Disney College Program. What Is It? Part 6: Interviews

    I know I kind of ended the Disney College Program Blog series in June, but one of my friends has decided to apply to the program for this coming spring. She asked me if I had any application and interview tips for her, and this got me thinking.. I should share this wisdom with the world as well. So here you go...

As you should know, if you read my DCP series, that the application for the DCP comes in 3 parts. Application, Web Interview and Phone Interview. And I have some tips for each part.

Application:

There really isn't much you can do with this. The original application just asks you your basic information, like your full name, social security number, birthday, etc. and it asks you to fill out a basic resume with your past jobs and choose which roles you would like to do for the program. This is where my tip comes in.

 *Don't just pick one role to do.* Pick as many roles as you can. The more you choose, the better your chances of getting in. Honestly if you want to, check all the roles. The application does ask you for your top choices, second choices and third choices and ones that you aren't interested in. So if you truly don't want to a certain role, don't check it, but be open minded about everything else.

Web Based Interview:

The WBI is basically a timed "Quiz." I say quiz because they are asking you to answer a series of statements anywhere from Strongly Disagree- to Strongly Agree.  A couple things with this...

- Don't stress out about the timer: If you miss a couple, it's not a big deal. I missed a couple and I still got into the program.

- Do the WBI with someone who knows you well: At the time, I was at school, so I just skyped with my parents, read the questions out loud, and they helped me figure out what I should put down. The WBI is about being honest with your answers. The only warning I have about doing this with another person, is that it can be distracting (hence the reason why I missed a couple of answers)

- Do not mark "neutral" or "undecided" for any of the answers. Disney wants you to have an opinion and wants a clear answer. So if you mark "undecided" for most the answers instead of strongly agree/disagree you have a higher chance of not passing the WBI.

Phone Interview:

This is the last and most stressful part of the Application process. I honestly didn't sleep the night before the interview because I was so nervous! But if you follow these tips, you will do just fine.

Prepare: If you are one of those people who can just wing it, do not, I repeat, DO NOT wing it on the phone interview. You want to at least have an idea of things you are going to say to the interviewer. Here are my steps to prepare for the interview.

Step 1: Research possible interview questions and have a general answer. There are tons of websites and videos that have lists of possible questions. In fact here are a few...

- Do you prefer to work in a fast-paced or slow-paced environment?

- Are you comfortable talking in front of large groups of people?

- How do you think the DCP will help you professionally?

Step 2: Once you have a list of questions that you like, write all of them out on a piece of paper, and under the questions write a general answer that you like. And when I say general I mean GENERAL! Part of the reason why you shouldn't write out a full answer, is that if the interviewer asks you that question, you don't want to sound like you are reading it. There is nothing less off-putting than listening to someone who sounds like a robot.

Step 3: At the top of your paper, have a blank line. This will be the spot where you will write the interviewers name.

Step 4: Have a good answer prepared for the question... Why do you want to do the Disney College Program?

Interview Day: The day has come where your fate with Disney is in the hands of a simple interview over the phone and you want to make it good.  Here are my steps for giving a good interview.

Step 1:  Make sure to be in a quiet space at least a half hour before your set interview time. Remember the interviewer can call you 15 minutes before or after your set time.

 Step 2:Tape or lay out all your papers with the interview questions on them in front of you. Make sure you have a blank space at the top of your paper to write down the name of your interviewer.

Step 3: To de-stress yourself before the interview watch a movie or do something that has to do with  Disney. ( I watched Frozen before my interview on my laptop and put it on silent during my interview so I could still kind of see it playing in the background to keep my nerves down.)

Step 4: Once the interview starts, the person on the other end will introduce themselves. That's when you write down their name in the blank space on your paper. You want to mention their name a couple times during the interview, and thank them by name at the end.

Step 5: Once your interview comes to an end and if they still didn't ask you why you want to do the Disney College Program, tell them anyways. Nothing stands out more to an interviewer than someone saying that they want that job.

Step 6: At the end of the interview, the interviewer asks if you have any questions for them. Even if you don't, ask them a question anyways. This helps show that you are interested and really want the job. A lot of times people ask the interviewer how they got involved with Disney and if they ever did the Disney College Program. This seems to help, and you could learn something too.

Step 7: Once the interview is over, now you can freak out. Pace the floor, jump around, scream out the window. And within 2 short weeks you will find out what the answer is.

Step 8: Check your email every hour until you see that one that pops up and says congratulations in the topic bar, and you know that your life is about to change. And then you think to yourself, wow, that blog I read really helped me! Thanks S!

Anyways, all jokes aside, I hope that anyone of you who decide to apply make it in the DCP and have a life changing experience like I did!

Until the next one... S

The Disney TAG

The Disney Tag has been going around for quite awhile now. If you don't know, the Disney Tag is a series of Disney related questions to answer for fun! So I thought that my readers (meaning YOU) should get to know this mysterious girl behind the posts. Answer the questions yourself as you read along if you like. (Credit to smilingldsgirl.com for giving me the questions to answer)

1) A scene in any Disney movie you wish you could experience: 

     This is a tough question. So I'll give you my top 3 answers.

• Cinderella: The scene at the ball where Cinderella first walks in, and everyone, even the prince stops and stares at her beauty. I would love to be Cinderella in that moment.
• Aladdin: The scene where they fly on their magic carpet. Me of course being the carpet. Just kidding! I would love to be Jasmine in that moment. Spending a night with Aladdin, flying around the world.
• Tangled: The scene where Flynn and Rapunzel drift out to the middle of the lake in a boat, and have lanterns surround them. That would be a dream come true if I ever got to experience that.

2) An unforgettable experience you've had at the parks.

      While my parents came to visit for a week, I had gone with them to Hollywood Studios for the day. We went to go and see the Indiana Jones Stunt Show for fun, and got seated towards the front. Before the show starts,they ask for volunteers over 18 years of age to be in the show as extras. And I got picked to go on stage! It was very cool. They took us in the back and got us costumes to put on, and explained what to do etc.. It was pretty nerve racking being in front of a large audience, but it was a very cool experience. I even got to meet the cast of the show. (Which by the way, Indiana Jones is really hot in person!)

3) What non-Disney song reminds you or brings back memories of Disney and or the parks?

