Info Post #12: Disney Look

vintage Disney Look Book cover

So since I decided to do this info post, a whole host of Disney-Look-related blog entries have been popping up. I'm just going to go over some of the key points with a special focus on non-costumed women, since that seems to be what most everyone's worried about. (Sorry to my 5 male subscribers, haha.) Oh, and another thing - the guidelines are super-dry to read through, and there really isn't a way to make the actual guidelines themselves more exciting. However, I'll be spicing the post up with pictures and examples and fun things!

Guidelines for All Cast Members

• Nametags should be worn in an upright, readable position on your outermost layer of clothing and placed on the left shoulder area.
• Costumed cast must have their Walt Disney Company Photo ID with them at all times, but may not wear it onstage. Non-costumed cast must wear the ID when backstage. 
• The only appropriate method for concealing tattoos is opaque make-up (no band-aids). 
• The use of deodorant or anti-perspraint is required. (This one just kind of cracks me up, not gonna lie.)

Guidelines for All Female Cast Members

• Extreme hairstyles are not permitted. If hair is below shoulder-length, it should be confined while working. 
• Hair color should be well-maintained, natural, and appropriate to your skin-tone. (Basically, if you dye your hair you need to look like you could have been born with that color.)
• If eyeliner and eye shadow are worn, they should be neutral colors that are close in value to your skin tone. Eye shadow and eyeliner should create a natural, blended look and should not extend beyond the natural eye area or the corners of the eye. Mascara may be applied lightly in shades of brown or black.

Guidelines for Costumed Women

• Fingernails should not exceed 1/4 of an inch beyond the fingertip. If polish is used, it should be complementary to your skin tone. (N.B: Polish is not permitted in any food service role. This includes quick service, full service, and some merchandise locations.)
• Hair accessories are for the express purpose of holding the hair away from the face and may not be worn as a decorative addition to the costume.
• Rings, earrings and a classic business-style wristwatch are permitted. Necklaces, bracelets and ankle bracelets are not permitted. (Again, in food service roles rings and wristwatches are not permitted.)
• The entire footwear section is basically, "It depends on your role."

Guidelines for Non-Costumed Women

• Professional options for women include dress pants with a classic style blouse or sweater, skirted or pants suit, dress with or without a jacket, and business-style walking shorts with a blouse and  jacket or vest. Cotton twill pants (i.e., Dockers, khakis) are permitted only if they are neatly pressed, creased and appear to be professionally laundered.
• Clothing not permitted includes polo or golf style shirts (except for Sports & Recreation Cast), cargo-style pants, t-shirts, sundresses, sleeveless tops or dresses (without a jacket), capri pants, leggings, casual shorts, wrap-around shorts, one-piece rompers and garments made of denim fabrics.
• Dress and skirt lengths may range from three inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the kneecap bone to the bottom of the ankle. The length of shorts should be from the top of the kneecap bone to three inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the kneecap bone.
• Fabrics should be those traditionally acceptable for business such as tweed, wool, cotton, polyester, silk, linen, rayon or blends of these fibers. Unacceptable fabrics include spandex, gauze, metallic fabrics, sheer fabrics, clinging knits, denim and chambray.
• Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, lapel pins and a business-style wristwatch are permitted. A pin, brooch or scarf clip in good business taste is also acceptable. Two necklaces and two bracelets in good business taste that blend with the outfit and each other are permitted. Earrings may not exceed the size of a quarter.
• Dress shoes or boots in good business taste are required. Classic dress shoes are permitted to have an open toe, open heel or a slingback (strap around the heel). An important note about footwear: Someone on the facebook group mentioned that heels could not exceed 2" in height. Nowhere in the Disney look book does it specifically give a heel height limit. As long as the shoes are in good business taste you should be fine. 5" is probably pushing it, though... ;)

All of  these looks are acceptable within the Disney Look guidelines, with the small exception of the bracelets on the two outer looks. They're actually one bracelet set, but it appears as though more than two are worn, which would be a red flag.

I'm at school, so I don't have a lot of my business-casual attire with me, but I definitely want to post what I've purchased as far as Disney-Look-wear goes at some point!

I guess I should say some things about the guys, too, huh?

Guidelines for Costumed Men

• Rings, a small tie tack and a classic, business-style wristwatch are permitted.  Necklaces, bracelets and ankle bracelets are not permitted.

Guidelines for Non-Costumed Men

• Dress trousers and a short or long-sleeved professional style shirt are required. Shirts must be tucked in, with the exception of sweaters specifically tailored otherwise.
• Cotton twill trousers (i.e., Dockers, khakis) are permitted only if they are neatly pressed, creased and appear to be professionally laundered.
• Clothing not permitted includes polo or golf style shirts (except for Sports & Recreation Cast), cargo-style trousers, t-shirts and garments made of denim fabrics.
• Lapel pins, tie bars or clips, collar bars, cufflinks, rings, a bracelet and a business-style watch are permitted.
• One bracelet, in good business taste, in gold, silver or a color that blends with your clothing is permitted.
• Dress shoes and socks in good business taste are required.

So that's the Disney Look in a nutshell! For the complete guidelines (which you will need to be familiar with by the time your program starts), please check out the College Program website's section on the Disney Look or go ahead and download the Disney Look .pdf.

Info Teaser: Disney Look

super-vintage "Disney Look" illustration

I found a .pdf of "The Disney Look Book" (clicking will download the .pdf) while browsing the Professional Interns website, so I'm posting it here for those of you who are curious and want to read through the whole thing before we get down there. I think it's basically what's on the college program site, but it's worth checking out.


