DCP guide

DCP Interview #2 with Rachel H!

| Sarah

Hey guys, I’m back. I can’t think of anything witty or cringy to say. It’s 1 in the morning and my brain has gone on vacation. My brain has left for Disney and it didn’t even bother to take me with it. It better be eating a churro, wearing some cute Minnie ears, and posing in front of the castle for me.

Does that count as a witty intro? I’m counting that as a witty intro.

As you can tell by the title I’m here with another DCP interview, but this time it’s Rachel H. Let’s not waste any time because you all want all them juicy details.

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

I’m Rachel H, I was a DCP CM from April 2016 to August 2016. I worked in Magic Kingdom at Storybook Circus as a merchandise cast member in Big Top Souvenirs.

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

My first choice was attractions but due to the fact that I had had almost 4 years of merchandise experience before applying, I can understand why I was chosen for merchandise over attractions.

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

While working at the Circus, there were 3 different types of typical work days. The most common for me was working production, then working register, followed by working floor stock.
Production: Production was working in the kitchen to make treats at the Circus. A normal day in production is split into 4 different tasks which can be mixed up pretty often. The tasks could include making cake pops, making candy apples, making caramel popcorn, making caramel apples, decorating rice crispy treats or fruit, making cotton candy, working the caseline, or doing dishes. My normal day was making caramel popcorn, break, do dishes, break, work the caseline. Then, since I worked the last shift on most days (4:30pm – 1am), at around 11 pm when all the guests have left, we cleaned the kitchens (on stage and off stage).
Register: This shift typically included working either the inside registers, the outside cart, walking around the floor and straightening things, greeting people at the entrance, greeting people at the exit of the character meet and greet, or embroidering hats. If I was the closing shift, I would usually help straighten and stock any missing items before leaving.
Floor stock: Floor stock basically means making sure all spaces on the floor are filled with something. Other tasks include tagging items backstage (with ink tags), stocking the on stage kitchen with bottled drinks, stocking the large fridge with bottled drinks, and making sure the cart outside always has enough items.

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

I did live in Disney Housing!

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

I had 5 roommates. We lived in Patterson and our apartment had 3 double rooms, 3 bathrooms (one for each double), a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. I liked all of my roommates, however, one did end up moving out because she didn’t get along with the person she was sharing a double with.

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

Yes, we wanted a 6 person apartment with 3 rooms and in Patterson.

How did you hear about the Disney College Program?

I had heard about the college program in middle school and had always planned on doing it.

Why did you want to do the program?

My end goal is to be a Disney Imagineer and I have heard that if you do the DCP in college, they are more likely to give you an interview. I also love Disney and living in Disney and being able to go into the parks for work or for fun was the best thing ever.

What did you learn from the program?

I learned that I wouldn’t work at a park like that for the rest of my life because it is super tiring, even though it is fun. I also learned a ton of people skills. Before the DCP, I was pretty much an introvert but the program made be such an extrovert and I love it.

Are you happy you did the program?

100%, it was an amazing experience. I still miss it sometimes.

Did the program have an impact on you?

Oh yes. As mentioned above, I think it made me a better person in many ways, including being able to talk to people out of the blue.

What do you wish you did differently? Any regrets?

I wish that I would have not taken 2 online classes while completing the program. It forced me to have to stay home on my off days to do homework instead of going into the parks. I definitely wish that I would have spent more time appreciating just being in Disney whenever I could.

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

I did not make an actual bucket list but I had a few things I knew I wanted to do and I was able to do them! Like just take a day to go into the parks by myself and walk around and appreciate what the imagineers have accomplished. There are so many little details in every park that a normal guest doesn’t necessarily see because everyone is always rushing around.

Did you network? Take any classes or seminars?

I did Disney’s Ultimate EnginEARing Exploration After Dark and it was AMAZING. If you are an engineer of any kind or wish to be an imagineer, this is what you should participate in. We were put into teams to complete interactive field work in Hollywood Tower of Terror.

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?

No. As much as I did want to extend, I knew that I had to go back to college and work towards completing my degree. If the program was in any way related to my major, I would have gone back, but no roles were even close to being related to it.

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

100% yes. If you like Disney and want to create magic for others or want to eventually work for the Disney company in some capacity, I would recommend applying.

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

Even if you don’t get the role you originally wanted, still do the DCP. Every single role in Disney is so important and even if the work isn’t the best, the guest interactions will make your day every day. Along with that, if you have any bad guest interactions, don’t let them get you down, for every bad interaction, there will probably be at least 2 good interactions. Plus, when you look back at the bad interactions, it just makes you laugh (and it makes good stories).
Also, if the DCP has nothing to do with your major, don’t fret. It will look good on ANY resume. I am in the computer science field and just having Disney on my resume always amazes people and they always want to know more.

