WDW CP: The Good, The Bad...ok, mostly the Good

thejackattack21

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Aug 18, 2007
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This is my personal response to "The Good, The Bad, and the Downright Ugly" by Tide27. He (I presume...please forgive me if I'm mistaken) wrote an insightful and thorough thread about his negative experience on the CP (one that I have found to be pretty common). I, however, had a very positive experience on the CP (also common) and thought I'd share my (not-nearly-as-detailed) thoughts. Please be sure to read Tide27's writing in order to get a good contrasting view...and because the format of the thread is pretty much stolen from his.

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Apartment Complexes: You have two to choose from, Chatham and Vista Way. Both are pretty much equal in terms of amenities (gym, pool, etc...) except that Vista has a brand-new wireless lounge and some offices. I lived at Chatham, and the rooms there were MUCH nicer! However, Vista is considered to be more sociable (probably because people don't want to hang out in their rooms!). So, it's really all about what you want out of your living experience. The rent is pretty steep for the quality, but you're certainly not living in a dump either way.

Transportation: Bring a car!!! You can get around with just the buses, but if you can bring a car, DO IT! You will get to work faster (bus service is slow, circuitous, and crowded), and you will have the freedom to go places in Orlando other than the parks and Wal-Mart, or even to take road trips to other parts of Florida.

Advantage or not?: There is no reason to do the advantage program. If you love your program so much that you want to stay, you can extend at the end of a regular program. You cannot (without extenuating circumstances) cut an advantage short.

Jobs, Schedules, and Money: The jobs here are incredibly diverse, but you don't have too much of an initial choice. I worked in Main Street (Magic Kingdom) operations and loved it; some people hated their jobs. Know yourself; if you are offered a job in Quick Service but hated your summer job at McDonald's, DON'T ACCEPT! The people I knew who were most dissatisfied with their jobs were the ones who knew coming in that they didn't like the job responsibilities. Disney is not so magical that it makes a job you hate instantly better. That being said, if you find you don't like your job once you're there, you can change it; two of my roommates switched positions, and I never heard of a reasonable request being denied.

Your schedule will vary as much as your job does. I rarely ever had more than 30 hours a week; one of my roommates who worked in merchandise generally worked 50 hours a week. You can pick up extra shifts, but it's hard to reduce your hours.

Now, as for money: IF YOU ARE DOING A CP TO EARN MONEY, YOU ARE DOING THE CP FOR THE WRONG REASON! You are earning minimum wage and your rent is relatively high. The biggest complaints I heard were about money, but, again, I think this was a problem of people not knowing enough coming into the CP. If you don't have any other means of financial support, you will be picking up lots of extra shifts. And no, Disney does not pay less than every company in Florida. They pay minimum wage, just like many other companies. I grew up in Florida, and all of my jobs paid the same rate. This problem seems to be most prevalent for people coming from the Northeast, where the minimum wage is higher. A lot of money complaints begin with "But if I were at Company X, I'd be doing the same thing for $9 an hour..." Well, yes, you're right. But unless Company X is something like Coca-Cola or Microsoft, you are not going to get the same perks and networking opportunities as you will at Disney. If you work at Universal Studios, there's nowhere else to go. But at Disney, you could move to ABC or ESPN or Imagineering...just consider that you are being paid in experience, in addition to money.

Can you move up in the company?: Yes and no. If you barely put any effort into your job, don't take advantage of networking opportunities, call in a lot and get reprimands, then no, you will not move up in the company. However, if you make it a point to be the best at your job that you can possibly be to get great reviews from your managers, and take advantage of the classes, networking events, etc...that are offered to you, then you can make a name for yourself in the company. I've heard stories of people who had tyrannical managers who gave them unnecessary reprimands, but you have to remember that, even in that worst case scenario, there are people above your immediate manager. If you advocate for yourself, you will get noticed. Otherwise, you won't. One caveat: don't expect to be promoted during your CP. Some people are, but most aren't. You are not going to leave as an executive; however, you might have met an executive who can hire you in the future...

Basically, my point is this: Your program is exactly what you make it. If you want to slack off, party, and enjoy the parks, that's your business, but you will not move up in the company and might get fired. On the other hand, if you want to make a good name for yourself in one of the world's largest companies and take advantage of the unique opportunities afforded to CP's, you can do that through hard work and self-advocation. The CP is not for everyone. Party-only seekers, money seekers, people with unrealistic expectations about the workload or job description, people expecting an instant seat on the board and people who hate Disney or children (you'd be surprised...those people do, in fact, apply for CPs) will be disappointed. Even people who don't fit into any of those categories sometimes don't have a great experience. But because I advocated for myself with my superiors, went to classes, made friends and enjoyed every minute of my time on and off the clock, I had an amazing, life-changing experience...and, if you apply for the CP, I hope you do too.
 
