WDW College Program

It’s my second week in the Disney College Program, and I definitely agree that time went by fast. I guess it’s because the second week is busier than the first one. I had Traditions last Saturday and learned about Disney’s 4 keys, which is safety, courtesy, show and efficiency. During traditions we went on a tour to Magic Kingdom to identify the 4 keys. It was very special because it was my first time in Magic Kingdom, I got very emotional when I saw the castle. When we came back from the tour we received our Mickey ears, our name tag, and we saw the boss Mickey!

Being that said, right after traditions my roommate and I went to Magic Kingdom, for my first visit as a guest. I’ve also visited the other 3 parks, and my favorite one is Hollywood Studios. I also liked Epcot a lot, it’s a very interesting park, we went around the world and got to know a little more about different countries. I visited Animal Kingdom when I had my park orientation, we went on a tour and got to ride the Kilimanjaro safari, sadly I didn’t have my phone around to take pictures. However, on Monday I’m going to Animal Kingdom as a guest to explore and learn more about my park.

As a Vacation Planner, we have to take a Vacation Planning core class before we go to On the Job Training. My class was held at Disney University for 5 days straight and today was my last day. I really learned a lot about my role, and what I will be doing in the booths at Animal Kingdom. We learned how to sell tickets, how to convert paper tickets, how to sell annual passes with the payment plan, will calls, etc. It was an intense training but I’m ready for my on the job training at DAK. I start on tuesday, and I’m very excited to interact with guests and help them find the best tickets for them.

As everyone was busy packing their stuff in the luggage or their car, I accidentally feel the rush of sadness through me. I can’t believe the place I called home for these past four months is empty again since my check-in day. Since all the interns were off the day before departure date, we decided to do four parks in one day for the very last time of our program. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us. It was a gloomy and rainy which dampened my mood even more but I tried to be happy and strong for my co workers. Everyone was extremely sad that day saying our goodbyes, it was the most bittersweet moment. There were no dry eyes throughout the whole day but we decided to cheer up and enjoy Wishes one last time at Magic Kingdom.

It’s hard to believe that these past four months had passed by with a blink of an eye. I refuse to believe that my program is coming to an end and I immediately regret my decision for not extending my program. However, I constantly have to remind myself that I can’t get comfortable with the lifestyle as a Disney College Program Intern forever. It is time for me to get back to reality, which means earn my bachelor’s degree and pursue my career in the Hospitality Management field. Overall, it was a bittersweet moment that the end is near. I am so thankful for this amazing experience of a life time. This opportunity had definitely opened doors to a lot of friendships and adventures. Not a lot of people can say that they had the experience that I have.

I am going to miss the people I’ve met through this program. Whether they are regular cast members or CP’s, they’ve made a great impact in my life.We’ve spent four months working and spending together. They are the people that were with me through the good and bad during these four month. My fellow cast members and my roommates were the reason why my Disney College Program was the best experience of my life.

Christmas is finally here! And just in case we aren’t aware of it, the Hollywood Studios cast member already celebrated Christmas a month in advance when we attended the Street of Dancing Lights preview. As soon as Halloween was over,Magic Kingdom transformed into a magical winter wonderland overnight. The Disney parks waste no time to celebrate Christmas, it all started with the Christmas parade taping, Mickey’s Christmas party and of course the Osborne’s Dancing Lights nights at Hollywood Studios.

Since it is no surprise the holiday season is also our busiest season, most of the college program cast members were scheduled to work. We decided to plan an early Christmas celebration at one of our co worker’s apartment located in Downtown Orlando. Downtown Orlando reminded me of Long Island City, Queens. It is a developing city but still has the suburban feel just like Queens. Overall, our Christmas celebration was a success. It was nice to celebrate Christmas with my co workers because they are like my family away from home.

I checked in this Monday January 18th. In check-in I received my work location, I will be a Vacation Planner at Animal Kingdom. Also, I got my housing ID and the keys to my apartment in Vista Way. I have 5 other roommates and we are a very diverse group. On Tuesday I had casting in the morning, that is where they told me when I have traditions and my training schedule as well. On Wednesday I had the housing meeting, which was only one hour long and they told me about the housing rules and the different events they have such as workshops, welcome party, movie nights, and others. I have traditions on Saturday morning along with 3 of my roommates. Since we had a lot of free time, we went to Disney Springs, which was very fun. And also we went resort hopping. First we went to the Port Orleans french quarter, then riverside, and lastly to Coronado Springs which I loved it. I did not know every Disney resort had their own theme. We still want to go resort hopping again and visit the Polynesian Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort. Orlando has been great to me so far, however it has been very cold I did not bring boots or a heavier jacket with me but hopefully it will get warmer the next few weeks.

