Every semester, thousands of college-aged students flock to Walt Disney World and Disneyland to participate in the Disney College Program (DCP). For a semester, they play, work in the parks and live in apartments close to the property. With gorgeous weather, no school and tons of fun activities to do, it seems like a dream come true. In reality, it's a trap -- which is why I’m here to talk about why you shouldn't do the Disney College Program.
1. You will fall in love with Disney more than you ever knew possible.
Even if you have been to Disney a thousand times before your program, being a cast member (someone who works for Disney) is a whole other experience. Before my program I thought this would ruin the magic, but it actually made me appreciate it more. I now understand how much effort goes into making sure guests enjoy their stay and I appreciate it so much more. Even though I had done most of the things in the park, re-experiencing them as a cast member made me fall in love with the parks so much more.
2. You'll make some of the best friends you'll ever have in your life.
You'll meet people from all over the world and bond with them over long hours, ugly costumes and rude guests. You'll spend late nights after work eating cheap fast food and your days off roaming the parks having the time of your life. And then you have to leave them. Just like that, somebody you spent every waking minute with for months is gone and you’re left to reminisce through old pictures and memories.
3. Leaving Disney is hard.
I had heard a lot about "post-Disney depression," but I didn’t know the reality until I went back to my small hometown and my boring old job. After months of working “Where Dreams Come True,” being in my small hometown seemed confining. Gone were the days of hopping on a bus and heading to the Magic Kingdom on my days off; instead, my days off were spent lounging around my house wondering what I would be doing if I was in Disney right now. You'll look at the clock and think "Wow, right now Tinkerbell is flying overhead at Wishes as a child who’s never seen it before points excitedly," or "Right now I could be sitting on Main Street USA with a large Starbucks drink in hand, watching the Festival of Fantasy Parade."
4. You can’t wait to go back.
Since the minute I landed in Boston, I’ve been itching to go back. I plan fake trips for fun, watch Disney videos on YouTube while I study and read up on Disney any chance I get. As soon as I finish school, I plan to move back to Orlando. Although I’ll always love New England for being my first home, I'm always reminded of what little Ellie says to Carl: “Adventure is out there!”
Even though the Disney College Program is a trap, it's definitely worth it. I loved every second of being there and I can’t wait to go back.
