When to start CP program

[Dee/Belle]

I used to post on the boards when I was about..13, but now I'm back, and with some questions.

I am starting college at the University Of Missouri Journalism School next fall, but I want to do the CP program after I qualify with having enough school done, etc. I read through some of the CP thread, but I am curious...when should I start thinking about applying, and where do I have to start if I do get an interview...

I live in Missouri, so to interview, would I have to go down to Florida for my interview? Also--my real goal is to be a character or work in the entertainment field of Disney. How long do people usually work at WDW before thinking about auditioning...

sorry for all the questions, but i plan on working at Disney because i am a disney kid and i want to bring joy to people's experiences as people did when i was a kid...even today i still get a kick out of the people who work at the rides and make them fun--even though i've ridden them a thousand times each.

anyway--if anyone could answer some of my questions, I would really appreciate it. also, if you would rather talk on aol or something, that would be cool.

thanks for reading my long--freaking out post

 

[Joanna71985]

Hi Dee/Belle. Welcome to the boards. You have some good questions so let me see if I can answer them.

1. when should I start thinking about applying, and where do I have to start if I do get an interview...
There is no bad time to be thinking about when to apply. I applied and got accepted after 1 semester in school. There is good info at the CP website www.wdwcollegeprogram.com. That is where you get the application if you want to apply.

2. I live in Missouri, so to interview, would I have to go down to Florida for my interview?
Nope. There are presentations and interviews at a lot of schools from around the US. There should be schools in Missouri (I actually had a friend on my CP from Missouri). So just look up the presentation schedule on the website (which won't be ready til about Feb. for the next program).

3. Also--my real goal is to be a character or work in the entertainment field of Disney. How long do people usually work at WDW before thinking about auditioning...
That is a good goal. I want to be a character performer/greeter myself. There are auditions before each CP, so for the Fall 2006 CP, which is coming up next, the auditions would be sometime around late Feb., early March and they would be listed on the website. Also, if you get accepted as something else, during the CP there are auditions towards the end and you can extend if you get accpeted. I did that myself on my CP.

I hope I answered your questions, or some of them. If you have more, or you want to talk, my AIM is joanna71985 and my email is joanna71985@hotmail.com. Good Luck and hope to see you on the CP!

 

[Dee/Belle]

thanks for responding, joanna

 

[Joanna71985]

No problem.

 

[Ghostbuster097]

Hey there, I am currently a student at the University of Missouri as well. I plan on doing the program next semester. The only downside that I found to the doing the program here at Mizzou is that no one is willing to give credit for it. But if you're like me than getting my foot in the door and having real experience in the theme park industry is way more important than any credit. The meeting for the program is in early April. I might see you there!!

 

[fan of the TTA]

hmmm....wonder if they run that programme over here in the UK?

 

[Joanna71985]

You are probably able to do the International CP.

 

[Dee/Belle]

Hey there, I am currently a student at the University of Missouri as well. I plan on doing the program next semester. The only downside that I found to the doing the program here at Mizzou is that no one is willing to give credit for it. But if you're like me than getting my foot in the door and having real experience in the theme park industry is way more important than any credit. The meeting for the program is in early April. I might see you there!!

i'm not in college yet, but i might go to the meeting thing for fun haha. what are you studying at MU?

 

[Ghostbuster097]

I am a Marketing Major. I am also taking parks, rec, and tourism classes. There sadly is no minor in PR&T here at Mizzou. I am also 95% sure that I will be transferring to University of Central Florida after the program. They have a Theme Park and Attraction Management track there that I am very interested in.

 

[Dee/Belle]

:sigh: i hope i won't miss out on too many credits doing a CP...otherwise, i probably can't go.

hope you find a school that works for you though! --are you from around here or did you just come for college?

 

[Ghostbuster097]

I was born outside of Chicago but I grew up in St. Louis (so I am a Cardinals fan). Went to Community College for two years and been here since.