Every semester students from across the world pack up their lives and travel to either Florida or California in order to experience the Disney College Program for themselves. Prior to arriving, many participants (CPs) solely look forward to living away from home, having a semester off of school, and maybe making a bit of extra cash. However, once the College Program is finished, each participant is left with a whole new outlook on life thanks to Disney. Since I am fresh off of the College Program, I wanted to create my own “Top 11” list of how the Disney College Program will change your life.
11. “Speed Walking” has become your natural way of walking.
During the College Program, you become so used to weaving in and out of people, strollers, and ECVs that when you are walking around back home, you naturally tend to almost run to where you’re headed (even if you aren’t intending to). Disney has probably increased your walking endurance as well, so you can handle it.
10. Happiness really is contagious.
Disney cast members get told all the time that they are some of the happiest people that a guest has ever met, but it’s hard to stay mad or upset when you’re constantly around other people who smile all the time. On days when I came into work just a little under the weather and not wanting to be my happy-go-lucky self, my co-workers and even some of the guests made it hard to not smile and be happy. Since being home, I have been told multiple times that I smile more than any other person around. So thanks Disney, for making me a constantly happy person.
9. You have become used to apologizing for things that are out of your control.
As a cast member at Disney, you are trained to apologize for almost anything that could have gone wrong during a guest’s time at the resort. During my time at Disney, I apologized for many things, but some of the craziest apologies included the weather, a bag being lost on a flight, and for a character not meeting in a certain park. Get used to people back home looking at you strange when you start to apologize because it’s supposed rain tomorrow.
8. Being late is now a thing of the past.
Due to the fact that you could get a point for showing up to work just one minute late, time awareness is something that most CPs definitely gain out of the program. Most former cast members are probably in the habit of arriving somewhere at least 15 minutes early just to be safe.
7. "Adulting" is a real thing whether you’re ready for it or not.
Between paying an insane amount for rent each week, buying food each week, and paying for gas, the College Program taught me how to adult like I never expected. I even taught myself how to prepare a budget so I had enough money for everything. Talk about growing up in a short amount of time.
6. Disney lingo will forever be a part of your daily life.
Phrases such as, “Have a magical day!” or “Wait right there for me, princess” will be phrases forever ingrained in your head. Staying in character and performing our role in the show all lead to cast members saying phrases like these all the time while at work. Unfortunately, these phrases don’t stay at work, they follow us all the way home at the end of our program too.
5. You have gained more independence than you ever thought possible.
Prior to the program, I was someone who needed a companion whenever I did something, but while in Disney World, I discovered how wonderful being alone for a while was. Most CPs learn to enjoy whatever time they are able to spend alone.
4. Upon returning home, everything you do or see will remind you of Disney.
While in Disney, CPs are surrounded by Disney everywhere they turn, so returning home is rather difficult. Everyday "normal" activities such as shopping, bring about stories of Disney and how bad we miss it. Be prepared for friends and family to laugh at you whenever comments are made.
3. Appreciation for parents or family back home has grown tremendously.
After living quite a way from home, most of us gain appreciation for what our parents do/did for us when we lived at home. While on my program, I really missed coming home from work to a hot meal or being able to have my laundry done for me.
2. Lifelong friends were made on the College Program.
I really can’t emphasize this enough. The friends that I made through the College Program are friends who I will never stop talking to. Saying bye and leaving them was the absolute worst part of the program. After living near each other, spending all your time together, and working together, it’s hard to imagine not having these friends right next to you. In fact, my friends are what made my college program amazing.
1. Disney will forever hold a piece of your heart.
As much as Disney gives you fantastic work experience, people skills, and a great resume booster, it also becomes a second home to many of its cast members. Even after working and playing there for four to six months, leaving the Happiest Place on Earth was one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do. I feel that when I left, I left a piece of my heart inside the Magic Kingdom, with the friends I made, and with Mickey Mouse himself.
After thinking about how much my life has been impacted by the Disney College Program, it’s hard to imagine life without it. Whether you are someone who is getting ready to leave for your program, in the middle of your program, or just finishing up with your program, stop and thank Disney for the opportunity that you have been given because not only did they provide you with a job so many people would die to have, but they more than likely helped you grow up and become a stronger, more independent person!
