If there is one decision I have made in my life that has the most impact on me, it would be my decision to do the Disney College Program. The Disney College Program or DCP for short is a four month to year long internship for College Students at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. I specifically worked first as a food and beverage hostess at Magic Kingdom and then as a Merchandise(retail) hostess at Hollywood Studios, two of the theme parks at Walt Disney World.
I learned many things from my experience as an intern for the Walt Disney Company. The experience as a college program intern taught me many things about work and life. I've compiled a list with some of the things I learned that really stand out to me.
1. Don't be late to work.
Your managers do care about your well being and if you're late they will wonder where you are. You can develop great relationships with them but at the end of the day they are still your boss though and they reserve the right to write you up and or fire you; respect them.
2. Disney World is a massive place!
Don't leave 30 minutes before you have to be at work; allot at least an hour. Even if it's 2:00 p.m. you will hit traffic!
3. Your roommates may or may not be your best friends.
If they aren't you will still have your work family you can lean on.
4. You will be shuffled around.
Even if you have a home location you could get told you're working at a completely different spot an hour before your shift. Flexibility will become your new MO.
5. You will make friends that will become family to you.
You will come back from Disney and there will be times it will feel as if nobody understands the experience you had. You will always have your Disney friends to leave on.
6. Once you leave Disney you will want to tell everybody back home about how much you love Disney and how much your college program meant to you.
But not everyone will want to hear you talk about it all the time.
7. Post Disney Depression is a very real thing.
There are support groups online that you can lean on.
8. Having friends that are part time and full time definitely has it's perks.
It's nice to get out of the intern bubble. Plus you always have people that you can visit when you want to return to the magic (which you will).
9. Going off of my last point, Disney will become your home.
You will find ways to return home!
10. Lastly, join the Disney Alumni Association.
There are hundreds of people experiencing the same feelings you are. Disney isn't just another vacation spot to you anymore, it's home and you want to talk about it whenever you get the chance.
You will realize there is no sweeter taste then a premium Mickey bar, no greater sound then the Wishes soundtrack (you might even play it on your drive home from work). Seeing fireworks as you leave the park at the end of your shift is truly magical, and nothing can really fill the place in your heart that Disney does. When you return home after your college program you will instantly want to go back. You'll hardly remember the times that you wanted to cry because a guest was mean, or when you feet hurt so bad you didn't want to get up the next morning.
Disney changed your life, more then likely for the better. If you're like me, it helped you find your major and a place you felt you belonged. You will probably find yourself longing for your work family and when you do visit you'll realize things have changed. This may make you sad at first, but there will be some people that will remember you. As you watch the new cast members that took your place you'll smile because you realize that you too got to be a part of the legacy and Disney will forever remain a place where dreams come true, a place where your dreams came true. Remember, "It all started with a mouse." - Walt Disney
