Disney Class Registration

Recently, class registration opened up for the Disney College Program at Disney University. Disney University offers many different classes to college program participants as a way to receive credit for their school/major or to take just because they sound interesting. There are three categories of classes, with about 20 classes you can choose from total, which offer different experiences: 

Exploration classes are free classes offered to college program students. Some classes offered are Disney Heritage, Disney Marketing, and Disney Leadership. Collegiate courses have a small materials fee, no more than $50, and some examples of classes are corporate analysis, creativity and innovation: gaining the edge, and experimental learning. Professional Development courses focus on several areas within the park. They include professional show production and finance.  

I plan on taking Disney Heritage and Marketing you during the Summer hopefully because in the Fall I will be taking classes online for my university. I will either try signing up tonight for classes or early tomorrow morning.I don't get any credit from my university with these courses, but I thought that they would be fun and interesting to take while I was down there. I might as well take advantage of some of the special courses while I am there. I might not get another chance to do it. 

I also don't want my course load to be heavy. That's the only reason why I haven't signed up for any of the classes yet. Part of me wants to work as much as I can during the Summer because in the Fall, I want to have time for my online classes and I won't be able to work as much. I want to bank as much money as I can. I don't want to over work myself either if I take the classes. I might try taking just one class to see how it goes. I'll keep you posted. ^^

Packing

Alright, I promised myself that I wouldn't write about stuff like this, but I figured since it's my blog and I warned you in the Welcome section that I don't know what to talk about then it is alright for me to do it. Today I am going shopping for the last bit of t-shirts that I will get before I head down to Florida.

I am use to Michigan weather and even in the Summer, I can wear shirts with tank tops or other shirts underneath. Well, in Florida, the weather there is a whole different beast. It's a high of 65 here today and it's almost 85 in Florida. I also have to prepare for the humidity.

I also have to scout out a few business attire outfits. I plan on taking a few Disney classes while I am down there, and you must wear business attire to the classes. I need a few more blouses and so I will probably going to New York and Company for those. I love their selection on business attire and they are very affordable.

The reason I have chosen to put this section in my blog is not just to talk about shirts and weather, but I have also included a list of what someone might need when they go down. I kind of wanted this blog to be a good reference for people in some far out future to find and help prepare them for the college program.

As I count down the days, I also scout out boxes to ship things down to Florida. I plan on shipping a Television (only because my mom did not like my idea of carrying it on the plane with me. I wonder why?), bedding set, and some room decorations (note - Disney Apartments do not want you to put up anything on the walls. There are a few exceptions). I have heard of a lot of people shipping things down for the program and sending it to their hotels or to the apartments, so I will give everyone some more information later on about it. I plan on shipping it to my hotel.


Bedroom/Closet
1. Bedding (twin size)
2. Comforter
3. Blanket
4. Sheets (a couple of sets)
5. Pillow(s)
6. Pillow cases
7. Bed Padding
8. Organizational supplies for under the bed
9. Decorations -Remember no wall decorations
10. White board and markers (for roommate messages)
11. Calendar
12. Extension Cords (2)
13. Fan -It's hot!
14. Alarm clock
15. Garbage can / bags
16. Clothes (business, casual, etc.)
17. Shoes (business, athletic, etc.)
18. Lamp
19. Hangers - Important!
20. Laundry basket / hamper
21. Laundry soap 
22. Swimming suit
23. Beach towel

Bathroom/Linen Closet
1. Shower organizer
2. Floor mat
3. Air freshener
4. Shampoo / conditioner
5. Towels (bath and face)
6. Brush
7. Hair stuff (bobby pins, elastics)
8. Toothbrush / toothpaste
9. Floss
10. Contacts/Glasses
11. Deodorant
12. Razors
13. Shaving cream
14. Medicine
15. Pads
16. Hand soap
17. Cup for toothbrush, etc.
18. Tweezers

Kitchen/Living Room
1. Paper towels
2. Potholders
3. Masking tape / sharpies to help label food
4. Tupperware
5. Paper plates
6. Plastic silverware
7. Plastic cups
8. Napkins
9. Travel mug
10. Wall clock
11. Colander

Cleaning Supplies
1. Lysol / bathroom spray
2. Kitchen trash bags
3. Clorox wipes
4. Sponges
5. Dish detergent
6. Rubber gloves

Electronics
1. Laptop / laptop sleeve / charger
2. Digital camera / charger
3. Cell phone / charger
4. Ipod / charger / headphones
5. External hard drive / flash drive
6. Extension cords / surge protectors
7. Mouse / web cam / cooling pad / laptop lock
8. DVD player
9. DVDs

Borrowed this list from the Facebook Group and tweaked it a bit

Homesick?

