Magic Kingdom

Housing Meeting/Traditions

| Sarah

So you just moved in to your apartment. You met all your roommates in person, and maybe you all did a roommate gift exchange. Maybe you all have plans to do the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream or some other roommate bonding. Also depending on when you have casting, you finished casting. What happens next?

Depending on your itinerary, you may have a day or two free. The next big thing that happens is the housing meeting.

Housing meeting?

Yes, housing meeting. In the housing meeting, you go over the rules and guidelines about housing. They go over what you can and cannot do, what can/cannot have in your apartment, and safety things. It takes about one hour, one and a half hour tops. If you have any questions about not sure what can go up on the walls or things like that, this is the time to ask them. It is boring, don’t get me wrong. But they do try to make it fun.

Next major thing to happen next is Traditions!

Sarah, you kept hinting about Traditions is your other posts. What is Traditions? What goes on during Traditions?

Traditions is your first major work orientation. You learn about the Walt Disney Company, Walt himself, things like that. There are a lot of surprises and other things I can’t talk about because I don’t want to ruin the magic of it. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. It will move you.

I wish I can tell you what goes on but alas, you’ll just have to wait. But I can tell you this next part.

You do get to walk through Magic Kingdom. You’ll get to walk through Main Street USA through the eyes of a cast member. You’ll get to learn about things about the parks. But that’s all I can say about that. You’ll just have to wait until the real thing to find out what you do.

Before you go to Traditions, make sure you get enough rest! Traditions takes up a good part of your day. Some of you might gave the morning session, meaning you might have to get up at 6 or 7 am in order to get ready. There is a bus that takes you to Traditions. Be sure to be there on time. This bus will take you directly there, so if you miss it, you have to find your own way there.

Also, make sure you’re dressed in Disney Look!

Disney Look?? This again?

Yes, this again. Your leaders will be checking to make sure you are dressing in Disney look. They will look you up and down. They will ask you if you have tattoos and how you covered them up. If you don’t, the leaders will call you out on it! If you are not dressed in Disney Look, they will turn you away and make you go changed.

I made a post about the Disney Look (named “The Disney Look”) you should check it out in the little sidebar. Read it to save a life.

Sorry for a shorter post. There’s not a whole lot I can say without giving things away (that I can say online). But I hope answers the general on goings of the Housing Meeting and Traditions.

Thanks so much for reading. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them. If you like what I’m doing, please give this post a like. Follow and subscribe to keep up with me and when I post new content. It would mean a lot if you do. It tells me that you like what I’m doing and want to see more in the future. It really motivates me to keep going. I will see you in the next post.

As always, stay magical, stay safe!

DCP Interview #6 With Cait B!

| Sarah

Hey guys. What is up? I’m tired, not gonna lie. I’m on day…seven? Eight? Without coffee. It’s been a while. I might need to get back on that coffee grind again…starting tomorrow. It’s almost midnight as I am currently writing this.

But enough about my coffee needs (or lack there of) it is time for another DCP interview. This is another special one for me because today I’m interviewing my really good friend, Cait. She was first my pen pal but then we found out we did the same program (Fall 2015). It does make me think if we even unknowing cross paths. Same bus. Did she see me on the trams. Did she sell me food? But let’s get right into this interview!

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

My name is Cait! I’ve completed two DCPs, one regular and one alumni**. My first role was quick service, food and beverage in the fall of 2015. I worked Outdoor Vending in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park. My second role was the same, QSFB but in the summer of 2017. I worked in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, back in the Africa land. My job location was Africa’s Outdoor Foods.

**CPs who successfully completed a program have the opportunity to do a Summer Alumni Program. It’s a summer program, usually May to August. Normal people can’t apply for this specific program since it is exclusively for alum CPs.

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

Unfortunately no, my role wasn’t my first choice, but I ended up really enjoying it anyway because of the people I got to work with and the friends I made. My first choice would’ve been attractions, who wouldn’t want to work Peter Pan’s Flight?

