WDW College Internship...

[ChanChilla]

I was accepted! YAYERS!

I'm in the spring semester, leaving in a couple of weeks for Orlando. This is just way too cool. Get to work at disney and go to school there... Eeeeeeee!

Anyone else in this program? :biggrin:

[DisneyParksFan]

Awesome!
I hope you have a great experience while you're there :)


~DisneyParksFan

[mickeyfan]

Congrats, Wishing you a wonderful time there.

[Palm Desert Babe]

Lucky!!!!!!
That's what I want to do when I'm older (at Disneyland -I live closer). Have fun!!!!

[MayaHJ7]

Have a great time! I did it back in 2003 and had a fabulous time! It really is a life altering experience. The program really is what you put into it. If this is your first time leaving home, I really couldn't imagine a better way to do it. You're making money, going to school (Possibly. I didn't :P), and learning how to live on your own. It really teaches you how to be self sufficient. It's great, really it is.

What role did you get?

Hugs and peaches,

Maya :)

[soyboy]

Congrats! Good Luck!
Have a good one, ChanChilla

[ChanChilla]

Have a great time! I did it back in 2003 and had a fabulous time! It really is a life altering experience. The program really is what you put into it. If this is your first time leaving home, I really couldn't imagine a better way to do it. You're making money, going to school (Possibly. I didn't :P), and learning how to live on your own. It really teaches you how to be self sufficient. It's great, really it is.

What role did you get?

Hugs and peaches,

Maya :)

Yeah, that's what I was thinking... rather leave home and go to WDW than go off to a weird school somewhere... ^_^

Opperations. *shrugs*

((side note, cute! Like the hugs and peaches thing... tehe)
--------------------------------------Double post added here.
Thanks everyone for the congrats!

I'm so excited!!!!!! =D

[MayaHJ7]

:icon_redf Now I'm all blushy....

I'm glad you liked it. I picked up when I was going through my 'Labyrinth' phase. So, many thanks, David Bowie!

Hugs and peaches,

Maya :smile:

[xfkirsten]

Congratulations! I did the program and had an absolute blast! I was in Pirates/Adventureland merch in fall adv. 2002, and characters in spring 2003. :smile: I miss it so much! It's a lot of hard work, but it's well worth it in the end!

[stevo505]

You can do this same program for Disneyland Resort Ca, right? - Checks Disneyland web site -

[Ezra]

In the news center, there's an interview with Disney's vice-president for talent acquisition (i.e. hiring):
Anne Ceruti on employment at Disney (http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12719)

[disneyfreak59]

congrats! i'll probably be joining you in a year or so! i'm going to college in my homewtown for a year and then i'll apply for wdw college program! yay! but congrats to you!

[lildisneyfan]

how did you sign for it ? i live like 4 hours away from disney so it would be so awesome ( congrats on getting it )

[emma15677]

I wish I could have an internship like that..but I'm from Australia!

[Sesshomaru-sama]

Congratulations on being accepted to Walt Disney World College. I wish you well.
Question though: what is it that they teach in there? I haven't heard about it until recently.

Sincerely, a brother of a half-demon,
Sesshomaru-sama

[xfkirsten]

how did you sign for it ? i live like 4 hours away from disney so it would be so awesome ( congrats on getting it )

You can go to www.wdwcollegeprogram.com and there are links to the presentation dates/locations, or I believe you can now do online presentations as well. Definitely worth a look!

I wish I could have an internship like that..but I'm from Australia!

Ah, they do do international students for the International Program at Epcot... unfortunately, you have to be from one of the countries represented in the World Showcase, and Australia isn't one of them. :(

Congratulations on being accepted to Walt Disney World College. I wish you well.
Question though: what is it that they teach in there? I haven't heard about it until recently.

Sincerely, a brother of a half-demon,
Sesshomaru-sama

What they "teach" isn't really a whole lot, IMHO. When I did the program, what I got out of it more than anything was general life and work skills - customer service, living on my own, living in a roommate situation, etc. They do have classes you can take, but they're optional. I took the ExpEARiential Learning one, but I didn't really feel like I learned much from it. I can't even tell you what topics were discussed (although, in my defense, that was nearly five years ago).

