thumpergirl101
SA 2015 Alumna
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2012
Today was the day.
The day I've been waiting for my whole life.
Today, I applied for the Disney College Program!
Maybe it is a bit premature to write this as a trip report. But I'm so excited and so full of hope and anticipation that I can't resist!
And even though I've only been through like half the application so far, I thought I would record my experience while it's still fresh.
So the applications came out today, I think fairly early in the morning, since I live in Mountain Time, not EST. So I woke up at around 8:30, and was getting ready for breakfast when all of the sudden I remembered. THERE WAS A RUMOR THAT APPS WERE DROPPING TODAY!! Some people were speculating that you were less likely to get in submission if you waited a few days to apply...but I knew I don't have that much self control. I checked the Spring 2015 DCP Facebook page...and it was EXPLODING with excitement!
So I immediately grabbed my computer and headed for the DCP website! I tried to start the application, and got as far as the page for creating a log in...when unexpectedly my internet cut out! Let me tell you, I was FREAKING OUT by that point. How dare the internet try to prevent me from achieving my dreams??!! But thankfully, there's a building nearby that usually has pretty good internet, so I hustled over there. Literally.
I ran. That's how excited I was.
This was my first time applying, since I'm only a sophomore, and entirely unfamiliar with the application process. But thankfully, the initial application is pretty easy to fill out. I just filled in the basics, with name, email address, and all that jazz. Then came the tough question...did I want to apply for Disneyland, Disney World, or both? I've given this a lot of thought. I grew up in California, and so I'm definitely no stranger to the Disneyland Resort. But for some reason, working at Disney World has always been more appealing for me. Maybe it's the thought of all that mouth-watering deliciousness they call food.
So I ended up choosing only WDW. Which seems a little risky, because I have my heart set on doing the 2015 Spring Advantage Program, but I won't give up hope just yet! Next came the big question...What roles was I interested in?
I've read kind of a ridiculous amount about the DCP, and each of the different roles, so I knew going in just what my top roles were. But beyond that, I had NO idea whether I had moderate, low, or no interest in some roles. I heard that putting no interest on things was a bad idea, and made you less likely to get a Web-Based Interview, but in reality there are some roles in which I honestly have NO interest. There's always a chance that I'll love working for Disney so much that I'll do anything, but if I couldn't really picture doing something happily for 5-8 months, I put no interest. And thankfully, that didn't seem to disqualify me.
So...if I can remember, here's what level of interest I put for each role. It might not be totally accurate, because this morning was a blur of nerves.
Attractions-Low Interest. Some cast members who work the same ride every day just look so defeated. I'm not sure I could face it.
Custodial-Low Interest. I have experience doing custodial at my university, and I find cleaning therapeutic, but at the same time, doing it for eight hours a day doesn't sound that appealing.
Hopper-High interest. I want to learn as much about the company as possible, and this seems like the best way!
PhotoPass Photographer-Moderate Interest. I used to be super into photography, and it sounds like it would have a lot of fun guest interaction.
Main Entrance Operations-Low Interest. It seems a little bit repetitive to me, even though the chance to see so many guests at the beginning of their vacations would be amazing.
Transportation-No Interest. I dislike driving, so this definitely isn't the role for me.
Bell Services-No Interest. This just doesn't sound that appealing.
Concierge-High Interest. I would LOVE the chance to give people recommendations, especially for dining reservations, and I LOVE customer service.
Hospitality-Moderate Interest. If I can't get concierge, since I hear it's pretty competitive, this would be good too.
Housekeeping-No interest. If I'm going to be a professional cleaner, I want to do it in the parks where I can still interact with guests.
Full Service Food and Beverage-High Interest. If you haven't gotten the idea yet, I ADORE DISNEY FOOD!
Quick-Service Food and Beverage-High Interest. I was on the fence about this one, because I hear if you put interest in it, that's what you're likely to get. It's not my number one choice; it's probably number four on my list, but I could be happy with it, I think.
BBB/Pirate League-No Interest. I can't even do my own hair and makeup.
Merchandise-High Interest. This is my third preference, since I have experience in retail and cash handling, and I would get plenty of guest interaction. Plus I would get to see all the amazing merchandise that I won't be able to afford!
Vacation Planner-Low Interest. This would have been higher on my list if it was more about vacation details and less about just ticket packages.
Lifeguard-No Interest. I don't really enjoy swimming.
Recreation-No Interest. This just seemed a little bit off the beaten path for me.
Character Attendant-Low Interest. Probably not the role for me.
Character Performer-Moderate Interest. I think it would be fun to be a face character, but I'm only 5'2", and I don't think I could handle wearing a giant, hot, furry costume.
Costuming-Low Interest. Eh, this role isn't particularly appealing, since it sounds like I would be in a warehouse all day.
Okay, so that's basically how my application went. I finished and submitted it at about 9:30 and immediately began checking my dashboard every five minutes or so. The wait was KILLING ME! I had been waiting to apply for so long, and I had read so much about the dreaded submission that I was terribly anxious. But thankfully, after about 15 minutes, I was officially IN PROGRESS!
