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