Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Update: I'm Alive! (Vlog)


Just wanted to show you guys that I'm indeed alive! Here's what I've been up to these past few months. I'm aiming to keep making videos and blog posts as much as possible now that school is over!

If you have any blog/video ideas for me, please leave them in the comments!

Thank you for sticking with me for these past few months!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Interview a CP: Jeremy (EPCOT FriendShip Boats)


Did you know college program participants can also be in charge of the FriendShip boats between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios? Jeremy took the time to tell us all about his experience in transportation with these lovely boats!

What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work? 
I was transportation at the FriendShip boats! These are the boats that are in the World Showcase and they run the route between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, with a few resorts along the way. 

What was a typical day like at work? 
At the FriendShips, you were lucky if you didn’t have a closing shift. I usually started somewhere between 3pm and 5pm and get off anywhere from 11pm to 2am depending on Extra Magic Hours. I’d clock in and then sign up for the next available boat. Sometimes I’d get the one scheduled to arrive next, sometimes I’d have to wait up to an hour. While waiting, I just stood at the entrance/exit gates and talked to and helped guests.

Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you got it? 
Concierge was my #1, but I didn’t think I’d get it since I’m not a hospitality major. Transportation (specifically FriendShips) was my realistic #1. 

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job? 
My favorite part was piloting the boats. They aren’t on any tracks or rails or anything. The captain has full control of the boat at all times. I loved fine-tuning my docking style to get to smoothest and best dock I could get. I also loved timing my lagoon (World Showcase) shifts around Off Kilter’s show times. I got to work on a boat and listen to Off Kilter; it doesn’t get much better than that! My least favorite part would have to be working in the rain and Hollywood Studios Extra Magic Hours nights. When the Studios has EMH, the docks get really busy and you have to anticipate how many people are going to be at each stop so you don’t fill up the boat too soon. 

Any specific magical moment you want to share? 
During Christmastime there is a special ending added to EPCOT’s fireworks show. You can actually see it from the Yacht and Beach Club boat dock and some other areas out there. One night my deckhand and I were way ahead of time and due back just after IllumiNations ended. We were going between Yacht/Beach Club and the Boardwalk when the holiday tag started. Since we had so much time, we stopped the boat and just floated for the rest of the show. It gave the guests a chance to see the show that they would have otherwise missed from a different perspective.


What made you want to do the DCP? I love Disney and WDW is my second home. I had heard about the program several years before I started college and knew I had to do it. It gave me my first opportunity to live away from home and really find out who I am. I met my best friend during my program and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything! Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your program? I don’t think so. I spent a lot of time researching so I had a really good idea of what to expect. What advice would you give to those who want to participate in your role? Go in with an open mind. Training may be overwhelming at first, but it is so worth it! If you can, work a few opening shifts too. Opening is such a different experience from closing and is worth getting up before sunrise. What advice would you give to people who are interested in doing the DCP? Do it! It is such a life-changing experience. The opportunities you have on the program are incredible. Also, if you can, take your car! The buses are notoriously unreliable (to say the least).


If you're a current or past college program cast member and would like to share your experience, email your name and role to thedisneyden@yahoo.com to participate!

Also don't forget to follow The Disney Den on FacebookTwitter, and Youtube!

Friday, December 18, 2015

Interview a CP: Noelle (Animal Kingdom Custodial)

It's been a while since I've posted a college program interview! I apologize for my absence...I was focusing on finishing college! Now that I'm done, I'm ready to dedicate more time towards this blog and share even more interviews with you, like Noelle's!

What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work?
Custodial at Disney's Animal Kingdom during Spring Advantage 2014! (Jan-Aug)

What was a typical day like at work?
Typically, I got street shifts and mostly closing. With that, I'd usually work 6-8 hour shifts where I'd be assigned to a specific area in the park. I'd have 1-2 trash runs and would get a radio for my area depending on the schedule. When I didn't have a trash run I'd be sweeping and interacting with guests (and also watching the animals or doing water art!) I'd occasionally get called for codes (I actually rarely had anything: 1 BBP, 1 code U, and just a few code Vs during my whole program). DAK is really relaxed and I loved the people I worked with. I'd get restroom shifts too which would typically start an hour before the park opened and end an hour after it closed (10-12 hours or I'd help cover a restroom which is a much shorter shift). Restrooms are either one or two depending on how busy the restroom or the park is. I'd even get back of house shifts (too many) which is really relaxed and you clean the restrooms backstage.

Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you got it?
It was my top choice! I have anxiety so I loved how relaxed this role is! I wanted to be in a park but my last choice was DAK because I heard it was the hottest. Of course I'd get it but I'm so happy I did and wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else! It's actually not as bad with heat because there is so much shade (heat and humidity in FL will always suck).

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job?
Least: POPCORN SPILLS. Especially after it rains. People seem to love to spill all of their popcorn and no matter how many times you sweep up around a popcorn cart, there will ALWAYS be popcorn. It's even more difficult cause people step in it. I also hated when it would rain because the drains have to be cleared and they're terrible at DAK (and MK) and cause massive floods. Some people aren't always helpful but I had a lot of other coworkers who were amazing. I didn't like getting BOH shifts because I like keeping busy and being in the park interacting with guests.

Favorite: The park, guests interactions (for the most part), and my coworkers. DAK is so great with all the entertainment and animals! It's super detailed and easy to keep yourself from being bored. Guests aren't usually ever out right rude to custodians (but some can act superior but you start laughing at it and it's not bad and most are super kind and grateful). I had a lot of cool interactions with guests especially because I LOVE facts about Disney and the park. I also had a really great group of coworkers that I still talk to all the time and some are even my best friends. It's like a family at DAK  cause it's small enough to know everyone but big enough to not feel lonely. 

Noelle and her best friend creating pre-parade water art!

Any specific magical moment you want to share?
I LOVED getting to do pre parade water art! One of the best times I ever had was when I got to draw Donald with my best friend who drew Mickey and see all the kids get excited and trying to pump up the crowd (which is really hard and you learn to have a great time even if no one is listening haha.) A specific magical moment was that time because I got to draw Donald for a little girl that was sitting away from the crowd and couldn't see. I got to talk to her one on one and had her guess what I was drawing. It's such a magical experience to watch as kids try to guess what you're drawing and she was so excited to guess Donald correctly! While some of my friends were more into interacting with larger groups and making everyone super excited, I loved getting to have special smaller moments. Having preferences for magical moments is so much easier in custodial because it has more freedoms and is flexible.

What made you want to do the DCP?
I wanted to do the program as soon as I found out it existed! Doing the program also helped me figure out more specifically what I want to do in school and after I graduate.

Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your program?
After a "Harambe Nights" special event shift!
Don't panic during training and as soon as it's over. Your team won't just let you loose without knowing you're ready. Most of the job is learned through doing. Don't take things personally. Don't trust Transtar [company in charge of the bus system for the DCP]. Do as many thing as you can including housing events. It can be really hard transitioning back home after your program if it was amazing so be prepared and keep in contact with the friends you make. Go into work at 100%, your worst personal days are some of your best work days.

What advice would you give to those who want to participate in your role?
I think custodial is probably one of the best hourly paid roles because it's low stress and has lots of freedom. Don't be scared of the responsibilities and what people may think of you because I LOVED it even though I came in with a low tolerance of anything gross (you can work on it too!). It's a great role for anyone with anxiety! DAK is a perfect location too so I'd highly recommend requesting it!

What advice would you give to people who are interested in doing the DCP?
Research the program! Make sure it's something you want to do and you understand it. It's not a vacation and it can be super hard and stressful but for me and so many others it is life changing. If you have roommate or work drama don't let it get to you and try to work through it. Do things that are outside of your comfort zone but also don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable to the point of panicking. Make a bucket list and set time aside for your roommates because it can be so hard to stay in touch when your schedules are conflicting. Also make sure you know a staff member from your school who understands the program and how it will affect you if you're taking a semester off. 

If you're a current or past college program cast member and would like to share your experience, email your name and role to thedisneyden@yahoo.com to participate!

Also don't forget to follow The Disney Den on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!