The day I've been waiting for my whole life.
Today, I applied for the Disney College Program!
Maybe it is a bit premature to write this as a trip report. But I'm so excited and so full of hope and anticipation that I can't resist!
And even though I've only been through like half the application so far, I thought I would record my experience while it's still fresh.
So the applications came out today, I think fairly early in the morning, since I live in Mountain Time, not EST. So I woke up at around 8:30, and was getting ready for breakfast when all of the sudden I remembered. THERE WAS A RUMOR THAT APPS WERE DROPPING TODAY!! Some people were speculating that you were less likely to get in submission if you waited a few days to apply...but I knew I don't have that much self control. I checked the Spring 2015 DCP Facebook page...and it was EXPLODING with excitement!
So I immediately grabbed my computer and headed for the DCP website! I tried to start the application, and got as far as the page for creating a log in...when unexpectedly my internet cut out! Let me tell you, I was FREAKING OUT by that point. How dare the internet try to prevent me from achieving my dreams??!! But thankfully, there's a building nearby that usually has pretty good internet, so I hustled over there. Literally.
I ran. That's how excited I was.
This was my first time applying, since I'm only a sophomore, and entirely unfamiliar with the application process. But thankfully, the initial application is pretty easy to fill out. I just filled in the basics, with name, email address, and all that jazz. Then came the tough question...did I want to apply for Disneyland, Disney World, or both? I've given this a lot of thought. I grew up in California, and so I'm definitely no stranger to the Disneyland Resort. But for some reason, working at Disney World has always been more appealing for me. Maybe it's the thought of all that mouth-watering deliciousness they call food.
So I ended up choosing only WDW. Which seems a little risky, because I have my heart set on doing the 2015 Spring Advantage Program, but I won't give up hope just yet! Next came the big question...What roles was I interested in?
I've read kind of a ridiculous amount about the DCP, and each of the different roles, so I knew going in just what my top roles were. But beyond that, I had NO idea whether I had moderate, low, or no interest in some roles. I heard that putting no interest on things was a bad idea, and made you less likely to get a Web-Based Interview, but in reality there are some roles in which I honestly have NO interest. There's always a chance that I'll love working for Disney so much that I'll do anything, but if I couldn't really picture doing something happily for 5-8 months, I put no interest. And thankfully, that didn't seem to disqualify me.
So...if I can remember, here's what level of interest I put for each role. It might not be totally accurate, because this morning was a blur of nerves.
Attractions-Low Interest. Some cast members who work the same ride every day just look so defeated. I'm not sure I could face it.
Custodial-Low Interest. I have experience doing custodial at my university, and I find cleaning therapeutic, but at the same time, doing it for eight hours a day doesn't sound that appealing.
Hopper-High interest. I want to learn as much about the company as possible, and this seems like the best way!
PhotoPass Photographer-Moderate Interest. I used to be super into photography, and it sounds like it would have a lot of fun guest interaction.
Main Entrance Operations-Low Interest. It seems a little bit repetitive to me, even though the chance to see so many guests at the beginning of their vacations would be amazing.
Transportation-No Interest. I dislike driving, so this definitely isn't the role for me.
Bell Services-No Interest. This just doesn't sound that appealing.
Concierge-High Interest. I would LOVE the chance to give people recommendations, especially for dining reservations, and I LOVE customer service.
Hospitality-Moderate Interest. If I can't get concierge, since I hear it's pretty competitive, this would be good too.
Housekeeping-No interest. If I'm going to be a professional cleaner, I want to do it in the parks where I can still interact with guests.
Full Service Food and Beverage-High Interest. If you haven't gotten the idea yet, I ADORE DISNEY FOOD!
Quick-Service Food and Beverage-High Interest. I was on the fence about this one, because I hear if you put interest in it, that's what you're likely to get. It's not my number one choice; it's probably number four on my list, but I could be happy with it, I think.
BBB/Pirate League-No Interest. I can't even do my own hair and makeup.
Merchandise-High Interest. This is my third preference, since I have experience in retail and cash handling, and I would get plenty of guest interaction. Plus I would get to see all the amazing merchandise that I won't be able to afford!
Vacation Planner-Low Interest. This would have been higher on my list if it was more about vacation details and less about just ticket packages.
Lifeguard-No Interest. I don't really enjoy swimming.
Recreation-No Interest. This just seemed a little bit off the beaten path for me.
Character Attendant-Low Interest. Probably not the role for me.
Character Performer-Moderate Interest. I think it would be fun to be a face character, but I'm only 5'2", and I don't think I could handle wearing a giant, hot, furry costume.
Costuming-Low Interest. Eh, this role isn't particularly appealing, since it sounds like I would be in a warehouse all day.
Okay, so that's basically how my application went. I finished and submitted it at about 9:30 and immediately began checking my dashboard every five minutes or so. The wait was KILLING ME! I had been waiting to apply for so long, and I had read so much about the dreaded submission that I was terribly anxious. But thankfully, after about 15 minutes, I was officially IN PROGRESS!