WDWCP: so many questions! :o)

[peaceheart]

A friend of mine came back from the CP and she lost about 60 pounds, gained TONS of confidence and independence, memories, and friends! She had nothing but incredible things to say about the program, and now I am dying to go! I am impatiently waiting for the next sign up which isn't until the end of September for the Spring 2011 semester. I appreciate everyone who reads this and responds with any answers!

1. CARS my mom is saying i shouldnt bring my car because it has so many miles on it that it might die on me. however, i am also taking a class when i go.. will it be just a big pain in the butt to take a bus everywhere? can i still really really enjoy myself without a car? ALSO, if i somehow do take my car, how does insurance work? I'm from Michigan, would i have to pay any extra for driving in Florida? I'm under my mom's insurance-so it is under her name that way i do not have to pay as much. will i need to switch it to under my name or does it not matter? Sorry if this is confusing. Please just tell me if you drive a car and if you do not- do you still love the experience equally as much? and if you DO drive a car- how much is your insurance, and did you have to do anything special when you moved to Florida for the CP?

2. BILLS i pay my phone bill and car insurance. it ends up being about $120/month. How much were your bills while living in the CP? could you afford it with your Disney job? How much would you recommend saving up before going? On top of paying for bills, did you have enough extra money to go out with friends occationally and buy souvineers?

3. JOBS what role did you have? ) which roles pay the best, which roles are more likely going to be out of the heat, which roles are most liked, which roles get most hours, etc.

oh gosh. I can think of so many more questions but i'd better just save it for another post this is so lengthy! if there is anything else you think would be valuable for me to know, please tell me! I love hearing anything to do with the WDWCP and things i should know! I already have a notebook full of information and I will add to it with everything I learn, haha! Thank you everyone who took the time to read/respond, again!

 

[peaceheart]

Please and thank you! haha sorry, i thought of another one..

CLASSES: i am required to take a class by my university to do the WDWCP. is taking classes really stressful because there isnt much time to do homework, etc? Do you still find any fun/free time? Also, any specific classes you enjoyed taking? Thank you!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

A friend of mine came back from the CP and she lost about 60 pounds, gained TONS of confidence and independence, memories, and friends! She had nothing but incredible things to say about the program, and now I am dying to go! I am impatiently waiting for the next sign up which isn't until the end of September for the Spring 2011 semester. I appreciate everyone who reads this and responds with any answers!

1. CARS my mom is saying i shouldnt bring my car because it has so many miles on it that it might die on me. however, i am also taking a class when i go.. will it be just a big pain in the butt to take a bus everywhere? can i still really really enjoy myself without a car? ALSO, if i somehow do take my car, how does insurance work? I'm from Michigan, would i have to pay any extra for driving in Florida? I'm under my mom's insurance-so it is under her name that way i do not have to pay as much. will i need to switch it to under my name or does it not matter? Sorry if this is confusing. Please just tell me if you drive a car and if you do not- do you still love the experience equally as much? and if you DO drive a car- how much is your insurance, and did you have to do anything special when you moved to Florida for the CP?

You really don't NEED a car, but a lot of people bring them and use them. I didn't have one, but on my second program, one of my roommates did and we'd make grocery trips. It was easier than walking or taking the bus. I have no idea about the insurance.

2. BILLS i pay my phone bill and car insurance. it ends up being about $120/month. How much were your bills while living in the CP? could you afford it with your Disney job? How much would you recommend saving up before going? On top of paying for bills, did you have enough extra money to go out with friends occationally and buy souvineers?

My bills weren't very big, and rent is taken right out of your paycheck. I could afford it on Disney pay, but I would recommend saving quite a bit for the first month or so, because your first couple checks will suck.

3. JOBS what role did you have? ) which roles pay the best, which roles are more likely going to be out of the heat, which roles are most liked, which roles get most hours, etc.

I did two programs. On my first, I did housekeeping at the Boardwalk and on the second, I was in custodial at MK. I loved both of them, but custodial had MUCH more guest interaction. Custodial was out in the park, obviously, but I absolutely loved that one.

oh gosh. I can think of so many more questions but i'd better just save it for another post this is so lengthy! if there is anything else you think would be valuable for me to know, please tell me! I love hearing anything to do with the WDWCP and things i should know! I already have a notebook full of information and I will add to it with everything I learn, haha! Thank you everyone who took the time to read/respond, again!

