Interview a CP: Bethan (Blizzard Beach Merchandise)

Bethan at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work?

I was in Merchandise and I worked at Blizzard Beach. I was there Spring Advantage 2012, but I ended up staying a year. (Jan-Feb and Oct-Dec, I was at Epcot but I was at Blizzard Beach longer.)

What was a typical day like at work?
It kind of depended on the day. Since it was a water park, during March and then May-September we were insanely busy and I was working pretty long hours. I worked 60 hours one week so that was crazy. But anyways, days usually started at 8-9am and went until about 4pm or closer to 6/7pm and sometimes later. We worked mostly 8 hour shifts. It was very rare to get days less than that. In the summer, we were open later so we would be there until closer to 10pm. I remember one day I started at 6:30am because that was extra magic hours and I worked that day until 6:30pm. So basically, our days were completely different- the only thing that was the same was that they were long. We would always start our days cleaning and getting ready and then when they opened the park, we could be sent four different places. We would either be in the main store helping with towel and locker rentals; out with a sign promoting the spots you could rent for the day; at our little mini store that sells goggles and the like; or at our little spot that would sell more lockers and towels and the special places you could rent. Throughout the day, we would get switched out to all the spots depending on the rotation and whatnot. Another job you could end up with was towel run, where we had to walk all over the park and collect all the towels, and take them to where housekeeping would deal with them. During the summer- this would take a long time. And then there were assignments cleaning up the store and magical moments.

Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you got it?
I had mostly put down for merchandise so I was very happy with this. I hadn't anticipated being at a water park though- but it was awesome. I feel like it had a completely different and much more relaxed feel than the main parks.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job?
The favorite part was definitely the people I worked with. I had the most amazing mangers and the full-time, part-time and other CP's were awesome. I was at Blizzard Beach from March to October so I met a LOT of CP's and they were all awesome. Some of them became the people I hung out with the most.

The least favorite thing was probably the tour groups. They were loud and didn't like to listen to us at all. Especially if it rained, they would come into the store and sit down and make it absolutely impossible for ANYONE (cast members and other guests alike) to get through. One of my managers spoke Spanish and she would tell them to get up and they would just ignore her. 

Bethan and her friends at DCP graduation

Any specific magical moment you want to share?
We had a LOT of freedom at Blizzard Beach for Magical Moments so I got to do it a lot. One of my favorites was when I gave away one of our rented spaces. We got to do this a lot if we weren't super busy and had spaces available. I gave one to a cute family and they were so excited. The grandmother wouldn't stop hugging me and was so excited about the spot. It was adorable and has stuck with me.

What made you want to do the DCP?
I was having a rough time in school and I had heard about the DCP from two of my friends who had done it previously. It seemed like a good time to apply when I did and I am so happy i did. 

Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your program?
I actually found out pretty much everything I wanted to know before I left. I did a LOT of research about everything.

What advice would you give to those who are going to be participating in your role?
Just relax and have fun with it. There will be days where you will hate it because it is so hot and humid and the guests aren't super happy but all in all, it is a truly awesome experience.

What advice would you give to those who are interested in doing the DCP?

GO FOR IT! It was seriously the best decision I had made in my life up to that point. I made some amazing friends and I have memories that I would never give up. Something else I would say- make friends with people at work. You are going to be working long and rough hours with these people, and they are the people you will ultimately end up hanging out with more. I had some great roommates and we had fun when we did hang out, but most of the time I would find myself hanging out with people I worked with because my schedule was similar to theirs whereas my roommates did not always have the same schedule as me. I went about a week one time without seeing my roommate when we were both awake because of our schedules. So seriously, make friends with the people you work with and it'll be so much more fun.

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!

Interview a CP: Jake (Hollywood & Blizzard Beach Custodial)

Jake (left) and some coworkers at Studios!

Jake is another one of my close friends that I made during my program. I've mentioned him before in stories with meeting characters and going to Typhoon Lagoon. I consider him one of my best friends now, and I'm pretty jealous he was able to extend his program through August. He enjoyed the program so much, he'll be applying to do the Spring 2014 term and do it all over again! Here's what he had to say about his experience:

What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work?

