I’m listening to this on low volume w/auto generated subtitles and it literally said “or you could ask a really nice fridge for a ride” and I DIED. So much for not trying to wake up the house. 😅
I love this!!! The car thing is so true, thank goodness I had a nice pal who drove me too and from work all the time hehe. I miss our Harvey jams!!! Love and miss you! xxx
This is the first DCP video I’ve dived into, and it was great! Thanks for giving a super informational video that isn’t just all positive or all negative!
TheGracefullyAwkward You’re very very welcome!!! You’re gonna get trapped in a DCP hole and just watch so many videos 😂😂 I found them addictive when I was doing my research
Yes! I just finished my program and a car would have been super helpful and useful on the College Program. Within the 1st month of being there I flew back home to visit because I felt homesick, I think its fine to have family and friends visit as early as you want, when I got back I was fine and made more friends, I just had to get used to the adjustment. Usually your comp tickets appear in your account the next day or the upcoming sunday from when you receive an email about your comp tickets. I guess it's different for everyone. and yes! I wish I would have only packed 5 shirts and 5 pants honestly lol. You now get paid more than $10/hr, and PLAN what you are going to spend money on and GO TO CAST CONNECTIONS before buying something in the park! haha. Some 6 person apartments come with 2 fridges! I lived in Chatham so that's probably why haha. This video has definitely had more accurate information than other videos I've seen.
I also start the program in 2 weeks! This is super helpful and refreshing to talk about the more real “what I didn’t expect”. I love those too but now this makes me feel even more ready and excited!
I was accepted into the DCP my Junior year of College (2013 I'm old haha), and I have to say watching your videos really makes me regret not going. I was going to be there for the seven (7) month program, but my College would not accept my credits and I would not have graduated on time. In retrospect, huge mistake. Thank you for sharing your experiences, the good and the bad. Oh, and I was hired to be a lifeguard at Blizzard Beach! -Robert, NYC
I’m so sorry you missed out on the experience!! Hopefully living through my videos helps a little 😂 You can always see if there’s a professional internship or some other short term job if you still want to live out your dreams
Marissa Papapietro Absolutely! You documenting your journey is extremely appreciated. I remember back when I applied and was accepted I looked for videos on RU-vid also (from the initial phone interview on out). There weren’t many (if any) daily vlogs back then. So thanks haha. And definitely. I’m a lawyer in the city now but maybe there’s still time for me to live out my dreams!!
@@riss_papa I'll be sure to watch your other videos. This was my second time applying and while my first interview wasn't bad I massively improved this time around. I'm the type of person who likes the honest truth because then I can mentally prepare myself.
Hey, thanks for pointing these things out. I'm about to start officially training on the job today, it's a long shift, like yesterday. I'm excited though, what's funny is my roommate, the one I share a room with at Vista, also works there too. So weird. We have the same training schedule. Anyway, this was really helpful and I was guessing what you were going to say at certain points, and you're right, very few people, if any, tend to spill tea on what's really going on with DCP. Thanks for being cool and informative. Shame we never got to meet, I'm SA '2020 and this was great.
@@riss_papa No problem. I'd definitely recommend adding some background music, nothing to repetitive though just to cover the background noise. Other than that, great stuff. It really helps my anxiety to learn more about the Disney College Program rather than playing a guessing game. You're very honest and that's good. Makes you relatable.
@@riss_papa Only do it if you want to. Always remember it's your videos for us. Not our videos for you. 😊 I've been doing video editing and writing for a while. Message me if you ever need help. It's the least I can do for you being honest in your videos.
Dang, I did this program and while I LOVE disney I have no affection for this program. Do you want to make less then minimum wage, watch most of your paycheck go into housing expenses where you are shoved into a small apartment with 3 other people? You will be broke, work crazy hours and be paid in "magic." Sure you make friend's but you are broke, barely getting by. I worked with folks that had the 15 year cast member pen and they were making 15 an hour! That's insane. Don't give into the glitz and glamour of Disney, you deserve more.
This was a great video! I always see videos like this that are either 100% sugar coated or completely negative- this was a perfect mix! I start my program in 2 and a half weeks!!
