Universal Studios While Doing Your DCP (Plus My Universal Studios MUST-DOs!)

This is an all-inclusive Universal Studios post!! Hooray!

So first off, if you are on your College Program/going to be on it soon/applying to do it, then you're going to want to buy a season pass to Universal. It's like...$270 for the pass that includes free parking. The cheapest one I think I paid $240 for? Something like that, and it's a park hopper pass, which means it pays for itself in TWO visits. Totally worth it if you're going to go even just two or three times. Especially if you have a car and buy the upgraded pass :) It also gets you a 10% discount on food and merch!

If you are a CP without a car and can't hitch a ride from someone else, take the bus to Publix and you can walk to a trolley that takes you to Universal. With your blue I.D. you can take the trolley for just 25 cents. This trolley is kind of like a city bus, so it makes a TON of stops (AKA take a really early one). It drops you off 2 blocks away or something, so you have to walk, but it's almost free! We took it once, and honestly try to avoid taking it. It takes so much time out of your day. Also our driver on the way home was CRAZY and drove like he was drunk.

I also HIGHLY recommend going in the off season, Universal has absolutely awful crowd control. I went with my family during Christmas season, and you couldn't walk ANYWHERE because the crowds were so bad, and there were no (cast members? Employees?) Universal people ANYWHERE to direct traffic. Also pretty sure Universal doesn't have a cap like Disney does (where they stop letting people in when they hit a certain amount of guests) so there's way too many people in the park than there should be. We actually got so frustrated we just did Harry Potter and left mid day. BOTTOM LINE: try to avoid going in the really busy times.

ON TO THE MUST-DO'S!!

Obviously you have to go to both parks, and that includes taking the Hogwarts Express at least once. That's the train that takes you between the two Harry Potter areas of the two parks.

Islands of Adventure Park Must-Do's:

• The Hulk rollercoaster - one of my favorite rollercoasters! 
• Spider Man
• The Cat in the Hat
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls IF the weather is nice enough to get wet
• Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges ALSO if the weather is nice
• Go to the Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show!
• Obviously drink Butterbeer - I recommend trying both cold and frozen
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The Dragon Challenge 
• Another couple that other people like are the Jurassic Park ride (if you like getting wet), and Doctor Doom's Freefall if you like drops
• I also recommend eating at the Three Broomsticks
• Get dinner at Mythos
• Shop at Honeydukes 

Universal Studios Must-Do's:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Transformers
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• Get the Butterbeer ice cream!
• Also eat at the Leaky Cauldron
• The Men in Black ride is similar to Toy Story Midway Mania at Hollywood Studios - fun but not a must-do
• Apparently E.T. is cool but I've never done it 

Universal CityWalk is pretty cool and has good food like Panda Express, Starbucks, and Menchie's fro yo. Also they hold lots of events and concerts there, my roommates saw Phillip Phillips there! 

That's pretty much what I have for Universal! I've spent more time in Islands of Adventure, so that's why that list is longer. There is more thrill rides at Universal than Disney, but less to do outside of attractions. Also the cast members are way nicer at Disney, but maybe I'm just biased ;) It might not seem like a lot to do, but I went quite a few times and just did the Harry Potter section and a few other things! It is SO much fun to be a witch for a day... drink some Butterbeer, ride a few rides, shop in Diagon Alley, the good stuff. It's a good change of pace from Disney! 

   

What Year of School Should I Do The DCP?!

Here's a question that gets thrown around A LOT: "What year in school is the best to do the DCP?". My answer? It totally depends. I did it the fall of my sophomore year of college, and the timing was great for me but is completely different for other people. Here are some key things to consider:

1. Credits. One reason I chose to do the DCP when I did was because I came into college with 43 transfer credits from high school, so could afford to take a gap semester. I would recommend that if you want to graduate on time, load up on summer classes beforehand so you don't have to take online classes while you're there. Another credit situation to look at is if you want to graduate on time, and take online classes while doing the DCP. If you do this, I recommend taking the easiest possible online classes if you haven't used those up (electives and gen ed's preferably). Basically the questions to ask yourself regarding credits are A) do you want to graduate on time? If so, what's your plan? and B) Do you still have easy classes left over that you could take while at the DCP?