[WelcomeFoolishMortals999]

I was accepted! YAYERS!

I'm in the spring semester, leaving in a couple of weeks for Orlando. This is just way too cool. Get to work at disney and go to school there... Eeeeeeee!

Anyone else in this program? :biggrin:
Awesome. I can't wait till college. Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to be in the program.. but my goals are big, and I'm not sure it would be in my best interest success-wise to be in the college program at WDW or DLR (if I choose to go to a California college)

[Big Disney Fan]

In 2003, my sister worked at WDW via the College Program. She worked in the food department of the Studios (namely, the Ranch Market near two of her favorite rides there, Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (she LOVES Aerosmith)). It was here that she met her new husband, who worked at the Magic Kingdom at the ice cream parlor at the end of Main Street.

Anyway, my sister created a website about her experience there: http://www.geocities.com/phatbottmdgirl/.

As part of her site, she has created a list of truths of what to REALLY expect from the CP, warning that it's not all it's cracked up to be:


You are there to work, not anything else
Guarantee that you will work on all holidays
There will be many days where you will be asked to work 11 hours or more
While it is up to the manager as to whether they will give you food that will get thrown out anyway, don't anticipate that they will allow it. Speaking from personal experience, more often than not, they would rather see you throw away somewhere between 20 and 150 turkey legs than see you and your fellow Cast Members have one.
If you call in sick the day after a free PI night, they look up if you went there the night before.
In addition, if you call in sick and go to a park, they can tell that too.
You will be guaranteed to have most of the closing shifts; CP doesn't just stand for College Program, it also stands for Closing Person or Company Peon
You will often be asked to work 6-day weeks. Your one day off may be the day you have to spend in class, if you take one
You will often be given the worst, dirtiest jobs
At the Presentation, they tell you about all the malls and other attractions in the area. If you are automotively challenged, don't count on seeing any of these things. In addition, unless you are motivated enough, don't count on finding time to go on one of your potentially two days off.
If you work at Magic Kingdom, start praying! If you are working on Main Street, forget it! Prayers won't help you now. Count on, not only staying till the park closes at 1 am for almost-daily after hours parties during holiday and summer seasons, but also for the 40-60 minutes in which Main Street stays open with the rest of the park, and add an hour for closing after that!
Unless you have class, you are game to work; you may even be scheduled to work on your class day
There is a weekly list of people who they can call on their days off to come in to work if they need it. Hope you don't get on this list during Thanksgiving/New Year's week and end up having to work 7 days in a row.
You will meet the dumbest people in your life here; people who will ask questions so innane, you'll wonder if they are for real.
You will be forced to wear a uniform so ugly, so fruity, and so horribly conceived you wouldn't even want to wear them trick-or-treating, let alone to your job on a daily basis.


And she also mentions something about what is known as the Disney Point. What the Disney Point means is, "a point with the index and middle finger, versus just the index finger (also used commonly by flight attendants when pointing out all six exits). Supposedly, this is because in some cultures pointing with just one finger is rude. In addition, as it was explained by a guy acting just like Jack McFarland from Will and Grace, it reminds one of when their mothers used to wag their fingers at them when they were bad. In reality, once they get you into the habit of doing it, it is hard to break; in situations outside Disney, one often uses the ever-annoying Disney Point. Cast Members often talk of their own version of the Disney Point that has only one of the two fingers and the one is not the index finger."

Now, how 'bout some of your opinions, eh?

[xfkirsten]

I was there 2002-2003, and my experience was a bit different, but I was there in the post-9/11 slump. I worked in MK Merchandise (Adv/Pirates/Glow) at first, and usually got 35-ish hours a week. You could usually find more hours through the shift hotline, but it was clearly optional. I think the most I was ever scheduled was 50-55, and that was only once or twice. When I transferred into Entertainment in Jan 03, it was REALLY hard times for hours. I got 30/week, and only because they were contractually obligated to give me that many. Picking up shifts was nearly impossible in my height range. So I had a lot of free time. :p

That being said, she's absolutely right about the other conditions. You are there to do their grunt work, and be happy about it. If you don't like that, don't do the program, plain and simple. The chance to spend time in the parks is a side bonus, and you work that around THEIR schedule and rules. If you think the program will be any different than that, you're in for a huge disappointment.

