HOW TO: Avoid Submission Like The Plague

This post is 100% opinions of various DCP alumni, so keep in mind that it might all be accurate or none of it might be. I have read various articles and posts which I'm basing this information off of as well as my own experiences!


Submission is where Disney will put you if (on paper) you look like you could fit in, but you don't stand out. This will generally happen after you submit your initial application but before you are given a web-based interview or phone interview opportunity. People can get stuck here because those in submission are basically in limbo - if enough people reject their offers or don't do well later on in the interview process, Disney will take you out of submission, but often times you can sit there until application season ends. Those in submission often will have "neutral" applications, and didn't stand out enough to the computer system Disney uses to filter through applications to automatically move on.


Basically Disney has an automatic system that filters through applications before they bring actual humans into it. So when you submit your initial application, try and include buzzwords. Buzzwords are words that software programs pick up on to choose who "they" think should move on in the application process. This could include Disney's four keys (safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency), guest service or customer service, and using good descriptive words (assisted, maintained, organized, etc.). Just make sure your application reads well! Try put yourself in the mindset of Disney recruiting when you go through your application, if you were hiring based on someone's paper profile, would you hire yourself? You could also have some friends or family look it over before you press submit.


Another way to avoid submission is through role choices. If you know your application centers a lot on photography experience and talks a lot about safety, photopass and attractions would both be good roles to put down. So think of it this way: Disney is looking at your application and pairing your experience and strengths with Disney roles. If you put no interest in those roles, you might get stuck in submission. Keep in mind that many people only put interest in a few roles and move on, but those people have very strong applications. If you know you don't have much experience, you might have better luck listing more roles. Just a thought.


Going off the above paragraph, include as much volunteer and work experience as you can! More experience = better chance of getting through.


I'm going to include helpful links below. A lot of this information I got off of Brittany Earns Her Ears, a super helpful blog so you should go check that out. Some of this is my own understanding of the process, as well as my own experience going through it. I had minimal work experience and a fairly weak application, but I put interest in every single role except housekeeping. I got QSFB, which looking back at doesn't surprise me at all. On my current program (going back and editing to add this in here) I'm in attractions and I put a LOT of emphasis on safety and guest experience on my application which are two essential keys to working in attractions.

http://www.brittanyearnsherears.com/2016/04/spring-2017-application-faq.html

https://disneyprogramsblog.com/disney-college-program-questions-of-confusion-part-4/

https://disneyprogramsblog.com/application-progress-status-bar-information/

I'm posting this picture because this is all I want right now.

Advice From DCP Alumni

Last week all of the alumni at my school held an info session/orientation for the CSU students going to Disney in the fall for their college program so here's a list of advice everyone gave out.

• Contact your advisor as soon as possible to plan out the best time to do the Disney College Program and how you should make up for the gap semester (summer classes, graduating late, online classes during the DCP, or DCP classes)
• Also discuss whether or not DCP classes would transfer, and what they would transfer as
• If there is a University contact for the Disney College Program, get in contact with them as soon as possible
• The contacts at my school can talk to the Disney recruiters and even pull strings for you! One boy failed his WBI four times in a row so he reached out to our University contacts and they pulled some strings to get him through
• After your program these contacts are also great for connecting you with job opportunities 
• Do not even look at alcohol if you are under 21 on the program. If caught with alcohol, or at a party with alcohol, or with alcohol in your apartment, you WILL get termed.
• Also don't go on the party busses if you're under 21, they go to bars and there is access to alcohol. Don't even go if you're 21+, they're pretty sketchy 
• Ask for a Disney discount EVERYWHERE. One girl got a discount at the mechanic when she got repair work done on her car or her oil changed 
• Bring a car if you can, however, you will be perfectly fine if you can't
• Request off holidays you want as soon as you have access to the HUB
• Go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Pick up shifts in other locations, including PAC shifts
• Go to Hoop De Doo Musical Review
• Bring a water filter or water bottle with a filter for the nasty Florida water
• Don't buy lunch in the Cast Member foot courts, bring your own food
• Buy kids meals in the parks
• Take advantage of your days off, don't spend the WHOLE day sleeping
• Don't be afraid to go to the parks by yourself
• Buy inserts for your black shoes if you work QSFB and receive the free shoes (SuperFeet or Dr. Scholls)
• Bring rain gear - the plastic-y stuff. Your Northface will NOT suffice, you need a poncho or something
• Don't let anyone sleep over in your apartment, you will get termed. If you want to be cheap then go to Fort Wilderness Campground, they provide the tent and you can stay for like $10-$20 a night
• Don't be afraid to pick a lot of roommates, you'll never all be home at the same time and you'll always have someone to do something with!
• Don't provide alcohol to minors, you WILL get termed
• Bring enough money to buy food the first few weeks, you won't get your first paycheck until about week 3!
• Always take the earlier bus to work, it will save you the stress of being late or almost late!
• Bring LOTS of underclothes, but don't overpack on normal clothes!! You will be in costume the majority of the time
• Good underclothes will help in costume when you want to be as cool and comfortable as possible!
• Remember that there are blackout dates for your passes so plan accordingly when you plan your family and friend visits! Christmas will be completely blocked out so if you want visitors for the holidays, try early December or mid-January
• Venture outside the Disney bubble at least once in awhile! 
• Universal Studios (buy a seasonal pass and use it at least 3 times to get your money's worth)
• The beach (we recommend Clearwater)
• Cool Orlando restaurants
• Consider bringing a George Foreman grill, blender, vacuum, surge protector, and router (apartment doesn't come with these)
• Go to housing events, ESPECIALLY Grocery Bingo
• Take a seminar! Even if it's just for fun it's a great way to network, meet Disney professionals/higher-ups, and learn some great Disney trivia
• We recommend Exploring Environmentality and Sustainability, Exploring Disney Heritage, the Marketing seminar, and Exploring Hospitality and Guest Services
• DO NOT TAKE A FULL COURSE LOAD, one girl took 15 credits online and had no free time for fun
• Meet other DCP participants from your school! You'll have friends before you even go down :)
• Never leave Disney because you will be plagued with Post Disney Depression forever

