Another Delightfully Delayed Personal Post

Once again, I start this entry a little delighted in the fact that it has been so delayed.   As I said in the previous entry, that must mean that I am having fun!  I most definitely am.

Peak season has ended and it's now time for everyone to go back to school.  It's strange being a college graduate this time of year- it's the first time since before preschool that I haven't needed to go to classes this time of year.  (Granted, I have signed up for those Disney University classes that are scheduled to start in early October, but that's a different story.)

Since peak season is over, though, that means that my hours have decreased tremendously.  I honestly don't mind too much.  That means that I am paid less weekly, but I also have a lot more free time to enjoy being at Disney World.  I didn't come down here just to earn money, so fewer hours don't bother me one bit.

Another important update: I am participating in the cast choir for the Candlelight Processional in Epcot!  For the readers who aren't familiar with this, the Candlelight Processional is a big production that is done regularly in Epcot during the Christmas season in which a celebrity narrates the Christmas story and a large choir entertains with Christmas songs.  A certain percentage of the choir is filled with cast members, and I was chosen!  I am so excited.  My first rehearsal is tomorrow night. :)

I am having a blast down here still, but I keep on thinking about what comes after December.  It is already September; my program is practically half over.  I decided a while back that I wouldn't want to apply for a professional internship unless it was in an area that I would absolutely love.  The professional internship job listings finally came out this week, and I saw two listings that I adore:  Disney's Fairytale Weddings Consultant Internship and Disney's Fairytale Weddings Planner Internship. Be still my heart! Did anyone else just hear Heavenly music as you read that?

I meet all of the required and preferred qualifications, my major in college is even surprisingly on the preferred list.  The problem is that I know practically every single girl who looks at the professional internship listings will see those and want to apply.  Now, my dilemma is how I can make myself stand out among hundreds and hundreds of applicants.  I'll be working on my resume big time.

All of the sudden I have this dream of working with Disney Fairytale Weddings and also getting an online degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.   If you can dream it, you can do it, right?

"A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding.  But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive." - Walt Disney

I am so blessed!

Hello, everyone!

I have been awful at updating, but that's exactly what I anticipated.  That just means that I'm having a wonderful time and I'm too busy to sit in front of my computer for too long at a time.   I earned my ears with no trouble at all!  For a little over a month now I've been working all on my own, driving two week safaris every twenty minutes.  It can be exhausting at times, but it's unbelievably worth it.  :)

It has been almost two months since check-in now, and the time has flown by tremendously quickly.  It's hard to believe that I have only a little over five months left!  This is going to be over before I know it.  I just wanted to take a brief moment to blog about the fact that I am amazingly blessed.  I have a lot of personal reasons why I'm blessed, including good health, security, and a wonderful, loving support system of family members and friends.  But since this blog is focused around the Disney College Program, allow me to go on a rant of how wonderful this experience truly is:

So many people save up all of the money that they can so that they can travel across the world and vacation at Walt Disney World for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  I, on the other hand, work here.  I have tremendous benefits of being able to go to the parks whenever I want for however long I want, get seemingly limitless amounts of discounts, and even get some free tickets for friends and family.  I am even paid!  It's a humble paycheck, but it's all I need.  Sure, I work long hours.  But I work them by making people smile.  I have the honor of being a maker of magical moments, whether it be by seeing guests' faces when they see an elephant or giraffe for the first time in their lives, or by a simple moment of kindness on stage that just so happens to go a long way.  Every moment that I spend at work may be just a moment for me, but every bit is part of a Disney vacation memory that will last every guest a lifetime.  What a privilege.

Sadly, a lot of college programmers still find room to complain a lot.  That's really a shame.  I really implore anyone who is reading this to avoid being like that at all costs.  It does not matter what your circumstances may be.  When you put things in perspective, you realize that as long as you have air in your lungs you have every reason to have a smile on your face.  And we in particular have particularly special reasons to be joyful.  Having a no-good day every once in a while is one thing, but I think it's important to try to not have a negative attitude be your regular attitude.

