This was so so so accurate. ProTip: Spend a couple nights at Disney's Vero Beach, you knock out staying in a nice resort and going to the beach at once. It's a perfect mini vacation :)
Thanks so much for watching! And yay how exciting! We have a few alumni friends doing the fall program, too. It's going to be the time of your life! Let us know if you have any questions or anything :)
I've spent so many years watching DCP videos and I think this one is actually my fav :) it's given my so much insight for what to do and add to my bucket list! I definitely don't want to waste a single second! thanks so much for uploading this one x
Such a GOOD video! :) I did the cp back in 2004, and lack of money was huge for me. I seem to always be broke. When I saw my fellow cps going on shopping trips, I was like "how do you have money to shop for clothes!?" So I regret not budgeting!! Looking back, my money went towards food and buying disposable cameras (and then printing those pics). I guess I could have picked up extra shifts, but I felt like I was working so much already and really needed those 2 days off.
+Jenelle Arp Thank you so much!!! Budgeting is SO hard tbh. Sooo easy to spend all of the money you make back at the parks! And I agree, those 2 days off are sooo valuable!! I mostly tell people to try and extend shifts for extra hours instead of using their days off!
+Cally Bloxam Also, I remember leaving with the program with hardly any money. Definitely not the way to to travel! ha I like the idea of extending instead of using days off. Also, "back in my day" it wasn't common to trade your park passes for another park. I would have LOVE to make a trip to DL. We chatted about doing a cruise but never planned it. I def should have taken advantage of the discounts you get as a cast member!! Grrr. lol I wish I would have rode the main street trolley and mail a postcard on main street.
+Jenelle Arp Interesting about going to other parks! I know a ton of people now use the program and free admission to go to Disneyland! But yes, same about the cruise! We just ran out of time!! And I agree about the trolley! I don't think I ever rode any of the main street vehicles on my program. I wasn't really ever there early enough for them to be out :p. If you get the chance to go back, definitely mail a postcard on main street! I sent graduation cards to friends back home from main street and it made it feel just a little bit more magical :)
Isn't the park hop interesting?! As, I'm watching these dcp vlogs, I kept thinking..."Why didn't we think of that!!?" I'm so sure we could have too which is the part that's a bummer. It just wasn't a "thing" back then. I did however go to daytona and miami which was awesome trips. Are cps able to take off a good amount of time to go? I would want at least 5 days. Also, want a travel buddy of course. :)
+Jenelle Arp Yeah CPs can take up to ten days in a row off! Or at least that's how it was last spring. It's just a matter of getting them approved/given away and working enough once you return to cover the rent you missed.
At first, I was apprehensive of watching this because of the length, but this was the most helpful DCP video I've seen! I just started my program and until now, I've never been to WDW, so this was super informative for me!
WOW thank you so much! Enjoy your program!!!! Let me know if you have any questions or anything or want any specific advice! Happy to help if you need it! :) Thanks for watching!
You two are hilarious together. I liked your other video, so watched this one. It sounds like you both gained a lot from the experience! Good advice; it goes by very quickly, and is definitely worth it and will give you perspective on future job situations. 👍🏾
I did the fall 2015 program and I wish this video had been made before my program! I loved everything about my program but I agree with everything you guys talked about, especially making friends so late. I was so shy to take friendships from work outside of work!
Thanks so much! And so glad you enjoyed your program! Making friends late was the worst, but personally I feel like I'm closer to those friends now more than ever! Such a cool thing. I was so shy too!
Both of your insight and advice is super helpful! I just applied for the Fall 2017 DCP and I am scheduled to have my phone interview next week. I'm very excited and I will be trying to go for the role of a Character Performer! Hope both of your Round 2 DCP are going swimmingly.
I made a list of these so I don't regret them after my program! Thank you for the advice and tips, I love all your videos!! Also, can't wait to possibly meet you both when we're down there soon!
on the oppisite of talking to guests: I love talking to cast members when I go to the parks! I always get my hair wrapped and getting my hair wrapped is a great way for me to talk to cast members. One time I talked to a cast member in the muppet store in Hollywood Studios for about a half hour. We had a really nice conversation about the parks and other things for about a half hour before I had to go to my dinner reservation. To me talking to cast members is part of the experience.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I loved the insight you gave in this video. You girls gave great advice not only for this particular program, but for so many other parts of life. Only a junior in high school, but seriously want to consider doing the CP once I'm in college.
