Disney College Program, anyone?

[tcsnwhite]

Hey there,

Does anyone know if there is somesort of website out there or anything that has real testimonials about people's experiences with the Disney world college program?
again, not the actual college program website, but like a site that is about those that participated and their experiences.
anyone here do it?

thanks
tcsnwhite

[Disney Vault]

http://pub57.ezboard.com/bwaltdisneyworldcollegeprograminformation

This is exactly what you are looking for.

[Mark Goldhaber]

Yep. Those are the boards for this site (http://www.wdwcpinfo.com/).

[Dwagnfly]

I found these links by going to the site map for Mouseplanet.com and clicking on cast place ( I think that is what it was called). Interesting reading...http://www.mouseplanet.com/kevin/

These others are in our 'favorites' list. I have a couple of other ones stored on another pc and can post them later. There are many wdwcp alumni sites out there. These are ones that we liked.

http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/scadgirl/wdwcp.html

http://phyllisjoy.tripod.com/disney/links.html

http://www.csis.gvsu.edu/~willbraj/epcotjason/learning.html

http://www.geocities.com/wdwturkeyleg/living1.htm?200520

http://www.wdwip.com/living.htm (this is for the international program but has info and very good photos of the apartment complexes)

[Lars1964]

Hey there,

Does anyone know if there is somesort of website out there or anything that has real testimonials about people's experiences with the Disney world college program?
again, not the actual college program website, but like a site that is about those that participated and their experiences.
anyone here do it?

thanks
tcsnwhite

Hello!

I am a former CM who did in fact participate in the WDW College Program in the fall of 1983 (wow am I old now!). It was actually called the Magic Kingdom College (MKCP...we were called MKCP'ers) at that time. I also have a former work colleague who did this program a couple years after me. We both had the same experience which was FANTASTIC. It was one of the most wonderful, memorable times of my early adulthood. At that time, all the MKCP'ers lived in Snow White Village in Kissimmee. Snow White Village was well known and somewhat infamous at the time among the CM's at WDW. I worked in Frontierland on the Mike Fink Keelboats (this attraction closed several years ago) and the Liberty Square Riverboats. One of my roomies worked as a Jungle Cruise skipper. These were great jobs and we were fortunate to not be sweeping trash, cleaning up horse poop or flipping hamburgers. One of my roommates worked in food service and he did not love his job. I was very lucky because the Keelboats did not open until 11 am (plenty of sleep time to work off those hangovers) and closed at 6 pm (nights free to have fun!). I made many great friends who became your family. Home was far for most of us so these people did become like family because you did not go home for the weekend all the time like you can when you are going to a local college. One thing that you should be aware of is that this will not be a money making experience for you. Disney does not pay that well and after paying rent, food, etc. there isn't much left to save. However, it is an experience I would not trade for anything in the world. At that time, it was a very difficult program to get into and many employers were aware of that. I know that was a big factor in getting my first job out of college. Another aspect of the program was the weekly education programs we attended where we learned about a different aspect of the business operation: resorts, entertainment, food service, etc. These were incredible learning experiences and much of what I learned in those sessions I still draw from in my business career today. I don't know how much any of this applies to today's program because WDW has changed dramatically since 1983....it's hard to believe, but at that time only the MK and EPCOT existed and the only resorts were the Contemporary, Polynesian and Fort Wilderness. I'm also not sure if they keep all the college program people in the same housing. That was a MAJOR factor in the amount of fun I had. The social environment was so special and so unique...not mention damn fun! The worst part about the experience was leaving and saying goodbye to Florida and my new "family" members. If you have the chance to go, do not even think twice about not going. The memories of those 4 months in Florida 22 years ago still bring a big smile to my face....memories that will truly last a lifetime.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know...and good luck!

[figmentspark]

Hi Tcsnwhite... are you going out for the Fall 05 program? If you are then me too! Hope we both get it! I wont know for awhile, though my session/interview isn't for another month!

If your not, then... uh... good luck for whatever your going for! :p

[Pirate Girl]

Hey there,

Does anyone know if there is somesort of website out there or anything that has real testimonials about people's experiences with the Disney world college program?
again, not the actual college program website, but like a site that is about those that participated and their experiences.
anyone here do it?

thanks
tcsnwhite

I'm in the college program right now. If you have any questions you can email me at pirate.girl.kc@gmail.com or catch me on aim (tinkerbelleeyore).

[johnnykool327]

I finished the college program in january.

It was the worst 4 months of my life. I really regret doing the program, and if I had the chance to change my decision, I would not have done it at all.

If you are going to do it, prepare to be treated as poorly as possible, as the college program cast members are at the bottom of the food chain.

I strongly encourage you to re-consider the college program if you want to do it. If you need any more discussion on why it is a bad idea, let me know, im open to talk about anything.

-

[Niwel]

If you have a CM story -- good or bad (we run em both) -- you want to share with our readers who aren't on the pad, you can e-mail them to me via Cast Place (check my sig). We have several CP stories there and run one or two in every CM Experience article.

[Courtney Anne]

i will be leaving for FL on January 10, 2006

i am so excited - i will be working in merchandising - any info would be great (bad or good)

thanks

Courtney

[Cheshire Figment]

A good place for information is DisBoard's College Program Forum at http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=90 . It currently has about 60 threads that have been active within the last month.

[Pirate Girl]

i will be leaving for FL on January 10, 2006

i am so excited - i will be working in merchandising - any info would be great (bad or good)

thanks

Courtney

Yay! Merch CP's Rule! Get ready for the greatest experience of your life Courtney Anne! I'm a Former CP and Current CM if you have any questions about the program. You lucked out, in my opinion, Merchandise is the best dept because you get so much guest contact and lots of oppourtunities for special training.

Prepare to get sucked in! Disney is addicting! ;)

[Courtney Anne]

I am really excited !

I will actually be on there on Dec. 14 - for their EARLY ARRIVAL PROGRAM - I will be working WDW for Christmas !

I have about three weeks til I get to FL !!!!!!!