Please and thank you! haha sorry, i thought of another one..

CLASSES: i am required to take a class by my university to do the WDWCP. is taking classes really stressful because there isnt much time to do homework, etc? Do you still find any fun/free time? Also, any specific classes you enjoyed taking? Thank you!

I didn't take classes because my school didn't require it. It really depends on how you managed your time, though.

Also, just fair warning, if you're expecting to lose weight down there: One of the reasons your friend may have lost so much weight was because of walking and walking and walking and walking and walking on the job. As I mentioned above, I did custodial and I lost about 40 pounds in six months because of all the walking.

 

[SportsChick]

I'm heading up in just under a month.

I'm taking my car. I can't imagine not having it, but then again, I am 31 and haven't been without a car in quite some time.

As for bills, my fiance and I own a condo so my monthly bills are slighly more than $120, and by my calculations, as long as I'm careful, I should be okay.

My school doesn't give credit for Disney classes, so I wont' be taking those but I am taking online classes through my school. I have worked full time and taken 2-3 classes for a while, so I'm not worried about juggling. Heck, being online classes makes it even easier, no worrying about getting to class.

 

[TheBeckyZone]

I did the Spring Program this year and here are my thoughts:

1. Cars -- I brought my car with me and it was a huge time savor, but it's not necessary. I knew a lot of people who didn't bring cars and were able to function very well just by taking the bus. The buses are pretty good about being on time and they go anywhere you might need them to. I tried taking the bus during my first week, but I decided it was worth the gas money to not have to spend as much time with transportation. And about insurance, I'm from Michigan too actually and my car's insurance is in my parent's name. There's no extra tax or anything to worry about. You just need to make sure your name is on the insurance as someone who's covered. Also, if you do bring your car with you for your program, bring something from your insurance company that states that you are covered, otherwise you won't receive your parking pass.

2. Bills -- I agree with DisneyFirefly. You should be fine paying your bills, but saving up at first is a great idea. I saved during my first month or so and I actually ended up coming home with quite a bit of money leftover!

3. Jobs -- I was Attractions in Fantasyland. Attractions is one of the least paid positions, but it was still fun. I was lucky enough to be at attractions that were almost completely shaded. As far as hours go, it really depends on where you work more than what role you have. Working at Magic Kingdom, you can really get a lot of hours because our park hours are typically the longest and they're not set in stone like most of the other parks.

4. Classes -- I didn't take any classes while I was at WDW, but my roommates did. Some of them took classes from their school and others took some of the classes Disney offered. I didn't find that any of them were overly stressed or unable to do it.

Hope that helped! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

 

[peaceheart]

this helped so much! now i'm curious.. how much did you get paid for Attractions? Are all Attractions roles paid the same?? do you know how much different jobs are paid? I'd love to know that! )

and I'm kinda bummed about having to take a class the more i think about it. its a class through Disney, but still, I feel like I won't have a single free day to spend with rooomates like for a full day at the Parks with them. or I wont be able to go to the beach because on every one of my days off ill have class. :/ did your friends/roommates with classes get to go out much??

how much money did you save up prior to going to Florida? and last, which park would you recommend for getting decent hours but not having to work until like 4am (which i hear you do at Magical Kingdom a lot)?

thank you so so so much! <3

 

[Pure_Imagination]

TheBeckyZone I'm not sure why you're saying Attractions was one of the least paid? My roommate was in Attractions, and I don't remember how much she was paid, but it was at least 25 cents more than me and I was making $7.25 in merchandise.

But rule number 1 of the CP: don't do it for the money!

Magic Kingdom has TERRIBLE hours, and they randomly extend hours all the time. But I never worked too long of shifts (though I heard the hours got worse for people who stayed with Spring Advantage) while I knew people at EPCOT constantly working at least 12 hours shifts. 13-14 hour shifts was the norm there! Animal Kingdom probably has the best hours- hardly ever open late, and when they are the hours are extended to maybe 9 at the very most. But that was only like once or twice when I was there.

You can actually go on Disney's website and check the calendars for each month and see what the hours are like! Note that you'll be staying probably at least an hour after closing. Maybe only 30 minutes in some roles, but most likely an hour.