Thank you so much Rachel H for taking the time to answer all my questions! I know you’re very busy and it means a lot to me. I’m super appreciative that you did this interview with me. I hope this answers any questions/clears up any confusion about working merchandise in Big Top Souvenirs at Storybook Circus. If you’re a future CP and you have this role and location, I hope this was helpful.

Thank you all for reading this post. Be sure to give this post a like and subscribe. It helps me greatly to keep putting out more content. It makes me happy knowing that you enjoy what I have to say. It motivates me to keep going. If you have any questions, be sure to leave a comment and I’ll try my best to answer them! I’ll see you in the next post!

As always guys, stay magical!

Okay, now I gotta play Where in Disney World is My Brain…

DCP Interview #1 with Rachel R!

| Sarah

Hey guys, what is up? I’m back. Did you miss me? Well I missed your lovely faces.

Today I have my first interview with Rachel R. She so kindly took the time out of her busy life to do this interview. So without further ado, here’s my interview.

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

My name is Rachel R. I was at the Sunset Boulevard Quick Service Restaurants in Hollywood Studios.

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

No, I had wanted to be in entertainment as a character attendant or working in attractions as a ride operator.

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

Depending on the shift I was either “Market” or “Boulevard”. If you were scheduled as Market you would be working Rosies or Eddies; Burgers and Pizza. Boulevard meant working Produce, Fairfax, or Scoops; Beers, Frozen beverages, pretzels, churros. Texmex. Ice cream. You would rotate randomly all the time so it was a nice change of pace. If you had to do condiment bar or bussing it was all outdoors. So in the summer it was tough, but we had cute little ducks that came around so it was a cute distraction from the heat. Filling people’s orders was the best role cause you had a chance to talk with guests while you worked. It seemed so tough a job when I was on my program, but after becoming a real cast member I picked up a shift a few months later and realized it wasn’t as hard as I remembered. I still look back fondly at working there and if I had my alcohol training renewed I would probably try to get a shift there again!

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

Both. I started at Vista Way in a 6 person apartment. I didn’t get along with my partying roommates so I looked elsewhere. I was fortunate enough that my aunt had a friend who lives in Florida in the winter and Pennsylvania in the summer. I was able to house sit for them for the rest of my program.

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

Yes and no. I wanted the Commons because they were the nicest and had wood flooring. I am allergic to carpet so I put in that medical request when I applied. They gave me a renovated Vista apartment which had wood flooring. As much as I wanted Commons and put Vista as my bottom choice I was pretty okay with it since my brother had Vista on his program too.

How did you hear about the Disney College Program?

My older brother did it while I was in high school.

Why did you want to do the program?

It has always been my dream to work at Disney! I’ve been saying since I was a child. I wanted to live in Florida where its not cold and work at Disney. Here I am now still here!

What did you learn from the program?

I learned how to push myself to work long hours. I learned to not give up and quit just because of people are trying to make you give up. There were many times I thought, “This is the day I quit and go home and never look back!”, but I would cool down and then say, “I’m not gonna quit my dream job over something stupid” and I’d keep going. I also learned a lot about the mouse and how things run and it was amazing! I took Disney History 101 while on my program and that was probably my favorite class I’ve taken in my life! I learned SO much!

Are you happy you did the program?

Absolutely! If I could go back in time I’d do it again sooner!

Did the program have an impact on you?

Of course! It was my first time being on my own paying for all my own expenses! I had studied abroad before, but my host family paid for most of my expenses as well as my mom. This program gave me the chance to see what it was like to truly be on my own! I learned to overcome a lot and it has helped me on my journey of adulthood.

What do you wish you did differently? Any regrets?

Only regret was not being able to click with my roommates. I wouldn’t change having a bad living situation cause it made me grow more. Some of the girls I lived with are still here at Disney too which is why I regret not really befriending them.

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

My bucket list was to get every characters autograph before my program ended. I did not complete it haha. I got about 40 autographs I think, but some characters are only out for special events so it was fun trying. Too bad I still haven’t done it.
Another bucket list I had was to work at all 4 parks. I was never able to get a shift outside of Hollywood Studios even when I tried to trade and other leaders at other locations would be like “sure we will put that trade through” and they never would. Proud to say though now as a Park Greeter (this is my 3rd location now) I have finally worked all the parks! Now ESPN, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach are my new bucket list!

