During my senior year of college, I had no clue where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do post-graduation. I always hoped I would land a cool job in New York City so I could stagedoor Broadway shows every night, but someplace else began calling me back. That place was Walt Disney World.
As a little background information, I did my first Disney College Program back in 2013 in the wonderful little land of Liberty Square in the merchandise role. I loved the job, the cast members I worked with and the opportunities I had to make magic for the guests. The things I did struggle with were my anxiety, my living situation and not having a car. I knew that if I ever did another program, which to be quite honest I didn’t expect to, then I would have to make sure all three of those struggles were taken care of and fixed.
Fast forward two years, and I’m sitting in front of my computer applying once again for the DCP, more as a backup plan in case nothing else worked out. My hopes were to be given a different role so I could have a brand new experience. That was not the case.
On the very last day of acceptances, after being denied for every professional internship I applied for, an email with the headline “Congratulations” popped into my inbox while I was at work and I cried tears of joy. I was going home to WDW, and in that moment that was all that mattered. But as I opened up the second part of the email, I discovered that I had once again been placed in merchandise. I was a little discouraged, but there are so many merchandise locations so I should get to try something brand new!
Not exactly. At the check-in of my second DCP, the cast member placed the lovely sticker on the back of my planner with my location fate. And where was that? Frontierland, which was the sister land to Liberty Square with the same leadership. I truly was coming home, in more ways than one.
But even with all the similarities, doing a second DCP still brought new opportunities. I made new friends, new roommates and new memories. I didn’t have to worry about settling into a new location and gaining my confidence. I already had all that. My situation rarely happens, but I’m thankful it did.
Having the chance to do a second DCP makes you appreciate your time here more. I know what it’s like to have all of this around you one day, and then suddenly you’re back in the classroom struggling through homework and tests. Going from 3 p.m. meaning “Time for the parade!” to “Time for marketing class!” is one of the weirdest transitions I’ve ever made. But you can come back here to Disney. You can live the CP life for a little while longer. And when you return back after graduating from college, you feel as if you have a little more time to be a kid. You don’t have to grow up completely just yet while you’re here.
To anyone finishing up your CP and having to head back to school soon, please know this probably won’t be goodbye forever. Go finish school, and apply for the program following your graduation if you want to come back. Being a CP again feels strange at first, but there are not many places where you get a do over. But with the Disney College Program, you can.
