Is there any tuition for the Disney College Program? If so, how much is it?

Question

Is there? If so, could you tell me how much? By the way, did anyone here do the Disney College Program? How was it? I am really interested in being a character possibly. Could you tell me about your experience as a character, if you were one?

Answer 1

I am an alumni of the college program. I was a merchandise Hostess at the Disney Studios Animation Courtyard in 2001. I loved my program experience! There is no tuition or cost to do the program. You just have to pay for your flight out and your flight home. You also have to pay for meals and anything else you want to buy while there - but no, no tuition.
Visit the official College Program website and watch the online presentation at:
http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com

All of the info is listed there. The College Program does not typically hire students to be characters. They hold auditions at a few Universities around the nation, but it is rare. Typically, you will be hired in transportation, ride operations, merchentainment, custodial, hospitality, lifegaurd, etc.... Then once you arrive, you can visit casting (which is right across the street from Downtown Disney) and audition there. If they accept you, you can work it out with the college program folks to change your role.

I had a great experience! I made life-long friends and even met my husband there! I also got to network with VP's of different Disney divisions, like costuming and advertising. The College Program offers about 5-6 Disney classes which CP's can take while there. They don't cost extra, but you would have to purchase the book that goes along with the class. I took a presentation class where we got to hear from heads of all the departments. It was amazing.
You will be guaranteed a min. of 32 hours per week work, or more. So I don't recommend you take any classes from your University online while you're at Disney. You'll be far too busy. Simply take a leave of absence from your college or University and return the following semester. You can work that out with your admin department. In the busy time, they may ask you to work more hours, and you'll want to play while you're there and have a good time, so don't do classes online and only take 1 Disney class, if you want to (they are no manditory).

I had a friend who was Pocahontas at Animal Kingdom. And another friend was Cinderella at MK. So if you have any other specific character questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Also feel free to contact me personally if you have any other questions. I was a WDW College Program Campus Rep for 2 years after I returned from my program, so I'm full of info!
[e-mail]

Good luck!

Answer 2

Disney College Program Classes

Answer 3

I don't know what you people are talking about, CPs can be character actors. My roommate right now is a character actor!

I'm in Florida right now participating in the college program. It's alright, it isn't quite how Disney portrays the experience. It's not a vacation and you don't get much time off, the discounts are alright but they aren't enough to make up for the cost of living here.
I've been working 8.5 - 9.5 hours a day for 6 days a week since I got here so don't expect a vacation from school.
As for 'tuition' there is no cost to do the program, it's totally free. You don't have to take any classes, but there are Disney classes offered to us for no charge (you just buy materials and books). Once you're accepted into the program you move to Florida at your own cost, and live in the apartments provided by Disney. The apartments range in prices from $71 - $94 a week. You WILL be paid minimum wage, plus any premium you might get (character actors and food & beverage). This is not an opportunity to get rich, it's a chance to learn and get experience.

If you do get to participate in the program, choose Chatham!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is there any tuition for the Disney College Program? If so, how much is it?
Is there? If so, could you tell me how much? By the way, did anyone here do the Disney College Program? How was it? I am really interested in being a character possibly. Could you tell me about your experience as a character, if you were one?

Answer 5

The Disney College program does not cost anything. If you are wanting to be a character, that can be a little harder to get than some of the other positions, such as food service. They also require you to have some acting classes and things in your past, I am not certain of all the specifics. I also believe that you have to take some classes once you get there. So, even if you are hired on as a character, you may start in a different position and then work your way into a character. Just remember, you have to interview for it and not everyone gets in.

This is a response my sister gave a year ago and I think it gives a good amount of info.

I have not personally done the internship. But I know several people that have done it and they really enjoyed it. It gives you an oppertuntity to live on your own, meet new people and try new things. They met so many people that they are still friends with. Plus, they were able to meet several people from other countries which is also really great.

It is a lot of work, especially if you are still working on school, but I think it is worth it. One thing you should try to avoid though is the transportation. One friend didn't take their car and it was a nightmare trying to get to and from work. They would have to leave about 2 hours early to get there on time, their roomate could leave ten minutes before they had to get to work.

There are some really good jobs you can get by doing this, and also some that are not as appealing. But even if you don't get the job you really want, you should still try it. It is a new experience and it will really help you to grow up. Once you are there, if you really don't like it, you could always come home. You may also have the opportunity to change jobs. Plus, a lot of people that make it through the program end up staying because they like working so much with Disney.

I know that starting with the Disney internship will help you to climb the ladder at Disney. People that completed the internship are looked at first for promotions, even if they have been there for a slightly shorter period of time. Disney realizes that they have the work ethic that they are looking for because it was taught to them in the internship.

Even if you don't stay at Disney, it can be great for your resume. Disney has several classes they offer to teach you skills you need to know in order to suceed. Also, when businesess see that you have worked for Disney, it is something that they find to be a very good quality because of the work ethic that Disney has. So it could be very beneficial to you later as well.

So yes, it is going to be hard work and you need to be dedicated. But you can meet new people, do new things, have lots of fun and still help yourself for your future. I would definately recommend trying out to see if you make it. If you do, then give it a try to see if you like it.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Actually- a person on the college program cannot be a character- you would have to complete your college program then try to get hired as a part time or full time cast member. There are auditions in Orlando for all performers probably 4-5 times a year. It's always in the paper- they audition for character performers, face character look a likes, parade performers, actors, stunt performers, etc. Check out Orlandosentinel.com and go to jobs and type in keyword "Disney" and you are bound to get something.
There is no tuition for the college program- they actually pay you (but not much once they deduct the cost of living in their dorms) It is a neat experience- when I went through the program I had roommates from Norway, France, Mexico, England and another American in my apt. We would go to classes during the morning then go work at our jobs in the afternoon. You would work in hotel operations, food and beverage, custodial, merchandise, ride operations or other entry level positions. I worked in outdoor foods at the Magic Kingdom (basically worked on the ice cream wagons throughout the park) It was fun- many of my fellow classmates have gone on to hold various management positions.
After my college program I opted to stay and continue working in the parks. I went to probably 3 or 4 auditions before I finally was cast in one of the stage shows. That was the best time of my life! I continued in various shows and parades for almost 4 years before I had an injury and had to quit. A very sad day
To get into the college program, I had to interview with one of the recruiters that came to visit my college. They are VERY picky- the only reason I got in was because I was willing to go during my fall semester and work in quick food services- others that said summer only and picked a specific job did not get in. Be willing to work in whatever department they need you in.
It was well worth the experience

Answer 7

Thanks for the answers.