That's a pretty comprehensive list of what we could all come up with in our meeting! It was SO much fun meeting other alumni and the future CSU CPs. So much nostalgia and jealousy! Can I be them please? Can't wait for August when I can finally apply to be a Cast Member again!!!!!! 

Here's a list of the alumni and what we did:

• QSFB at Hollywood Studios, Studio Catering Co. (R.I.P.)
• Attractions at Lights, Motors, Action (R.I.P.)
• Character Performer, friends with Chip and Dale
• Hospitality at Fort Wilderness
• Attractions at Kilimanjaro Safari
• Attractions at Haunted Mansion
• Merchandise at the Emporium
• Attractions in Fantasyland (pretty sure she was Winnie the Pooh and Teacups)

Our Fall CSU CPs:

• Attractions
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Quick-Service Food & Beverage
• Custodial
• Lifeguard
• Attractions
• Concierge 

How the Disney College Program Helps You Professionally

When your recruiter asks you in your phone interview "why do you want to do the Disney College Program?" I'm pretty sure 90% of people say to help them professionally. Whether that be resume building, a foot in the door for the Disney Company, or something else, this blog is going to examine how it's helped ME professionally since I left!

I'm going to start off by saying that just having Disney on your resume will get you a bunch of interviews, but it's up to you to sell the interview. I've gotten interviews for jobs I'm definitely not qualified for because my interviewer wanted to hear more about my Disney experience, it's something that really stands out. And though I didn't get a lot of job offers from those due to my inexperience, I got really good practice interviewing for more professional jobs. SO. Disney gets you the interview.

Once in the interview I've had a few questions specific to Disney including what I actually did there (not many have heard of the Disney College Program), how it helped me, and what I learned from my experiences there. More frequently my interviewer would ask a general question (tell me about a difficult customer service experience, etc.) and I would relate it back to Disney which always worked really well. I made sure I always slipped into my interview how much customer service experience Disney have me and how they taught me to be an exceptional employee. Another good tip for interviewing is to try slip the 4 keys into your interview (safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency), these are all important tools for any job and if you hit all four you know you did a good job describing the most important aspects of Disney.

Some jobs I've gotten BECAUSE of Disney include a few. I got a Starbucks job because of the extensive customer service experience from Disney and my experience working in QSFB there. I got a sports marketing internship with the CSU athletics department because of my experience working with Disney, my boss is trying to bring a "Disney experience" into sporting events because collegiate athletics are losing fans. Finally, I got a summer job (upcoming) at a winery in Washington dealing with concerts, tours, and the gift shop because all I did was talk about various customer service experiences from Disney. So trust me, Disney will help you. SO many jobs deal with customer service that you can basically relate it back to any job, even if you're just talking about working in a team or working efficiently. 

Finally, it helps you if other aspects of life such as public speaking and group projects in school. After Disney I find it easier to talk to people, and now know how best to work in a team to accomplish an end. You'll find the DCP changes multiple areas of your life which is incredibly cool. I've been out of the DCP for 1.25 years and it still affects me just as much now as when I first left (STILL DEPRESSED ABOUT LEAVING). 

Those are pretty much my thoughts about the DCP helping you professionally. It does SO much for you, you just have to take advantage of all the opportunities it gives you! Hands down one of the best decisions I've ever made.