Money

I had a lot of money saved up from my previous jobs. Disney and traveling to and from Florida ate all that money. That said, I'd hate to see what situation I'd be in had I not have any money saved up! Get a job as far in advance as you can prior to doing the CP. There's not such thing as having too much money saved up!

Car

I had my car, and I loved it. My car's like my third home. I can't imagine living without it. Well, I guess I can, but I'd be unhappy! The main thing I liked was that my car was like having a major piece of home with me, and it made me feel more connected to the "rest of the world". Honestly being in the CP felt a little like being in an alternate reality, but having my car there made it easier to deal with. Plus the bus scheduling is, well, questionable. Sometimes people who road the busses had to leave like an hour and a half before they had to be at work! Of course I'd sometimes leave an hour ahead to be on the safe side, but it seemed like it would suck riding the bus at night to. The last thing you want to do after working until possibly 3 or 4 in the morning is stand and wait for a bus! The busses were always so crowded too. There's nothing worse than not being able to get a seat when you're headed to work or having to wait for the next bus when you just want to get to bed. Plus I just like the peace and quiet of my own car

I also heard of nightmares, like bus accidents, over crowded busses that were too packed to get onto, bus drivers getting lost (true story, this happened to me!), and the air conditioning going out. And the only thing worst than Florida heat is the Florida heat without air conditioning!

However, you've gotta do what you've gotta do. I knew people who put up with the bus and survived, so it is possible. They also saved a lot of gas money!


Classes

I actually liked my class and my instructor, but it wasn't nothing you couldn't learn on youtube. Still though, it was all very interesting to learn about.

roles

I was in merchandise. It wasn't too bad because people are in good moods when they go to Disney so they don't mind talking to you. Plus I got to talk and play with so many adorable little kids! There was this one little girl I talked to for like an hour, and her mom was so proud she introduced me to the whole family! It's amazing when kids would rather talk and play with you than go ride on the rides!

House keeping paid fairly well. At least $7.75, I believe. Possibly even $8.00, but I'm not sure. Merchandise definitely paid worst at minimum wage, $7.25 Attractions was somewhere in the middle, but I was definitely the worst paid out of my roommates! I believe quick service was $7.75 too.

The indoor jobs are going to probably be full service, house keeping, and hospitality. I can't remember the other roles at the top of my head, but usually if it's anything having to do with a park there's always a chance you'll be inside. I told my interviewer specifically that I'd like to work inside, but I realized that if you're in a park you're most likely going to work outside no matter where you are. They put you on a rotation so, ideally, you won't be outside for too long, but that seriously back-fired on me some nights. For some reason I was always forgotten about...

Attractions seems to be the most popular. You get to really act in character with those, and you have a LOT of responsibility. You have lives to take care of! One mistake could be fatal, so if you don't think you're ready for that kind of pressure you might not want to risk it. But attractions seems incredibly fun, too. Well, in some roles. Some people looked like they were about ready to explode into some very tired and frustrated pixie dust whenever I saw them working a ride, but others really got into it.

Merchandise is also fun because you get a lot of chances to really talk with people and even play with kids. House keeping didn't seem like fun at all from what I heard about it. I don't know much about the other roles.

My main advice: get a job and save up money. You don't do the CP to be able to make money and really provide for yourself on your own. You live off of whatever you're able to save, and you DEFINITELY want to have plenty of money saved up! Especially if you're going to be paying bills!!

 

[peaceheart]

TheBeckyZone I'm not sure why you're saying Attractions was one of the least paid? My roommate was in Attractions, and I don't remember how much she was paid, but it was at least 25 cents more than me and I was making $7.25 in merchandise.

But rule number 1 of the CP: don't do it for the money!

Magic Kingdom has TERRIBLE hours, and they randomly extend hours all the time. But I never worked too long of shifts (though I heard the hours got worse for people who stayed with Spring Advantage) while I knew people at EPCOT constantly working at least 12 hours shifts. 13-14 hour shifts was the norm there! Animal Kingdom probably has the best hours- hardly ever open late, and when they are the hours are extended to maybe 9 at the very most. But that was only like once or twice when I was there.

You can actually go on Disney's website and check the calendars for each month and see what the hours are like! Note that you'll be staying probably at least an hour after closing. Maybe only 30 minutes in some roles, but most likely an hour.

