Spring 2016 Application Tips

With applications just around the corner (they should be coming out within the next month or so) here are some of my tips for doing well during the application process:

- It doesn't matter when you apply.
Every season, especially if you're on the Facebook group for your program season, rumors get started that there are certain times that are better than others to apply for the program. This is simply not true, as it has been disputed on multiple occasions by recruiters on the official Disney Internships and Programs blog. From the time that applications open until the time that they close, it makes absolutely no difference when you submit your application. If you're seeing posts on the Facebook groups about this, completely disregard them, it doesn't matter at all. You can apply on the first day or the last day that applications are out and it won't make any difference in your own application process. 

2. Know the stages of the application process.
It's important to understand the different stages of the application process when you apply for the Disney College Program. The stages that tend to cause the most confusion are "in progress," and "in submission." An application that is "in submission" has been submitted but has not been denied, nor asked to move on with the process. "In progress," means that your application is on its way to moving forward. Each season (well, at least since the submission stage became a thing) rumors circulate (usually via Facebook) that the recruiters "randomly" select which applications will remain in submission instead of moving on with the process. Again, the official Disney Internships and Programs blog has disproved this theory, by stating that the program is simply very competitive, and while they can't go into detail about why each single applicant might not get through the submission stage, their applications are being looked at, and the decision to keep them in submission is deliberate. If you do end up in the submission stage for the entire application season (meaning that your application will eventually become "no longer in consideration," don't worry-- I know plenty of CPs who applied to the program multiple times before finally being accepted, don't give up hope.

3. Take your time filling out the application. 
This one may sound like common sense, but it really is super important to make sure that you take your time filling out the initial application. Filling it out can be tedious, but you're better off taking your time to ensure that all of the information on the application really is correct.

4. Don't lie or exaggerate. 
The biggest things you can lie about that will ruin your chances of being accepted into the DCP is your status as a college student (which Disney will check) and if you've submitted an application before. In both of these instances you can automatically be rejected, so it really isn't worth lying on the basic application.

5. Carefully consider your role selections.
When applying for the DCP, it is extremely important to consider all of the role selections very carefully when deciding which ones you would be interested in working during your program. If there are any roles you know you would absolutely hate, select "no interest" for them, that way if you're accepted you know you won't be stuck in a role you really didn't want. (I'll be posting a more detailed piece about each of the roles sometime next week!)

6. Don't compare you progress to anyone else's. 
Comparing yourself to others while applying to the DCP really won't do you any good. It's easy to be jealous when others' applications seem to be moving along faster than yours, but it will be much better for you in the long run if you keep the jealousy to a minimum.

7. Be positive about the program season and location.
Once you're accepted for either the regular, quarter, or advantage program, or the Anaheim or Orlando program, you cannot change the dates or location. This is especially important when deciding if you'll be in Florida or California as the difference in the price of acceptance fees is drastically more expensive in California (and California's program is much more competitive and does not include transportation.)

8. Upload (or at least create/update) your resume.
The DCP does not require you to upload a resume while you're applying to the program, however it definitely doesn't hurt to have one ready to go. Even though you don't need it to apply, it's helpful to have all of your previous experience spelled out right in front of you, and you'll definitely need an updated resume during and after your program (especially if you attend resume workshops or apply for professional internships or other jobs at Disney.)

9. Have lots of patience.
The most difficult part of applying to the DCP is playing the waiting game. Unfortunately, the whole application process really takes some time, and the most stressful part is waiting to hear back about whether or not you've been accepted. Try to use other things as distractions, and know that you're not alone as every potential future-CP is playing the waiting game right along with you.

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My book, "Brittany Earns Her Ears," which documents my time on the Disney College Program as a merchandise cast member, is now available on Amazon! Click here to order your copy today!

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Best Moments of My DCP Experience

Now that my DCP is officially over (well it's been officially over, but I guess now it's finally started to sink in) I thought it'd be nice to recap some of my favorite memories from the program! In chronological order, here are my best moments from the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 programs:

- Checking in at Vista -
Checking in at Vista Way for your college program is one of the best feelings ever. You're up all night the night before, just laying in bed waiting for the morning to come so you can be the first in line to check in. In line, you meet so many new CPs who are just as excited as you are to start your program. You also learn where you'll be living, and your work location. 