Well, it's official. On June 8th, at 9:00 a.m, I will fly down to Orlando with my mom and grandma for my June 13th check in to Disney. I am really excited because it's only two weeks away, but also really nervous. I think I am already feeling the symptoms of home sickness and I haven't even left yet.

On Monday, I will be having a family goodbye celebration and it just reminds me how much I will miss them. Missing people has been in the back of my mind for a while and now that the date is getting closer and closer, I suddenly realize how nervous I am. The point is....

I will miss my family and friends to death

 I am an only child and have never been away from my family for this long. I know what you're thinking: Poor little only child. You have no siblings and I bet you depend on your parents for everything and you'll come home in a month. Well, critics, at least give me 2 months.

But in all seriousness, I am actually pretty independent. My mom made sure of that. I did stay on campus for school. That makes me independent. Cough...I was only 30 minutes away from home and would come home every weekend to spend time with family and friends. Well, now, I can't go home that easily now and I know that. It's a chance to experience life as an adult. I have to pay for my own food, my own housing,report to work on time, and manage money well.

My mom has been my biggest supporter in all of this. She always tell me, "The bird has to fly away from the nest sometime."  She put up with my Disney craziness while waiting to hear back from them and the months of planning in case I was accepted. Now, I am actually going and she is the one peeling me off from around her waist and pushing me on the plane. Not going to lie, I will miss my my mom's hugs, but I know she is always there for me and just a phone call away.

I will miss my friends too. My biggest fear, although very irrational, is that people will forget about me when I am down there. I love to be social and when I come back I am afraid that all my friends would have moved on (I keep getting the image of myself sitting in a corner alone - I'm a little dramatic if you haven't figured it out). Someone very close to me told me, "If they're your true friends, they won't forget about you." That helped ease my fears. It seems really simple and obvious, but it helped. Besides I already have my friends planning on visiting me and I have promises of hundreds of text messages and skype dates. I don't think I will be bored at all.

What I have learned from this is that I will miss everyone back home, but this is the adventure of a lifetime. I will only be gone for a couple of months and if I spend those months missing people from home and being depressed that I don't know anyone, then I will miss out on the experiences in Orlando. The point of the program is to meet a diverse group of people and gain experiences working and learning. And isn't that why I applied for the program in the first place?

 -Lots of love Michiganders-

Disney Bucket List

Alright If you are still reading this blog after all the information I posted below then you really are a brave soul or you have nothing else better to do with your time. I kind of went on and on, but that's only because I am really excited about this program. While working for Disney, I get free admission into the park, so they're a couple of things I wanted to do while I was there.

• Get Season Pass tickets to Universal Studios
• Visit all Four Disney Parks - Especially Magic Kingdom (I have never been)
• Ride all the rides
• See all the shows
• Visit every land at Epcot
• Try a piece of the cuisine from every land
• See Wishes and Illuminations Firework shows
• See Fantasmic
• Meet all the Disney Princesses (yes I am five years old again)
• Try to meet someone in every role at Disney World
• Get as many Lilo and Stitch merchandise as I can
• Go to Celebration
• Go to the Halloween and Christmas Disney Parades
• See the Electrical Parade
• Eat Dole Whip Ice-Cream (I heard it's world famous)
• Do the backstage tours - Including the Segway Ride!
• Visit every resort
• Go to the Spa!!!

Alright these are just a few of the things I want to do while I am Disney. Can you think of anymore?

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

There are two locations in Disney World for the

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

One is in Downtown Disney inside World of Disney 

The other one is inside Cinderella Castle

Other than location, customers can choose from three different hairstyles

Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva, and Pop Princess 

Customers can choose the Package as well

• Coach Package includes hairstyling and shimmering makeup — starting at $49.95 USD plus tax.
• Crown Package includes hairstyling, shimmering makeup and nails — starting at $54.95 USD plus tax.
• Castle Package includes the Crown Package plus the Imaging Package (one 6" x 8" and four 4" x 6" photos in a princess-themed photo holder) and complete costume of your choice with accessories — starting at $189.95 USD plus tax.

Some Location Differences

Downton Disney offers a Hannah Montana Package

Cinderella Castle offers a Cool Dude Package

Wait...Did you say Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo...What?

Alright. It has come to my attention that most of you average people don't know what a fairy godmother in training (FGIT) looks like. Well let me break it down for you...

• You can catch me at Downtown Disney inside the World of Disney Store or inside Cinderella Castle in Magic Kindgom.
• You can recognize me by the magic wand I carry filled with pixie dust.
• If you ask politely, I can magically transform anyone from a simple peasant, to a beautiful Princess with three simple words (I would hope we have all seen Cinderella to know what these three words are and if you don't know, you have been deprived).