  On my second trip to WDW, I decided to make a video rather than take a bunch of pictures. In the final edited video, I added in background music to which one of the songs included was "All Night" by Icona Pop. So literally anytime I hear that song I think of Disney.

4) When was the first time you went to a Disney Park?

The first time I went to a Disney park was when I was 14 years old. Just a little freshman in high school. My mom surprised my family and told us she was planning a trip to Walt Disney World. At the time, I could have cared less, which is funny thinking about it now. At the time I wasn't really all that obsessed with Disney. I liked their movies, but I didn't know much about the parks. After that first trip, I fell in love and wanted to go back.

5) If you could choose any of the characters to be your best friend, who would you choose?

I think I would probably be best friends with Anna. She is just so fun and awkward and is up for exploring and doing anything. Her and I would get along just fine.

6) Who is your favorite Disney Princess?

I have 2 answers to this question. My favorite Disney princess in general is Elsa. I see a lot of myself in her and I think that I look the most like her, and my favorite Disney princess to meet in the parks is Tiana. Her and Naveen are so chill and down to earth. I don't know, they just have a good vibe and are both some of the sweetest face characters that I have met in the parks.

7) Name a scene/moment in any Disney movie that never fails to make you cry.

The scene in Up where it shows the progression of Carl and Ellie's life together. I get teary eyed every time I see this scene.

8) Favorite Disney Movie.

I honestly don't really have a favorite Disney movie. I love mostly all of them. Lets just say I have a top 4.  Frozen, Inside Out, Big Hero 6 and Wreck-it Ralph (not in that order).

9) Overrated/ Underrated Disney Movie

Overrated: Zootopia

Underrated: Meet the Robinsons

10) Favorite Disney Song/ Least Favorite Disney Song

Favorite: "Love is an Open Door" from Frozen

Least Favorite: "Don't Have One" from Me (jk)

11) Most Memorable Disney Villain

Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. If you haven't met him at WDW yet, do it!

12) Favorite Classic Disney Movie

 The Aristocats and Lady and the Tramp

13) Favorite Disney Score?

The Lion King. Duh?

14) Favorite Live Action Movie?

Don't have one at the moment, but looking forward to Beauty and the Beast coming out in March!

      

That's it lovelies! Keep an eye out for my next post!

-S

Money Saving Tips

Finally! I know I have been talking about doing this post for awhile, and here it is! These are my tips on saving money at Disney.

Don't get Memory Maker:

For those of you who don't know, Memory Maker is a PhotoPass package you can buy that allows you to use PhotoPass as many times as you want during your vacation. And once done with the vacation you can download the photos right off of your Disney account. 

 Honestly Memory Maker is great if you want professional pictures done, but if you are trying to save money, it's something you can skip. During my program, I would take a lot of photos using my phone, and I am just as happy with the quality of those photos as I was when I used Memory Maker. If you go to meet a character, you can just ask the PhotoPass person or Character Attendant to take a picture for you on your phone. They'd be happy to do it!

Bring Your Own Water Bottles:

I had mentioned this in a previous post, ("What's In My Backpack?"Check it out!) but I'll post it again. Bring an empty, reusable water bottle into the park and go up to any quick-service restaurant and ask for a cup of ice water (it's free!!) Then poor the cold water into your empty water bottle and there go! Free cold water. A couple reasons why you should do this. 1) You can carry the water bottle in a backpack and not worry about it spilling, and 2) Most indoor queue lines don't allow open food or beverage in their line, so keeping it in a water bottle (and not in the cup) lets you put it away easier.

Take Advantage of Bus Transportation:

This might be self-explanatory, but if you drove to Disney and stay on property, use the buses! Don't drive your own car to the parks everyday. The buses pretty much drop you off near the entrance, you won't have to spend money on gas and it will save you parking fees. Yes, you might have to wait a little bit for a bus, but your wallet will thank you.

Free Souvenirs!:

Believe it or not, there are free souvenirs all around Disney Parks and Resorts. No, they're not your typical plush Mickey Mouse, but they are just as good at preserving the memory of your vacation. Some of my favorites are..

-Maps and Times Guides

-Celebration Buttons

-Stickers

-Magic Bands

-Ticket Cards

-Shampoos and soaps (from hotel room)

-Magical Moment Cards (handed out by Cast Members)

-Christmas Party or Halloween Party bracelets

-Passports (from Food and Wine Festival or Holidays around the World at Epcot)

-Wilderness Explorers Handbook (Animal Kingdom)

-Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Cards (Magic Kingdom)

-Bookmark from Enchanted Tales with Belle (Magic Kingdom)

-Character Autographs

-Luggage Tags

-Pressed Pennies (well they cost $.51)

- Pool Party Prizes (get from winning a game when at your resorts pool)

Bring your own food:

Yes! You can bring your own food and beverages into the park. Especially if you are someone who likes to constantly be on the go. Sometimes having a handy granola bar can save you a lot of time and money! Also if you have picky children, bringing your own food for them is great! A lot of Disney's food is different so don't waste your money on something your kids won't eat.

Bring your own Ponchos/Umbrellas:

My family and I got sucked into this trap during one vacation. We had forgotten our rain gear and were forced to buy ponchos at the park when it down poured. Never again.

Gift Cards:

One year for Christmas, my parents gave my brother and I $100 dollar gift cards for Disney before we went on our trip. And looking back at that, it was probably one of the smartest things my parents did for saving money during our trip. Given at the time, my brother and I were 19 and 17 and could have bought our own stuff if we wanted to, but when you go with elementary-middle school aged kids, giving them a gift card is smart. It's sort of giving them a limit without them knowing, So once the money on their gift card is used up, that's it. No more souvenirs, and it won't burn a hole in your wallet either.

Okay well that's it my Disney friends! If you have any questions send me a tweet or leave a comment down below,

-S

Tips and Tricks- Part 3: Epcot and Animal Kingdom

So today's tips are going to be about Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Since I worked at Epcot, I think of myself as an expert in this area... Just kidding! But I do know Epcot very well. So if you have any specific questions about Epcot, tweet me @ltddream1.

Epcot

Soarin or Test Track?: 

For those of you that have been to Epcot before know that when picking a fast pass they only allow you to pick Soarin or Test Track, not both, But fear not, for I have an amazing trick up my sleeve that will get you on both, without waiting hours. Just follow these simple steps. 

