Welcome back guys. How are you doing? I’m super tired. It’s been a long day for me. Every time I tried to sit down and write something came up. Phone calls were made. It was just annoying. I wish it was good news but it was family stuff.

But enough about personal stuff, I’m back at it with another interview. Let’s jump right into it! Here goes.

What is your name, what was your role, and when did you do your program?

My name is Diamond, I did Front Desk at All Star Movies, and my first program was Fall Advantage 2018.

Was your role your first choice? If not, what was your first choice?

It was not, but it was my second! My first choice was Convention Guide.

Can you tell more about your role? Take me through a typical work day?

It’s hard to go through a “typical” work day for Front Desk because there is no official closing or opening time, there is a constant motion always. However, if i worked mornings, that would mean coming in at about 6:30 am and working until about 4:30 pm. It would typically get busy around 9 am when people would start checking in or checking out early. Since I worked at a value resort, it stayed busy pretty much all day every day. A “typical” day would see about 600 guests checking in. If I worked a night shift, which is what I typically worked, I came in at 5 pm and worked until about 1:30 am. Usually it would die down between 10 – 11 pm for the day. I also worked overnight a few times, which meant that I started at 10 pm and worked until 8:30 am. Overnights were slow, with only a few people who were checking out coming into the lobby.

Did you live in Disney Housing? If not, how did you find housing on your own?

I lived in housing!

How many roommates and which housing complex (if applicable) did you live in? How did you find your roommates?

I had 5 other roommates (6 of us in total in the apartment). We lived in Chatham Square! I met my roommates through groups on Facebook for the program!

If applicable, did you get the complex and apartment you wanted?

Yes, we were very lucky that we got exactly what we wanted! Since there were 6 of us, we asked for an apartment with 3 bedrooms/3 baths which we got!

How did you hear about the Disney College Program?

I heard about it originally in High School through the grapevine, but didn’t seriously consider or research it until college.

Why did you want to do the program?

As much as people say it and it’s corny, I love Disney. I also love to make people happy and I had gone to Disney a few times in the past and loved seeing how many people come to visit and from so many different places! I wanted to be apart of that, and get to see first hand how the company runs it’s parks. I’m a Hospitality major so it was a no-brainer to go for it!

What did you learn from the program?

I learned to be more confident. I didn’t have my family there to tell me how to do things or help, so it was really a lesson in learning how to fend for myself and get myself out of my shell of anxiety. I learned just how much every single cast member works to make a visiting guest feel immersed in the magic and just how much actual work that is.

Are you happy you did the program?

Absolutely yes. I was really lucky in that I honestly couldn’t have had better roommates or a work location. I know a lot of people who end up not enjoying their time on the program as much, either because they don’t like their location/role/living situation, but I lucked out. I learned so much and had so much fun!

Did the program have an impact on you?

Again, absolutely. I had days where I didn’t think I was good enough, and where i was really homesick. But once I learned more and became more comfortable I had a better time. I’ve become more confident in myself and made some amazing friends. Getting to work for Disney was such an amazing experience!

What do you wish you did differently? Any regrets?

I wish I had a car during my program. Getting to go to the parks whenever was so awesome, but I didn’t really get to really explore Orlando outside of Disney World. At first it wasn’t a big deal, but after a while I would have liked to go to some of the little towns in the area or to the beach or other places. I wish i had picked up more at other locations, or gotten to do some of the parties at Magic Kingdom during the holidays.

Did you make a bucket list? How much of the list did you complete, if it all?

I definitely didn’t do everything, but I think I got almost everything i really wanted to do crossed off!

Did you network? Take any classes or seminars?

Unfortunately no. I tried to sign up for a class once and it was already full by the time i tried to get in.

Did you extend your program? If so, did you stay in the same role and location, or did any of that change? Did/would you do another program?

I did extend into Spring 2019, in the same role and same location! I would definitely do another program, and I’m already making plans to do just that!

Would you recommend the Disney College Program to a friend in college?

I would, especially if you are a Hospitality major, or any major that would benefit from seeing how such a big company is run.

Lastly, what advice would you give to future CPs doing the program?

1 . If you are planning on applying for the DCP simply because you want to spend a semester at Disney World/Disneyland, make sure you are seriously considering this. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it, but working at the Disney parks really is work. If you come into it thinking it’s gonna be just like a vacation, it absolutely is not.
2. Save as much money as you can beforehand. You won’t get paid for the first couple of weeks, and you are gonna need to get things for the apartment, not to mention wanting to go to the parks straight away. Try not to blow too much in the beginning, as you really won’t know what kind of hours you’re going to have until you really start working. It’s not fun living paycheck-to-paycheck.
3. If you have an angry guest in front of you, it can be scary/ intimidating sometimes. Try to remember that generally they aren’t yelling at YOU but rather the name tag. Don’t let it get to you, sometimes things don’t go right and people need somewhere to direct their anger.

Thank you so much Diamond for taking the time to do this interview with me! I know that you’re busy with life and it means a lot that you answered all my questions! I really appreciate you doing this for me!

I hope this answers all your questions about front desk. If you have this role and location, I hope this gives more insight on the role. Let me know if you any other questions and I’ll try to answer them the best I can.

That is all I have for you today. Be on the look out for my next interview. If you like what you saw and want keep up with me and this blog, please give this post a like. Since you’re already doing that you might as well follow and subscribe to this blog. It will help me out a lot. I says to me that you like what I have to say and motive me to keep posting more. I’ll see you guys in the next post!

As always, stay magical! Stay stay!