5 Random Facts

This is the most recent photo I have of my self looking all cleaned up and not in pajamas! This was taken right before going to see "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Majestic Theatre <3 Well here starts my 31 day challenge that can hopefully kick off this blog! Here is, 5 facts about me!

• I met my bf online and flew from Texas to Montana to meet him
• I own 2 rats, one dog, and one cat
• I am a huge fan of musicals
• I've dyed my hair purple, pink, blue, green, and red
• My biggest dream is to buy a mermaid tail you can actually swim in and surprise children by being a mermaid!

If you're still reading, here's some normal about me stuff. My name is Kristen and I am currently 24 (25 in July) and studying to be an English teacher through UTSA. My dream job is to teach English as a second language in Japan and ultimately live there for as long as Japan will have me! I am learning Japanese, and I know a little German. I was born in Germany! I am way too excited about starting my job with WDW, and will probably be talking about it before I get there, when I am there, and after I leave.

Getting To Know Me, Getting To Know All About Me!

Starting tomorrow!

The Process

So.... The DCP, what is it? Maybe you already know, maybe this is the first time you heard about it! Well let's go over a few things so you can see if the DCP is right for you!

The Disney College Program

Started in 1981 the Disney College Program is an internship opportunity for all people (over 18) that are currently enrolled in higher education. Although available for all College students there are a few requirements.

• Be 18 by the time you start your program
• Be actively taking classes
• Have a semester done (or you can apply during your first semester for working during your second)
• Be ready to pay some fees if accepted!

 This is all well and good for Disney, however depending on the school you attend things could get a little ugly. Some schools will require you be a certain year (soph/junior), or have a certain GPA to qualify! The only way to know for sure is to contact your Adviser ASAP, preferably before you even apply to DCP. You do NOT want to get accepted only to find out you can not go because of something your school requires of you!

But let's assume you are cleared to go and want to apply. What is The DCP about? Well as I stated, it is an internship... a PAID internship (as of March 2016 the going rate is normally 9.50 an hour, not too much, but Disney makes up for it) and it gets better! You can apply to work at either Disneyland or Disney World (which will be shortened to DL/WDW) and choose from a couple seasonal options which normally include an "advantage" season which typically begins a few months before the next semester, and the normal season start which will begin at a typical semester calendar date and last 6-7 months.

Applying and What to Expect

When you apply it will be fast and painless, you do not even need to upload a resume (and honestly if you do they do not seem to consider it when they put you in role). While you are applying it will ask you to put an interest level for every role they have and ask you what seasons you want to apply for and if they can consider you for DL and WDW. There are so many roles to choose from, make sure to take the time to explore every job! For each role you can answer "no interest" "low interest" "moderate interest" and "high interest". Anything you put interest in (even low interest) will make them consider you for that job role! So be careful what you put interest in and be honest! After you apply the next step is to wait for a WBI (web based interview) and if you pass that you move on to a phone interview! Congrats! Make sure you smile when you talk! After this comes the hardest part, the waiting. You may be waiting for months until you hear back, be strong! When and if you do get accepted though, YAY :D

DL and WDW will provide you housing on site if you are accepted, but there are fees for this! When accepted it will ask you to accept your offer and then send you a site to pay your fees to complete your acceptance. Right now, as far as I know, the fees for this are as follows:

• DL: $902~
• WDW: $354.50

DL is far more expensive and not always the best choice for broke college students! So keep fees in mind at all time!

What you get in housing though (This will only be about WDW) is a choice between a few apartments that cost anywhere from about 80-130 a week depending on where you go. This is all bills paid though! Also if you have no car, or do not want to bring your car (which is highly recommended), Disney does provide transport to and from your onsite dorm.

!YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO LIVE OFFSITE! However, if you do this you can not use the bus Disney provides for those living on site! Do not attempt to live offsite if you do not have a car as public transport is never a reliable form of transportation and you risk getting termed if you can not show up on time consistently!

Disney College Classes

Another thing offered in this program are special classes that Disney teaches themselves! If you are going to Disneyland you will have to take a class, but if you are on your way to WDW it is completely optional, but recommended!  This will be another thing you MUST ask your school about, as not all these classes will transfer or go towards just any major. Explore their course syllabi and see if there are any classes your school will allow you to get credit for! They will also allow you to take online courses during your program, but make sure you will be able to schedule it in, you may be working long hours during your program!

If you are thinking of applying or want to know even more about the DCP click here!

The Beginning of a Dream

All my life I have been in love with Disney. From its movies, to its parks, to its Saturday morning cartoons! Disney was an integral part of my family and was one thing that everyone would watch together, and genuinely love. In fact, my earliest memories are from when I was only 4 years old, and my family went to Disneyland (even though we weren't suppose to, because my Dad was in the Air Force at the time and only deployed in California for a short time). I can remember vaguely putting a coin into a lamp (Aladdin's Other Lamp) that allowed me to get my fortune told, and how scared I was riding the Haunted Mansion for the first time, also if I shut my eyes I can still remember the colors of the electric light parade. I've always thought it was amazing how I could remember these things at such a young age. That only proves how much of an impact Disney can have on you!

After that I was always planning our next vacation, and when I was 10 I finally got to go back! This time to Disney World for their 100th birthday and brand new opening of the Disney Animal Kingdom! Because I was the oldest I got to choose where we stayed so naturally I chose the newest hotel connected to the Animal Kingdom. It was amazing. 13 years later my family went back to Disney World, but this time we stayed off site.

Honestly, I had never thought of working at Disney seriously. I didn't live in Florida/California, and honestly, I am not a big fan of Florida or California! I had the typical Disney face character dream, being a princess all day, but I pushed it out and went on my way into the "real world". I really didn't know what to expect then when I finally transferred from my community college to a University, and one day while walking to class saw a table and 2 recruiters. It was a little purple table, and I almost walked completely passed it before I did double take, "Did that say Disney?" I had to ask myself before I stopped to talk to them. I had never heard of this program before, and it didn't take them long to convince me to apply for Spring 2016. Sadly my first try came to an unfortunate end, but I had gotten the phone interview and figured, "If I made it this far, I will just try again next semester!" I'm glad I remembered, because a few weeks after my phone interview for Fall of 2016 I was accepted into the program as a custodian; the rest will be history!