And yes, the Disney point sticks with you. :p It's been over four years since I left, and I still do it. I worked at SeaWorld afterwards, and my managers there noted right off the bat that I automatically did that - and they applauded me for it. :biggrin: It's a good habit to keep - you'd be amazed how many employers recognize it.

[queenofleon]

i hope to be doing the program in a year or so. I'm graduating from high school in May and my art teacher's daughter did it and loved it. So she was telling me i should go for it. Her daughter said it didnt kinda stink for a little bit but it got better and the experience was worth it

[disneyapeelizzle]

I can tell you that EVERYONE has a completely different experience. I just returned in August from my internship and had the most memorable time of my life. I worked as a housekeeper for 2 and a half months and then was transferred to front desk at Pop Century...LOVED IT! Best job ever, guest are always excited to be there, and I've made the best friends of my life.

I suppose one can have a negative view on things but hey, my best friend started out in Pinocchios Village house (this january) cleaning up after people (and he wasn't fond of it at first), then he landed a sweet side internship as an assistant to the person who does the artwork for magic kingdom...and this month he took over her job (mind you, he's only 20 years old)! Its full of millions of opportunities...its just up to people to take them and make something of themselves!

I suppose if you want a mediocre internship you could show up, work, and go one like that for 6 months...however, we didn't. We took advantage of EVERY opportunity we had and had no time for complaining.

I'm currently a campus rep for my school and LOVE talking about our time there. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask! However be warned...I did have a GREAT internship and experience so..you'll be getting THAT view of it.

[Katie M]

I can't wait 'till i'm old enough to do it. I've been wanting to ever since I found out about it! I even applied for the Disney College Program E-Newsletter. No Idea where I'm going to college yet, but I can't wait!

[Lostboyfan]

I think I'm going try to get into the Disney College Program after my second year of college.

Robby the Lost Boy

[echoscot]

I never worked CP, but I worked there for 25 years as a regular Cast Member first in Characters then as a Stage Manager and Stage Tech. I can tell you that if you are in CP, they are right, you will be filling the left over shifts that others don't want. That being said, it is exactly what you make of it. If you are on CP you are young and energetic, and doing those shifts trains you in self-discipline and principles of work ethic. If you show promise you move up from there quickly.

I can give you a case in point. True story. I know of an individual who started at Disney in the CP. He was placed in Custodial Services, sometimes called Show Keepers. He was in the Custodial whites and worked hard. Didn't always enjoy it but was a good CM and was responsible and motivated. He eventually moved to Studio Tour Attractions on the Great Movie Ride as a Full Time Cast Member. Then he moved up from there. When I met Trent Brya, I was a Stage Tech at the Indiana Jones Show at the Studios and Trent was one of our Indy's. By the time I left the company in 2006 to go back to school, Trent was one of the Directors and precision drivers for Lights, Motors Action. He has also gotten some side acting jobs.

The CP will teach you about life and friendships. It is hard work, even in characters. I know because I helped facilitate the transition of Characters to becoming part of the College Program. And you will take away what you put into it.

Enjoy it. You will make great friendships, like the young lady in Housekeeping told you. And you will always have grunt shifts at every job, might as well be at a place you enjoy, where there are some great side benefits.

It is not a party you are going to, you are going to work. If you do a great job, you can make friends with the FT CMs and they can help you get around if you don't have a car.

ENJOY IT!!!! But be prepared to WORK.