Did you network? Take any classes or seminars?

I only took Disney History 101 on my program. I never got a chance to network because my work hours got in the way of the networking times.

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 applied to be Part Time/Full Time at 5 other QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) locations; Be Our Guest, Libery Tavern, Electric Umbrella, Sunset Boulevard, and ABC Commissary. I had wanted to work at Epcot and there was only 2 QSR that an American can apply for since you need to be from the country to work there. I had applied for 2 Hollywood QSR since I thought I had the best chance for those locations and then I applied for Be Our Guest cause I loved that restaurant, but thought there was absolutely no way I’d get it. While waiting to see if I had gotten a Part Time/Full Time position I had applied to extend as well. They told me if I accepted the extension and got offered a job after I could just keep the job instead of the extension so that’s what I did. I got accepted as Part Time at Be Our Guest and I was stoked!

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

Absolutely! Its a great chance to grow and looks great on a resume! Also a great way to get your foot in the door at Disney!

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

Hang in there! It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of hours, but when you look back on it, it will be one of the fondest memories you’ll have!

Thank you so much Rachel R for taking the time and doing this interview with me! I hope this gave some insight on QSFB (Quick Service Food & Beverage) on Sunset Boulevard. I hope for those who have this role at this location learned something and cleared up any questions. I hope all of you reading this enjoyed this first in what I’m hoping will be a series on my blog.

Please be sure to subscribe to this blog to learn more about the Disney College Program, Disney/Disney travel, and tricks and tips. See you guys in the future!

As always guys, stay magical!

Traveling to the DCP

| Sarah

Hey you all. How are you?

So you got accepted into the program, picked roommates, and make a bucket list. But you have no idea how to get to DCP. What do you do? How do you get there? Hitchhike?

Well no, let’s not do that. That can have some dangerous results. Today I’ll tell you how to travel to the DCP.

I do want to say is that you do have the option to bring your car. Yes, you can have your car during the program if taking the bus does not fit the bill. Just make sure you have your car’s registration, insurance, and a declaration saying you are insured. Keep that in mind while making your travel plans.

First off, you can always drive. Make a road trip out of it. A plus of taking your car is that you can pack more stuff. You’re not limited the space in your suitcases. Also, I’ll mention this here, you can also pack things like reusable grocery bags and fill them with things like shampoo, conditioner, body soap, cereal, fruit snacks, etc. This way you have supplies ready to go beforehand. You won’t get paid the first couple of weeks, so it helps to get some things beforehand so you’re not hurting terribly until you do get paid.

If you have a bit of an older car (like I do) and you think it won’t be able to handle a lengthy road trip, taking the auto train is also an option.

Auto train? What is that?

I’m glad you asked! Amtrak has a train called the auto train that will take you and your car to Florida. The auto train runs from Lorton, Virginia (which is in the Northern Virginia area, where I’m located, about 20 minutes south of Washington, DC) to Sanford, Florida (which is about an hour away from Orlando). Now, this only works if you’re the WDW DCP. There isn’t on that goes to California. DLR (Disneyland Resort) CPs you’re out of luck on the auto train. Sidenote: I’m not being sponsored by Amtrak to say any of this. I’m simply just sharing information. It would be cool if they did though.

Now if the auto train or driving doesn’t appeal to you, or you can’t take your car, you can always fly. You can check studentuniverse.com (not sponsored) for deals on flights. I flew with JetBlue (not sponsored) when I did my program. Remember that you are limited to what you can pack so just be mindful of that.

Okay, cool. But I have a question: should I get to Anaheim/Orlando the day of my check in or the day before?

Good question. I suggest you arrive a day or two before your check in day. This way you have a buffer just in case anything happens. Your plane gets delayed. You’re late getting to your destination. Weather decides to be a jerk and cancel your flight. Whatever.

So now you figured out if you want drive, take the auto train, or fly to the DCP. Next step, where to stay.

If you have family or friends in the area who are willing to let you stay with them for a night or two, great. Be sure to thank them for their generosity. Maybe take to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs for dinner, one day park tickets, something as a thank you.

If you don’t, then its hotels for you. Airbnbs are good options. You can get a nice place for a fair price. The Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista on State Road 535 is also a great location. It’s right across the street from Vista Way. A little down the way from the other three complexes. Good prices. You can’t go wrong with them (Not sponsored).

I can’t give any advice for the DLR program. Sorry my friends. But if anyone who has done that program and knows any good hotel recommendations please let me know. I’ll be sure to make an edit and give you credit.