+Ashley Alexander (ashnicale) Wow thank YOU so much!!! Means a lot! If anything we say helps anyone in the slightest, we have done what we love to do! YES DO IT! I had wanted to do it since early high school as well and when the time came it was so surreal, but the best thing I have ever done! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Thanks again!!
I'm doing QSFB in Fall 2017! I've been binge watching multiple DCP videos and am hopeful this program is as cool as you guys make it sound! Can't wait to go in August!
Great video! It was really interesting and very informative. I'm going back for my second CP in August and I think the ability to save money depends a lot on how many bills you have and how much your parents help you out. I have a lot of bills like health insurance, car insurance, doctor bills, cell phone bill, car repairs, etc. which caused me to have to work about 50 hours a week to break even, so I have saved up a lot more at my current job to be able to afford to go back. However, I would recommend for people who don't have much money to sell their car so they don't have to pay for insurance or gas and just take the bus, I really wish I hadn't taken my car on my last program. Between insurance, gas, and repair bills, it really drained my bank account.
Oh yeah, for sure!!! You definitely have to see if the program and how much you anticipate making is worth it to pay for everything! Saving up beforehand is very important because you just never know! Thanks for your input! :)
"Just do it, there's coffee, there's coke!" .......i immediately thought you guys were encouraging people in the dcp to use cocaine to stay awake.....lol
I just got into spring adv. merch for 2017! I LOVE your videos! They are so helpful and you are actually fun to listen to. Also.... I think the blond (sorrryyyyy, I don't know who's name goes to who) is STUNNING. dang.
Very informative! I'm so glad I got to watch this video. I'm sad you can't get into the Tokyo one for free since I've always wanted to go to Japan. ): Still, I'd be too afraid of requesting so many days. Btw do cp's get a discount on the annual pass?
+Marquis Douglas You can take off up to ten days! So yes plenty of time for Disneyland and justttt enough for international parks if you're feeling adventurous. If your requests off from work don't get approved, you can always give away shifts! Maaaaannny people I know took trips to Disneyland during their programs! Very, very doable!
How do you go about networking professionally while at the parks? I'm a marketing major and if I do DCP I'd love to network with people working in that department.
The best way to start networking is to go to professional development seminars, take classes, and talk to your leaders! Make your leaders aware of your goals within the company and they can help you out! You never know who knows who. Don't be timid either! Knowing people is essential to move up in the company, in my opinion. :) Hope that helps!
If you get proof from the housing complexes that you are a Florida resident, you get the Florida resident discount for tickets! Other than that, no, since they're completely separate from Disney. Hope that helps!
You just apply! It helps to have a clean/good record card and be open to staying where you were instead of switching roles/locations, but it's definitely very possible to get a new location if you want! I did on my first program. Not everyone gets accepted though! It really depends on available roles and your record card. Hope that helps!
+AMB You can take up to 10 days in a row off! So has long as the trip is relatively short, you can do it! You can request days off and if you don't get them you can give them away. It's definitely possible to have enough consecutive days off if you plan it right! :)
Honestly I wouldn't count on it. I don't remember anyone ever getting anywhere near that much time off in a row. It really depends on your work location so I wouldn't plan any trips away from Orlando until you're in your program because it's VERY hard for CPs to get actual requested time off. I remember even when my family came down for just a couple of days I couldn't even get that off- even after requesting it off. And this was at MK where there were an ample amount of employees to cover for you. CPs are the lowest on the ladder, so all the people above you (even seasonal) will get their request granted first. You have to be careful too because there will be a lot of blackout dates where you won't be able to request time off. Remember that you're just a temporary cast member, and you're there because they need you to work so that's asking a lot of them to give you 10 days off in a row. In the real world it would be pretty frowned upon if you took that much time off to go on vacation when you're on a job assignment for just 3-6 months. Not to be mean or anything, but I just wanted to point this out in case you're planning to do the fall program and before you plan a big cruise or trip you're not able to do.
what was your arrival date? I plan on applying for spring advantage 2017 and I am just trying to get an estimate of how early I can get there haha!! THanks
I'm Japanese. So,I'm not good at speaking English.sorry. I want to join college program! I will go American college. How did you join this program?? should I choice college?? Anywhere do I choice??