[disneyapeelizzle]

I never worked CP, but I worked there for 25 years as a regular Cast Member first in Characters then as a Stage Manager and Stage Tech. I can tell you that if you are in CP, they are right, you will be filling the left over shifts that others don't want. That being said, it is exactly what you make of it. If you are on CP you are young and energetic, and doing those shifts trains you in self-discipline and principles of work ethic. If you show promise you move up from there quickly.

I can give you a case in point. True story. I know of an individual who started at Disney in the CP. He was placed in Custodial Services, sometimes called Show Keepers. He was in the Custodial whites and worked hard. Didn't always enjoy it but was a good CM and was responsible and motivated. He eventually moved to Studio Tour Attractions on the Great Movie Ride as a Full Time Cast Member. Then he moved up from there. When I met Trent Brya, I was a Stage Tech at the Indiana Jones Show at the Studios and Trent was one of our Indy's. By the time I left the company in 2006 to go back to school, Trent was one of the Directors and precision drivers for Lights, Motors Action. He has also gotten some side acting jobs.

The CP will teach you about life and friendships. It is hard work, even in characters. I know because I helped facilitate the transition of Characters to becoming part of the College Program. And you will take away what you put into it.

Enjoy it. You will make great friendships, like the young lady in Housekeeping told you. And you will always have grunt shifts at every job, might as well be at a place you enjoy, where there are some great side benefits.

It is not a party you are going to, you are going to work. If you do a great job, you can make friends with the FT CMs and they can help you get around if you don't have a car.

ENJOY IT!!!! But be prepared to WORK.

Amen! Part of the fun is definitely networking and making friends with the full time people! I've got my connections and when I graduate...I've got my 4 letters of recommendations in the bag and can probably work in resorts or even in the parks!

"Its what you make of it"

Thats why it was named best place to launch your career! Keyword...LAUNCH...the rest is up to you!

[echoscot]

Well if you do get back there and get to AK, my youngest sister Molly moved there when I moved to Texas for School. She is now working on the Kilimanjaro Safaris. You can look her up. She is a coordinator for that section of the park.

[Big Disney Fan]

On my sister's website, after she mentions the truths I mentioned earlier in this thread here (post #18), she mentions a bunch of phrases the Cast Members would probably say (these are mentioned in bold) and what they really really mean by said phrases (not bolded):

I'm sorry, we don't serve those here.
Can't you read the menu?!

Sure, I can give you directions.
Why don't you have a guidemap?!

Thank you, have a nice day!
Let's keep the line moving, people!

Yes, we can have them make that special.
Why do you have to make this more complicated than it should be?

We'll tell someone right away that they're out of straws.
That's not my job right now.

Don't worry, I can replace that for you for free.
I don't care. Doesn't come out of my paycheck!

The iced tea is unsweetened, is that alright?
Don't comeback here complaining and make me replace your drink.

We'll get more turkey legs/hot dogs/beer in about 15 minutes.
How should I know when we are getting more?

The park closes at...
The park isn't closing soon enough!

Yes, we've been really busy today.
So many people, so little time! I want to commit suicide!

We don't accept tips.
I'd be happy to relieve you of any extra funds.

I know, it's expensive...
What did you expect?! This is Walt Disney World!!!

Do you want to go to Pleasure Island tonight?
There's absolutely nothing better to do than get buzzed.

I like that ride/park...
I like that ride/park because I don't work there.

Having fun?
I'm not having fun.

I'm sorry, only one beer per ID.
This is not my lame policy.

I think you can buy those over there.
Maybe you can buy those over there, I don't know!

The show starts at 7:00.
Can't you go read the sign over there for yourself?!

It hasn't been very busy today.
Today has been incredibly boring!

I'm working on it.
Someone else may or may not be working on it.

I'm sorry, we're not open yet.
You're not allowed to bug me until the time on that sign.

I'm sorry, we're closed.
HA-HA! I don't have to deal with you!
or...
Go back to your hotel already!!

Can I take your picture?
Give me something to break up the monotony of this stupid job!

Yes, I work here.
No, I don't work here. In my spare time, I like to dress up in this horrible getup and clean off tables I didn't mess up.

