Disney Official

I'M HERE! I can't even believe it! I have now been through check in, drug testing, casting, housing session, and my lifeguard swim test. It was a lot and the first day was exhausting. Here's my story.

Check-In
I arrived at check in earlier than my time (7:45) and they told me to come back at 7:45 so I drove down the road and waited for a little while. 7:45 was the first time so if you have anything after that, you can probably go ahead and not have a problem, but if you were one of the firsts like me don't go early.

When they let me in they sent me through this line that was one section after another. First they scan your itinerary and send you in. They had granola bars and oranges set out for us. I grabbed an orange. You will come to a lady who will have a sticker to put on your itinerary that says your title and where you will be working. (Lifeguards! You won't know where you are working until your swim test.) Then they send you in to get your picture taken for your housing I.D. After that, you get a Program Guide and key to your apartment. Then you pick up your I.D. And they give you a run down of your itinerary.

When your check in is over and you have time, you can go to your apartment and start moving in. I was the first in my apartment with five other girls. I chose my bed and moved what I had in. There wasn't a lot but there was enough.

Drug Testing.
I got there early too but the nurses weren't there yet so I had to wait a little. (The only time ever I am early/on time and no one is ready for me) Some positions won't have drug testing, but if you are running equipment, saving lives, etc. you will. I peed, yes I peed in a cup and that was all. It wasn't as bad as my last one where I didn't have to go at all and it took forever for me to finish.

Casting
So here they take you into that infamous building you always hear about but never get to go to and it was glorious. I can't really tell you much and I am definitely not supposed to show you much because there wasn't any pictures allowed past a certain point. Basically they just check all your I-9 paperwork and finger print you. This lasts about an hour to an hour and a half and it's not that bad.

Hopefully none of your parents will show up asking for you, because mine did. My dad worked here a while ago so he knows where everything is and that is how this happened to me. It's okay though because after they took me over to Downtown Disney or what is now referred to as Disney Springs (gag) and we ate there.

Housing Session
This only lasts an hour and it can be really fun. They show you videos and go over the rules and it's not bad at all, but you do have to get there on time or they will close the doors on you.

I realized earlier in the day that I was absolutely cranky. I was so tired and annoyed, not for any reason. Everyone was really nice everywhere, but I was just bleh. I knocked out hard when I finally went to bed and I realized that I can fake a smile like no other, because no matter how tired I actually was, I was able to smile at every face I saw that day.

Lifeguard Swim test
This is where I was so nervous. I knew we had to swim 200 yds and tread water for two minutes and retrieve a ten pound brick from the bottom of the pool. I was still scared though. We also did an eye test. I haven't taken one of those since senior year of high school so it was interesting to learn I still had 20/20 vision. I'm glad I passed everything though and I found out where I was working.

It was an exhausting couple of days but at the end of it I felt like I could start having fun. And I did. I am so blessed to be here in this place with awesome people and places and things to do.  I can't wait for the real adventures to begin. Let me know if you thought this was helpful in the comments below and as always

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY! 

Disney DCP Arrival Itinerary

Hello! Just a little information for those of you with questions about the DCP! Yesterday I received my check-in itinerary! This lovely email informs you about the day you will get to that magical place we all want to call home! I received this exactly two weeks before my arrival day for those of you that like to have an idea of when you will get yours. Here's the gist of the Arrival itinerary:

The Look

It will have your name, arrival day, and leave day at the top. It will then list your first week responsibilities.

Tells You

Check-in: Arrival Day, a time, and location. Not everybody has the same arrival time and the location will always be Vista Way even if you aren't living there.

Drug and Alcohol Testing: Day, time, and location. This may not be the same day as Arrival and make sure to hydrate! I can't stress that enough. Last time I did this test I had to drink like 10 cups of water and it took me forever to finish it. It was embarrassing so HYDRATE!

College and Culinary Onboarding: Day, time, and location. Again, this may not be the same day. This is also known as Casting so basically your job assignment because we are all cast members!

Housing Welcome Session: Day, time, and location. Again, may not be the same day and this is MANDATORY so make sure you get there on time or you will have to reschedule.

Traditions: Date, time, and location. This will be a few days after your arrival and this is your orientation for Disney. Every cast member ever has been through Traditions and I am so excited!

Specialty Sessions-

I am a lifeguard so I will have something on my itinerary that others won't. Specialty things like this happen in between Traditions and everything else and you may not have one at all, but some jobs do have special training like this.

Swim Test: Date, time, and location.

Descriptions

Under each event you will have a small description and what to bring to that event. 

Example: Check-in requires a printed copy of your itinerary, a printed copy of your boarding pass, and a valid government issued I.D.

Even under my swim test I am informed to bring goggles and a towel.

When You Get It

When you get your itinerary, it is an unspoken rule to post it in your arrival Facebook Group because there will be one. Right now, that is all that consumes our feed. Everyone will comment if they share the same times as you even if you only have one time in common with them. It's really fun to see who you will be sharing the day with. If you do random roommates, like me, who your rooming with may not have the same schedule as you so don't assume you are going to live with your itinerary buddies. If you tagged roommates don't freak out if your schedules are completely different.

Moving In

After Check-in you will have your key, where you are living and with who. Anytime you have free after that you can start moving in. My mom asked me if the seven dwarfs were going to be there to help. I was like "What, like I whistle a happy tune and they'll just appear?" Sadly no. Your family is welcome to help you at your apartment, but they can't accompany you to your events. You have to do that all on your own.

