What I Wish I Knew Before Signing Up for the Disney College Program

Working at Disney World is a dream for many people!

Disney World is an exciting place to be thanks to the new land coming to Hollywood Studios, the new nighttime show in Magic Kingdom, and so much more. Becoming a Disney World Cast Member is a dream for many but I think it’s time to talk about the things you need to consider before working for the mouse.

When I was a Cast Member, I worked for the company through something called The Disney College Program! The Disney College Program, or DCP for short, is a program that college students can participate in that allows them to come work in Disney World while getting college credit.

I participated in this program for 7 months and worked in a few different positions like quick service and merchandise. It was such an incredible time in my life but there are 5 things you need to know before signing up for the DCP! First, you will somehow both over-pack and under-pack before heading out for your program.

This one is a bit more light-hearted than the other things we’ll discuss but it’s true! For my 7 months, I brought more bags than I care to admit and I used very little of the things I packed but I bought many, many things. From the items you need to decorate your room to your clothes and other necessities, there’s going to be a lot!

Don’t feel bad about packing no matter how much or how little you bring. You’re away from home for several months and things are bound to happen but I was honestly surprised at how much I brought and bought. The thing you need to know next before heading to the DCP is probably the most important thing and it’s that the DCP is a job! 

During my time at Disney, I worked at the BoardWalk Bakery (now Deli), the Pizza Window, Ample Hills (now BoardWalk Ice Cream), Rock Around the Shop, and Tower Gifts! These jobs were truly so much fun but they weren’t without their challenges. 

At the end of the day, the Disney College Program is a job that requires hard work and long hours. Often at the bakery, I would have 4 AM shifts and at Hollywood Studios I sometimes would work until 1 AM if there were After Hours Events. You also have to focus on customer service and in the spirit of honesty, I had some tough guest experiences that I had to handle.

They really tested me and helped me grow in a professional environment but many people think of the DCP as living in Disney World and forget about the work aspect of the program. Speaking of, you need to remember you will be blocked out of the parks! 

The Cast Member main gate pass you get while working for the company operates similarly to an annual pass with block-out dates. During busy seasons, especially the holidays, you won’t have access to all of the parks, especially Magic Kingdom! The crowds are coming and Disney wants to make sure they have room for new guests.

This is an aspect that many people forget about before starting the program and then they are surprised when they don’t have unlimited access to the parks. If you want to go to the parks on a block-out date, you’ll need to buy a ticket. Next up, you need to know not every roommate will be your lifelong friend and that is totally okay!

When participating in the DCP, you’ll stay at Flamingo Crossings Village if you don’t have other housing options and you will have roommates. Depending on where you stay, you could have up to 4 people per apartment which is a bit different from my experience. Before Flamingo Crossings was built, the previous housing options had up to 6 people per apartment which was what I did!

I have been lucky enough to build lifelong friendships with some of my roommates from that period of my life but not every single one of them. Just like any situation in life, you will connect with some roommates, and some you won’t connect with as deeply. It doesn’t mean there is negativity but if you’re expecting to become lifelong best friends with every single roommate you might be disappointed.

It’s just important to remember to be respectful and to remember that this is a shared space for everyone. Be kind to your roommates and hopefully, they will be kind to you. Finally, before doing the Disney College Program you need to remember it is what YOU make it! 

The DCP changed my life in so many ways. It taught me how to make friends as an adult outside of the classroom, it taught me to be independent, how to manage my money, how to be away from home, and what it was like to have a full-time job. I loved the person I became thanks to these experiences but not everyone leaves the program with these same feelings.

At the end of the day, if you keep in mind that it’s a job with some difficult aspects and not just a few months in Disney World, you’ll be okay! This entire program is what you make it. If you decide to find the silver linings and enjoy the ride, you will!

Overall, I can’t speak more highly of the program but it is important to keep all of these things in mind well before heading to live in Orlando! Don’t forget to keep following AllEars for more Disney news and updates.

I Finished My Disney College Program, But Here Are the Main Reasons My Friends Quit

Tell me in the comments if you’ve done the Disney College Program! 

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