- Casting -
Casting in itself is really not all that exciting, but the emotions you have while you're going through the process can't be beat. The professional interns and DCP staff who walk you through your first couple of days do everything they can to add to the excitement, so that when you walk through those doors at the casting building, you're not thinking about all the paperwork that needs to be filled out, you're just thinking about how happy you are to be working at Walt Disney World. 

- Traditions - 

Traditions was probably one of the best days of my life. I know it sounds crazy, that an orientation for any job would be one of the best days of your life, but this is probably something you really won't understand unless you experience it for yourself. Sometimes when I tell people about how much I loved working for Disney, they assume it's because I lived near the parks and could basically "vacation" on my days off. That's not why I loved working for Disney though-- anyone can move close to the Orlando area, and enjoy random vacations on their days off. Going through Traditions, and working for the company, is so much more than that, because you become part of a family in a way that I don't think could possibly happen at any other company. 

- Going to the Parks for Free, for the First Time - 
It's the craziest feeling ever to go to the parks for free for the first time, most likely with your roommates because you just arrived and you don't really know anyone else yet. You just received your name tags, and company IDs at Traditions, and after quickly changing out of your business attire, you're on your way to the Magic Kingdom. It's a very strange feeling to see hundreds of people purchasing tickets, while you're just strolling right in. It's even stranger how normal this feels as time goes on. 

- Visiting Work Locations -
Before we started our on the job training, one of my roommates, Lexie, and I visited our future work locations-- Dinoland USA for me, and Spaceship Earth for her. It's no secret that I was extremely disappointed when I found out I would be working in Dinoland, as it has always been my least favorite part of the parks. Visiting Dinoland before I started working there was a kind of weird, personal, undertaking in itself. I had waited my whole life to work for Disney, and now I'm here, preparing to work in the only part of Disney I hated. I tried to be optimistic about it, and really give Dinoland a chance. Although I do appreciate Dinoland more now, and it ultimately was not my favorite place to work as I expected, I'm happy that I went into this experience with a positive attitude and really made the most of it.

- Getting Comfortable with Your Location - 

I would say that any new job requires some time for you to really start to feel comfortable there. With Dinoland, I instantly felt comfortable with the ordinary merchandise side of my role, but the games, not so much. I hate public speaking, and overcoming this fear on a daily basis was no easy task. While I still think Dinoland is the tackiest thing Disney has ever done, I'm grateful that this opportunity has forced me to get over my fear of public speaking. There's no better cure for fear of public speaking than being forced to spiel over a microphone at five different carnival games.

- Getting Engaged - 
As it sometimes goes when a couple applies to the DCP together, only I was accepted for the Fall 2014 program, and Chaz was not. He planned on visiting me for a week in September, where he actually ended up proposing to me (in my favorite place in Disney-- the center of Epcot, right behind Spaceship Earth.)

- Seeing Characters All the Time -
This is another point that someone who hasn't worked for Disney might not understand, but seeing characters all the time is really exciting! For me, there's a certain level of excitement that comes with being able to track down characters that are not out in the parks as often. This is really something you can't do on vacation because you don't have the time to go searching for them, but when you live nearby it's really fun to wander around and look for different characters. 

- Working a Treat Shift at the Halloween Party - 

When I found out I was accepted for the Fall 2014 program, one of my goals was to work a shift giving out candy at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom. I quickly found out that these shifts are usually given to Magic Kingdom Attractions cast members, and that picking them up if you don't work in that area can be challenging. No one wants to give them away, and the extra shifts that were posted online would be picked up in a matter of seconds. Randomly one morning, before I went to work, I logged onto the internal website where shifts are posted and saw "Treat Trail Adv. Pirates." Without even knowing exactly what that meant, and only seeing the words "treat trail" I clicked "sign up," and somehow managed to actually get this shift. For one night, I was able to hang out near Pirates of the Caribbean, and get paid to give out candy, in my favorite costume. 