My role for the Spring Program was custodial at Disney's Hollywood Studios. After I extended my program from May-August, I was transferred from Disney's Hollywood Studios to Disney's Blizzard Beach Waterpark, in the same role.

What was a typical day like at work?

At Hollywood Studios, you would get to work, clock in, grab your keys and walkie (if it was available to you),  and listen to Track Talk (a discussion we have every day from our coordinators and leaders). If you're scheduled to work restrooms, you have a partner. If you're scheduled to work streets, you are all alone! In the beginning of the program, I was always scheduled restrooms, but was soon a streets worker. Personally, I love working streets because you see and experience more. Who makes magical moments in the restroom? Seriously... I've also come to realize that guys are usually Streets more than girls since there were more guys than girls. In the restroom, you have to clean, make it smell decent, make sure your supplies are stocked, and that your trash is low. When in streets, you're basically walking around all day long! Depending in what area you are at, depends on how bored you will be all day. The park does die in certain areas later in the day, so you could either be lucky, or very unfortunate to where you'll get so bored, that you'll go in a stock closet and play on your phone until it dies, and then you realize you really are screwed! But making sure your cans are empty the end of the day, responding to your calls for BBP's (Bloodborne Pathogens), Code V (vomit), or Code H (poop) is all you really have to do. The managers and coordinators are really nice, easy going, and understanding. They will help you out with anything.

In Blizzard Beach, it was different. You clock in, grab an assignment, and do that role to the best of your ability. Depending on when you clock in, when you get your assignment, and who did what before you, is what determines your day. We use the computer system (CDS - Cast Deployment System)  to get our assignments. You could either be assigned to a position, you could be a breaker, or you could be a tasker. Rarely was I restrooms. There are only 4 restrooms in Blizzard Beach. So usually the part timers and full timers get those. If you're assigned to a position, you stay in that area, and do your job. If you're a breaker, you get an assignment, and call people over the radio to tell them to go on break, and watch over their area until they come back 15-30 minutes later. If you're tasking, your assignment is just small easy stuff all day long, usually around 15 minutes to an hour long.

The difference in custodial between DHS and Blizzard Beach:

• At Blizzard Beach, you walk around with Pickers (the bucket is optional), while at DHS, you carry around a pan and broom.
• At DHS, you work more hours, and stay later. At Blizzard, you work lesser or the same amount of hours, but never exceed beyond 9:30pm.
• At Blizzard, their code for poop, is an "AFR" (Accidental Fecal Release), and if any of the codes happen on a slide or in the water, lifeguards or slide ops clean it.

Jake and his Mickey water art at Blizzard Beach!

Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you got it?

I wanted to be in the program so badly, I took the role and said it was one of my top choices. Even though I requested Attractions and Transportation as my number one and two, I got custodial which was my number three. I wasn't really looking forward to being a custodian, but I am very happy I got the job. I enjoyed the majority of my time! No one really wants to clean, but we were actually well respected by fellow cast members and by guests, because we have the courage and ability to do something they're afraid to do.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job?

My favorite:

• I loved making magical moments or working Custodial Fantasmic Shifts! Those were the best, because you're watching the show, and barely doing the job.
• I love working the Tower of Terror area, because even though I was not working Tower of Terror, once I entered the area, I helped make the show by playing the part. I was grumpy, I was mysterious, creepy, and I have death stares to a lot of people. Even though I looked like just an average bored custodian, inside I was happy I could help.
• At BB, I can honestly say the only things I liked were when the international tour groups came and wore their exotic bikinis, the short hours, getting off work early, most of my coworkers, and going to the top of the mountain and feeling the breeze from the observation deck. 

My least favorite:

• At BB, everything else!
• At Studios, why do guests wait to leave the park and throw up on the bus? It's hard to clean inside the bus. Especially since the bus driver doesn't know crap, and throws VoBan (vomit cleaner) on it and stinks up the bus even more.
• I hate when I'm changing the bags in a trash can, I clearly pull the trash bin out of the trash can, and yet, a guest is oblivious, and throws their trash in the trash can. Dumb guests, really. 

