What is the Disney College Program?
I've been asked this question so many times in the past few months that I quit keeping track. Before this year, I had no idea what the DCP was. I saw a flyer at school and began researching the program, doing everything from reading first hand experiences on discussion boards to watching vlogs on youtube from future, past & present CPers (College Programmers).
To break it down the Disney College Program is a paid internship that offers personal and professional development classes by Disney, while gaining first hand work experience at the Disneyland Resort. The program started out in Walt Disney World in the 1980's but eventually opened its doors at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California. The program in Anaheim is much smaller then the one in Orlando, which makes getting in slightly more competitive and challenging. There are three main components of the program "Living, Earning & Learning". All of the participants in the program do receive pay based on the role (job) they are accepted in to. Role options include: Attractions, Costuming, Disney Desk, Quick/Full Service Food & Beverage, Guest Relations & Services, Character Performer, Retail etc...Learning Credit for college can be given to the student taking Disney courses if the college they are currently attending chooses to give them the credit. Once the program is completed, graduates of the program will be given the opportunity to apply for over 300 Professional Internships throughout all different branches of the Walt Disney Co.
To break it down the Disney College Program is a paid internship that offers personal and professional development classes by Disney, while gaining first hand work experience at the Disneyland Resort. The program started out in Walt Disney World in the 1980's but eventually opened its doors at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California. The program in Anaheim is much smaller then the one in Orlando, which makes getting in slightly more competitive and challenging. There are three main components of the program "Living, Earning & Learning". All of the participants in the program do receive pay based on the role (job) they are accepted in to. Role options include: Attractions, Costuming, Disney Desk, Quick/Full Service Food & Beverage, Guest Relations & Services, Character Performer, Retail etc...Learning Credit for college can be given to the student taking Disney courses if the college they are currently attending chooses to give them the credit. Once the program is completed, graduates of the program will be given the opportunity to apply for over 300 Professional Internships throughout all different branches of the Walt Disney Co.
Why do I want to do the program?
Honestly I had never even thought about working for Disney until this year, I was at Illinois Central College where I currently attend classes when I saw the flyer. I was having an awful day and the little piece of purple paper caught my eye, after class I started doing my research on the program and hardly found anything bad about it. I’ve read countless blogs from other cast members that have participated and all of them had one thing in common and that’s that the college program is an experience of a life time!
There are many perks in the program that draw me in as well. Getting out of good ol’ Morton, Illinois is one. I have grown up here most of my life and this is where the majority of my family lives but experiencing the West Coast was something I had dreamed about but never in a million years would I have ever thought I would actually be able to live there and Disney is helping this happen for me!
Meeting new friends and getting the chance to network with Disney Executives is another big one for me. Being a public relations major this could open a lot of other doors upon graduation for college. PLUS, why would I ever pass up the chance to work at Disneyland!! Of course there are those little things like Cast Member Discounts and Free Entry into the parks calling my name too. If all goes well I plan on applying for a Professional Internship and will continue to live in Anaheim. So come along with me on this roller coaster journey!
Nothing is impossible, just simply impassable!
-Whitney
