So you want to apply for the Disney College Program? What’s that? You need some help and tips? Well you’re in luck! You’re in the right place! I’m here to answer any questions you may have.

The first step is to fill out the application. Easy enough. But here’s the trick: applications are only open twice a year for about two weeks at time. It also depends on when you want to do the program. There are two kinds of programs: Fall/Fall Advantage and Spring/Spring Advantage. The only real difference between a regular program and an advantage is the duration. Fall is August to January. Fall Advantage is May to January. Spring is January to May and Spring Advantage is January to August. No one program is better than the other. It’s just a matter of preference and when you can do the program. Remember you are taking a semester off from college so you have to take that into account.

Speaking of college, you HAVE TO BE IN COLLEGE to do the program. It’s why it’s called the Disney COLLEGE program. You now have up to a year after you graduate from college to apply for the program. But that’s the extent of it.

The initial application is like any other application. You fill in your information, past work experience, what school you attend, things like that. Then you rank the roles. Here’s a tip: place the roles you really want at HIGH interest. Place the roles you wouldn’t mind doing at MODERATE interest. Place roles that you don’t want at all to LOW TO NO interest. It helps to have three to four roles at high interests.

The Web Based Interview

You made it to the web based interview, now what? This part of the process YOU NEED TO PASS in order to make it to the phone interview. If you fail, sorry, try again next time. The web based interview is timed. In the US it can take about 40-50 minutes to complete. It’s a multiple choice, highly disagree/agree type of deal. They will try and trick you and ask you the same questions over again. You just have to smart enough to answer them the same. For example, they’ll ask: I prefer to lead other than follow. I would describe myself as someone who takes initiative. I consider myself to be a strong leader. I like to take charge of situations. They basically want to know if you have strong leadership skills. They just want to weed out them liars.

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY. Lying will come back and bite you in the booty hole later. Disney will know if you bs your way through it. So you might as well be honest with your answers and yourself.

Pro tips: work in quiet place, away from distractions. Turn your phone on silent. Relax and breathe! Go in with a clear mind. Be honest!!!! What’s the best policy? Oh yeah, honesty!!! Make sure your wifi game is strong so you don’t lose your place.

The Phone Interview

You aced your web based interview and moved on to the phone interview. Yay! Nervous? Trust me, so I was.

Disney has a specific brand. Learn it. Use it. How? Add some Disney magic razzle dazzle to your answers. Magical. Family. Creating memories. Guest. Happiness. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Okay, maybe not the last one.

Wait, did I spell that right? **computer typing** **doing a google search** **more typing** yeah, I spelled that right.

What helps me is writing down the questions and practice your answers. I would write down my answers and review them. I would reread the answers, even say them out loud to help practice my speaking skills. Maybe even get someone to go through a mock interview with you.

Also it helps to ACTUALLY KNOW the parks and rides. Don’t say, “I enjoy the rides.” You say, “I enjoy dropping into the Twilight Zone on the Tower of Terror.” It helps to use theme language during the interview.

I’m going to be writing down some interview questions so you can practice in a separate post. Best of luck to those that are applying. I know how stressful it can be. Don’t worry about not getting on your first try. I didn’t get in on mine. I got in on my second try. Some people get in on their third or fourth. Others get in on their seventh. Just keep applying and it will happen.

I hope this answers any questions you may have about the application process. If you have any questions I missed leave a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.