This is probably the best and most balanced overview of the program that I've read in a VERY long time (and I've read a lot of them).

The one thing that I disagree with is this statement

Jobs, Schedules, and Money: The jobs here are incredibly diverse, but you don't have too much of an initial choice.

You may have meant that you don't have much of a choice in where you are placed (which attraction you work, which merchandise location you work, etc.).

But if you really did mean that you don't have much of a choice in job (as in type of job), I disagree.

There are tons of jobs to choose from when you apply.

I think where people make the mistake when they interview is that they say what they think the interviewer wants to hear rather than being completely honest. These are the people who say "I'll do anything" when they really don't mean that they would do anything. The people who say "Yes" to the "Will you do Quick Service Food and Beverage" question that EVERYONE is asked in the interview because they think that if they say no that they won't get a job.

In the case of the CP, I'd say that that the person applying has a lot more choice and power than they would for any other type of job interview.

The CP has been expanded so much over the years that they have tons of positions to fill. There really isn't much of a question *if* you will get an offer. You will. You just have to make sure that what you are being offered is what you want to do. You have that power now.

During the interview, people should only list the job(s) that they want to do. Not the ones that they think "this may be OK" or "I'll list this because it will make me look good, but I really don't want it".

Because you really can get the exact job you want.

And also during the interview, you can say where you would like to be placed. They make note of this and more likely than not, that is where you will go. You just have to be specific and don't be too wide open. If you only want to work in merchandise, only say that. You will get it.
 
You may have meant that you don't have much of a choice in where you are placed (which attraction you work, which merchandise location you work, etc.).

Yes, this is what I meant. Sorry I was so vague.

Thank you very much for your reply! And I totally agree with you...applicants need to understand that they are in control when it comes to their position.

Thanks again!
 
i agree with the statement about saying what you dont want. My roommate had experience with operations and during her interview the CM asked why she didn't want rides and she kindly told them although she has experience shes been there/done that and would like to move to something that would be beneficial to her major and she was put in hospitality which is perfect for her business major. I'm hoping to get the BBBoutique w/hopes of convincing them that it will help towards my education major but we'll see...any tips?! lol
 

Great report. I definitely agree on these points. The 2 biggest ones for me are: don't do the CP for the money, and don't pick roles you know you won't like. Like someone else said, if you are going to do the CP for the money, then you are doing it for the wrong reason. It should be for the experience, with money being a plus. Most internships don't pay anything. And here you get to go to the parks for free. Pretty cool. Also, don't select roles you don't think you will enjoy just for the sake of being accepted. If you pick QSFB (and you don't think you will enjoy it) you most likely will be put in that role. Just a thought.

I have done the CP 3 times, and will be a campus rep this fall. And I have nothing but good things to say about my time in Disney. So much so that I want to go FT when I graduate.
 
ive read both threads that are related to each other and to be honest the main thing that i am getting out of it is that you make out of it what you want. now from the stand point of someone who is hopeing to go this spring, what are some thigns to look out for before or after we arrive there in fla?
 
ive read both threads that are related to each other and to be honest the main thing that i am getting out of it is that you make out of it what you want. now from the stand point of someone who is hopeing to go this spring, what are some thigns to look out for before or after we arrive there in fla?

Look out for in terms of what? Work? Living in Orlando?
 
work i suppose... i guess im just looking for advice on making this everything i want it to be. which is an oppertunity of possibly working at disney FT and living in orlando by going through the internship programs
 
If you've already interviewed, then ignore this. Otherwise:

Be completely honest in your interview. Don't say you'll do something if you don't want to do it. And don't be afraid to mention that "The Haunted Mansion has been my favorite attraction ever since I was a kid, so I'd love to be a butler/maid" or "I'm SO passionate about animals...I'd love to work at Animal Kingdom". It doesn't guarantee that you'll get what you want, but it can't hurt.

Once you're there, make sure to take advantage of every opportunity given to you- sign up for classes, especially the ones that help with resume building. Make sure you sign up for the e-mail communications and go to all of the activities that interest you, especially the networking ones. There is always something going on!

At work, make sure to always do your best and...most importantly, show up! You'd be surprised how many people fail to do that. Also, keep in contact with your managers and homeroom leader (a manager assigned to you as a contact) and make sure you're getting the best experience you can.

Most importantly- have fun! You get free admission to the parks- use it!

That's everything I can think of. Let me know if you have any more questions...
 
I just had my interview earlier this week and after taking everyone's advice, I stood my ground about where I want to work. I said that I only want to do attractions operation and specifically I want to work at either the Jungle Cruise or The Great Movie ride. The recruiter asked if I would do Merch or the BBBoutiques and I said after working retail I'm not really stoked to do those things but rather I want to work in something unique to Disney.. the rides!

