Disney College Program

[ValenciaCalling]

I'm a junior in college right now and I need to do my internship. I have been dreaming about doing the college program at Walt Disney World my whole life. I've already watched the e-presentation and read through the website. Is there anyone who did it that can tell me more about it?

Thanks!
Michelle :lei:

[disneygal01]

Hey how are you? I did the CP during 2001, it was the best time of my life. It really is a good program, I took two classes while I was down there and the college that I was attending gave me credit for being there as well. I got to work at Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe in the MK. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. I can help you network with a few of us that have either been there done it, or are still presently there. I wish you well and lots of :pixie: along your journey!!

[CaptainDisney]

Michelle,

I did the program as a Junior in Fall 07. I was finishing this time last year. Let's just say that was a sad time :-( I didn't want to leave!

I was a monorail pilot, and it was definitely one of the best times of my life. I met friends from all over the country that I still keep in touch with.

Hopefully Joanna and Jessica come along to give their :twocents: There are a number of CP alumni on these boards. I'm pretty sure you won't hear anything negative from any of us!

What else would you like to know? Anything specific?

[chrisb26]

I will be doing the CP during the spring as Main Entrance Operations and I am very excited!

When do you plan to do the program? In the spring or the fall?

My college doesn't give credit for the program however I know that when I change colleges next year I will look for one that does accept the credits since I know they will send your transcripts. I am however going to take a business internship class that will give me some credit which is good.

Let us know what questions we have I know somebody will be able to answer them for you!

[ValenciaCalling]

I plan to do it next fall. I wish they still did it during the summer. One of my major concerns is missing an entire semester of credits, but I talked to my advisor and he said that I could use some of the credits I earn from the internship to cover the classes I'll be missing. I'm just worried I'll miss a semester and not graduate on time. It would be totally worth it, but with the economy the way it is, I'd hate to do that to my parents.

[ValenciaCalling]

Thanks to everyone for being so open to questions. I have a ton.

First off, this is kind of a random question, but if I do the internship from august to january, will I miss Christmas with my family?

[joanna71985]

Hey Michelle. I've done the CP myself (4 times), and it is such a great experience! I can't wait to go back (I will be applying for Fall 2009). The roles I have done are merchandise, custodial, QSFB, and character attendant (twice).


Thanks to everyone for being so open to questions. I have a ton.

First off, this is kind of a random question, but if I do the internship from august to january, will I miss Christmas with my family?

Yes. It is very rare for CPs to get Christmas off, and most likely you will be working it. And most likely you also will be working 6 days that week.

[ValenciaCalling]

Okay. That's what I expected. Thanks for letting me know. I guess that year we'll just have Christmas in July!

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

They could always come visit you. We get amazing deals during that time, usually 60% off rooms, plus the free tickets and passes, plus 50% off merch, 50% off restaurants (with the coupons given to us).

I only did 1 CP, but I became a regular CM right afterwards since I used my CP to be my transition to UCF here in Orlando. I've posted a list a few times about the pros and cons of the CP. The link to it is here (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=123673&highlight=Pros+Cons+College+Program).

[CaptainDisney]

Yeah, my family came to visit me at WDW for Christmas last year. It was one of the best times we ever had.

CPs like to hook each other up. By the end of your program, you'll have met A LOT of CMs from all over the property. If your family comes, you're likely to get them some perks (aside from the deep, deep discounts). This comes from your friends and even casual acquaintances ("Hey, you're my neighbor!" or "Hey, I think you know my friend X")

In my case, it was "special" fast passes to many rides, VIP room at Cali Grill, special seating at Fantasmic, etc. Never asked for anything, but CPs are happy to help each other out. It was a really wonderful time.

Needless to say, my family was very impressed!

[ValenciaCalling]

Thanks for the list. It was really helpful. I have a few more questions if anyone would like to answer them.I was wondering if anyone could explain the process by which you applied and were accepted. What did you do first? Do you know anything about the audition process for character actors? I'm a nervous wreck about this and I don't want to miss any sort of deadline. Also, is there a minimum GPA requirement, and do they make a lot of assessment based on grades?

Thanks again,
Michelle

[joanna71985]

Thanks for the list. It was really helpful. I have a few more questions if anyone would like to answer them.I was wondering if anyone could explain the process by which you applied and were accepted. What did you do first? Do you know anything about the audition process for character actors? I'm a nervous wreck about this and I don't want to miss any sort of deadline. Also, is there a minimum GPA requirement, and do they make a lot of assessment based on grades?

Thanks again,
Michelle

The process is pretty easy. You can apply one of two ways. You can either attend one of the school presentations, or you can apply online. If you do the school presentation, you fill out the application online and bring it with you. After the presentation, one of two things will happen: the recruiter will help you set up a phone interview (this is the most likely option, as 99% of interviews are done over the phone, live presentation or not), or there may be a chance for a live interview (but this is not too likely). If you do the online presentation, after watching the presentation there will be info for mailing in your stuff and calling for an interview. The interview itself isn't too bad. The recruiters are really nice. Just remember to relax, be honest with your answers, and smile (they can tell, even over the phone). If you plan on auditioning, just make sure to mark down the role of performer and discuss it with the recruiter during the interview. They will tell you more info. The auditions usually take place a couple of months into the season (for example- when I applied for Fall 2006, the auditions were in late March/early and mid April. Mine was March 30. The season started the first week of Feb). As for GPA, it can vary by school. But usually it's at least a 2.0 GPA. You just have to be in good standing with your school.