It was my dream too! I took a chance and got accepted! I plan on vlogging my experience on my channel if you're interested in how things are happening as of 2022
Thank you so much for making this video. I’m doing the dcp spring 2020 and this video was so helpful! Sending love! Also I cannot believe it’s been a year since your program. xo
i appreciate your composure and honesty throughout this whole video! you seem like a really amazing person! I’m planning on doing the DCP after high school & this was super helpful even with it being from a year ago. from what I’ve heard - The DCP is always changing but I’m confident this is still applicable for when anyone decides to go there!! Thank you✨
I've basically dissected the inner workings for the Disney parks from the building and coding. Yet I still look at all the parks like a toddler does, that's how much I love Disney
This video was interesting. Kudos to you for giving these tips. I did my 1st DCP about a decade ago (spring 2010 / QSFB at MK), obviously a lot has changed both on wages, rent and apparently the work 150 hours before you get the comp passes. I stayed at Chatham Square. Spaceship Earth is one of my favorite attractions in a learning experience kind of way (which Epcot is more known for then anything else). Btw, the 1st tip I did my 2nd DCP in fall 2013 and I couldn't agree more with that tip for any interested in the DCP.
@@20-NYC its been a decade since my 1st DCP, so I can't really explain in great detail all the specifics. Minimum wage back then was like $7.75 to $8 am hour at the magic kingdom, I don't remember if specific roles had more of a big pay rise back then. You definitely get a good opportunity to make new connections of friends and rare an intimate relationship. I have kept in touch with at least a handful of DCP friends that I chat on occasion but the experience can be different for every individual. It's definitely true that the classes you take at the DCP does count towards college credit, if that has changed recently then my apologies. Keep in mind that if you are getting a PhD in astrophysics then I doubt that classes at Disney will get you closer to filling those college credits, but you will get college credits nevertheless but just not toward the specific college credits of said college major. I did take complete advantage of going to the Parks, at the time you could get in for free, in fall 2013 I was at the food and wine festival all for free except the food stands from across the globe of course, and I did see smash mouth, boys 2 men & Dennis Deyoung perform music. Idk if the park admission thing had changed. That's all I can share unless there was something more specific, because again, it was so long ago that unless asked specifically are just in bits and pieces of memory.
@@20-NYC I’ve never done it but I’m sure what made it so great was the experience. Possibly living with others, making so many friends and great memories, the working experience and being in a magical environment like Disney
hi!! i'm going into my sophmore year and i was wondering if there was anything you would recommend that i could be doing now that would look good on my potential future application?
Hi!! Definitely try to get some job experience that includes guest interaction and customer service. This could be in a restaurant, in a store, anything where you have to help guests/customers (you can apply this to almost any job). They love to see that you have experience contributing to saftey in a workplace and that you can resolve conflict with guests who have complaints! Hope this helps and isn’t too confusing!
i know this is unrelated but this video made me really think about orlando. one thing i completely didn’t expect from my dcp is that i miss orlando more than i miss disney and that’s crazy!! the program gives you so much more to experience that is more than disney and it’s so crazy
this is so helpful! I'm interested in the CEP and was just looking for a video that sums up things in a less... optimistic way I guess? thank you so much for the video!
Hi! Thank you so much for the honesty. This was such a great video for someone interested in joining. Do you have a video on how the dcp works with college? I’ve always wondered how that would work. Is it something online? I can’t join (or try) till 2021 unfortunately but one day I hope to! I was actually gonna major in marine biology myself :))
A very basic explanation is that the dcp is a little bit like studying abroad for a semester. The classes offered during the cp and the cp internship itself could get you college credit - just depends on what your college advisor thinks. I actually didn't get any credit so it was more like taking a semester off to work for me!
Thank you for making these videos. I have been thinking about DCP, and your vlog gives me the most information on it. You mentioned that they placed you in EPCOT, so does that mean you don't get to decide where you work? I originally wanted to do a Professional internship with the animal science department in Disney Animal Kingdom, but I read somewhere that they only offer PI positions to DCP Alumni. So I started looking at DCP, and I was hoping to still get the chance to work at Animal Kingdom..... What are your thoughts on this?
That’s definitely not true about PI! Anyone can get accepted for those. It’s just an easier way in if you’ve already done the DCP (you already have your foot in the door). And sadly no, you can’t choose where you work during the orogram
@@riss_papa Thank you for the response. I have seen back and forth commentary on the PI positions,so thank you for the clarification. I definitely think I'll still do DCP(even if I don't get to choose my placement) to get that extra foot in the door in case I can't get a PI just yet. Thanks again.
