College Program

[iluvstitch]

Still... I just wanna go off and cry. This is absolutely not what I expected. I just wanted to be in a parade or anything, really Any performing at all. But I guess that was expecting too much. I'm not Disney size. But then again, that would mean hardly anybody else in my audition was either. Maybe I just really suck. I donno...

[SteamboatUter]

I'm too short/tall. I guess they measured me s being 5'4"ish instead of 5'5"... nthe thing is I KNOW I am 5'4" and three fourths. It's killing me.

you still wouldnt have gotten in if they measured u at 5'5", that is what they call a dead height range... the only thing around there is Mr. Smee, and he is played by all the princesses when they need to do fur (most of the time)...

dont sweat it, u'll prolly get attendant, and all the attendants i worked with absolutely love their job... u still get to interact with characters, AND you actually get to talk!!! haha...

hope this helps...

[iluvstitch]

A little. I'm going to talk to the disney lady tomorrow... we shal see. Of course I still want to go though. I'm just disapointed.

Plus, why did they have me even go to all the trouble of auditioning for a parade/character role if when they measured me at the beginning of the audition they already knew I wouldn't fit in anywhere?

[MickeyMania]

Originally Posted by iluvstitch

I don't even know if I should still go.

I want to perform.

*grabs your face and stretches that frown upside-down*

Cheer up! I'd say at least 60%, if not more, of all on-stage cast members are performing a part in some way or another. The only ones who usually are "just employees" in the typical sense are counter service and ODV types, or Merchandising store folk who don't see their job as anything special.

But every attraction is a performance in some way. You're going to tell me what they do on the Jungle Cruise, for example, ISN'T performing?

I think you should still try, and let us know what gets offered. I think I can say we're all curious and want what's best for you.

[iluvstitch]

I think I was put into opperations from the telephone call and pending what my friend decides I'll still go

I talked w/the disney lady and she thought opperations was a better place because it was high guest contact (which is what I want) and it because somtimes when you're a character attendant you end up not interacting with the guests as much and actually spend more time doing crowd control ex: parades, ect.

[RCTfan]

Attendants do alot of crowd control. You have to tell people when characters are going in and tell the character. Then, you gotta listen to the guests whine that their kid didn't get an autograph.

But, my friend did attendant and LOVED it. He got to drive in the "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade, so he got to drive some sweet cars. And he got to dress up and waved to people like characters. Some drivers just sit there, not him, he performed.

If they offer attendant, it'd be alot of fun. Interacting with characters and people. Plus you might get to drive in parades. People may or may not be able to see you, but sure would be fun!

[iluvstitch]

I'm pretty sure it's going to be opperations because we kinda discussed it, but either way, I think I'm covered.

[iluvstitch]

Yup, yup... Opperations!

[Remember the Magic]

Hi guys, I'm new on this forum and I went for my International meeting today (I'm Irish). I'm hoping to do the six month program, from June-December. Any new information anyone has for me would be great, especially regarding the living arrangements-shared bathrooms!!! That, I'm not happy about! :-) Thanks everyone

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Remember the Magic

Any new information anyone has for me would be great, especially regarding the living arrangements-shared bathrooms!!! That, I'm not happy about!

If you're placed at Vista Way, you would only share a bathroom with 2 or 3 other people, depending on whether you have 4 or 6 people in the apartment. I know it's nice to have a restroom to yourself (stays cleaner too!), but sharing a bathroom with another person is a normal thing here in the US with roommates. It's really not as bad as you might think - just hopefully your roommate(s) share the same household habits as you. My only conflict with sharing the bathroom is that I had a very messy roommate who liked to leave her clothes and towels on the floor, right in front of the bathroom door. It was annoying. But, I lived through it. Just talk with your roommate(s) and make up some "rules" together that you both abide to. It makes things much easier.

You'll have a wonderful time on your program! Some days might make you home sick or wanting to give up, but overall, you will have a great time, and cherish it for the rest of your life.

[AmandasDad]

I sure wish I'd known about this when I was a college boy. At 6'5" tall the only character I could be is the tall one from Country Bears. Ops would have been fun though event services would have been more in my experience (catering).

[testtrack321]

I'm thinking sometime, even though I'm an engineering major, it's always nice to have that under your belt (and to meet all the girls who like what you like )

[Remember the Magic]

Thanks for the advice Disneyphile. Can anyone tell me what the average day is like, for example when do work shifts start, are you ever sitting at home on your own because your roommates are all in work, is there a tv in the apartments, how often would you get out around Orlando to go shopping, etc?! I just wanna know everything!!!

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Remember the Magic

Thanks for the advice Disneyphile. Can anyone tell me what the average day is like, for example when do work shifts start, are you ever sitting at home on your own because your roommates are all in work, is there a tv in the apartments, how often would you get out around Orlando to go shopping, etc?! I just wanna know everything!!!

Work shifts will vary with each person, depending on their job and location. To help with that, the 4 of us roommates kept a small wall chart showing the current week's work schedules, so we'd know who might still be sleeping when we woke up, or who would be home at the same time to do stuff. There were a few times when one of us would be alone, due to differing days off, but there is plenty to do, and you'll make friends with fellow CMs, so you'll find someone to hang out with. I used to visit the parks a lot on my days off. It's amazing how much time you can spend there, and soak up the fun.

Back in '93, there were no TVs in the apartments, but one of my roommates brought one with her. That may have changed now. But, do plan on bringing some sort of portable music device or something. I brought a very small portable stereo with some CDs. Cooking utensils and dishes are included in the apartments, as well as a full-sized stove/oven and refrigerator so you can easily cook for yourself. And coin-operated laundry machines are located in each building (12 apartments per building).

There are also buses that run daily to take you to local shopping centers and venues, and they also schedule special outings (transportation provided) at various times. You'll get notified of the events and outings so you can hopefully plan to attend them (depending on your work schedule that week).

There are pools and hot tubs at Vista Way. I spent many evenings just lounging in the hot tub, getting to know new people.

Basically, a typcial day for me (I normally worked night shifts) would include getting up, having some breakfast, lounging by the pool or going shopping, then heading off to work a bit early to grab a very good cheap lunch at the CM cafeteria, and then working my shift (with dinner during my long break), and then heading home, watching a bit of TV or reading, and then heading to bed.

[Remember the Magic]

That's another thing I was curious about, a staff cafeteria! thanks so much, your advice is a great help. I'm just a bit nervous as I've never lived away from home before and it's my 21st birthday in November and I don't know if my family could make it over or if I'd be working or anything. My mom was curious to know if I'd get discount hotel rates so I could stay with her if she came over for my birthday? I know the CM's get discount food and merchandise. Also, is it possible to request certain days off inadvance? I'm sorry to ask so many questions but I'm a bit of a worrier and this is the only place I have found people to talk to about it!