#Disney College Program

[high-quality-tiktoks]

Been waiting to do another one

[dawnwithablog]

About the Disney College Program (DCP)

Unless you're a Disney super fan or a Florida resident looking for an interesting job, I doubt you've even heard about the Disney College Program. At least, I know that I hadn't, but ever since I began my program in early June, I've made it my mission to find answers to the questions that so many people are asking. Here are 5 of the most common questions about the DCP with answers.

What is the program?

The Disney College Program is a paid internship in which current university/college students or recent graduates can have the opportunity to work in the parks.

2. Do you have to do classes while in the program?

No, you do not have to be actively taking classes during your program. I would say that most participants choose to take the semester off of school in order to focus on their program. However, in order to apply, you must be actively enrolled and taking classes at an accredited institution, OR you must have graduated within the last 24 months of the application date.

3. Can I choose what job (usually referred to as your 'role') I end up getting?

The short answer is no, roles are assigned based on operational needs and usually have little to do with your resume or preferences. The long answer is that SOME work experience almost guarantees you certain roles. For example, if you applied with Starbucks experience, you will almost certainly be placed at a Starbucks location within the parks. Another thing to keep in mind is that the DCP's main purpose is to fill the undesirable roles within the parks. This means that roles such as Custodial, Quick Service Food & Beverage, Houseperson, and Merchandise are extremely common. Roles such as Character Performer, Character Actor, and Attractions are both very highly sought after and very rare for DCP participants to get.

4. Where would I live?

Both DCP participants and full time/part time cast members have the option to live at Flamingo Crossing Village, an apartment complex near Walt Disney World. While the apartments themselves are not owned by nor operated by Disney, they are very well maintained, and feature both single and double rooms, new appliances, complimentary furniture, a pool, a community center, and a nearby plaza with retail and dining options. If you're interested in seeing an apartment tour, feel free to check out my apartment tour which is posted to my TikTok and my Instagram.

5. Do you get to get in to the parks for free?

Yes! Once you have completed your first round of training you will receive your self admissions pass, which allows you to enter any of the parks as many times as you want for free! Not only can you enter yourself, you also receive Chip and Dale passes, which allow you to bring friends and family into the park with you. You don't get unlimited Chip and Dale passes however, so be mindful of how and when you choose to use these passes.

Thank you for reading my post! Feel free to submit any other questions you may have about the program, working at Disney, or questions about my life in general. Also, leave a comment if you'd like to hear more about the DCP interview process.

[disastercomingfaster]

Would anyone be interested in hearing about my nightmare experience in the Disney College Program? Please like this or message me if you are interested!

[vogelmeister]

bad dcp experience stories are my bread and butter. its my roman empire.

[once-upon-a-bee]

I’m going to florida in the spring!!!

[sabistarphotos]

February 13, 2023

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

[momoetry-blog]

On the road

You are the bravest person I know That does not mean You aren’t scared That you aren’t nervous That your anxiety isn’t overwhelming It means you accept the discomfort Push yourself forward Reaching for your goals By stepping into the unknown. -Nicole Smith, Momoetry Today, Ray and Pammy start the roadtrip adventure to WDW.

[hauntedhousez]

YAY I GOT MY ROLE FOR THE DCP TODAY!!!! IM GALAXY'S EDGE ATTRACTIONS !!!!

[high-quality-tiktoks]

All jokes aside, I really do love working for Mickey🥰

[itainteasy-beinchzzy]

Five Steps to DCP

Recently I was accepted into the Disney College Program. Disney runs this internship program to give college students a chance to work at Walt Disney World and see a glimpse of what keeps Disney’s gears turning. Getting accepted to this program is quite challenging. There are several hoops to jump through before you can get into the program. I have compiled a quick five-step guide as an overview for getting into the program.

Before I start, I would like to give some context on what the Disney College program is and some of the specs. The program allows curious individuals who want to help create and contribute to the magic of Disney. College program participants will be placed in housing right outside the gates of Disney and will work full-time on property. Program participants can work in a variety of jobs ranging from custodial to being a character performer all while having the chance to network and connect with Cast Members in all fields.

