This is a guest post from my friend Alicia on applying for the Walt Disney World College Program…
Hi dear friends! It’s me again, this time to share with you the application process of getting into the Disney College Program (DCP). All of the information I’m going to share is available on the DCP website, but it’s nice to have everything broken down. I was so nervous during my application/interview process I would have loved for someone to lay out the process for me. So here’s part 1 – The Application!
Firstly, you have to attend a school presentation or watch the on-line one. I opted for the on-line presentation and was given a code at the end of it to put in the application. It’s about 40 minutes long, but you can watch it in parts – that’s what I did. It was a good way to procrastinate during finals (not that, you know… I’d recommend that). The presentation basically gives you a quick glimpse of the DCP. Be prepared for lots of peppiness.
When you fill out the application, use Internet Explorer. I don’t know why, but that’s what they want you to use. The Application Process is your basic application. First, you’ll pick your desired positions. On the website, next to each role, there is a summary of the responsibilities each position holds. The roles are as follows: Attractions*, Bell Services/Dispatch, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess, Character Attendant, Character Performer (Audition Required), Concierge*, Costuming, Custodial, Full Service Food & Beverage, Hopper, Hospitality*, Housekeeping, Lifeguard, Main Entrance Operations*, Merchandise*, PhotoPass Photographer, Quick Service Food & Beverage, Recreation, Transportation, and Vacation Planner*. (An asterisk indicates a role that I checked on my application.) When you fill out which roles you want, only pick the ones you really want to work. It’s also possible to be accepted for a role that you did not select.
Then, you fill out your basic information that that all applications have: Name, Contact Info, Education Info, Employment Info, etc. Then you fill out a section that sort of mimics a resume. For example, there’s a box that says “Additional Skills/Training”. In this box I put I’m Microsoft Excel Certified and Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Certified. There’s also Language Skills (do you speak another language or do you Sign?), and Hobbies (I put photography, lighting design, Disney history research, and playing saxophone). Then you verify that you will work holidays/weekends/overtime.
And that’s all there is to it! See, easy peasy. After the application process there is a web-based interview. This scares some people. But, in my next installment, I’ll go over it and show you that there’s nothing to worry about!
Learn more tips and tricks for your next Walt Disney World vacation. Destinations in Florida can also help you add tips and tricks to your next vacation.
Read part 2 of the applying for the Walt Disney World College Program series.
kendall says
Hey, do you know the dates in which you can apply for the program? I went to the site today, but under apply now, it said they are not currently recruiting for this program. thanks!
ps, youve probably already done it by now, and if so, how was it?!
Whitney Schwartz says
I’m currently trying to apply to the DCP but can’t find a link to the actual application on the website. Am I not allowed to apply for next Fall until the Spring semester starts?
Alicia says
They apparently have a brand new website for the DCP, here ya go: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/
Also, I believe you won’t be able to apply for the Fall 2012 semester until the Spring 2012 semester begins.
Shona says
I went to the website and all but How do i apply there? I clicked the Apply Now button but nothing came up.
Alicia says
They apparently have a brand new website for the DCP, here ya go: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/
Omole Olaniyi Joshua says
please how can i apply online?
Alicia says
Hello! I’m sorry it took so long to respond. I haven’t been so keen on checking my e-mail since I’ve been down here. They’ve put together a whole new website for the DCP, here it is: http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/
RK says
Sounds neat!
(Oh, I’m pretty sure I know why they want you to use IE … because IE is a poorly written browser, different from everybody else, and they decided to design their website to work only on IE. Bad, bad, bad!)
Denise-Scrapmouse says
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to hear everything else that happens. :)
Alicia says
I’m excited sharing with you all! It’s pretty awesome. :)
Crystal S. says
Do they have a college program at Disneyland? What are the age requirements? Do you have to be actively enrolled in a college or university?
Alicia says
They do have a program at Disneyland, but the program is smaller than at Disney World. So because it’s smaller, it’s harder to get in to. I have a friend who was accepted to do Attractions there so she and I are thinking of doing a blog or tumblr account to talk about the differences in the programs. :) I know some of the differences but when I looked it up, it was hard to find them.
I don’t believe there are any age requirements. There might be a minimum age (ie 17 or 18) but there is no age that is too old to do the program. I’ve read many times where people that worked with 40+ year old CPers. You have to be enrolled in at least 1 course at a college or university at the time you apply. So you can’t apply if you’re a high school senior, for instance, but you can if it’s your first semester in college. They have separate housing for those under 21 & for those 21+.
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. :) Because if you have a question about it, it’s likely someone else does, too! I’ll be sure to post about these 2 points, too. :)
Also, I have to point out that you posted this at 11:11 pm and you are the 11th comment on here. That’s pretty neat!
Karen says
Did the college program 2 years ago. They don’t pay well and they work you like a dog, but it was a great experience!
Alicia says
Yeah, I’m going down with the mindset that I will be working a lot and playing a little for around minimum wage. It’s a great resume booster and I do plan on staying with the company for a career (hopefully!) so I’ll start at the bottom. :)
Beth Anne says
I thought about doing this but didn’t for that reason…afraid i’d have no money for food/entertainment and getting around….i’m a whimp lol
Alicia says
They guarantee you at least 30 hours a week. Since I’ll be there during Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas/NYE I’ll be working a whole lot more than that. I’m okay with it, though. :) The people I’ve spoken with haven’t had problems with their bills or buying food. :)
Martha in Georgia says
Love this series. Thanks, Kristin and Alicia. I’m encouraging my daughter to apply for this next year. She is starting her Freshman year in August. Tara Kate – thanks for giving your info, too.
Alicia says
I’ll do a post after the interview posts about what I’ll be expected to do and such. I hope this helps her decide to do it! I’m so sad I waited so late in my college career to do this because that means I can’t do it again! I do plan on going seasonal afterwards until I move down there after graduation. :)
Kayla says
I plan on applying for the CP sometime in the near future! Thanks for leading us through the whole process, this is really helpful!
Alicia says
I’m glad I’ll be helping at least one person! When I applied I couldn’t find much information about the process, so I’m happy to be able to share with others!
Tara Kate says
Wow they have really changed their program. I did it 11 years ago and you had to send in a long hand written application, then go to a briefing at the university, and then after the briefing if you were still interested you had to then wait around to have a face to face interview. They would bring you in, in groups of 5. Really the ones who were the most enthuiastic, excited about Disney, talked the most etc were picked. In my group of 5, 2 of us were picked. (we all went to the same college). In the group of 20ish that went to the briefing from my college, 7 of us got into the program. I did it from August-Jan. I will say that my job wasn’t the greatest (I got picked for foods and had to sell turkey legs in Frontierland). But I am still in contact with a lot of my friends that I met there and the memories will last me a lifetime. Overall though the pay is really bad, if you don’t have your own transportation it stinks (become friends with those who have cars lol) or rely on the bus transportation they have. I also thought that living with 5 other girls in a 3 bedroom condo was rough, and we had one leave half way through because of issues. It seemed to be commonplace for people to drop out of the program or get kicked out. Good luck and enjoy your time there!
Alicia says
Haha, goodness! Yes, it seems things are very different for the application process. I’ve already met my roommate and my apartmentmates. And I will have my own car as well as one of my apartmentmates. :)
Laurie says
Thanks, Alicia! That’s not at all what I had envisioned — “easy peasy” is right! Looking forward to the other installments!
Alicia says
It’s so easy, I did it during my Landforms class. You know, not that I endorse using your class time for doing such things ;)