A Brutally honest Review of the Disney College Program

[@donjernigan3435]

Not having Non-CPs working on CP nights and letting CPs enjoy the parks on CP nights is not okay. You can't have a benefit then take it away from those eligible without creating animosity.

[@darlenemckinney567]

It’s a union environment. Doesn’t work that way.

[@rileyhoffman9395]

this was so helpful, thank you for making an honest not so glorified video. I just got accepted and this helped me see the reality of it rather than just the magical side.

[@ThatOtherNathan]

Congrats on getting accepted! Yeah, the reality of it does kind of suck at times, but in all honesty, the magical parts of it can definitely make up for that. But going into it with an idea of what to look forward to definitely helps you to better be prepared to handle it all

[@ThatSB]

There is no magic when you are employed by disney lol

[@jaimeerindy4573]

WOW I know I shouldn't be shocked by this information but... I mean the fact that custodial services is part of the "college program"... and that CPs had to work their own celebration event!! So many things about this that is just unbelievable.

[@makinawattles]

I’m currently on my DCP and this was such an accurate and very thorough walk through of the whole experience. Probably the best one I’ve seen!

[@EricV89]

That parking nightmare would of made me either go crazy or straight up quit! LOL

[@Cleavatr0n]

I honestly might have to drop my program if I can’t find parking. I am driving myself there and moving myself in, I don’t know what I’ll do with my car lol. The parking passes sold out within 45 seconds this morning, so it’s going to be an interesting time if they don’t figure something out.

[@kibble24]

@@Cleavatr0n They should have just built enough parking spots for the people living there!

[@platypiisaweirdword]

@@kibble24 What they really should do is invest in way more and better public transportation options so that you won't NEED your car. Most college kids I know don't have cars and college campuses are designed so that students don't need them. They can have way limited parking if they also invest in better buses and shuttle systems that don't take an hour to get you to work, and so that you can get to the grocery store and Target etc easily.

[@L3onking]

My sister did the program and became so depressed she quit halfway when we visited her and she broke down. She worked at the Nemo musical, but I saw how exploitative it really was given how I used to work for my parents and am pretty used to exploitation reworded as experience.

[@alextroy9202]

“exploitation reworded as experience” a phrase!

[@CyberSonic157]

That's a shame. This isn't the Disney I used to know. What about the program made her depressed?

[@L3onking]

@@CyberSonic157 the comment above sorta lays it out. You don't have any sense of work/life/school balance or down time with the other program students to create a sense of community or mental health support system. It incorrectly reinforces corporate exploitation and governance over the life of the employee. It's no coincidence they made a college program instead of opening it up to everyone because they can avoid unionization if it's through the guise of an internship program.

[@CyberSonic157]

@@L3onking Thanks for the clarification!

[@donjernigan3435]

It's refreshing to get a pro/ con perspective of anything. This is a great video. Huge thumbs up.

[@loadedbun]

Spring 2019 cm here! I can't stress enough how much an impact your location has, even in the same park. I worked custodial in epcot world showcase and worked about 35-45 hours a week. My custodial friends in future world ALWAYS worked 60-70 hours a week. It was insane. They constantly looked exhausted and always had some drama about the managers over there... Overall grateful for my dcp experience but looking back I was so depressed and stressed out 24/7. It's not for the faint of heart

[@abbnormal5698]

thank you for being honest. i'm on it right now and it feels like a consistent kick in the guts. we are completely blocked from the parks until may now & i've been here for two months and only gone once. i got food & bev and it just feels like my job back home with the anxiety of getting sideworks done through fireworks

[@machomachoduck2096]

Why are you blocked from the parks? 😮

[@myndy9393]

@@machomachoduck2096 I’ve heard that they don’t allow the cp’s to go to the parks around spring break time because it gets so packed :/

[@pfftxoxo1502]

People will literally talk about working 12 hours a day on minimal pay with like one day off a week and go on about how magical it is 😭

[@lilbatz]

Tell me you are into abusive relationships, without telling me. Lol Get boots to the back, and say how magical it is. Disney PR grift game is strong.

[@davidmagana4102]

Thank you for this video. I recently got accepted into the program, but ine=evitably decided that it wouldn't benefit me as much as I wanted it to. I work in Fast Food now, and I don't know how much more regular face-to-face customer service I can handle. I think that this video helped me feel more confident about my decision. I might reconsider in the future because being a Disney cast member does still seem cool to an extent. I'm not going to do it now! Also, this video had excellent background music, and I enjoyed the random edits; overall a good video!)

[@stephaniewagley8704]

this was so much more helpful than any vlog I've seen. Thank you!

[@jamie3445]

that couch is giving me vista way couch vibes

[@abbysc417]

I thought the same thing haha

[@billrzeszutko3526]

Vista Wayyyyyy!

