Q&A

Post a comment below to ask a question! I'd be happy to answer any question about the Disney College Program or anything else!

51 comments:

  1. Love all your blogs/vlogs so far! They have been so helpful! :) Will you be making anymore vlogs?

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    1. Thank you so much! Let me know if you have any specific questions! I will be making more vlogs I promise, my next one will be a tour of my apartment! :D

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  2. I just want you to know that I LOVE your blog! It's helped me a lot! Completely invaluable resource for anyone looking into the college program! (I also like living vicariously through you. Wish I were there!) :)

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    1. Thank you so much! Please let me know if I can answer any specific questions! I know what I was looking for as a potential applicant and it was always so hard to find, so let me know if I can be of any help!

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  3. Thank you so much for doing this! I'm applying this application round so I'm super nervous!

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  4. What do you think the worst part about the program is? I'm going for Fall 2014!

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    1. Probably the pay. If I wasn't also getting money from my very kind parents I'd be living off of air and water. Other than that I don't really think there are a ton of cons to the DCP.

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  5. Hello! First of all, just watched your vlog and congrats on the book! And what does being friends with a character exactly mean?

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    1. I can tell you that it does NOT mean Character Attendant. But we want to preserve the magic of the characters for children and others alike, so there are certain people who get to be "friends" with our characters out in the parks and resorts. I hope that was helpful enough to answer the question while still preserving the magic.

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    2. Okay! Thank you! At first when I heard being friends with a character, I thought it was the same thing as a character attendant!

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  6. I noticed that you're in a relationship, how is that working out while you're in the program?

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    1. My boyfriend and I are very faithful to each other and trusting of each other, so it's been better than I thought it would be. While I do miss him a lot, he'll be here next week and then I'll be visiting him at the end of the month and in April! We're both so busy though that the days fly by!

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  7. I keep hearing different answers for this: Are we allowed to put things on the walls in our apartments as long as we don't damage the walls? Like command hooks, sticky tack, tape, can we use that to hang posters and photos and whatnot?

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    1. No you cannot. Everyone in the apartment gets a bulletin board and that's yours to decorate however you're not allowed to put ANYTHING on the wall, even if it's put up by Command Strips. Don't be fooled though, a ton of people do it and then just take it down before inspections, but that just seems like a pain in the butt to me!

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  8. Can you tell me how check-in day went? My move in day as of right now is August 11th. My mom and I are planning on flying down a couple days before hand, but she has to be back home August 11th to be at work on the 12th. What did the schedule of check-in day look like? Was there stuff going on late at night? Thanks!

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    1. I wrote all about check-in on my blog post here: http://earsonemily.blogspot.com/2014/01/check-in-and-location-announcement.html

      I had to take my boyfriend to the airport that day at 5:00pm so I was super worried I wasn't going to be done in time because check-in can be so unpredictable. Even though I was assigned a 10:30am check-in time I got there super early and had no troubles at all! I was done around 11:00am with plenty of time to spare!!!!!!

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    2. Was there anything else that day or did you have the rest of the day to move stuff in?

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    3. Once I was done with Casting my day was free to do with what I wanted!

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  9. Hey Emily, I have been reading your blog over the past few weeks as I've been going through the application process for the fall program. Your information is so helpful and makes me even more excited and anxious to hear back soon! I was just wondering if you plan on extending even if you don't get the character performer role or would this be your only reason for extending?

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    1. Hi Anna! I'm so glad my blog has been helpful for you! I think I'm only going to extend if I get the Character Performer role, only because if I don't, I think that will be a sign that I'm supposed to go home and finish up my last year with my prior company I was employed with. I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason so I trust that things will happen how they're supposed to!

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  10. Hey! I love your blog and your youtube videos! By far the most informative ones I have come across! My question is: you mentioned you were writing a book and I was just curious what exactly your book will be about? I'm very interested in knowing! haha ( also congratulations!)