Hold on, I'll get someone over here who speaks Spanish.
Learn to speak English before you get to this country!

[echoscot]

While it is important to stress the realities of the job, it is also important to keep a positive outlook for those who are entering the program. We should try not to prejudice their views or color them too negatively before they have even left for the airport.

Let them develop their own views and attitudes.

So can we please keep this thread on a positive note?

[disneyapeelizzle]

I agree with echoscot...

there's a phrase you forgot to mention

"Preserve the magic"

[Big Disney Fan]

I agree with echoscot...

there's a phrase you forgot to mention

"Preserve the magic"

You know, a couple more things before we move to a more positive note (I wasn't trying to be negative, by the way; everyone's entitled to an opinion, that's all): it's funny, but I don't think my sister mentions that phrase anywhere in her website.

And if it's any comfort to you, on another forum of which I am a member, I mention my sister's website in a thread about the CP and the response was that the CP was actually what people made of it. Some people liked it; some didn't. I guess my sister was part of the "didn't-like-it" crowd.

Okay, I'm finished. You can do the CP if you want. Don't think neither me nor my sister are trying to discourage you.

[disneyfreak59]

In 2003, my sister worked at WDW via the College Program. She worked in the food department of the Studios (namely, the Ranch Market near two of her favorite rides there, Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (she LOVES Aerosmith)). It was here that she met her new husband, who worked at the Magic Kingdom at the ice cream parlor at the end of Main Street.

Anyway, my sister created a website about her experience there: http://www.geocities.com/phatbottmdgirl/.

As part of her site, she has created a list of truths of what to REALLY expect from the CP, warning that it's not all it's cracked up to be:


You are there to work, not anything else
Guarantee that you will work on all holidays
There will be many days where you will be asked to work 11 hours or more
While it is up to the manager as to whether they will give you food that will get thrown out anyway, don't anticipate that they will allow it. Speaking from personal experience, more often than not, they would rather see you throw away somewhere between 20 and 150 turkey legs than see you and your fellow Cast Members have one.
If you call in sick the day after a free PI night, they look up if you went there the night before.
In addition, if you call in sick and go to a park, they can tell that too.
You will be guaranteed to have most of the closing shifts; CP doesn't just stand for College Program, it also stands for Closing Person or Company Peon
You will often be asked to work 6-day weeks. Your one day off may be the day you have to spend in class, if you take one
You will often be given the worst, dirtiest jobs
At the Presentation, they tell you about all the malls and other attractions in the area. If you are automotively challenged, don't count on seeing any of these things. In addition, unless you are motivated enough, don't count on finding time to go on one of your potentially two days off.
If you work at Magic Kingdom, start praying! If you are working on Main Street, forget it! Prayers won't help you now. Count on, not only staying till the park closes at 1 am for almost-daily after hours parties during holiday and summer seasons, but also for the 40-60 minutes in which Main Street stays open with the rest of the park, and add an hour for closing after that!
Unless you have class, you are game to work; you may even be scheduled to work on your class day
There is a weekly list of people who they can call on their days off to come in to work if they need it. Hope you don't get on this list during Thanksgiving/New Year's week and end up having to work 7 days in a row.
You will meet the dumbest people in your life here; people who will ask questions so innane, you'll wonder if they are for real.
You will be forced to wear a uniform so ugly, so fruity, and so horribly conceived you wouldn't even want to wear them trick-or-treating, let alone to your job on a daily basis.



Now, how 'bout some of your opinions, eh?

how about, welcome to the real world? In my opinion many people who dont work at disney meet weird, ignorant people, work long days, work thanksgiving week and black friday, any holiday week, go to school full time, maybe even have 2 jobs. No matter who you work for, you'll experience some of that grunt work too. If she really finds it being that miserable, then maybe she shouldn't be working there. anyways, please stop discouraging people with such negative comments about the program.

anyways, congrats to ChanChilla for being accepted!

