Originally Posted By brerroadrunner DS is goning to interview in OCT. for the college program. I know I can visit their web site, but I want to know if any one who has or is doing this has any special suggestions, or warnings etc. to help him with the interview. He is very excited about this! He wants to go to WDW and work doing something with music.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I will have to talk to my son this weekend. He was in the program in 2001. So keep checking. I always tell young people how wonderful this college program is.
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 I was on the college program back in 2003. I think for the most part, it is pretty much the same. You can paid 6.80 or 6.90, something like that. You are locked into the program dates you choose, it can be fall or spring which would be 4 months each or an extended program which would include the summer. I had my interview in Oct. and I did the spring program which went from Jan. to May. You work a ton of hours and your rent and utilities come out of your paycheck each week. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Originally Posted By CMDad My kids both did the College Program (and after 8 years my daughter is still at WDW.) Unless there has been a change in the program, he probably will not be doig anything with music, but still is a great experience. Many people might tell you that a CP works the hours that others don't want (true) and can barely pay his rent/utilities. This was never a problem with either of my kids, in fact, my son saved enough of his pay to take a trip to South Beach with his roommates at the end of his program. Your son will get out of the program what he puts in. If he goes in cynical, he will see everything in that light. If he goes in with an open mind and the desire to get as much as possible out of the experience ... it will be positive. You may want to see my kids websites which contain WDWCP pages <a href="http://www.geocities.com/headtrippe/" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/headtrippe/</a> and <a href="http://home.si.rr.com/fendrick/iris.htm" target="_blank">http://home.si.rr.com/fendrick/iris.htm</a>
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I interviewed for the CP and was in the second interview stage when I decided not to do the program because I wanted to try and pay off my bills. I regret not continuing with the process every day! And I still have the bills I was trying to pay off - they've just gotten bigger.
Originally Posted By brerroadrunner Thanks CMDad! I will pass this along to DS. Your kids web sites are very cool.
Originally Posted By WDWs Future If he loves Disney then his interview will be a piece of cake! Just be yourself and like others have said, go into the program with an open mind. This internship is an amazing experience, albeit a difficult one...the biggest mistake people make is showing up to Orlando thinking they're going on vacation! It is a job, and you do have to work hard. Your hours will depend on what type of role you have. I averaged 35 hours a week, but I had friends who could not get above 28 and wanted more! The College Program looks great on your resume, and you get to meet and work with people from all over the world. I now have friends who live in China, Brazil, South Africa..etc! The guest service skills that you learn will stay with you forever and I have many friends who are going back for a second program! One thing to know is that you do not get paid for the first 2 weeks of your program, so make sure you have enough funds to use in the meantime... Feel free to ask any more questions!!
Originally Posted By jkayjs My daughter was in the CP fall 2003. I'm not sure how the process goes now but @ that time she interviewed once. She was one of hundreds @ the university she attended to apply. They only took 14. She was later in her college career so this may have helped. Have your son look up "the Disney look". They have a handbook that discribes in detail what they expect(atleast they did). My daughter was interviewed by a previous CP alum if that helps. Unless things have changed if he would not live alone. In 2003 there were several choices on the # of roomates you had. The more you had the less your share of rent which included utilities. She was in a 3 BR with 5 other girls. She was @ Vista Way. There was also another area, I think it was Chatum not sure anymore. She took a bus(provided) to & from work. As mentioned this is indeed "Golden" on a resume. There are even classes you can take while there for college credit(not every school accepts them so check). Good luck to your son.
Originally Posted By CMDad << There are even classes you can take while there for college credit>> My son may likely be the only High School science teacher with 12 credits in theme park management. <G>
Originally Posted By brerroadrunner Wow! This is all great information. He really appreciates all the help. We will let you know how the interview goes. It's just a week away! Wish us- I mean him- luck.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub My son just got back to me and he agrees with everything mentioned already.Also remembers the first interview was with a group of people. I also want to mention the article posted today in the Disney Headlines on LP. 10/3/08 Nova Scotia Business Journal has a very important "Disney" article. I also recommend the LP article posted on 9/25/08 Disney Outlines Growth Strategy for Sports Business" If I wanted to appear knowledgeable about Corporate Disney and oppurtunities for the future growth with the company I would definitely be reading these articles. I also feel the most important thing about interviewing is to maintain eye contact, have a smile when entering the room, shine your shoes, turn off your cell phone,etc...The first round can be very intense and it is important. I always tease my son the only reason he was chosen was he actually showed up in a suit in the middle of a blizzard for the interview. But having WDW Internship on his resume has always gotten a response. And the first ? by the interviewee is "Tell me about your Disney experience" It is golden on your resume. Good luck We all want success for your child!
Originally Posted By CMDad ^^ What MickeyMouseClub says about having Disney on your resume. Unlike my daughter, my son did not make Disney his career. Before he became a teacher, he had two other jobs, and in each case, the very first thing that caught the interviewer's attention was his time at Disney. To this day, he still credits his time on the WDWCP with teaching him a lot about networking and the real world.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I will pray the Disney Gods shine on your child."Take a deep breath as you enter the room, oxygen is good for the brain, and Remember to Believe!"
Originally Posted By jkayjs Spoke with my daughter last pm. She said that back in 2003 they divided everyone into smaller groups and each group had several interviewers. That was the only interview she had. Things may be different now. However she did say that when she did an Intership later she did have a one on one interview. An Intership & the CP are different in many ways. In an Intership you work for pay and experience only. Nothing else is provided(housing,etc). The CP alone is golden on a resume, you compond that with an Intership and your odds go up considerably.
Originally Posted By jkayjs >>Intership<< Of course I meant Internship. I'ld like to blame it on my little grandson distracting me, but have to own up to being to lazy to go my glasses.
Originally Posted By disneykid90 My older brother did this fall '07 and LOVED it. He stayed employed by Disney as a season and plans to attend a proffesional internship Fall '09, when I plan to atten the CP also. He has told me nothing but positive items about it and how much he misses it. I am greatly looking forward to it after all I have heard from him. From his mouth to my fingers. It is a recommendation that I would give anyone who loves Disney. Justin
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I did the College Program in the Fall of 1992...with a buddy of mine. My buddy stayed at WDW and has now been there going on 15 years full time. I decided not to make a career of it but I have benefitted by having Disney on my resume time after time. If nothing else, it may open some doors for you in terms of interviewing opportunities and these days that is pretty worthwhile. In my opinion it is worth a semester away from school even if you just break even. It may not pay off for you immediately but I think it is valuable. I was a Jungle Cruise Skipper in the MK.
Originally Posted By brerroadrunner DS and I went to their presentation. It was pretty informative. They scheduled him for a phone inrerview. He went all prepared for the interview to take place after the presentation. So he did get a call and did his interview and gave them his role choices. His first choice was entertainment and they told him he needs to go to Chicage to audition. He is having second thoughts about that choice now. He is really a people person and doesn't think he would like being in costume all the time. He's hoping he can change his choices.