- Completing the Tower of Terror 10 Miler - 

If you know me, you know if there's anything I hate it's running. I've never understood the enjoyment of running, especially at any kind of long distance, and if I try to run at the gym I typically give up and move on to something else instead. When one of my friends convinced me to sign up for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler with her, I was planning on doing the race for fun, but did not expect to finish it. I would have been happy if I made it to the halfway mark. Weeks before the DCP started, I completed a 10K, where I came in third to last. Granted there was probably only a couple of hundred people at this race, I still came in third to last. At that time, it looked like running was still never going to be my thing, and finishing the 10 miler just seemed completely out of the question. During the 10 miler, I reached the halfway mark after running for a little over an hour. I was shocked. The pacing requirement to not get picked up was a 16 minute mile, and I was running at a 13 minute mile. Although 5 miles was really all I planned on completing, I couldn't just give up when I was doing so well, so I kept going. I even stopped and waited in line to meet a couple of characters along the way, and I still finished the race in 2 hours and 32 minutes. Finishing a 10 mile race made me feel so accomplished. There's nothing like proving people who wrong, who take a look at you and assume you can't possibly run 10 miles. And if I wasn't already in Florida for the DCP, I would have never pursued this opportunity. 

- Attending the Christmas Parade Filming -
Going to the Christmas parade filming, which actually takes place in early November, was one of the most insane days of my life. To get a ticket for the filming, you need to register online by a certain time, and if you don't do that right away you're most likely out of luck. I didn't get a ticket by registering online, and was initially super bummed out about it. The night before the parade filming, I was riding the bus home from a 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm shift in Dinoland, when I saw on Facebook that someone was giving away a ticket. I messaged this person, who agreed to give me the ticket if I met her at her apartment complex in Chatham. I got off the bus at Chatham, got the ticket, changed my Dinoland pants with yoga pants in my bag, and got back on the bus with a sweatshirt over my Dinoland shirt to go right to Downtown Disney. (I didn't have anything Christmas-y to wear in the morning, and I needed to be at the Magic Kingdom at 4:00 AM.) I spent that night going by CP bus from Animal Kingdom after my shift, to Chatham to pick up the ticket, to Downtown Disney, to Vista (only to change and get ready) to the Contemporary, and then walking to the Magic Kingdom to be there by 4:00. (Yes, taking the bus literally made all of this take overnight.) But being there for the parade filming was so worth it. Even though you couldn't see me on TV, it was so cool to see how the parades actually get filmed. 

- Backstage Tours - 
When you work for Disney, you have the opportunity to sign up for backstage tours at various attractions. I was lucky enough to have been able to go on four backstage tours during my programs-- The Great Movie Ride, Lights, Motors, Action!, Spaceship Earth, and the Haunted Mansion. All of the tours were great, although the Haunted Mansion was definitely my favorite! Even though Spaceship Earth is my favorite attraction, seeing how the Haunted Mansion works behind the scenes is definitely something I'll never forget. The Great Movie Ride tour does score some points for giving me the chance to take pictures with the audio animatronics though.

- Celebrating Christmas in Disney - 
While Christmas Day itself was a little odd (as I was miraculously off from work, and pretty much watched Netflix until my friends got off work) celebrating the entire season in the parks was so much fun. My things to do during the Christmas season were to go resort hopping, and see all of the different resorts all decorated, and to hangout in Epcot, my favorite park. 

- Graduation... or was it? -The first graduation from the DCP that I attended didn't feel like a graduation at all. Because I already knew I was extending, it just sort of felt like any other housing event. In any case, in the weeks before graduation, I found out that Chaz was accepted for Custodial for the Spring 2015 program, and I would be extending into Attractions!

- Visiting New Work Locations - 
Ironically enough, right before I found out I would be working at Lights, Motors, Action! I had actually gone on a backstage tour of the attraction with my coworkers from Dinoland. Again, Disney had let me down with an attraction I had never personally been thrilled with, but my opinions of LMA completely changed after working there. Now I can't wait to see this show every time I visit the parks.

- Doing the Program with Chaz -
There's something really special about doing the DCP with your significant other. Even though our work schedules were complete opposites, we made time to go on fun dates in the parks and visit each other at work. 

- Working at Fantasmic! - 
If you knew me during my program, you probably heard me complain at least once about working at Fantasmic! The problem with working there was that it was not my regular location. Cast members who are from other locations but get scheduled there typically resent working there. For me, I didn't like the longer shift-- 11:30 to 9:30 or later depending on how many Fant. shows there were. I also thought it was kind of annoying to leave my show, put on a different costume, and go work at another show. If I still worked in merchandise I might have enjoyed it more, but at the time at LMA I was kind of like, "K, I just worked my show, I want to get off work now." I totally took working there for granted, and I really did enjoy it towards the end of my program. My favorite part about working at Fantasmic! was seeing the audiences faces light up when Sorcerer Mickey appeared at the top of the mountain at the end of the show. 