Another reason credits are important is because they help you establish yourself within your major. Since I was ahead of my classmates with my transfer credits, taking a gap semester sophomore year made sense so when I came back to school they had caught up with me. This isn't vital but it's something to think about. If I had done the DCP the second semester of my freshman year, I would be stuck with freshman classes when I came back while all my friends were starting to take major courses.

2. Do you get homesick easily? If you are a freshman or sophomore and it's still really hard to leave home, you might want to consider putting the DCP off until you're a little bit more independent/detached from home. One of the biggest reasons that people self-term at the DCP is due to homesickness, and if you self-term, you lessen your chances of being hired again. Make sure you're ready to be 100% committed to being away from home for an extended period of time, and during holidays. You don't want to go too early, self-term, and threaten your chances of being hired on again if you wanted to go back when you're older!! SO many people jump the gun and decide to do the DCP as 18 and 19 year-olds but aren't ready for it. Obviously, there are tons of 18 and 19 year-olds that do the DCP and have a fantastic time (I did! 19 going on 20 when I was there!). You just have to know yourself, if you're having doubts about leaving home, that's probably a sign you're not quite ready.

3. Finally, what do your short term plans look like? I recommend sketching out a rough idea of where you want to be every year for the next 5 years or so. For me (when I was applying my freshman spring) that meant 4 years of college, the DCP, and a semester abroad. Now my 5 year plan would include doing the DCP after I graduate, and extending into a PI. Just make sure that the DCP fits in well with your 5 year plan. This includes doing the tedious work of figuring out (with your advisor preferably) which semester is easiest to put off, some classes are only offered fall or spring, and some pre-req classes you don't want to put off. It totally sucks, but do the brunt work before applying to make sure you can actually make it happen.

Those are the key things I would look at before you consider applying and/or accepting your CP offer! If I were to be super vague and assume you all are like me, I would definitely recommend doing it your sophomore or junior year. Freshman year, in my opinion, is too soon. You miss out on so many college experiences by cutting out half of freshman year. The only time I might recommend going for it in your second term/semester/quarter of school would be if you're at a community college or commuter campus. I just don't recommend missing out on the freshman dorm life experience! That's where I made all my best friends at college :) Secondly, I wouldn't recommend senior year because then you'll never want to leave Disney and go finish school. Senior year is for you and your friends to suffer through upper division classes together, write your honors thesis (if you're like me, ugh), and plan your life. It's just easier to be in one place for all of senior year. If you want to go back to Disney and you're a senior, definitely apply the semester you graduate and go after you graduate college (that's my plan!), it's a great time to go have fun before real life starts. Or even turn Disney into your real life :)

So that's my two cents on the matter! I hope this was at least somewhat helpful. It's a hard blog post to write because there are SO many factors that go into choosing the right time. There has been at least one person in every possible situation who has done the program and LOVED it. This includes freshman through seniors. the newly graduated, grad students, and even non traditional students (meaning adults who go back to school after they've had kids or something). You just have to be PATIENT and do what's best for you!

Sorry this is so long. Let me just insert a Disney picture here for your enjoyment ;)

How the DCP Affects Your Health!

Here's a question I kept asking going into the program: will I gain weight? This post is meant to address those odd questions you might have or are curious about, but don't know how to ask!

You will be very active if you spends a lot of time in the parks. I personally just maintained weight, but I ate AWFUL food. We're talking ramen, mac n cheese, ice cream, chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, and fries. Like daily. Veggies didn't exist while I was there. So that I would eat all that crap and not gain weight gives you a nice idea of activity. I also didn't go to the gym or pool a single time, so don't sweat it (literally ;)).

My roommate Lindsey had a different experience. She had the same diet I had, the same walking activity, but lost 30 pounds, yes that's T-H-I-R-T-Y pounds. She wasn't very active before Disney whereas I was, so that's where the difference came in, but most people I knew lost weight. Apparently some gain weight, but I'm guessing that's for you exercise junkies! One girl actually went down two pant sizes (she was there for fall advantage).

SKIN! My skin (and my roommates) has never been so clear in my entire life. The Florida humidity I guess just clears your pores? I don't know, I'm no expert, but I absolutely had the nicest skin of my entire life. This is coming from a girl who's used everything from Proactive to prescription strength acne medicine. I was hardly even using face makeup by the end of my program! Lindsey was the same.

