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!