- LNC Family Reunion - 
The LNC family reunion was definitely one of my favorite parts of the DCP. The LNC, or Late Night Crew, consists of myself, Chaz, and a group of friends we met through the DCP Facebook groups. Unfortunately not everyone was able to go to Florida for the DCP, but when everyone was finally reunited it was like we had been friends for our entire lives. I think it might sound crazy to some people that we have such a great relationship, and all of us have only been together in person a couple of times. I guess it really is kind of crazy how the DCP can bring people together, even through something small like a Facebook group.

- Visiting Friends at Work - 
What better place to visit your friends at work than Disney? It was so much fun to be able to walk around anywhere at Disney and run into your friends, working, and having a great time. 

- Graduation, for Real This Time -
Graduating from the DCP when you know you're actually going to be leaving the program is a surreal feeling. The event itself doesn't feel sad, like you're actually going to be moving on from the program, simply because it hasn't hit you yet. You think about it when you run into a friend, and have to decide if you'll be seeing them again or if this is good-bye, or when you take those photos holding your diploma and wearing your graduation hat for what will actually be the last time. You feel accomplished, but the feeling is bittersweet because you know you're not ready to leave.

- Clocking Out for the Last Time -
Clocking out from your last shift is when your program ending really starts to hit you. It was especially weird for me, because I was the only one whose program was ending. There were only about eight CPs at LMA, and everyone was either extending or on a program with a later end date than mine, so when my last day came it was really only my last day. After I clocked out for the last time, I couldn't help but cry, knowing that my last time (potentially ever) working at Walt Disney World was over. 

- Saying Good-bye - 

Saying good-bye to the Disney College Program is a long, emotional, exhausting process, this is difficult to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it. Because I stayed for almost two weeks after my program ended (waiting for Chaz's program to end to drive home with him) this process was very drawn out, and probably more ceremonious than it usually is. I planned out which days would be my last days at each of the parks, and made sure to "say good-bye" to the places that had meant the most to me during my program. 

Those latex dinosaurs might have been the bane of my existence while working in floor stock in Dinoland, but they obviously impacted me enough that I felt the need to stop by the Boneyard Cart on my last week in the parks. I never thought much about this cart during the program, it was kind of slow and it's only real use seemed to be to provide me a much needed break from the carnival games. But while visiting it on my last trip to Animal Kingdom, I remembered how much I enjoyed that this cart was slow, because it gave me the opportunity to spend more time just hanging out, talking to guests, and playing with those stupid latex dinosaurs. In some strange sort of way, I already knew I'd go home and give anything to be back in Disney, stocking latex dinosaurs at the Boneyard Cart, even when the  heat & humidity was at 100%.

Of course, I had to watch LMA one more time before I left (in director's chairs I might add.) Before I worked at LMA, I had only seen this show a handful of times as a guest, and I was honestly never too interested in it. After having worked there, and understanding first hand the amount of talent and hard work that goes into putting on a live stunt show like this, I have a whole new appreciation for it, and will look forward to seeing it each time I visit the parks. While I can't say I'll miss yelling at the top of my lungs for guests to move all the way down, I will definitely miss the fun atmosphere of working here, and the friends I made from extending into this location. (My hat is embroidered with "drive safely!" because this is the queue from the show's director that the show is over and it is safe to open the gates for guests to leave the stadium. I spent so many days standing near the gates at the front of the stadium waiting to hear those words as a signal of the end, that I thought it was only fitting to have them embroidered onto my hat after graduation.)

The most difficult good-bye of the college program comes when you have to finally say good-bye to your friends. Chaz and I spent the last day of our program in the Magic Kingdom, where our friends came and went throughout the day to spend some time with us before we began the drive home. Nora and Cristian stayed with us while we watched Celebrate the Magic and Wishes for the last time. (In case you can't tell in this picture, everyone was crying by this point.) Every time someone leaves the college program, the thing to do is to go to the Magic Kingdom and watch their last Wishes with them. Since I had been there from August to May, I had done this for my friends a number of times, but doing this when you're the one leaving is an entirely different feeling. Saying good-bye to these two was definitely the hardest part of the CP ending. 