Mental health for me was fabulous. This totally is a case by case basis, but I had the most positive and happy experience. My roommates (aside from a hiccup here and there) were FANTASTIC, my coworkers were amazing, and I woke up everyday so thankful for the experience. No, my role was not very glamorous, or even fun sometimes, but I was surrounded by optimistic people who WANTED to be there. I found that with my experience, I was incredibly happy and positive, and was in a better place than I was before or after my program.

I got sick once or twice, but those were just little colds. I was pretty healthy the whole program, and my room roommates never got sick. The other room had one or two more serious things go around them (I think one got the stomach flu once?) but I didn't experience that.

Overall, I had an incredibly healthy experience. Many lost weight, we all had clearer skin, and I think most of us had great mental health as well! Part of this is outlook, part of it is choices you make on the program. It's a very easy choice to be positive, and that seeps into all parts of your DCP life. This is especially relevant going into the program. If you don't get the role you wanted, just be thankful you got accepted! I promise that you have the opportunity to have fun no matter what role you're given. The second part of making choices relates to what you do on your day off. Some people never really went to the parks and just slept. Yes, sleep is important, but by doing this you will probably be getting less exercise.

There you have it! This is my own experience with the DCP, and there is a huge amount of variability here. It absolutely depends on you and the choices you make, as well as where you are going into the program.

CONCLUSION: There is a great chance you will have much healthier skin by the end of the program, if you are not very active before your program, you will probably lose weight, and if you remain positive, then you will probably have great mental health as well! Take advantage of it :)

Spring 2016 Phone Interview Questions (Covers MOST Roles)

This is a list of spring interview questions that I got from the Facebook group! I did not compile this list, however I will add on to the questions at the end.

DCP POSSIBLE PHONE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

(all roles in alphabetical order)

General Questions:

`Why do you want to do the DCP?

`What can you offer the company?

`Tell me about a magical moment you’ve had at a Disney park.

`Are you familiar with the Disney Parks, resorts and Orlando/Anaheim area?

`Are you willing to maintain the Disney look?

`What are three positive things about yourself?

`What are three negative qualities about yourself?

`What are you looking forward to the most?

`What are you hoping to get out of the Disney college program?

`What roles do you feel you’re best suited for even if we haven’t already covered them, and why?

`What does Disney mean to you?

`How will the college program help you professionally?

`What are your top 3-5 roles?

`What makes you a good candidate for the program?

`How would you handle a natural disaster?

`Do you have any tattoos/piercings?  How many?  Where?  How big are your tattoos (they’ll ask you for inches)?

`Do you have a valid driver’s license?  Would you be comfortable operating a vehicle?

Work Experience Questions:

`Tell me about some of your past work experience and how those jobs may qualify you for any of the roles at Disney.

`Do you prefer a fast paced environment or slow?

`Tell me about a time when you worked a busier than normal day.  How did you handle it and were you comfortable?

`Do you prefer to work inside or outside? (Florida has some crazy weather like rainstorms, extreme heat, etc)

`Do you prefer to work alone or in a group setting?

`How would you handle an emergency?  Tell me about a time when you had to handle an emergency.

`Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult coworker or boss.  Tell you me how you handled the situation.

`3 words your coworkers/managers would use to describe you

`Tell me about a challenging work experience

`Tell me about a time when you had a difficult customer.  How did you handle that situation?

`How would you handle a guest who doesn’t speak English but clearly needs help?

`Do you mind working mornings, evenings, late nights, weekends and holidays?

`Tell me about a time when you were a team player.

`Tell me about a time when you went out of your way for a guest or made them feel extra special.

Living Experience Questions:

`Have you lived with roommates before?  Tell me about that experience.

`Would you be comfortable living with other people?  How about living with up to 7 other people?

`Have you ever had a conflict with a roommate?  How did you handle it?

`What do you think the worst part about Disney housing will be?

`Are you comfortable with working and living far away from home?

`How would you handle a roommate disagreement?

`How would you feel about possibly having international roommates?

Alumni Questions:

`What would you do different this program?

`Why do you want to work for Disney again?

`Is there anything you regret not doing your last program, or regret doing?

`Tell me about a magical moment you made.

`Why do you/do you not want the same role you worked last time?

`What were the best and worst things about your previous program(s)?

`How would working for the company again help you with your future career goals?