1) Get a fast pass for Soarin.

2) Get to the park before it opens for the day.

3) Make your way over to Test Track.

4) Have your whole group go into the Single Rider line.

But I know what your thinking. What about all the other people ahead of me who are waiting in line? Well the best part is that you can skip all of them by going in the single rider line. And yes you can do this with your group and still get in the same car. 

When Test Track first opens, all the groups head over to the Stand-by line and have to go through the process of creating their own car. This process of the people creating their own car can save you a lot of time. If you and your group head into the single rider line, you are essentially skipping the step of creating your own car. So while the groups of people are creating their own car, you can skip them and go straight to the loading area. And because you are there right when it opens, there will be no one from the stand-by line at the loading area yet. So you and your group in the single rider line, will be placed in the same car.

So you get to be some of the first people on Test Track that day, and you already have a fast pass for Soarin, so no need to worry,

Best Bathroom:

The best bathroom throughout all of Epcot are the Journey Into Imagination ones. These are located next to the right of the entrance. There isn't really anything special about them, but they are the least busy, because not everyone knows that they are there,

Fun Fact: Throughout the World Showcase, a bathroom is located in every other country, except American Adventure. There are 2 located here.

World Showcase Boats:

My tip to you is to NOT wait around for the World Showcase Boats. Basically these boats take you from one side of the World Showcase to the other. If you are capable of walking it's not worth the wait. You will mostly likely get to the other side by walking before the boat even arrives 

Explore the Different Countries:

I worked there and I still didn't get to explore all the different countries. There are so many little areas and shops to walk around in, so don't just breeze through the countries. Walk through the different shops. Y
ou will be amazed at what you will find.

Beat the Fireworks Crowd:

The fireworks are set off in the middle of the World Showcase Lagoon, So close to the time of the fireworks, the Showcase can get a little crowded and finding a fireworks viewing area can get hard. One spot that always seems to be empty is an area by the Odyssey center. The  Odyssey Center is a building right before the Mexico Pavilion. There is a pathway that leads to the First Aid and Baby Center, but this pathway also is a great spot to view the fireworks. Because the Odyssey Center is so close to the Showcase, it is pretty easy to see the show from here. I'm not saying it's the best viewing area, but it will help you beat the crowd.

Animal Kingdom

 Rainforest Cafe Entrance:

If there is a long line to get into the park, you can always go through the Rainforest Cafe. The restaurant is right in front of the Animal Kingdom Park to make it more accessible to guests. A lot of times people make reservations here and then go into Animal Kingdom Park. So they have a separate exit from the restaurant that will allow guests to enter the park. Although you do need to have your tickets just like any other park because they have people there who scan your tickets. But this is a good way to skip the ticket line if it is busy. (Note: this does not mean you get to skip the security line)

Explore the Trails:

Take your time walking through the Oasis area and Discovery Island Trails. Throughout these trails they have animals and a lot of times the have animal specialists there telling people facts. It's great if you want to take your time and learn something. You will never know what or who you will see.

Tips and Tricks- Part 2: Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios

 Now that you have a general idea of what you should do, here are some tips and tricks you can use in each park. Most of these tips and tricks are my opinions, but being in the parks everyday I have learned from trial and error,,

Magic Kingdom

 - Go to the left when entering the park: 

Most people tend to go to the right when entering the park. They go through Tommorowland, then make their way to Fantasyland. If you get to the park at open and go through Adventureland instead, you will miss most of the crowds and have a minimal wait for the Adventureland and Liberty Square attractions. So if you are planning fast passes, make the fast passes for those attractions in Fantasyland and Tommorowland.

- Rapunzel Bathrooms: 

The best bathroom by far in all of Magic Kingdom is the bathrooms in Liberty Square. I call these the Rapunzel bathrooms because it is themed after the movie Tangled. Plus her tower stands right behind them, They aren't the least busy bathrooms, but they have a unique feature, which is especially important for a girl like me. If you head to the very back of the bathroom they have a wall full of mirrors with ledges. This worked great for me if I wanted to do a touch up on make-up, plus no one really knew about them, so I had it all to myself most of the time.

-Best Parade Spot: 

This spot goes for both the Festival of Fantasy Parade (3 o'clock parade) and the Electrical Parade (night parade) It is right across from Peco's Bill Quick Service in Frontierland. Peco's Bill has outdoor seating for their restaurant which is sectioned of via a fence. So no one is allowed to sit there during the parade. So sitting on the other side of the street is a prime spot for attention from the characters in the parade. Since no one is on the other side, all of their attention is on you. (Plus this is the side that you can clearly see Flynn Ryder. <3) Don't waste your fast passes on a Parade. So next time you are in this spot yell out your favorite characters name, or blow them a kiss and they might just wink back at you. (This will be part of a future story time)

-Best Fireworks Viewing Area

Again, don't waste a fast pass on fireworks, The best viewing area for fireworks is literally anywhere on Main Street. They turn down the lights on the buildings and lampposts for the fireworks show, so really anywhere on main street (as long as it's not behind a tree) is a good spot. What I recommend is that you get a spot close to the exit, especially if the fireworks is the last thing you will do before you leave. This way, you can be some of the first people to leave and beat the crowd to the buses, boat or monorail lines.

Hollywood Studios

Keep Your Map Close:

In my opinion, HS is the hardest park to know where you're going. It doesn't really have a standard layout like MK or Epcot, so it can get confusing, Just keep an eye on your map. 

Get a Fast Pass for Fantasmic:

Fantasmic is one of my favorite nighttime shows on Disney World Property, and if you are at Disney during the busy time, getting a fast pass for the show is a must. For awhile I thought that getting a fast pass for the show meant that you would just get better seating, but I was wrong. Towards the end of my program (in December during the busy time) I wanted to see Fantasmic before I left, so I got a fast pass, expecting to get a good seat, but I was lucky that I got in to see the show. I was seated towards the far end of the theater. So some of those who waited in stand-by weren't able to get in. So I believe that it is a must.

