DCP Web Based Interview Breakdown

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Role Overview: Merchandise

The Merchandise role was my own role during my Fall 2017 Disney College Program. I worked at the World of Disney at Disney Springs.

The Merchandise role is a high volume role, meaning that many DCP applicants get placed in this role. It is one of the most common for DCP applicants. 

Role Description:  As a merchandise cast member you are in charge of a variety of different tasks, regardless of what location you are placed at. The larger stores do have a few more roles then the small and medium sized ones though. You will be trained at the register, floor stocking, and "Merchentaining"(Merchandise + Entertaining) at all locations. At the larger locations you will likely also be trained as a runner and in the back of the store stock rooms. You will likely rotate between all of these different tasks within a single day. Depending on what location you get placed at you may also work with food in the Confectionaries, which is important to keep in mind when accepting this position. Overall this is a very guest oriented role, where you will constantly be talking and interacting with guests.

Hours: As a Merchandise College Program cast member you are likely to be given the closing shifts at any given location. You may be one of the lucky few who gets opening shifts, but be prepared to work till 1 or 2 in the morning some times. Most Merchandise cast member work between 30 and 45 hours a week, but as all roles go some work much less and some work much more. I know at the World of Disney I was averaging about 55 hours a week, which is on the extreme high end. The shifts tend to be between 6 hours and 12 hours with breaks about every 2 or 3 hours. Breaks also will depend on your location. I was given a lot more breaks then my fellow cast members who worked in the parks.

Pros: Well basically your job is to interact with guests and play with toys all day, which is amazing. I remember one shift specifically I got to just play with Star Wars lightsabers for 6 hours straight. You are also usually given a lot of hours and can pick up and trade at any location, so you can work at all 4 parks I you wanted too! Also you get the ability to make magical moments by giving away "No Strings Attached" items sometimes.

Cons: I know for myself sometimes the hours were not fun. Working late into the night got really old really quick. You have a lot of guest interaction, especially with guests from other countries so you have to be very patient and know how to handle situations with money, foreign money, language barriers, and sometimes declined credit cards and irritated guests. I know at my location people would get very upset if we didn't have what they wanted so you will often have to deal with irritated, annoyed, and sometimes entitled guests. Depending on your location your store could be very slow and boring, or it could be so busy and crowded its overwhelming at times.

Overall the Merchandise role has its goods and bads but in the role itself you do get to create a lot of magical moments. Honestly all roles on the DCP are what you make of it, have a good positive attitude and you will love anything you end up doing. If you have any other questions go ahead and comment.

Housing Complexes on the DCP

While on the Walt Disney World Disney College Program you have five options for housing. In my opinion each has its pros and cons and suite different lifestyles. While you usually have no real choice on where you live it is still nice to know what you are getting into with each complex.

Patterson Court: This complex is often stated to be "the old peoples complex", meaning it is just very chill and laid back. Not many parties go on at this complex and there isn't a lot of movement around. It had the nicest and largest pool out of the four complexes. The buses do not come to this complex so you will be doing a lot more walking if you don't have a car. You will need to walk to the other complexes to catch the bus. This is the newest and nicest furnished apartments, but it is also the most expensive of the complexes. The Laundry facilities are located within each apartment building, they are shared laundry.

I would recommend this housing complex for the more introverted Cast Member that has a car.

Chatham Square: This is the third housing complex to be added to the DCP housing. It hosts many of the classes and housing events. Its location is right in the center of the the housing complexes and all of the buses come here. This place is the central hub for many people and events. Lots of people live here and it is often said to be a more upbeat atmosphere since it has a Volleyball Court, Tennis Court and a very fun Mickey shaped pool. This complex is also located right next to Mickey's Retreat, which can be used by all cast members. Apartments are more average priced out of all the housing complexes. The interiors are all a bit outdated and need updating. The laundry facilities are only located in 4 of the 30 buildings, so that is a small con. Party buses often park out front of this complex during the night.

I would recommend this housing complex for anyone who doesn't have a car or wants to be in the center of all the action.