I have 2 more years of high school still before I graduate but just so I know, how do I sign up for the disney college program and find out how much it is to do in total and all the more important info? I looked on the website and didnt see any of that
I made a whole video about dcp costs! Right now the entrance fee once you’re accepted is $390 but it may get higher in the future. Lots of my videos have informative info about classes and how it all works!
My Disney CP experience was 10 years ago. Oh it's been so long! Your second point is spot on. I was a floater merchandiser for Downtown Disney in Florida. This meant that I was assigned to 4 different stores on the Westside. I could work a different store each day and had to have the costumes for each. I feel a sense of loyalty to that area even now after they've made all these changes to it. All but one of the stores I used to work in are gone. Mickey's Groove, D-Street, and Disney Quest Emporium were either changed to something else or completely demolished. Also, I refuse to call it Disney Springs.
Hey, i had a question. 1. do you stay in the school dorms that you are attending? and 2. are you allowed a full 4 year time or is it only part time scholerships.
I'm going this spring for the cultural exchange program, thank you so much for the information! do you think I would be able to save enough money to go to New York at the end of the program? It's my dream to go there but I don't know if it's expensive, I was planning to go by train and stay for two-three days 😬 Greetings from México ❤️
It’s definitely possible! My friends who did the CEP had to pay a ton for insurance so just save save SAVE. You can definitely make your dream happen!! Train from florida is way more expensive than a flight so i’d say try to go for a flight. All together it’ll probably be $1000 for the 3 days and travel plus some other expenses throughout your days. Just be careful with your money :)
Do you know how the college program works for international students? I live in Canada and really want to do the program in a few years when I'm in college/university
is it mostly hospitality majors that do the dcp? i plan on studying biochem, but i would really love to do the dcp, how do you make up a missed semester? what year do people typically do the dcp?
Actually, no! I was a marine bio major, a lot of my friends had all kinds of different majors. It doesn’t have to coincide with your future career, a lot of people just did it as a separate experience for themselves. Depending on your school, you could probably take online classes while you’re in the dcp. Freshman rarely get in, so i’d say going for it sophomore or junior year. And if you don’t want to miss any school, try doing it after you graduate, like I did! :)
I was an environmental science major and my college advisor decided the program didn't relate enough to my major for me to get any credit for it. I really wanted to do it though so basically I took a semester off of school to do the cp. Basically it added a semester onto my college experience. 2 of my roommates were doing the cp the semester after they graduated because they didn't want to break up their studies. Also in my opinion, taking regular college classes while on the cp would be really hard because you're working 40+ hours per week.
On your first day of training at your locations, your trainers will take you to costuming and help you get everything you need. For the first couple of orientation days, you usually wear business casual clothes. After that, you're always in costume!
Veteran of the program from... 2004... sheesh. I was a Custodian of the magic kingdom. As one of three of the token car havers in our apartment, I agree!!!!
I have a really weird question, can DCPs wear an Apple Watch during their shifts or are they required to keep them in the lockers. I’m going this fall and I can’t find anything on this so far. Love your videos!! ☺️☺️
Thank you so much!! This is a great question actually. Since I was attractions (which is a saftey critical role) I wasn’t allowed to have an apple watch on because it could be distracting. I think merchandise and some other roles can have it though! It depends on your management because some people have a problem with it and others don’t really care
Hi! I'm thinking about applying for the Fall 2020 program and I was wondering if you thought it was worth it being a Marine Biology major and if it put you off track or anything, because I'm a Marine Science major and I really wanna do DCP but my mom is concerned that it won't add anything to my major. Also, this vid was really helpful!!
So I actually did the program the spring after I already graduated with my marine bio degree. That’s just because my school wouldn’t have let me do the DCP without having to take a whole semester off. It would’ve added another semester to my college time if I did it during school. If you’d rather do it after you’re done, I’d definitely suggest that. I had no stress about doing online classes and could just enjoy it as a job!