Step 1: Research- Before applying to the Disney College Program there is a lot you need to know. The Walt Disney Company has a lot of its own lingo and procedures that are unique. If you were to apply to the program with no prior knowledge you may become very confused. One of the things I learned in my research was that there are no “jobs” at Disney! Everything is instead referred to as a “role” that Cast Members (employees) perform. Besides researching the company, it is important to research the program itself to be sure it is the right fit for you. There are many aspects of the DCP life I was unaware of before I started looking into participating myself.

Step 2: Planning- Participating in the Disney College Program is a huge commitment. In order to participate you have to move into the Disney housing and pay an acceptance fee. Potential participants need to be ready to put their lives and education on hold for a semester. Participants work full time while they are with Disney so many are unable to do school at the same time. Some folks are able to do a few online courses, but it depends on what your college offers. These are all factors that must be accounted for when you decide to do the college program.

Step 3: Connecting- Some of the most important tips I got for getting into the Disney College Program were from current cast members and program participants. I found it extremely helpful to hear first-hand what the interview and onboarding processes were like. Social media made it easy to find people to talk to. There are DCP pages on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit full of cast members so I was able to ask questions. Any questions you may have about the program, or the interview can be very easily answered. Part of being a cast member is being friendly and approachable so don’t be afraid to reach out to current cast.  

Step 4: Applying- Applying to the DCP is super exciting but also super stressful. College students from all over the world are applying for the same position as you and spots are very limited. In order to better my chances of getting an early interview, I sent in my application the day the form opened. The official Disney College Program social media accounts post updates as to when applications will be opening. I recommend following them to stay up to date. It is important to have your papers and resume organized before applications open. If applications fill up too quickly, they may close early, so it is important to be diligent.

Step 5: Interviewing- The interview is the most nerve-wracking part of the process. It takes place over the phone so you must convey your enthusiasm and charisma audibly. The Disney recruitment team is looking for a very specific type of person. It is important to smile through the whole interview and to be open to chatting. Some advice I received before my interview is that Disney is a storytelling company. If you want to stand out during your interview, share personal stories of how Disney has positively impacted you. The more personal connections you are able to make with your recruiter, the better. The most important thing is confidence. Carry yourself like a current cast member would so you can make the best impression possible.

            These are just a few things that I learned on my journey to getting into the Disney College Program. The five steps I have laid out are the broad strokes of what you need to know but it is important to find the answers to any specific questions you may have regarding the DCP. There is a lot of information out there, but this is a great place to start.

[art-snob]

A Long Heartfelt Post, To Anyone Who Would Like to Read

To give an update on life because I decided to do an idea involving this. For the next 6 months I'm going to Florida to take part in the Disney College Program (I know it is a bit controversial but what I want to go for it's honestly a neutral option).

This decision wasn't easy at all, it was honestly really difficult. When I went to Disney World in February, I had it stuck in my head that I wouldn't be able to get in. I have an Associates Degree in Fine Arts, going to WDW to celebrate my graduation and during that time I was still working a job where I was being underpaid and thought I was stuck in. My cousin J, who is a 1 1/2 years younger than me and were attached to the hip when we were children, was in the DCP at that time. We met up briefly for a moment at Disney Springs and Hollywood Studios but we didn't discuss anything.

This part my cousin did not know was I engaged in a lot of conversations with Cast Members at the parks gift shops and they mentioned DCP to me. I told them I did want to get into Animation or somewhere in that route and emphasized I should sing up and you can sign up within 2 years after you graduated. I was stunned and the one that actually got me to start thinking was the second day of Magic Kingdom and then lovely talk I had in the Japan Pavilion with 2 cast members in Epcot.

