Dining on The Disney College Program

So we all know of the Disney College Program money is tight, we are still college kids of course, but there are so many experiences and good food options that are expensive and difficult to pass up at Disney World. Eating out every day can add up fast and I do not recommend that at all. Pack your lunch and bring it to work with you, the cafeteria food isn't really that good and not worth the money. In my opinion, the right time to spend your money on food is when you are out at the parks or when you plan and reserve dining at a resort or park restaurant. Listed below are my favorite meals and snacks at Walt Disney World that I ate on my program.

Snacks

• Festival Food - anything from Food and Wine. My favorite is the Beer Cheese Soup from Canada. I am sure the other festival foods you can pick up in the booths around Epcot are just as delicious.
• Mickey Pretzels- As Far as snacks go this is my all time favorite and I feel as if I am getting more for my money then the other salty snack options
• Ice Cream Sandwich - If you want a frozen snack this is the way to go. Much easier to carry with you and eat than anything on a popsicle stick.
• Chocolate or Caramel Covered Fruit- These are located in any of the confectionaries or candy shops. Heres a little secret tip though, each location has a different recipe for their caramel. My favorite is at the Candy Cauldron. While these snacks are on the pricer side of my snack list they are still some of the cheaper things you can buy at the candy shops. Pro Tip: You get a discount at these shops as they are considered Merchandise!

Quick Service

• Be Our Guest - Breakfast is crazy expensive and not worth your money. Lunch, on the other hand, is amazing and a great price point. Although it is quick service you still need to make a reservation here. 
• The Friar's Nook - the menu here is frequently changing but usually always has hearty delicious homecooked food. Its got less seating then Pinocchios which is across the way but it also usually has a lot smaller line and cheaper meals as well. 
• Pizzafari - This is kind of an odd one, but if you are at Animal Kingdom and you want to pick something up fast this is a good cheap option for Cast Member. You get a discount here so don't forget to mention it. 
• Satu'li Canteen - Again in Animal Kingdom. The food here is very food and a welcome change from most of the fried and greasy food in the park. I suggest getting a kids meal, they are pretty big and a lot cheaper.
• Katsura Grill - Not many people actually know this is here. Its located in the Japan Pavillion in Epcot and is always empty (as far as Disney standards go). Great Japanese food like Ramen, Sushi, and Bento Boxes. An entire meal here is much cheaper than buying things from the Festival Booths and is a good alternative option. 

Full Service

• 50's Prime Time - As far as full service places this one is on the very cheap side yet the food is delicious and the atmosphere is so much fun, especially with a big group of DCPers. You also get a discount if you go before dinner time!
• Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - Another Hollywood Studios restaurant, its decent food but cheap and a really fun experience. Its also not too difficult to get reservations here and again you get a discount before 5pm. 
• Trail's End - If you are on the DCP you've probably been told about this one already. Cast members get amazing discounts here! You can get a big breakfast buffet for like 15$ which is amazing as far as Disney prices go. 

Buying a Universal Annual Pass on your DCP

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Things Nobody Will Tell You to Bring to your DCP

It can be a nightmare trying to pack what seems like your entire life into the trunk of your car (or even worse suitcases for a plane) for the long haul down to Orlando to start your Disney College program. Along with you everyday regular items there are definitely a few things you should bring that nobody tells you too, but you will most definitely use.

1. Space Bags

These will be your best friend when attempting to pack your life into just a few bags. Although to sue them on the way home you will need to rent (or bring) a vacuum. Sometimes the housing complexes have them to use, but not always.

2. Command Strips

This is not a new one for anyone who has ever lived in a dorm or temporary housing before. You can’t make holes in the walls so to hang decorations up opt for some command strips and hooks.

3. A winter Jacket

Contrary to popular belief it does get cold in Orlando (sometimes) in December in January. You will be thankful you have a heavier coat when it does.

4. A Lock

Every Apartment comes with a personal locker in the closet. If you have anything extremely valuable or are unsure about your roommate bring a lock to put on it.

5. An Umbrella and Raincoat

It rains -a lot- in Florida. So if you happen to be going to work or the parks, or maybe you just need to go grocery shopping you’ll be happy you have this. Besides being showing up to work soaking wet isn’t Disney Look.

6. External Phone Charger

Great to have for those days that you go straight from the park to work or vice versa.

7. Black Sunglasses

If you have an outdoor location having sunglasses is a very smart idea.

8. Black Socks

Again not always necessary, but technically Black Socks is Disney Look. if you don’t wear black socks with your costume though most people won’t notice.

9. Pasta Strainer

Okay Let's be real, we are all College Students and Live off of Carbs. This one very important thing they do not provide you with at the apartments.

10. Lunchbox, Tupperware, Reusable Water Bottle

You will be working very long shifts sometimes and will need food. Buying food adds up quickly so it's best to bring your lunch (or dinner).

11. Power Strips

Necessary to charge everything with the few outlets you’ll have to share a room.

12. Going Out Dress and heels (or flats)

You will likely use these items at least once on your Program (whether your 21 or not). Some bars and clubs let under 21s in. But otherwise, you will probably use it for Formal -in Fall- or for some other event like Dapper Day. Better to have it with you.

13. Coat Hanger

Storage Space is limited, especially drawer space. You’ll have a total of three drawers provided. But there's always lots of closet space!

My DCP Food Bucket List Spring 2019!