That is all I have for you today. Please be sure to give this post a like and to subscribe to this blog. It will help me out a lot. It makes me feel like you are actually reading and enjoying on what I have to say.

Be on the look out for my next couple of posts because I will be interviewing actual college program participants. Yes, you read that right. I will be interviewing former/current CPs who have been where you are. I’ll be getting their insight on their programs. I’m gonna try and get many different roles as I can. So this way you all can get some first hand experience on some of the roles you yourself may of gotten. Please stay tuned for that.

Thank you guys so much for reading, and remember, stay magical everyone!

Slacker out! (If you get where that is from bonus points to you!)

DCP Bucket List

| Sarah

Hey guys, what’s up? It’s ya girl coming back at you with another post.

Okay was super cringy and painful to write. I’m never doing that again…

Anyway, I’m here to talk about DCP bucket lists. You’re going to Disney, so you’re gonna need things to do while you’re down there. But you no idea what you can do or have any ideas. Well, I’m here to help. I’m going to break it down into different sections so you can pick and choose for your own bucket list.

I’m sorry in advance for this list is going to be for Disney World. If someone wants to help me out and send a Disneyland bucket list, leave a comment and help me out. I’ll be sure to give you the credit! Enjoy!

Mid writing edit: I made notes of certain things of when it’s available. So you’ll see (fall program)/(spring program) if it only happens during those programs. Just take into account. Kay, thanks :3

General Stuff/DCP Must Do’s:

  • Welcoming parties! During the beginning of your program there will be welcoming parties with different themes. Music will be played. Free food will given. Meet and greets with different characters (sometimes with rare characters not seen in the parks). It’s a great place to meet other CPs and socialize.
  • Grocery Bingo. Here’s your chance to win free groceries for your apartment. It’s free to go.
  • Graduation. Towards the end of your program there will be a graduation party. A DJ will be playing music. Free food will be eaten. You will Mickey and Minnie in their cap and gowns.
  • Winter Formal (for the fall program). It’s a dance where all the CPs get all dressed up and head to Coronado Springs. It happens towards the end of the program. Music, dancing, food, all included. You also get to meet some rare characters.
  • Starlit Splash (for the spring program). You get to go to Typhoon Lagoon (I think) and hang out with your fellow CPs all night. CPs get free range of the water park all night. You get music and food. I don’t think you get to meet characters but I could be wrong.
  • Be the first person on your favorite ride for the day.
  • Be the last one out of the park.
  • Disneybound with friends/roommates.
  • 4 parks, 1 day.
  • Go to Rope Drop at each park at least once.
  • Fill an autograph book.
  • Pin trading.
  • Devote a full day to character hunting.
  • The Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream.
  • Go to the parks by yourself.
  • Do every ride in every park at least once.
  • Have a day where you go to the parks and don’t go on any rides.
  • Pick a comfy spot in the park and people watch.
  • Play in the parks in the rain.
  • See every show and parade.
  • Take a nap on a ride.
  • Take a photo in front of each parks’ landmark.
  • Pick one of the parks and watch the fireworks show on New Year’s Eve (if you’re not working. I go to see from the parking lot during my shift and it was BEAUTIFUL).
  • Get to know your roommates!
  • Visit Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Citywalk.
  • Go to Hollywood (Halloween?) Horror Nights at Universal Studios (this happens during the fall program around Halloween time)
  • Go to Grinchmas at Universal Studios (during the fall program around Christmas time)
  • Go to SeaWorld.
  • Go to Busch Gardens in Tampa.
  • Go to the Florida Mall or Mall of Millenia.
  • Steak N’ Shake after midnight.
  • Ihop after midnight.
  • Go to Clearwater Beach, Cocoa Beach, St. Pete’s.
  • Pick up a PAC shift.
  • Pick up shifts in all the parks (if your roles allows that)
  • Shop at Company D.
  • Shop at Property Control and Cast Connections.
  • Use your CM discount (especially that holiday 40 percent on merch. Big, 100 dollar Stitch just became 60 dollars. Am I right?)
  • Visit Mickey’s Retreat.
  • VoluntEAR.
  • Earn your Ears!
  • Get your haircut on Main Street.

