So you want to try and join the thousands who have experienced the Disney College Program, but you aren’t sure how to do that. First off, follow this link to get email notifications on when the applications open and to get other random updates on the program. Once the applications are open the process is fairly simple. Fill out the application, take the web interview, have a phone interview and get accepted or declined. But there is a little more to it than that.
Depending on who you talk to they will say the more roles you say you are interested in, the more likely you are to get into the program, but I have also seen people who only put the one role they want get accepted. Either way, remember that if accepted, you can not change your role, so what ever you put down you want to be happy doing for 5-8 months. If you are not going to be happy cleaning hotel rooms or handing out costumes than I recommend not even marking it. You are not guaranteed to get one of your high interest jobs.
For example, I’m a theatre major so I put things like Character Performer, Character Attendant, Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and Costumes as my high interest, but I was accepted for Attractions. I’m happy with this but it was one of my low interest level roles. Don’t think that they won’t look at everything you fill out because they fill what they need filled. They obviously care about what you put down, but if you are wishy washy our put everything down as high interest then they will put you where they need you.
After you finish the application you will get an email (or sometime 3 or 4) informing you whether or not they want to move you along in the process. If so, you have 3 days from the time you get your email to fill out the 40 minute Web Based Interview.
This is a process they use to judge your character and work ethic as well as tell how you fit in with the company. If you pay close attention, you will notice they ask you the same question several times in different forms just to see if you will give close to the same answer. Don’t freak out about this, but just know that it really is judging your character.
My best advice for this interview is to BE HONEST. Answer how you would answer every question and don’t try to remember how you answered every previous question. If you answer like yourself then you will answer everything the way you are supposed to. Everyone who has completed this part of the process will tell you the same thing, be honest and be yourself. After you finish this you will know immediately whether you will move on or not. After you click complete the next page will inform you that you either fit the criteria and to expect an email, or that you don’t and you should try again next time.
The second time I applied I only got to the Web Interview and I did not pass that, which was pretty deviating, but again, I had another chance to apply. Now here is the MOST IMPORTANT part of my story I want you to take away. Like the eager beaver I was, I applied the third time as soon as the applications were open. But Disney has a 6 month rule which works two ways; if you have passed the Web Based Interview and apply again within 6 months, then you don’t have to take it again and you jump to the phone interview, if you did not pass, you have to wait 6 months for that to reset in their system so that you can take it again. I did not wait and it caused a lot of trouble. I jumped to the phone interview, but got a call telling me they had to cancel my interview and that I needed to wait until the 6 months were up so I could take it. So I waited 3 more weeks, and I was told I would get an email to take the Web Interview, but I never got one. So I called and tried to get it sorted out, and I was told I would get an email within 24 hours.
Well, that was a Friday afternoon, and when late Monday I didn’t have an email I called again, and again, and again, and again, no exaggeration necessary. By no fault of anyone on the other end, the system was just not shooting me the email I needed to take the interview, but by the help of some awesome cast members, I eventually got it, passed, passed the phone interview and got accepted all in under a week. But it was a stressful situation wondering what was going on and if I would even be able to take the interview.
Back to the process, once you pass the Web Interview, you will get an email to schedule your Phone Interview, which you can schedule pretty much any time you need, given availability, but remember depending on where you are there can be up to a 3 hour time difference between you and them.
During this they will ask you questions about your high interest roles, why you want to work for Disney and questions like that. Personally, I had been preparing for this for a year and a half, so I had a 2-page document on my paper full of notes I might need. I researched the questions I might get asked for my role and answered them in bullet notes so I wouldn’t just read what I had written.
I recommend having some notes prepared but you also don’t want them to hear you shuffling your papers so I recommend spreading them out before the call or putting it on your computer. You can easily find the questions you might get asked for your roles with a little research. Previous participants are happy to share what they were asked and some share how they answered them, though you might not want to pay as much attention to that.
Many questions are situational, “What would you do if a child was too short to ride your ride?” “What would you do if a child came into the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and was afraid and crying?” They may also ask typical interview questions like what your strengths and weaknesses are and things like that. Just remember to breath. When they call, don’t answer right away but take a deep breath to calm yourself down and then answer. They want you to succeed as much as you do so do your best to present you. Try and be prepared so you don’t have a lot of verbal static (ei. um, ah, oh) but don’t go crazy over this either. After your interview the general rule is that you will hear back within 2-3 weeks. Like I said before, hearing back might mean you are ‘pended’ until they can make a better decision, but don’t get discouraged. Plenty of people who get pended also get accepted.
They want someone who will fit in with the Disney image so just show them that you are that person! Good Luck!
Your experience sounds so similar to mine! I applied three times too, getting “pended” the first time, and then failing the web-based interview the second time, with the third time, being even earlier than that. I have yet to be accepted, but I’m remaining optimistic!