We all know Disney has so many dining and food options. I have been lucky enough to try many of them already but as I prepare for my second College Program this coming Spring there are definitely a lot of new things I want to try as well as things I missed the first time around and a few I just feel I need to do again! Without Further Ado Here is my Spring 2019 DCP Food Bucket List!. Attempt the Kitchen Sink

1. Attempt the Kitchen Sink
   
2.  Eat at Be Our Guest for Dinner
   
3.  Try the Cheeseburger Spring Roles
   
4.  Dole Whip!
   
5.  50's Prime Time
   
6. Try a Jumbo Pretzel in the German Pavilion
7. Drink Around the World
8. Get a Hot Dog at Casey's Corner
   
9. Beignets at Port Orleans
   
10. Get a Cinnamon Roll and Lou Fou's Brew at Gaston's Tavern
11. Macaroon Ice Cream at the France Pavilion
    
12. Eat at Ohana
    
13. Eat at Liberty Tree Tavern
14. Eat at Garden Grill
    
15. Si-Fi Dine-in Theater
    
16. Try the Peter Pan Float
    
17. Try the Food at all of the Festivals
18. Hoop De Doo Review
19. Eat at Trails End
20. Character Dining at 1900 Park Faire for Dinner
    
21. Try the New Snow White Character Dining Opening at Wilderness Lodge
22. Get Tea at the Grand Floridian
23. Have a Mickey Ice Cream Bar!
    

How to Prepare for your DCP

So you've been accepted and you are officially doing the Disney College Program. Everything is getting so real and moving so fast. You're probably freaking out because you don't know how to prepare or what to expect. Trust me, I've been there. Here are a few tips to prepare for your DCP.

• Think about how you are getting down to Disney. If your flying, think about what you will be packing your stuff in. Do you have suitcases? Will you be shipping it all down later? If your driving start thinking about how you're going to pack your car up. Who will be going with you and how much room with they need in the car for there stuff? Also, start saving for your parking pass can range from 75 to 120$.
• When packing keep in mind it will be between 75 and 80 degrees most days, but not always. Make sure to pack appropriate clothes. You may think you will be living in shorts every day, but trust me you will want jeans and sweatshirts as well, maybe even one heavier coat. It does get cold, especially in November through February. 
• On that note, make sure you pack cute outfits for going around the parks in and getting photos. It won't always be like a Disney vacation where you wear running shorts and gym shoes because of your planning on being there all day. Some days you'll run in for an hour and leave, so you don't always have to dress so practically.
• Make sure you bring a lunchbox and sunglasses (if you have an outside work location).
• For Training Days and Traditions make sure you bring nice comfortable flats (You will be walking a bit), as well as layers.
• Get a lanyard and ID holder. It will just make everything so much easier.
• Make sure you have large purses or small backpacks for the parks, its a pain to lug around something too big and it sucks to have something so small that you can't even fit an extra I'm Celebrating Button in it.
• Start Saving Now! Especially if there are a lot of expensive things on your bucket list or you plan on getting a Universal pass. Disney Expenses can add up quickly and sometimes there are hidden expenses during the DCP.
• Most Importantly, Get Excited! This will be the time of your life!

See you in January Disney!

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My 5 Must Do's for a First Time DCPer

The Disney College Program is a once in a lifetime experience. As an alumni I have heard my fair share of "must-dos" and "bucket lists", but too me they always seem quite generic, the things everyone puts on their lists: eat around the world (zzz), ride every ride (duh), watch the fireworks (well yah!). My list has a few more personal things, things that I look back on my time at the DCP and miss or am very glad I did.

1. Take as many "basic" Instagram photos as possible. 
You will thank yourself later, I promise. You don't necessarily need to buy Photopass (thats like 200$) but definitely still take photos at all the famous walls, in front of all your favorite rides, and with all of you favorite characters. Take photos at traditions, and your first time in the park, and your last night with your roommates. I still look back on all my photos and remember are the amazing times I had and I am so grateful I took so many (some might say a crazy amount) of photos.
 Me and my friends had a Google Doc that we shared all our photos on and that worked out great, no texting back and forth "can you send me this one". Also the photos stayed really high quality.

2. Find a Unique way to get Autographs of you favorite characters.
This doesn't have to be anything crazy, I saw plenty of CP's have children's books for them to sign. But you can get as creative as you'd like with it. Me and my roommates painted a big canvas for them to sign and I loved getting photos of all the characters reactions. Priceless memories, priceless photos, and a great keepsake. I still have mine hanging in my apartment. 

3. Get Button's for EVERYTHING!!
One of the only free things Disney gives out is Celebration buttons so collect as many as you can. They have them for special events (I have one for Epcot's 35th Anniversary and Mickeys Birthday) but they also have a I'm Celebrating, Happily Ever After Button, and Birthday Buttons all the time. Get as many as you can. Celebrate even the most mundane things, I promise these keepsakes will have so many memories attached to them.

4. Go to the Parks by Yourself
This is an important one. I saw a lot of kids miss out on a lot of things because they were afraid of doing it alone. Your schedule is not always going to line up with your friends and its important to realize that you can do things by yourself! Going to the parks by yourself is actually really fun. You get to dow whatever you want and skip all the stuff you don't like as much. Not to mention its easier to get fastpasses! I think going to the parks by yourself really allows you appreciate the park and the experiences.

5. Spend as Much Time with your Friends and Roommates as Possible!
You will miss the people you meet on your Program so much after you have left, I promise. The time you spend with them is precious and really important. Make memories, don't turn an experience down (even if your exhausted). You will never have another chance like this. Go out for food after work, Go to the beach or the parks every opportunity you have, Go grocery shopping with your friends, or even at the very least have a movie night with your roommates. Some of my favorite memories include me and my roomies just dancing or watching movies, or even cleaning together. You will miss them when it's done so spend as much time with them as you can now.