I'm going to read through it myself and do an info post of the important points soon, so be on the look out for that! :)

Info Post #11: Alumni Advice!

one. Florida weather is beautiful, but it can also get chilly and rainy, so be prepared for that! Pack some sweatshirts, a light jacket, and an umbrella and rain gear. It will pour, so be ready for that. Rainy days are also a prime time to play in the parks, so take advantage of them. Of course, if you get caught in a sudden burst of rain when you're already at a park you could always rock a Mickey Poncho...


two. Make sure you understand the whole Disney Look thing before you get down there, as it will make things like check-in and Traditions much smoother for you and everyone else.

Now, to be clear about this: you do not have to be dressed in Disney Look at check-in, but they will check you there for things like natural hair color and make sure you don't have any visible tattoos or non-standard piercings, etc etc etc. I think you can wear piercings to check-in as long as they can be taken out when you need to be in Disney look, but I'm not sure.
At Traditions, however, your attire needs to match Disney Look completely or they won't let you do it that day. For the full guidelines, check out this section of the College Program website. Everything you need to review before your program is there!

three. Take advantage of all the CP has to offer! In addition to taking full advantage of the parks (like going for a few hours just because you can), go to the events held for CP participants (pool parties, Grocery Bingo, etc) and special Cast Member tours (like behind the scenes tours of attractions and more) while you're down there. The special tours tend to fill up really quickly so check the Hub often. It's a great way to meet new people and just chill. In fact, check the Hub daily so you don't miss out on any of the great opportunities down there.

four. If, like me, you won't have a car down there, pay attention to the bus schedule because it changes sometimes. And always take an earlier bus! Even if it gets you to work an hour early, you can bring your costume with you and chill in the parks as a guest for a little bit. Better to be an hour early than get half a point for clocking in late!

five. If you are also like me in that you freaking love shopping and will be there for the fall program, try to hold off on buying souvenirs until the holiday discounts kick in - they go up to 50% off! There's also a merchandise liquidation sale called SALSA (Spend a Little, Save a Lot) that happens in the Epcot parking lot - get to it as soon as possible because there's always a line to get into the tent but it's definitely worth it, as it includes merchandise from all around the resorts and parks and it's not all just Disney stuff, either.

six. Network! This could mean going to an event specifically for networking (either a CP one or one at Disney University) or just establishing and maintaining good relationships with your managers. It will make your job easier while you're there and help you out in the long run if you ever want to come back for another program, a PI, or start a career with Disney.

seven. Be open and put yourself out there - don't just hang out in your apartment if you're shy. Developing relationships with your fellow Cast Members not only gives you a social life, it makes working that much more enjoyable. Almost everyone down there is in the same situation as you: new environment, new experiences, new people. Make the most of it!

eight. Go to the special events that happen during your program! For Fall and Fall Advantage, this means Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and all the Christmas events around WDW like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It's worth it to splurge on international treats (and wine, if you're over 21) at the Food and Wine Festival and pay for a discounted CM ticket to MNSSHP. In fact, since my birthday is in October I want to celebrate it by going to Food and Wine during the day then hopping to MK for MNSSHP that night!

nine. Be financially wise. A lot of people break even because they'll just spend their money paycheck to paycheck, but it is entirely possible to budget, watch what you spend, and walk away with money saved. Take advantage of CM discounts at Disney restaurants, but try and cook for yourself when you have the chance, or bring your lunch to work instead of buying it at the Mouseketeria. Even cooking your own meals and saving leftovers is cheaper than buying frozen ones all the time. Just be mindful of the fire alarms when you're busting out your inner chef.

ten. If you're under 21, don't even risk it with alcohol. It's the number one reason for CP termination. One guy extended into spring and was terminated a few weeks after extending for this. It's just not worth it.

eleven. Price Management/security in the apartments can be pretty hardcore - don't hang a towel out to dry over your balcony, put a pair of shoes outside to dry, or leave your door cracked open if you're running out for a second if you want to avoid warnings from them.

twelve. You don't have to be absolute besties with your roommates. Sure, it'd be nice and make things a lot easier, but it's possible to get along with/live with someone without being best friends.

thirteen. You're working in the most magical place on earth, but it's still a job. It will have its pros and its cons, so be ready for that. Guests are sometimes grumpy and unreasonable, CPers often get long shifts, and you're on your feet all day. But on the flip side of that.... you're working in the most magical place on earth and you get to give guests the experience of a lifetime! Just be sure you go in with realistic expectations.

fourteen. Going along the lines of tip thirteen, you're working in the most magical place on earth, so have fun with your job! Talk to the guests and ask them how their trips have been going - even a simple "hi, how are you?" can put a smile on people's faces. Especially if you're working a shop at a ride exit, talk to the guests waiting for their family members to come off.

fifteen. If you will be lucky enough to have a car down there, bring a GPS!

sixteen. If you have things you want to accomplish/do on the program, like for example seeing the Hoop Dee Doo or seeing every resort, make a list before you go! You'll get so busy once you're down there that it will be very easy to lose track of these kinds of things.

seventeen. TRY A DOLE WHIP!

eighteen. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy what is sure to become an unforgettable time in your life!!

nineteen. Try a Dole Whip float (only after accomplishing seventeen.)

twenty. Go ahead and get a second pineapple-y treat. You know you want to... classic Dole Whip or Dole Whip float, though? These are the questions that haunt CPers...


Thanks to flickr for the pictures and the lovely people on the DisBoards for advice, specifically everyone who responded to my questions. :)

Info Post #10: Ten Things! (with added bonus!)

