Listen, we know that the Disney College Program comes with its challenges! You’re often far, far away from home — maybe for the first time — and many times you’re also without a car. You’re working odd hours, you’re living with roommmates you just met last Tuesday, and you miss your dog. I GET IT.
You’re in luck today, though. We have some former DCP Cast Members on our team, and I asked them about what advice they’d give to anyone who’s looking to not only DO the Disney College Program, but make the absolute most of it.
What Exactly Are We Talking About Here?
The Disney College Program is a special internship where college students get to live and work at Disney World. DCP interns work all over Disney World Parks and Resorts — in departments like food service, ride operations, custodial, and even in entertainment.
Students who join the program also get to live in Disney housing near the parks, and take classes and workshops about leadership and teamwork. The program usually lasts about five to seven months, and some DCP interns stay longer if they want to. It’s a great way to see what it’s like to work for Disney!
But as we noted above, it can also be the first time you’re away from home — and that can lead to lots of unexpected “adulting” lessons. Here’s what our former DCP team members had to say!
Time (Management, Expectations, The Whole Nine Yards)
Speaking of time management, it’s ESSENTIAL to get these skills really enhanced before your DCP starts. Lots of people go into the Disney College Program thinking that they’ll have lots of time to spend in the parks around their shifts, and we’re here to tell you right now that that’s NOT the case. Often times, the members of our team worked 6/7 days a week, and the day off was spent catching up on laundry, dishes, and just resting. One of our team members said 90% of the people she knew on her DCP were unhappy VERY quickly because they thought they’d have all this time to play instead of work. While we wish that was the case, you are there to work for Disney!
However, we encourage you to take advantage of the time you DO have. Make a breakfast dining reservation to experience a restaurant that’s on your bucket list before your shift, or change out of your uniform and pop into EPCOT to watch the fireworks after your shift ends. Your program really only lasts a few short months, so take advantage of all the time you can.
No matter what mode of transportation you’re using to get to and from work — your own car or the bus system for Cast Members — time management is a crucial skill here. The bus for Cast Members takes time, and you’ll need to learn how to read the bus schedules and what times they come so you’re not late to work. Even if you’re driving your own car, you’ll need to time out how long it will take you to park, get through security, and walk into the park to get to your shift. If you’re working in Magic Kingdom, know that you have to park and then get on a bus to get to work, which takes a lot of extra time, so plan accordingly. Plan way in advance, and start practicing the routes you’ll have to take before you need to travel them for work. It’s always best to allow MORE time than less!
Hold on to Those Costumes TIGHTLY
One of our team members also found 4-5 costume pieces that FIT and she LIKED, so she held onto them for her entire program. Yes, that is allowed! You can turn in your costumes to Disney, and they will do the laundry for you. BUT those items go back to the costuming building when cleaned, so you’ll have to search for the perfect pair of shorts all over again that way (NOT ideal).
Instead, she just did her own laundry at her apartment so she could hold on to her favorite pairs of shorts. It’s important to know that these items are NOT all identical, even if it’s the same size. If you find something you love, don’t give it up until the end of your program!
SPLURGE on the Essentials
We can’t stress HOW IMPORTANT it is to get essentials for your program that will last you the WHOLE time and keep you comfortable. For example, one of our team members wore HOKA Sneakers, and they were perfect for her — no discomfort, even on the longest days. Even if it’s a different brand of sneakers for you, invest in high quality shoes that you’ve already broken in, and you know you can stand being on your feet for hours at a time.
We especially recommend the HOKA Clifton 10s!
The Best Shoes for Disney World, Tested by Former Cast Members
The water bottle you use in the parks has to be all black with no obvious logos per Cast Member rules, but it’s also important to get yourself a GOOD water bottle that will keep your water cold as long as possible. The Disney supplied ones are much lighter, but don’t keep drinks cold at all.
We also recommend grabbing yourself a retractable ID holder for your Blue ID so you can easily clip it to your waistband. This way, you won’t lose it, and it’s easy to access.
Make Friends
While this may seem obvious, make friends with your coworkers! Our team members can’t even say how many times they’d text each other in a panic about something and someone in the group chat was able to help. Whether you need to swap shifts with someone, have them grab something at your work location for you, or just fill you in on a new work policy, MAKE CONNECTIONS!
It’s really important to put yourself out there. One of our team members said that the friends and people she met on the DCP are what made it so special. BUT at first she struggled to be bold and try to make friends because she grew up with the same friend group her entire life. Even if you don’t feel confident in it, be bold!
Eating Regularly Is a Challenge — Get Grocery Delivery!
Learning how to live on your own, including buying groceries to feed yourself without the help of parents or guardians around can be HARD, especially for those who have never done it before. One of our team members had a roommate who really struggled with this, and it took her awhile to find her footing. We recommend chatting with some people in your life — friends, family members, etc. — who have been out on their own before and can give you some advice on how to best prepare.
We also recommend using a delivery service, like Amazon Fresh, to get groceries delivered to you. While yes, you may be spending a little bit more, it’ll save you those impulse purchases in the store, and can help with time management immensely when you don’t have time to shop but NEED food in your fridge and cabinets.
And there you have it! Our top tips for making the most of your Disney College Program experience, and the warnings you need to know about before you go. If you’re doing the program soon, we’re sending you all the magic and good vibes, and hope you have the most wonderful experience!
Hard Truth #6 About the Disney College Program: It Is NOT a 6-Month Vacation
If you’re a former DCP Cast Member, what else would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments!
At least they didn’t put you Starcruiser with inadequate training and ultra high pressure to make a bad story experience feel like it was anything but mediocre