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

Working Outdoor Vending at MK, every day on my schedule a different land would be listed and I would need to have the costume that matched, including all the bells and whistles from the socks to the bow ties to the right hat. It was all themed. After clocking in and a costume check, I would be sent out to an ice cream/popcorn cart in a land and I would be in that position (cashier or filler) until someone came to me with a slip to move on to my next assignment or break. Working at a food cart in a Disney park can be stressful because it’s extremely hot weather, long lines and you need to keep your cart fully stocked and clean for safety. Put all that aside, it’s also kind of the best. You get to interact with guests all day, and I’d tell kids Disney jokes and make magical moments whenever I felt like it. I also saw every parade and firework show that day, so it was incredibly magical for me too.
I absolutely loved working in Africa in DAK as well. Two of the locations (Tamu Tamu and Kusafiri Bakery) were indoors for us cast members with the guests ordering at the window so we got a little bit of that AC. Our third location was Harambe’s Fruit Market right outside of the safari. I learned how to make dole whip with alcohol in it and these delicious waffles covered in ice cream at Tamu Tamu. I loved being in the fruit market, having that freedom to be outside, walk around, walk backstage to get more products and interact with guests was so fun. But we had a bit of a bee problem surrounding our frozen ice machine because of the sugar syrup flavors so we all dreaded getting that position haha. Whenever we went 101 (not running/working) at the fruit market, we got to let these blinds down and we couldn’t touch the registers so it was a fun break for us cast members. We would huddle around each other and just joke around until the lightning went away and we got the okay to work again. Working in Africa was also amazing because Disney provides so much entertainment with these beautiful singers, bands and acrobats. I heard Shakira’s Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) at least two the three times a day and we’d all sing it and sometimes our leaders would let us out on the floor to dance! Weirdly enough, closing was my absolute favorite shift. Closing down a location with your team, basically a group of your best friends where you get to dance and goof off as guests are no longer there was such a highlight. Afterwards we’d celebrate with free frosties at Wendy’s or go to Splitzville at Disney Springs to bowl.

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

I lived in Disney housing both programs, so I got to experience Chatham Square as well as Patterson Court.

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

I lived with five other roommates both programs, so a total of six girls to an apartment. My apartment in Chatham Square only had two bedrooms, three girls to a room, and yes you guessed it..bunk beds. Luckily I got a bottom bunk, but my roommate tended to drop a lot of things on me from the top. My roommate and I decorated the living and dining room for every holiday. We got to hang up lights and stockings for Christmas, but we had to use a fake tree since real ones weren’t allowed. My second apartment in Patterson was a three bedroom, two girls to a room.

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

I always loved Chatham Square and always tried to get it. It had a bus stop, a pool and it’s not as expensive as some of the others. I heard a lot of stories about Vista Way so I tried to stay away from it, which I regret now because it has easy access to Wendy’s, the Dollar store, Chick Fil A and a Walgreen’s. Also, living at Patterson sucked a little bit because you had to walk all the way to Chatham Square to use their buses. Normally I love a good walk, but when you’re sweating your tail off or you just got off a twelve hour shift, you don’t want to have to walk another couple blocks to get home.

How did you hear about the Disney College Program?

I heard about the Disney College Program from a mutual friend.

Why did you want to do the program?

I’ve always loved Disney since I was a little girl, but a trip to Disney World is extremely expensive. I went to Magic Kingdom and Epcot once when I was twelve and I told myself I will do whatever it takes to get me back to Disney, and that’s when I learned about the program. As a grown adult and now graphic designer, working as a designer for the Walt Disney Company is a dream of mine.

What did you learn from the program?

I learned a lot about independence on my first program, as it was my first time living on my own, working and food shopping. I also learned that you can make friends from all over the world, and a new place can feel like home. I learned that not everyone working at Disney is a nice person and you can’t trust everyone. Disney also taught me to keep striving for my dreams and to not give up.

Are you happy you did the program?

I am very happy I did the program and I wish I could’ve extended mine.

Did the program have an impact on you?

I would say I think about Disney/my programs at least once or twice a day. It created friendships with amazing people I would’ve never had the chance to meet since we all live around the world. It also taught me how to work hard, in hard conditions and still be grateful and happy.

What do you wish you did differently? Any regrets?