Volunteer:

Hollywood studios is known for having a lot of shows, and there is one show that you can be apart of. The Indiana Jones Stunt Show. If you are over 18, they ask for volunteers to be part of the show. One time that I went to the show, I volunteered, and it was such a cool experience. I got to be part of  towns people. They take you behind the crowd, and you have to sign a waver, and then they give you fun clothes to dress up in, and towards the end of the show, they ask you to go on stage and pretend to be shopping in a market place. You even get to meet Indiana Jones himself (and he's hot). So if you aren't shy about being in the spotlight, it is definitely an experience to at least try to take part of. It doesn't mean that they will pick you, but if you wave your hands fast enough, they might just find you.

Watch for Part 3 which will include Animal Kingdom and Epcot.

Thanks

-S

Tips and Tricks- Part 1: General Tips

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out my blog. I have for the most part said everything I needed to say for the College Program. If you have any questions on that please tweet me @ltddream1. But it is time to move on to more general topics for everyone! So I thought I would share some tips and tricks I picked up while I was a Cast Member. This is part one of just general tips. The next couple parts will be specific to that park. ( I will do a future post with money saving tips.)

General Tips

Do Your Research:

By reading this blog you are on the right track, but there are many people who pay to come to Disney and have no idea what anything is, or how it works. I know I wouldn't spend that much money not knowing what I am getting myself into.

Use Common Sense:

This kind of goes along with doing your research but don't come up to me asking what this attraction is, when there is clearly a big sign behind me with a name. I can't tell you how many times people came to my attraction asking what this ride was. It would probably happen at least 20 times a shift. And all I could do was point behind me to the giant sign. And this leads up to..

Grab a Map and Times Guide:

These are essential to your day. Especially if you are a first timer. Use these to read descriptions of rides and attractions or to find bathrooms etc. And the Times Guide gives you times when characters come out (as well as location) and times for different shows and parades. Please, please, please, ask a cast member as a last resort. It might be the first time you ask where the bathroom is, but it's our hundredth time hearing the question that day. Same with rides and what they are. There is a description on your map of what the ride is, as well as a sign posted outside of each attraction describing what it is and if it has any height restriction. But if you still are confused or cannot find something,then ask a Cast Member. End of Rant...

Take Advantage of Extra Magic Hours:

 Extra Magic Hours are basically extra hours that the park will be open to resort guests. So if you are staying in a Disney Hotel on property, you can take advantage of them. You can find out which parks are offering the EMH a couple months ahead of time, which helps when planning an itinerary..

Make an Itinerary:

This might be common sense to natural organizers (like myself) but it's hard to go through the day at a Disney Park, without some sort of plan. It doesn't mean that you have to plan out the order of rides you are going to go on and when you will have bathroom breaks. It just means that you generally know when you have to be somewhere at what time. This will be different for everyone. But what I recommend is that you at least include any reservation times and fast pass times.

Book Reservations Ahead of Time:

 A Disney trip is NOT something you can plan at last minute. If you want to have certain reservations at a certain time, you must make them as early as possible. Usually Disney allows you to make dinning reservations as well as fast pass reservations at least 6 months before your trip. And in doing this you have more of a chance at getting what reservations you want at the time you want.

Use the My Disney Experience App:

 This App was one of the most useful things I could have used while working at Disney. You can make an itinerary on the app as well as view you reservation and fast pass times. It can also be used as a map to view wait times for rides, and a way to change reservations or find an open one easily. I know that you can be as prepared as possible but sometimes plans change, and the My Disney Experience App can make it a little easier.

Raining? Don't Leave.

Usually in Florida there is always a rainstorm sometime in the afternoon. I like to call it the 2 o'clock rain, You find that when it rains most people decide to leave because a lot of the outdoor attractions shut down, but I see this as an oppurtunity to take advanatge on the short wait times on the indoor rides. So next time you see rain in the forcast, pack a poncho or umbrella and wait it out.

Bring Your Kids at a Good Age

I know that everyone has their own opinions on this, but the perfect age I think is 9-10 years old, and here's why...

1) You don't need to deal with strollers. Most attractions don't allow strollers in their queue lines, so you would be carrying your child anyway. Plus they take up some much space on the buses, monorails  and you have to find places to park them etc. It would just make your life a lot easier if you didn't need to haul it around.

2) Your child will most likely be tall enough to go on all the rides. I had a friend who worked on Splash Mountain and she said that some parents would stuff socks in their child's shoes to try and make them tall enough to go on the ride. She said the reason they have a height requirement is so that when the logs slow, sometimes they jerk around, and if you aren't tall enough, you can bang your head on the safety bar. ( So please obey the rules for your child's safety. They don't just add the rules to make you miserable) But you wouldn't have to worry about that if your child was tall enough anyways.

 3) They can carry their own stuff. Give them a backpack to carry water in, and any souvenirs and then that's one less bag for you to carry.

4) They will most likely remember your trip. It amazes me that parents can spend so much money on a trip that their child will never remember. And I know some people think that once their child gets older, they won't be into the princess stuff etc.. I will tell you that as a college age student, I am still into Princess stuff. Once your child gets to Disney, they WILL be too.

Stay tuned for Part 2!


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Packing for the DCP- Part 2: What to pack.

If you haven't already, please read Part 1 of Packing for the DCP.

For this post, I will give you a description of what is already included in your apartment, and then things I would recommend bringing in addition to basic necessities like clothes, toiletries etc. Some of these items are things that you may have to talk about with roommates, so you don't bring multiples. All windows have blinds, and all rooms have ceiling lighting. You are not allowed to hang anything on the walls and each apartment is laid out differently, so you may not have the same things that other apartments do. These things are what are generally included.

Kitchen

What's Included:

Plates, Cups, Mugs, Bowls, Pots, Pans, Utensils, Basic Cooking Utensils (spatula etc..), Toaster, Microwave, Fridge (sometimes 2 fridges if you have 6-8 people in an apartment), Oven, Garbage and Recycling cans and landline phone.

Recommended to Bring:

Extra Plates/cups/Bowls/Pots and Pans (some of the ones provided aren't the best quality). Cookie sheets, blender, coffee maker, paper towel holder, spices (salt and pepper shakers), To-Go containers.

