Thursday, September 20, 2012

What Exactly is the Disney College Program?


I've gotten many questions from my friends and followers asking what exactly IS the Disney College Program? Well, I'm here to fully explain it to you!

The Disney College Program (DCP) is a program with Disney for individuals currently enrolled in college. If you are accepted into the program, you will have the opportunity to work in either a Disney park or hotel/resort for an entire semester (Disneyland or Walt Disney World). However, you must go through the application process before anything else can happen!

Application Process:

  1. General Application: This is the same kind of application as many other jobs where you submit your basic information and the roles you would like. I have a video blog about it here.
  2. Web Based Interview: Everyone gets invited to do the web based interview. This is generally a personality test to see if you're right for Disney. Many people pass the WBI, but sometimes there are a few that do not. The majority of people do pass though.
  3. Phone Interview: This is the most nerve-wracking part of the application. After passing the WBI you will be able to schedule your phone interview. This is where a Disney representative will call and interview you about your work experience, your preferences, and why you want to do the program. I have a video blog and post about it here.
After this, you'll wait up to two weeks to hear back if you have been rejected, pended, or accepted. As you all may know by now, I was accepted! :)

So...now what?

My best friend and I have decided to arrive in Florida in early January. Your arrival date marks the day you will check in, finish some paperwork, choose your apartment complex, and discover/request your roommates. More events go on throughout the week, but I will explain those when the time comes (simply because I don't know enough about it at the moment).

During the program, my friend and I will be working as Quick Service Food and Beverage (QSFB) cast members at either one of the parks or resorts in Walt Disney World. It wasn't a part of my top choices, but as long as you put some sort of interest in a job option, you can very well be picked! You don't find out where you're working until orientation after you arrive. After a couple weeks of training, you're on your own and working full time in your location for a full semester!

Along with working, DCP members have the option of taking classes. (Yes, there is such thing as Disney University!) Some classes can count as college credit, but the one I want to take is just a seminar that relates to my major (marketing). I want to take the Disney Exploration Series: Marketing seminar, which will take place an hour or so a week for eight weeks total. This way I will be able to explore Disney's marketing strategies and hopefully network with important people!

6 comments:

  1. WOW! The DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM!!! IT WILL BE 10 years in January that I got on that plane and went down to work. It was an experience of a life time:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey your Disney Partner in Crime wants to go to WDW again or Disneyland for the first time :)
    Haha so proud of you. Congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ahh Ariel I'm getting so excited!!!

    Hey Partner in Crime...you should take that visit in the first five months of 2013 ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I know I'm late on commenting, but .... OMG I'M SO JEALOUS!!!
    This sounds like it's gonna be an AMAZING experience!
    I seriously have two of the same big passions as you...I absolutely LOVE Disney (even though I don't write about Disney in my blog, Disney World is definitely one of my favorite places ever) and writing as well!
    I actually have a Facebook friend (someone who I went to high school with) who always posts pictures about working at Disney and stuff, and now I'm thinking he's maybe doing the program you're talking about.
    Anyway, I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN! KEEP US UPDATED ONCE YOU START THERE!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Disney World is definitely one of my favorite places too! ;) && Writing I seriously just can't live without. Your blog actually helped inspire me to make my own writing blog! Ask your friend if he's doing the program! I wouldn't be surprised if he is!
      I'll DEFINITELY keep you updated!! That's what this blog was originally for! ;)

      Delete
    2. Aw, knowing that my blog helped inspire you seriously just MADE MY DAY, because that's what my blog is really all about (inspiring other young writers)!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!! :D
      I'm hoping to possibly start a blog with some of my actual writing posted on it soon (I just want to make sure I completely know all the copyrights I have, and I want to make sure it won't hinder my chances of publishing any work that I post).

      I feel like we're almost the same person when it comes to our passions haha! ;) But seriously, I am going to be living vicariously through you while you're doing the program at Disney!!!! :D

      Delete