- CP Q&A - Aly: Discovery Island Merchandise

New to this blog, is the CP Q&A, which I'll be posting every Monday! Each week I'll be interviewing CPs from past seasons who worked in a variety of roles and locations. Starting things off this week, is Aly, who worked in Discovery Island Merchandise in Animal Kingdom during the Spring 2015 program. Aly came to Walt Disney World from Tulsa, OK, where she attends Tulsa Community College and studies veterinary technology. 

Q: Why did you want to do the Disney College Program?
A: I wanted to do the DCP because I am just obsessed with all things Disney. The day I found out about it I applied, it just looked like such an amazing program.

Q: What was your role and location? Was it your first choice? If not, what was?
A: I worked at Discovery Island merchandise in Animal Kingdom! It was my first choice, I was so excited I got it.

Q: What was training like for your role?
A: Training was very short, i believe it was over 5 days, and they threw a lot of information at me all at one time so it was a little scary, but I had very helpful trainers and coworkers.

Q: What were the best things about your role?
A: The best things about my role were the little things like making celebration buttons for people, or having bubble gun fights with little kids. But my absolute favorite thing was merchantaining with Grr Bear! Grr Bear is a puppet bear who looks an awful lot like a live baby bear, and I would stand outside with him and every time I'd get hundreds of "is that a real bear?" or kids coming up to pet him, that brought on lots of pictures with guests too!

Q: What were the worst things about your role?
A: The worst was that it wasn't a very rewarding role, when it really comes down to it, it was just retail. We were told to sell, sell, sell. I hated how many things we were supposed to remember to ask about with each transaction. The purchase with purchase items, if they wanted to donate to Disney's Conservation Fund, if they wanted to ship it to the resort, blah, blah, blah.

Q: Would you recommend this role to a friend?
A: Honestly I think I would, as much as I couldn't stand it sometimes, you get to have a little more fun at work than a lot of other roles do. It was no walk in the park but it wasn't the worst either. 

Q: What advice would you give to new CPs in this role?
A: I would say to have as much fun with it as possible. Sometimes I let people or the heat or personal problems take over my mood at work when I could've turned the day around. Also, don't stress out too much, don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't know what to do, everyone was new at some point. 

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"Brittany Earns Her Ears" is available on Amazon now! If you'd like to learn more about Animal Kingdom merchandise, check out my book, which details my time working in Dinoland merchandise in the Fall 2014 program. 

Click here  to get your copy today!

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Five Treatments for PDCPD

Since so many of my friends from the college program are just now beginning to return home, I thought this would be a great time to talk about treating the PDCPD (Post-Disney College Program Depression) that comes with finishing the program. Just a few things before I get started with this post-- First of all, if you haven't already experienced at least some form of PDCPD, you either haven't haven't been hit with the reality of moving back home yet, or you have never participated in the Disney College Program. If your college program is over but the PDCPD hasn't set in yet, I hope this post helps you prepare for the unique difficulties that come with post-DCP life. If you've never done the college program, I simply ask that you be respectful of this post, and towards any former CPs who might be having a tough time settling back into life at home. Until you've done the program yourself, you will never fully understand it, and making fun of posts like this one (or former CPs who miss the program) is not only rude, but also belittling to thousands of college students who have worked really hard interning for one of the best companies out there. 

1. Find something to look forward to at home.
I know firsthand that this can be extremely difficult, but you'll definitely feel much better if you have something to look forward to when you get home from the DCP. For me, this was initially difficult because I had already graduated from college, and I had not yet found a full time job. As a result, I felt like I had nothing to fill the void of free time that I had previously spent working at Disney. Eventually, I was able to find a full time job, which has been at least somewhat successful in getting me in the right mindset for moving back home. If you already have school or work back at home, try taking up a new hobby, or even just think about how nice (and not humid!) the weather is in your hometown compared to in Orlando.