My application says ‘In Progress’, I took the phone interview a week ago. Is this a good sign?
I have been in the “submission” stage since 2/6/14 which is the day applications opened. Its now just over a month later and nothing has changed. What should i think of this or do? looking forward to hear back from you! thanks
Did you ever hear anything back? I am in the same situation now, and I don’t know what to think of this. I applied the second day the applications came out, and it went right into submission. People are still applying, and getting WBI’s on the spot.
Any updates from you guys in submission status?
I failed the web part, I was going to apply again through a different login because I’m so frustrated what are your opinions on that my other login resume was deleted, so could I?
Thanks for sharing this!
And I was wondering what is the “check in” fee? It sounds like we have to pay for to work for them??
Hi there! I’m a senior in high school but im researching into this right now just in case, so I have a few questions:
1. When is the best semester to go and participate? I really want to study abroad with my college and go to Europe my second semester Junior year too
2. Is it unlikely for me to work an attractions ride if I haven’t worked on a rollercoaster before? For me, my true passion with Disney lies in their tiny little efforts in each ride and how well themed they are, so when I attend the college program I would really like to be placed on a ride. My only work experience so far however would be working in a locally owned Ice cream shop
3. Is there anyway to avoid being placed in a hotel?
4. Does it matter which college you go to?
5. Which CP is better, the WDW or Disneyland?
Thanks for all of the tips!
Erin, great questions! I’m gonna answer them like you numbered them.
1. You have to have at least one semester under your belt to apply, so you could do what I did and start applying your second semester. If I had total control over everything, I would have preferred to go my last semester so I could have stayed and gone part time or taken a Professional Internship. But since you may get rejected a couple times, it’s hard to say. I would say talk to the guidance counselor at your school. Doing two internships may be hard, so they may have recommendation on how to set up your schedule through the years to make things work. You can also participate after you’ve graduated as long as you start within 6 months of graduating, which sounds like an option you might consider.
2. Working an attraction is EXTREMELY likely! I have a friend who just started his program who is working at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Attractions was my last choice, and I got it. That is something to focus on in your phone interview. Let them know that it is something you are passionate about. There are no guarantees, but I’m sure it will help a lot!
3. Yes and no. There are somethings you may put down as choices, like merchandise or custodial that is kinda universal and they could place you anywhere. But things like front desk or housekeeping are local only to hotels, so don’t pick those as options you would want and you will limit the likely hood of them placing you there. Just remember, every position they have they will always need more of at the parks, so you have that on your side. And just go in with an open mind. One of my roommates got Merchandise at one of the hotels, and she was super bummed at first, but she ended up loving it more than anything!
4. To Disney, it doesn’t matter what school you go to. Where it matters is actually to the school. I have heard of some people having difficulty with their school accepting the DCP as an internship, so make the schools you look at are open to it.
5. That is going to be personal preference! I applied to both and got into WDW even though I grew up next to DLR, let me give you some facts instead. WDW takes A LOT more interns than DLR does, smaller park, smaller cast. At WDW they provide housing and transportation, at DLR they have, what I think, is one small building of limited housing and no transportation. I know a lot of people end up making friends and finding apartments on their own, which can be a hassle. But I have had friend who have done DLR and some that have done WDW and both have had amazing experiences, so you just have to pick the one that works best for you.
Let me know if you have any more questions. You can contact me on the Diva facebook page and I would be happy to help more!
Hello, I submitted my application and a few hours later received word of the web-based interview. After the interview, it did not tell me if I passed or not. It is worrying me, because everyone else’s blogs I have read said they knew right away. Right now, my dash board is on the second purple light and it says “in progress”, is this good or bad??
Maddie,
I wouldn’t stress just yet. Sometimes, depending on when you submit you interview stuff, it will take a couple days. If you still have not heard after a week, I would recommend calling and asking. Even Disney isn’t perfect, sometime glitches happen. While it is normal to hear right away, I would not start freaking out.
I just started my first semester of college this fall but I am looking into the DCP. I have no work experience at the moment… On an application, would only putting down volunteer work get me into the program? Or do I need to make sure I have had an actual job before applying?
Hey, I applied too and I’m a college freshman! I have a job and when I had the phone interview they just asked me about the job and how I handled stuff. They were more interested in the experience because of the Merchandising part. One of my friends got accepted and never had a job or volunteer work, so I wouldn’t worry about it!
I just started my first semester of college this fall but I am interested in the DCP. I have never had a job before and I know on the application, it asks for work experience/volunteer work. Will only putting down volunteer work get me through the first step or should I get a real job before applying?
I GOT INTO THE PROGRAM! I’M IN MERCHANDISING!