The Commons: This was the housing complex I lived in during my program and I really enjoyed it. The interiors of the apartments are a bit outdated and things break fairly often, our air conditioning broke 3 times and are dishwasher never worked properly. This is a 10 minute walk from Chatham Square where many of the events and classes are held. Most of the buses stop here but not all of them, you can request a bus to stop or drop you off here at certain hours of the day and night if they normally do not. It has an okay pool and a nice connivence store inside the offices that is open pretty late. Pricing is pretty average here as well. Laundry is included in each apartment unit.

I would recommend this housing complex for the more relaxed DCPer or the DCPer that really doesn't want to pay for laundry.

Vista Way: This is the oldest housing complex and definitely the most outdated, but is also the cheapest of the housing complexes. I had many friends that lived here and it actually seemed just as nice as the other complexes. It is located quite a bit farther from the other complexes so it is nice to have a car if you stay here. There is two pools and an education complex here that is pretty nice to have. It is often known as the party complex and the liveliest of the complexes by far. They have many outdoor activities and at night party buses sit out front of the complex. Many people also through parties inside there apartments at this complex as well. It is in walking distance to many restaurants and you often get to skip the DCP traffic from the other complexes sine it is located farther away. Laundry is located on the first floor of each complex.

I recommend this complex for anyone who wants to save some money or the more outgoing and extroverted DCPer.

Off Site Housing: You always have the option to find your own apartment or your own place to stay. A lot of the apartment complexes around have leases that last the duration of the program and are often cheaper the the housing complexes. With this option you must have a car and it is sometimes harder to make friends or hangout with people from work.

I recommend this option for older or more seasoned DCPers who have experience renting apartments before and want to save some money.

The DCP Application Process

Applying is the first step to success. Here are just a few simple tips and tricks to help out with each stage of the app process, since I know it can be stressful.

Pre App Drop: Definitely spruce up your resume, or create one if you don't have one already. It is so so so important that you have a nice professional resume. Add any work experience you have, volunteer experience, clubs, outside activities, education, internships. Anything that can show you have a strong work ethic and some sort of experience working in teams and in professional situations.

Application Drop: If you are serious about the DCP you should apply as soon as possible since you don't want your application to get stuck in Submission simply because it got lost within all the other applications. Be ready to go. When applying make sure you use key words, this will help you move on to the web based interview faster. So use works like "Communication Skills" "Team Oriented" "Good Under Pressure" "Guest Skills" "Detail Oriented". Basically anything a company would like to hear, but please don't lie. Also be open to many different roles, you are much more likely to get in if you are open to say 10 roles rather then 3. But again don't lie because you may get stuck in a role you absolutely hate.

Web Based Interview: This is simple. Don't Lie. Be completely honest in your answers. This test basically weeds out people who don't answer consistently (usually because they are lying) or people who simply aren't a good fit for the company. If its not meant to be don't force it.

Phone Interview: This stage starts to get a bit more strategic. You want to plan a little bit before you phone interview. Pick out your top three roles and know why you would be a good fit for them. Practice interview skills with a friend or family member. Know some of the disney lingo, like calling customers guests and why Mickey Mouse doesn't talk and stuff like that. Know why you are a good fit for the Company and know how to sell yourself. My basic rule for interviewing is is if they ask if you have experience in something you say yes even if its just something very mildly applicable. "Have you ever managed a team before?"   "Well, not exactly. I helped out my coach a lot when i played soccer in high school. I tried to be a team leader and a good role model." and if worst come to worst always say "Well no I don't have any experience in that but I am a very fast learner. Don't panic and don't over prepare. You interview is a conversation, you are selling yourself to them as much as they are selling their Company and Job position to you. Be honest and be yourself.

Waiting/ Post Interview: In my opinion this is the toughest thing to do. Waiting and waiting and waiting. I recommend following the recruiters on Twitter, hooking up with the Facebook Pages and just being Patient. Distractions are always nice, talk to others about your interview experience on the Facebook Page. Get to know other who are also waiting and going through the same thing as you. I promise it'll be over soon.

What I Wish I'd Known Before the Disney College Program

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.