2. Understand that no job will ever compare to working at Disney.
While I am very happy to have finally found a full time job, I think it's worth pointing out that it is by no means a replacement for Disney. I honestly don't think that any other job (especially in the service industry) will ever compare to working at Disney. And while this is a kind of depressing thought, I think it's important to understand this when going into your first post-Disney job to avoid later disappointment. While your new job (like mine) may not even begin to compare to how awesome working at Disney was, you can continue to use everything you learned from your Disney training and apply it to whatever you're doing now. 

3. Don't compare yourself to, or be jealous of, other CPs who stayed in Orlando.
This point brings up what is perhaps the biggest problem with social media. The increased sharing of personal stories and photos makes it really easy to become jealous of people who essentially have what you want. I've never really had this kind of problem with social media until I came home from the DCP, and constantly began seeing posts from Facebook friends, or on Snapchat and Instagram for CPs who chose (and were able) to stay in Florida. While I honestly can't help but be jealous of the CPs who were able to continue working for the company, jealousy is not going to help me in the long run, so it's definitely better to just focus on your own life, and not let what you see on social media get to you.

4. Remind yourself of all the good times you had on your program.
This point can kind of be a double edged sword. Remembering all the good times can make you happy, because you were able to have this awesome experience and you took away so many good memories, but it can also make you sad because your program is over. While it might initially make you sad to think about how great your program was, it's definitely better for you to focus on all the good times, and know how much of an accomplishment it was for you to be accepted into and complete the Disney College Program. 

5. Keep in touch with your friends.
Your DCP friends really do become your second family, and dealing with the end of your program will be so much easier if everyone keeps in touch. Take advantage of Skype or Google Hangouts, and really put in the effort of keeping in touch even though you all live in other parts of the country, and maybe even the world. These friendships are for life, and they're one of the greatest things you'll have taken away from the DCP.

Behind The Magic Podcast

I guest-starred on Behind The Magic's podcast this week, where I discussed my book, Brittany Earns Her Ears with co-hosts Rachel and Zeek. You can listen to the podcast at the link below:

http://behindthemagic.libsyn.com/podcast/s02e43-behind-brittany-earns-her-ears

DCP Q&A July 2015 Edition

I've collected some questions from the DCP Facebook page to make another Q&A post on this blog. If you have any other questions feel free to comment here or ask on my Facebook page, at facebook.com/brittanyearnsherears. 

Q: Is the application process difficult?

A: It never was before, but as of the past couple of application season, there's this stage of the process called "submission." Submission is the point in the process where your application has been submitted but you haven't been asked to move on to the next step which is the web-based interview. Unfortunately, some applicants are stuck in submission until they are ultimately deemed "no longer in consideration" when applications are coming to a close. While this is extremely disappointing, there's still hope to be accepted in the future. I know plenty of CPs and alumni who have been accepted after being in submission at least once. There is also no way to know what makes Disney move along your application or what makes them put you in submission. The writers of the official college program blog have said that it depends on each individual application and what they're looking for, but they won't get into specifics. While I do think statistically speaking you have a better chance of being offered the web-based interview than being in submission, I also think it's important to be realistic about it and to not get your hopes up.

Chaz was in submission for the Fall 2014 program, but was accepted for custodial for the Spring 2015 program!

Q: Is the web-based interview difficult?

A: I don't think it's difficult, as long as you focus on the questions you should do fine. Sometimes it tries to trick you by asking the same questions worded differently, so just make sure you pay attention and have consistent answers. 

Q: How should I find my roommates? Should I try Facebook, or should I just go random?
A: In college, I had a crappy experience with a random roommate, so for that reason alone I would recommend trying to find roommates on Facebook. I would just advise you to be picky. During my first CP, I found roommates on Facebook and we all got along really well, but my second time was slightly more random and it was really difficult at times. Looking for roommates on Facebooks allows you to be more selective. If you start talking to someone on Facebook and you realize you don't think it will work out, it's easier to tell them that from the get-go than to live in an apartment you're not happy with during the program.

My roommates from Vista 510 were the ones I found on Facebook. We had no real problems with our apartment, and went out together on a regular basis.

Q: What is costuming like?

A: The DMV of the Walt Disney Company. It's the place you never want to go, but you have to go to on a fairly regular basis. It's kind of cool the first time you go, just to see what it's like, but otherwise it's kind of annoying. Disney's sizes are also terrible. The pants run really small and the shirts run really big. 

Disney costumes-- probably the strangest clothing you will ever wear.

