Disney College Program
Roles
There are so many different roles offered for the Disney College Program on both coasts! This blog post from Disney Programs Blog is the most official and best descriptor of all the roles offered at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts!
Application Process
Apply
Apply online at Disneycareers.com when applications drop! No resume required!
Web Based Interview
A short questionnaire of personal preferences and work styles!
Phone Interview
A 10- 20 minute phone call with a Disney Recruiter covering the disciplines of the DCP: Living, Learning, and Earning.
Acceptance
Congratulations! You've received an offer to participate in a Disney College Program!
Applying
Applying for the Disney College Program can seem daunting, but the initial step is not a difficult one. Like any job application, you'll fill in your personal information and some of your job history. Having a perfected resume can be helpful when filling in the job history section, but technically you do not need to upload a resume to apply to the program. During the application, you will also express interest in some roles, and whether you would like to be considered for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, or both. Make sure to express interest only in roles you would actually want to do for four to six months. Some roles are more competitive than others, and your willingness to participate in the more common jobs will be taken note of. If you are auditioning to become a performer, you will need to complete an application before attending the audition. Your audition could be after your application process completes, and you could already be accepted in a role. If you accept your position, you are still welcome to attend an audition. If you are selected to be a performer, that role will take the place of the role previously offered to you. The application can take 10-20 minutes to complete. If you are not sure now is the time to do the Disney College Program, applications are usually open for the Spring from August-October, and January- March for Fall.
Tip: Creating a profile on DisneyCareers.com, and entering your previous employment information ahead of time will save you time on your application. This can be done before applications for the program even drop, so you can be one of the first applications in!
Web Based Interview
Everyone's timeline is different when applying for Disney Programs. There is no rhyme or reason to it. You may apply at the same time as a friend, but you will get your request for a web based interview at different times. Both times I applied to the program, my web based interview was requested the same day. For others, it can take almost a week to hear anything after the initial application. The web based interview is a selection of scenarios where you will answer in a range of most likely to not likely, with neutral in between. The main thing to remember is to try to never put neutral. Recruiters are looking for interns that will be active in their role and go above and beyond in their program. Neutral is a passive answer, and it does not help the recruiters get an idea of who you are!
Phone Interview
The phone interview is the final step for the Disney College Program! This covers the three aspects of the program: living, learning, and earning. The recruiter will ask you about living on your own, living with several roommates, and what you would do in a roommate conflict. They will also ask if you're interested in classes during the program, and they'll discuss your top roles with you. They'll base the majority of the questions on your top roles going forward. Thousands of students apply every year, and all of them love Disney. Make sure to set yourself apart from the crowd by showing work ethic and professionalism. For past interview questions for every role, check out this blog post that I used during my program!
Tips for the Phone Interview:
01
Dress Up
Dress in business professional like you would for a real interview. Studies show it makes you feel more professional, and will impact your attitude.
02
Mirror image
While you're on the phone, anwser the questions into a mirror. You are more likely to smile when you look in a mirror while completing the interview. The recruiter can hear you smile, and your positive attitude will shine through.
03
Research
Do your research! Look up potential questions on the interview! Almost every question for every role is available on blogs specifically for this purpose! Think through each answer ahead of time so you feel more prepared and you don't have a question you don't have an answer to.
Acceptance
Congrats! You have been accepted into the Disney College Program! When you receive your offer email, you'll have access to your hourly pay and your role. You won't receive your location until closer to your programs start date! Once receiving your offer, you will have 24 hours to accept it, and complete your down payments for housing and events. If you choose to opt out of the company sponsored housing, you will receive part of that deposit back!
Acceptance
Once you accept your offer, you will have some steps you need to complete before you can move across the country. You will need to meet with your advisor and your internship coordinator for your program. Setting up an appointment with them to find out your academic options can be super helpful. If possible, discuss the program with your advisor the semester prior to applying. That way you know all of your academic options before you apply, and you can decide if the semester you've chosen is the right time to go. Once you meet with your advisor, meet with your program's internship coordinator. Your program's internship coordinator can direct you the best way to get academic credit for the Disney College Program, if possible. Not all majors and academic programs accept the Disney College Program fo credit. Once you are registered for classes, and everything is set up with your academic program, you are all set as far as EIU!