[@bassmaster4406]

My niece is there now in the program. Absolutely hates it. It’s basically indentured servitude. It’s not a college program. It’s kids being used as cheap labor. Twelve hour shifts serving food. She leaves August 25 and is counting the days. I told her this is a good life lesson in corporate America and how they treat their employees. They are begging them to extend because they are so short handed. She said it only No but HELL NO.

[@ryanhuang8498]

It's no different from how Disney uses forced prison labour in Xinjiang to make merchandise.

[@L3onking]

Yeah it doesn't take Sherlock to recognize this program specifically targets youth who have an emotional attachment to Disney but don't know their own workers rights to be able to tell them "No". I wonder if Encanto did more harm to their exploitative practices than merchandising revenue 🤔

[@etvchannel2825]

well Nathan, the video poster was not serving food. But I agree working in custodial, serving food and acting as a houseperson/maid should not be jobs for college graduates. He said one of his roommates took a part-time role at Port Orleans which is cool. I wonder if he had graduated or he dropped out of college. It is difficult for college graduates to obtain a role to justify college as many of those roles have been automated like roles in finance. It also depends on which college you go to and your ambition. In my opinion, you do have to go to a good school to obtain a prestigious job. I wanted to ask the video poster which college he is attending.

[@yoquincy3731]

I mean…anyone who actually looks at the program knows its not a college program at all. It’s literally just young adults working in a theme park and getting free disney tickets. This must have been her first job if she thought it was gonna be some easy laid back college experience 🤣 theres also hundreds of DCP videos on youtube that would have shown her what she needed to see lol.

[@hulahickey6959]

Excellent video. Today's CP is vastly different than the one I completed in the 90's. We had a liaison that helped coordinate and mediate any issues with our working location. No one was working 60 hours a week unless they volunteered for it. Its sad to see that this has become such a shabby and pitiful program. It was a great time for me and I learned a lot working there.

[@Hope-lr7jt]

This sounds like chaos! loved the vid

[@clairecartwright1141]

This explains my exact experience in a nutshell. I worked in Dinoland and the day of the party and had to work a 16 hour shift serving food to other CPs during my own party. Satellite parking was a monster, I never used my car.

[@amqve]

currently in my cp and this was so incredibly accurate!! great video man!

[@rebeccaabbott565]

I'm doing the college program starting this September, 2022! It's something I've wanted to do my whole life and I couldn't be happier that I got accepted! I'm glad you brought up the whole transportation situation. I wasn't going to bring a car anyway, especially not with these gas prices, so now I can be a little better prepared for figuring out the bus routes. I'm also so nervous to find out where I get placed cause we apparently don't find that out until about a week before our arrival date which is nerve=wracking. I also don't really know how picking what type of room you want works. I want to aim for the 2x4 set-up, but I don't know how early we can do that. Loved this video!

[@foxhound34]

AS someone who is well beyond my college years, I found your video interesting enough that I watched the whole thing, which is rare for these types of videos.

[@jackskellingtonsora]

From my perspective, as a full time WDW cast member, I see the CP as Disney looking for cheap(er) labor that's not covered by the union. I didn't realize that CP pay went up to 14. We're up to 15 now and before covid, I thought it was at 10 for CPs. The important thing for Disney is that they can have half the workforce get paid not quite as much as the full time/part time cast, that they won't have to deal with the union if they want to give you points and don't have to deal with union regulation on things like minimum/maximum hours or overtime, and that CPs won't get jaded because they're not there for years. And, of course, that CPs are grateful and happy to be there. When you've been working in Disney for years you get jaded. Which is fine, it's magical to me, but in a very different way than it was back when I first got to Florida. I am jaded, for sure, but I have a good time despite, and even perhaps BECAUSE of being jaded. And because I have the ability to transfer around, I'm never trapped in one spot forever. But CPs bring such a strong energy to the parks that's extremely unique to you guys and it's often extremely infectious. I honestly love CPs and the day that all the CPs were fired and kicked out was heartbreaking.

[@ThatSB]

There is a disney union? What is it called, the Magical Mafia?

[@jackskellingtonsora]

@@ThatSB There's a few of them. The one I'm in is called Local 362.

[@wendybunger]

During my program CP’s we’re covered by the union. I know because I had an issue with a manager and they got involved.

[@karbear26]

I did the summer college program in ‘99. I had to share a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom (of course the 2nd bathroom was in one of the bedrooms and so was theirs) apartment with 2 people to a room and pay $60 a week. I worked at Hollywood studios in the backlot and our bus did stop at multiple locations! I only worked closing shifts and worked 48 hours 6 days a week with my “day off” half of it was my business class. So I got half a day off a week!! I made no money and had to have my mom send me some. I was making like $5 an hour before taxes. I took the bus to Walmart or some random grocery store to buy food since even with my discount food is expensive in the parks! It was an experience I got to see the underground city of the magic kingdom but could not get my shift covered when Aerosmith came to the official opening of rockin roller coaster so I missed that. They didn’t have any events for us. I hated all my roommates by the end of my stay too!