---This is the role description from the Disney College Program Website ---

 

 

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess is a non-tipped role.
Responsibilities may include:

• Performing all duties in character of "Fairy Godmother in Training"; therefore this role is open to females only.
• Styling hair on Guests of all ages, including small children
• Performing a variety of hair techniques including braiding, teasing, shaping, finger curls, and twists
• Applying facial makeup
• Painting nails or applying press-on nails
• Utilizing a computerized reservation system
• Checking Guests in for their scheduled appointments
• Interacting with children of all ages, including calming upset children
• Working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Receiving shipments of products, monitoring stock levels, and restocking as necessary
• Responding to special Guest requests
• Standing for extended periods

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD3_M-AaiL8&feature=related

(Just in case your video didn't load - Here's the link. I am really new at this)

I think this explains it all - Hands down the cutest video on youtube.com

My Process

     Alright. Now that I got the nasty, boring, technical stuff out the way, I can talk about my own process. Lucky for me, I have had my share of ups and and downs with this program. I actually applied for the program last year for the Spring 2011 season. I applied for it in October, was pended in November, and got denied December 10th. I attended my school's presentation of the program and I knew I really wanted to do it, but after getting rejected (a very nasty word in my book), I kind of forgot about the program.

     So for the Fall program 2011, I thought I would apply again after hearing about it through one of my friends at school. I applied for it February 25th and had my phone interview February 28th. My top four were Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess, Merchandise (Thank-you mom for all those years of working with you and the jewelry business. It gave the recruiter and me something to talk about for 20 minutes), Attractions, and Character Attendant. It was a sad day on March 4th when I received my white envelope telling me I was pended. They needed more time to process my application, but after the first time I was pended in November, I was skeptical. I joined a Facebook group to help me let out all my Disney anticipation along with hundreds of other people who were eagerly awaiting their decisions as well.

     On March 16th, I received two other white letters from Disney that I thought were rejection letters for sure. Acceptance letters are purple. I opened both and they told me I was pended again. Just a computer mishap. UGH Disney. You played with my emotions.

     I gave up hope in mid April. They had to let everyone know for the Fall and Fall Advantage season a decision by April 30th and the closer you are to April 30th, in my opinion, the less  chance you had to get accepted because roles fill up. Well, on April 25th at 5:04 p.m. I got the email that I was accepted into the program as a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique hostess cast member for the Fall Advantage program which meant that I would be leaving in May or June (depending on what date I picked) till January. I think I died of happiness that day and Thank God for my grandma who brought me back to life so I could accept the invitation.

Disney College Program Process

-Why I chose this program -
I  recommend the Disney College program. It is a highly competitive internship program and it looks really good on your resume. I want to work with children as a speech therapist and I am hoping to gain a lot skills through this program. It will set me apart from other applicants applying to Grad school or if nothing else, it will be a great conversation piece when interviewing for jobs and other positions. Disney also offers a variety of skill classes when you arrive too. I am hoping to take an organizational leadership class, a corporate analysis class, and the marketing you class.

- Some Background Facts about the Disney World College Program -
     The Disney College Program started in 1981 with only about 200 students from 20 different colleges. It was only limited to the Magic Kingdom. Now it has spread to all four parks, the resorts, and Downtown Disney with about 5,000 students from 301 different colleges. Also, starting in 2004, Disneyland began their very own College Program.

- The Application Process - You must be enrolled in college on the day you fill out your applications
1. Visit their websites
    Disney World - www.wdwcollegeprogram.com
    Disneyland - http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disneycollegeprogram/dlr/index.html
2. View an online presentation or attend a presentation at your college
3. Fill out an application/role checklist.
          -Each park offers different roles you can have. At Disney World, you can be an entertainment cast member, character attendant, hospitality, park greeter, merchandise, custodial, to much much more. Here's a list. https://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/role_descr/onstage.html
4. Fill out a web based interview. BEWARE! Questions are tricky. It is set up like a personality test. Be honest with yourself and Disney. They know. They see into your soul.
5. From here, you may be asked to continue to a phone interview a Disney Recruiter. Yes, this is as scary as it sounds, but the recruiters are super nice and again honesty is your best policy. You schedule the phone interview. Be prepared and have your resume in front of you. Smile because they want someone who represents their company and remember to MARKET YOU! They will ask you your top three roles and ask you some questions pertaining to those roles. Also what season you are interested in doing. Sadly, there are no Summer seasons until you are an alumni. It will be over a semester of school unless you are about to graduate. I am taking online classes.
6. The waiting game - 2-4 weeks to hear if you're accepted. You also may be pended which means they are taking some extra time to process your application.