Let’s say taking the bus is your only option. If you want to go to a park on your day off or a part of the day your not working. Do they still take you or would you have to drive yourself/ride with someone? I figure they only take you for work but I’m having that moment when your brain think while trying to sleep 🤣🤣
Okay I know I’m totally jumping the gun, I’m a freshman in high school and this is my dream!! How does it work? Do I get into college but take a break off it? It’s a bit confusing, but I really want to do this because it seems like such a great experience!! Also I subscribed, best info I’ve found thanks!!
Paige C Aw!!! So sweet that you’re dreaming in advance! You definitely have lots of time to prepare and the rules of the program might change in the next couple of years so don’t worry too much! A lot of people take a semester off of school, or decided to take online classes while away. I just did it after I graduated college so I didn’t have to worry!!
hey thank you so much for the video it was so helpful!!! but I have question: what exactly are complimentary tickets and how many can you get/how often can you invite someone to the parks? are they just free tickets for family and friends? much luv :)
They’re free tickets for whoever you want to give them to! Once you work 150 hours, you get 3 tickets. That’s for one day use and works as a park hopper! Then once you hit 300 hours, you get three more. And it keeps going up as you work more. If you run out of comp tickets, you’re still able to get discounted tickets for fam/friends which really helps too
The problem with people that go to DCP is they think its all "pixie dust and magic" and then they get there and they get a nice Disney reality check and then regret sits in.
I’m currently stuck! I applied and got accepted to the DCP, but I have also applied and gotten accepted into nursing school. I am so torn in what to do.
that’s such a hard choice. ultimate I think nursing school is more important for your future if it’s your passion! you can always treat yourself to a disney trip after you start school! ❤️ disney will always be there
Brandon Crabb Nope that’s your choice!! Most people live in the disney housing because it’s usually cheaper and it’s nice to be in a community with other CPs. But it’s also nice to be off “campus” because you can have visitors sleep over (which you can’t do in disney dorms)
Hello! I know im posting this comment so so late but I wanted to know if you and your roommates would label food and bath products? I'm super particular about using my own stuff and eating my own food so I wanted to know if people usually did that or if people just remembered what was theirs and what wasnt.
Harlethan we always put our initials on the foods that we didn’t want to share! everyone was really respectful of it. as for shower products, we just knew which were ours
Oh, another question! Will knowing other languages help someone get accepted. I know English and Spanish. I’m learning Catalan, and French and maybe German. Would that help me at all?
We actually don’t talk anymore! I ended up losing touch with them over the last year because we realized we had a lot of differences. But I don’t regret a thing and I had so much fun during the program!
Hey I am really wanting to do the disney college program, but I also want to be a biology major. Do you think I can do it, and/or know people that were in the same boat
Nice video. My daughter there now doing Spring 2020 living in Patterson. Too bad now you can only link with one roommate in advance unlike when you did it.
Oh wow! I can’t believe they made that big of a change. They need to build a new housing complex to fix all the combinations of people. Good luck to your daughter! I hope she’s loving it so far
You can do the International College Program or the Cultural Exchange Program!! I don’t know too much about it, but I’ll be making a video soon with the help of a friend who did it. Here’s a link to the program’s website jobs.disneycareers.com/international-programs
Kate Graffen Nope but there are so many videos here on youtube of apartment tours. The “university” is just a building with classrooms by Magic Kingdom. You won’t be spending too much time there
whoooo wants to sum this up for me in the comments bc i don’t have time to watch it but rly want to know what she has to say! i will love you sm if you do! :)
Hey!! I will! Here's the time cards for each of the 10 points. You can skip to the ones that sound the most interesting to you! 2:03 (1) Your experience will be very different if you bring a car 4:51 (2) Don't judge your work location before giving it a chance 6:24 (3) Don't have your friends and family visit too soon! 8:10 (4) You won't need as many clothes as you think 9:31 (5) Be smart with your money 10:39 (6) If you want to go to Universal, buy your pass early and go often 11:13 (7) Don't always hang out with the same group of people at first 12:15 (8) If you're a clean person, don't live in a 6-person apartment! 13:24 (9) Working at Disney doesn't feel like a Disney vacation 14:58 (10) Working at Disney won't ruin the magic!! Hope this helps ❤️
Orlando roads take a little bit to get used to, but don’t worry! The drive from the complexes to the parks are really simple and the signs are so clear to get to where you need to go :)