[@seanj.oppenheimer6856]

I self termed 8 days ago after a little more than six weeks. My role was Recreation H/H on the Beam Team (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian), and it was so boring. I am not above doing any type of hard work, but I wanted to be doing something worthwhile. I also wanted to see what a well run place was like, and take those classes you mentioned existed before Covid, but those course offerings were exactly as you described, and my location was not well run at all. I agree with everything you said, but I don't even see Covid as an excuse whatsoever. It is not March or April 2020, they have had two years to prepare for this!

[@CourtneyGreen]

THIS is what people need to see, THANK YOU

[@audiothesoviet]

I did the program in January 2022 to June 2022 and I honestly enjoyed it. I was able to adapt to bus routes and taking the bus up the road to the Super Target (definitely recommend it as it has a way bigger selection than the tiny Target up the road from the apartment). I also got lucky and had Merchandise at Animal Kingdom at Windtraders, and I seriously loved working with everyone there, everyone was friendly and funny and made the day go faster. But then with a month and a half left they "deployed" me to Mombasa and I finished my program there (was a mixed bag, was just as fun but Windtraders was my home). But the end made me annoyed, my leaders didn't know how my ID and such would work when I moved out on the 2nd (they take your ID and slef admission) so I had to end up having tjay fixed at the park so me and my mom could go. Overall I enjoyed the program and would maybe do it again and go into being a FT cast member, but you can't pick your roles like in the past. You're given a role where they need you. The program is what you make of it, it has its obvious flaws.

[@yoquincy3731]

That’s awesome you had a great experience! I feel like everyone who had “their eyes opened negatively “ are people who are naive and have never worked a labor minimum wage job. 🤷🏾‍♀️ like DCP has its magical moments but it’s quite obvious it’s just a job at a theme park in the heat in exchange for free disney tickets. People who are complaining probably never worked hard before lmao

[@danals699]

I did the program in 1999 and got paid $6/hr and I think rent at Vista Way was $55/week. Times sure have changed. Great job on this video, it was a trip down memory lane for me.

[@abbysc417]

I did the program in Fall 2019 and it was... miserable and magical, but mostly miserable. From what I've seen, everything I struggled with (money/rent cost, work hours, administrative crap) seems to have reached an even worse point. But Flamingo does look a lot nicer than my Chatham bunkbed lol. I think the DCP is way too glorified on social media and people should be more authentic so applicants can make a more informed choice. I don't regret my program one bit, but I wish I'd known the realities outside of the Instagram photoshoots.

[@jackskellingtonsora]

I literally just transferred to Mission: Space at the beginning of this month so I just missed you. I recognized a couple of the people in the pictures who I had as trainers.

[@mado11373]

I did a professional internship (PI) and definitely would recommend it over a CP. I’m glad I waited until later in my college career and I got specialized experience in my field. I worked as a biotechnology intern at the land in epcot.

[@bruh-ItsTokyo]

Thank you for this information

[@johnnguyen6128]

Nicely done. Great story telling.

[@benjaminpopkin1540]

Definitely the most helpful video I’ve seen and I’ve been watching dozens. Thanks man.

[@laurenm7929]

This is so helpful! Thank you so much! I very much appreciate your honesty and humor, but you’re not biased or overdramatic.

[@andreas7257]

That was a nice layout of information in this video. I am a former DCP from 2010. I was cool hearing your experience now that it has returned. Thanks for sharing. Have a Magical Day!

[@wendybunger]

Woot woot! 2010 was my year too!

[@DominiqueAshley]

I did mine in 2010 too! ✨

[@avalyn5132]

hey! only 6 minutes in but as someone who may or may not have just started their program (/hj) my 4x4 is 225/week ... this is a super well made video btw!!

[@raquelabalos750]

ill be doing this program in August! Thank you so much for this information and being informative!

[@lucy922]

People need to talk more about this. I will be applying for a CEP international but knowing some of this stuff is still relevant. I often watch a lot of 'why I left/termed my program'videos to try and keep myself aware and most of the time it's down to workload and people not realising the strain of working at theme parks (I've worked at the UKs top theme park for two years now in the most strained seasons the parks ever had so I get it's a lot of work) but this sort of thing like transport is definitely worth knowing and needs to be talked about more

[@janice7288]

Hi!! Is the Disney aspire program offered to both part time and full time employees? And does it cover your full tuition?

[@kelseyvelazquez243]

This was totally great and accurate! Well done!

[@clarabarton8350]

I don't see how this experience qualifies as a college internship. Then again, if you don't really learn anything in college, why should your internship be any different.