Any thoughts from past experiences or stories that other people have told if I have a chance as to getting what I requested?

PS - All the tips and stories about the program are awesome (the good reports and the bad ones). It seems like people are recommending either 2 or 3 bedrooms. Has disney changed the policy and now giving information about roommates early? Or is it still who's ever around you when you get there? Last question as far as housing, should you get there as early as possible for Chatham or is there a request form?

Thanks!!
 
In my interview I told the interviewer than my number 1 without a doubt role was recreation and that i specifically wanted waterslide attendant... I'm in recreation, now I just have to wait until January to see if I got the other 1/2 of my request!!

As for roomates, If you fill out the roomate survey they'll give you information on 1 of your roomates. However, from what I've heard from Fall people who are there now, if you fill out the roomate request you basically have no say whatsoever in what complex you're in or how many rooms are in your apt. -That if you do roomate matching they automatically assign you these before your check in day whereas if you don't fill out the survey they assign them the day you come down and you can sort of tell the people what you would like.

I guess I can't really testify to the validity of that, just something i've heard.
 
PS - All the tips and stories about the program are awesome (the good reports and the bad ones). It seems like people are recommending either 2 or 3 bedrooms. Has disney changed the policy and now giving information about roommates early? Or is it still who's ever around you when you get there? Last question as far as housing, should you get there as early as possible for Chatham or is there a request form?

Thanks!!

The roommate notification process is still around, and if you choose to participate in that, you will know who one of your roommates will be (i.e., the one you are sharing an actual bedroom with) before you check in. You either fill out a brief survey and are matched up with someone with similar answers (I think), or you can request a certain person if you know their name and applicant number.

There is no request form, so I recommend getting there early to get the apartment complex that you want.

However, from what I've heard from Fall people who are there now, if you fill out the roomate request you basically have no say whatsoever in what complex you're in or how many rooms are in your apt. -That if you do roomate matching they automatically assign you these before your check in day whereas if you don't fill out the survey they assign them the day you come down and you can sort of tell the people what you would like.

I guess I can't really testify to the validity of that, just something i've heard.

At first, this is exactly what I heard too. However.....my roommate and I participated in the roommate notification process, and we were able to get the apartment complex and size that we requested. We also arrived pretty early the morning of check-in. So there is hope! :)
 
Hi all! I have been so interested to read about your experiences and advice. Now I'm hoping someone can give me some advice about the Spring Advantage Quarter. I have heard that Disney really wants you to work for at least 6 months but that you can go for only 3 during the spring advantage quarter from may to august. I really cant afford to miss and entire semester of school if I want to stay on track so I'm hoping to get into this program. does anyone know how much more difficult this program is to get into or have any tips on how to approach this topic with my interviewer? thanks so much!


PS--i interview on thursday! ahhhh....so nervous!
 
Hi all! I have been so interested to read about your experiences and advice. Now I'm hoping someone can give me some advice about the Spring Advantage Quarter. I have heard that Disney really wants you to work for at least 6 months but that you can go for only 3 during the spring advantage quarter from may to august. I really cant afford to miss and entire semester of school if I want to stay on track so I'm hoping to get into this program. does anyone know how much more difficult this program is to get into or have any tips on how to approach this topic with my interviewer? thanks so much!


PS--i interview on thursday! ahhhh....so nervous!

May to August is actually the Summer Program. It used to be a regular program, but has since been changed to an alumni-only program. They did do it in Summer 2006 for first-time people (only roles were custodial, QSFB, and limited lifeguard) but last summer 2007 they did not do it.
 
I am majoring in Computer generated 3-D design and animation,are there any roles that would go hand in hand with my major???
 
I am majoring in Computer generated 3-D design and animation,are there any roles that would go hand in hand with my major???

If you mean working in animation directly, no.

The positions on the program are all working in the theme parks and different resort hotels.
 
I didn't think so!!! I am going to apply for operations and hopefully work in one of the rides.
 
But good news... there are PI's with Disney Design Group for that stuff and they usually require that you do a CP. My friend Ellen just finished her PI in May. SHe loved it.
 
I am so jelous of all of you!
I live in the UK, therefore i cannot go for any of these programes, but i would LOVE to work at Disney for a year or so.
Did anyone else have an international person in their cp? Does anyone know how an English person may apply?

Thank you
Kate
 
I am so jealous of all of you!
I live in the UK, therefore i cannot go for any of these programs, but i would LOVE to work at Disney for a year or so.
Did anyone else have an international person in their cp? Does anyone know how an English person may apply?

Thank you
Kate

Hi Kate,
It is possible for you to work at Disney! You can do it through the International College Program - disneyinternationalprograms.com. Also, Ocean Girl posted a link on the College Program Questions thread a while ago that has a discussion board for the ICPers - www.wdwip.com/smf/. You should go for it! :)
 













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