WDW college program experiences

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » Apr Mon 24, 2006 5:19 pm

packwingfn wrote:Ok my meeting with Lori Martin is tomorrow(tuesday) at Noon. Any last thoughts from anyone that I should say to Lori about the program to get her convinced about the project.

I plan on explaining to her on WHY i wanna do it ------ Take a semester off from school and leave home for 6 months for the experience

How it could relate to school-----I wont be taking any classes but see if there is a way I can get at least some elective credits during my time working at disney

What I need to have ready before I leave----leave of absense papers and stuff.

I will probably print out some of the stuff from the program website that I would like to comment on.

Any other comments from here will be appreciated!

My only suggestion is to be prepared (which it sounds like you are) and be calm. (A little prayer beforehand might not hurt either.) Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Apr Mon 24, 2006 6:50 pm

I'm fresh out of advice, so best of luck to you packwingfn and hope it all goes well!

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Apr Tue 25, 2006 11:41 am

Ok I just got out of my meeting with Lori Martin. It went great. It was good to talk to someone who MEANS something when I need to join my program.

The key things that we talked about:

1. I probably won't need to take a leave of absence from the school. I can just disappear for a semester and still come back and won't have to reapply or anything. She said people do that all the time. LION, what did you do?

2. She called someone at our Student Center during our meeting and she found out that someone was able to get 3 Credits during the Disney College Program from my school. So at least I'll be able to get some type of credit while I'm down there without having to take a class.

QUESTION FOR LION:
3.What kind of stuff do I need with me for the interview with Disney? Do I need a letter of recommendation from my school when I attend the interview? When should I apply if I'm attending the Fall of 2007 program. Does this program cost any money at all besides the rooming charge that they subtract from your bill? She said she would be the one to write the letter of recommendation for me if I need it.

4. Then I also explained to her why I wanna do and she could tell I was very enthusiastic about it and I would be a great person for the job. She has never been to Walt Disney so thats why she has never heard about it and was wondering why I would want do it (totally understandable). Then I just told her about my current job at Stop and Shop (supermarket) and will be similar to Disney because of the 100% Customer Service. She was a very nice lady and I had a real good talk with her.

5. She just needs to talk to some guy about how I can work it out to attain credit while I'm at the program and what I need to do about the leave of absence or not. She said she plans to call me back sometime today.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Apr Wed 26, 2006 8:04 am

Sorry for the absence. I have been working like a mad dog! The convention, then extra magic hours, then an early morning shift(which i was a little late for, btw). Sorry for not giving you any thumbs up or words of Disney wisdom, but you knew I was routing for ya anyways!

I'm glad your meeting went well and hopefully you shed some Disney light upon Lori Marten.

Well, I had a phone interview with a recruiter. So I didn't need to bring anything. I remember my friend who did the program before me was trying to prepare me for hard questions like "why do you think this is the job for you?" "what kind of experiences are you looking for?"- things like that. But when the actual time came for the interview, it went pretty smooth and I was very positive about it. You don't need a letter for recommendation. Having good grades helps though. If you can, attend a Disney recruiting meeting at some college. If not, then go to the CP site and look for applications for the Fall Semester. You do pay a $76 service fee thing for when you do get accepted. Otherwise it doesn't cost anything to apply.

As for the leave of absence, yeah I just left for a semester and I'm hoping I don't have to reapply. Because at my college, you can disappear for a semester.

Well right now it's 9:05, and I gotta be at the bus stop at 9:15, have a great day and remember...Safe D begins with me!

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Apr Wed 26, 2006 8:06 pm

I just got a call back from Lori Martin. She said that I don't need to file a leave of absence, I can just take a semester off and not have to reapply. She's still going to let Records Office know when it is time.

As for credit, I can get some Elective credit if i want but I'm fine with no credit.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not too nervous about the interview, I have faith that I will get acceptd. I still have a year to worry about it anyway.

