One of the final events of the Disney College Program is the Service Celebration, which is basically a Disney-fied graduation celebration. The majority of participants do attend this event, and here are five reasons why you should!

1. Graduation Mickey Ears

Who doesn’t want a pair of Mickey ears exclusive to DCP participants? Well, as one of the first gifts for a job well done, black Mickey ears with a gold tassel are handed to each participant as they walk into the celebration. It’s not a Disney party without a new pair of ears, am I right? And especially for those who extend, you get a new pair every celebration you attend! Don’t forget to have get them embroidered at the parks or Disney Springs afterwards. However, just be forewarned that if the embroidery machines malfunction, there’s no guarantee that your ears can be replaced for you.

2. Certificate Of Completion

The next gift is a lovely certificate, which may as well act as a Disney diploma, certifies that you have successfully completed your DCP. The one downfall is that there is no date on the certificates, so for alumni, it’s hard to remember when you got each one.

3. Seeing "The Fab 5" In Their Graduation Attire

If you don’t take a picture with Minnie and Mickey or Pluto and Goofy, who are all in their graduation attire, then did you really go to a Service Celebration? After standing in line for a bit, you have the chance to hug or high-five the boss and take a picture or two to continue the celebration!

4. Free Food

What’s a celebration without food? Of course you’ll be hungry after waiting in line for the characters, so head on over, grab a plate of comfort food and sit down with your friends. This is usually the part of the celebration that gets your mind thinking, “Wow, it’s really almost over, isn’t it?” But don’t feel sad right now, just enjoy the memories you’re making right then and there!

5. Celebrate

What other activities are packed into this event? There’s a DJ playing music and handing out prizes for random acts and trivia, a photo booth and more! And afterwards, the next step of celebrating, if you have the day off, is a trip to the parks to get your ears embroidered! Almost everyone heads over to Magic Kingdom, so just be warned that almost every embroidery shop will be packed with DCP ears. The four shops that offer hat embroidery are Big Top Souvenirs, The Chapeau, Curtain Call Collectables and Fantasy Faire.

The Service Celebration is one of my favorite parts of the DCP. After all of the late nights, crazy guest encounters and unforgettable moments, this is a time where you can truly congratulate yourself for completing the Disney College Program. For some, this is the best time of your life. For others, it is one of the most challenging growing experiences you’ll ever have. But all in all, this program teaches you more than how to offer exceptional guest service, it teaches you who you are and maybe even who you want to be when it’s time to go back to the real world.