For Hospitality, you have several options to make your Disney College Program count for academic credit. If you are a junior or senior, and you've successfully completed the internship course prior to your departure, the program can most likely be utilized as your internship. If you have not successfully completed the internship course, you can utilize the Hospitality program's practicum course, or use some independent study hours. You will need to discuss all of your options with the Hospitality Internship Coordinator prior to the registration for next semester's classes.
No matter the program, it is possible to stay a full time or part time student through online courses. When registering for your academic workload, keep in mind you may be working up to six days a week, with 55 hours a week. Only take on what you can handle. Make sure to leave yourself time to enjoy the experience as well!
Housing
The Disney College Program does offer on campus housing for participants with transportation to the parks and resorts included. If you are planning to permently locate to California or Florida, you can opt out of housing. If you opt out of housing, you will be responsible for your own housing and transportation situations. In Florida, there are four main housing complexes for participants to live. California has one apartment complex for participants as well. Apartments can range from one to four bedrooms, and you could live with up to eight people!
Once you accept your offer, you can begin your search for roommates! This is when the process gets really exciting and real! Every semester there are Facebook groups specifically for accepted students for the DCP. Normally the groups are called "Disney College Program Fall/ Fall Advantage 2020, or something like that. These Facebook groups are a wonderful tool to meet fellow students in your position, and line roommates up! Keep in mind not to agree to live with someone if they have not been accepted yet. Plans can change, and not everyone get accepted. It is wonderful to have roommates lined up so you can decide who is bringing what, and so you have someone to share the process with! Always keep your options open! Depending on your arrival date, you may have the opportunity to register for housing with five other people, or you may only be able to register with two or three. Be prepared to have to separate your roommate group.
If you want to live on the wild side, you can opt to live in an with random people! My first program, I was in an eight person apartment. I was able to register for housing with two other people, and the other five roommates were completely random. I ended up becoming closer with the people who were randomly selected for me than I did with the two I selected prior to the program. If you opt to go random, you are still able to choose housing complex and layout preferences.
About twenty days prior to your arrival, you will be able to register for housing, select roommate preferences, and rank your apartment preferences. If you are registering with roommates, ensure your apartment preferences are similar to yours. Think about your preferences prior to the day of sign up. All complexes in Orlando are gated, with a pool and housing service center with helpful staff.
Orlando Complexes
Chatham Square
Benefits:
Rennovated apartments
Every bus arrives at this stop
Hosts a lot of housing events (Welcome Events and Service Celebrations are hosted here)
24-hour computer lab
Negatives:
Four Bedroom, Eight People (I loved mine!)
Two Bedroom, Six People (Bunk Beds)
No in apartment laundry
Vista Way
Benefits:
Some Rennovated apartments
Every bus arrives at this stop
Disney Learning Center (Library, Movies, Proctored Tests)
Close to Chick-Fil-A, Walgreens
Negatives:
Not every apartment is renovated
No in apartment laundry
Reputation for a louder living area
Busier city area than the other complexes
Patterson Court
Benefits:
Rennovated apartments
Some buses arrive at this stop
Disney Classes and Seminars are hosted here
Negatives:
Two bedroom, Six People Apartment Option
No in apartment laundry
Not all buses come to Patterson Court, may have to walk to Chatham Square to go to work
Stray Cats (do not try to adopt)
The Commons
Benefits:
Rennovated apartments
Some buses arrive at this stop
IN APARTMENT LAUNDRY
The Commons Clubhouse (Character Meet and Greets, Movie Nights)
Close walk to outlet mall
Convenience store in complex
Negatives:
Not all buses come to the Commons, may have to walk to Chatham Square to go to work
Off-Property Housing
Benefits:
Choice of apartments
Choose your amount of roommates
Choose your roommates fully
Still able to access program classes and events
More personalization of your apartment
Negatives:
Requires your own transportation
Harder to make friends through roommates
Can be more expensive
In charge of your own utilities
More permanent- leases are typically a year
Typically unfurnished