Attractions Questions:

`If you were doing a task that was repetitive, how would you keep yourself interested?

`Have you ever spoken in front of a large group of people before?  Are you comfortable doing that?

`Are you comfortable with a spiel?  What would you do if you messed up your spiel?

`What would you do if a child was to short to ride your ride?

`What would you tell a guest that wanted to get on an attraction but it was out of service?

`Would you be willing to assist with crowd control during parades?

`How do you feel about operating a ride?

`Are you comfortable memorizing lengthy speeches?

`Are you comfortable working with heights?

Bell Services/Dispatch/Greeter Questions:

`Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs) luggage (including overhead)?

`Are you comfortable talking to guests on the phone?

`Are you comfortable being the first cast member that a guest interacts with on their vacation?

`How would you describe this role?

`What would you do if a large tour bus needed to be unloaded and the available bellhop did not want to do it?

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirate’s League Questions:

`What experience do you have with children?

`Do you have any experience working with hair and makeup?

`Do you have any salon work experience?

`What would you do if a child was hesitant to about getting dressed up or getting hair and makeup done?

`How would you handle a situation where a parent didn’t like the hair or makeup that was done or thought it was too much?

Bus Greeter Questions:

`Sometimes guests could be waiting for up to 20 minutes for a bus, what would you talk about with the guests while they’re waiting?

Character Attendant Questions:

`Why do you want to be a character attendant?

`What does character integrity mean to you?

`How do you feel about speaking in front of large groups of people?

`What would you do if a guest was being violent or inappropriate towards a character?

`What would you do if a child was afraid of a character?

`What would you tell guests if you had to turn them away because the line to meet a character was closed?

`What would you tell someone that asked why a character isn’t speaking?

`How would you tell someone that your character has to leave for the day or for a break?

`What would you tell someone asking why a character is in more than one park?

Character Performer Questions:

`How would you act as a character performer?

`Do you have any experience in theatre, dance, or performing in general?

`What would you do if a child was scared of you while in costume?

`Are you planning on attending an audition?  Where?

Children’s Activities Questions:

`What experience do you have working with children?

`How would you handle an emergency with a child?

`Would you be comfortable cleaning up after children?

`How would you keep children entertained for an extended period of time where there was nothing to do?

`Would you be willing to teach the line dance?

Concierge Questions:

`What do you think the duties are of the concierge?

`How are you experienced in this role?

`How would you make each guest feel special?

`Do you have any cash handling experience?

`Do you have experience handling large sums of cash?

`How do you feel about working with a computerized reservation system?

Convention Guide Questions:

`Are you familiar with EPCOT and the world showcase?

`What do you like about EPCOT and the world showcase pavilions?

`How would you handle a guest that isn’t involved in an event asking a question, while you were walking with a large group attending the event?

`Name two countries in the world showcase (they might even ask more, but I’ve been told 2 so far).

`Describe Illuminations!

`Convention guides primarily work in EPCOT. Are you okay with that?

Costuming Questions:

`Are you comfortable operating an advanced costume checkout computer?

`Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs) costumes to different locations?

`Would you be comfortable working independently?

`How do you feel about working backstage with minimal guest contact?

`Are you willing to operate basic laundry equipment?

Custodial Questions:

`Do you have any experience with cleaning?

`Are you allergic to any chemicals, cleaning supplies, or latex?

`Can you handle talking to multiple people at a time and multitasking?

`Can you handle working up to 8 hours a day outside?

`Are you comfortable with emptying trash cans and lifting heavy garbage bags?

`Are you willing to bus tables in restaurants and outdoors?

`Are you comfortable working for long periods of time outside in the heat, rain, or cold?

Floral Questions:

`Would you be able to drive a larger truck?

`Would you be able to operate a forklift and jack pallet?

`Do you have any experience in making gift baskets?

`Would you be comfortable with very heavy boxes/items?

Front Desk Questions:

`How do you feel about being trained on a computer reservation system?

`How would you make a guest feel special as they begin their Disney vacation?

`What would you do if you were working the front desk and the guests wanted a non-smoking pool view room and there were none available?

`How would you recommend a restaurant to a guest?

Hopper Questions:

`Are you comfortable with working in multiple locations and parks?

`Are you willing to learn the setup and layout of multiple parks, areas, and stores?

Housekeeping Questions:

`Are you comfortable working with cleaning chemicals?