So I realized I totally had this idea because someone already did it.

That someone being John Henselmeier. And Magical Matt.





Kristin also gave me the following tip:

If you decide to live with people you don't know (or even some you have met before), you may start as friends, but it is okay to not be best friends with your roommates. It's a nice plus, but being able to adjust to many living styles is hard and you don't HAVE to be friends, you can still be compatible roommates.

And last but not least, a formspring question!

Ah, I just got accepted! Your blog has been great to read and comfort me while I've been waiting. Now onto the CP audition!
Oooh yay! Congrats and break a leg!! What role were you accepted for?


p.s. don't forget about the poll if you haven't voted yet!

Info Post #9: Learning

There are lots of different types of learning opportunities on the Disney College Program, and "the World" is your campus! Okay, okay, excuse the corny joke. But WDW is definitely filled with opportunities for you to enhance both your academic and professional careers. These courses are also a fantastic way to network with Disney professionals.

There are a couple of different types of learning experiences offered through the Disney College Program:

• Collegiate Courses. All these courses have been recommended for credit by the American Council on Education, which might be helpful if you're trying to get school credit!
• Professional Development Studies. These are major-specific courses that allow students to gain more insight into certain professional fields within the Walt Disney World Resort.
• Disney Exploration Series. This unique opportunity allows students to explore how Disney operates in certain key areas. The sessions are highly interactive and offer great networking opportunities - and best of all, these classes don't have any textbooks or homework!

Collegiate Courses
These classes focus on an area of "Walt Disney World expertise" and are all recommended for credit. As such, they do have textbooks and homework. You can download syllabi for specific courses here. Classes include Creativity and Innovation: Gaining the Edge, Experiential Learning, Marketing You, and many more!

Professional Development Studies
These major-specific courses allow students to study specific lines of business in depth. These classes are only available during the Spring and Fall seasons - so if you were Fall Advantage, you would take the class September-December. Registration is restricted to students majoring in related fields and are offered in the following areas:

• Engineering
• Entertainment Show Production
• Finance
• Security

Disney Exploration Series
These classes are highly interactive and more "experientially based," as opposed to the formal classroom experience offered by the collegiate courses. They don't have any textbooks or formal assignments and provide a great way to gain insight into the workings of WDW and network with area leaders. You can "explore" areas like communication, marketing, guest service, and more!

Other Opportunities
College Program participants can take advantage of other learning opportunities throughout WDW, like the Disney Learning Centers. Learning Centers are located at Vista Way, each park, and many of the resorts, and offer library services, computer-assisted learning, learning activities, and career resources. I believe this is also where exam proctoring takes place if you need it.

There are also an abundance of networking opportunities and speaker series, as well as courses offered through Disney University. Speaker series include the Disney College Program Alumni Speaker Series, where former CP participants discuss their current full-time roles at WDW. And at Disney University, you can take advantage of resources like My Disney Career Series, which consists of five targeted career-development classes.

Oh, I almost forgot! If you plan on taking courses down there, bring more than one "professional" outfit, since Disney requires business clothes during class time.

So while the learning component of the program isn't required, it's a great way to really take advantage and make the most of your time in Florida. I know I'd like to take at least one class so I can really start networking and making those connections in Disney World that will hopefully lead to my dream career! What about you? Will you be taking classes while on the program, either because they are required by your school or because you want to? What are your thoughts on the learning component of the CP? And is there anything else you'd like to know or any questions you have about the classes offered?

Info Post #8: Gaining School Support for Your CP

I have yet to officially accept my invitation to participate in the Disney College Program, because I want to make sure everything is a-ok with my college before giving Disney $100. If you have been following this blog or read through previous posts, you know I had quite a time figuring out if I'd be able to do the program.

If you go to a school that supports the CP (Montclair and Central Michigan come to mind), then you probably don't need to pay attention to this post. And of course I don't know everyone's situation, so I'm just kind of going to go through my needlessly complicated process and then provide some general tips and advice if you would like to do the College Program but are having difficulties communicating with your college.

First I emailed someone in the Center for Career and Professional Development, since they handle internships and whatnot. Seemed like the logical thing to do, right? The woman who contacted me in response was super-nice about it, but said that the registrar actually handles CP stuff. It seemed weird to me, but I e-mailed the registrar anyway. Here's what I got back:

I'm sorry, but we have no information on the Disney Program.  You might have to contact Disney.
Career Development may have some info.

Useful, right? So I replied and tried to clarify what I was asking:

I've researched the program itself quite a bit, actually, but I'm unsure of how it works here since it takes place during the school year. When I talked to Heather at the Career Center about it, she said people who have done it before have gone through the registrar to work out classes/enrollment/etc, since it goes through the fall quarter... that's more along the lines of what I'm looking for. Do you have any information about that? And if not, do you know who I might discuss it with?

Then they proceeded to not reply for over two weeks. I tried to get in contact with some other students who had just come back from the Fall 2009 program, and it was mostly dead ends. One was actually rather negative about her experience with getting the school to agree, which worried me greatly. Luckily, when the registrar finally e-mailed me back they steered me in the right direction. Finally! I was talking to the wrong people all along.

I arranged a meeting with our Associate Dean of Students to talk about withdrawing for the Fall Quarter in order to do the program. I was actually incredibly nervous going into this meeting - what if she were super against the program and forbade me from doing it? That's how one past participant certainly made it sound.

