Oh, the Disney College Program. You've heard about it through a social media post you somehow stumbled upon. Maybe you went to Disney World and you overheard Cast Members talking about it, or I wouldn't be surprised if they were talking to you about it. You had a friend of a friend who did it and now they can't stop raving about it, or maybe you even read 18 Ways The Disney College Program Destroys You, and you got hooked. You did your research and decided, you have to apply. Now, it's all you can think about. The application process is long and full of questions, but if you stick it out-- I promise you, it's worth every single second. Thinking about applying? Here's my best explanation of the phases you'll go through from drop to your acceptance.
1. App drop.
Oh my god. It's here. It's live. It's real. Right in front of your eyes is the application that could very well change your life as you know it. Excitement rushes through your veins. Wow, it's really here. It's filled out with all of your hopes and dreams and, submit.
2. WHERE IS MY WEB BASED INTERVIEW??!
Five, ten, twenty minutes and "Guys, guys, guys!! I got the email!!" potential CP exclaims over the populating Facebook page. You frantically start refreshing your email, twice a second at this point. Suddenly, an entire hour and eighteen minutes have flown by. You think to yourself, "Oh no, that's it. I'm not getting in, this is the HEY I GOT IT!!" You pass through with flying colors and POOF. Its time to schedule your phone interview.
3. To the page!
You rush to the Facebook page, that now has over 1,632 potential applicants. You ask others how their interview went, trying to figure out what questions they were asked. "Okay, so how will Disney benefit me? Okay good, got an answer for that one. How would I handle spiels, okay I got this, yes". You scope out as much information as you possibly can, right up until the very exciting hour before the call.
4. Thirty minutes before the call.
You blast your favorite Disney jams and twirl around your room that is now filled with inspirational reminders that "dreams, come, true!" You "party up" to the Move It Shake It Dance And Play It Street Party parade music right until you've hit fifteen minutes before your call.
5. Fourteen minutes before the call.
Okay, any minute now. It's coming. My time to shine is here and I am ready.
6. Three minutes before the call.
Alright, it's coming, here we go, feeling the magic.
7. Call time.
Disney?!!! Hello?!! It's 11:00 a.m. Where are you?!?! Two minutes go by of frantic panic... even though you know that they can call fifteen minutes before or after your scheduled time.
8. 11:03. Unknown caller.
AHHHH!!!! Oh my Goodness!!! This is my MOMENT. You completely forget that you were freaking out just two second ago and pick up the phone with your biggest Disney smile and say, "Hello this is Dana!".
9. The interview.
You put your best self out there, showing just how bubbly you really are. You express your love for making magic and helping guests believe. You show just exactly where you think you are meant to be in this program, answering each question in your very most Cast Member way. You thank your recruiter by name and wish them a magical day. You hang up the phone and happily twirl on to your bed, full of pixie dust and excitement.
10. A few days later.
"HOW HAVE PEOPLE ALREADY BEEN ACCEPTED? Gosh, I would do anything to work for Disney." It consumes your mind. You want this like you have wanted nothing else. You start to check your email anywhere from six to 40 times a day. You check the Facebook page for updates, making friends along the way.
11. The breakdown.
Acceptance after acceptance has gone by. You can't help but feel a bit discouraged. You call your best friend and cry because it's been a month, and still no magical purple header email. They remind you to keep your head up-- you deserve this. You can do this, and if you don't get in-- it's okay. So many people apply, thousands upon thousands are fighting for chance. You tried and you can always try again.
12. Disney College Program: Congratulations!
AHHHHHHHH!!!! No matter where you are at this very moment, tears are steaming down your face. Happiness runs through your soul as you twirl around in the middle of where ever you are, public or not as you let a load "I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!" You did it. You have been selected to participate in this life-changing experience. You are a Walt Disney World Cast Member. You're in. This is real.
Congratulations is right. No matter what role you receive, it doesn't matter because it is truly all that you make of it. Every role is a good role because you are working for the mouse himself. You should be proud of yourself. You have been selected to carry on Walt Disney's legacy of making dreams become a reality. Feel the magic oozing inside of you. You, my friend, are now officially a part of it. Now, off to find the perfect roommate who will be willing to spend every second you have off exploring the parks and taking hundreds of hub grass pics together! Good luck. Work hard, play hard and do not waste a second of it. If you're there for 3 months to an entire year, it goes by quick-- so embrace every opportunity with all that you've got. Don't forget to network!