Q: Is it hard to get days off?

A: You can request days off online, and if they're able to, you're managers will approve them and you'll be able to see all of that online. As for giving away shifts, it kind of depends on your role and location. If you're in a role like merchandise or custodial (where anyone in that role can pick up your shifts regardless of their primary location) it can be pretty easy to give shifts away. In other roles, where you need to be trained at your specific location in order to pick shifts up, it is harder to give shifts away simply because less people are trained in that area. In general though, it isn't difficult and you can usually get days off if you start trying far enough in advance.

Visiting my first home in Dinoland during a day off on the Spring 2015 program.

Q: Is Vista Way really crazy?
A: The short answer is no. Although Vista does have the reputation of being the party complex, each apartment really is what you make of it. You can easily live in Vista and go to parties every night, or ignore it all together.

Q: What are the discounts like?
A: There are tons of discounts you get while working for Disney. In addition for all things Disney like cruises and other kinds of vacation packages, you also get discounts at restaurants, movie theaters, and more in the Orlando area. The Disney discounts I used most regularly included:

- main gate pass-- got me into the parks for free, as well as three friends or family members six days out of the year

- 20-40% off merchandise

- 20-40% off dining

- 30-60% off resorts

- 10% off park tickets

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My book is on Amazon! Click here to order your copy on e-book or paperback today!

Spring 2016 Facebook Q&A Vista vs. Commons

The Spring 2016 DCP Facebook page sent me questions they have about the college program, and I'm working on answering them. Because this first question ended up having a very lengthy answer, I'll be posting answers to the rest of the questions later in the week!

Q: What were your experiences like living in two different apartment complexes? Pros? Cons? Which did you prefer?
A: While I was in the college program, I lived in Vista Way and the Commons. 

Vista Way Pros:
- close to bus stop
- walking distance to Walgreens, Chick-fil-a, Wendy's, Dollar Tree, Cici's, and a couple of other restaurants
- central bus hub(The buses tend to sit at Vista for a while, which might be annoying if you don't live in Vista, but convenient if you live there. Also, all the buses stop at Vista, and some of them only stop at certain complexes upon request.)
- laundry on the first floor of each building (I would say this is a pro, because some apartment complexes have separate laundry buildings instead of having it in the building you live in)
- two pools (Although I almost never used the pool near the bus stop, it was nice to have it as an option)
- One of the cheaper options (As the oldest complex, rent at Vista is typically cheaper than the other apartments, assuming you're not looking to have three to a bedroom anyway.)

Vista Way Cons:
- further away from the other complexes (While it is possible to walk to the other complexes from Vista it isn't really a great walk. The other three complexes are all comfortable walking distances from each other.)
- Some of the places that are in walking distance require you to cross a pretty dangerous intersection on foot. Orlando is full of terrible drivers, and regardless of the lights and crosswalks the intersection is still really dangerous. I've done it, I'm pretty sure all Vista CP's have done it, just know that you have to be really careful, and I definitely felt better about walking there in a group of people and not alone.
- Vista's reputation (This is only a con if you're concerned about what others think of where you live. There were parties in Vista, but there were also parties in all the other complexes, and you can easily avoid them if you want to.)

Commons Pros:
- laundry in the apartments (This is the biggest pro of living in the Commons. Not having to leave your apartment at all to do laundry, or pay for it with a credit card or quarters)
- The Grid (The Grid is the convenience store located at the Commons. They have everything from hot coffee, toiletries, groceries, and even prepared dinners and hot sandwiches. It's really convenient when you get the bus home and don't want to cook, or need things and don't have the time to go to the grocery store.)
- housing events sometimes take place at the Commons
- walking distance to the outlet mall and other complexes

Commons Cons
- expensive rent (While this does sort of make sense because of the laundry in the apartment, I went from a renovated apartment in Vista to an unrenovated apartment in the Commons, and would have preferred Vista, but more on that later.)
- Some buses don't stop there 
- one pool
- bedroom differences (In Vista the two bedrooms in our apartment were pretty similar. While I would say that one was slightly better, it wasn't that much better that it would be worth fighting over who gets that room. Of the two bedrooms in my apartment in the Commons, one bedroom was significantly better, and I really got screwed by not having that room. The other bedroom had a massive bathroom, bigger closet, and more options for how to move the furniture around for the way the room was set up. My bathroom and closet were smaller, and there were few options for where to put the beds/nightstands.)

