WDW college program experiences

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Aug Sat 12, 2006 1:36 am

On your namebadge, Did you ever your hometown listed underneith your name?

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Aug Sat 12, 2006 4:02 am

packwingfn wrote:On your namebadge, Did you ever your hometown listed underneith your name?

Nope. We got our name, "Happiest Celebration on Earth" on the bottom, California, Tokyo on the left side, then the castle in the middle top and to the right of that- Paris, Hong Kong.

By the time you do your program, the hometown or school should be back on it.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Sep Thu 07, 2006 2:12 pm

I was just browsing through the WDW College Program website and was reading the requirements for a custodial worker.

Responsibilities may include: emptying waste cans, cleaning restrooms, bussing tables, sweeping and mopping, working with cleaning chemicals, driving pargo carts, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning pool decks, and providing Guest information.

I would rather be on the streets or in the bathrooms, is there a chance that I could be stuck bussing tables or cleaning pool decks? When I go for the interview, should I be specific to the interviewer what I'm very interested in doing.

Another thing :

A Main Entrance Pass that allows you to admit as many as three friends or family members in to our theme parks six times during your program

So I can invite up to 3 people at one time, for 6 times? So let's say I invite my family up (mom, dad , brother), and they stay for 6 days, That would be it right?

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Sep Thu 07, 2006 6:40 pm

Okay. When you sign up to do custodial- it can be anywhere. It can be in a theme park, at a resort, waterpark, Downtown Disney, whatever. I was put in MGM because of my major being Radio and Television.

If you work in a theme park, chances are you'll be walking around restaurants. If a guest asks you to clean a table, then you have to do it. It may take a while for you to put your things down, and get the necessary items(which the restaurant should provide you). If you don't want to do that, then get a restaurant CM to take care of it. But I was taught to never refuse if a guest asks me(it never happened, btw).

As for the Main Gate Pass, you can use it up to 6 times. I think they mean three at a time. When you do use it, it becomes a park-hopper for that day. So yeah, three people is good. The rules are kinda confusing at first, but there's directions when you get the card.

I used it on two separate occasions. One for family, then later for a few friends.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Sep Fri 08, 2006 2:37 pm

Yeah of course i'll help clean a table if a guest asks me too, I just didnt wanna get stuck bussing tables and that would be it, you know?

I'm still confused about the main gate pass

My major is computers, so maybe EPCOT because it has to do with the future? I would like that

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Sep Fri 08, 2006 3:17 pm

I doubt you'll be bussing tables. That's usually left up to the CMs that actually work in the restaurants. But each park might have different rules. Perhaps when it comes time for your interview, you can sorta mention your interests. I did mention MGM.

Main gate pass. You can use it up to six times total. You can only use it for three people at a time. You go up to the turnstile, hand the pass to a CM, they put the pass in the machine, and you get three tickets which are park hoppers for one day. Each person signs the ticket. Watch out for block-out dates. I'm pretty sure that's how it works. I was confused by it as well.

lovesdisney44 · Post by **lovesdisney44** » Sep Fri 08, 2006 7:11 pm

So, Lion - how's it been going . . . do you find yourself daydreaming about your Disney College Program days? Do you think you do it again?

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Sep Sun 10, 2006 12:05 am

lovesdisney44 wrote:So, Lion - how's it been going . . . do you find yourself daydreaming about your Disney College Program days? Do you think you do it again?

I just think about it....every day! I miss it a lot, I really do. Of course I miss the people I met down there the most. I wanted to say goodbye to everyone, but didn't have time. It's sad, but I don't keep in touch as I first wanted to.

A friend of mine who did the program a few years ago said that he went through the same 'withdrawal' when he got back. So I should get over it soon, lol.

As for the program, I don't think I'll be doing it again. I was fortunate enough to have such a good experience, that I wouldn't want to ruin the memories that I have.

But people do do the program more than once or twice. I just can't see myself doing it again anytime soon.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Sep Mon 11, 2006 10:54 am

Ok I understand about the main gate pass now. My plan might let my family use the pass for 3 days so if they stay in the park for 6 days, they would only need to pay for 3 park tickets then have my friends come during a different time doing the same thing.

Yes i'm very interested in EPCOT so i will defnitely mention that during the interview.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Sep Thu 14, 2006 1:38 pm

My next question to ask you lion is about Health Insurance.

My parents just asked me to find my tuition bill so they could send it to the insurance company so I can still be insured under their insurance but what happens when I work at Disney for a semester? I might lose my coverage as a full time student.

How was your situation?

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Sep Thu 14, 2006 10:26 pm

Um, at first I thought I turned in some papers, stating what coverage I had, but it turns out I didn't do anything. I remember the college program people mentioning that you didn't have to worry.

I think there was a section on the CP website about health insurance.

Sorry for not being much help.

packwingfn · Post by **packwingfn** » Dec Tue 05, 2006 4:56 pm

Without looking through the whole post. Where did you stay during your visit? Chatham or Vista?

And for others who have been, Where do you recommand that I live?

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Dec Tue 05, 2006 7:19 pm

Chatham Square. Specifically the building straight ahead after the entrance gate. So yeah, always noisy. People say that it doesn't really matter where you stay, but Chatham=win, lol.

Chatham is a little more secluded and out of the way from things. The closest shopping area is about a 10-15 minute walk. Chatham is the first stop on the bus schedule, so after a long day at work, you get to go home first, and are most likely guaranteed a seat on the bus. Oh, and it's a bit newer, so.... yeah.

Vista Way is closer to the restaurants and stores like Wal Mart, Target etc... There's a Wendy's like 30 feet away from the apartments(no CP discount =( ) Also, it's located on one of the main freeways. They have a working printer machine and a DVD rental place, I think. I always saw it as a more "interesting" place.

Commons and the Tree House are unfortunately not one of the options.

MansionButler · Post by **MansionButler** » Dec Fri 08, 2006 3:01 am

I think if I do another program I'll still want to live in Vista. It's not completely as nice as Chatham, but I found it to be more fun (and no, I didn't party), the busses spend more time parked there, and it's closer to more important places (see: Chick-fil-e and Walgreens) that you can walk to.

Picking up a shift in two weeks. w00t!

MansionButler · Post by **MansionButler** » Dec Fri 08, 2006 3:06 am

Lion, I just read through this page and realized we were on the college program at the same time.

Did you know a CP named Ben who was in custodial at MGM? I know he was usually near Epic. He was my roommate.