Any specific magical moment you want to share?

At Hollywood Studios, a little girl lost her Rapunzel doll. I found it and instead of turning it into lost and found, something told me to hold onto it. While I was walking around sweeping, a little girl was crying with her mom and as I passed by, I stopped asking if there was anything I could do to help. Her mom told me there was nothing I could do, her daughter lost her Rapunzel doll. After hearing the news, I said to myself, "Did this really just happen?" As I pulled the doll out of my pouch, the little girls face lit up! She instantly stopped crying, she showed her mom her doll and gave me the biggest hug I might have ever been given. Day made!

What made you want to do the DCP?

Jake and me at graduation!

Back when I was little, I was always fascinated by Disney. Every child was! But growing up as the youngest in my family, I experienced a lot more than my brother and sister. My moms side of the family has always been performers as long as I can remember. My cousin, Chet, did the college program around 1995. Since he did it, he's always worked for Disney. When he finished at Disney, he would work on cruise ships, move to New York for Broadway, and ultimately kept coming back to Disney. He was even one of the first people to play Crush in the Finding Nemo Musical in Disney's Animal Kingdom. I grew up knowing my cousin was a Disney performer. He is my idol and hero, and since I was little, I've always wanted to do what he has done. When he told me about the college program back when I was in 8th grade, I set my heart and goals to do the program! Time went by very slowly within those years.

Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your program?

I wish I would have known, do not get in a relationship. Especially in the beginning if the program. The rest of your program will make you miserable if you two break up. A relationship in Disney is not real. It's a fantasy. What do you do on dates? Disney parks? Fireworks? Cliche stuff! Once you leave Disney, how would you be able to compete on the other dates? You could never top them! Plus, being in a relationship, doesn't really make you enjoy work.

What advice would you give to those who are going to be participating in your role?

Try to endure the training, it's boring and you'll be miserable being taught how to clean, but when you finally finish and are on your own, you'll be happier. Also, when you're at Traditions, do not play on your phone or text someone, your phone will die and you'll never be able to charge it.

What advice would you give to people who are interested in doing the DCP?

Apply! Apply! Apply!

It'll be one of the best decisions of your life! You'll love it! You will meet some of the most amazing people of your life!

If you'd like to contact Jake about his program, his role, or anything else, you can find him on Twitter and Facebook!

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!

Interview a CP: Holly (Slide Operations)

Holly in front of the Blizzard Beach sign!

Before Holly emailed me saying she would like to participate in an interview, I honestly didn't know that slide ops was an option for recreation! (Learn something new all the time!) Because of this, I'm definitely glad that she was able to share about her role during her second Disney College Program!

What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work?

I was a recreation cast member working as a slide op at Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach.

What was a typical day like at work?

Every shift started at 9 am unless you were an opener then that shift started at 8 am. You checked in with the base coordinator of that day to get your morning job which was normally pushing or raking sand or re-setting a sand zone.  At about 15 minutes before the water parks opened you had a morning meeting where you got your rotations for the day which is the schedule of what stand you start at and the time periods you'd be at what stand.  Through out the whole day you were rotating to different stand about every 30-40 minutes which made the day go by super quick.  We also got 2 half hour breaks during the day which was a nice break.  After the park closed you did your closing jobs which were normally to just pick up trash, towels & life jackets off the beach and then a breakout at 5:30 pm.  A lot of the days during a spring program will be cold weather closings.  When the temperature is forecasted to be below 70 degrees the water parks won't open and they give you the option to take the day off or get deployed to the other parks to experience different roles.  Weather closings happen a lot during the late Spring & Summer, when the weather is inclement the park will temporarily close and you get to have a lot of interaction with the guests in the weather stations. 

Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you got it?

My first program was the Spring of 2012 so when I came back for Spring 2013 I knew exactly where I wanted to work & under what role so when I had my phone interview I told them I only wanted to be a slide op & when I ended up getting the role I was super quick to accept it.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job?

