*I would just like to preface this blog entry by letting you know that typing this, I feel like John Watson from the BBC series Sherlock. If you haven’t seen or even heard of that show, I encourage you to drop what you’re doing and check it out. It’s on Netflix. It’s amazing! Check it out.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, allow me to introduce myself. Hello! My name is Katherine. I am 23 years old, and I, like many of you soon will be, am an alumna of UNH Manchester. I graduated this past May with my bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts. While attending school I spent my spare time working as a writing tutor for the Center for Academic Enrichment, sleeping, snacking, etc. And while my taste in TV, my feelings towards certain subjects, and my commitment towards earning my degree have altered, the one thing that has been there for me through it all was Disney.
I love Disney. I have always loved Disney. I love the movies, the songs, the parks; everything. So imagine my reaction when, somewhere around 8th grade, I stumbled across the website for something called the Disney College Program. What’s the Disney College Program, you ask? Excellent question! In my opinion, its Disney’s best kept secret. Because here’s the thing… Nobody’s heard of it! I hadn’t until that fateful moment many years ago, and I’m sure the majority of you reading this are hearing about it for the first time right now. I find myself frustrated by the fact that more people aren’t aware of this incredible opportunity right at their fingertips. And I’m here to change that.
As you follow me on my journey through the Disney College Program I hope to shed light on what it is, what it entails, and how your college experience can help you make the most of your time with the program. I’ll be the first to admit my Communication Arts experience has helped me in more ways than I can express. But we’ll get to that in a later entry… I’m already a month in, so I should have just enough perspective to begin writing about my experience.
Oh. Did I forget to mention? I’m in Disney World. Right now. I’m riding It’s a Small World as we speak… Just kidding. I’m sitting in my apartment trying to ignore my noisy roommates blaring the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song. But I am in Florida. Which reminds me. I should probably fill you in on what I already know.
Just what is the Disney College Program? The Disney College Program, or DCP for short, is an internship, work study, whatever you want to call it, by which college students take a semester off to work for the Walt Disney Company, and potentially earn college credit for doing so. Program participants are offered a part-time position (with compensation) within one of the two U.S. Disney parks, either Disneyland or Walt Disney World, for the duration of five or so months. During that time, participants enjoy the many perks of being a Disney cast member including complimentary admission to their park of employment, a generous discount, and more.
Positions within the parks fall into a number of categories including Attractions, Merchandise, Character Performer, and countless others. One of the more limiting aspects of the DCP is that the position you are offered is pretty much take it or leave it. You may have your heart set on being Cinderella, but Disney may have their heart set on you operating Splash Mountain. At the end of the day, it is Disney’s decision where they want you. It is your decision whether or not you accept their offer.
Should you find the offer acceptable, it is up to you to get yourself to either Florida or California. It is up to Disney, however, to provide housing. While I can’t offer first-hand information about California, I can offer first-hand information about Florida. Florida DCP participants have the option of living in one of four Disney-owned apartment complexes. Within those complexes reside a variety of apartment arrangements from a one bedroom, one bathroom for two to a four bedroom, four bathroom for eight. Like your part-time position, where you end up living is really up to Disney, but they do take your preferences into consideration.
Participants pay rent each week, but it’s not terribly expensive. And something I forgot to mention is that the Disney College Program is free. Participants pay rent and are responsible for getting themselves to their respective state, but it doesn’t cost anything to take part in the DCP. So much so that Disney even supplies free bus transportation anywhere on property. You can bring your car if you’d like, but it’s not a necessity. Hey, that’s five months of gas you don’t have to pay for. Cha-ching!
The last thing I want to touch on is the part of the program that pertains to learning, and earning college credit. While on your program, you have the opportunity to take a course or two offered by Disney. Not ASL II or General Microbiology, rather courses that pertain to Disney and the way in which the company is run. For example, Human Resource Management, Corporate Analysis, and/or Organizational Leadership. These accredited courses have the potential to earn you college credit. Disclaimer! Should you attempt to take any of Disney’s offered courses for potential credit, please run it by your college first.
Whew! Well, that was a bit of an information dump. I’ll try and keep future entries on the shorter side. I’m just so excited to share my knowledge and experience with all of you! I haven’t even told you the half of it! Which reminds me. I forgot to mention where I work. Let’s just say I’m DYING to tell you… Until next time. Thanks for reading.
