Confessions of a Former Cast Member

Alright guys.

Be on the lookout for my post on the buses and their stops.

Probably within the next day or so, because I am sure some people are curious.

Also congrats on everyone who made their CP this semester and PI as well ICP :D

Any questions?

Go ahead and get into my askbox :D

Would anyone be interested in a video?

I was thinking of explaining some stuff in a video, do you guys like the idea?

Alright so I may have addressed this in the past, but I really don’t want to have to force you guys to go scrolling all over my blog to find it. 

So in this post I’m going to address the application part of CP and what CP is for some people. I think this was great question and though we are post certain acceptance dates the next one’s are coming up soon and I want you guys to be prepared! 

SO CP WHAT IS IT?!

Okay so the CP or College Program is an internship with the Walt Disney Co. that is done in either 5 months or 7 months. Under a 7 month program you are considered an advantage CP. Usually you come in 2 months before the the dates that are offered OR you stay a bit later. As a CP you basically work within the parks, in any role offered to just about any other CM (My list of roles for the CP are located in this blog just a page away if not a few scrolls down). Though within the CP there are a few differences, I have covered ICP already so I can just freely talk about CP. So with CP there is the regular 5 month program, then you have the Advantage program which is only offered in the Spring and Fall, and finally 3 month summer Alumni. As well within in this category you find the CP for Culinary which is a 3 month internship within the kitchens of WDW. 

SO HOW DO I APPLY?!

Well first things first is your college or university valid? That’s the first thing you need to find out, if it is a university or college that offers the time away then you’re fine. From there you can begin the application process online, the way it works is like any other job. It’ll ask for basic information and as well what school you go to. From there you will attend presentations online or in person, usually I opt to do the online video because of the fact that it’s more convenient. From there the instructions will come as you progress further in the application process. So to break it down… 

1. Make sure your college and university are valid within the program

2. Attend an informational meeting prior to applying (Dates are determined by the university or college)

3. Apply via the online app 

4. Attend the video presentation in order to ask questions OR watch it online 

5. Phone interview 

Okay so a quick side note, a phone interview is usually given post the questionnaire part of the application process. At this point you will go through the phone interview with someone from WDW so be prepared to pick a date that works for you and a time you are available. I did mine at home sitting on the couch relaxed, the phone interview is easiest when you are comfortable. 

TIP TIP TIP! If they ask you if you would like QSB, be honest. Tell them no I would prefer my role if possible but if I need to work there I’ll do it, but I would most prefer to work in the roles of my choice. They always want people in QSB so they usually ask you for that towards the end of the interview. I highly suggest you say something, but always do it professionally. Another tip for this section make sure you are honest, the more honest you are the better it is. They do ask about conflict resolution and how you act around other people. It doesn’t hurt to be honest and let them know how you would deal with roommates if in that situation. 

6. Acceptance letter or secondary interview. 

Okay so the acceptance letter I know that is a hard thing to hear about for a lot of people because a lot of people get it instantly some people get it a month later. Never fret! I was actually denied from my first CP because I applied too late, but the letter came super fast. When I got accepted into my actual program the letter took a while to come and after I think it was 3 weeks or something like that I was sure I got denied again. But the letter came and after I tore up the envelope. Sometimes I have heard they ask for a secondary interview, I don’t know why but they ask for it. It never happened to me so I can’t make too many comments. 

7. Preparation to leave! (I’ll address what you should take in another post)

8. Eligibility to work!

Meaning you’re a US Citizen or have a green card! Or if you need a visa to authorize you to work! This is SUPER important because you need these papers at the time of application. 

WELL WHAT DO THEY ASK FOR?

Okay so CP asks for some basic things. 

1. You have to be 18 that is given. Disney will not let you work if you under 18, you can be 17 when you apply for the program, BUT you have to be 18 by the time the program starts. So if you apply in May and program starts in August and your birthday is in July then you’re fine. If you’re 17 and turn 18 after program starts that is a no-no. 

2. You can participate after your first semester. CP ask that you complete one semester of college in order to participate so what this means is that CP cannot be your first semester. Seniors can participate after graduation BUT you must have been enrolled in your university at the time of applying. 

3. Good Academic Standing. Usually this means you haven’t done anything to hinder you from applying. So you can’t be on academic probation or have anything pending against you from your college. 

Anything else that may be asked for will come from your college. CP will contact them to make sure you have the proper credentials at the time of application and enrollment into the program. The school may require a certain GPA or something of the sort so it’s best to consult your school prior to applying see what they say and what they ask for. 

OKAY SO I HAVE DONE ALL THAT, NOW WHAT ABOUT CREDIT?

Okay so most of the time they do offer credit for just doing the program, usually it’s a hospitality credit BUT you can also take classes for credit while on program. It can be anything from a communications class to a hospitality class. You are eligible to take the classes if you can handle it. Usually all classes they offer for the semester are explained to you at the time of application while you are there in your first few days at Casting. 