My favorite parts of my job were just being outside in the sun all day, definitely the people I had the amazing chance to work with, and the fact that I had the set schedule of 9-5:30 everyday.  Another favorite part was getting the chance to be deployed. I was able to work in all four parks, both water parks, and ESPN.  My least favorite part about my job was the morning jobs because you did them for an hour before the park opened and it was just the time of the morning when the sun started getting hot. Some of them were just kind of tiring.

Any specific magical moment you want to share?

A little blurry, but Holly's in front of Typhoon Lagoon!

Being a slide op we didn't really have very many opportunities to give guest magical moments.  But my favorite one I ever did was opening up Summit Plummet in the morning because at Blizzard Beach we have a family of ski captains (the first guests allowed in the park) and we bought them all up to Summit before the park opened and let them be the first guests go down and have the rest of the cast members & guests count them down.  At Typhoon Lagoon our magical moment was the Big Kahuna, every morning we took the first family to arrive on a private tour of the park before it opens and then they get to "control" the waves in the wave pool for the whole day.

What made you want to do the DCP?

Well this was my second program and half way through my first program I knew I wanted to do another one.  I know so many people say this is the opportunity of a lifetime, but it literally is.  Now that I'm home so many people ask me about my experience and a lot of my friends did the program or are going to in the next few months.  Both of my programs were the absolute time of my life, I had the best role and I met so many amazing people that I became so close with and will be life long friends.

Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your program?

Even before my first program I had a really good idea of what to expect because I had friends and coworkers that had done it in past years, I also became obsessed with reading a lot of vlogs and blogs like this one. The blogs and even the DCP intern site give you a ton of information that will really help you out.

What advice would you give to those who are going to be participating in your role?

•  Definitely bring your rain jacket, even if it's sunny in the morning because the weather is so crazy especially during the spring and you will get caught in the rain.
•  BUY CROCS! They are a total lifesaver when your on your feet all day, even though they're completely hideous.
•  When you get the chance to deploy out, take it because it's a nice change to see how other roles besides your own works.
•  Even though you're living in Florida and working at a water park, pick up the long sleeve shirts, pants, and fleeces from costuming because it does get really cold up on the mountains.
•  Get friendly with your coordinators, leaders, and lifeguards because they all help you out tremendous amounts and will be your best friends.
•  Try an opening shift if you can because it gives you a chance to do different morning jobs and no closing jobs.
•  SLIDE TEST! It will literally be the best part of your day because you can test the rides and go in the lazy river.

What advice would you give to people who are interested in doing the DCP?

Make the most of your program.  There's so much to do on a limited amount of time.  Go to all the parks, resort hop, eat in the restaurants, hang out at Downtown Disney, explore Orlando, go to the beaches. The DCP is seriously a life changing experience and I wish I could just be a permanent CP.  Network a lot because you never know when you'll do it.  I networked with a bunch of my leaders and became close with them and I'm now a seasonal slide op at both the water parks.  

If anyone has any questions about the DCP in general or specific roles you can contact me/ follow me:

Instagram- @princesshollyx0

Twitter- @princessholly0x

Facebook- www.facebook.com/hollyw00dxx3

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!

Interview a CP: Gaby (Blizzard Beach QSFB)

Disney's Blizzard Beach water park! (Source)

Gaby participated in the Spring 2012 semester Disney College Program (a year before me). She actually was my go-to gal when I had questions regarding the program before I started mine!

What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work?

I worked in Quick Service Food And Beverage. I originally started my program in Epcot and one and a half months in I switched to blizzard beach. I was at Blizzard Beach until mid April where I voluntarily pulled myself from the program for medical issues, that at that point had been going on for over a month. 

What was a typical day like at work?

At Epcot a typical day was counting inventory/money, watching the Jammin' Jammitors while selling ice cream and drinks and then recounting inventory/money. At Blizzard a typical day involved making food to order for a guest, and registering which I honestly enjoyed much more. (Blizzard in general) 

Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you got it? 