Living Room

What's Included;

Dining Room table w/6-8 chairs, 3 person couch, chair, coffee table, 2 side tables, bulletin board

Recommended to Bring:

TV, throw blankets/pillows, DVD Player/Game system, Wi-Fi box, bar stools (for kitchen counter)

Rooms

What's Included: 2 Person Room-

2 beds w/ mattress, 1 dresser w/mirror, 2 night stands, 2 garbage cans (one for room, one for bathroom), walk in closet, 2 lockers (in closet), vanity sink. 2 bulletin boards, medicine cabinet, towel closet,

3 Person Room-

3 beds (one bunk, one with drawers underneath), 3 night stands, 1 dresser w/ mirror, 2 garbage cans (one for room, one for bathroom) walk in closet, 3 lockers, 3 bulletin boards, *Typically bathrooms that are connected to a 3 person room have a sink with a counter in the bathroom, rather than a vanity sink.*

Recommended to Bring:

A 2 locks (for locker in closet and for locker at work location), laundry basket/hamper, hangers, shower curtain, rugs, pictures, mattress pad, comforter, lamps (if you don't like ceiling lighting), fan, extension cords, towels

Extras

Lunch Box, A decent Vacuum/broom (the ones from the Clubhouse aren't great), shoe rack, organizing containers, A bag with pens, pencils, markers, scissors, notepads (so you don't have to buy all that stuff down there), Formal clothing to wear for Traditions, Halloween Costume, Dress/Suit and Tie (for Winter Formal)

Tips

- You can't hang anything on walls, so if it won't fit on a bulletin board, don't bring it.
- Don't bring too many Souvenirs. You will accumulate a lot of Disney stuff, so don't bring anything you don't need
- Don't over pack clothes. Most of the time you will be in your costume, so don't bring too many shoes, tops etc. Just make sure to bring a few winter clothing items for those cold Florida days.
- If you want to save suitcase space, use Space Bags. They work wonders. *The vacuums that the Clubhouse provide don't have hoses on them, but they do provide special vacuum hoses for Space bags*

If you have any questions leave a comment below, or tweet me @ltddream1

Thanks
-S

Packing Tips for the DCP- Part 1: Trains, Planes and Automobiles

    Hey Everyone! Thanks for checking out my blog! If you haven't already, I would suggest reading Parts 1-5 about the Disney College Program. There is some very helpful information if you are considering doing the program. Today's post will cover things to pack, and how to pack when doing the DCP. I know that packing was my biggest problem when preparing to do the DCP, and there wasn't many places online where I could find specifics of what was included in the apartments, etc. Well worry no more! I'm here to tell you.

Flying

   If you are one of the brave souls who are deciding to fly to Florida (or have no choice) then packing is probably your worst nightmare at this point. I myself flew to Florida and yes, it was hard. I will tell you how I did it. Now I know you might not do the same thing I did, but for the most part it worked out for me.

  I flew in 3 days before my scheduled check-in date. My parents decided to fly with me, and it was nice having the company before I started my program, but they were essential in my packing strategy. My family has always flown with Southwest, and the nice thing about Southwest is you can have 2 suitcases for free (up to 50lbs). As much as I tried to squeeze what I could into 2 bags, it was nearly impossible. I didn't want to have to buy everything when I went to Florida, I wanted to save my money. I probably had enough stuff to fit into 6 suitcases, but with the help of Space Bags (which I highly recommend using) I was able to fit it into 4. So since my parents tagged along, they also got 2 bags fly free, so I just split the suitcases between myself and my parents, and we ended up having no extra costs with our flight.

    Now if you prefer to fly with a different airliner, you may have to pay for extra luggage, or ship the luggage down to Florida. So however you decide to do it, know that you will have extra costs if you decide to fly. Going down to Florida was the easy part for me, but coming home was more difficult.

A couple months later, my parents came down to visit me, and in doing so, I told them to bring an empty suitcase with them, so I could fill it with a bunch of souvenirs and things I didn't need, so that I would have more room in my suitcases when coming back home. This really did help me in the long run.

But like I said, coming home was the hard part. My parents weren't there with me, because I decided to fly home by myself. Which meant that I had a lot of stuff I had to fit in 3 suitcases (with a 50lb limit) So again I used my space bags to help squeeze everything, but I had a lot of souvenirs that I had bought, since my parents left that wouldn't fit in a suitcase, so I bought a big box and had some stuff shipped home a few days before I left. And again I did manage to fit everything into 3 suitcases, but the problem was that only 2 bags fly free, so I had to pay an extra $75 for an extra bag.

Driving

As I mentioned in previous posts, if you have a car, BRING IT! It may or may not save you more money than flying (depending on how far you have to drive) but it will definitely save you the struggle of figuring out what to pack. The sky is the limit (well the backseat of your car is the limit) but regardless, you can fit so much more into a car than a suitcase can.

Flying and Shipping

Now this is the smart way to travel to Florida, if you can do it. I'm not sure what the costs were, but I knew a few people who flew to Florida, and had their car shipped to them. This way you save yourself time, you save miles on your car, and you can pack your car with whatever you want! People have also taken trains down to Florida, that carry your car with you. So with whatever way you go, know that it is possible! You just have to be smart about it.

Go on to Part 2, where I talk about what to pack!

Thanks!
-S

Disney College Program. What Is it? Part 5: Extra Stuff You Need To Know!

  Getting College Credit

The DCP is an internship program, which means that you are able to earn credit if you choose too. Each housing complex has a special building with classrooms, so classes are held at different housing complexes.

   Not everyone can afford to take off a semester. Some people like to keep a student status at your school, which is very smart, if your school offers it. Not every college offers the DCP for credit, but a lot do. If doing the DCP is interesting to you, check to see if your school offers it! If it doesn't just know that would mean taking off a semester.

 My school did offer the DCP. There were a couple requirements I had to do, to be able to receive credit. I had to take a class, a seminar class, volunteer once, and write reflection papers. My school's DCP advisor also comes down to visit and meets with us to ask how we are doing with the program. For the most part, it didn't interfere with my schedule too much. Disney knows that if you are taking a class, they are required to schedule you off for that day. So it was nice, knowing what day I would have off, but my class was a 4 hour class, which did take up most of the day, but I would usually end up going out that night.

So if you can take credit, or need it, I would recommend doing so.

Security

Each housing complex is surrounded by a fence and the only entrance in, is a security gate. I felt very safe while walking around my complex. The only people allowed in are CP's. You are allowed to go to other housing complexes, but there are certain times where people from other complexes have to be out by, and certain times where they stop letting other complex people in.