I wish I cherished it more when I was living it. There will be days when you’re run down and just want to sleep in your apartment or you miss home. I wish I played in the parks every chance I got, didn’t turn down a couple Jelly Rolls trips and participated in more housing events because those were bomb. I also wish I networked more because it’s my dream to move back to Orlando as a graphic designer for Disney.

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

I did make a bucket list for my programs and I believe I got most of them done. The one thing I couldn’t make happen was the backstage tour of the Haunted Mansion. It’s still a dream of mine.

Did you network? Take any classes or seminars?

I met the Vice President of the Magic Kingdom on my first program, and he reached out to me about a visual merchandising opportunity, which I was studying before the program. Sadly I had changed my major to graphic design, and had to turn it down.

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 didn’t get the chance to extend my program because I needed to return to school and finish my semesters since I was behind schedule for changing majors.

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

I would recommend the Disney College Program to anyone with ears. It was and is the best experience of my life. The people you meet, the amazing backstage experiences only cast members get to see and the magic you create for little kids is indescribable.

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

I would tell future CPs to cherish every single moment. The program flies by in a blink of an eye. Take every opportunity, go out with your roommates, co-workers, and friends. Go see the beaches, Universal, cast events, housing events, Miami, Disney Springs. I would also recommend taking personal days for you to rest and recharge because you will be exhausted from working long hours.

Thank you so much Cait for taking the time to do this interview. It means a lot that you took the time to answer all my questions. I know you’re doing amazing things right now. Thanks for tolerating me with my rants about life and stuff.

That is all I have for today. Thanks so much reading. I hope this answers any questions about quick service and outdoor vending. If you have this role/locations, I hope this gave you some insight. If you have any questions at all, please leave a comment and I will try my best to answer them.

If you like what I’m doing and want to continue to follow my journey here, please follow and subscribe so you don’t miss anything. It really helps me out a lot. Also give this post a like to let know that you enjoy what I’m doing. It really motivates me to keep going and to put out content. I have a lot more I want to put out there. I will see you in the next post!

As always, stay magical, stay safe!

DCP Interview #3 with Morgan E!

| Sarah

Hey guys! I’m back at it again with another interview! Are you excited? I’m excited. Let’s just jump right into it.

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

My name is Morgan E, Quick-Service Food and Beverage, Spring 2019

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

No! QSFB was not my first choice, Children’s Activities or Front Desk was my first choice.

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

a. I worked at Cosmic Ray’s in the Magic Kingdom. Cosmic Ray’s is known for being the second busiest restaurant in the world.
b. A typical work day for me would be walking about around 11-12 (due to late night hours), eating lunch, getting ready for work. I’d leave my apartment around 4 pm every day to go to work. I’d have to be at work around 5-6 pm sometimes even 7-8 pm at night and wouldn’t get off till 11 pm -12 am or even 2-4 am. When I arrive at the MK Cast parking lot, I get on the MK bus to take me to the Utilidors (basically backstage behind beast castle). I’d walk to the Tomorrowland breakroom and drop off my dinner and backpack; sometimes I’d arrive early enough to talk with fellow cast members. To clock in we would have to go up into the kitchen to our CDS office, where we would clock in and get our assignment for the first half of our shift. (I was placed in the kitchen for my program, not where I thought I’d be placed) A few of the positions I could of held are Fryers (fries or nuggets), salads, KTF (cleaning the kitchen, taking out trash, stocking, food waste, etc.), Food runner, the Anchor, middle or window (getting orders put together for guests), and the boiler (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,) (basically making the buns and burgers we serve.) Normal, depending on length of shift you will be that spot for 3-5 hours before you get your break and can get a different position. After your break, you will get another assignment (normally to bump someone out; since CP means Closing Person). You would get put into your closing position till an hour or hour and a half till we closed. Some of the closing positions you could be would be closing a bay (takes an hour and half to two hours to close – 1 person closing), fryers (takes an hour to hour and half to close – 1 person closing), boiler (30 minutes to close – 1 person closing), salads (30 minutes to close – 1 person closing), and Take Downs (takes one and a half to three hours to close – 3 to 4 people closing). Once you have closed your area you have to have the kitchen coordinator and leader walk you to double check everything before you are able to clock out. Normally, once you have walked the kitchen coordinator has to change your time because normally they schedule us to get out earlier than we actually do.
c. Also, depending on who the closing coordinator and leader are you may actually get stuck doing extra work or helping out someone else that’s behind. Or they may make you redo your area.