+momo minnie Hi, there! I do not know much about the International programs. Sorry! The best place for information on the program is here: ip.disneycareers.com/en/default/ :)
This was so so so accurate. ProTip: Spend a couple nights at Disney's Vero Beach, you knock out staying in a nice resort and going to the beach at once. It's a perfect mini vacation :)
That's such a good idea! I will definitely be looking into that this time around! Thanks for the tip :)
I have no regrets watching this entire video, thanks for putting this all out there, I am doing DCP Fall 2016 so I will remember all of this!
Thanks so much for watching! And yay how exciting! We have a few alumni friends doing the fall program, too. It's going to be the time of your life! Let us know if you have any questions or anything :)
I've spent so many years watching DCP videos and I think this one is actually my fav :) it's given my so much insight for what to do and add to my bucket list! I definitely don't want to waste a single second! thanks so much for uploading this one x
+jasweiner Wow thanks so much! Means a lot! Enjoy your program! :)
thank you so much :)
Such a GOOD video! :) I did the cp back in 2004, and lack of money was huge for me. I seem to always be broke. When I saw my fellow cps going on shopping trips, I was like "how do you have money to shop for clothes!?" So I regret not budgeting!! Looking back, my money went towards food and buying disposable cameras (and then printing those pics). I guess I could have picked up extra shifts, but I felt like I was working so much already and really needed those 2 days off.
+Jenelle Arp Thank you so much!!! Budgeting is SO hard tbh. Sooo easy to spend all of the money you make back at the parks! And I agree, those 2 days off are sooo valuable!! I mostly tell people to try and extend shifts for extra hours instead of using their days off!
+Cally Bloxam Also, I remember leaving with the program with hardly any money. Definitely not the way to to travel! ha I like the idea of extending instead of using days off. Also, "back in my day" it wasn't common to trade your park passes for another park. I would have LOVE to make a trip to DL. We chatted about doing a cruise but never planned it. I def should have taken advantage of the discounts you get as a cast member!! Grrr. lol
I wish I would have rode the main street trolley and mail a postcard on main street.
+Jenelle Arp Interesting about going to other parks! I know a ton of people now use the program and free admission to go to Disneyland! But yes, same about the cruise! We just ran out of time!! And I agree about the trolley! I don't think I ever rode any of the main street vehicles on my program. I wasn't really ever there early enough for them to be out :p. If you get the chance to go back, definitely mail a postcard on main street! I sent graduation cards to friends back home from main street and it made it feel just a little bit more magical :)
Isn't the park hop interesting?! As, I'm watching these dcp vlogs, I kept thinking..."Why didn't we think of that!!?" I'm so sure we could have too which is the part that's a bummer. It just wasn't a "thing" back then. I did however go to daytona and miami which was awesome trips.
Are cps able to take off a good amount of time to go? I would want at least 5 days. Also, want a travel buddy of course. :)
+Jenelle Arp Yeah CPs can take up to ten days in a row off! Or at least that's how it was last spring. It's just a matter of getting them approved/given away and working enough once you return to cover the rent you missed.
At first, I was apprehensive of watching this because of the length, but this was the most helpful DCP video I've seen! I just started my program and until now, I've never been to WDW, so this was super informative for me!
WOW thank you so much! Enjoy your program!!!! Let me know if you have any questions or anything or want any specific advice! Happy to help if you need it! :) Thanks for watching!
You're welcome! And I will!! Thanks again!!
You two are hilarious together. I liked your other video, so watched this one. It sounds like you both gained a lot from the experience! Good advice; it goes by very quickly, and is definitely worth it and will give you perspective on future job situations. 👍🏾
Aw thanks so much! We did gain a ton. It does definitely go back super fast and is a great experience, I fully agree!