They do allow guests in (and usually on check-in day the are less strict with parents) but you have to fill out a form, and they take copies of drivers license etc..

The bus transportation they provide also check your housing ID before getting on the bus. The buses are for CP's only! No guests are allowed on.

If you accidently loose your housing ID, just talk to security and they will give you a temporary ID to use for housing and buses.

Inspections

Inspections on your apartment occur once a month. They usually post the dates in which there will be inspections for your complex, although they don't tell you which buildings they will be inspecting on what day. This is hard because you have to make sure your apartment is clean every day until you get inspected. So hopefully your roommates are clean.

The inspectors can come at any time usually between 9am-5pm. They fill out a sheet and you will either Pass, Fail, or get a White Glove Award. You must Pass or get a White glove award, otherwise you and your roommates will be fined money. It depends really on how you will be fined. If one half of the room is clearly messier than the other, that roommate will be fined. If one room is messier than the others, that room will be fined, and if the whole apartment is messy, everyone will be fined. This is also the time when the inspectors will look for anything that isn't supposed to be there. Such as alcohol in Wellness apartments, drugs etc..

Getting the White Glove Award is a awesome thing! If you receive this, this means that your apartment was very clean. The firs time you get it, you get your picture on the White Glove Award Board in the complexes clubhouse, and each roommate gets a small prize. If you get a WGA again, everyone receives a better prize etc..

My apartment got the White Glove award twice in a row. The first time we got cookies, and the 2nd time we got really nice water bottles

Cast Connection

I know I briefly mentioned this in Part 3, but I didn't explain what it was. Cast Connection is a special store, only for Cast Members and their guests. This store has overstock or slightly damaged Disney merchandise items for sale at a very discounted price. They have items for everyone. Toys, clothing, even food. You can bring up to 3 guests with you, and when you check out they ask for your blue ID to make sure you are cast member.

Within cast connection is a small room called Property control. This area is for Cast Members Only! They check your ID at the door, and ask you to leave any items you found in Cast Connection, outside of the room. In property control they have damaged items, which are even more discounted than what is in Cast Connection. I found 2 pairs of Minnie ears that I paid $3.00 for and I saw nothing wrong with them. It is a very fun trip to go there once in awhile.

Housing Parties

Again, this was something that I briefly explained in Part 2, but it is exactly what the name tells you. Usually held at Chatham Field, are housing parties for CP's Only. They usually have free food, free stuff, a DJ, and rare character meet and greets. Along with this is Winter or Spring Formal, which is kind of like a Disney version of prom, and Graduation. I don't want to tell too much.. It's fun to be surprised.

Well that's it kiddos! There are some things that I can't tell you! I guess you just have to do the program and find out for yourself! If you have any questions, feel free to tweet me @ltdDream1 or leave a comment!

Thanks
-S

Disney College Program. What Is It? Part 4: Arrival

So you made it in the Disney College Program? Congrats! You know who your roommates could be, you know where you want to live, and you decided how to get there. But what do I do next?

 What should I expect upon arrival to Florida?

  Well the days before your set Check-In date is really up to you. Some people stay at a hotel for a few days before hand and some people drive in or fly in on that day. It's really however you would feel comfortable.

   I do recommend doing what I did, especially if you decide to fly. I flew in with my parents ( a lot of CP's parents come with them) and we stayed at Pop Century Resort for a few days. It worked out really nice. Since I didn't have a car, using the Magical Express from the airport (bus transportation that Disney provides for guests) helped us with costs. Plus we got to stay on Disney Property for a few days! One of my roommates I had met on Facebook was also staying there with her parents so we met up and got to hang out and get to know each other. Although we didn't get to go into the parks, we went to Disney Springs, and watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the beach at Polynesian. We kept ourselves busy enough before our Check-In day.

If you do decide to stay at a hotel before your check-in day, DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON THEME PARK TICKETS! I say this because, once you get your ID card, you will be able to go to the parks for free, so the wait is well worth it.

How does Check-In day work?

 Upon acceptance into the program, you will be asked to choose an available date to arrive (mentioned this in part 1) and you will be assigned a specific time to arrive. Check-In is held at Vista Way Apartments in their Club House. So because I didn't have a car, I had to pay for a taxi to take my parents and I to VW. This usually takes most of the morning (depending on your scheduled time) and they also have a designated waiting area for parents.

It's basically just a long line you stand in and you go through, get a folder, and find out which Park or Resort you will be working at and what apartment complex you will be in with what roommates. Once that is over you get your picture taken and you receive a Housing ID, which is used to show security when entering your apartment complex, and you receive your apartment key.
They then walk you through and you get a bag with some free goodies and go to Disney University to complete a background check. This is where you get your fingerprints done, etc..

 Once you are done with check in, you are able to go to your apartment and start moving your stuff in. My roommate I met before hand and we were the first ones to the apartment (along with our parents) I'm not going to lie, though, the place was a little dirty. The rooms were fine, and empty, but the tile floors weren't that great and the kitchen needed some work. Other than that it was pretty easy. We choose which rooms we wanted and soon enough our other roommates arrived and we met them.

Then later in the day I also had to go to VW by myself for a drug test. Yes, I had to pee in a cup and find my way around my own. This is when I first experienced the buses and figured out where to go. And if you don't know where your going, just ask. Everyone is pretty friendly!

What Is Traditions?

 When at Check-In you are given a program guide that has a date and time for your traditions class. Basically traditions is an all day class that every cast member at Disney has to go through. It's  the main start to your training. They go over different safety things etc.. This is also where you receive your name tag, and your Disney ID, along with a couple of surprises. (Make sure you wear comfortable shoes to walk in) So once you have your Disney ID, you are officially a cast member and you know what that means? Parks for FREE! Yes, traditions night is a big night, because this is usually when a lot of the CP's go to magic kingdom for the first time since they arrived.

What happens in the days proceeding Traditions?

  For most CP's you will be scheduled a housing meeting, which goes over all the housing rules and explains how to do what, and where to go.