OKAY THIS MAKES SENSE… SO CAN I EXTEND MY PROGRAM?

Of course you can, you not obligated to just stay for the 5 months (we’re not talking advantage), you can always extend into the next semester and continue to work with Disney. Or you can go seasonal if you are in good standing with the company. 

WHAT IS GOOD STANDING MEAN?

Good standing means you don’t have a certain amount of points prior to the time of consideration, you haven’t had a reprimand on your file, or you haven’t had any issues that came up with the company during this time. So basically stay in line and do what you need to do and you will be okay to re-apply. You can also become a Campus rep (but I will discuss that in another post). 

SO WHY IS ADVANTAGE DIFFERENT?

Advantage is different because when you apply instead of coming in say in August you are eligible to come in May and you spend the whole summer + the fall there. That’s how it’s different or vice versa you start in January and remain till August. Usually the 3 months in the summer are reserved for alumni which is a shorter program to fill the time between programs. 

YOU MENTIONED CULINARY?

Yes and I will address that in another post, so that we can talk about that specifically. 

So that’s it really. I mean I have covered most of the basic areas for the program and application. As I said I did a whole post on roles a few weeks back that is within the first pages of this blog. I can link it as well but I am also going to give you the CP link for the the website, it’ll help and it will go over Disney look and all that with you. 

I do plan to cover Disney look with you guys because that has come up before as a question. 

Any further information about just basic CP is located here along with the application. 

http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/

Good Luck!

c-nt4stic asked: About the disney college how can I apply what do I need to do to apply is it like a real college?

I do believe I have addressed this before, but I’ll go ahead and put up a post of what the College Program is for everyone :) 

withjustonespark-deactivated201 asked: I just stumbled across this blog and absolutely LOVE it. Thank you so much for sharing all of this information. I just have one quick question... to perform as a character, do you have to be right handed for autographs and such? Several of my friends and I are left-handed and were considering auditioning. Thanks!

Hi, 

You’re very welcome! And haha fellow south paws! From my knowledge I don’t think it really matters… I never paid much mind to what hands they used. But I am sure you can use the hand you write with. I don’t think there is anything against being a south paw haha [: 

Hope that helps!

I am doing nothing wrong in what I am saying, and the information I am releasing. 

I am no different than Chris Mitchell who authored his PERSONAL experiences of the time he worked for the Walt Disney Company. 

If you honestly want something worse off than my shattering of the magic he takes off the white gloves and really puts it out there. 

Cast Member Confidential: A Disneyfied Memoir By Chris Mitchell

So pick it up, read it, and then come tell me I breaking the rules. Chris shatters the rules and goes further than I could ever go with my blog. 

If anyone has any issues with what I am doing. If you don’t like that I am pulling back the curtain. That I am releasing ‘secrets’ then please unfollow my blog immediately. 

I am not going to sugar coat it, and I am not going to deprive people of information they want prior to their program. 

Sorry. 

misterfields asked: would you recommend bringing a car??

Hi, 

I would, my roommate had hers and it was just so much easier to get groceries and go to work. I wouldn’t use it to go the parks or anything because you can always use the the bus. But for work and groceries you can’t go wrong with the car because it will save you a lot of heartache. Plus if you want to do something outside of Disney property like go to the beach or go to Universal the car is better than trying to figure out how to use the bus system. 

I hope that helps!

Anonymous asked: i hate to be THAT anon, but i just read your posting regarding entertainment casting. as an entertainment cm, i would just like to say that i think a lot of what you said & gave away was really inappropriate. i can respect you trying to "be real" with your followers & tell them what's up but you should understand the immense stress disney places on retaining the magic & character integrity. all CMs get trained in it, especially those of us who are friends with characters. please respect that.

I understand that fully, I went under that training. But since I am no longer bound by the company to keep said secrets I can say it. I hate to break it to you but this blog is for people looking to be in the CP and they ask me about the information of what it takes it and what it is like. 

Unfortunately if you don’t like what I have said no one asking you to follow me or read my posts. 

I also hate that you’re on anon, I have regarded you with an answer because of the fact I am not going to be a bitch via this blog. But normally I would ignore you and not regard you with an answer. It’s my blog, they’re my confessions, and there is nothing wrong with informing people. 

As far as I am concerned the contract I signed 3 years ago, almost 4 is now in void and I am no longer bound by that. I am not releasing secrets of national security or importance so with that said I will continue doing what I am doing. 

If you’re going to approach me again about this kind of stuff, I will kindly ask you do it off anon and not use it. 

Thank you. 

I’m never out of ideas for this blog. 

But I want to hear from my followers, is there anything you want to see on here? Is there anything that you guys want to see on here? 

Any tips? Any tricks?

Anything at all let me know. 

My askbox is always open to you guys! 

http://lets-talk-disney.tumblr.com/ask

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