Quick overview: my first program was Fall 2014 in Quick-Service Food & Beverage at Studio Catering Co. in Hollywood Studios and my second program was Spring & Fall 2017 in Attractions at Storybook Circus & Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom.
So my first program was everything I could have imagined and more. All the magic of Traditions and move-in was in full force. My roommates were fantastic, and my job ended up bring a lot of fun. Honestly the worst part about my first program was that it had to end so fast - I had the last arrival date and therefore the shortest program of the DCP participants. We arrived September 2nd and left January 6th (I'm 95% sure of those dates), so it was only four months.
My second program started out just spring, then I extended through summer, and finally fall. I had the BEST time on this program as well, but it was totally different. I still loved my first batch of roommates, loved my job, and made the best of friends. And the magic was definitely still there, but it wasn't the same as my first program since I knew what to expect. And again, the worst part was leaving.
So that's kind of an overview of both programs, so I think I'll break it down further and compare!
Roommates
Honestly, I LOVED and still love my roommates from both programs. I hand-picked them from Facebook (plus one that emailed me), and they turned out fantastic both times. The first program we were in a 6-person, 2-bedroom in Chatham,
and my second program we had a 6-person, 3-bedroom in Vista Way.
I liked Chatham better as a complex as well as the apartment layout, but Vista was nice because it was more central to everything. I think the biggest difference between my two programs in relation to roommates, is that my first program I only hung out with my roommates and my second program I hung out with them AND hung out with work friends. Also, since I extended my second program I got two new batches of random roommates and they were pretty good! We lived in a 6-person, 3-bedroom in Chatham which was my favorite apartment, and they worked out well! We weren't super close or anything, but we also didn't hate each other so it was fine haha. One of my fall roommates ended up being one of my really good friends and we actually went on a cruise together after our program ended in January!!
Work
This is probably one of the biggest differences. Of course I had different roles, so big difference there, but I also had a very different work social life. Part of that might be related to role, or maybe related to park, but I definitely had more coworkers my age in attractions than QSFB. I enjoyed both roles for totally different reasons. Aside from the obvious (the physical job descriptions are different - duh, too obvious), the type of stress was different, the park was different, etc.
QSFB had its stress, but for the most part I was actually more stressed out by attractions. Attractions tends to see a lot more of the "you ruined my vacation" guests, and QSFB sees the "is my food ready yet? I've been waiting like two seconds, that's too long" guests. I DEFINITELY got yelled at a whole lot more in attractions, but I also found it easier to make magical moments. In QSFB I didn't have the same influence as I did in attractions - as a whole, people would rather get a free FastPass magical moment than a free cupcake magical moment. So while attractions caused me more stress, I also had more fun in attractions. There were definitely days I missed QSFB though, it was busy enough that time went by quickly, and was also a lot more straightforward of a job. You know how to make all the food, you know how to bus tables, and if anyone wants a refund, you can just call a coordinator. Attractions was much more complex with the amount of technical knowledge required to operate the ride, and the amount of autonomy you have. There was way more instances where I was required to make a decision regarding guests because there's more "it depends" or "it's up to you". So yeah, long paragraph, but I truly enjoyed both roles. Also side note: I got to be scheduled Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party treat shifts in attractions which was super fun! I throw costume pictures below :) And at least in MK, you could get scheduled Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party cookie shifts if you were QSFB! A roomie on my first program worked at Pecos Bills QSFB and got to work Christmas parties handing out cookies and cocoa.
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party treats costume!
Studio Catering Co. (also Backlot Express and ODV) costume!
Mine Train (also Pooh, Belle, Teacups, and Mermaid) costume!
Storybook Circus costume!
In regards to coworkers, I made some of my best friends on my second program through work. There were tons of people my age, most people had just graduated college, and we had a lot in common. My QSFB coworkers were also great, but I only keep in contact with one coworker, and I never really hung out with them outside of work. We didn't have a whole lot in common, and I think I would have had an easier time if I had had an earlier arrival date. I was the last CP to arrive, so they already had their friend groups. The full-timers were lovely too, but they were more like second moms. I'm going to take this opportunity to show up my fantastic Circus family, and throw some pictures of us all on our adventures below! I hung out with them literally every week on 75% of my days off :')
Middle and back left!
The parks I worked at made a huge difference as well. Magic Kingdom on my second program is easily three times busier than Hollywood Studios, and our guest counts each day was way different. MK is also larger, so little things like giving directions was more complicated! If I were to go back I would request Animal Kingdom, but I liked both Hollywood and MK! MK sometimes could be a little overwhelming, but it was fantastic being able to see the nighttime fireworks shows (First Wishes, then Happily Ever After) just about every night at work.
