It’s been a full year since my Disney College Program so to celebrate I decided to finally write about my experience doing the DCP! I decided to make this now because I felt I was ready to speak about my experience. I know a lot of people are always curious about what the program is like so I wanted to give some clarity on the most popular questions I’ve gotten about the DCP.
Why did you do the Disney College Program?
I’ve written my answer to this question about three times now and needless to say, it’s a very long story but I’ll do my best to keep it short. I’ve always wanted to do the Disney College Program because it was a dream of mine to work for Disney. Unfortunately, it always felt like there were obstacles in my path that kept me from getting to do so. I had given up on this dream until my senior year of college when I met my flatmate Charlene (Hi if you’re reading this!) who inspired me to want to do it again. During this time I got the chance to visit Disneyland Paris, (Check out my experience here!) and being in a Disney Park furthered my desire to do the DCP. Towards the end of my senior year, this dream felt further away as I felt pressured to try to get a head start in my career. I finally decided on the last day of applications that if I was meant to do the DCP then it would happen…and it did!
What was your role for the DCP?
My role for the Disney College Program was titled as Merchandise or Merchandising however you look at it. At first, I was nervous because I was given a location that only two other participants were given but I’d come to realize how lucky I was! I worked at Caribbean Beach Resort (CBR for short) during their renovation for their 30th anniversary. This location was special to me because not only did I get to do so much more than a typical Merchandise cast member but it was also the very first place I stayed in when I was a child visiting Disney World in 2000 (what a throwback).
What was it like living in Florida?
Living in Florida definitely had its ups and downs. Being used to seasonal weather, it was definitely a change having to get used to an almost constant summer. It was also difficult for me because when you work as a Disney College Program participant and choose to live in Disney Housing it is very different from the normal lifestyle you may have had before. This wasn’t always a bad thing, I loved my friends and getting to experience Disney related locations but I also longed for the normalcy I had back home like going to Target or visiting small towns.
If you had a car during your program then I think this wouldn’t be as much of a problem but being dependent on the bussing system made living an independent life a bit more difficult for me. I did have a lot of fun though when I did get to visit parts of Florida off of Disney Property! If you get the chance to visit Winter Garden I cannot recommend it enough. It reminded me of my favorite small town Peddler’s Village back home and I’m so grateful to my friend Chrissy for showing it to me!
What was it like doing the Disney College Program?
I’m going to be as honest as I can with this question because I feel everyone tends to only showcase the positives of the Disney College Program, which there are a lot of, but I also want to be as transparent as possible. This program, if you go in with no expectations, can be an amazing experience but it is also a very challenging experience. This is a real job just like any other and every job will naturally have its ups and downs.
Due to the high demand of the renovations at my resort, I was needed much more than others who may have been working the same job as me. While I loved getting this hands-on experience in my field, I also struggled to try to find a balance with my personal life and professional life. What I can’t stress enough during this time is to know who your true friends are so that you can lean on them when you need help. Having a good support system is crucial in maintaining your balance while working here and it can sometimes be hard to get through if you don’t have friends that are there for you.
What was your favorite part of the Disney College Program?
I don’t think I can pinpoint a singular favorite part but I can talk about my favorite memories I had. (If you’re not interested in my personal thoughts, feel free to skip over this question but I find it therapeutic to write about my favorite memories during my time on the Disney College Program.)
I loved being a part of such a big company and gaining insight into furthering my career. I loved sitting in the Starbucks at Disney Springs with my laptop writing stories, applying to jobs, and soaking in the possibilities of wherever my future might take me. I loved watching the fireworks at the top of the Contemporary Resort, it was so magical. Getting to meet my best friend Mike and his family in the parks was such a warm welcome when I was missing home and it’ll be one of my top memories…even though I lost my gift card that day lol.
I loved experiencing adventures not many have like getting to stand right where Mickey does for Fantasmic or walking through the Haunted Mansion, PS I hate scary things so please be proud of me for doing this. I loved meeting Rapunzel during my last visit to Magic Kingdom, she said she was kicking Eugene out of the Castle for me so guys I have a forever home in Florida now…sorry Eugene. I loved meeting any character I could in general.
I loved every cast member that I interacted with that truly loved their job. That mentality was so uplifting and truly helped me when I was feeling down. Lastly, I loved my last day on my program. I spent it with some of my best friends and I could never have asked for a perfect way to end my time there.
My advice for anyone thinking of doing the program
If it’s something you truly want to do, research it and do it. Watch videos on people’s experiences, read articles, talk with friends, you’re welcome to even DM me on Instagram. If it’s something you’ve thought about then it’s worth looking into more because if it’s meant to be it’ll happen! As always, good luck on your next adventure!