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    1. Thank you so much, I'm so glad to hear you say that, because that's exactly what I set out to do! My book will just be all about my College Program experiences!!

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  11. Hi Emily,
    I was accepted and head down to Florida in June. This is kind of a silly question, and I read your list of things that come in the apartments, but do you need to bring your own sheets or anything else for your room?

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    1. The only thing that your room comes with is the furniture, so definitely bring your own sheets!

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  12. How does the Program handle tattoos... if it's a Disney Tattoo?

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  13. It doesn't matter what the tattoo is, it has to be covered or small enough to be able to be covered. :)

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  14. Hello! I have a question. So I live in Orlando and am considering doing the program. Is it worth it if I already live here? And are there any people in the program that you know that live in Orlando?

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    1. My roommate actually lives only 30 minutes away, and honestly she's home quite a bit. I guess it just depends on how attached you are to home. You could always do the Disney College Program at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. For me, a big part of the excitement of it all was moving across the country and being in a completely new environment. Besides, Disneyland was like my mothership, so there was no way I was going to stay there when I already knew everything about it! I was excited to discover and take on Disney World. However, the program here in Orlando is much bigger and offers a lot more learning opportunities than the one in Anaheim. But all things considered, I don't think it matters where you are, I think you should just DO the program!

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  15. Hi Emily! I was accepted for merchandise for this Fall and was wondering if you can wear any jewelry?

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    1. Here it is, straight from the Onboarding website:

      Rings, earrings and a classic business-style wristwatch are permitted.

      Necklaces, bracelets and ankle bracelets are not permitted. A medical-alert necklace, bracelet or ankle bracelet is acceptable.

      Earrings must be a simple, matched pair in gold, silver or a color that blends with the costume. One earring in each ear is permitted. Earrings may be clip-on or pierced, post, hoop or dangle and must be worn on the bottom of the earlobe. Earrings may not exceed the size of a quarter.

      Only one ring on each hand is permitted, with the exception of a wedding set. A ring may be worn on any finger.

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  16. I just found your blog today through a DCP group on fb, and I love it, it's so informative, and you wrote about everything I was wondering about! I hopeyour book gets published!

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    1. What group!? That's awesome! Thank you so much! Keep following!

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  17. What new-hire documents did you bring with you? The onboarding website has a list, but it's a little complicated. What work documents did you bring?

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    1. The only one I used was the one with the very large barcode on it, I didn't need anything else. Except my driver's license and social security card.

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  18. Hi Emily! I just applied to the Disney College Program yesterday and already have a phone interview scheduled for tomorrow!! I have been looking all over the internet for tips and to get more information on the program. Your blog has been lots of help! I was wondering what the chances of being accepted are, about how many people are in the program? Thanks!

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    1. Thank you very much! The number that comes to my head are 9,000 CPs. That could be totally wrong though! I know many get in the first time they apply but there are also many that have to apply a few times before they get accepted! I guess it just really depends! I'm sorry that that's kind of a lame answer!!!

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  19. Can you make a detailed post about the non-costumed clothing guidelines? With things such as pictures of professional outfits you've worn, what clothing you recommend buying, and stores that sell professional clothing for juniors? That would be so much help! Thank you!

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    1. Hi, yes I will. For now, take a look at my previous posts, I posted all the pictures I took of my outfits within my blog posts! :)

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  20. First off, I love you blog! It is truly amazing and so incredibly helpful! I have a few questions.
    1. For check in day, it says to bring a passport, or a drivers license and birth certificate. Can I bring a copy of my passport or birth certificate? I really do not want to lose my real one.
    2. Do you know the projected time your book will be released?
    3. My role will be a Hopper in the fall, do you know anything about that role? I just know the basics.. I've been looking for blogs that have "a day as a hopper" post but I've haven't had luck.

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    1. Thank you so much!
      1. You cannot bring a copy, however you can lock it in your locker once you move in.
      2. I think maybe August or so? I could be wrong, my next deadline is coming up soon!
      3. What I've heard: you're trained in like three different areas (could be any areas) and you jump between the three.