But that wasn't the case at all! She was super excited and kept saying what a great opportunity this is going to be for me. (She was also thrilled that I wanted to withdraw and come back, and not just leave the college for good.) I won't be getting any credit for the program, but she wants to make this process as smooth as possible, which is such a relief. Not getting credit isn't actually an issue for me - yay AP credits! The only thing I have left to do before I can officially accept my offer is talk to Financial Aid about my scholarships and whatnot.

So here's what my dean is doing for me - a withdrawal with planned reinstatement for winter quarter, which will allow me to still keep an active email and keep in touch on campus. That way I can register for classes and apply for study abroad (probably) and all that good stuff. I guess it's kind of like a leave of absence. She also gave me the names of the three people who did it last quarter and told me to definitely get in touch with them. (Interestingly, the girl I talked to about this whole thing was not one of them.)

So, if you're having trouble figuring out who you need to talk to before you can start packing for Florida, what are some steps you can take?

• I would start with your Center for Career Development (or whatever that happens to be called on your campus) to see if getting credit for the program is possible.
• Hunt down any past participants who have done the program and try and find out how they worked everything out.
• If you end up having to withdraw, find out if your college has an option where you withdraw with a planned reinstatement at the end of the semester. It's so much nicer to know they'll welcome you back and you don't have to worry about applying for reinstatement or anything.
• If you would like to get credit for the program but your school won't offer it, sometimes you can transfer it in from schools like Central Michigan University or Purdue University. More information about this can be found here. This is a good option if you need to be a full-time student for insurance reasons, too.
• Make sure you talk to your financial aid office about your particular aid package before skipping off to Disney World - you don't want to come back and find that you have to start paying loans or that some of your scholarships have disappeared! 

That's all I can think of right now, but I would love to hear other people's tips, advice, and stories about this topic!

Info Post #7: The Waiting Game.

 

I watched the e-presentation, applied as soon as the application was up, prepped for the interview, and then interviewed as best I could. And now... it's all out of my control. 

This is the hard part. The Waiting Game. Luckily, there are a multitude of distractions available to keep you occupied until you find out whether or not you'll be heading down to Florida soon!

1. Do homework. Lots of it. OH WAIT, THAT'S JUST ME AND MY RIDICULOUS SCHEDULE. LOLZ.
2. YouTube. I LOVE YouTube. A lot. The sheer number of hours I have wasted away on that site.... I don't think I even want to know. Between vlogs, attraction ridethroughs, parades, fireworks, and meet & greet videos, there's virtually no end to the time you can waste.
3. Watch the E-Presentation. Multiple Times. Tara gets less annoying with each view, somehow.
4. Facebook! Join the facebook group for your program (like Fall 2010 for me) or creep on past groups.
5. Chat! There are currently two meebo chatrooms for the Fall 2010 CP. Comment with your email if you want the info.
6. Podcasts - there are a bunch of these out there if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not a huge podcast person myself, but I know a lot of people who enjoy Inside the Magic.
7. Download Google Earth and browse the 3D rendering of Disney World.
8. Order the Vacation Planning DVD from disneyworld.com.
9. Read! David Koening (Mouse Tails 1 & 2, Realityland) and Mousejunkies by Bill Burke are two of my favorites.
10. Another good thing to read... blogs! Which you are currently doing. Two more to follow if you haven't checked them out already: PF Wait Watchers and Fantasyland Fashion.

Any other suggestions about surviving The Wait? Leave a comment! 

Info Post #6: Living (The Apartments)

So I thought it was about time I write another info post, seeing as the last "official" info post I wrote was October 27. About that...

I think I covered the various steps of the application process pretty well. I wish I had enough knowledge to write info posts about what to pack/how to prepare to travel down to Orlando and check-in day, but... well, I don't. There are a lot of packing lists floating around the Disboards College Board, and Marina wrote an absolutely fantastic and detailed post about her check-in process.

So what else is there to think about before your program besides the application process? Where you want to live, of course! There are four housing complexes for the College Program, but one (The Commons) is only open to international students. So that leaves you with three choices: Vista Way, Chatham Square, and Patterson Court. (At least I think it's called Chatham square - I'm so used to calling them Vista, Chatham, and Patterson that I'm not sure of Chatham's full title!)

Vista is the oldest of the complexes, with smaller rooms and cheaper rent. It also has the reputation of being the "party" complex and very social. However, since it's the oldest, it's a bit run down compared to the others. And I think the crazy-party reputation is, like many rumors and reputations, at least a bit exaggerated. Vista features 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.

Chatham has the biggest rooms and 2nd most expensive rent of the 3. Generally, whereas Vista has this kind of crazy "Disney Gone Wild" reputation, Chatham is quieter. There are parties, but they aren't as, shall we say, rambunctious. It's a good middle ground between Vista and Patterson, socially. However, it IS more expensive than Vista and has this weird green carpet, if that's an issue for you. You can keep the price down by trying to get a 3 or 4 bedroom - the 4 bedroom apartments in Chatham even have 2 fridges! Chatham features a full range of apartment sizes, from 1-4 bedrooms.

weird green carpet

Finally, Patterson is the newest of the complexes and therefore considered to be the nicest by many. Its rooms are a bit smaller than Chatham's, but the rent is higher because, well, it's newer. It's known for being very, very quiet. It's also important to know that, unlike Vista and Chatham, Patterson does not have its own bus stop. If you have a car, that's fine. If you don't, it's a potential issue.

Here's a diagram I found to illustrate the difference in size between Vista and Chatham (I haven't found anything for Patterson, sadly.)

