Originally Posted By PirateMinnie Hi all, Not sure if this is in the right spot so feel free to move it accordingly. I just got accepted to the WDW College Program, and was wondering if any fine person here has had any experiences to share. I've never been to WDW, only to DL, which I have absolutely loved for the past 18 years. Any thoughts or advice? Thank you!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper The CP was the best semester of my life. You'll meet terrific friends and have tons of fun. One thing I will warn you of is that you will work. A LOT. Don't let the hours get to you, because they can, but your friends at your workplace will get you through it. What role did you get accepted for?
Originally Posted By utahjosh I was a CP back in 2001. Had a great time. My tips: Work hard and earn the good graces of your management - it will be worth it for better hours, better treatment. Have a blast and visit every corner of WDW! And make sure you give one day to Universal IOA. There is a lot of drinking, sex, etc among the CPs. So just be aware going in, and if you don't want to get involved you don't have to. You won't make a ton of money, but you'll have fun. Tell us what role you'll be doing.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Have a blast and visit every corner of WDW! And make sure you give one day to Universal IOA.>> Just ONE!? I made sure to get a season pass to Uni. Sometimes you really do need a break from Disney, and Universal's parks are great, as well as great for your Disney break.
Originally Posted By CMDad I was never a CP (there was no WDW when I was in college) but have been the father of 2 CP's. You hear all about not making a lot of money or not being able to live on what you bring home after they take your Vista Way rent out ... however, I never sent any money to either of my kids while they were CP's. Neither had a problem, and in fact, my son and his roomies saved enough to even take a few days trip to South Beach. And the pooled their money and ate in their apartment - and they ate well. Make sure you take as much as you can from the experience. Network and learn as much as you can. This looks good on your resume and the experience and knowledge will serve you well in whatever you eventually decide to do. Play by the rules. If you are told that doing something wrong will get you terminated and you do it and get caught ... YOU WILL BE TERMINATED! If you go in with the right attitude, be prepared for an experience that may change your life. My daughter did her CP days after she had graduated college ... and in 4 months, she will be celebrating 10 years of working for/at WDW!
Originally Posted By magic0214 I am 14, and have researched alot of the program, and I really enjoy some video blogs on youtube throughout the college program, brennailya is a good one, she also has a very informative written blog on brennailya.livejournal.com deederbug are my favorite vlogs, but they have disappeared recently, so if them come back up watch them, just research some on youtube to see what are your favorites!
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Can you even imagine being terminated from the College program and going home to tell your family and friends and College counselor? They do monitor the students in the college program and terminate. This is a wonderful opportunity for you and CMDad is correct. It stands out on your resume. It is usually the first ? during an interview:So tell me about your WDW College experience...
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 Glad to hear all the decently good news about this program. I'm going to try to get into it for spring semester next year.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I was a WDWCPer back in the fall of 1992. You know, back when there were 3 parks, not 4, and half as many hotel rooms as there are today. There was this great place called Pleasure Island that us WDWCPers used to hang out in. On the Jungle Cruise (back when it was an all male crew) there was some "looking down" upon the College Programmers but I worked hard and seemed to earn the respect of most. Back then I got as many hours as I wanted so I had no trouble making money. (Spent a lot of it, though.) The classes were fine but the overall experience is what is memorable. And, having Disney on my resume opened a lot of doors that might not otherwise have been opened for me. Now, I do want to say, my buddy was hired in custodial and...as much fun as I had...he had a FAR BETTER experience. He wasn't tied down to one ride and he interacted with the guests 1000% more than I did. He got supervisor shifts (more $$$) and really enjoyed his job. So, don't let the "type" of job give you preconceived notions of what the experience will be. Oh, and by the way, it is 18 years later and I can still recite the Jungle Cruise spiel verbatim.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Oh, and by the way, it is 18 years later and I can still recite the Jungle Cruise spiel verbatim.>> It's something I doubt I'll ever forget. BTW...UVA grad?
Originally Posted By CMDad wahooskipper - you raise an excellent point. One of my son's roommates was a custodial CP and he (and other custodial CP's I have spoken with) said the same thing. Not being tied to one attraction, they got to get around a lot. Also, more guests stop to interact with Custodial CM/CP's than any other role. They all said they loved being Custodial.
Originally Posted By utahjosh BTW - I was custodial. And wouldn't trade it for any ride operator job. Got to wander most of the park, and talke to guest, enjoy the park.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Nah, not from UVA. Big (sad these days) fan of the Cleveland Indians. My buddy did have a great time in custodial. He did some 3rd shifts where he ran all over the park. He got his picture on top of Space Mountain, standing behind the Presidents and all kinds of corny things like that. He said that 40% of his time was spent cleaining but 60% of his time he was taking pictures for guests, giving directions and other "customer service" type of stuff. I, on the other hand, circled the river for hours, and hours, and hours, and hours. It was fun...but I suspect my buddy had a more rewarding experience.
Originally Posted By magic0214 I know that custodial interacts with more guests, but in around 2018 when I do it (my last year of college) I want to be a Jungle Cruise Skipper, or in entertainment (I would love to be a character performer!)
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, of all the attraction host positions I think I got lucky. I certainly would not have wanted to walk on a conveyor belt all day long or load/unload theatres. The Great Movie Ride would have been a good alternative. I knew someone who drove the Friendship Boats at Epcot and that was a leisurly paced job. Character performer looks like fun, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you, you better have your heart into that job because it is probably one of the more difficult in the park.
Originally Posted By CMDad My son was one of only 2 CPs assigned to HM when he was there ... and the other one left after a week. He did have to walk a belt much of the day ... but he needed the exercise. LOL But he enjoyed the fact that he could act in that role. And he also enjoyed the Halloween make-up job he got for MNSSHP.
Originally Posted By jkayjs << but in around 2018 when I do it (my last year of college)>> It looks like you have plenty of time to get ready for your interview. There are only a few picked from any given school. When my daughter was choosen she was one of about 14 out of hundreds of applicants. I think it's wise to wait till the end of school just for the maturity factor. Good luck in your future dear.