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  21. Hello! Love your blog/vlog!! I had a few questions. I know you can't hang anything on your walls but what about fabric? Like as in the link below. All that I did with that one is duct tape it to the wall. Do you know if that would be allowed? Also does Disney give you your costume so you can get ready in your apartment or do you pick it up that day and change there? How does all that work? Thanks!!!

    https://s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/7c/9f/59/7c9f59337d84da1d18685ee88ca1e251.jpg

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    1. Hi! Thank you so much! You cannot have ANYTHING on the walls but I put fabric on my bulletin board. You can pick up five costumes and take them home and just take them back to costuming if you want them to wash them or if you need to get a new size.

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  22. Hey Emily! I'm going down (in 23 days :O) as a Merchandise Cast Member for Fall Advantage and I just found your blog! Needless to say, I binged and read your entire blog in one night (I'm really studying hard for finals...)
    Anyway, I was wondering what were 3 things you wish that you had known before going on the DCP?
    Thanks so much!

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    1. Hi! I'm definitely gonna do a post about what I wish I would've known but for now I'd say:

      1. Holy crap I'm packing way too much stuff, like ungodly amounts of stuff. I didn't need that many dresses or lazy shirts or shorts, it was just ridiculous!

      2. Be prepared to be living paycheck to paycheck, not something I was used to so brace yourself for that harsh reality. I haven't been able to FILL my gas tank since I can't remember when.

      3. Not everyone is...awesome...and you're gonna have to deal with that. ;)

      Hope this helps!

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  23. Hi Emily! I just wanted to say I am in LOVE with your blog! I just had a quick question, when is your book coming out...and WHERE CAN I BUY IT! ;) I look forward to the day I get to start reading it!

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    1. Hi Reagan! Thank you for reading it! Hopefully around the beginning of fall! Thanks again!

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  24. Hi! Love your blog! I was just wondering about the bus system though. I didn't want to take my car, but I'm worried about the buses not running on schedule? Do you know if that's a common thing or what would you recommend?

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    1. Okay, I know the majority of people take the bus and life goes on. In fact, on my first day of work I was all happy to take the bus (it's gonna be great, I'm gonna save so much on gas!)....yeah the bus was gonna be thirty minutes late. I hopped in my car and sped to work and vowed to never take the busses again. I am SO happy I took my car. I was able to go to the store, drive to the parks, etc. I mean people have to leave like TWO HOURS before their shifts start! That's just nuts to me. I know SOOOO many people who take the bus, but man oh man, was I happy I had my car. If it's practical, affordable, and it makes sense to take it...TAKE IT! I drove 32 hours just to have the freedom...it was worth it.

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  25. Hey, Emily! I hope you still check on your blog cause I have a few questions!
    1) I'm applying for the DCP for Fall '15 and I live in Florida, so I obviously have a preference for WDW, however, I don't know if I should apply to both WDW and DLR or just WDW. I keep thinking to myself that if I only apply to one that my chances of being accepted are cut and I want to do everything I can to be accepted into this program. I was just wondering if you had any advice for me as far as that goes.
    2) When you did this program, did it set you behind a semester at school? I'm an Elementary Education major and I believe my university offers some classes online for my major, however, I know you took some classes at the Disney University and I was wondering if you also took any online classes through your university? And if you did not, did it set you behind at all?

    Thank you for all your help and thank you for creating this blog because I know there's people like me out there doing their research months in advance to be prepared and just to clam our nerves, lol. But, thanks again! And I love your blog! <3

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    1. Hi Stephanie,

      1. I applied for both but decided to go with WDW because it is a bigger program with more opportunities in my opinion.

      2. It did set me behind in school, but looking back, I could've taken online classes and had been fine. However, I am not really in a huge rush to graduate and the experiences I gained during the DCP were well worth it!

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