For the official word on the "Living" experience of the CP, check out the Housing section of the CP website. (And try not to cry when you remember that the application page is still all sad and down.) HOWEVER. Those lovely decorated bedrooms they show you in the 360º tour? Yeah, not allowed. You're allowed one bulletin board per participant or something like that, and many of the inspectors are very, very strict about this rule - you can fail housing inspections for having a single extra thing up (even something like a calendar), from what I've heard. There are still ways to make your apartment cute and livable, even with one measly bulletin board for decoration.

Personally, I'd love to live in Chatham for my program, in either a 3 or 4 bedroom - thank goodness they put two fridges in the four bedrooms!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Or favorite blogs and vlogs, rather! I'm not posting/vlogging as frequently as I'd like to, so I thought I'd put together a handy-dandy list of people who do (or did). These are either people I currently follow or people who served as excellent sources of information as I began my foray into CP obsession research. Since I can't detail EVERY fabulous blog I follow, please head on over to my profile to check out even more awesome CPers (under the blogs I'm following section or something like that)!  

First of all, I'd like to once again mention the wonder that is the DISBoards College Board. It's a wonderful community full of people who know their stuff when it comes to the CP and are more than happy to help out those with questions. It's also a very supportive community and one of the most drama-free Disney forums out there! (It's amazing how much dramarama Disney fanatics can generate, really.)

Blogs
Brenna: A Walt Disney World Career
Entertainment >> PI >> Disney career woman. I read her blog from start to finish and all of it was fantastic and informative. Yay Brenna! She's also on the College Board and very helpful when it comes to answering any Entertainment questions (as much as she can answer them, anyway).

Note that many of her posts are "friends-only" - meaning you won't be able to read them unless you have a livejournal and Brenna has accepted you as a friend. This is mostly for character integrity's sake - drop her a line and explain why you friended her, and hopefully you'll gain access to her wonderfully informative posts!


Chris Saribay
FSFB (Ohana). Chris seems to have stopped writing his blog, but the informational posts that are available make up for that, because they are truly helpful.

Joanna: The Biggest Disney Fan Around
Multiple CPs - merchandise, character attendant, custodial, attractions. She's currently working Toy Story Mania and was approved to extend to the Great Movie Ride, the lucky duck.
If you're on the DISBoards or one of the Facebook groups, you'll probably recognize Joanna as that awesome person who knows everything there is to know when it comes to the CP - and what's more, she's incredibly helpful when it comes to sharing that knowledge!

Molly: Married to the Mouse
Entertainment. An entertaining and informative blog. Like Brenna, her blog is "friends only." Molly is sometimes on the College Board, too.


John: The Purple Folder
QSFB, I think? An EXCELLENT Disney blog. I always look forward to reading his entries/weekly themes/etc. Highly recommended!

Ashlie: Princess Ash's WDWCP Blog
Spring 2010 Attractions. Another College Boarder, Ash's blog is written in a wonderful storytelling style. I look forward to hearing all about her Spring adventures!

Will's Fantasmic Disney Adventures
Companion to his excellent vlog. Will has already done a program in merchandise and will be going back for Spring 2010.


And a few of my fellow fall hopefuls!
Kristin (also an alum!)
Jenn
Sara
Lauren
Emily
Cori
Lyanne (who has the most awesome blog title EVER)

Vlogs
2 words: JOHN. HENSELMEIER. : now a seasonal Jungle Cruise Skipper.
Will : former Merchandise participant, Spring 2010 participant. Also has a blog.

Ryan O's Disney Show : Spring 2010 Main Entrance Ops
Lauren : fellow Fall 2010 hopeful. Also has a blog.

I'd also like to mention The Disney Vloggers channel and the Fall 2010 channel. The latter has nothing at the moment, but hey - subscribe anyway?

Info Post #5: Entertainment - The Audition!

For Spring 2010, the Entertainment role is only available through the Walt Disney World College Program, not the Disneyland College Program. The overview page on the WDWCP website can be found here. There's a cute little video and the dates and locations of auditions.

You can find out if the audition you're attending is just a college program audition or a combination audition at the Audition Calendar of disneyauditions.com, too! For example, the description of the Chicago audition is as follows:

Disney Auditions is seeking energetic performers for Shows and Parades across the Walt Disney World® Resort, near Orlando, FL. Our performers bring to life shows such as Festival of the Lion King, Block Party Bash, High School Musical 3: Right Here, Right Now! and many more!

We are also seeking Disney Princess Look-alikes. Performers develop improvisational skills, poise and grace while working for one for the world's leading entertainment companies.

College students interested in performing for the WDW College Program, may click here for additional details.

So... what actually happens AT the audition? The jist of it is basically - you go in, check in, get measured, do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight!  OK, no, not really. But you DO learn a dance routine. You'll also do an animation exercise. If they like you, they might pull you for a more complex dance routine or puppeteering or, if you're very, very lucky, FACE! (I hope to get very, very lucky...)

I'm not going to post anything regarding height ranges because a) while this blog is not widely read, it IS a public blog on the internet, b) I'm not even sure how accurate the information I've gotten is, c) that's a Disney secret, and d) they'll tell you what height you fall into at the audition anyway! I WILL say that the people over on the DisBoards are super helpful! Check out the College Board over there, or message me your questions somehow and I'll do my best to answer them. 

Two key things about height: One, special consideration is given to people under 5'0" and over 6'0". Two, your "Disney height" may be like two whole inches off your actual height, so be prepared for that. Also, apparently 5'5" is dead height so just pray that they measure you up or down if you happen to be 5'5".