I really am so blessed to be down here.  I wish that my closest friends and family could be here with me, but it seems like God decided to send me down here on my own.  I'm making great new friends, though- not to replace the old, of course!  I'm not entirely sure what God had planned for me by sending me to participate in this program, but I am sure that I'm going to try my hardest to make the most of it.

I am so grateful for this opportunity!

"I have watched constantly that in our work the highest moral and spiritual standards are upheld." - Walt Disney

Working on Earning my Ears!

Hey everybody!

If anyone is out there actually reading my blog, I appreciate it!  I've been super busy for these past two weeks.  I had Traditions, DAKlimation (an orientation to Disney's Animal Kingdom), and then plain ol' work!  I'm still working on earning my ears.  My assessment is tomorrow!   We'll see how that goes!

I think that I've gone through a wave of emotions since being here!  There's of course the excitement of "being on vacation" at the happiest place on earth, and that is wonderful.  But then, you get tired.  And overwhelmed.  And homesick.  I was never homesick when I was at college because I spoke to my family and distant friends so frequently and knew that they were always only a few hours away.  But I definitely feel a little homesick here.

That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the program! I do! I just think it's important to note that it might take me (and you, if you are considering doing it) a little while to adjust.  Some days are going to be really hard (for me, yesterday!) and other days are going to be really great (for me, today!), but ultimately, we just have to try to keep a positive attitude and plow on through the good and the bad.  We can do it!

(Just as a personal note: a lot of prayer can help!)

I'll give you guys an update sometime after I *hopefully* earn my ears!  Until then!

"I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic to know that life is a complex matter." - Walt Disney

I Survived Check-In Day!

I stand before you now an official Chatham Square resident!  How amazing is that?!

Yesterday was long, but it was so rewarding finally getting started on this program.  The day began early, checking out of the hotel and meeting two of my roommates-to-be at Vista Way at 7:00AM.  Check-In started early for us, maybe around 7:50 or 8:00AM (don't take my word on that, I could totally be making that up).  We were guided exactly where we needed to be at every moment.  It was such a well-oiled machine.  

At Vista, we received our Program Guides (an information book/rule book/planner/everything-you'll-ever-need-to-know-for-the-next-seven-months book), signed some papers, set up our housing, took pictures and immediately received our housing IDs, and had the option of getting our decal then or later at the complex. Immediately after this, we were directed to go on a bus that would take us to Casting.  I thought that there were a lot of stations at Vista, but that was only the beginning!  It was my first time in the Casting building, but it was a maze of different things we needed to do, mostly involving the forms that we'd filled out prior to arrival, but more importantly, there we found out our work locations!  So here it is, drumroll, please!

Kilimanjaro Safaris!  To quote a non-Disney Gilbert Gottfried cartoon character, "Somebody up there loves me!"  At the end of Casting I received a bit of a training schedule, and I start training on Saturday morning!  I'm an unbelievably excited.  I couldn't have been assigned a better role!

After Casting we were free to move in to our apartments, so that's exactly what we did.  It took me a full 24 hours to actually unpack, and I'm still a little disorganized, but the apartment is lovely. :)

I have today free, and then tomorrow I'll have Traditions.  I'm nervous about dressing appropriately, so I might risk dehydration and wear my suit.  We'll see how that goes! 

That's enough for today! I'm so excited for the rest of the week, and I'll do my best to keep updating regularly!  TTFN, ta-ta for now! 

"Fantasy and reality often overlap." - Walt Disney 

I'm in Florida!

Hey there, Hi there, Ho there!

After about seventeen hours of driving spread about two days, I've finally made it to the happiest place on Earth! :)  I'm so excited.  For a while I felt as if it were a dream, it couldn't possibly be real!  I spent last night with my dad at Downtown Disney and park hopping at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, and the night ended with watching Wishes! Today we spent the day in the Magic Kingdom, but in the late afternoon dad had to leave for his flight home.  It was surreal having dad leave for home and me stay here. I feel like I've been on vacation and am supposed to head home now!  But the fact is that this is only the beginning!

Tomorrow is my check in day, so I'm going to meet my roommates, find out where I work, and find out where I'll live!  Information overload! I hope I can handle it! :)

I just wanted to post this as a little update.  I realize these next few weeks might be very hectic, but I'll certainly be getting to more parts of the application process later in the blog.  I just figured I should update about this too since it's going on right now!  Expect application advice blogs again later on the blog!