I did the fall 2015 program and I wish this video had been made before my program! I loved everything about my program but I agree with everything you guys talked about, especially making friends so late. I was so shy to take friendships from work outside of work!
Thanks so much! And so glad you enjoyed your program! Making friends late was the worst, but personally I feel like I'm closer to those friends now more than ever! Such a cool thing. I was so shy too!
Both of your insight and advice is super helpful! I just applied for the Fall 2017 DCP and I am scheduled to have my phone interview next week. I'm very excited and I will be trying to go for the role of a Character Performer! Hope both of your Round 2 DCP are going swimmingly.
Thanks so much! Hope your interview went well :)
I made a list of these so I don't regret them after my program! Thank you for the advice and tips, I love all your videos!! Also, can't wait to possibly meet you both when we're down there soon!
Thank YOU for watching! See ya real soon :)
on the oppisite of talking to guests: I love talking to cast members when I go to the parks! I always get my hair wrapped and getting my hair wrapped is a great way for me to talk to cast members. One time I talked to a cast member in the muppet store in Hollywood Studios for about a half hour. We had a really nice conversation about the parks and other things for about a half hour before I had to go to my dinner reservation. To me talking to cast members is part of the experience.
+Catherine Weber Totally agree! Talking with cast members is so, so fun!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I loved the insight you gave in this video. You girls gave great advice not only for this particular program, but for so many other parts of life. Only a junior in high school, but seriously want to consider doing the CP once I'm in college.
+Ashley Alexander (ashnicale) Wow thank YOU so much!!! Means a lot! If anything we say helps anyone in the slightest, we have done what we love to do! YES DO IT! I had wanted to do it since early high school as well and when the time came it was so surreal, but the best thing I have ever done! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Thanks again!!
Disney cruises are the best! You guys have to go on one!
+Katelyn Clary We want to go on one so bad!! They look AMAZING and we've heard so many good things! One day!! :)
I'm doing QSFB in Fall 2017! I've been binge watching multiple DCP videos and am hopeful this program is as cool as you guys make it sound! Can't wait to go in August!
You're going to love it! Congrats! See ya in August!
GETTING MAGICL EXPRESS TRAINED IS SO WORTH IT. Most resorts only allow certain people to train for it though.
Girl you SPECIAL!
Great video! It was really interesting and very informative. I'm going back for my second CP in August and I think the ability to save money depends a lot on how many bills you have and how much your parents help you out. I have a lot of bills like health insurance, car insurance, doctor bills, cell phone bill, car repairs, etc. which caused me to have to work about 50 hours a week to break even, so I have saved up a lot more at my current job to be able to afford to go back. However, I would recommend for people who don't have much money to sell their car so they don't have to pay for insurance or gas and just take the bus, I really wish I hadn't taken my car on my last program. Between insurance, gas, and repair bills, it really drained my bank account.
Oh yeah, for sure!!! You definitely have to see if the program and how much you anticipate making is worth it to pay for everything! Saving up beforehand is very important because you just never know! Thanks for your input! :)
"Just do it, there's coffee, there's coke!" .......i immediately thought you guys were encouraging people in the dcp to use cocaine to stay awake.....lol
Hahahahah oh god. Nope! :)
I just got into spring adv. merch for 2017! I LOVE your videos! They are so helpful and you are actually fun to listen to. Also.... I think the blond (sorrryyyyy, I don't know who's name goes to who) is STUNNING. dang.
Aw thanks! Means a lot! Congrats!! And that's Kara lol. She IS stunning! I'll pass the message along.
You guys are really cool! I got into the spring 2017 and this definitely put things into perspective. 26 min went by super quick 👏🏻
Aw thanks! Hopefully this helps a bit with your program! Congrats! :)
that was a great video!! thank you so much for making it!!
Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful!
time is a big one, I look back at all those lazy days were I slept in and didnt do anything when I could have gone to the parks
+zach zarnstorff Same here!! At the time, staying home felt so nice, but we regret that so much now!