I highly, highly recommend checking out Brenna's and Molly's livejournals for really great info about the auditions. Their entries are protected, so you have to get an account and add them as friends, but that also means they can go into a lot more detail than I can on Blogger!

Brenna's Livejournal. / Her vlog specifically dealing with her audition experience.
Molly's Livejournal.

So, what are some general tips to help you conquer the Disney audition and stand out as a great potential cast member?

• SMILE! :D But you knew that I'm sure!
• Be yourself but be a big, exaggerated version of yourself.
• It's worth repeating a zillion times: BE BIG! GO OVER THE TOP! ACT LIKE EVERYTHING IS CAPSLOCK!
• When dancing, even if you flub, keep smiling!
• When pantomiming, make sure your actions tell a story that presents a problem and solves it with big, clear motions. 
• Most importantly, have fun!!

Sorry this info post is not as comprehensive... I don't want to reveal anything I'm not supposed to know, haha! If you'd like to investigate further, I cannot recommend the DisBoards College Board enough. There are a couple of really great (and long!) threads on there about character heights and auditions... one of which was actually started by Brenna!

So that's all for now, and have a magical day!

Info Post #4: A quick rundown of the roles.

For a brief and official overview of all the roles and their descriptions, your best bet is to visit the Disney College Program site here. In this post, I'll be elaborating on some (but not all) roles based on what I've read on the DisBoards and in blogs.


Attractions
Can include working traditional "rides" like Splash Mountain, Expedition Everest, etc, but keep in mind that things like Innoventions, DisneyQuest, and the stage shows fall into this as well. I've heard of people who loved their experience at Innoventions but as far as I can tell DisneyQuest is more of a toss-up.

Spieling rides like Jungle Cruise and the Great Movie Ride are incredibly difficult to get. The Haunted Mansion is one of the most-requested rides - I'll bet you're more likely to get a job at Kilimanjaro Safari than as a HM servant. However, if you'd like to work at a specific attraction, it doesn't hurt to email the program and tell them so! Nothing is guaranteed, but it certainly won't harm you! (Like if I get Attractions you can BET I'm requesting Jungle Cruise or Tower of Terror!)

Character Attendant
Whereas before, CAs could work at any of the four parks throughout their program, these CPs are now being bid at just one park. However, CAs are able to pick up shifts at any of the four parks. Duties may include things like assisting your characters, keeping the queue orderly, answering questions, and (most importantly) insuring the safety of your characters. Generally the hours are pretty manageable, from what I've heard (in terms of having really late shifts and the like).

Full-Service Food and Beverage
Keep in mind that this is a non-tipped role and you are a host/hostess, not a server! However, people who have worked in this role really enjoyed it. As one blog puts it, FSFB offers "a great mix of personal freedom, responsibility and its own share of fun moments, given its high guest interaction. Better still, a lot of these roles take place in a highly themed, fast-paced and dynamic environment."

Given the huge amount and diversity of full-service restaurants in WDW, this role offers a ton of different opportunities! Again, if you want to work a specific restaurant, go ahead and request it via email. You probably won't get California Grill though - I've heard people basically have to die for a position to open up there. (But that was in reference to the servers, so who really knows?)

Quick Service Food and Beverage
This role includes both counter-service restaurants like Pecos Bill Cafe and Columbia Harbour House as well as the outdoor snack carts and snack windows (outdoor foods). You will work both in the kitchen and at the register unless you are specifically working the QSFB - Kitchen Only role.

Vacation Planner
You know those ticket windows you pass on your way into the theme parks? The people in those booths are Vacation Planners, responsible for selling ticket media to guests. Think of it like a movie-theatre box office. Vacation Planners are the ultimate resource for the different admission options available and will also assist guests in planning their days at the park.

Given the nature of what you're selling, expect to handle large amounts of cash during your shift. Though there is an emphasis on "upselling" tickets, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to assist guests in planning their visits and ensuring they have a magical experience. Depending on the time of day, you may be working under a fair amount of pressure - lines can get long and guests are rearin' to go, so be prepared for that as well. From what I understand, there's also a certain quota you must meet each day as a Vacation Planner CM.

Costuming
This role covers Entertainment Costuming, not regular Costuming where all CMs pick up their costumes (uniforms). You will be assisting Entertainment CMs, working with parades and possibly shows, and doing laundry.

Hospitality
Hospitality CPs can work three different "sub-roles": Front Desk, Lobby Concierge, and Runner. Front Desk involves checking guests into the hotel - which I think sounds pretty cool because you get to kick off their whole Disney vacation experience! Lobby Concierge is pretty self-explanatory - you are stationed in the lobby to answer guest questions, sell tickets, make ADRs (or whatever Disney's calling them now), etc. Runners ... well, they run items at guests' requests.

Hospitality has the potential for weird shifts because the resorts never close. It's also more difficult to get, especially if you're not a hospitality major/don't have prior experience in guest service. I'm going to try for it anyway though! (See Vlog.)

Well, that's it for this entry! If you have any further questions I'll try my best to answer them, and if I don't have an answer I'll lead you to someone who does!

The next info post will feature...
Entertainment!!! Yay! 

Info Post #3: The Phone Interview

So you've submitted your written application, passed the web-based interview, and set up a time for your phone interview. Whew! For some applicants, this is easily the most nerve-wracking part of the process. I've heard of interviews lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to upwards of half an hour. Generally they fall somewhere in the middle. Disney says to expect a 20-30 minute length.