[@thejerseygirl97]

It’s not an internship. Disney Professional Interns are different than College Program participants

[@davidadenaike4538]

This was incredibly informative and helpful! Gave me much more clarity than the online forums I’ve read. I myself been accepted and am on the fence as to going.

[@deonnaminix8738]

As a Spring '16 ESPN QSFB, Fall '16 Epcot Merch, and Spring '19 Sunset Attractions CP alum, I can say I had 3 entirely different programs. By 2019 I no longer recommended the DCP, but especially not in the post-Covid/Bob Chapek era. My rent was $120/wk at Vista, and I could bring my car. I am still a part-time CM (and actually worked fireworks/park clear with Nathan), and am starting my second degree with Disney Aspire, I would never recommend the DCP unless you have parents that pay for everything. CPs are treated like dirt by management, scheduling, coworkers, and guests. If you want to be a Cast Member, just apply as PT or FT, you get way more benefits and perks.

[@mariaholmstead4508]

I did my CP in 2016 and it was interesting watching this video from someone who did their CP in 2021. For me, there were a lot less rules. Housing sucked but I lived in Chatham and that was one of the better housing options. Vista way was cheaper but I heard so many horror stories of that housing complex. I also had to live in a triple so each room had 3 beds. Its funny hearing new CPs complain about flamingo crossing because that place is like a dream compared to old housing. We also didn't have that whole "you cant give away shifts as a CP" thing. We we're allowed to trade and give away shifts as a CP all the time. Rules about not being allowed to play in the parks after work by going from backstage to onstage also wasn't a rule in my program either. I was allowed to just slip onstage after work and play. And buses were always full during my CP too. Somethings dont change with that haha. Of course park reservations also werent a thing during my program either but that changed with covid. I think I was paid around $11 an hour during my DCP but I do remember working like anywhere from 40-70 hours a week depending on holidays. I worked Parade Audience Control (which apparently isnt a role anymore???) So I was always working afternoons meaning I didnt get to go to like any of the events. Chatham also had plenty of parking so we didnt have issues with parking. I didnt sign up for any classes and tbh I regret it because there was this cool one on the History of Disney and one of the classes did backstage tours of animal kingdom safari.

[@emily.lynne4]

This was so accurate and wholesome. Hard to watch as a DCP alumni before COVID, but the truth is appreciated. I wouldn't recommend the current DCP program to anyone, I miss how it was before. I loved my program, but lived offsite, got my preferred role, had my car, and got internship credit. It's not the same now.

[@LizS817]

It's slave labor basically. It's fun but they work you to death little pay, they take so much money for an apartment is not that much to operate.

[@Mark-pe2sh]

Basically, it isn't slave labor or even close.

[@werewolflover8636]

@@Mark-pe2sh Only a fool was do this! And yes I’d say being paid less than normal employees, working jobs no one else wants to do, and paying Disney out of the same money they just paid you to stay in an apartment with roommates that will leave you broke is borderline slavery! Only a fool would do this!

[@Pencelia]

Interesting! Things have changed since my pink castle CP experience in Spring 97. Disney would come to our college and do a presentation then the next day do group interviews and 6 weeks later you would receive a letter in the mail. You couldn't pick your location but you could rank roles and explain your reasoning. There were 3 days of training (Traditions) before you were even told your location. I was in Fantasyland Merch. Loved my fellow co-workers. (most were not CP.) We just clicked. I didn't mind that we ranked last in shift choice because I was mostly working with the same people I enjoyed being with. It didn't matter we had to work grad nights from 1030 pm -6am because my co-workers were there. I didn't like being placed at a cart all day by myself. Our class time were called seminars and these were scheduled throughout the program. You had to attend all seminars. There was opportunities to do self learning but I found that was hard with scheduling work, seminars etc. I was able to get college credit through a different university and transferring the credits to my current university. I did have to write a paper on my experience as part of the credit. As for transportation on my program I did not come with a car. (2 roommates did.) We had 12 passenger vans. In order to be at work on time I would have to leave an hour before shift started. Usually when I got out at 2am I could find a ride back to Vista Way. In March of my program I ended up buying a car. We did not need a parking pass to park at Vista Way. I think I just needed to show them the registration etc. We always had to how our work ID to get into the complex. We didn't have many big events. I remember the ball. I had wanted to volunteer at Give Kids the World but that was filled up all the time. It was hard to get in with work schedules and everyone wanting to volunteer. I was able to volunteer once the last week of my program. You mentioned you might want to skip doing CP and apply for Prof. Internships but in order for me to get selected for my advanced internship you had to have had a successful college program. I went into my CP knowing that I wanted to do the Yes Program. I was campus rep in between my end of cp and in spring 2000 when I did the Yes program. The YES program was awesome. I was offered more magical opportunities working as part of the Disney Institute. We didn't live on Disney property and were required to have a car. My schedule was mostly very early (6:30) am but we were out by 3:30. I was able to volunteer at Give Kids the World every week and have the same schedule every week. One thing I've heard now is that cps are being blocked from spending time in the parks. Many days we would clock out and go play the rest of the day in the parks.

