WDW College Internship...

[disneyfreak59]

Originally Posted by 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:

1. You are there to work, not anything else
2. Guarantee that you will work on all holidays
3. There will be many days where you will be asked to work 11 hours or more
4. 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.
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.
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
8. 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
9. You will often be given the worst, dirtiest jobs
10. 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.
11. 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!
12. Unless you have class, you are game to work; you may even be scheduled to work on your class day
13. 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.
14. 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.
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.

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]

Originally Posted by disneyfreak59

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.

Originally Posted by Truths

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.

Originally Posted by Truths

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.

Originally Posted by Truths

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.

Originally Posted by Truths

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:

Originally Posted by xfkirsten

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?

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]

Originally Posted by OrcaGal

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']

Originally Posted by 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:

1. You are there to work, not anything else
2. Guarantee that you will work on all holidays
3. There will be many days where you will be asked to work 11 hours or more
4. 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.
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.
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
8. 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
9. You will often be given the worst, dirtiest jobs
10. 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.
11. 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!
12. Unless you have class, you are game to work; you may even be scheduled to work on your class day
13. 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.
14. 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.
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.

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]

Originally Posted by California Dreamin'

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]

Originally Posted by OrcaGal

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]

Originally Posted by OrcaGal

You are right I am sorry

We forgive you.