Many of you may not know that I did participate in the Disney College Program during the Fall of 2017. It was an experience I wouldn't give up for the world. It has really helped guide my career path and give me lifelong friendships. That being said, there are definitely a few things I was not expecting, good and bad, when I went into the program.
The immense amount of pride you will have during Disney Traditions when you are handed your name tag and blue ID for the first time: I remember walking out of traditions on my first day and walking straight into Magic Kingdom and I felt so proud and so thankful that I nearly cried just getting on the Monorail for the first time. And then I did cry later that night when I saw the Fireworks for the first time. Honestly the first time you step into a park as cast member won't feel real.
You are Going to Work a Lot and its not all glamorous: I worked anywhere between 35 to 60 hours a week, and it was hard. I worked holidays and weekends and late nights. It is what it is, and it is what you make of it. Just remember your at Disney surrounded by some of the best people you will ever meet.
You will buy more Disney merchandise then you will know what to do with: I came home with so much stuff I had to ship boxes home because it wouldn't all fit in my car. When that 40% off roles around don't waste it and weekly Cast Connection visits are a must.
Not all Days are Magical, and thats okay: I loved my Program and I plan on going back as soon as I can. But I definitely had days, weeks even, where all I wanted to do was sit at home and cry. I was tired, overworked, under appreciated, and homesick at times. And you have to remember that sometimes you need those moments to cry and rest and be unhappy, even in the happiest place on earth.
The Happily Ever After Fireworks will always make you cry: The fireworks become a representation of everything your doing and the all the people you will meet.
The Amount of Sadness you will feel during the holidays away from your family: Like I said before, your going to have off days. Homesickness is normal, especially during the holidays. Just remember they are always just a phone call away. Take it one day at a time.
The amount of love you will feel when your roommates an coworkers become your family: Its true. Your friends really do become your new Ohana. You are all going through the same thing and feeling the same way at one time or another. Don't be afraid to talk to them or let them know how you are feeling. I am positive they have felt the same way at one point or another and are more then willing to get you ice cream and cuddle up while watching Disney Movies.
Work Can be Hard and long hours sometimes but its always worth it: You just have to remember why you are there. What made you want to go to the Disney College Program and work for this Company. Remind yourself that maybe today was hard, or maybe this week was hard, but tomorrow you and your best friends get to go to Magic Kingdom and spend the day together. Everything comes in waves.
Creating Magical Moments is just as magical as it sounds: The guests you meet really are just the icing on top of the cake. When you get to make a guests day and they thank you or even give you a hug it will make you feel amazing and it will make up for any negative guests you had that day.
You will learn the Disney Parks like the back of your hand- and you will be the new map to anyone else who comes to visit: It goes without saying. When you spend more then 60 hours a week in the parks, both playing and working, you are going to know where everything is. You will know all the secret routes and all the best times to go. Don't waste this knowledge.
I met a lot of friends when I was living at Disney. Often I know full-time and part-time cast members tend to stay away from befriending CPs, mainly because they know we are leaving. But because I was there for such a long time I was really lucky to get close with a lot of my coworkers. We weren't that big of a location and I personally knew every single one of my coworkers and had hung out with a lot of them outside of work. When I worked as a Merch cast member on my first program there were a lot of older cast members that I worked with so I didn't get as close with them. In attractions, most of us were in our twenties so we all hung out and got very close. We went out for food and drinks after work all the time.