Here's to a wonderful check-in day!

"A man should never neglect his family for business." - Walt Disney

Step Three: Phone Interview [Part 1: Scheduling]

It's official! I'll be checking into my apartment in Lake Buena Vista next week!  It's unbelievable.  All of this talk and excitement is finally coming to fruition.  It's here! Almost, anyway.

But as for now, let's get back to talking about the application process.  I really hope all of this information helps someone someday.  Even if it's only one person.

If you've passed the Web-Based Interview, congratulations!  Engage in a huge sigh of relief.  Pat yourself on the back.  Have your roommate pat you on the back.  You deserve it!  That was stressful.  Now it's time to schedule a phone interview.  At the end of your web interview, you should have received a number and some instructions on how to call and schedule your phone interview.

Due to the fact that you schedule with a real person and not an automated service (at least as of 2011), you can only schedule during regular business hours.  I just so happened to complete my web interview in the evening, so I had to wait until the morning to call.  I was really nervous to even make that phone call, I didn't want to sound silly!  I gathered myself and made that phone call, and before I knew it I was conversing with a pleasant, relaxing voice and felt entirely at ease.  Scheduling my phone interview reminded me a lot of scheduling lunch with a friend or a dentists appointment.

PLEASANT FEMALE VOICE: We have a time open at 5:00PM EST on Friday, does that work for you?
MYSELF: Oh no, unfortunately I have an event to attend at that time.   Is there a time available the following day?
PLEASANT FEMALE VOICE: Yes, we have time slots open from 7:00PM until 9:00PM EST on that following Saturday, the 22nd.  Would perhaps 8:00PM work for you?
MYSELF: Yes! That works perfectly! Thank you very much!

Easy!

One tip in regards to this first call: be polite!  Polite manners include watching your tone and language, saying please and thank you, or even simply ask how the person is doing meaningfully.  This person is probably going to be on the phone all day with all of the applicants calling in, so a friendly caller could be quite refreshing!  You're more than likely not judged on this phone call, but it's always good to be in the habit of being polite and friendly. :)

Next time, I'll provide some tips on how to handle the real deal.  You can do it!

"I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known." - Walt Disney   

We Interrupt this Series of "How-To" Posts for a Brief Announcement:

I registered for Disney classes today! :)

Originally I wasn't going to until I arrived, but I got too darn excited.  I intended to take two classes (yes, two!) in the Disney Exploration Series, and I just found out tonight from one of my hopeful-roommates-to-be that it's only offered in the Fall.   So, I'm currently signed up to take Exploring Disney Heritage on Thursdays and Exploring Leadership on Tuesdays.

It might be a little ambitious of me to set out to take two classes, but Disney Heritage sounded like loads of fun, and Leadership sounded like such a neat experience as well as an unbelievable gem for a resume. :)  Besides, I'll be beginning both in October, an off-peak season, and I'll already be all settled in.  I'm very excited!

I'll undoubtedly talk more about the classes when the time comes, I just wanted to post a little something about it now since I just registered!  And, oooh!  My check-in date is so soon! :)

Next time you "see" me I should be posting about the phone interview.  See ya real soon!

"When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity." - Walt Disney

Step Two: Web-Based Interview

After filling out all of your information for the online application, you will be invited to complete the web-based interview.   This part of the application process makes a lot of people nervous because it is possible to not pass.  If you do not pass, your application for that CP term will come to an abrupt end.  You will be able to re-apply in six months for the next program if you'd like, but if you are a second semester senior, sadly you will have to look into other options outside of the CP if you want to work at Walt Disney World.   

