The Disney College Program

Hey! So I wanted to talk a little bit about my interview and application process for the Disney College Program.

As some of you know, The Disney College Program application process is going on right now for the Spring and Spring Advantage Programs for both Florida and California Programs. I just wanted to talk a little bit about how my application process went.

One day when I was at work at Eureka College, I looked up information about the Disney College Program. I went to the website and read all about lodging, job roles, fees and living expenses, etc. I decided to fill out an application for the 2014 Fall Advantage Program which was from May until January. Once I filled out the online application, I waited patiently by my computer to see if I would hear back about anything regarding my status. A few hours later I received and email saying they would like me to set up my Web-based Interview. What the Web-based interview is an interview that has the questions listed online for you like you were taking an online quiz. You talked about why you wanted to work for the Walt Disney Company, your past job experience, your schooling experience and pretty much everything else that gets asked in a normal interview. I got asked to rate myself on my skills and everything in between.

A few hours after my web-based interview, I got an email saying they would like me to schedule a Phone Interview. The Phone Interview is like the second part of an interview process where you talk to usually a district manager or someone higher up than the store manager. At least in my past work experience those were the second types of interviews I have had in the past. I scheduled my Phone interview for a few days after my Web-based interview.

I got told to be in a quiet area and to be able to have time before and after the scheduled phone call incase my interview were to be early or late due to other people being interviewed. The call came from an Unknown Number Caller ID. I answered and talked to the nicest Cast Member. She asked me all kinds of questions from "What are your favorite hobbies?" to "What do you like most about the Walt Disney Company?" These questions might be kind of generic and some people probably wondered, "If I'm being interviewed for a job, why are they asking me my favorite place to vacation and where would you recommend to bring someone for their first time to Disney World' if I've never even been to Disney World before?"

When I found out how many of my fellow CP's had never been to a Walt Disney Park, it had actually baffled me. I went into my program thinking everyone was here because they loved the Parks and the Atmosphere that Disney provided as much as I did. But I was sadly mistaken. Don't get me wrong, ALOT of people were here because they felt the same way I did but unfortunately too many people were there just because it looked good on a resumé.

I was hurt by that only because I felt that someone that loved Disney as much as me and others were probably heart broken that they couldn't be there making magic for others because someone who just wanted this job as a resumé place holder was in their place and not giving the same attitude as someone else could have. Although everyone I met that shared the same mindset as me quickly made me forget all those that didn't appreciate it.

Anyways, haha! After my web-based interview I was told that I could hear back anywhere from a day to three weeks. After hearing that I did not give my hopes up when it came to the torturous hours of checking my email and not seeing Disney Campus Recruiting pop up in my feed.

Yet a mere two days after my interview, I got an email saying "Congratulations, we are happy to say you have been accepted for the Disney College Program Fall Advantage 2014!" I immediately broke down in tears. I could not believe that my childhood dream was finally coming true at 19 years old. I had applied at the end of March and my Departure Date was May 27, the day after my older brother's wedding. I had gotten hired as a Food & Beverage Representative. I did not find out I would be working at the Wilderness Lodge until my Disney Traditions class or my first day at work on June 2.

In order to prepare during my application process I took every measure possible and did as much research I could. I read so many threads on Reddit from former and current Cast Members and what to prepare during the hire process.

I was given a link on the DisneyCareers.Com I had an account created where I could see the process of my application and when to schedule interviews. I put my Resumé and even a CV or Curriculum Vitae on the website so they could look at anything they might need. I even changed my ringback tone on my phone to When You Wish Upon A Star.

When I first arrived in Florida, I was told to go to Vista Way which is one of the residents complexes for the Program. I was told that out of 22,000 applicants for my program alone, only 5,000 were accepted. I felt truly blessed. More than I could put into words. The first friend I made down there was a girl named Maggie. She even ended up living in the apartment underneath me! Maggie was lucky enough to advance in Princess Auditions as a candidate for Elsa! She was a merchandise representative at the World of Disney, otherwise known as the busiest shop in Disney World besides the Emporium inside the Magic Kingdom.

The point of this is too tell you guys to chase your dreams. It sounds cliché but if you truly believe you are set out to do something than there's nothing that can hold you back from chasing what you dream of even when trials are thrown your way.

Walt Disney said, "You can design, create and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it takes people to make that dream a reality." If you realize that you are that person making that dream a reality it is the most rewarding thing to experience. You are just as important in making your dream real as you are in having the dream in the first place. You have to have courage.

For those of you wanting to do the College Program, I wish you the best of luck and all the happiness in the world. For those that have been accepted I wish for you to realize that you are part of that dream. People are coming to visit the world you are helping to create. You made your own dream come true and you are helping others dreams come true. There is no better feeling than seeing parents tear up because their four year old daughter is meeting Cinderella for the first time. There is no better feeling than realizing you're the reason those people's dreams are coming true.

You are creating magic!

Good luck future CP's!

See ya real soon.