And then after that, it is different for every person. It depends on the type of job you have. Because I was attractions, I attended a training day called Operations, which was mostly for those who would be operating equipment etc. Then usually you will have another training day specific to your park or resort. Because I worked at Epcot I went to a training day called Discovery Day, which was information specific to Epcot. Here is when I found out which specific attraction I would be working, as well as what my costume was and when my on-site training days were. This is the day to ASK QUESTIONS if you are confused on anything.

You then proceed to do On-site training, which is different for everyone! Some training takes longer than others, depending on your job. But don't worry about training too much. Yes, a lot of information is thrown at you all at once, but as long as you ask your trainer questions and pay attention, you will be fine.

Thanks for reading Part 4!
Next read Part 5 which will cover Extra info you should know.
Thanks!
-S

Disney College Program. What Is It? Part 3: Transportation

How does the bussing system work?

 The DCP offers Transportation for CP's who don't have a car to get to work, or prefer using busses to get to work, meaning that there are different busses that stop at every resort or park that is on Disney Property.

Each housing complex (besides Patterson Court) have bus stops. They all have benches and TV screens which display what time the bus should arrive and which ones are arriving. It was super helpful.

The buses each have a letter and once you arrive to your housing, you get a bus schedule which then tells you the times the busses are supposed to arrive and where they are going next. You also use the busses to go from complex to complex if you don't feel like walking, (unless you live or are going to VW because VW is not within walking distance to the other complexes) You may also use these if you want to go to the parks for fun.

Example: Bus A: Magic Kingdom

It would stop at The Commons, then Chatham Square, Vista Way, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, then Magic Kingdom Cast Services

So the buses have different orders in which they stop at the complexes, some only stop at CS and VW, and some stop at all , so if you wanted to go to The Commons, but you lived in Chatham Square, instead of going on bus A and waiting through all the stops, you would go on Bus C.

Example: Bus C: Epcot

Chatham Square, The Commons, Vista Way, Epcot Cast Services

Here are the rest of the buses...

Bus B: Magic Kingdom (CS,VW, Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, MK Cast Services, TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center))

Bus D: Disney Springs Resort Area ( VW, CS, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans Cast Services, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West)

Bus E: Disney's Hollywood Studios (CS, TC, VW, Hollywood Studios Cast Services, Swan and Dolphin (on request), Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk Resort

Bus F: Typhoon Lagoon Waterpark and Disney Springs ( VW, TC, CS, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Springs)

Bus G: DHS Resorts ( CS,VW, Caribbean Beach, Old Port Royale, Pop Century, Art of Animation, ESPN)

Bus H: Leisure (VW, TC, CS, Wal-Mart, Post Office, Publix/Walgreens)

Bus M: Florida Mall (This Bus would only go a few days a week)

Bus J: Disney's Animal Kingdom ( VW, TC, CS, DAK Wardrobe, DAK, DAK Lodge Resort)

Bus K: All Star Resorts, Blizzard Beach etc. ( VW, CS, AS Sports, AS Music, AS Movies, Blizzard Beach Waterpark, Coronado Springs Resort, Cast Connection)

So as you can see, sometimes taking the bus, especially on days off to go to a park or resort, it can
be a long ride.

Should I bring a car?

Yes! If you have one, and you can take it, BRING IT! Some people drive their in there car, and I know a few people who shipped it. Whatever the way, bring it if you can.

I didn't bring a car down, and not having one, made some of my days more difficult. If you don't have one, most likely you will know someone who does, so you can always tag along with them, but your schedules may not always be the same. There were quite a few times, where I had to go and get groceries and try to carry them all back by myself. It was really hard, I did struggle carrying 20 bags of groceries on a bus. And the trips were long as well. I was lucky enough to work at Epcot, so the C bus didn't stop anywhere else but housing and Epcot, but for others who worked at a resort, would sometimes have to catch a bus 2 hours before their shift.

So I recommend you bring a car to use for days off and shopping, then take the buses for work. This way you will save gas, and if a bus is running late, you will always have a back-up.

Go on and read Part 4 on arrival!
Thanks
-S

Disney College Program. What Is It? Part 2: Housing and Roommates

Thanks for coming to read Part 2!

What kind of Housing does the DCP offer at WDW?

The DCP offers 4 different Housing complexes. Vista Way (VW), Chatham Square (CS), The Commons (TC) and Patterson Court (PC). Once accepted into the DCP you will have to find roommates (which I briefly explained in part 1) and decide which housing complex you would like to preference first. You do have to pay rent each week and that rent can vary based on how many roommates you have and what complex you live in. All Complexes have pools, computer labs w/ printers, laundry,mailboxes and front desk areas to check out various cleaning items or to pick up packages.

Vista Way

   VW is known as the "party" complex. Don't let that scare you though. VW is actually a very nice complex. It is the oldest complex but the cheapest to live in. So the appliances can be outdated, and the buildings look a little old, but VW is the main hub for all the bus transportation and the Clubhouse sits on the VW property as well. The Clubhouse offers different services and also offers book and movie rentals for free! It is also close to a main street that has restaurants and shops. It is also

Chatham Square

CS is the next cheapest complex to live in, and in my opinion the best complex to live in. I lived in CS for my program and honestly there wasn't much wrong with it. Price wasn't too bad (I'll explain more about it later) and all the buses stopped here as well. The DCP also have Housing Parties which are held at CS, so it was nice just to walk over. So for the most part there weren't really many cons.

The Commons

 For a long time, The Commons were only for the International College Programmers or (ICP's) But they changed it, so all CP's can choose to live there. TC is a very nice complex. It's the only complex that has a small convince store and the only complex that has washer and dryers in each apartment. In the other complexes you have to walk to small laundry buildings. This is also the only place where they have a big meeting room, where they sometimes have parties, or grocery bingo. One of the cons about living here, is that not all bussing is available here. If there is a certain bus you have to take, a lot of times you would have to walk to CS and catch it there.

Patterson Court

Patterson Court is the most expensive housing to live in, but it is the newest, cleanest and quietest complex. It is a very nice complex, The only con about this is that NO bussing comes here. So if you do decide to preference living here, I would recommend having a car, otherwise you have to walk to CS to catch the buses.

How do I know what roommates I will be with?

You don't truly know until your check-in day. But before you go to do have to fill out a roommate/housing preference form that will be emailed to you. Once you find your roommates on Facebook, you all have to fill out the preference form the same to get a good chance of rooming together. So you all must collaborate and know how you want to fill it out ahead of time.