The good news, however, is that most applicants pass!  Some people will claim that they have discovered sure-fire ways to pass the web-based interview, but it seems to me that it isn't quite that simple.  Here, I'll give you the best advice I can on how to increase your chances of passing the web-based interview:

- Attend a campus Disney College Program Presentation or view the E-Presentation online. You must have already had this done in order to complete the web-based interview.  You can find the schedule for the campus presentations on the Disney College Program website as soon as they are released.  The E-Presentation will be guaranteed to you and also available sooner, whereas sometimes on-campus presentations are not guaranteed to visit your campus and you would have to wait longer for that date to arrive if it does.  Many people view the E-Presentation as soon as it is available so that they can fill out the application as soon as possible.  I'd still recommend going to the on-campus presentation as well if it is available to you, just because it is a wonderful opportunity to hear from a real person, get excited about the program with others on your campus, and perhaps even network!  No matter which you choose, you will receive a little code that you will need to complete the web-based interview.   

- Find a quiet place in which you can take your Web-Based Interview.  I took my web-based interview in a very quiet section of a campus library, so I'd highly recommend that.  You want to be 100% free from distractions.  Remember that this must be taken on Internet Explorer.  If you have time, it might be best to go ahead and do the interview immediately after filling out the application since you'll be "in the zone."  That is, provided you have already viewed a presentation, of course! :)

- Don't let being timed frighten you!  Do not rush.  A lot of people panic when they hear that the web-based interview is timed.  I'm not gonna lie, I was definitely one of them.  The good news is that I didn't feel a bit rushed while completing it.  Read at a regular pace and you should have no problem completing each question in the time allotted. 

-  Read carefully. Sometimes questions are worded positively and sometimes questions are worded negatively, so it is important to read the question carefully so that you know you're answering it correctly.   Most interview questions are statements followed by a simple five-option Likert scale, so if the statement is "I am not a team player" and you accidentally read it as "I am a team player," you may accidentally respond with "Strongly Agree."  You definitely want to avoid any mistakes like that! 

- Answer as positively as you can, but still honestly!  This web-based interview has a lot of questions that are designed to judge your character, so it's important that you answer as positively as you can.  It's my understanding that you want to come across as open to working hard, being a team player and serving others.  I would not condone lying in the web-based interview, but answer as positively as you can while still being honest. 

- Try to answer strongly, but (once more) still honestly!  Some people will tell you to answer strongly on everything because Disney wants to see that you have strong positive opinions.   I didn't do that and I still passed.  I answered neutrally on a couple, even.  Answering strongly is good, but don't be afraid to deviate from that a little bit if honestly demands it.  It's more important that you fill out the web-based interview in your most positive and honest opinion than it is to search for what you think is the "right" answer. 

And that's really all there is to it!  Just relax, read carefully, and be positive and honest.  That's my best advice.  Chances are high that with the right attitude, it will work out for you and you will be invited to engage in a phone interview.  But if it doesn't work out, don't let it get you down!  Pick yourself up and try again later if you can.  Something else is in store.  Don't let anything stop you from chasing your dreams. :)

I'll see you next time! 

"The era we are living in today is a dream come true." - Walt Disney

Step One: Online Application

For those of you out there who are considering applying for the Disney College Program, I know it's likely that you have a million questions floating around in your head!  It's sometimes nice to have someone who has been there lay out all of the details, just to give you a little peace of mind.  If that sounds like something you'd appreciate, I hope this entry is of help!

Here are some basics that you should know:

- As of 2011, the online application and web-based interview MUST be completed in Internet Explorer.  I have no idea why.  This was slightly inconvenient for me because I own a Mac and had to go on campus to use a PC with Internet Explorer.  Maybe someday the Disney CP Recruitment IT folks will make it compatible with other browsers, but as for now, it is what it is.

- The online application is a piece of cake!  Here are the main sections you should expect:

1. Basic information.  This is a no-brainer! You'll be asked to fill out all of the basics: Name, School, Home Address, School Address, Legal Matters, etc.  You can handle it! :)
2. Resume. You will be presented with a section that kind of serves as the "resume" section.  Here, you'll insert past work information and activities that you've participated in.  This is a small opportunity to let your personality shine and to let Disney know about any past experiences that have prepared you to be a part of Disney's Cast.
3. Role Checklist.  This is your opportunity to mark the roles for which you would like to be considered.  The roles (as of 2011) are as follows:
   
   Attractions*
   Bell Services/Dispatch
   Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess (Females Only)
   Character Attendant*
   Character Performer (Audition Required)*
   Concierge*
   Costuming
   Custodial
   Full Service Food and Beverage*
   Hopper
   Hospitality*
   Housekeeping
   Lifeguard
   Main Entrance Operations
   Merchandise*
   PhotoPass Photographer*
   Quick Service Food and Beverage
   Recreation
   Transportation
   Vacation Planner*
   * Indicates roles I checked! :)
   (For more information about roles, visit
   www.wdwcollegeprogram.com, click "Students,"
   then click "Role Descriptions.")
   
