'Hotel Management'....sorry if there were replies to this; I didn't read all the posts here...

 

[kimmar067]

...The CP program did offer classes but they were optional. You could get college credit, I did not need it and did not participate in the classes, 2 of my roommates did and enjoyed them.....

...do you have to pay for those?

 

[Andtototoo]

Your DD is 20, so if she's still 20 by the time she gets there she would automatically be placed in a dry apartment. Disney is VERY serious about this. I had a friend who was termed because of alcohol, her 21st birthday was the next day, and all of the other girls in the apartment were 21. It was actually one of the other girls drinks, but it didn't matter. The entire apartment was sent home, had to be out the next day. You just don't risk it in the CP. They also have security that has every right to come search your apartment at random. Every person gets a locker in their closet, and for some reason everyone assumes security isn't allowed to look at it without permission. Totally wrong. Also, someone mentioned bouncers rarely checking ID, and that is the case in one club I can think of, but most do. And security does as well. If you're under 21 and coming through the gates intoxicated, the same applies. See ya.

Well, I can tell you that my friend's two underage roommates risked it every night and were never caught. That's four months of risk and no consequence. They had no problem getting into any bar without ids. They also came home drunk more than once and flirted their way out of trouble with the security guards on more than one occasion, while young men were sent home for drinking. One time, security was in their apartment and the one 18 year old girl was obviously drunk out of her mind (and had brought a non-CP man back to the apartment as well) and nothing happened to her.

OTOH, one night the entire "party bus" that goes from the CP apartments to the bar area was terminated because the bus driver called TPTB about drunks on board. He pulled over and waited for someone from Disney. The head honcho who came out decided to terminate everyone who was on board. Didn't matter if you were drunk or over 21, everyone got terminated regardless.

So the enforcement is, shall we say, spotty.

 

[Traveliz]

...do you have to pay for those?

No Disney does not charge for the classes. Have to buy the book if there is one. NOW if you use that class for credit at your college your college may charge...however in my daughter's instance they did not! This varies by college and each college can make their own decision on how they want to handle it.

Liz

 

[leebee]

DD is hoping to do the CP and be a dancer (parades, shows, whatever). She has an extensive dance resume and has had summer training with several professional companies (Complexions Ballet, Rockettes, Boston Ballet, etc), so I think the talent is there. However.. how does this happen? I have seen that they have auditions for CP dancers. Would she apply for the CP and list her priorities, and see where they assign her? What if they assign her to, say, merchandising, and then she has the opportunity to audition to be a CP dancer? Would they reassign her? Or should she audition first and then apply for the CP (seems backward).

Does anyone know if they hire more dancers for the fall program or the spring/summer program? I read that Disney offers classes; would any of those be dance classes? (DD has also done workshops for 4 summers where the ballet/modern teacher is a Disney choreographer/former dancer, so maybe there's a contact somewhere!)

Lots of questions... any insight would be appreciated.

 

[ladypage]

DD is hoping to do the CP and be a dancer (parades, shows, whatever). She has an extensive dance resume and has had summer training with several professional companies (Complexions Ballet, Rockettes, Boston Ballet, etc), so I think the talent is there. However.. how does this happen? I have seen that they have auditions for CP dancers. Would she apply for the CP and list her priorities, and see where they assign her? What if they assign her to, say, merchandising, and then she has the opportunity to audition to be a CP dancer? Would they reassign her? Or should she audition first and then apply for the CP (seems backward).

Does anyone know if they hire more dancers for the fall program or the spring/summer program? I read that Disney offers classes; would any of those be dance classes? (DD has also done workshops for 4 summers where the ballet/modern teacher is a Disney choreographer/former dancer, so maybe there's a contact somewhere!)

Lots of questions... any insight would be appreciated.

As far as I know, there are very few CP dancers, if any at all. CPs can work in entertainment, as character performers, but when you start getting in to the dancing stuff, you have to start worrying about equity and that sort of thing. I do believe not all dancing roles are equity, but the majority are. So she might be better to try out for an actual role, instead of a CP. There might be a PI she could look at, I'm not sure though.