`How do you feel about working in a guest’s room while they are not there?

`Are you able to work independently with little to no guest contact?

Lifeguard Questions:

`Are you comfortable working for long periods of time in the Florida heat?

`Are you willing to work in another role during off-peak seasons?

`Are you comfortable with spending long periods of time standing in water?

`What would you do in the event of a guest injury or illness?

`Are you CPR certified?

`Can you watch groups of people at one time?

`Do you believe you are able to pass the swim test?

`What do you believe the duties of a lifeguard are?

Merchandise Questions:

`Do you have cash handling experience?

`What would you do if your store was out of an item, or didn’t carry it at all?

`Practice basic math, they may ask things like, a  bag of chips is $1.50 and the guest wants 3.  How much do you give them back if they hand you $10?

`As a merchandise cast member you will have to take part in pin trading as long as safety allows it.  Would you be comfortable trading pins with guests and even having the possibility of children grabbing your lanyard?

`If you are ringing up a guest, the phone rings, and another guest has a question or needs help with something, what would you do first, second and last?

`Are you comfortable suggesting items to guests based on first impressions?

`Are you willing to work independently outdoors at a cart?

Monorail Questions:

`

Photopass Photographer Questions:

`What experience do you have working with camera equipment?

`Are you comfortable with operating a digital camera?

`Have you ever used a DSLR camera before?

`Would you be comfortable carrying up to 15 pounds for your shifts?

`Would you be comfortable using equipment waist-deep in water?

`How do you feel about achieving monthly sales goals and suggesting products?

`Are you comfortable working in several different parks, potentially all in the same week?

`How do you feel about a guest refusing a picture?

Quick Service Food and Beverage Questions:

`Are you comfortable preparing simple food items, which may include using a fryer, grill, or other cooking equipment?

`Would you be willing to wash dishes or bus tables?

`Are you comfortable selling alcohol?

`Are you able to multitask?

`Are you comfortable handling cash and using a cash register?

`How do you feel about working independently at a food cart?

Recreation Questions:

`Are you willing to train with arcades and other recreational facilities?

`Do you believe you will be able to pass the swim test?

`Are you willing to work in another role during the off-season?

`Are you CPR certified?

`How do you feel about working for long periods of time outdoors and around water?

Seater Questions:

`Are you comfortable handling cash and using a register?

`Are you willing to spend long periods of time rolling silverware and folding napkins?

`Have you ever managed a seating chart?  If not, are you willing to learn?

`What would you tell a guest if they wanted to eat at a restaurant, but there are no tables available for several hours?

`Describe a time where you may have dealt with a very busy shift when there were more people than tables (plan on something like this if you have host/ess experience already).

Vacation Planner Questions:

`What do you think the duties of a vacation planner are?

`Are you comfortable handling large amounts of money and achieving monthly sales goals?

`Tell me about a time you had to work with quotas or sales goals.

`How do you feel about working in multiple parks, potentially all four in a week?

`Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades?

`Are you comfortable working with a computerized ticket system offering over 100 different ticket combinations?

`How do you work while under pressure?

`What would you tell a family that was only going to be at Disney for one day?

Watercraft Questions:

`Would you feel comfortable driving a boat with or without guests on it?

`What would you say to a guest that was refusing to wear a lifejacket while operating a watercraft?

Questions to ask the interviewer:

`How did you get started with Disney (keep in mind that they get asked this a lot, and not all of them will want to talk about themselves, so don’t get upset or bothered if they tell you the interview is about you or anything.  In fact, you can use that to say it is still about you because you’re interested in staying with the company long term and want to know more about how people get to where they are)?

`Is it ok if I request a specific work location at this time (keep in mind that they can’t guarantee a request, but they can take note of it)?

`Would you recommend taking classes?  How do classes work?  Which classes do you recommend?

`Would it be good to take a car?

`Did you ever do the college program (if they didn’t already tell you they had done the program in the other question)?  If so, how did you like it and where did you work?

`Can you tell me about your Disney career?

`Do you have any magical moments or experiences that you love to tell people?

`What kind of qualities does recruiting look for in future CPs?

`When should I expect to hear back on whether or not I have been accepted?

`What can you tell me about the voluntEARS program?

`What would it look like if I extended into a Professional Internship after my College Program, and do you recommend that?