[@LT-hg7fc]

I did the college program in 1991 and lived at Vista Way. No pools....pretty much no amenities and no events. But we still had a lot of fun. We were able to park at the apartment complex and drove to work with no issues. There were buses if needed. Interesting that you could have events but not classroom classes? Hmmmm.....Seems like this program has gone downhill since I was there.

[@LEGENDxKILLERxx]

This video is great! I just got accepted to the DCP and start in January of 2025. I really appreciate you showing the pros and cons of the internship. I fell what I got out of this was, “Don’t expect this to be fun and games!” Which I don’t expect it to be. I’m there to work hard and earn my paycheck. My main goal is to get an internship for writing at one of these major animation studios. Having something like this on my resume will help with that! But now I’m 2nd guessing about bringing my car…

[@jonasrule101]

Alum here Fall 2017-Spring 2018! Agree: Getting time off was a pain! The CP's before me ruined it for all CP's from there on out because they would give away shifts causing them not to have enough money for rent. Also with the location being a make it or break it. But its also how you make your experience. I also worked at Epcot (Electric Umbrella (rip)) and hours were crazy! I worked 12-14 hr shifts for 2 weeks straight no days off (CP gap). Amazing team and leaders, pay check was amazing with those hours, but I was definitely tired lol. When I extended I was merch at WOD and I got lucky again with coworkers and most leaders! I worked at the two locations most people would never want and I loved my experience lol! Disagree: Housing events. For this, idk how it is now, so I'm being bias lol. I remember housing events were fun and my location's leaders tried to get us out or try and take off (usually only for events like Winter Formal and DCP graduation) I'm going back to the DCP next week so I'm interested to see what they do now. Neutral: Pay. In all fairness interns are at the bottom of the food chain, and I have had internships that don't pay at all. It also beats my $10 pay :/ Rent is uber expensive compared to what I paid.

[@kenzchan2650]

We didn’t have a winter formal. As far as graduation goes it’s just 5 mins get a photo with Mickey Minnie. Time off wasn’t granted and you gotta talk to your leaders etc. many of them don’t care or don’t have the staff etc whatever their reason is. The special cp event we had was going to DAK at night but guess who ran the event? DAK cast members who were CPs so they didn’t get to enjoy the event at all. They hosted it. It was also 7-11 pm so all MK cast couldn’t attend it at all lmao.

[@kenzchan2650]

I can also say it’s even worse now with people hating CPs. Many pt ft hate us even more because many of their friends are still displaced but we got in. Same with they aren’t getting hours and we get 30 while part time gets 0 a week etc.

[@jonasrule101]

@@kenzchan2650 When was your CP? Im so sorry about your experience. I'm hoping that with cast members returning and those displaced (mostly entertainment) going back to their locations, things will go back to mostly normal.

[@kenzchan2650]

jonasrule101 I’m in the program right now and have been here since august lol.

[@kenzchan2650]

jonasrule101 park reservations for all of April and may are gone. I haven’t gone into the park as a guest in a month. I have to make a reservation and hope I’m off to go. It’s horrendous. So I’m making park reservations 1+ months in advance because they sell out for CMs. Then I have to hope I’m even off work to even go to the park.

[@amberwolf7186]

thank GOD they raised the cp pay especially with the flamingo prices...in my fall 18 program, i was getting paid $9/hr as a park greeter lmao. worth it tho

[@asmrduringclass8149]

$9!?!?! Oh my goodness

[@amberwolf7186]

@@asmrduringclass8149 i know😐 my second program I was a character performer and made $12.50 which was also a slap in the face but at least a cooler job

[@ginauccelatore6430]

at least someone who owns the ORIGINAL MOUSEKETEER EARS (not the new ones with everything on them but the kitchen sinks and collected by those who follow fashions but are not real fans

[@tmariemcg1]

My daughter just drove home tp PA this morning because she was termed for having too many reprimands. The one that put her over the top was for when she got COVID. Leadership told her to call HR to get it removed which she did. HR was great. However leadership said COVID is not considered a Hazzard anymore and that HR should not have told her it would be removed. Leadership and HR are on different pages and gave her differing opinions. Leadership in general is on different pages, one saying one thing and one saying another. Her last day was supposed to be next week... why they felt the need to term her a week before her end date is beyond me. Not to mention she was told at 7 pm Wednesday night she was being termed and told she had only until 10am the next morning to vacate her Flamingo crossings apartment.. Her work hours were horrendous, she was never not on a late night schedule. She was always stressed about being late and getting points, always stressed about money ( almost no money in her paycheck once rent was taken out) , She was exhausted, could never see her friends and was too tired to participate in any of the Cast member extras. Her program was less then magical. Don't get me started on the roommate situation which FC was no help on. Despite the disappointment she made alot of magic for guests including Make a wish kids and she made a lot of friends and learned a lot of lessons. She is focusing on that. At first she was devastated now she is relieved and glad its over. Her mental health was shot. We are a huge Disney family and I'm a little disenchanted with the Mouse right now.