Disney also provides the following tips for interviewees:

• Limit noise and distractions. 
• If possible, avoid using a cell phone because of possible issues with weak signal, etc.
• If a "Blocked" or "Unknown" caller calls around the time of your interview, make sure you answer because it's probably Disney!
• Prepare for your interview!
• Familiarize yourself with the roles and which ones you'd be comfortable performing.
• Check your availability and familiarize yourself with the time frames of the program seasons!
• Be prepared to discuss your background and interests. As Disney puts it, "You will be asked about the one topic that you know more than anyone else, YOU!"
• Make a list of questions for your interviewer.
• Be prepared about 5 to 10 minutes ahead of your scheduled interview time.
  
• But at the same time, be sure you're at least somewhat relaxed. That might mean something as simple as taking a few deep breaths.
• Take notes.
• Take your time - a moment of silence while you collect your thoughts is perfectly okay!

It's also helpful to have your application handy, since you will be going over it during the interview. And, if you're slightly OCD like I am, it might help to jot down a few things you'd like to mention about your strengths, especially in guest service. If you like, it might be nice to have a copy of your resume with you as well.

A tip I've heard over and over again is to smile during your interview. Sure, it sounds dorky, but it really does change the tone in your voice and your interviewer will probably notice a more enthusiastic tone. Try to answer the questions completely yet as succinctly as possible - not an easy feat for a chatterbox like myself. It’s okay to take a moment to think about your answer, and remember that silence is preferable to “um,” “uh,” and “like!”

Generally, interviews follow a pretty similar pattern:

1. Review application and role checklist.
2. Why are you interested in the CP/why do you want to work for Disney?
3. Probably some questions about work flexibility and handling a difficult situation or person, and how you resolved the conflict/situation.
4. Some kind of question regarding previous work experience.
5. The interviewer will then move to asking questions about specific roles on your checklist. Some great advice I’ve heard repeatedly is that if you’re unsure, err on the side of guest safety and happiness. I’ve collected a bunch of previously asked questions from people on the DisBoards, so if you’re interested let me know!
6. You may be asked about the best guest service you’ve ever experienced, Disney or otherwise.
7. Something about how receptive you are to living with others - basically you should be receptive to whatever living situation Disney has available, I think. The interviewer may include a question about dealing with roommate conflicts.
8. Finally, it’s your turn to ask questions! And be sure to thank your interviewer!

Up next... (hopefully next week but don't hold me to it!) Info Post #4: The Roles!

Info Post #2: So You Want to Do a Disney College Program.

Or, The Application Process.

First of all, it's an excellent idea to make sure you meet the application requirements before going forward with your application. You must:

• be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student and taking classes. High-school seniors with dual enrollment are not eligible to apply. You must have completed one semester of school. As long as you are taking classes at the time you apply, you can do the CP - so graduating seniors can apply while still in school and do the program immediately following graduation.
  
• meet your school's requirements for participation.
• be at least 18 years old by the time your program begins.
• have unrestricted work authorization.
  

More information, especially about the first point, can be found here.

Okay, then - on to the actual application process!

Step One: View the online E-Presentation.
I recommend the E-Presentation as opposed to the campus presentation because it is almost always available before the first campus presentation, and the sooner you apply, the better. Let me repeat that, because it's important: The sooner you apply, the better! As far as I can tell, acceptance to the Disney College Program is done on a rolling basis. If you want to view a campus presentation as well, you can always do so after your application is in - personally, I'll probably do both myself, because I've heard the live presentations are fun to go to and there's a chance to win Disney swag!

Step Two: Complete the Online Application/Role Checklist
The following roles are available: Attractions, Bell Services/Dispatch, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess, Concierge, Character Attendant, Custodial, Full Service Food and Beverage, Hopper, Hospitality, Housekeeping, Lifeguard, Main Entrance Operations, Merchandise, PhotoPass Photographer, Quick Service Food and Beverage, Recreation, Resort Hopper, Transportation, Vacation Planner, Costuming (backstage role), Quick Service - Kitchen Only (backstage role), Character Performer, Culinary Assistant - Cook II, and Culinary Assistant - Baking and Pastry.

The Culinary Program differs slightly from the "regular" program. I'm not in culinary school, so my knowledge of the culinary aspect of the CP is limited to what's available on the WDWCP website!

So, that's a grand total of 24 roles available! Another valuable piece of advice: Checking off more roles greatly improves your chances of getting into the program - especially if you are willing to do QSFB or custodial. (From what I've heard Custodial can be loads of fun, actually.)

I'll talk more about the different roles and their descriptions in a later entry - and Entertainment will probably get a separate entry talking about the audition process and whatnot.

Step Three: Complete the Web-Based Interview
Ah, the dreaded new step: the Web-Based Interview! Sadly, this simple survey/GALLUP poll can make or break your college program dreams. It's something a lot of employers are using these days, and thanks to the DisBoards, I've been able to find some great tips to help you pass! Unfortunately, some Spring 2010 hopefuls learned this the hard way, as they were the first to take the "web-based interview."

• Take a deep breath! Read the questions carefully. There are very few trick questions.
  
• Avoid "neutral," "agree," and "disagree" - pick stronger answers. However, they might throw in a negative question after a bunch of positive ones, so watch out for that.
  
• Make sure your answers are consistent with each other. Some of the questions will be the same, just phrased differently, so make sure your answers are the same/similar.
  
• Think about yourself in a work environment, even working at Disney if it helps. Don't picture yourself in a school or social environment as they may handle things differently.
  
• It's timed, so make sure to answer all questions.

Step Four: Notification
You will be notified immediately whether or not you passed the web interview. If you did, you will be invited to set up your phone interview. After the phone interview, you will receive notification regarding your acceptance into the program in approximately four to six weeks.

