How to: make the most of the Disney College Program
To allllll the Disnerds beginning their lives working for the Mouse himself! Welcome to theeee best time of your life. This is an unforgettable opportunity and you will wake up every day wishing you could go back. (Possibly crying too.) So, take it all in, breathe in the smell of the confectionary and close your eyes while getting lost in the music that fills Main Street U.S.A. Welcome to your College Program.
For all of you out there wondering, you must not know me because if you did know me you’d know I participated in my CP during spring of 2017. (I peaked during those four months and every day since has been missing a little magic.) I worked in Merchandise in the OG MK. So many people ask me about my program so here’s to you, you little magic makers! Here are my tokens of advice to help your CP go unregrettably s’well.
A DCP Bucket List will SAVE YOUR LIFE on days off. They come sparingly, but days off are the best. It’s like having a free vacation minus the traveling and hotel and other nonsense that just waste time on the way to the Kingdoms. My mindset was exactly that, take advantage of the free parks because I knew soon enough I’d be at home – actually crying that I can’t go to the Italy pavilion for lunch or get a photo with Mickey “just because”. So, sleep in if you want but my advice is quite the contrary.
My Bucket List included the basics, i.e. resort hopping, 4 parks 1 day, eating in all pavilions in Epcot, etc. but my big thing was I wanted to experience every attraction, no matter how many times I had done it before. I wanted to do it all as a Cast Member. I also checked out some hotel events. Art of Animation has a great drawing class, every hotel has movie nights, Port Orleans has horse drawn carriage rides. Blah blah blahhh this is Disney World we’re talking about. That’s what’s so amazing about working at a vacay destination… you will NEVER run out of things to do.
There’s always tons of stuff going on for Guests but also SO MUCH for Cast Members, especially CPs. GO to all the Housing Events. They’re kinda like a high school dance where it’s just a little awk for everyone at first but they get better! And the more people you meet, the more fun you’ll have at the events and on your program in general. Remember, most people come to Florida not knowing anyone! Everyone’s there because they love Disney and want to have a great time! There ya go, you already have two things in common.
In addition to the Housing Events, there’s other CM only opps. We had Backstage Magic tours, contests to win stays in Cinderella Castle, Sunrise Yoga at MK and so much more. And that’s just within Disney property. It’s so easy to get consumed by the magic of Disney, but don’t forget to explore Florida, as well. Obviously, there’s Universal, SeaWorld and other theme parks but I’m talking go beyond the theme park world in general. Housing offers field trips to local communities, beaches, farmer’s market etc., take advantage of everything they offer!
Now I get it, most of your time will be spent at Disney because WHY NOT?? That’s what you came for, right?? While you’re there get out of your norms. Go to the parks alone! Going with friends and family is amazing but going by yourself is a whole new (world… right Princess Jas?) experience. This is when the parks will actually start feeling like home. (And you’ll get territorial when you see Guests wearing shirts calling Disney “home”). I would take my laptop and just go sit on the Hub grass for hours doing homework, reading, etc. It’s a freeing feeling knowing you can do whatever you want, ride whatever rides you want, eat what you want and never have to discuss with someone else. And trust me, even if the entertainment of Disney rides and shows isn’t enough for you, the people watching fills the dull moments.
On the topic of food let’s admit… Disney food is just as magical as every other aspect of the resort. Now listen and listen good. QUICK SERVICE IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME AND MONEY. Being a CM comes with DISCOUNTS. GLORIOUS GLORIOUS DISCOUNTS. Save your money and skip the Mickey pretzels. Okay, actually, I condone occasional Mickey pretzels. But don’t make quick service restaurants your norm. You get amazing discounts at some outstanding restaurants within the parks, hotels and Springs. Try something new, gather your friends/roomies and go to a character buffet, take yourself out to eat! You will honestly be spending about the same as you would a quick service meal. You will be forever grateful for me putting my voice in your head when you’re in line to buy nachos at Peco’s Bill saying “just turn around, better food is just beyond the reef.”
In the end, your DCP will fly by. I could talk for days about mine and it still doesn't feel like it was enough. Work will get gruesome, you'll probably get homesick at some point and sometimes you might even feel like you're wasting your time. Don't give in to those feelings. Embrace the magic and remember just how important your role is for every Guest coming by. And have the time of your life while you're there.
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of them all."
xo, Abigail
