Overview
The Disney College Program, or DCP for short, is an internship that allows students enrolled in, or recently graduated from college, the opportunity to work full-time at Walt Disney World. This internship is offered for both the fall and spring semesters and can last anywhere from four months to a year, depending on how long the student wishes to stay. The students will be placed to work in one of the four Disney parks, any of the resorts, Disney Springs, or one of the two waterparks.
Application Process
Applications for the Disney College Program are only open for a short period of time for each semester. Once the student fills out the application with all of their information, they then wait for what is called a "web-based interview". If they are chosen for a web-based interview, they have to answer a series of multiple-choice questions regarding their work experience and their work ethics. Once they submit their answers for the web-based interview, they then wait to hear back if they were selected for a phone interview, which is the last step in the application process. If they pass the phone interview, they are able to give their preferences for where they would like to work, but these are just preferences and Disney can place them wherever.
After Getting Accepted
Once accepted into the program, there are still going to be a lot of steps leading up to the start date of the internship. There will be a lot of paperwork to fill out and information that Disney will need. The student will also need to fill out forms for housing. Disney offers apartments for the students, so they student needs to fill out their preferences for the type of apartment they will get and if they wish to bring their car with them as well. About a month before the program starts, the student will get their general role that they will have on the program. This does not give a specific work location, but rather the type of work you will be doing. Examples of this would be "food and beverage", "merchandise", "custodial", etc. Then, about a week before the student's start date, they will find out where exactly they will be working.
Housing
Disney offers apartments for students who are on the Disney College Program. This apartment complex is called Flamingo Crossings Village. This is similar to college style living, in the sense that there is security checking people in and out of the complex and you are required to live with three other students. There are three different types of apartments you can be placed in. There is a two bedroom two bathroom, where you are sharing a bedroom and bathroom with another person. A four bedroom two bathroom, where you have your own room, but share a bathroom with another person. And lastly, a four bedroom four bathroom, where you have a private room and private bathroom. The students get to put in their preference on what apartment they get, but just like getting their job, it is just a preference and there is no way to guarantee what they get. The three rooms are all different prices with the most expensive being the 4x4 and the cheapest being the 2x2. The rent is taken out of the students pay check each week. The students are also able to bring their cars if they are able to purchase a parking pass. These parking passes are first come first serve, so it is not guaranteed that they student will get one. If they do not have a car, Flamingo does offer transportation for the students. The buses go everywhere on Disney property that they students would need to go and also go to Target, so the students are able to go grocery shopping.
During The Program
On the program, students are required to work full-time hours each week. The students do however, get benefits while working for the company. They are given a "self-admission" pass, which allows them to get into the Disney parks for free. The reservation system still does apply, however, and there are certain block out dates that prevent cast members from going into the parks. But, as long as they have a reservation and are not blocked out, they can get into the parks on their days off, or before or after work. They are also rewarded complimentary admission tickets after working a certain amount of hours that they are able to use for their family and friends that visit them on their program. Along with free admission to the parks, the students are also given a Disney Cast Member discount. This is a 20% discount on merchandise and a 40% discount during the holiday season. This also includes discounts for the Disney resorts.
College Credit
The Disney College Program does not confer college credit, unless recognized by the student's educational institution as an internship. Contrary to some expectations, Disney does not offer formal college courses as part of the program. However, participants can access beneficial resources such as resume workshops and career-oriented classes, which may be advantageous for those considering long-term employment opportunities within the Disney organization.