[chrisb26]

The application process is very easy. I decided to do the online presentation because the presentation at my school was not until the middle of November and I didn't want to wait that long to find out if I had been accepted. So I did the online presentation and Interview over the phone. The Interview was pretty easy the recruiter was very nice and helpful with the questions I had. After the interview I sent my things in and about a month later I found out I had been accepted!

I think as far as grades go it is like a 2.0 2.5 GPA around there that you need to have minimum. Also as Joanna said be in good standing in the school I guess meaning not having many disiplinary problems.

Don't worry about being nevous I was very nervous first about the Interview but during the interview it went great and as the interview went on I calmed down alot which helped. It turned out the most nervous part for me was waiting to see if I had been accepted it was a very long 4 weeks :D But in the end it was all worth it!

[ValenciaCalling]

Well, good! My GPA is high enough and I'm in good standing. I let it slip below a 3.0, and I was afraid you'd have to have a 3.0.

[joanna71985]

Well, good! My GPA is high enough and I'm in good standing. I let it slip below a 3.0, and I was afraid you'd have to have a 3.0.

Nope. You should be fine most likely. :)

[ValenciaCalling]

I have a question for those people who auditioned:
Do they assign you a place to audition or do you go to the closest one to where you live?

[joanna71985]

I have a question for those people who auditioned:
Do they assign you a place to audition or do you go to the closest one to where you live?

You are not assigned a location. But people usually go to the one that's closest. I also knew people who flew to an audition that was sooner.

[pixiesmimi]

I don't want to put a damper on this, because I don't know a lot about it and I don't know if CP and an internship is the same thing, but I have a friend that is an intern there right now and had hoped to continue for another session as one but was told that they are doing away with the intern program after the first of the year because of cut backs in finances. They may start it again later in the year, he is hoping. He loves it. His family went down this weekend to spend Christmas with him and are super excited.

[chrisb26]

I don't want to put a damper on this, because I don't know a lot about it and I don't know if CP and an internship is the same thing, but I have a friend that is an intern there right now and had hoped to continue for another session as one but was told that they are doing away with the intern program after the first of the year because of cut backs in finances. They may start it again later in the year, he is hoping. He loves it. His family went down this weekend to spend Christmas with him and are super excited.

There are a few different programs but I know for a fact that the College Program isn't being put on hold as I've been accepted and everything for the spring semester. I know they have a Professional Internship but i've heard of people being accepted to that as well. Not sure what it would be that they would be doing away with? :confused:

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

All TAs are being placed on hold for the first part of the year.

The TA, or Temporary Assignment, is the Casting Calls, and the Professional Internships. All of the current TA's are being given back their old position or one of equivalent status.

Personally, I wouldn't mind if they cut back the CP. Over time, I've grown to not like it as much....mostly due to a lot of the current CP's, and I really think that if Disney wants a hiring freeze.....then that should include CPs. And that is because the cost of recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, orientation and everything some 2000+ new CM's every few months is more expensive than hiring the same amount of PT and FT CMs who might stay longer than that.

[pixiesmimi]

I'm not sure what my friend is called, probably TA. He is in college but I think it was a professional internship. He was supposed to be extended for another term and they told him they were putting all these programs on hold but will probably pick it back up again later in the year. He is going to stay down there because he really likes it and try to get on with another kind of job until then.

[ValenciaCalling]

So the College Program is or is not a professional internship? I'm confused. :confused:

[ValenciaCalling]

I just got a newsletter from the college program that they WILL be accepting applications starting in February. :)

[chrisb26]

So the College Program is or is not a professional internship? I'm confused. :confused:

They have three different programs. The Career Start is for High School people. College Program is for any college students that have done at least one semester. The Professional Internship is more like a real internship where you do more specific things related to your major. I think you might have to do the College Program before you move on to the Professional Internship.

[joanna71985]

I don't want to put a damper on this, because I don't know a lot about it and I don't know if CP and an internship is the same thing, but I have a friend that is an intern there right now and had hoped to continue for another session as one but was told that they are doing away with the intern program after the first of the year because of cut backs in finances. They may start it again later in the year, he is hoping. He loves it. His family went down this weekend to spend Christmas with him and are super excited.

It definitely is not the CP. There are at least 11 people going down from my school in the Spring (the others haven't accepted/declined yet).


So the College Program is or is not a professional internship? I'm confused. :confused:

The CP is an internship. But the PI is a higher-up internship (more major specific).


I just got a newsletter from the college program that they WILL be accepting applications starting in February. :)

I got the same newsletter. I can't wait to apply!

[joanna71985]

They have three different programs. The Career Start is for High School people. College Program is for any college students that have done at least one semester. The Professional Internship is more like a real internship where you do more specific things related to your major. I think you might have to do the College Program before you move on to the Professional Internship.

There are a few PIs where you don't have to do the CP first. But the majority do require having done the CP first.

[pixiesmimi]

Yes, my friend didn't do a CP first but I think he is a PI. He applied and interviewed from college and got the job and had been asked to come back, I think but then was told that they were suspending it or putting it on hold until further notice. So I guess all PIs don't have to do the CP first. His major is art and he is interning as an illustrator.