So bascially all I have to do is leave school (without ever letting them know), attend the presentation in the Spring of 07, schedule an interview, wait to get accepted then fly down to florida for the program. It doesn't sound so complicated

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Apr Thu 27, 2006 9:59 pm

It shouldnt be complicated at all. And yeah, you don't have to worry about it for a while. But just make sure everything is taken care of.

Today was the Spring Fling- a sort of party exclusively for Disney MGM cast members(well anyone with a ticket) in Sound Stage 1 which is behind Milliionaire. There was a free buffet which included different salads, pasta, bbq pulled pork and bbq chicken. Free beverages and free ice cream! The food was delicious, as expected.

There was also Health Services, Safety in Motion, Casting Scouts, Vista! and other booths with info and free stuff. Outside the stage was some games and a DJ who would ask Disney Trivia from time to time. Across the from the stage was the much awaited Liquidation sale! Everything was 75% off! Just imagine lots of cool Disney apparel, stationary, collectibles at a decent price. I would've bought lots of stuff if I had more time, but I had to get more costumes and clock in for work.

Tomorrow I'm hanging with some family from California. We'll be staying at the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. I heard it's really nice and is walking distance to Downtown Disney. This time, I know I have four days off for sure. So no calling in sick.

Well today I was put back in restrooms. It seems like forever since I last did them, but it was really only two days. Usually, I can handle the smell of really bad...things. But today there was this really rancid/putrid/gross odor coming from a stall, and I gagged as my eyes watered. It was really bad. Someone had a really bad butt explosion or something. There will be more of that because I looked at the schedule for next week, and I'm in restrooms for five days. Woopiee.

So the other night, my manager was explaining to me on why our showkeeping area is..the way it is. She basically said that we have too many people with contrasting personalities. Now you would think that since it is the workplace, it's normal. But it's like we have two factions that butt heads. Just the other day, a full timer yelled at another full timer for not doing their job- onstage and in front of guests. That is obviously a big no-no. I had no idea this stuff was going on, but sometimes I can tell. I often hear people talking behind other peoples backs. And when that happens, I leave, because it is not my business and I do not want to get involved.

Another thing my manager mentioned is that a lot of our full timers have been in the same area for waay too long. This leads to them becoming very territorial and sort of obessive about things. So she said it was nice when the CPs come in and do their jobs without bickering like 45 yr old children.

My manager also mentioned that all the SK managers were hand-picked for the job by the president of the Studios, and that specifically my manger has done pretty much everything in her 21 years with the company. After she told me this, I told her she was crazy.

Here's something totall off topic- WDW has lots of wildlife!! Wow. Birds, crocodiles, squirrels, rabbits, lizards, all kinds of insects, snakes, other rodents etc... The birds and squirrels in the World are particularly bold. They will take your funnel cake and bury their claws into your scalp!

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » Apr Fri 28, 2006 7:27 am

Lion Sleeps Tonight wrote:Tomorrow I'm hanging with some family from California. We'll be staying at the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. I heard it's really nice and is walking distance to Downtown Disney. This time, I know I have four days off for sure. So no calling in sick.

So, Lion - I'm assuming you know this family from California that you'll be staying with? It sounds like some family picked you off the street and asked you to stay with them and be their guide at WDW!

Did you end up getting written up for calling in sick when your friends were in town, or did they cut you some slack?

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » May Mon 01, 2006 11:38 am

It's very interesting hearing the stories about the full-timers. It's stuff I need to know that might happen while I'm down there at the college program. It's the kind of stuff that isn't explained in a pamplet. Hope you enjoy your time with the family.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » May Mon 01, 2006 9:04 pm

Lol, it's my family from California. Yeah, i did re-read what I wrote and it does come out rather weird. My step brother, step sister and two friends came down for a few days. I took the F bus to Downtown Disney and walked from there to the check-in building for the resort. The journey was about 20 minutes because i stopped and took some nice morning shots of downtown disney and the resort from the pathway. They took a Mears shuttle to the resort and we got there about the same time.

I met with them about 10am, and we did a pre-register check-in, gave our bags to bell services and headed out for half day at Animal Kingdom, and an evening at Epcot. had Cantina de San Angel while we waited for Illuminations. That was the first time i ever did the Extra Magic Hours thing, and it was pretty cool.