[Big Disney Fan]

how about, welcome to the real world? In my opinion many people who dont work at disney meet weird, ignorant people, work long days, work thanksgiving week and black friday, any holiday week, go to school full time, maybe even have 2 jobs. No matter who you work for, you'll experience some of that grunt work too. If she really finds it being that miserable, then maybe she shouldn't be working there. anyways, please stop discouraging people with such negative comments about the program.

anyways, congrats to ChanChilla for being accepted!

I wasn't trying to discourage anyone. I even made a point that the CP is what YOU made of it. Some people, like my sister, don't like it; others do. Yes, you do have to do grunt work cheerfully, but it's up to you whether or not you like it. It's one thing to have to do the work happily, but it's another to have an opinion on it.

Like I said, don't think I'm trying to discourage anyone. That was not what I was trying to do. I just wanted to speak of my sister's experience with the CP.

[echoscot]

Ok I know that you intended some of that to be humorous. But that is not what comes across.

I have tried to drop hints, but apparently need to be a bit more blunt.

I'm sorry that your sister had a bad experience, however the things that you have posted from her website are not original to her. Like I said, I have worked there for many years. She has some embellishments that I have not seen before, so that isn't even really "her opinion" but just a reprint of bad jokes that have been circulated.

Regardless of your intentions, however, these things are very negative and discouraging.


15. You will be forced to wear a uniform so ugly, so fruity, and so horribly conceived you wouldn't even want to wear them trick-or-treating, let alone to your job on a daily basis.

If you have ever been a guest at WDW then you have already seen the costumes that Cast Members are expected to wear (not uniforms by the way) and it would be naive at best to think that you would work there and not be expected to wear them.


5. If you call in sick the day after a free PI night, they look up if you went there the night before.

6. In addition, if you call in sick and go to a park, they can tell that too.

I guess it would be too much to ask College Program people to demonstrate integrity or anything like that.


7.You will be guaranteed to have most of the closing shifts; CP doesn't just stand for College Program, it also stands for Closing Person or Company Peon


Again, the negative type humor. In addition, it is true that you will have to close, most likely. Somebody has to work those shifts. The Full Time people and many Casual Regulars have been there for years and have seniority and they have paid their dues, so it is only fair that they get first pick of shifts over the 20 somethings who are there for only 4-6 months. However, there are also plenty of FT, CR and CS Cast Members who work the closing shifts, too. Nobody has ever died from working a closing shift. I have done many myself, as well as worked around the clock to ensure certain jobs were finished.


2. Guarantee that you will work on all holidays


ABSOLUTELY. This is the tourist industry. Did Disney shut down for the holidays? No and back to the fairness/loyalty/seniority comment above. First and foremost it is a business.

As I stated in another post, you are not going to a party, you are going to work.


As far as the "what they really mean when they say" post. I know that is designed to be humorous, but is actually kind of nasty and derogatory. It is a CM who could care less about anyone but themselves and makes the guests look stupid kind of thing. I personally don't find it funny.

I have seen these kinds of things before, and I know many of the people who repeat and spread them. I don't know your sister, and honestly hope she is not like that.

I am not naive about the realities of working there. I have had bad experiences too with Guests, Cast Members and Contractors. I have mishandled some and others I have handled fairly well, but that is no different than any other job.

I noticed your sister worked in foods which is one of the most difficult areas to work. I understand why she may have been frustrated.

The point that I am trying to make is that I believe these posts are out of place here. Regardless of your intentions they left a negative taste in everyone's mouth after reading them. This thread was started by and is being read by New CP'ers and potential CPers.

If there are constructive criticisms, go ahead and post. An example:


What they "teach" isn't really a whole lot, IMHO. When I did the program, what I got out of it more than anything was general life and work skills - customer service, living on my own, living in a roommate situation, etc. They do have classes you can take, but they're optional. I took the ExpEARiential Learning one, but I didn't really feel like I learned much from it. I can't even tell you what topics were discussed (although, in my defense, that was nearly five years ago).

But I for one could find nothing constructive in the reposts from your sister's webpage. I even went there to see if I wasn't getting the whole thing, and I will just say I am greatful that you didn't post other things that were there.

