Acceptance!

Two days ago, I got an email stating that I had been accepted into the DCP Alumni Summer program! I am so excited, and of course I accepted the role immediately! What better way to spend my summer than in the happiest place on earth?

I was offered the same role as last time: quick service food and beverage. This was one of my top choices, as I really enjoyed working QSFB in my last program. Not to mention, this role usually gets paid about $0.50 more an hour than the other roles, which is nice! My arrival date is May 26th, and I depart on August 13th. I can't wait for school to end so I can head to Florida! Eight weeks to go!

Interview!

Last night, I had my interview for the summer alumni DCP in Walt Disney World. I am so ecstatic about being offered an interview because I am 100% ready to move down to Orlando for the summer! Not only that, but it doesn't conflict with my classes when they start up again in the fall! So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one!

I thought this would be a great time to discuss the interview process for the college program. After filling out your initial application, you will receive an email inviting you to do a web-based interview. This is a two or three part questionnaire in which they give you a statement and you choose how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement. My advice when taking the web-based is to maintain a positive attitude the entire time, as Disney is looking for candidates who are positive and cheerful.

At the end of the web-based, you will find out if you have been offered a phone interview. If you have, there will be a link where you can sign up for a time slot. Usually the phone interviews occur 1-2 weeks after you complete the web-based.

When it comes time to do the phone interview, make sure you are in a quiet place that has strong cell phone service. During my first interview, I had a paper and pen in front of me in case I needed to take notes - I used this to write down my interviewers name so that I could  thank her by name once the interview was over. 

Here are a few interview questions that they may ask. Most of them are straightforward and do not have a right or wrong answer. If there is a question that stumps you now, try coming up with an answer prior to the interview in case they ask it.

• Tell me about a time you were in an emergency situation. How did you react?
• Say you are working as a hostess in a full service restaurant and someone is upset that they have not been seated yet. What would you tell them?
• Are you comfortable living in an apartment with up to seven other people? Explain how you would deal with conflict that arises. 
• Say a guest comes up to you for help, and simultaneously the phone rings. What would you do?
• Share an experience you've had with excellent guest service. 
• What would you do if you had an assignment with a deadline, but other tasks keep popping up?
• Why are you interested in doing the Disney College Program? What do you hope to get out of this internship?
• Say you are working attractions. What would you do if a guest is too short to ride?
• What roles interest you the most? Why? (Only list 1-3 roles here).
• Have you ever had to present in front of a group of people, especially using a microphone? How did you feel about it?
• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult person?
• Do you prefer to work individually or in a team?
• Do you prefer to work in a slow or fast paced environment?
• Are you comfortable standing outside for extended periods of time in the cold or heat?
• Have you ever driven a boat before?
• Do you have a driver's license? 
• Do you have experience handling money or using a cash register? 
• How would you handle a repetitive schedule or task?

Between my three interviews for Disney, I was asked all of these questions at least once. Feel free to use this, and other guides, to prepare for your interview. Remember to stay calm and be yourself. Good luck!

Perks of Doing the DCP

Before I started my DCP, I was always curious about the perks that are involved with working for the mouse. Welcome to this exclusive tell-all, and get excited to experience these awesome rewards once you start your program!

Main Gate & Guest Passes

Last August, I visited WDW using my friend's guest pass.

After starting your program, you will  receive what is called a "main gate." This is your ticket into the parks, an unlimited amount of times, for the duration of your program. Additionally, you will receive guest passes - six total (unless this number has changed in the past two years). Each of the six passes permits up to three people access to any park for the day. You are free to use each pass as you wish, whether you want to let the same three people into the parks for six days, or you want to let three different people into the park for six days. However, if you use your guest pass for the day on less than three people, that pass will still expire at the end of the day; you can't save it for later. Also, you do not have to use these six day-long passes at the same time. Feel free to space them out throughout your program!

Discounts

As a cast member, you can enjoy discounts on merchandise, food (only full-service, I believe), Disney cruises, hotels, and more! Additionally, the percentage discount changes depending on the season. For example, I received something like a 20-30% discount on merchandise at the start of my fall program, which started in August. When November rolled around, that discount went up to 40%. For more information about these discounts, visit the Hub (which you will gain access to after starting your program). Also, you will receive a little booklet of coupons sometime during your program. You can redeem these for discounts on FSFB restaurants, or things like free popcorn in the parks. But be aware, these coupons have blackout dates, so read the fine print!

Housing Events

As a CP, you are able to attend housing events, which occur throughout your program. At these events, expect character appearances, games, and free food! I think I only went to two housing events during my program, which I totally regret. However, my work schedule conflicted with many of the events, so there was nothing I could do about that.

The end-of-program formal dance.

Lights On

Don't be surprised if you get an email informing you about a special opportunity provided to just cast members - being able to ride the attractions after park hours, with the lights on! I believe they do this to make sure that the rides are running smoothly, and I wish I had done this! Many of my friends were able to ride Space Mountain and Rock 'n Roller Coaster with the lights on, which they say was amazing.

The Beaches

St. Petersburg Beach

This is not necessarily a perk of working for Disney - it's more so a perk of living in Florida (or California, if you do the Disneyland program). Orlando is right in the middle of Florida, which means you have a beach about an hour away if you go either east or west. To the west, I recommend Clearwater (or more specifically, St Petersburg, which is where I went). I went on Christmas day, and it was glorious. The water was warm, and the sun was out. To the east, I only visited Cocoa Beach. It is very quiet, and there are not a whole lot of places to go to other than the pier. However, it was a nice peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of Disney.

In my opinion, the perks of doing the DCP are completely worth taking a semester off school. If I come up with any more perks, I will be sure to do a second part to this post!

Two Year Anniversary

Exactly two years ago today, I was accepted into the Disney College Program for Fall 2013. I just happened to be meandering through my first posts on this blog earlier and came across the one where I word vomited all over the page after getting my acceptance email. (You can read all about that HERE). Maybe this is a sign that I will hear back from Disney about at least one of my six pending applications today!

Last week, I got the classic NLIC (no longer in consideration) for one of my professional internship applications. However, I wasn't too worried seeing as I have five more that have been submitted. And I still haven't heard a word about the summer alumni program - I want this one so bad!

On the bright side, it is finally spring break here in Kentucky. Time to start prepping for my road trip to Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi! If only I were going to Disney World... Fingers crossed that that will happen in the near future!

I have been having some major Disney withdrawals lately, so here's a batch of photos from my return trip last August. This was eight months after finishing my program in December 2013. Oh, the magic!

 

 

 

Inside Pinocchio Village Haus!