The DCP Series: Done.

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my struggles and obstacles have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."

- Walt Disney

Walt was right, as he usually is when it comes to life experience. And four months later, I can wholeheartedly say that's what the Disney College Program was for me: a life experience. The DCP journey is a voyage of self-discovery and a rollercoaster of emotions. It's a constant reminder that every day can throw you through an unexpected loop or a sharp turn in another direction. But again, that's life.

The program isn't all stress and worry about what's to come. There's also an element of ever-growing excitement, a promise that tomorrow, while unknown, won't be anything like today. Each new day has the potential to be something incredible, something that many might not ever have the opportunity to see or hear or do, something...well, magical. But the magic and what made the entire experience was interacting with other CPs, making friends, and living in one of the most exciting cities in the US. Because if it weren't for that, the work and the idiotic management and the overall anal vibe that the Walt Disney Company exudes from its every orifice would be utterly intolerable. I won't get into the details of work or the daily grind of working for the Mouse, but just understand it's not glamorous and nothing like the recruiting videos.

I could talk all day about my mixed feelings about the various aspects of the program, but to sum it up...

- DON'T do the program if you're looking for an internship to learn a trade from.

- DON'T do the program if you think it will teach you anything that is directly applicable to a future job.

- DO the program if you want to get away from school/home/work for awhile.

- DO the program if you want to meet new people and have new experiences you wouldn't otherwise get the chance to experience.
- DO the program if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind life experience.

Would I do it over again if I could go back? Without a doubt. But would I ever consider doing another program? Not a chance. It's safe to assume that, by the end of the program, every CP knows whether he or she belongs at Disney. My verdict? A resounding no. Yours? That's entirely up to you.

The DCP Series: Food and Wine.

It's hard to believe that I've been living it up in Lake Buena Vista for just shy of a month.

Working for the Mouse, thus far, has been an incredible experience, one that, up until now, I didn't realize how much I'm going to miss when it's over. Already, there's a part of me slowly becoming consumed with sadness, dwelling on the fact that I will inevitably have to turn in my Cast Member ID come January.

But I digress. I'd much rather talk about all the fun and exciting things that have happened over the past few weeks.

So, just as I'm starting to bond with my new friends and learn the ropes, my time at Pinocchio's has abruptly come to an end (at least, until December). This came as a shock to me as I've only been here for four weeks, and actually, there's quite a bit of speculation as to how a handful of CPs and a select group of full-time CMs were suddenly uprooted from their home locations. My trainer assured me that Disney didn't mess around when deploying for special events and that each of us were observed before being selected. After I let the swelling of my ego go down a little, she explained that we were recommended by our home-location leaders for the 2012 International Food and Wine Festival.

For those who don't know what F&W is, I'll try to squeeze it all into one or two super informative paragraphs. This year marks the 17th year of the International Food and Wine Festival, which takes place in Epcot. Spread across the two-mile promenade encircling World Showcase Lagoon, approximately 27 countries from around the world are represented through various kiosks themed to fit that particular region.

Belgium's F&W Kiosk

Each kiosk will feature up to four food items from the country being represented as well as an assortment of wines, beers, and mixed drinks also hailing from that country and paired specifically for the available dishes. The locations are designed to briefly immerse our guests in that country's culture through taste, sight, and sound before sending them on to the next, hence this year's theme "Taste your way around the world."

All in all, Food and Wine, recently deemed the largest food-based festival on the planet, is an incredible celebration. It's a marvel to simply look at, let alone experience, and conceptually, the festival is meant for "responsible" adults to "sample" our vast assortment of international fares. However, as you may have already guessed, that's not how most people come to celebrate. "Drinking around the world" has become a popular spin-off motto year after year, and although it has been deemed illegal by the state of Florida (no, I'm not kidding), guests still attempt to drink one of every alcoholic beverage served throughout the two-mile festival within the 14 hour period the park is open.

Needless to say, most don't make it through the German kiosk still standing. Seriously, I've seen pictures.

I've gone through extensive training regarding all aspects of special event work, but naturally, they place the majority of the emphasis on interacting with, identifying and, of course, cutting off drunks. Although I don't condone the behavior nor do I find it to be responsible in any way, shape, form or fashion...

...this is undoubtedly going to be the most fun I've ever had while getting paid. (Well, maybe besides getting paid to ride The Haunted Mansion.)
             

The DCP Series: Check-In Day.

It's my fifth day here in the Sunshine State, and so far, I've had a pretty stellar time. For those of you who don't know this (and if you're reading this, you most likely do), I'm currently a Disney College Program intern working at the Walt Disney World Resort. I'm still coming to terms with it, being an ACTUAL Disney Cast Member in REAL-LIFE, not just pretending in my room. Not that I've ever done that before...

While on the program, the three segments they focus on are living, learning, and earning. Your adventure begins with settling the living portion through a little process called check-in. Being the most daunting day of my experience, I figured I'd give a rundown to hopefully ease the mind of some prospective CP somewhere.

When you arrive at check-in, you're going to be whisked away to a magical office where all of your paperwork will be processed, your room will be assigned, and you will be worry-free for the remainder of the day. At least, that's how I hoped it would go down. But you're not checking into a Disney resort, and you're most certainly not treated as a "guest." The check-in process is about as smooth as off-roading in a Prius.