That night at Epcot, I was drunk from a Sake shaved ice concoction from the Japan Pavilion (it was blood orange flavored, absolutely delicious but will knock you onto your ass the next minute, My sister and friend Deox has official black mail on me for that night, simple but 10/10 would recommend again and again), J decided to join us for the night time show to close out the evening. I looked over at J and said "you know if we traveled back in time and we told our 5-6 year old selves we would watching the fireworks together in Disney World, they would've thought we were crazy" and she agreed. After the beautiful performance and we were on our way to the exit that's when I started talking to her about DCP. She did mention the pros and cons and I was still hesitant about the idea. I had my heart set on a ludicrous idea, of how I can get myself into the career I wanted, when an easier option was right in front of my face.

That night when I was leaving the lot in Epcot, I felt the urge of a gut saying 'you have to stay, why are you leaving' I thought it was me just going to miss being there from vacation but I just had a gut feeling I'll be back there soon. Once I was back home, I was fighting to get any way for my pay to change at my job along with having DCP simmering in the back of my head. Then when I got the call that they cant fix my pay at the moment or back pay that's when I decided to say heck it.

I applied but it took me a week to finish the application because i wanted to make sure I pay attention to each thing that they were requiring. I was then asked to do a questionare, and soon after a on phone interview where the woman was able to answer my questions regarding to the living space and also recommended me the seminars I should look into when I'm down there. I thought the into went really well and I got an email saying it might take a while to get a response more towards the end of June I would hear a definitive answer. But hell was I wrong.

Two days later, I had an opening shift and something in me said I should check my email and I was greeted with an email saying I got in and gave me an offer letter to print and also was offering a pay that was more than I was making at the job I was at. I was in tears crying but had to stop since customers were coming in. Then past 2 months I have been preparing and getting stuff done so I can be ready to be picked up for the airport, Which is now going to be in T-Minus 20 hours.

To let out my inner child for just a moment, let's just say Neverland has been calling for me and the invitation is a bit overdue lmao so I guess this is the next best thing 😂😂😂.

I can't help but beyond thankful for my family and friends support back at home and the online friends that have become my second family that I can always lean on. This has honestly been a wild ride the past few months. Some sad, happy, and sometimes downright aggravating. I'm also thankful for my friend @reddie28 for their support also on here whether it's someone to vent to and also to distract and have some with. I do apologize for taking absence for a bit during the beginning of 2023. I'm so thankful you stuck around ❤️. For the content on my page, it will remain the same but i will be throwing in some more Disney stuff than usual.

2023 is the year of the Rabbit (which is the same sign I was born). I don't know who blessed me to have a figurative rabbits foot. But I feel I was now able to fulfill my inner childs dream of getting pixie dust to be able to have their own adventure and my inner teens dream to become an artist of something big that can touch another child or an elderly and give them something to escape and smile even if it's an hour and 30 mins of screentime.

[wellhellod0lly]

Today, 8 years ago, I started my Disney College Program at Walt Disney World - I miss that whole experience ✨

[techbadbatch]

Y’know. This whole “disney college program” thing felt fake until I bought my plane ticket this week

[caseyjrs-comin-down-the-track]

I’m Back!

Hi there! I’m reviving this blog because I’m doing Spring 2023 DCP and I just got my assignment in Tomorrowland attractions! Very fitting since I just graduated with a biology/chemistry degree!

[dreamisawish]

today marks 45 days until i start my disney college program.

i first heard about the dcp here on tumblr, in middle school, and thought it only fitting to stop lurking and make a post about it. i will turn 21 on this program and there’s a million things i don’t know about myself yet, but i know this will be good for me and for my inner child.

i’ve thought about applying every round since i first started college, but the moment i finally started this process, i felt things clicking into place. both my partner and myself were accepted in the first wave, early in the morning after a genuinely life changing phone call with my interviewer. everything about the process has felt right to me. i know it’ll be everything i hoped for - and the escape from reality i needed so long ago.

the world’s been pretty brutal these last few years. this opportunity means stable income, stable housing, a chance to live among other artists and most importantly other queer people. disney is a light spot in florida right now, and i hope some of the magic rubs off on me. lord knows i’ve needed it.

see you soon

[disneyfan4868]

What they don’t tell you about working at the most magical place on earth is that, if you walk at the magic kingdom on your program, your sleep schedule WILL be fucked up for a while after your program ends.