   When filling out the role checklist, it's best to only check the roles that you really want to work.   In other words, if you don't want to do Transportation, don't check it.  Try to be as open-minded as possible (there's no such thing as a bad role in the Disney College Program!), but if you know that you would be less inclined to participate if you were offered a particular role, it's best for you and for the recruiters that you simply don't select it.
   
   *It is always possible that you will be offered a role that you did NOT select.  Some roles have a lot of shoes that need to be filled, Quick Service and Merchandise especially.  Think of all of the stores and places to eat that there are in the parks and resorts!  Usually the recruiters are pretty respectful of your checklist, but it's better to be offered a role in something you didn't select than be rejected because the recruiters were unable to offer you a preferred role.

And that's all there is to it.  As said at the beginning, the Online Application really is a piece of cake.  Somewhere in all of my boxes from school I have the print-out of my application.  If I notice anything that I left out of this post, I'll be sure to edit it and let you all know.  :)

After the application is filled out, you'll be invited to begin your Web-Based Interview.  Dun dun dun!  This freaks a lot of people out because for some people, it's the end of the road.  Stay tuned for my next post in which I'll give you as many tips as I can in how to keep a level head. :)

See ya real soon! 

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." -Walt Disney

A Little More Introduction!

Hello again, everyone.  It's time for post number two!

I will soon begin making some posts about the application process, letting all you readers out there know how it went for me and giving advice to anyone who may consider applying someday.  But as for now, I figured I'd start off and let you know a little more about me.

To begin, I first heard about the college program when my sister, who is three and a half years older than me, applied back in 2008.  She was accepted, and participated that year as an Entertainment cast member for Fall Advantage.  I was able to visit her twice while she was there, and I was so envious of her working at Walt Disney World!  I wished I could, but I was worried because I felt that people would think I was silly for doing the same thing as my sister.

After visiting my sister in Florida twice and making friends with some of her friends there, I soon began to date a boy who participated on the program alongside her in a Custodial role.  With both a sister and a boyfriend who had worked at Walt Disney World, my desire to participate in the program remained constant ever since 2008.  I felt such a tie with Disney that it was as if I had already participated!

When 2010 rolled around, I began to think more seriously about my post-graduation plans for 2011.  I kept getting drawn back to Disney.  I kept talking about it with my family, boyfriend and one of best friends (my roommate all throughout college), and my roommate and I decided that when the applications were available, both of us would apply and see what would happen.

So, in a nutshell, that's my back story!  The next handful of posts are going to be about what happened next with that application process.  I hope this post leaves you feeling a little more acquainted with me! :)

Until next time.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney

To All Who Come to this Happy Place:

Welcome!

It's hard to believe that in less than a month I will be working somewhere in Walt Disney World.  I have been accepted into the Disney College Program for Fall Advantage 2011, and I couldn't be more excited.  And nervous.   Nervous-excited.

I have known about my acceptance since February, right in the middle of the second semester of my senior year of college.  It was so hard to concentrate on school knowing that the college program was right around the corner.  Somehow I managed, and I graduated three days ago. Hooray!

Now, I'm full-on Disney mode.  I prepared well for this moment by listening to my extensive Disney playlist on iTunes everyday while studying and packing to move home, but also by reading blogs and discussion boards so I could learn as much as I possibly could before going down.  The latter is precisely why I decided to create this blog.

I can't express my appreciation enough for all of the CP alumni that have kept blogs during their programs.  Their posts have taught me a lot about what to know and expect for the next seven months.  I am hoping that by creating a blog of my own, I'll be able to do for someone else what all of those other bloggers did for me. :)

I'll do my best!  Here we go!

"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney