That's it, I'm doin' it. DLR College Program!

[smart1hermione]

Okay, well, in May of 2011. But I'm really excited.

I thought I'd never be able to do the CP because I had to be enrolled in school at the time (and I'm really trying for graduation in 4 years). However, I attended a recruiting session and the leader said that we can apply before graduation and start after graduation. :D !!!

Anywho, I know it's a while off, but I have a few questions for those knowledgeable CMs and CPs.

-how difficult is it to get in?
-what roles are available?
-how many hours did you work per week?
-does fall session differ from spring?
-any ways to get an edge over competition? (i'm dying to be in Guest Relations)
-what does life look like after the program lets out? they've mentioned professional internships, but how likely will that be?

also, has anyone participated in a professional internship?

and they gave me a sticker and a minnie figurine. <3

[i think i'll be returning to the forums for a bit, sorry for the hiatus!]

[joanna71985]

I don't know much about the DLCP (I've only done the WDWCP). But just want to wish you good luck. :) I would have loved to do the DLCP.

[lady ulrike]

I know very little, but I know that we seem to get quite a few in attractions, but I don't really know how many there are enrolled in each program. You get 40 or close to 40 hours a week, cause you are given a seniority date, for scheduling purposes, of 3 years before the start date of your CP program. I know you can stay in the role you're in after, but you become a regular CM at that point and your seniority date goes back to the either the beginning of your CP program or back to a day 1 new hire, I'm not sure, but either way you'll find your hours drop dramatically. I know nothing about internship programs. Again, this is all from attractions.

If you think you may want to stay in the role you are given, I'd do spring, because you'll get hours over summer no matter what your seniority is and have time to build up seniority before off season starts.

This is also from what I little I've learned from working with the CP kids in my area, so I know it's not extremely helpful.

[Shorty82]

I seriously doubt you'll get into Guest Relations. It is very hard for regular cast members who have been with the company for years to get in, at least at WDW. AFAIK they only want experienced cast in GR and only hire internally for the role, no new hires or CPs.

[joanna71985]

I seriously doubt you'll get into Guest Relations. It is very hard for regular cast members who have been with the company for years to get in, at least at WDW. AFAIK they only want experienced cast in GR and only hire internally for the role, no new hires or CPs.

For the DLCP, Guest Relations is a role option (I wish it was the same for WDW).

[Shorty82]

For the DLCP, Guest Relations is a role option (I wish it was the same for WDW).

I don't. I think GR should only be open to experienced CMs. I like how WDW does it. GR cast have to know a LOT of things that only time with the company will teach them and they also have to be able to deal with guests who are very upset over something that went wrong.

[GuestJockey]

I was a "new hire" into GR, and I can tell you that we have taken a LOT of CPs over the last year. Our management team just changed, so I don't know if that will change or not.

I've had to fight the "we should only allow transfers in GR" stereotype since I hired in. I can see both sides of it, actually. I did very well as an "off the street" CM, but I had to work my @$$ off. I came in on my day off every day off for a month to wander the resort and learn how other lines of business worked in order to be able to do the job well. What I'm trying to say is that it CAN certainly be done, but don't think you won't have to work harder than many others. If you do end up in GR, I can't wait to be one of your trainers!

[smart1hermione]

I was a "new hire" into GR, and I can tell you that we have taken a LOT of CPs over the last year. Our management team just changed, so I don't know if that will change or not.

I've had to fight the "we should only allow transfers in GR" stereotype since I hired in. I can see both sides of it, actually. I did very well as an "off the street" CM, but I had to work my @$$ off. I came in on my day off every day off for a month to wander the resort and learn how other lines of business worked in order to be able to do the job well. What I'm trying to say is that it CAN certainly be done, but don't think you won't have to work harder than many others. If you do end up in GR, I can't wait to be one of your trainers!

that's certainly a ray of hope! i did ask some people at the recruitment session, one said that it is selective but possible.

i'm in a position right now where i answer questions and field comments 90% of the time, so maybe that will give me an edge... in a year and a half, when i apply.

that would be awesome to be trained by GuestJockey herself! i already know a GR CM (kind of!)

[Monorail_Red]

Okay, well, in May of 2011. But I'm really excited.

I thought I'd never be able to do the CP because I had to be enrolled in school at the time (and I'm really trying for graduation in 4 years). However, I attended a recruiting session and the leader said that we can apply before graduation and start after graduation. :D !!!

Anywho, I know it's a while off, but I have a few questions for those knowledgeable CMs and CPs.

-how difficult is it to get in?
-what roles are available?
-how many hours did you work per week?
-does fall session differ from spring?
-any ways to get an edge over competition? (i'm dying to be in Guest Relations)
-what does life look like after the program lets out? they've mentioned professional internships, but how likely will that be?

also, has anyone participated in a professional internship?

and they gave me a sticker and a minnie figurine. <3

[i think i'll be returning to the forums for a bit, sorry for the hiatus!]

Well I recently decided to dive into the WDWCP and I was accepted a few weeks ago for Spring 2010. I'm not sure what the difference in the process is, but I thought that I could lend you some insight as to how I got on the CP for WDW, because they recently changed how they are recruiting CP's, and I believe that my season is the first to work under that new system.

Again, I'm doing the WDWCP, not the DLRCP. But this is how it worked for me:

Since there was no in-person presentation in my area for the time that I applied, I had to do the e-presentation. After you complete the e-presentation, you get a completion code. Keep it handy, even for your phone interview (which you probably already knew).

But here's the new part (for WDW anyway): There is now a series of online questions that you have to answer before you can schedule your phone interview. I have heard that people are getting rejected based on that before they are even given a phone number to schedule their interview. What it is is a timed multiple choice choice...some A B C or D, and others are strongly agree/agree/neutral/disagree/strongly disagree. Just watch out because there are several questions that are asked 2-3 times...so they are looking for consistent answers. It is like 20 seconds per question and you can pause the test at any time. I believe for the most part there's no wrong answer...but I am sure they are also looking for a certain correlation based on your responses. So just answer those truthfully and make sure you answer the duplicate ones consistently and you're good to go.

When it comes to your phone interview, just relax and be cool with it. Be truthful and there are no worries. The recruiters are very nice on the phone and just ask questions about you. Actually for the most part they verify your application information, and they ask you questions based on your role. Like for me in Monorails, I was asked if I was afraid of heights, if I was comfortable with radio communications, etc. So don't be worried about the phone interview portion of the process.

As to the roles, at WDW they offer Attractions, Bell Services & Dispatch, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess, Concierge, Character Attendant, Custodial, Full Service Food and Beverage, Hopper (includes QSFB, Merchandise, Attractions, Custodial, Main Entrance), Hospitality (Front Desk, Luggage, Dispatch, Telephones), Housekeeping, Lifeguard, Main Entrance Operations, Merchandise, PhotoPass, Quick-Service Food and Beverage, Recreation, Resort Hopper (half of your CP in Housekeeping, the other half in Hospitality), Transportation (Monorails, Watercraft, Bus Attendant), Vacation Planner, Costuming, and QSFB Kitchen Only. Again, these are all WDW roles and I don't think that the DLRCP offers all of what the WDWCP does.

For the hours be expecting to work 35hrs per week AT MINIMUM. If you are taking professional development courses or collegiate courses on your CP, then your working schedule will reflect that (not sure if DLRCP offers courses or not). During peak times expect around 50hrs per week.

Regarding your last two questions I can kill 2 birds with one stone here...but if you want to get in with the Disney company it looks good to have done the CP and it gives you an edge over much of the competition, but like said before Guest Relations may be a tough one. Most of the professional internships require the CP. At WDW on the CP if you keep a clean record you may have the opportunity to extend your CP or even go seasonal which is what I am hoping to do.

Again this is just based on the WDWCP and I hope that some of this information will be helpful to you...

More info on the DLRCP here...that's where you can find everything you need to know abut the DLRCP. I'm actually going to read through it myself just to see what they offer...

Good Luck! :D:

Monorail_Red

[Magicalkingdoms]

Congrats!
I am probly going to wait until my sophmore year to do the WDWCP. Idc what I get I would just be happy and honored to be there. :D: yeah soulds weird but i am weird haha.