8th August 2010-12-12
Calling all Disney Lovers!
So I have started this blog to document my application process for the Walt Disney World International Summer Work Experience Program in 2011. For those of you that don’t know, Disney World in Florida (and most of the Disney theme park properties in the world) runs a number of exchange type schemes, whereby people from across the world can come and work for Disney! I know! That was my reaction too!
I have literally just clicked apply and sent my application along with my hopes and dreams off into the mysterious world of cyber space, with the aspiration of receiving a shiny new email through by the end of next month. I am shaking. Like, my finger could hardly push the butted to submit my registration because I was so nervous . . . So to take my mind off all that, I’m going to talk you through everything so far.
For those of you who are interested in applying for one of the programs, you should first know that there are three;
1) The Cultural Representative Program allows people from Canada, China, France, Germany, Southeast Asia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Sub-Saharan Africa and of course, the UK to work in merchandise, food and beverage, Kidcot (activities with children) and in some cases attractions in their home country’s pavilion in EPCOT. This program lasts for 12 months, and my close friend Charlotte from high-school is currently applying for this program, so if enough interest is generated from this blog I might force her to write her own for the CRP’s.
2) The J1 Academic Program takes university students from around the world who are undergoing a relevant degree (eg. Marketing, entertainment, hospitality etc) for six months. During this program, the students will gain experience in a couple of different fields, will study within the Disney University and will eventually graduate with a Ducktorate or Mousters which will acts as college credit upon their return to their own country.
3) The Summer Work Experience (MY PROGRAM . . . If I get on it!) takes university students to Disney World for three months worth of work experience in one role at the Happiest Place on Earth. The roles available include (as they do for J1) attractions, full-service food and beverage, quick-service food and beverage, life-guard, character attendant, character performer, merchandise, bell services, costuming, housekeeping and in some cases front-desk.
Sounds exciting right?
Anyway, just a few tips . . . check out the following resources;
· https://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com/ - the official Disney website telling all about the opportunities on offer. This website goes into great detail about everything which the programs entail, including the living, learning and earning experiences. You can also learn about the requirements of the program, how to apply and what the rules and perks of the program are. Naturally, you only see one side to the program here though, so make sure you do your research before applying!
· http://www.yummyjobs.com/ - this is the company which Disney uses to recruit people for the programs in the UK and Canada. This may also be so for other countries too, but I’m not sure, this can be confirmed by checking the official DIP website. Yummy Jobs is absolutely fantastic, offering so many different opportunities around the world, so it is definitely worth a check even if you aren’t interested in Disney! There are tons of Case Studies on this website from people who have been there, done that and got the T-shirt which offers a lot of insight into what makes the programs available so great. This is the website which UK and Canadian applicants will use to apply for their Disney Program, so set aside some time to have a mooch through and then create your profile. If you have any questions, just email one of the team; they are all so nice and seem to reply to most queries in hours.
· http://wdwip.com/ - this is an unofficial website to the programs. This website is a little like a Wikipedia of the Disney Programs, which is great if you want to find out some info that isn’t available on the official websites for some reason as it is written by those who have been and is amended most days. It also has some awesome discussion boards where you can agonise about your application with all the other Disney freaks!
· Mousecatraz by Wesley Jones is quite a good and easy read. This book compiles hundreds of CPers’ anecdotes, both good and bad. You will learn the secrets that only College Cast Members learn, and even though this book is mainly telling of the experience American CPers’ had it is still very useful. However, I would personally advise taking everything said in this book with a pinch of salt, as I noticed different areas of bias.
· Dis Radio is a radio station which plays music from the Happiest Place on Earth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is IDEAL for getting you into the Disney-mood, so have a listen to get inspired during all your research! It can be found at http://www.wdwinfo.com/disradio/.
· http://www.disboards.com/, http://www.wdwinfo.com/ and http://allears.net/index.html - these are websites for people of all ages from different walks of life to bond over what they love the most; Disney. More for finding Disney secrets, Hidden Mickeys and getting inspired.
· Never underestimate the powers of http://www.google.com and http://www.youtube.com. There are TONS of hidden resources on both, blogs, vlogs, even radio shows JUST ABOUT the programs!
So that will be all for today, I hope this has been useful and has you guys thinking about Disney! Any questions, please ask.
Ciao for now.
gabriellasofia
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