After we got back to the hotel, we got our room and were in awe of just how stunning the room was. Keep in mind that our usual places of occupancy are Best Westerns, Motel 6 etc... Saratoga Springs just blew us away. All of us were snapping pictures of our place at 1:30am. We thought it better to remember our short stay, cuz yeah almost $1000 for five people for three nights(including50% CM discount) doesn't happen all the time.

The next morning we got an early start for EMH at The Studios. After doing some of the attractions, we headed back to the World Showcase via the Friendship Boats. We got glimpses of the Swan and Dolphin, and the Boardwalk. 'Someday' I thought to myself.

After a few hours of exploring the Showcase we head back to MGM the same way we came, and watch Epic then have a late lunch at the Sci Fi and Dine- a restaurant I go through, walk all around, but never experienced. It was a pretty cool thing to do. Those old horror movies were awesome as well. Then it was time for Lights! Motors! Action! which everyone got a kick out off. We then go back to Sunset Blvd to see the wait time for ToT, but we notice a line in front of the Hollywood Hills. It's only 6:30, and there's already a crowd waiting for Fantasmic! Surprised, we do Coaster, get some snacks and wait in line with people. We got good seats and enjoyed the show.

Little bit OT: It's weird how you experience an attraction so much, that when something out of the normal happens, you notice right away. For instance, the first canon didn't go off, some of the choreography was off, and a few fireworks mis-fired.

The next day is an entire day dedicated to the Magic Kingdom including EMH until 1am. It was real sweet cuz we didn't longer than 20 minutes for any ride. The only time we left the park was for a nice(but a little rushed) dinner at Chefs de France. We got back in time to get a glimpse of the parade, then made it back up to the hub for prime spots for Wishes! All in all, it was a very busy and fun day.

Which brings us back to today. I have exactly 11 days left as a CP. I'm sad about leaving everyone. Well mostly everyone. This was the first time living away from home, and I'm grateful to have lived with such great roommates. I hear all these horror stories about roommates from the blue lagoon, so yeah I really lucked out.

I'm going to miss my roommates, my fellow CP/friends, and my managers, and a few full-timers. Speaking of them, I don't really want to rag on them, but some of them really need to grow up and get over themselves. It's not fair to other cast members, their managers, and especially the guests.

One piece of advice is to really mind your own business if something happens. If a cast member is making you feel uncomfortable, then leave the room or alert a manager. There's no point in being miserable while you're working. Disagreements do happen. If you get into a tiff with another cast member, then it's best to forgive and forget.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » May Thu 04, 2006 9:27 pm

Less than a week to go as a college program intern. I have only five more days of work, which is kind of sad. But as it is, I'm glad I won't be working there for much longer. Every job has it's share of lazy bums and snitches, but for some reason it feels that Icon Showkeeping takes the cake. At times it feels like there are rival gangs that act all nice and dandy onstage, but backstage it's all off. They won't be upfront about it, but they'll tell the managers or leave something undone.

Anyways, last night was the most boring shift ever. There was a wedding at the Hideaway(the nice place right next to the Shed restrooms), and the reception was at GMR. So that meant that only the Icon restrooms were being used for the event. The park closed at 8:30, so that means for about 5 hours, we did nothing but watch TV in the break room, and check the restroom from time to time which toook about 3 minutes. So my restroom partner and I watched Toon Disney for a few hours, and you know you've been watching too much TV, when the same episode airs again that day.

One snafu happened though. Around 11pm, we went to check the restroom, and found 3rd shift foaming both the male and female restrooms with cleaning stuff. So if a guest walked in( in formal attire), they wouldve been met with a very wet and foamy restroom. So we call our manager(SK 30), and he calls SR 30, which is Show Readiness manager. He tells the 3rd shift guy to stop and to rinse out the restroom as fast as he could because a guest could walk in at any moment. So me and my partner begin to squegee and wipe down the floors and other things inside. It got really hot inside, because the air conditioning was turned off. And to top it all off, the lights outside the restroom were turned off as well.