Money

I had a lot of money saved up from my previous jobs. Disney and traveling to and from Florida ate all that money. That said, I'd hate to see what situation I'd be in had I not have any money saved up! Get a job as far in advance as you can prior to doing the CP. There's not such thing as having too much money saved up!

Car

I had my car, and I loved it. My car's like my third home. I can't imagine living without it. Well, I guess I can, but I'd be unhappy! The main thing I liked was that my car was like having a major piece of home with me, and it made me feel more connected to the "rest of the world". Honestly being in the CP felt a little like being in an alternate reality, but having my car there made it easier to deal with. Plus the bus scheduling is, well, questionable. Sometimes people who road the busses had to leave like an hour and a half before they had to be at work! Of course I'd sometimes leave an hour ahead to be on the safe side, but it seemed like it would suck riding the bus at night to. The last thing you want to do after working until possibly 3 or 4 in the morning is stand and wait for a bus! The busses were always so crowded too. There's nothing worse than not being able to get a seat when you're headed to work or having to wait for the next bus when you just want to get to bed. Plus I just like the peace and quiet of my own car

I also heard of nightmares, like bus accidents, over crowded busses that were too packed to get onto, bus drivers getting lost (true story, this happened to me!), and the air conditioning going out. And the only thing worst than Florida heat is the Florida heat without air conditioning!

However, you've gotta do what you've gotta do. I knew people who put up with the bus and survived, so it is possible. They also saved a lot of gas money!


Classes

I actually liked my class and my instructor, but it wasn't nothing you couldn't learn on youtube. Still though, it was all very interesting to learn about.

roles

I was in merchandise. It wasn't too bad because people are in good moods when they go to Disney so they don't mind talking to you. Plus I got to talk and play with so many adorable little kids! There was this one little girl I talked to for like an hour, and her mom was so proud she introduced me to the whole family! It's amazing when kids would rather talk and play with you than go ride on the rides!

House keeping paid fairly well. At least $7.75, I believe. Possibly even $8.00, but I'm not sure. Merchandise definitely paid worst at minimum wage, $7.25 Attractions was somewhere in the middle, but I was definitely the worst paid out of my roommates! I believe quick service was $7.75 too.

The indoor jobs are going to probably be full service, house keeping, and hospitality. I can't remember the other roles at the top of my head, but usually if it's anything having to do with a park there's always a chance you'll be inside. I told my interviewer specifically that I'd like to work inside, but I realized that if you're in a park you're most likely going to work outside no matter where you are. They put you on a rotation so, ideally, you won't be outside for too long, but that seriously back-fired on me some nights. For some reason I was always forgotten about...

Attractions seems to be the most popular. You get to really act in character with those, and you have a LOT of responsibility. You have lives to take care of! One mistake could be fatal, so if you don't think you're ready for that kind of pressure you might not want to risk it. But attractions seems incredibly fun, too. Well, in some roles. Some people looked like they were about ready to explode into some very tired and frustrated pixie dust whenever I saw them working a ride, but others really got into it.

Merchandise is also fun because you get a lot of chances to really talk with people and even play with kids. House keeping didn't seem like fun at all from what I heard about it. I don't know much about the other roles.

My main advice: get a job and save up money. You don't do the CP to be able to make money and really provide for yourself on your own. You live off of whatever you're able to save, and you DEFINITELY want to have plenty of money saved up! Especially if you're going to be paying bills!!

yay!! your information was very helpful.

thanks to everyone else who replied as well!!

of course money is not my first priority by any means! it is something to take into consideration though, if i cant decide which job i like best. ) i forget where i heard attractions makes the least. thanks again! <3

 

[TheBeckyZone]

Attractions is also a minimum wage role, $7.25/hour. I believe almost every attractions role is the same amount except if you work at Epcot in Innoventions where I have heard you get paid a bit more because they are sponsored by outside companies.

I'm not sure exactly how much other roles get paid, sorry!

As for taking classes and having free time, my roommates who were taking classes had plenty of free time. We went to the parks/beach a lot. It really just depends on how you manage your time, but they didn't have any problem with it.

Onto your next questions! I brought a couple hundred dollars with me to the program. It's sort of important to have a bit with you when you get there just because your first paycheck will have two rent payments taken out of it. It's just safe to have a bit with you at first to pay for all those unexpected purchases you'll need to get (all those pesky things you forgot to pack!)