Ah, yes, the phone interview. Considered by some to be the most nerve-wracking part of the process - personally I'm afraid the entire thing will be completely nerve-wracking, but that's just me!

Luckily for you, I will be updating shortly with...
Info Post #3: The Phone Interview!

Info Post #1: Overview, Dis-Speak, and Acronyms

I'm a Planner. Some might call it anxious and ... well, anxious, but I call it well-prepared. I don't remember exactly when I first heard about the Disney College Program - I think it was back in junior high. Well, around this time last year I started really looking into it, reading blogs and lurking on the Dis Boards College Board. I thought it might be a good idea to post some of the information I've gathered in one place for others to easily view - that, and it should give me at least a little something to write about until next year!

For those of you who may not know exactly what the Disney College Program is, I'll just go over it briefly. You can find more information at the program's official website. I'll be applying for the WDW program - there is a program available at Disneyland as well, but it's smaller (and thus more competitive to get into) and, from what I've heard, less structured. The WDWCP people have it down to a science! Plus, with a much larger complex, there are that many more opportunities. And - though this is purely word-of-mouth - apparently it's a lot easier to get into Entertainment as a CP in WDW.

The Disney College Program began in 1981 and has grown in leaps and bounds since then. It's an opportunity for college students to spend a semester working for and learning from the Disney Company - and it's a paid internship to boot! Disney bills it as "a one-of-a-kind, Disney-designed combination of education and work experience," emphasizing the Earning, Learning, and Living components of the program. Granted, it's also a way for the parks to get cheap labor easily, and participants will be performing front-line hourly jobs. But for someone like me, whose ultimate goal is to work for Disney, it's an excellent way to get your foot in the door. There are plenty of networking opportunities available. Like any job, it's all about the attitude with which you approach it. And, given that I'm a full-fledged Disney nerd, I think I've definitely got the right attitude.

And, dear (imaginary?) readers, if you've found me through the Dis boards or somewhere else, you'll know about this next bit too: Disney-speak and acronyms. Gotta love the acronyms! I don't think there are too many associated with the CP (well there's one), but I'm probably not thinking of them because I know them, if that makes ANY sense.

CP-Related
CP = College Program
WDW = Walt Disney World
...thus, WDWCP = Walt Disney World College Program
CM = Cast Member
PI = Professional Internship. Sometimes Pleasure Island, but seeing as it's CLOSED I doubt I'll be using that one very much.
FSFB = Full Service Food and Beverage
QSFB = Quick Service Food and Beverage
EPCOT = Every Person Comes Out Tired, Every Paycheck Comes on Thursday, or Evil Polyester Costumes of Torture.
FA/SA = Fall Advantage/Spring Advantage

General
MK = Magic Kingdom
DHS = Disney's Hollywood Studios (it will forever be MGM to me!)
DAK = Disney's Animal Kingdom
Many rides and resorts are shortened too... Pirates of the Caribbean becomes POTC, Grand Floridian becomes GF, etc.
Those are all I can think of off the top of my head - if I use another, I'll define it in context and try to remember to add it to this list! There's also a nifty list of acronyms available here.

Finally, people who love Disney tend to speak in what sounds like a foreign language to the average person, and it gets worse when you start working for the Big Cheese himself! Dis-Speak, Disney-ese, whatever you want to call it, it's definitely a language all its own! And, since I don't yet work for Disney, I don't use as many terms as a current CM might, but I still might say some confusing things - unless, of course, you're a Disney dork like myself. Which you probably are. Regardless!

A lot of Dis-speak has to do with shortening things - which is why we like acronyms so much! Often, things without acronyms will end up with shortened versions of themselves... Splash Mountain becomes Splash, and the Polynesian Resort becomes the Poly.

Most of the Dis-speak I'll use will probably have to do with working and the Entertainment side of things. As an entertainment company, Disney uses terms like "Cast Member" instead of employee and "Role" instead of job. The tourists in the parks are "Guests" instead of "customers" - even Target uses that one now!

Secondly, since my first choice role is Character Performer, I'll be talking a LOT about the Entertainment division of WDW. They are (understandably) HUGE on Character Integrity and keeping the magic intact. No one "plays" Mickey, since there's only one Mickey... instead, you get to be "friends with" Mickey. There are different height ranges for the characters, things like duck height, mouse height, munk height, Pooh height, etc. The range is named after a certain character, but that doesn't mean that's the only one you can be friends with. There's also some overlap - like you can be friends with Daisy and Mickey, etc etc. I'm not sure if "Princess Height" is actually a range but luckily I fall into that one because I'm dangerously close to what's affectionately known as DEAD HEIGHT! Oh no! I think I might be Munk Height, but who knows what Disney will measure me as? (Disney height tends to differ from real height. Who knows why?)

Then there's the Face Characters - my ultimate little girl dream. (But then again, isn't it everyone's?) Pooh, Mickey, etc are "fur characters" - that is, they are completely costumed. Princesses, princes, and some villains are face characters - that is, you can see their faces. Not too tricky to keep straight. :) Disney in general has very strict standards for their face characters, and I've heard DLR (Disneyland Resort) is even stricter than WDW when it comes to this.

Entertainment CPs also have the opportunity to be trained as parade performers, but it's very rare. I'll talk more about that in a later blog, when I discuss what I've learned about Entertainment, color codes, etc.

Look for another personal blog soon and some more information posts! The next info post will probably be on the application process - seems like a good next step, don't you think?

Well, that's all for now. Have a magical day!