I am happy I got this role even though I was hoping for a type of resort role. I made good friends while I was down there which was fun while it lasted. Only two I really stayed friends with. 

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job?

Favorite part was getting to see how happy little kids (and big kids) live out a dream and of course living it out myself since it had been 12 years since I had been at disney. Least favorite part was dealing with the rude guests who thought disney world was so magical that not a single mistake was allowed.

Any specific magical moment you want to share?

I helped little kids become a chef and make their own cookie once. It was fun!

What made you want to do the DCP?

I LOVE DISNEY!!!! Enough said.

Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your program?

How many hours they work you. At Epcot I was working 12 hour days, six days a week. Blizzard toned down a little bit, but it was A LOT of work. 

What advice would you give to those who are going to be participating in your role?

BRING YOUR OWN SUPPORTIVE NON SKID WHITE/BLACK SHOES.....again enough said. (Side note: I agree! The shoes they give you are SUPER uncomfortable!)

What advice would you give to people who are interested in doing the DCP?

Go for it!!!! It's a chance of a lifetime! But do be prepared for long hours!

Are you 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!

Have a magical day everyone!

Water Park Fun!

Last week before my family arrived, I was finally able to cross off more of my bucket list: Go to both Disney water parks! Last Monday I went to Blizzard Beach with my roommates Liz and Sara. It was pretty fun! I honestly had no idea what to expect because I knew basically nothing about the park besides Summit Plummit. (No, I didn't go down Summit...didn't really feel like it at the time.) We went on a few random slides and then floated along the lazy river for a while. Afterwards we went on a few more slides (so many STAIRS!) and then decided to end the day in the wave pool, which is surprisingly shallow and pretty mellow. We were all getting really hungry so we decided to go to Steak 'n' Shake for lunch, which was REALLY good!

Me, Liz, and Sara at Blizzard Beach!

Then on Wednesday after I had my Exploring Marketing class in the early morning, I went to Typhoon Lagoon with my friend Jake. A lot of people had been telling me that Typhoon is kind of boring and Blizzard is better...but I have to disagree. I definitely like Typhoon more!

Blizzard may have some more slides, but Typhoon is just more authentically put together in my opinion. The wave pool beats everything, hands down. I've never really considered myself someone who would like wave pools, but this one is just too much fun! Typhoon's wave pool gets really deep, and the waves are HUGE! If you didn't know already, Typhoon's waves can get large enough to actually have surfing lessons inside their wave pool. (That's something I wanted to do before coming here, but honestly it's too expensive and I don't really have the time anymore haha.) What Jake and I originally did was swim out as far as we were allowed to in the deep end, and waited for the huge waves emerge so we can swim with them, instead of getting hit by the waves near the shallow end. I've never really experimented with waves like I did that day before, so it was a fun and new thing to try!

After the waves we went on Crushin' Gusher. It's pretty cool! The banana slide is the best..which is funny because I hate bananas. We also swam with the sharks and fish in the shark reef. Warning: the water is cold!! Also, I'm actually kind of scared of fish, but honestly it's a pretty chill swim. You just kind of float at the top and steadily swim across the little pool area and watch the fish and sharks and whatnot below you swim around while you breathe through a snorkel. These two giant silver fish with large square heads kind of crept around and swam a little too close to my liking at one point..but otherwise it was pretty neat!

Jake and me with Lagoona Gator!

We ended the evening tanning and goofing off in the wave pool again. We grabbed lunch in the park and I actually met someone who's from Northern California! She actually went to the college I live near! Completely small world!

Overall, the water parks are a cool way to try something different other than just going to the four main parks on your days off. If you ever do the DCP, I'd definitely take advantage of the free admission Disney allows for a short period of time! I got lucky and they extended the free admission throughout my entire program, but over the summer that's going away! Definitely take a trip to Typhoon and Blizzard if you have the time.

Oh! Right after Typhoon Jake took me to Art of Animation, where I got to see my parents!!! My family got to come and visit for four days! It was so awesome! I'll definitely have to share with you guys about it and show you some pictures. We're quite the photogenic family on the rides! ;)