I hope you can understand why some of the frustration has been shown about the posts. We're not trying to kick you off or get rid of you, but those posts you made felt disrespectful. We want posts here that will encourage people and help them get the most from their experience, griping about the stupidity of the Guests and the ugliness of the costumes is non-productive.

[Big Disney Fan]

Echoscot...

I do understand everything you mentioned now. I didn't know I was being derogatory or disrespectful until you mentioned it all. You've shown me the light and I'm ever so sorry for everything that I mention. I didn't mean any harm. Don't worry, though; I won't mention anything of the sort ever again here. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me and accept my apology? :icon_cry:

Like I said, if it's any comfort to you, I won't mention the site again here. In fact, if everyone wants to do the CP, I say go for it!

Can you ever forgive me?

[OrcaGal]

I'm arriving June 18 for QSFB!

[Big Disney Fan]

I'm arriving June 18 for QSFB!

I think I speak for all of us when I say, "I wish you the best of luck!" And I mean it, too.

[OrcaGal]

Eh I've worked at 2 other parks before. I have experience and knowledge of how it all works. I worked in Culinary Operations at Sea World San Diego, and I was an Animal Trainer at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I am very good at what I do. I am very good at turning a guests attitude around, and I do not mind going out of my way to help other people. At Sea world, I worked 11 days in a row a few times including 12 hour shifts. I am not worried, just excited for the opportunity!

[California Dreamin']

In 2003, my sister worked at WDW via the College Program. She worked in the food department of the Studios (namely, the Ranch Market near two of her favorite rides there, Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (she LOVES Aerosmith)). It was here that she met her new husband, who worked at the Magic Kingdom at the ice cream parlor at the end of Main Street.

Anyway, my sister created a website about her experience there: http://www.geocities.com/phatbottmdgirl/.

As part of her site, she has created a list of truths of what to REALLY expect from the CP, warning that it's not all it's cracked up to be:


You are there to work, not anything else
Guarantee that you will work on all holidays
There will be many days where you will be asked to work 11 hours or more
While it is up to the manager as to whether they will give you food that will get thrown out anyway, don't anticipate that they will allow it. Speaking from personal experience, more often than not, they would rather see you throw away somewhere between 20 and 150 turkey legs than see you and your fellow Cast Members have one.
If you call in sick the day after a free PI night, they look up if you went there the night before.
In addition, if you call in sick and go to a park, they can tell that too.
You will be guaranteed to have most of the closing shifts; CP doesn't just stand for College Program, it also stands for Closing Person or Company Peon
You will often be asked to work 6-day weeks. Your one day off may be the day you have to spend in class, if you take one
You will often be given the worst, dirtiest jobs
At the Presentation, they tell you about all the malls and other attractions in the area. If you are automotively challenged, don't count on seeing any of these things. In addition, unless you are motivated enough, don't count on finding time to go on one of your potentially two days off.
If you work at Magic Kingdom, start praying! If you are working on Main Street, forget it! Prayers won't help you now. Count on, not only staying till the park closes at 1 am for almost-daily after hours parties during holiday and summer seasons, but also for the 40-60 minutes in which Main Street stays open with the rest of the park, and add an hour for closing after that!
Unless you have class, you are game to work; you may even be scheduled to work on your class day
There is a weekly list of people who they can call on their days off to come in to work if they need it. Hope you don't get on this list during Thanksgiving/New Year's week and end up having to work 7 days in a row.
You will meet the dumbest people in your life here; people who will ask questions so innane, you'll wonder if they are for real.
You will be forced to wear a uniform so ugly, so fruity, and so horribly conceived you wouldn't even want to wear them trick-or-treating, let alone to your job on a daily basis.

And she also mentions something about what is known as the Disney Point. What the Disney Point means is, "a point with the index and middle finger, versus just the index finger (also used commonly by flight attendants when pointing out all six exits). Supposedly, this is because in some cultures pointing with just one finger is rude. In addition, as it was explained by a guy acting just like Jack McFarland from Will and Grace, it reminds one of when their mothers used to wag their fingers at them when they were bad. In reality, once they get you into the habit of doing it, it is hard to break; in situations outside Disney, one often uses the ever-annoying Disney Point. Cast Members often talk of their own version of the Disney Point that has only one of the two fingers and the one is not the index finger."