And finally, by FAR the biggest difference in work life was being able to give away shifts! My first program we could give shifts away, and my second program we could only trade. So in that regard my first program was 100000x better because if I had a rough week where I just really needed a three-day weekend, or if I had friends and family coming into town, it was a simple matter to give a shift away. I never abused the rule, so I always made rent, I just took a four-day work week every once in awhile. My second program we couldn't give away and had to rely entirely on requesting time off and trading, which worked out fine for me since I was able to request dates off far enough in advance that I got the time approved off, but for many people that conflicted with family visits. So that was the worst, but I worked around it just fine!
I also was a more confident and better Cast Member my second program. I learned how to be a good CM my first program, so my second program I could do that confidently! I got WAY more Four Keys Cards (recognition) even when you take the differing lengths of time into account, and I even got a guest letter and a #castcompliment! So that was nice to see myself improving as a Cast Member!
Age/School/Classes
So the other major difference for me was when I did my program and the classes I took. My first program I turned 20 halfway through, and was a sophomore in college. I was ahead of my classmates because of college credits I earned in high school so school wasn't a problem, but it probably would have been easier to do it junior year when people are studying abroad and stuff. My second program I turned 23 halfway through, and had just graduated college. Timing on my second program was better and easier (plus I could drink for Food & Wine Festival!), but honestly I don't think age made a big difference in my programs.
As for class, my first program I took the Exploring Environmentality and Sustainability class and LOVED IT SO MUCH it was so fun!!! The teacher was great, the field trips were fantastic, and everything was interesting. Big fan. Also the class was 6 weeks long. My second program I took the Marketing You seminar (or something like that!) and honestly I was not a huge fan. It was a useful class as I learned how much I hated marketing, but it was 4 weeks long, and there were no field trips, the class itself was larger, and it just wasn't all that interesting.
Social Life/Car vs Bus
My first program I didn't have a car, or many friends with a car, so I stayed in the Disney bubble with a few Universal trips. And that was totally fine because I love Disney, but my second program I ventured out a LOT more and am so glad I did!!! It helped having a year to do all that, so I could fully experience both Disney and Florida.
First program days off:
Second program days off:
Of course both programs I took advantage of my days off and made tons of incredible memories - I just did a lot more on my second program! I think the only things I did my first program that I didn't get to do my second program were Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (but I got to see the fireworks from work), Playalinda Beach, and a backstage tour (the Seas at Epcot).
My second program I did Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Wild Africa Trek, the Florida Keys, Cocoa Beach, Fort DeSoto, Clearwater Beach, Blue Spring State Park, Devil's Den, an escape room, Victoria & Albert's, the Disney waterparks, and I think that's all I got off the top of my head.
Also, I had a car my second program. And I have a whole separate post dedicated to this, but I'll sum it up. I still took the bus to work half of the time, and to the parks on almost all my park days off. I used my car for groceries and for non-Disney adventures. And that worked great for me, I saved money by bussing as much as I did, and I had the freedom to explore more of Florida! So in short, you'll be perfectly fine without a car (and save money), and you'll also enjoy having a car (more money but more freedom). Some people feel very strongly one way or another, but I honestly didn't have a problem with the busses and I took them all the time.
Broad Overview
Okay so now the basic differences! The biggest one is the beginning. The start of your first program you don't know what to expect, everything is new, you have never seen the apartments, and you might not have ever even been to the parks. So much is new and exciting and MAGICAL! You still get some of the your second program but it's definitely different. You have already gone through Traditions and you have an idea of what to expect already. I mean it's still exciting, but it's hard to compete with that first program magic!
I think the job itself is easier second time around BECAUSE you know what to expect. You have already dealt with the crowds and the holidays and the stress, and it's as overwhelming or scary! You go in with more confidence which helps with being able to enjoy the job, and you'll get comfortable more quickly.
Also because you know what to expect, you have a better idea of what you want to do for housing, what role you want, whether or not to bring your car, stuff like that. Overall you're just more prepared on your second program! And obviously you're older, so you might take work more seriously, or approach your program with your career in mind. There's the little things like you know what to pack (spoiler: fewer cute clothes, more athleisure;)), you adjust quicker to your job and the lifestyle, and you have different priorities. My second program I branched out more and made way more friends than my first program. And it will vary person to person which program you prefer! I personally look back on my first program as being more "magical" but my second program is where I made the best memories and the best friends. I consider moving back like every other day because I miss my people down there so much and I miss the Orlando lifestyle. Odds are, if you did/are doing two (or more) programs, you had the time of your life; enjoy it while you can because it goes by too fast.
I think that giant (for me) post is all I got! If I think of more differences I'll go back and add them later, but I would like to say that post-Disney depression will hit you HARD regardless of how many programs you have done. Missing my Florida fam a whole lot right now, love and miss y'all so much!!! Cue photos of friendship:
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