[@mayapapaya5005]

Hello! I'm a current high school student researching the DCP out of curiosity and interest. I've heard nightmare stories and positive ones. Do you mean that your daughter is from Pennsylvania and drove to Florida? Because I live in PA and am considering the worth of the program. To be honest, the many counts of mistreatment and insane work hours has me way less impressed than when I had first found out about the program.

[@cheriebijeaux9959]

Thank you for an honest review.

[@briarose1969]

It was a total cluster in 89…and it’s still a total cluster. I can’t believe they’ve gotten away with this ish for so long🤬

[@machomachoduck2096]

I love Disney - but this company is run by aholes. The DCP is simply about exploiting people as much as possible. It’s a total scam, regardless of whether you might end up enjoying it or not.

[@werewolflover8636]

I can’t believe fools are still falling for it to this very day!

[@katiehobbs96]

That's one thing that annoys me about parking. At my school the parking lots are small and cover multiple buildings so it's first come first serve. And they are very strict on who parks where (like students can't park in faculty) so if you can't find a space then you have to park on the other side of campus. For my school amd Disney you either should limit your people or making more parking spaces, especially since they have the means to do so. Like why don't they build lots or parking garages across the street or like a two minute walk. This is such an easy solution to the problem

[@timslee0618]

I heard mix reviews of DCP. Some liked it and some didn't. I think it depends on if the individual gets the role they want or not and if they get good roommates or not

[@ashleybadiukiewicz2430]

Considering going rent is $1900 for a 2/2…I’d take a 4/4 at $820 a month. Most places it’s double that (not including utilities or amenity fees) . Rent is steep my butt! That’s a steal!!!

[@lewisedwards4058]

Bear in mind- the 2x2 floor plan comprise 90% of the rooms in Flamingo Crossings Village.

[@deonnaminix8738]

Considering most of the rooms are double occupancy, and sometimes your roommates are horrible people that you wonder how they even got hired by Disney in the first place, not so much a steal. I have had loud, rude, messy, disgusting, selfish, and vindictive DCP roommates that steal and with drinking problems (including underage drinking), and one that got fired for assault. Also, I'm not so sure about your math. Rent was a combined $2800 for the 2/2 and $3280 for the 4/4 (not including months with 5 Thursdays where you actually pay an additional week's rent)

[@ashleybadiukiewicz2430]

@@deonnaminix8738 it really it. The math is still much better! Considering you can have that same issue everywhere you go with neighbors. That is still a steal in price considering!

[@FirstNameLastName-js2ul]

Working at Disney as a full timer was eye opening. The backstage areas are so dirty and run down, the point system is brutal, interactions w guests can send you into a mental spiral. Not to mention it’s a glorified minimum wage job. The benefits are unique, but an annual pass is literally $19 a month rn. I’d take that 1M times over working there ever again

[@kelly-bc6on]

why does NO ONE talk about parking?!?! it can really make your job hideous and since i live 30 minutes away i have to leave 2 hours early 🥴

[@Ravioliiii333]

YIKE. I was alright with 50 hours but 60-70 ?!

[@tameraalexander1249]

New subby here. I enjoyed your commentary, and I agree with your dissatisfaction. Thank you for this video.

[@xomisskittyxoxo]

I was a cp in fall 2018-19 and spring 2020. There were so many changes from my first and second program and it’s so different now. I stayed in chatham and I really enjoyed the Disney housing complex set up. It didn’t feel like a dorm at all. I took one Disney class that was held at Chatham and I didn’t learn much. Most of the class was just learning Disney history. It’s also so insane to me that there’s no preference for what role you want on the application.

[@johncooksey8598]

Good stuff, Thanks for sharing.

[@Anibananie_3]

Best video of the program ever!

[@seckora]

I did the career start program back in 2006.... I sadly didn't get to do much Disney U classes...I worked at Wide World of sports and stayed at Buena Vista apartments.... during the 6 months we had some kids picked up in a girl selling sting... I had a roommate that drank a bottle of cough syrup to trip out and fought his manager at one of the parking lots and spent 2 days in the insane asylum and 2 days in jail before he came back to be the reason our apartment was strip searched for drugs he had. The parties in the apartments were insane!! Probably one of the best experiences but also really wild times! I have so many stories...lol.... I was able to work at both the waterparks and a few in park places including Pizza Planet while it was there.

[@sixfootfive6556]

Wow. I did the program back in 1996. I was at Vista Way, and I had my own car. It was easy! You parked at Vista Way, and at the employee parking at Disney World. Period.