And your last question! I agree with Pure_Imagination, Animal Kingdom is probably the best park in terms of reasonable hours. A few of my roommates worked at the Resorts and their hours weren't that bad though either. Magic Kingdom is just not ideal for having a "normal" schedule. There were MANY days where I was scheduled 12-15 hours or my day was extended because they decided to extend park hours that day. And a few times that I was working until 4:45am. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible, just slightly annoying sometimes.

Okedoke! Once again, feel free to ask more questions if you have them! This board was a great source of information before I did my program and I'm happy to help!

 

[WhiteRabbit88]

I have my car down here and I am very glad I do. I've taken the bus maybe twice and absolutely hated it. They're unreliable and a lot of times the bus drivers drive like they're on Test Track. My paycheck averages at around $200 a week with some overtime hours in it usually. I work merchandise in magic kingdom and the hours are ridiculously all over the place. Force extensions and 12-14 hour shifts most days.

 

[dsnymnky86]

I worked QSR and my pay was better than most as the hours are long and there are lots of extra shifts you can pick up, plus QSR is one of the better paying since it isn't such a highly desired role. I didnt have a car down there which was inconvenient at time but I got by fine. You will meet tons of people with a car too which is what happened with me, and it turned out that no one I ended up roomming with had a car. The bus schedule can be a pain but it is fairly easy to work with.

 

[Anna's_Order]

So there's buses and all?

I get around without a car, but its a pain where I live because our transportation funding got cut and the buses stop early. Its a pain when you're working till 2 am!

I'm pretty good at hitching rides, but I don't want to have to resort to that in Anaheim...

Do the buses run most of the night? Are there public buses around the resort area? Can you obtain low-income bus pases, or do you have to be a resident of the Orange County?

 

[coorsie]

For the DLR CP, as found on their website:

Transportation at the Disneyland® Resort is not provided and participants are highly encouraged to bring their own vehicle. Public transportation is a viable option and is typically a quick and convenient ride to the resort, however it may not always coincide exactly with your work schedule. Students choosing to use public transportation will accrue $1 per day and a free bus pass as part of the Disneyland Resort's Commuter Assistance Program

All participants are responsible for their own transportation to the check-in location on their arrival day.

 

[Anna's_Order]

For the DLR CP, as found on their website:

Transportation at the Disneyland® Resort is not provided and participants are highly encouraged to bring their own vehicle. Public transportation is a viable option and is typically a quick and convenient ride to the resort, however it may not always coincide exactly with your work schedule. Students choosing to use public transportation will accrue $1 per day and a free bus pass as part of the Disneyland Resort's Commuter Assistance Program

All participants are responsible for their own transportation to the check-in location on their arrival day.

THEY GIVE FREE BUS PASES??!!!

This is....the greatest program in the entire world. The Disney company really takes care of its employees so well!!!!

I am so excited! The only way I can get my free bus pass here is to sign up at the food-stamps place downtown.

I can't WAIT to do the Disney college program!

 

[coorsie]

THEY GIVE FREE BUS PASES??!!!

This is....the greatest program in the entire world. The Disney company really takes care of its employees so well!!!!

I am so excited! The only way I can get my free bus pass here is to sign up at the food-stamps place downtown.

I can't WAIT to do the Disney college program!

lol, maybe you should check out the rest of the website. It might answer any other questions you might have:

http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disneycollegeprogram/dlr/students/students_index.html

 

[Anna's_Order]

lol, maybe you should check out the rest of the website. It might answer any other questions you might have:

http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disneycollegeprogram/dlr/students/students_index.html

I thought I studied it pretty well but I guess I missed some stuff...Will look at it some more! Thanks so much for answering my questions!

 

[coorsie]

I thought I studied it pretty well but I guess I missed some stuff...Will look at it some more! Thanks so much for answering my questions!

Yup, no problem. Just sitting here doing nothing else, so I'm chilling on the DISboards... Only three more weeks!

 

[Anna's_Order]

Yup, no problem. Just sitting here doing nothing else, so I'm chilling on the DISboards... Only three more weeks!

OH wow good luck to you! Work hard, play hard, and celebrate!!!!!

 

[AllisonMak]

...Do you go to CMU? haha

 

[peaceheart]

...Do you go to CMU? haha

nope lol you must?