Very informative! I'm so glad I got to watch this video. I'm sad you can't get into the Tokyo one for free since I've always wanted to go to Japan. ): Still, I'd be too afraid of requesting so many days. Btw do cp's get a discount on the annual pass?
They get 10% off of tickets, so 10% off annual passes! :)
Cally & Kara Thanks for replying!
You mentioned you can get into other Disney parks for free, but would you they allow you to travel and take off of work to go to the other parks??
+Marquis Douglas You can take off up to ten days! So yes plenty of time for Disneyland and justttt enough for international parks if you're feeling adventurous. If your requests off from work don't get approved, you can always give away shifts! Maaaaannny people I know took trips to Disneyland during their programs! Very, very doable!
How do you go about networking professionally while at the parks? I'm a marketing major and if I do DCP I'd love to network with people working in that department.
The best way to start networking is to go to professional development seminars, take classes, and talk to your leaders! Make your leaders aware of your goals within the company and they can help you out! You never know who knows who. Don't be timid either! Knowing people is essential to move up in the company, in my opinion. :) Hope that helps!
do you get a disscound for Universal or not?
If you get proof from the housing complexes that you are a Florida resident, you get the Florida resident discount for tickets! Other than that, no, since they're completely separate from Disney. Hope that helps!
How would you have time going to Disneyland if you have to work like 6 days a week?
You can request time off :)
I have a question how does extensions work? does everyone get extended?
You just apply! It helps to have a clean/good record card and be open to staying where you were instead of switching roles/locations, but it's definitely very possible to get a new location if you want! I did on my first program. Not everyone gets accepted though! It really depends on available roles and your record card. Hope that helps!
So are either of you continuing employment or careers With Disney?
+tpcrb We are working on finishing school right now and are planning to go back in January!
How would you be able to take the time off during the program to go on a cruise of to go to Cali or Paris or Tokyo? :)
+AMB You can take up to 10 days in a row off! So has long as the trip is relatively short, you can do it! You can request days off and if you don't get them you can give them away. It's definitely possible to have enough consecutive days off if you plan it right! :)
Honestly I wouldn't count on it. I don't remember anyone ever getting anywhere near that much time off in a row. It really depends on your work location so I wouldn't plan any trips away from Orlando until you're in your program because it's VERY hard for CPs to get actual requested time off. I remember even when my family came down for just a couple of days I couldn't even get that off- even after requesting it off. And this was at MK where there were an ample amount of employees to cover for you. CPs are the lowest on the ladder, so all the people above you (even seasonal) will get their request granted first. You have to be careful too because there will be a lot of blackout dates where you won't be able to request time off. Remember that you're just a temporary cast member, and you're there because they need you to work so that's asking a lot of them to give you 10 days off in a row. In the real world it would be pretty frowned upon if you took that much time off to go on vacation when you're on a job assignment for just 3-6 months. Not to be mean or anything, but I just wanted to point this out in case you're planning to do the fall program and before you plan a big cruise or trip you're not able to do.
What camera do you use for your videos??
This is shot on a Canon t2i and our old vlogs were shot on my phone. Currently, I use a Canon t5i for sit down videos and a Canon g7x for vlogs!
How long do your perks last after your program?
They end right when your program ends!
what was your arrival date? I plan on applying for spring advantage 2017 and I am just trying to get an estimate of how early I can get there haha!! THanks
+Abby Hutchens January 12th! We were the first group of arrivals!
thanks! I will definitely have more questions for you when apps get closer to coming out! I hope that is okay haha
Yes yes of course! If you need anything let us know! :) We're happy to help!!
I'm Japanese.
So,I'm not good at speaking English.sorry.
I want to join college program!
I will go American college.
How did you join this program??
should I choice college??
Anywhere do I choice??
+momo minnie Hi, there! I do not know much about the International programs. Sorry! The best place for information on the program is here: ip.disneycareers.com/en/default/ :)
Thankyou♡♡
I will go American university!
And I will join this programs!
Thankyou☆
+momo minnie Good luck! :)
+momo minnie
Do the International Student route.
Go to the DCP website.
When you're coworkers with your roommates, and they date your other coworkers D;
Yikes! Dating within the program can get pretty messy that's for sure!