I figured that it's about that time where I talk about the Disney College Program. It's almost been a year since I returned from mine, and I have a lot of thoughts to share about whether or not you should do it, what I would recommend doing, etc. So strap in and pull the yellow tab, mfs! It's time to go back to Florida.
Some lingo I will use and their definitions:
DCP = Disney College Program
CP = College Programmer
MK = Magic Kingdom
termed = terminated/fired. You can either do this yourself or be termed by a leader.
-You're willing to go out of your comfort zone
-You are not in school anymore or at least not in classes for that semester
-You genuinely like Disney
-You're willing to not like Disney after going
-You're ready to live in very close quarters with strangers
-You are mentally stable and not absolutely psychotic
-You enjoy drama and gossiping
-You're ready to wake up early and go to bed late
-You are comfortable socializing
-If you can bring a car, bring it. We drove across the US to bring our car and it was the best decision we ever made.
-Shoot to live at Flamingo Village West if you can. You don't really have a say, but West is actually best (and that's coming from someone who lived at East).
-If someone invites you to something and you feel safe going, DO IT! Some of the best times I had were because I said yes to something I normally wouldn't have.
-Apply as soon as applications drop. The earlier you get a phone interview, the more likely you are to get a desirable location.
-It doesn't matter what your role is. I got a role I didn't want at all (MK Park Greeting) and I hated it, but I made some of the closest friendships because of it.
-You will make friends. I was so worried about not making friends, but constantly working with the same group of people forces you to make friends with your coworkers (even if it's against your will).
-DO NOT DATE. I know successful relationships that have come out of the DCP, but dating has led a lot of my friends to not hanging out or being too worried about their relationship to have fun.
-Events and classes don't matter. Unless you're trying to make connections, going to events is usually just for free food and swag. I do recommend going to anything that interests you, but forcing yourself to go to the multi-week classes can suck! I have two Mouseters degrees in Storytelling and Leadership, but I personally wouldn't do it again.
Here's the million dollar question. I would say yes immediately. Know that you will be overworked and underpaid, you will have the shittiest of days, and you will be mistreated in every sense of the word. However, you will grow so much as a human being. In my time at the DCP, I wanted to term so badly all the time. I hated it in parts, I got yelled at by guests, and I couldn't even get drunk at night. It wasn't until I started leaning into the experience and really taking advantage of my time there that I started having fun. So I completely recommend it, but I advise you to apply once you're at least 21. I was the youngest person working in my area and, while I didn't let anyone know, I felt extremely alone at times.
It should be said however, that it is definitely not meant for everyone. But, I recommend that if you are thinking about doing it that you should totally go for it. If you get rejected, just try it again the next semester. That happened to both my sister and one of my best friends on the program, and there is literally no shame in it.