[@JamesWildWorldlyAdventures]

Morning @Nathan thank you for your review I was in DCP back in 2002-2003 program one year after 9-11. While many aspects were same as many were different. For myself I stayed at Vista Way there was only 3 housing complex at the time Vista Way, Chatham Square and Common I would say 70% of DCP all was in Vista Way so let say you moved out of apartment good example bad roommate issue you would just move in another one in Vista Way was very how to say challenging to go to Chatham Square as Common was only for the international people who worked World Showcase in EPCOT they have different contract, rules and guidelines and pay rate also then regular DCP. We were more than welcome to visit them as at the time we were force to leave the complex if we were visiting by 8-9 p.m. Most of DCP at the time worked in various roles in Magic Kingdom while it true as mention before they had Cast members in other 3 theme parks, hotels, Downtown Disney at the time, Water parks ect. The majority of cast members were all at Magic Kingdom. There were no block parties or events at the time. Vista Way rooms didn't have Smart TV we force to bring our own if no one had TV than no one would watch, was no wifi in the rooms. They did have computer lab with limited computers with the slowest computers you ever seen. Would take 45 minutes to take your email. Now one of pluses Vista Way had plenty of parking for everyone never had issue with that. The Walmart route was the same as you mention as bus system same also as they would pull up drop the people off and drive away without waiting when the drivers would sit at the tables all the time instead of driving. We were force to show ID all the time when we got on the bus as if did anything that drivers didnt like would make us wait for another bus or make us walk home. The pay was different was only $6.00 an hour 20 years ago as still took money out of check for rent. They did have Disney Classes then but didn't really learn or gain anything mainly they were just "Disneyifed" and that it was also another way just to take our money. We also had to pay to wash and dry our clothes back then also. There used to be weekly room inspection also of Vista Way.

[@jaylonrc8683]

AMAZING VIDEO !

[@imdhepchannel7153]

Nathaaan ur a fine speaker!

[@Joseph_in_Disney]

I applied for the fall 2022. But I wasn't able to pay the fees on time so they canceled it. Im definitely going to reapply for next year. I wish Disneyland still did there's that way i could stay in California but it would be great to experience the Florida life

[@DisneyGlennB]

The DCP is very profitable to Disney and a blip on your resume.

[@bobbysenterprises3220]

The Disney branded bus transportation is also a third party. Even the now gone magical express service was an outside agreement. In many ways it makes sense both in logistics as well as the liability. A lot of the things you said sound like I'd expect from a service oriented job including the hours. Although for the demographic that applies having 40-60 hour weeks even if not consistently would be a wicked eye opener. Thanks for the video. My wife was in the program in the late 90s. Sounds like it's still more about wanting to be there. Wanting to have the experience. As well as the cast member perks. Looks like work for housing and you get the perks and visit a premium vacation spot on any free time you can manage to.

[@Hyde_N_Seek1]

Space 220 was badass surprised the food was good to but I couldn't imagine working there

[@chrisb3976]

I was hired by Disney. I would have been with food and beverage. It was all good and I was even going to Disney World for a trip and after talking to a cast member who was also there for vacation I got the reality of working at Disney. My main hang up was cost of living in central Florida. How other cast members were living out of their cars. Getting gym memberships just for showers and hygiene upkeep. I had to pass on working there.

[@jeremydahl1996]

It sounds like a horrific experience!

[@jennafaybarebo]

My location’s leaders HATED CPs so it was pretty miserable.

[@rebeccawashington4282]

What was ur location?

[@sierraj1589]

It’s changed so much since my 2017 program…

[@12ilovevideogames]

Thank you for the indepth analysis on transportation!! How does anyone do this program without a car???

[@Katesaprincess]

I think not having any choice in what you get, especially since I have a disability is a hard pass for me. Like I applied but idk. This seems to make sense as the cast members at Disney seem upset and frustrated.😭

[@kimyzeamer3726]

As terrible/awesome my experience was living in Vista I’m so glad I was a CP during that time.

[@alexisrapoza5103]

I did my CP in 2018 at Soarin. I will say that when I was there the PT & FT CMs were actually super friendly to CPs and were pretty welcoming

[@ThatOtherNathan]

I know a couple CPs who were at Soarin', and from what they've told me, that's still a thing!

[@togwam]

I did the DCP a few years ago and I enjoyed it but overall feel mixed about it for those very reasons you mentioned

[@donjernigan3435]

If you get over 40 hours, You get time and a half. I used to think that was a bonus. Maybe it is different now. Not discounting it for folks who don't look at it that way. Love the inside look.

[@pizzagirl71]

LMAO the parking struggles. I was mad just listening to it!! What. a. mess. Okay, also not being able to choose your role sucks. Do people get accepted and then not go? I would love to do certain roles but definitely not others.