Congratulations! 🙂 We’re so happy for you! ~Character Diva
HI,
I had my phone interview one month ago and have not heard anything back after my “Thank you for Interviewing” email. I know they said hiring decisions will be made before Nov. 13th but I was wondering if I should call and make sure my application didn’t get lost in everyone’s and they didn’t forget about me. I heard that you should hear back something within two to three weeks of interviewing.
What do you think?
Thanks
I have been in submission since Feb 7th. And it doesn’t feel like I am ever getting out of it. Today is March 1st. Auditions are on March 10th. If I have the most incredible audition, will a Disney recruiter push a button to get me out of submission?
Hey Deborah, I had a similar problem when I was going though the process. I don’t know for sure, but I think sometimes they keep people on hold until after they audition, that way they can know for sure where they might want you. The recruiter most definitely has the ability to push you along in the process. If they love you and want you, they will make sure they get you. Try not to stress about it. I know a ton of people who still work for the company that took several tries to get into the DCP. Break a leg at auditions and remember to have fun!
I’ve applied a week ago for a job with the Disney Theatrical Group but the job status stills “submission” what does it mean please if you have any information about it help me , i’m so worry cause i really want this job , Thankyou in advance.
Hi! I applied about three days ago and haven’t gotten a link to the web interview… Should I be worried?? :3
Hey Izzy,
If you haven’t heard anything by now, I would give them a call. Usually you get a response right away or at the very least after a few days. At this point it’s probably a computer error. Check your spam file and if you don’t see anything give them a call. It may be Disney, but things can still happen.
Hi! I’m planning on applying in one year (Fall 2017 Program) and just got my first job as a waitress. What DCP job do you think that would qualify me most for? I would really prefer to not have quick service; do you think Disney would put me there if my only work experience is with food as a waitress?
Thanks!
When I did my College Program I was placed in attractions and the only other job I had was at Party City. When filling out the application, think about what YOU want. If it is still the same as when I did it a few years back, they give you a list of roles and you rank them from “highly interested” “interested” and “not interested”. If you don’t want quick service, don’t put it as one of the things you are interested in. But be aware, I just put “interested” on attractions and that’s what I got. If you wanna work in resorts, put that. If you wanna help little girls become princesses, put that. You can put down interested in as many things as you want. And I’m pretty sure the only one you need prior experience in is life guarding, because you need to already be certified. Besides that, the sky is your limit!
Does everyone move to the WBI? I applied in January and was put right to submission. Nothing has changed yet?
No, not everyone moves on to the WBI, but that would mean you were not accepted. Have you taken the WBI before? If you have taken it in the last 6 months you do not have to take it again. That happened to me my second time applying. If you haven’t applied before, I would call and ask.
This is interesting. I’m nervous to call and have them think I’m annoying because I’ve never applied before. I sent my application and it has just been in submission since day one. No request to do an interview? Could this be an error or does it mean they just don’t want me to move forward?
I would check you spam folder and if you see nothing then call. I know it makes you nervous but think of it as practice for the phone interview! It sounds like they might be having issues with the WBI if there is more than one of you having problems. Trust me, I called multiple times when I was applying, you aren’t annoying, that is what they are there for!
I’m nervous to call and afraid it will be annoying to them. I’ve been in submission since I applied in January? Maybe, they just didn’t contact me for the WBI because they don’t want me? What would you suggest?
You aren’t annoying, they are there your take you calls and answer question! I would hate for them to be interested in you and because of a technical glitch you don’t get accepted. It’s better to take the plunge and call then wait until the end and never get an answer.
What is the phone number to call??
Hi Deborah, Sorry for the delay. Undercover Diva doesn’t have internet at the moment. Anyway, the number she recommended calling is: 1 (800) 722-2930. Best of luck! ~Character Diva
Hey Character Diva, When would be the best time to give that number a call? I have been in the submission stage for about 2 weeks now, and am starting to get a little worried.
You can call whenever you want. It’s a person on the other end ready to answer your questions. If it will make you feel better then call right away.
Hey I applied about 2 weeks ago on March 16th and I have been checking my dashboard everyday, but my application still says that it is in submission. I applied 2 days after the job posting was reposted on March 14th, so I figured I might still have a shot. Also I never remember receiving one of those emails to the web interview, so should I be worried? I guess I just have 2 questions right now. 1. Will they change the status of the application to being read once they review it, or like will they even let you know if your application was not accepted or not? 2. Is applying in the middle of March a bad sign and less likely for me to be hired?
They should let you know if you were accepted or denied. I know I had to tell myself to stop stressing and checking every 5 minutes and that helped me feel a lot better. You should get an email about an update to your dashboard, so as long as you check your email fairly regularly, you should be okay. Also, it does not matter when you apply. If they want you they will take you. Try not to stress.
I have the same problem i applied about 9days ago but my application still says that it is in submission
Hey will this belp me become an actor
It could be. It always looks good on your resume! Best of luck! ~Character Diva