This is the view from my room, I am very close to the bus stop

Casting

In Disney Spring

I can’t wait to go to traditions and start my training, I have 7 days of training according to my schedule and from there they will give me my work schedule.

The perks of being an intern at the Disney College Program is that we get to go the parks during most of our days off and it is hard for us to miss the fireworks each night. However since it’s towards the end of our program, me and my friends decided to visit Universal Studios. My main purpose of visiting Universal Studios was to visit the Harry Potter’s Wizarding World which I’ve been looking forward to go since the opening. Disney World is a magical place to be but it is time for us to venture out to other theme parks as well.

It is quick to make comparison when as soon as I arrive to Universal Studios, the first thing I noticed was the admission fee was slightly cheaper than WDW. In Universal Studios, there are more rides than attractions. The rides at Universal Studios are more intense and thrilling than the ones in the Disney Parks. After all, Universal Studios are more suitable for teens and adults. The wait time for the rides are surprisingly no more than 15 minute wait maybe because it was a Monday.

Finally, I finally got to board the Hogwarts Express and arrived to Harry Potter World. I was in awe how realistic it was, I felt like an excited muggle travelling to the wizarding world. Everything that I saw on movies were being replicated in this attractions, needless to say I can spend the rest of my program in Harry Potter world.  We ended our day by having our dinner at Universal City Walk’s Margartiaville. City Walk is like Universal Studios’ version of Disney Springs.

It is almost towards the end of Disney College Program and like any other school, there are usually a dance towards the end of the school year. When everyone was talking about the DCP formal, it was one of the event that I knew I couldn’t  miss out on. The DCP formal was similar to any dance I’ve attended throughout middle school and high school. It is like a prom for Disney College Program except everyone is invited and there are no admission fee. In other words, this is better than all the dance I’ve attended because it was held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and the food, ,entertainment, decoration was better than I expected. One of the best part of the formal besides the food was we get to take pictures with Disney’s Villain because it is a Haunted Soiree.

It is December 1st and the most anticipated day for Disney World’s guests and cast members is finally here! The opening of Star Wars Launch Bay has been the most brought up topic since the special orientation that was shown exclusively for cast members of Hollywood Studios. Ever since the opening of Launch Bay, I found myself explain to the guest what Launch Bay and the concept behind of it. Most of the guests thought it was a ride, however as soon as I told them it is more an attraction that contains everything and anything about Star Wars they got excited (especially the Star Wars fan).  The best part was you get to meet and greet Darth Vader and Chewbacca, besides those two characters you also get to meet other characters from Star Wars like the Storm Troopers.

I was fortunate to visit Launch Bay during the first day of opening, I have to admit it is by far the coolest attraction in Hollywood Studios. I wish I get to visit the Launch Bay with my dad who introduced me to Star Wars and shared his love of Star Wars with me. The merchandise sold different types of unique Star Wars merchandise, I particularly have my eyes on the $200 Kyro’s light saber. Perhaps my cast member discount can fulfill my wishlist.  Overall, Star Wars Launch Bay is just the beginning of Hollywood Studio’s transformation and I am looking forward to see of whats to come.

The entrance of Disney World

Osborne Lights with my roommates

Last day closing with my Pecos family

Goodbye Pecos.

It is the end. The time to say goodbye is here and it is bittersweet. Realizing that Disney was only temporary and that I have to return to reality is a little hard to grasp but slowly the roommates start leaving and I’m clocking out of work for the last time and there is a mere 24 hours left before you have to get in the car gets tough to not accept. There were a lot of ups and downs on this program but the experiences made here would not be forgotten and I would say in the end it was worth it.

The people you meet and become friends with are the best part about working for Disney. The work may seem endless but with the right people, time will pass by faster and I didn’t realize it while working with them but I will miss all of them when I am back home. I will miss going to work and joking around with my coworkers.

There is a lot of opportunities and chances Disney provides and with the correct mindset and objective of where you are ready to go in life I feel it would be a wonderful place to work. Disney is truthfully a place you can start anywhere and work your way up, they will provide you with chances to advance to a higher position and even pay for your degree. I am hoping to go back to Disney after I finish my degree and work on a culinary or management internship and gain the experience which I believe will be one of a kind.