That first morning, you will report to Vista Way where two million students and four million parents* will be waiting in line. Many CPs will tell you to get there early before all the good apartments are taken, but the truth is, all the apartments are good quality, seriously. You're paying pocket change for the location you're living (practically in Lake Buena Vista), and you're not going to spend that much time at home anyway. So, my advice? Get some rest. Check-ins don't begin until 9AM officially, so you have time. I got there at 7, got the roommate I wanted, and got an awesome apartment (C-Square is where it's at!).

Now, on to what actually goes down at check-in. As you progress, you'll eventually make your way into the heart of Vista Way, where you will need to have ready your government issued ID and one of the forms of identification listed in section C of your onboarding information.

Do not put your ID away throughout the check-in process. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. You will be asked for it repeatedly, so just keep it in hand. The actual paperwork is fairly simple, you'll sign several documents confirming your SSN and basic info as well as agreeing to not drink if you're under 21 and not to have guests in your room past 1AM. Simple stuff.

You will then be assigned your apartment complex and roommates. You will stay in one of three complexes: Vista Way (the party people, mostly 21+), Patterson Courts (the newest, most retirement-home-like complex), or Chatham Square (where the cool people go and the closets are like Narnia). All three cost practically the same amount, they're literally a couple dollars apart from one another, so choose based on what you think would be the best fit, not based on the money. You'll then get a CPID for your respective complex. GUARD THIS WITH YOUR LIFE. You will be required to have it on you at all times while on property and in order to ride the bus to and from the parks and local amenities. Security is not nice here, they're not employed by Disney either, so they aren't required to be nice. Keep that ID handy and accessible.

The good part comes next! After apartments are assigned, you'll be taken to the Casting Center via bus where you will be assigned...wait for it...YOUR JOB! Yes, the number one question on everyone's mind will finally be answered. There will be cheers, tears of happiness and sadness. It's a glorious time. The Casting staff will also reaffirm your personal information, take fingerprints, and set your schedule for Traditions and job training. The Casting Center is truly your first peek at the magic that is the Walt Disney Company. Make sure to take it all in, but no pictures or the Disney Ninjas will find you.

Welp, after that, it's time to move in. You'll head back to Vista Way where you or your parents will either take your vehicle that you drove and parked at Vista to your respective housing unit, or you will pick up your luggage that you stored at the building provided at check-in. Take the rest of the evening to unpack your stuff, go grab a bite to eat with your new roommates, start shopping for groceries, or maybe just go explore.

You survived the first day!

* possibly, slightly exaggerated figures

The DCP Series: It's time.

So, the whole "I'll keep up with my blog and talk about the Disney College Program" spiel was a lie. Well, not really a lie so much as a very, cavernously hollow suggestion. But, to make up for it, I'm going to whip up a quick pre-trip synopsis of what I know, what I've heard, and maybe throw in a couple speculative jabs.

Leggo.

Firstly, the dashboard is your friend. It knows everything that you need to know and more. Also, it keeps track of emails sent to you regarding the internship. So, if you're like me and you compulsively delete "read" items in your inbox, the dashboard has your back. 

The dashboard also serves as a big conglomeration of links and URLs readily available for your viewing pleasure. There are numerous videos, packing tips, blurbs about different roles and procedures, lots of good stuff. It's OCDDCP heaven.

Second, try to very actively respond to any and all information/instructions you receive, ESPECIALLY your interviews. When I first began to contemplate the DCP, I was obviously nervous, but I was also horrendously indecisive. This resulted in my first application winding up in a sealed Hefty bag on the curb. Make sure that this is something you want to do. Consider school, work, and anything back home that you can't live 4 to 8 months without. Because once you decide, you need to be 100% sure, fill that bad boy out, and submit him ASAP. This, in my experience, eliminated much of the "waiting game" you commonly hear about from ex-CPs.

Disney doesn't mess around. They're going to interview you three times AND send you an onslaught of mail. When they contact you, always treat it like it's important, even if you have your doubts. The alternative (something similar to what I did) is to procrastinate and ignore them until, roughly a month from your check-in date, you are plunged into a state of panic. Don't be plunged into a state of panic.

And finally, the Disney College Program from what I've heard from several former and current CPs is not for the faint of heart. You're going to work way more than you'd ever care to at odd hours that you'd rather not be conscious with disregard to your sleeping and/or eating schedule, so don't think (as I foolishly thought) that there will be an even split between classes and work and free-time.

Because if the program were a pie, the classes and free-time would be the piece that your cousin's girlfriend eats because she's "watching" and the work portion would be the piece eaten by your redneck uncle who wears the same white cut-off every Christmas and owns more rebel flags than he has teeth.

At least, that's how I've come to understand it.

Anyway, I'm going through quite a bit of stress as my check-in date draws nearer, but it's offset by that childlike excitement that always takes over when I think of working for the Mouse. I'll miss my family and friends and my sweet Molly more dearly than I'd care to confess, but it's four months of my life that, I'm assured, will be well-spent. I've come to terms with leaving these past few weeks; you might even say I'm experiencing "a disquieting metamorphosis" as I mentally prepare for the journey ahead.

8 days and counting. Here we go.