As for which apartment did I like better, this might sound crazy, but I would say Vista. There's a couple of major factors that would make me choose my apartment in Vista over my apartment in the Commons. The first is the renovated/unrenovated issue. My apartment in Vista was renovated, and it was beautiful. We were on the third floor, with a really pretty arched window in the living room, new kitchen and bathrooms, and hardwood floors. My apartment in the Commons was not renovated, and included older bathrooms, a dryer that no matter what maintenance did never dried clothes in a reasonable amount of time, and dingy looking carpets everywhere except the kitchen and bathrooms. For me personally, I went from paying $98/week for my apartment in Vista, which was much nicer, to $118/week for what I considered to be a crappier apartment in the commons. Even if you factor in that I didn't need to pay extra for laundry, I wouldn't do laundry enough that I'd be paying an extra $20/week for it anyway. Another difference I had with my specific apartments was roommates, and while this has nothing to do with the apartments themselves, the two different experiences I had definitely also make me lean towards my Vista apartment for the winner here. We had no real problems with any of my roommates in Vista, everyone was clean, friendly, and we never failed inspections or really had that much drama in the grand scheme of things. My roommate experience at the Commons... well, we won't get into that, but let's just say that's also a factor for me preferring my Vista apartment. 

If you're trying to decide between which of the complexes you'd like, I would honestly make price the primary thing for you to consider. I think that all of the complexes have pros and cons, which kind of evens things out, and price is really the most important difference. I've spent some time at each of the complexes, and there really isn't anything else that would make me desperately want to choose one complex over the other. 

The only other really important thing to consider that I took away from my experiences at the two complexes, is how important it is to speak up and let your roommates know your preferences. When I first moved into Vista, with three other girls I met on the Facebook group, we all really worked together and discussed the apartments, and came to agreements on the order we'd rank where we wanted to live. When I applied for my extension, I knew I'd need to find other roommates because my other roommates from Vista were not extending. I decided to live with a friend, and her three existing roommates, as they were all extending and one of their roommates was leaving, so they needed one more person to fill a two bedroom four person apartment, and I needed somewhere to live. After my experience living with a completely random roommate in college, I thought this would be the smart thing to do because I at least knew the girl I'd be sharing a bedroom with. These girls already lived in Vista, so I initially thought it'd be an easy move. I'd move a couple of buildings down and that'd be it. Even though their apartment was not renovated, I liked Vista, and really just wanted the move to be as easy as possible. All of my new roommates wanted to get out of their unrenovated apartment, which I kind of understand, but at the same time, I was outnumbered in my opinion three to one, and there was really no way to discuss my opinions that wasn't super awkward. It felt weird to be the only new person in an apartment with three other girls who had already lived together for nine months, and I should have spoken up about my apartment preferences more. Because of this, I already kind of had a bad feeling about moving out of Vista. If I had my way, I would have stayed in Vista, or moved somewhere else with a cheaper rent. I didn't think the extra money for rent was worth it for staying at the Commons over somewhere else, and I turned out to be right about that, so I should have followed my gut feeling and either spoke up more to the new girls, or just gone with random roommates and chosen my own apartment preferences. 

So basically my advice to new CP's choosing apartments is this:
1. Think about the pros and cons of each complex. If there is something that really stands out as important to you, make that apartment one of your top choices.
2. Really consider the price. Even though a $20/week difference doesn't sound like much now, that's about $400 more I spent at the Commons over the length of my program for an apartment I didn't feel was worth it. You don't make a ton of money as a CP, and I don't think it's a great idea to spend extra money on rent if you don't have to. 
3. If you feel that you can't agree to what all your other future roommates want, back out of that roommate situation before you fill out your housing paperwork. If you're discussing housing options with future roommates, and they're either disregarding your opinion, or making you feel like it's not okay to speak up about your opinion at all, they're likely not going to make the best roommates. In this situation, it's easier to tell them you're not living with them beforehand than have to deal with roommates you're not compatible with during your program. 

If you have any other questions about housing or the CP in general comment here or on my Facebook page! I'll be doing another post later in the week with questions that don't require as much explanation.

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