I hope this helped inform any of you with these questions and I hope you enjoyed! Get excited, this means we are close. Let me know what you thought in the comments below and....

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!!!

Disney DCP Packing List

I have been looking everywhere to find a packing list that isn't the one on the Disney Career's website. They are hard to find. I have decided to share mine.

Clothes: It is Florida but it does get chilly so bring a light jacket or some long sleeve t-shirts and jeans just in case. **Shout out to my friend Michelle who told me that** I would have never guessed.

• Jackets
• Raincoat, sweatshirt,leather
• Shorts
• Jean, Cute, Athletic
• Jeans
• Boot cut, Skinny, Sweat Pants
• Tanks
• Practical, Cute
• Cute Shirts
• T-Shirts
• Long sleeved, short sleeved
• Unmentionables
• Socks, Underwear, Bathing Suits, PJ's
• Hats
• My EARS!, Baseball cap
• Shoes
• Booties, Heels, Flats, Sandals, Chacos, Tennis shoes, Converse
• Professional
• Skirts, Dresses, Slacks, Blouses, Sweaters, Blazers

Bedroom: Be aware that you will be sharing a room with another girl, not just an apartment. So don't bring everything under your bed and on your walls for your room. You won't need it. The room comes with: 2 Beds, 2 Night tables, 1 Six Drawer Dresser.

• Decoration
• Pictures, Canvas, Jewelry Box, Perfume, Mementos
• Bedding
• Comforter, Blanket, Twin Sheets, Pillows, Pillow cases, Decorative pillows
• Storage
• Basket Drawers
• Lighting
• Christmas Lights

Bathroom: From what I have seen, the bathroom has a two door, two drawer vanity with a sink a toilet and a shower. You will be sharing this space also.

• Hair
• Brush, Bobby Pins, Hair ties, Hair Spray, Moose, Curling Iron,k
• Cosmetics
• Make-Up, Lotion, Nail Polish (Disney Look Approved)
• Hygiene
• Shampoo, Soap, Face wash, Razors, Deodorant, Moisturizer, etc.
• Medicine
• Headache, Tummy ache, Cramps, etc.

Closet: Obviously, all your clothes go under this part too. You will have a walk in closet unless you live in the Commons and you will be sharing it no matter what.

• Hangers
• Hamper
• Basket Boxes
• Hanging Shelves

Entertainment: I am bringing a little bit of crafting to do while I am down there but nothing big.

• Books
• Bible
• Movies
• Technologies
• Crochet stuff
• Journals
• Sketch book

For taking Courses:

Notebooks, Pens, Pencils, Calendar

So yeah. That's a quick run through of my list for the Disney College Program. I hope this helped. Let me know what you thought in the comments below and...

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!!!

Disney Questions!

So as I have said before, I have applied and been accepted to the Disney College Program. I want to share with you somethings for your preparation should you choose to do the same.

The Process:
1) First you will do an online application. It will be long and there will be an over abundance of questions just be prepared to answer all of them honestly.

2) Then if you make it past that, you will be accepted for a phone interview. Remember when you pick your time for your phone interview, that you have at least an hour to do it. I did mine two hours before my class one day so that I would have enough time.

3) The phone interview will be riddle with all kinds of questions that I will write more about below. My tip for you here is to smile while your on the phone. I know they can't see you, but believe it our not a smile can be heard. *Shout out to my friend Michelle who did the College Program a couple of semesters before me and gave me this tip.*

4) Then you will have to wait for the email. Try not to stress about it because really the ball is in their court so just relax and wait. This also won't come until maybe months later.

Phone Interview Questions:
For the phone questions I looked up blogs just like this one to get prepared. The one I used was called The Disney College Program Life. It really helped prepare me. There were still some that weren't on there that I was asked specifically to apply to my application so I will share all that I can remember.

When they call they will be very nice and personable, which is a requirement for Disney, so if you don't know how to handle people then I suggest running away now. If you do then by all means, please read on. Please keep in mind these are not in the order they asked me.

1. Why did you choose the Disney College Program?
2. It says on your application that you are___(this could be anything from conversational in a language to a type of certification)___ are you aware that, if you recieve an invitation to be a part of the Disney College Program that you will be required to take a test of___(whatever applies to your ability)___ when you arrive?
3. How do you react in emergency situations?
4. Are you interested in Character performance? Can you make any of these auditions before you arrive?  (they will give you dates and locations)
5. When living in the dorms you could possibly be living with one to seven other girls, do you think you would be okay with this?
6. Have you ever had a roommate before and if so how did that experience go?
7. The Disney College Program has students from all over the world, how would you handle a roommate who may speak a different language?
8. Some cast member positions have to repeat the same line often. How would you keep it new and exciting?
9. How do you think this oppurtunity can help you in your future?
10. What is your major? What do you plan on doing with that?
11. Why do you think the Disney College Program can help you gain experience with your major?

I didn't give you my answers because this should be all from your heart and what you really think about what they are asking you.

They may ask you more than this, they may ask you less. I could be forgetting some. Just be positive and happy. Make sure to brag about yourself a little bit. Don't be obnoxious but you are trying to get them to see why you are the best choice. They will give you more information on the phone and they will ask if you have any questions. Try to ask something because you don't want to seem like you don't actually care about what the program is like or what it does.

So there are a few tips and experiences that got me accepted to the Disney College Program. I hope this helped prepare you and good luck to all who try for it.

Have A Magical Day!