Now, how 'bout some of your opinions, eh?


Please stop! You're making me home sick. And yes, I was a Main Street CM. It was hard work but I miss it.

[Big Disney Fan]

Please stop! You're making me home sick. And yes, I was a Main Street CM. It was hard work but I miss it.

What? I already gave my apologies for putting this up. On the contrary, if you want to do this job, then do it! You just might like it!

[DisneyParksFan]

I'm looking into taking the program during college...looks like fun.
My band director was in the program. After her time was up, they asked her to audition for the role of Jasmine...but she declined.

[OrcaGal]

I feel like the point of this thred was to stir up trouble....

[Big Disney Fan]

I feel like the point of this thred was to stir up trouble....

What do you mean? I've already told everyone that it wouldn't happen again. I even sent the people I've offended private messages on it, apologizing. And anyway, if I did cause trouble, it was by no means on purpose; it was accidental. But fret not, it won't happen here again. Think of it as like "water under the bridge".

[Chris]

Orcagirl, you're the one that brought this topic back up from last November. If you felt the topic somehow painted the CP program unfairly, you shouldn't have "bumped" the thread by doing so. If you honestly have a problem with a thread or another user, please report the post and avoid labeling threads as simply to "stir up trouble". BigDisneyFan has already apoligized for their comments earlier in the thread so I see no point in bringing that up again.

I don't want to close this thread because it contains a lot of useful information and shows "both sides" of the issue. Whether or not you agree with those things can be discussed, but please don't label other users as people who want to "stir up trouble".

-Chris

[OrcaGal]

You are right I am sorry

[Big Disney Fan]

You are right I am sorry

We forgive you.

[emma15677]

I'm still considering the WDW international program as its one of the only few convenient ways i can work for disney as I'm from australia and a first year university student. I know that "it's what you make of it" but I'm still scared in some ways...but at least the CP will probably increase my chances in a Disney career. I'm studying Management in Leisure at my university which is also relevant.

Overall, for those who have doen the CP, would you say that there are more positive experiences than negative?

[xfkirsten]

Guest service experience! Disney is known as the big name in guest service. Trust me, after you've worked there, you'll compare everything to Disney's level of service. I know I have. And you'll have the skills to do that. And when potential employers see "Walt Disney World" on your resume, they'll know you know service. Since I did my CP, I've have employers gush over it! My interview at SeaWorld was almost entirely "what was it like to work at Disney?" and I all but got the job on the spot. My later interview at a used bookstore was along the same lines. So it's cliche, but having Disney on a resume really stands out. And if you want a Disney career, getting a start in the company is huge. :smile:

And work aside, you DO have some time to have fun! You've got free admission to the parks and plenty of discounts, so take advantage of them! Play in the parks, take a Disney cruise, visit other attractions, hang out with friends, there's tons to do.

Everything we do in life has ups and downs, and that's jsut as true of Disney as anywhere else. :smile:

[OrcaGal]

I'm still considering the WDW international program as its one of the only few convenient ways i can work for disney as I'm from australia and a first year university student. I know that "it's what you make of it" but I'm still scared in some ways...but at least the CP will probably increase my chances in a Disney career. I'm studying Management in Leisure at my university which is also relevant.

Overall, for those who have doen the CP, would you say that there are more positive experiences than negative?


It sounds as though you have a better shot in getting in than I did. I got accepted a few weeks ago in QSFB. I'm not suprised that I got in because I have worked at two other theme parks in California and I have a lot of people experience. On the other hand, I am suprised I got in because I am a psychology major and an animal trainer. I have no intention of making my career out of Disney like you are. I'm planning on going back to Sea World in a couple of years.

The CP also has a fantastic and very supportive page on facebook that I am a part of and they are just the best people to get to know!