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

Yes, I lived in Disney Housing – I lived in Chatham Square.

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

a. I had five other roommates (we lived in a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom apartment. Yay, no bunk beds!) Like I said in the previous question I lived at Chatham Square!
b. I found my roommates on the Disney College Program Spring 2019/Spring Advantage 2019 Facebook page.

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

Yes, we got the complex and apartment we wanted! When we had to register for roommates and apartments we could only link 3 others, so we linked the 4 first roommates and had the 2 other roommates link and then we sent the DCP housing and DCP program and email asking if we could all be linked together no matter where we were placed.

How did you hear about the Disney College Program?

I heard about the DCP when I was in elementary school, and knew someone that did the program in 1970s! I started applying in January 2017 and after finally got accepted in Fall 2018 (My fourth application!)

Why did you want to do the program?

I wanted to do the program because I thought working for the company long-term once I’m done with college would be the dream. I wanted to work in Human Resources or Guest Services.

What did you learn from the program?

I learned how to be on my own and how to make friends. Back home, I’m the type of person that goes to school and goes home or to work. So, being in a totally different place miles away from home I knew I needed to meet some people and learn how to be on my own working 30-40 hours a week and managing a schedule.

Are you happy you did the program?

I am happy that I did the program. Once it got closer to me leaving I got very nervous about leaving and not wanting to leave, but I’m glad I did it and moved 2,000 miles away from home for 5 months.

Did the program have an impact on you?

The program did I have impact on me because I was able to come home and know exactly want I wanted to do in the future and I was able to break out of box and be more open to staying on campus longer to meet people.

What do you wish you did differently? Any regrets?

I don’t wish I did anything differently. I do regret not going to some of the late-night work outings due to work early in the morning. I was able to achieve everything I wanted to on my program and more.

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

I did make a bucket list, I complete about half of my bucket list. If I had more days off and stayed through the summer, I believe I could have completed my bucket list.

Did you network? Take any classes or seminars?

This year Disney changed how you can take classes or seminars to more of a lottery taking and I was unable to get into those classes and seminars that I wanted to take.

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?

a. No, I didn’t extend my program. I came home to take summer school and work for more money back home so I wasn’t behind and could graduate on time.
b. I don’t know if I want to do another program. I think if I did another program I would want a different role or would even try for a full-time position with the company.

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

I would recommend the DCP to a friend, but I’d tell them to be picky with the role they would want to do for their program and not put interest in a role that they really don’t care for.

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

a. Some advice I would give to future CPs to do the program for you and not for your family. Make sure you are prepared to make little money and have only 2 days off a week to explore in the park. Enjoy your program by going to the parks before work to have more park days. Get to know your coworkers because they will be your long-life friends, since you will see them more than your roommates sometimes (depending on everyone’s work schedule). Make sure you are only putting interest in roles you actually would consider doing for the company!! Take days off to doing do stuff in Florida, I regret not asking for a day off to go to the beach, so take a day off to do that stuff.
b. IT’S OKAY TO CALL OUT!! Don’t be afraid to call out to explore Florida or for a mental health day! I called out 4 times because I wanted to explore and needed mental health day and it was totally worth it!! Disney doesn’t care, as long as you don’t call out too many times! (Hint: if you call out bereavement versus call out, you don’t get a point!)

Thank you so much Morgan for taking the time to do this interview. I know that you’re very busy doing amazing stuff. It means so much that you answered all my questions.

Thank you to all of you for reading this post. For those who have QSFB/Cosmic Ray’s as their role and location, I hope this answers all your questions and gave you some insight. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I’ll try to answer them as best I can.

If you like what you read, please give post a like, follow and subscribe for more posts like these. It really helps me out a lot by telling me that you’re actually reading and listening to what I have to say. It motivates me to keep putting out more content for you all.

As always guys: stay magical! Stay safe!

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…