Ex. Chatham Square, 8 Person, 4 room
       Vista Way, 6 Person, 2 room

The list goes on.

So I ended up getting an 8 person, 4 room apartment in Chatham Square which is what I wanted. To me, having more roommates meant more people likely to be off of work when I was, so we could go to the parks together. It worked out really well. 6 out of the 8 people I had met on Facebook ended up in our group and we got 2 random people, who actually turned out to be really cool.

Read part 3 for Transportation!

Thanks
-S

Disney College Program. What is it? Part 1: The Basics

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to thank you for checking out my blog! It really means a lot to me. I want to share my stories, experiences and tips for any of you interested in doing the Disney College Program, or if you are planning your next Disney World Tip!

I did the Disney College Program for 4 months from Sep-Early Jan of 2015-16. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I would love to go back and do it again.

So...

What is the Disney College Program?

The Disney College Program or DCP is a paid internship for college students all over the world to get the chance to work at Disney World or Disneyland for a semester of their choosing.

How do I apply?

First off their are some guidelines to know before you can apply. You must be over 18 and be done with your first semester of college.
 Then you go to the website http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/ and click on the button that says apply. You will then have to fill out an application form, which consists of personal information as well as choosing what semester you would like to work, Spring or Fall, and then choose preferences on which area you would like to work in. Ex. Custodial, Attractions, Entertainment...

If they accept your application, you will then be asked to complete a Web Based Interview, which is answering "Agree" or "Disagree" to different statements. If you pass the Web Based Interview, you will then be asked to schedule a time for a Phone Interview, in which a Disney Recruiter will call and ask you interview type questions. Then you should receive an email, 2-3 weeks after the Phone Interview letting you know if you have been accepted or not and if accepted you will find out which area you will be working in.

For me, I applied to do the program for Fall of 2015, which meant that applications to apply opened on January 27th, of 2015. The whole process for me happened pretty quickly. Once I sent in my application, I received an email asking to do the Web Based Interview a couple hours later, and once I finished my Web Based Interview I was then asked to set up a Phone Interview. So this all happened within a day. Then 10 days later I had my Phone Interview and 2 weeks later I got an email saying that I was accepted into Attractions. So if you are planning on applying, I would recommend applying once the application opens for the semester you want to work.

What do I do after I'm Accepted?

For the most part, it's just getting through the struggle of counting down the days until you get there. It was hard for me because I got accepted 7 months before I would even go there. So it was a lot of planning and figuring out if I was going to drive or fly, what to pack etc. But you will receive a congratulations postcard in the mail which is a little something to keep and help you be excited to start working there.

   You also have to decide if you want to find roommates or go random. Disney provides off property housing and bus transportation for College Programmers or CP's. (Read Part 2 about Housing) If you decide to stay in Disney Housing, you will have to find roommates to live with. You can have anywhere from 2-8 people in an apartment. Most people find roommates through Facebook, because not everyone knows someone who is doing the program. They usually have Facebook pages created for that specific term and check-in date. People usually post personality surveys to see if you think you would get along with them or not.
 
   There are only a few rules... Boys must be with boys and Girls must be with girls. You must also know if you are going to be in a Wellness apartment or Non-Wellness. Wellness means that alcohol is not allowed in your apartment, and Non-wellness means that you can have it in your apartment. If you are under 21 you are automatically in a Wellness apartment, but if you are over 21 you can choose. People usually include this in their surveys so you know if it would work or not. And you must also have the same Check-In date. Upon acceptance, you will choose an available day that you can arrive.


Next go on to read Part 2. I will talk about Housing and Roommates
Thanks!

-S

What's In My Backpack?

   As a former Disney College Program Cast Member, I would pretty much go to the parks on my day off. Rest assured I would always have my backpack ready to go when I needed to catch a bus and head out the door. (These items are exclusive to myself only. As a 22 year old girl, I didn't have kids or a family with me, so what is in my backpack is meant for one person.)

Essentials:

Umbrella- I would always carry a mini umbrella in my backpack. Florida can be unpredictable with weather, so it really does pay to carry one.

Make-up Bag/ Emergency Kit: This is unique to everyone. I would carry foundation, extra contacts, a small perfume spray bottle etc.. Although there are a couple items that everyone should carry. A travel sized bottle of sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. These came in handy very often for me.

Empty Refillable Water Bottle: Now this is something that I will go over in a future money saving post, but carrying a empty refillable water bottle that you can bring from home can save you tons of money! Every quick service restaurant gives out free ice water. All you have to do is ask! I would then dump the water from the paper cup, into my water bottle, and Wallah! Free cold water. But why do I have to dump the water in a bottle? Why can't I just drink it from the cup?  Well for 1) You don't have to carry it, you could just keep it in your backpack, and it won't spill and 2) Most indoor queue lines don't allow food or beverage, so you would be asked to throw away your cup before you could enter. So keeping it in a water bottle in your backpack is key!

Wallet and Phone: Pretty self explanatory. As a cast member, I would always need to carry my ID and Main Entrance Pass so I could get into the parks for free.

Sunglasses: Florida is the Sunshine State. You have to keep the sun out of your eyes.

Extra Items:

Extra pair of Flip Flops: I would usually wear flip-flops around the park, and I would carry an extra pair, just incase mine decided to break.

Digital Camera: I would carry one of my small digital cameras with me just incase my phone died, or I wanted to take a really nice picture.

Autograph Book and Pen: If you are into meeting a lot of characters, like me, than having an autograph book on you at all times is essential. You never know when a rare character might pop out, so you want to have it with you at all times.

Trading Pins: I would keep a small plastic bag full of extra pins that I didn't like and use them to trade with cast members if I saw one I liked.

Portable Phone Charger: I would constantly use my phone when in the park. Either for a quick photo or to use the My Disney Experience App to look at wait times or change a reservation for something. This phone charger would be my back-up incase my phone decided to die.

Snacks: As a College Program Cast Member, I couldn't always afford to buy food in the park, so bringing a couple snacks along saved me money.

So those are my items I would always carry in my backpack. Again it is unique to each person, but hopefully this gives you an idea of what to carry with you! My next post will be Money Saving Tips! Until next time...

-S