Q: What made you want to do the Disney College Program?
A: I found out about the Disney College Program through a recent grad at my university who was Disney bound back in February 2014. I didn't know Disney offered internships, I was a sophomore at the time, but I jumped at the opportunity to participate. I might have jumped a little too fast though; I applied and didn't make it past the web based interview! It wasn't until October of the same year that the program popped back up on my radar. With nothing to lose, I applied again and two weeks later I got the email that I had been accepted for the Spring 2015 program! Disney has been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. The movies I watched, the toys I played with, the Princesses I aspired to be, all revolved around Disney. At 15 years old, I visited Disney World for the first and only time in my life. I knew I had to get back somehow. The Disney College Program was my ticket in.
Q: What was your role and location? Was it your first choice? If not, what was?
A: My role was in Main Entrance Operations. I was a Park Greeter at Epcot. This role was not my first choice. Like a lot of applicants, my first choice was Character Attendant. I loved the idea of interacting with guests, especially with the kids! Working as a Park Greeter, it was literally my job to interact with the guests entering and leaving the park. There was a lot of responsibility to make a great first impression for the guests as they arrived to the park but I'm glad Disney was confident I'd be a good fit for that.
Q: What was your training like?
A: My training was interesting. I had to learn how to open, close, and maintain the entrance. I also had to learn how to identify all the different ticket media and understand the touch points. I wish I had counted how many times I had to repeat "It's not a finger print, it's a biometric scan of your finger." My training consisted of two full days in which I shadowed my trainer on the first day and was put to action on the second day. Getting my costume (the periwinkle one with Spaceship Earth all over it) was probably the moment in which I really felt like part of the Disney family.
Q: What were the best things about your role?
A: The best thing about my role, hands down, was getting to know the other Cast Members. This was a role in which you were constantly surrounded with Cast Members who were all from very different backgrounds. I was able to interact with a lot of International College Program participants as well. On down time, believe it or not at the entrance, we really bonded with one another and built relationships that have lasted after the program. Of course, I also enjoyed creating magic for the guests with the buttons! At Epcot, we had the special event buttons right up front. When people would ask for a button and I was able to provide them with something personalized, the joy on their faces was awesome. Those buttons are conversation starters and I got to meet a lot of really cool guests who were from Chicago, who knew the area around where I go to school because of my acknowledging their special event button. I think that experience was something very unique to my role.
Q: The worst?
A: The worst part about the role was probably having to work outside. The weather is totally unpredictable! Especially working at the International Gateway, wearing white pants (yikes!), when it rained you did the best you could to hide. Not too horrible of a worst thing though!
Q: Would you recommend this role to a friend?
A: I would definitely recommend this role to a friend. I really can't imagine any other role that would give you constant guest interaction. You can't create magic without the guests! I also had supervisors and non DCP Cast Members who went out of their way to make sure my experience was the best it could be. Epcot really became home for me. Plus, there's a beautiful view of Spaceship Earth at night at the Main Entrance and a pretty decent view of IllumiNations from the International Gateway.
Q: What advice would you give to new CPs in this role?
A: Don't let grumpy guests put you down! That's the best advice I can give to a new CP in this role. You will get all kinds of people coming through your touch point: bashful, happy and most certainly grumpy. It's important to know that Guest Relations and your supervisors are there to be a support to you. Whatever the problem is, there's definitely a solution.
Q: What have you been up to since your program ended?
A: Since my program ended back in May I have been completely immersed in senior year. I have two more semesters left until graduation so I am trying my best to enjoy every moment. The weekend I came back to Chicago I returned to campus and completed an event programming internship. I am currently the president of the Campus Activities Board which is the largest student organization at my university and am working as a Resident Assistant. When I'm not on campus I'm in New York every chance I get. Love was definitely in the air for me post Disney. I am now in a long distance relationship with a really amazing guy that I met during my program. I miss Disney and Epcot and my roommates more than I could imagine possible, even five months later! My next step is to get back out there on a Professional Internship for the Fall 2016 program. Faith, trust, and pixie dust!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here to order your copy of "Brittany Earns Her Ears" today!
Instagram: @brittanyearnsherears
Facebook.com/BrittanyEarnsHerEars
Twitter:
No comments:
Post a Comment