[@brandonparker119]

Yes they do about a week before you’ll get a definite of what you’ll be doing with only transferring with medical accommodation so if you don’t like what you’re given you can just let them know something came up or a schooling issue and they won’t even question it, however I always highly advise those who want to do it, if you have a chronic issue like I have Crohn’s Disease your program may very well be horrible, Disney corporate does not care about CPs already plus we don’t get sick days so even when I was in the hospital as I was taken there from my shift at World of Disney the days that missed after were combined into one point, however that is only allowed once so yes if you have to miss even more days with medical issues and even with documentation they will still give you a point every day you miss regardless of reason, it’s so bad that even my leaders believe it’s a federal and state law violation 😂

[@james3656]

@@brandonparker119 I was a full time CM for 10 years and came to the conclusion if you have any chronic disease, Disney is not the place to work. That whole point system and record card is a bunch of BS! Battling Health Services is nothing more of playing a game and learning how to play the game.

[@alexawatchingyoutube]

I love this video, but I disagree about skipping the DCP in favor of doing the Professional Internships instead. I’ve met a lot of Disney PIs and full-time non-park workers who were able to get their internships/jobs because they networked through their time on the DCP and were able to include it on their resume! I’ve also applied for over 20 PIs myself and never got in, but I just got accepted to the DCP. For a lot of people, the PIs are much harder to get into unless you have a jam-packed resume, because they only accept 1 or 2 people per position.

[@ThatOtherNathan]

That is true, and is probably the biggest challenge with the Professional Internships. One thing I forgot to include in my video was the other non-disney internship opportunities that exist too, since there are some good ones out there too (i.e. Universal Studios internships, Silver Dollar City's UniverCITY program, etc.). But I'd still argue that with those programs, it'll be a bit better for building a lasting career, since it helps to build focus in more specific areas outside of the general theme park elements.

[@potatochowmein]

This is way more true in Florida. As an California intern - I only met 2 people out of the dozens and dozens who did the DCP

[@lemuelgonzalez235]

Very helpful

[@Jcwbu]

I worked at Mission Space and it seemed like the Full timers hated the turnover of CP's and having to get to know a new group every semester

[@avacosta3130]

this was so helpful & funny!!!

[@Otterice]

$14?!?!?! I did the CP in 2010 and made like $7 and rent was only like $20 less and our apartment was way worse. The work sucks but the experience is unmatched. No regrets.

[@DominiqueAshley]

I did my CP in 2010 as well!! I remember that $7/hr! It really was the best experience ever and I worked in Magic Kingdom! 😆✨

[@Otterice]

@@DominiqueAshley Nice! I worked at World of Disney in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs but I liked to go through the utilidor as if I did work in MK. Haha

[@Griffw06]

4:36 were you allowed to get off to hop on the skyliner? I feel like that would be much faster

[@joyhope9486]

@7:27 I was literally yelling at the screen "that's some bullsh!t" wow...How...how was that approved? How did someone sign off on that...Like someone looked at that plan and said "yup. that's good... enough....i guess....idk, it's not my problem..."

[@dnasch]

Best video of the program 👏 👌 🙌

[@mushtalks6917]

shout out to pecos for giving me 60 to 70 hours every week

[@Shag471]

DCPs have a bad reputation to a lot of well-seasoned CMs because of all the DCP shenanigans in the past. Not your fault. They just bitch a LOT and always complain about not getting anything. The program is designed for work and to get experience during the short-term employment. All other offerings are a plus and the company doesn’t do many functions like parties for regular CMs. I worked overnights at Epcot for 5 years and can’t tell you a single time we were thrown a party other than the annual breakfast every August. Even that was a quick meal then they rush you back to your work detail.

[@kittymaya4615]

Do you blame these kids for bitching? They’re working below-entry-level jobs for cheap pay and don’t qualify for decent shifts, holiday pay or capped weekly hours. I don’t understand why they think working custodial at a theme park will look good on a resume. I think it looks embarrassing.

[@QuillWorks]

I recently accepted a professional internship position. To what degree should I worry these same critiques apply to PI positions?

[@belle1067]

Soooo helpful!!!!!

[@JDeRubeisNH]

you were lucky to have your car in the vicinity. At my college, I had my car but had to park it 4 miles away and the only way to get it was waiting for a shuttle bus that only came 4 times during the day including weekends. If you missed the time, you would need to either uber, lift or walk back to the dorm. It's a privilege to have a car with you.

[@AndrewBuilt]

Very honest.

[@iamsunflower2011]

Thanks, my daughter just got accepted

[@fawncook2200]

I just applied and have my phone interview tomorrow and this is making me very skeptical about finishing the process..... 😬😬😬

[@ma17j1999]

Thank you!

[@dynamicmediacurations]

What a clusterf*ck. Sorry man you had to go though all that.