But all turned out well, and we got everything cleaned and dry before anyone came in. That night I only saw one guest and that was it. Sitting around in the breakroom with no one to talk to makes me go crazy!

So I won't be extending the program, or trying to find a job here at Disney any time soon. The weather is too hot for me, and there's really not any other job I want. I love the freedom that comes with showkeeping, but it won't be the same without the CPs i've grown fond of. My family misses me, and I miss them as well. Also, I want to finish college and try and find a job closer to home in my field. I'll come and visit. It's not like Disney has scarred me for life....

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » May Thu 04, 2006 11:48 pm

Sad to hear that your program is ending but be glad that you had so much fun.It will be sad to no longer hear any stories anymore after this week.

I liked what you said about the freedom that comes with Showkeeping but also the flawas of it but I'm still defnitely interested in becoming a showkeeper.

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » May Fri 05, 2006 7:36 am

Yes, Lion, your posts will definately be missed. It has really been neat to see things from an "insiders" perspective. I have a WHOLE new respect for the guys/and gals that sweep the streets and clean the bathrooms. When we head down there next month I'm going to have to make a point to smile and say "thank you" to them.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » May Fri 05, 2006 10:58 am

Why thank you.There will always be those that work hard to make the place look as beautiful as they can, and people that just do the bare minimal and don't care. It's usually easy to tell who enjoys their job, and who doesn't.

I recommend being a showkeeper if you're a guy, but not so much for girls. For girls it's a lot more work. They have to constantly add sanitary napkin bags and sweep up toilet paper. For the males, it's easy because....not as many restroom accessories are needed. Plus, chances are that you'll have many more days in restrooms than on the streets... But really, once you get a system going, it's not all difficult. If you set things up right, the rest of the shift should be easier, and you'll have more time for guest interaction.

And when people do give compliments for the work you do, it does put a smile on your face. I appreciate a kind word, and the smile on my face is genuine. Not to sound corny, but I always try and see things from a guests perspective.

Well today is another fun day at the Studios. I'm bringing my camera and will try to take pictures of my co-workers whenever I have the chance.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » May Tue 09, 2006 11:31 pm

Today was graduation. It was from 11-3pm at Mickey's Retreat(a nice area with a lake, pools, paddle boats, canoes, picnic areas etc...for cast members and their families). It's located right next to Chatham, so I just walked over there with my roommates. Graduation is two days and includes drawings for cariactures, one free meal, music video things, paddleboat races, a diploma and mickey ears with tassel, and some other free stuff. There was a DJ there as well. Of course there was Mickey and the gang all dressed up in graduation garb ready to take pictures with us.

Overall it was a fun event, if a bit sad because one of my roommates had to leave to go back home to Ohio right after. I had to go to work after graduation, so I probably missed a couple of my friends there.

Tonight was my last night shift, and for a while, I was a little mopey on the streets. But I'm sure the guests wouldn't appreciate that, so I put a smile on anyways. Tomorrow is my last working day; I hope to get pictures with my managers and a couple of other co-workers. It's hard to say goodbye, and it hasn't really hit me yet even though I'm already packing and cleaning up the apt. But the thought of never seeing these people is constantly in the back of my mind.

I'll miss my roommates the most, because all of them, save one were awesome. Then my co-workers(mostly CPs), and surprisingly i'll miss my managers. They were awesome, and I think it's rare to have such a great team of people working together.

Hopefully, since it's my last day, I'll get put onto the streets. Even though we get the same questions, I'm not tired of them yet, and I still love talking to guests.

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » May Wed 10, 2006 7:59 am

Well Lion, thank you for the honor of letting all of us see inside your life at The World for the last 5 months. It has been a pleasure and you will be missed.

I (as I'm sure all of us!) wish you the best as you go back to college to finish your degree. I do hope that you got the email address of all your friends so that you could keep in touch - maybe even get back together at Disney World in a year or so - wouldn't that be a blast!!!!

Enjoy your last day at work and safe travels on your way home!