Magic Kingdom:

  • Festival of Fantasy parade.
  • Move It! Shake it! Celebrate It! parade.
  • Happily Ever After parade.
  • Space Mountain.
  • Splash Mountain.
  • Big Thunder Mountain.
  • Conquer the mountain trio (aka ride Space, Splash, and Big Thunder Mountain all in one day)
  • Ride Space Mountain with the lights on.
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
  • Haunted Mansion.
  • Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor.
  • Walt’s Carousel of Process.
  • Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table (make reservations early)
  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (fall program)
  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (fall program)
  • Meet the characters!
  • Meet the princesses!
  • Buy some treats from the Confectionery.
  • Get a Dole Whip from Adventureland.
  • Eat at Be Our Guest.
  • Try the Grey Stuff (it’s delicious!)
  • Listen to the Dapper Dans.

Epcot:

  • Soarin’ (spring program)
  • Spaceship Earth.
  • Mission Space.
  • Eat at all the countries in the world showcase.
  • Visit all the countries in the world showcase, get a passport from Guest Services.
  • Food & Wine Festival (fall program)
  • Eat to the Beat (fall program)
  • Candlenight Processional (during the holiday season) (fall program)
  • Flower and Garden Festival (spring program)
  • Take a picture in the phone booth in the UK Pavilion.
  • Ride both the green and orange side of Mission Space.
  • Sit in the front row of Soarn’.
  • Take a picture in every country.
  • Take a picture inside Bruce’s mouth at The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

Animal Kingdom:

  • Ride Expedition Everest.
  • Visit Pandora.
  • Kai River Rapids (prepare to get SOAKED)
  • Kilimanjaro Safari.
  • Find DeVine.
  • Play in Dinoland USA.
  • Ride Dinosaur as many times as you can.
  • Watch Festival of the Lion King.
  • Watch Finding Nemo the Musical.

Hollywood Studios:

  • Fantasmic!
  • Rockin’ Rollercoaster.
  • Tower of Terror (my personal favorite)
  • Ride Tower of Terror 13 times in a row.
  • Ride Tower of Terror during the day, at night, and while it’s raining
  • Toy Story Midway Mania.
  • Visit Toy Story land.
  • Visit Galaxy’s Edge (if opened to the public by now)
  • See The Little Mermaid Show
  • Sit in the very front row of Fantasmic!

Disney Springs/Water Parks:

  • Blizzard Beach.
  • Typhoon Lagoon.
  • Mini Golf at Winter/Summerland.
  • Get ice cream at Ghiradelli.
  • House of Blues.
  • Go to Lego World.
  • Get lost at World of Disney.
  • Go bowling at Splitsville.
  • See a movie at the dine-in thearte
  • Stroll around Disney Springs at night.
  • Eat at Earl of Sandwich.
  • Shop at Disney Springs.

Resorts:

  • Ohana Luau at the Polynesian.
  • Get leis at the Polynesian.
  • Relax in a hammock at the Polynesian
  • Ride the monorail around all the resorts, just for funzies.
  • See the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian during the holiday season (fall program)
  • Visit the Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian (I will get married here. Idk what anyone says. Fight me)
  • Have a spa day at the Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs
  • Have tea at the Grand Floridian.
  • Chef’s Mickey’s at The Contemporary.
  • Take a carriage ride at Fort Wilderness or Port Orleans Riverside.
  • Archery at Fort Wilderness.
  • Campfire and singalong with Chip and Dale (Mr. 305) at Fort Wilderness.
  • Explore the Boardwalk at night.
  • Go to movie night at any of the resorts.
  • Go resort hopping.

Food:

  • 50’s Prime Time Cafe (Hollywood Studios)
  • Sci-Fi Drive In Theatre (Hollywood Studios)
  • Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios)
  • Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magical Kingdom)
  • Casey’s Corner (Magic Kingdom)
  • Nutella waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow (Magic Kingdom)
  • Cupcake crawl
  • Dole Whip
  • Churro
  • Mickey-Shaped pretzel
  • Mickey waffle
  • Mickey Premium Bar
  • Mickey shaped rice Krispy (I think you can get this at the confectionery in MK or Goofy’s Candy Co in Disney Springs)
  • Turkey leg (Hollywood Studios)
  • Try a sand pail at the water parks
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review (Fort Wilderness…I think?)
  • Earl of Sandwich (Disney Springs)

Aaaaannndd done. I hope this list helps. I had to dig up my list from my program. It’s just a hot mess of line marks, chicken scratches and multicolored highlighter markings on it. I plan to do other lists for you all to use.

You know what would be cool? If you all could subscribe by adding your email. You, as Areosmith would say, don’t want to miss a thing. By using your email you’ll be notified when I post. Clicking the “follow” button in the bottom right hand corner helps too! I would appreciate it greatly if you did!

Stay magical guys!