The Disney College Program. It has nothing to do with my major, but I love disney. Should I do it?

Question

Im studying interior architecture (which dosen't seem to have much to do with any of the roles) but I love Disney and Disneyland.

Iv'e never been to DisneyWorld however, and I'm not sure what I would think of moving so far from Seattle, WA.

It would be cool to be a face character, but I don't know if I look like any, I would like to be Jack Sparrow but I don't know if its worth auditioning for. Im the right height 5'-10"
(u can see a pic of me here, if u want:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/h...

But working a ride would be nice too. I have alot of retail experience, but I don't want to go all the way to florida to do merchandise, because I want to do something completely new and exciting, and meet people. Any advice?

Answer 1

Ok, first things first. To all the people who complain that the experience was bad......your time down there is what you make it. If you believe that you were nothing but cheap slave labor, then of course you're going to have a bad time. You missed the whole point of working at one of the places were everyone can be a kid no matter how old.

Anyway, now that I have that off my chest I can move on to the good stuff (sorry about my rant). I am a former CP (college program participant) as well as a current college rep. for the program. No matter what your major is, you can have a great time there. I'm not going to lie to you, there are days that you're going to feel like "cheap slave labor" and you might want to quit. But you can have that experience at ANY job. You seem like you want to go for the right reasons, to do something new and to meet people. (Those were my reasons as well, I'm a psych major so working at Disney seemed like a waste of a semester but it wasn't.) I worked the main entrance of Epcot and the people were amazing. They became my family for the time I was down there. I also had 5 roomies. A year later, I still talk to every single person I met there on a daily basis, including the full-timers who live down there. I would def. try out for a character if I were you. I know face characters who look NOTHING like the person they play......it's all about the makeup. When it comes to auditions, the people running it are looking for someone who can stick out from the rest. Not necessarily someone who looks close to the character. Also, (most people don't know this) but when you interview, if there is a specific area that you would really like to work at, tell that to the person who is interviewing you. They cannot give you a 100% promise that you'll end up there, but it puts you at the top of the list. Especially if you have an impressive interview. You should at least apply for it, you will have the opportunity to accept or decline your job offer.

Sorry again for my rant. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. (Anything I don't know the answer to, I can ask the recruiter for you.)

Answer 2

Here is the rundown. Working at Disney will be the most fun job you will ever have. Period. It is an awesome experience and working attractions, (like I did) can be a ton of fun (it depends on the attraction ;-)

Here are the things to know and consider about the Walt Disney College Program...

1) The semester break. This semester will be of little value to you academically. You can take some of the classes that Disney offers, but most of them are business classes, and you will enjoy it more if you don't. So if you can afford to take the semester off, then by all means do it.

2) Basically, you have to know that anymore, and it probably has always been this way, that the CP is a 4 and a half month long spring break. There is always a party somewhere, drinking, partying and everything else you can think of goes on. Now, if you are underage, they do check your room for alcohol periodically and will kick you out if you get caught, so it might be better to wait until you are 21. But if you like the party scene, then you will have a good time.

3) If you are not a partyer, fear not, most people are pretty cool about letting you do your own thing, and are generally respectful. There are also a good portion of CPs (as you will soon find out that College Program employees are called) that do just like to hang out and go to the parks, and just have a more mellow good time.

4) Having a good job is crucial to your enjoyment of the program. If you like your job, you will have a LOT more fun. If you think you want to do attractions and possibly go into characters, then go for it. Just make sure you do a good interview as the attractions are the jobs that just about everyone wants. Also have some ideas in mind for what you want to do. If you think you can handle the script, be sure to let them know during the interview, so you can possibly get one of the high spiel areas. These tend to be the most fun jobs for people who like that kind of thing. Examples are Great Movie Ride, Jungle Cruise, and Living With the land. If you have a favorite park, let them know, and they will try and accomodate you. MGM and Epcot are the best for attractions, as they both have a lot of INDOOR attractions, which means air conditioning. Both Animal and Magic Kingdoms have places where you will be outside all day, and especially during the early part of the fall program in August and September, that gets to be brutal.

5) Some things to think about for future consideration: No matter what job you do, Disney ALWAYS looks good on a resume'. If it's not for your career area, it's still ok, because you will learn a lot about a lot of things, plus have really good stories to tell. Also, the first College Program may seem kind of like it wont help you, but doing that means that you can apply for the Advanced Internships, which are highly selective, and are some of the coolest things since sliced bread. You would have to check if there is something architecture related, but if there is, I can guarantee you that it would impress if you landed it.

6) There is also something to be said for spreading your world view a little bit. Florida is a LONG way from Washington state, and seeing how badly people drive in Florida (;-) ) and also just how different it is somewhere other then "home" can be good for a person and give you perspective.

I could go on a lot longer, and I welcome anyone to e-mail me at this screen name if they have questions about the College Program. I did mine in Fall of 2002, so it's been a few years, but I have been back since and worked full time after college, and am now getting another degree, and hopefully going back again, so maybe I'll see ya!

Answer 3

Disney College Program Campus Rep

Answer 4

I'm doing the DIsney COllege program in the fall and im so excited. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'm doign merchandise, and when i got my role, i was a little disappointed, but then i realized that ... hmm... how do i put this... everyone in life is good at something... not everyone is meant to be a cop or a kindergarten teacher which is why the people who are good at it do it.... i realized that they gave me that job because they thought it suited me best... so if you get merchandise, dont be upset about it... i know someone who did it and loved every second of it... they put you where they think you'll be best, so ... take it as a complement!... hopefully ill see you in the fall! ... if not... good luck!

Answer 5

I highly recommend the program. You can always return after you have completed the basic internship and do the advanced program, which fits you into a role suited for your major or future career path. I traveled from Ca to Florida so it was a long ways for me too. Feel free to contact me personally with any questions you may have at [e-mail]
I was also a campus rep for 2 years after my program.

Answer 6

My husbans worked at Disneyland for 6 years and was a "lead" (boss).
The job he has now was very competitive and he only got it because he had "Disney" experience. He loved those 6 years of his life.
We will encourage all three of our kids to participate in the College program.

Go for it!! You will love it!!

Answer 7

Only do this if you want to be disney slave labor. It is a rigorous committment, with very strict rules, and all of my students that have participated ahve gotten little more than a sunburn out of it. No real management experience happens, just lots of work for the "glory" of wearing a disney uniform.