[Princessbaby]

Good luck to your DD! I hope she ends up doing it. Sounds like a great opportunity.



This was such a sweet story! You made the most of the job!! Sounds like memories of a lifetime!

Originally Posted by KarenWDWCP

Tell her to do it! My CP (nine years ago now, eek!) was in merchandise. It was also not my first choice, I really wanted attractions, but thought I might end up in merchandise due to my past retail experience. I had an ABSOLUTE blast. It was truly one of the best things I have ever done. I also didn't get one iota of credit for it from my school.

Merchandise doesn't sound as exciting as attractions or guest services but she will still have lots of time to interact with guests and make magic. Though I was stationed to work in a shop on Hollywood Blvd, I also worked outside at 2 carts in front of the Chinese theater where I got to see the parade every day. Some days I got to do parade control. And I worked Fantasmic merchandise a few times and got to enjoy the show while working several times. It was great.

There is nothing like the magic of working the CP. Some mornings I would get a kiss from Tigger on my way to open the outdoor cart. Often I'd see Minnie, Goofy and Chip and Dale backstage as they left Hollywood & Vine (I told you it was a long time ago) and I'd be grabbed for an impromtu dance with one of them on my way to the Shop. I had to chase Aladdin around the cart when he "stole" a stuffed Mickey from me. And I helped Pocohontas with her costume when her assistant was off helping someone else. I would often see Mickey and Minnie holding hands and skipping out the window of the Cast cafeteria as they made their way back to their picture spot.

All in all, it was an amazing experience and one I regret not repeating the summer after I graduated. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[bweltsek]

My DS returned from his CP in Aug. He loved it and can't wait to go back.

[Andrea]

I don't think I understand this. How is the CP different from just walking up and applying for regular old job at WDW? You get housing... I'm sure you pay for that?... but what?

[alilmagical32]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I don't think I understand this. How is the CP different from just walking up and applying for regular old job at WDW? You get housing... I'm sure you pay for that?... but what?

You do pay for housing.. quite a lot actually :) You are required to live in that housing as well, its not an option. CP is basically an 'internship' which allows you to leave your college for a semester while still remaining enrolled there. Also, as a CP you have the opportunity to take classes taught by Disney employed teachers which some colleges will accept for credit. I took two classes during my CP, both of which were very interesting, but neither of which my college gave me credit for. It totally depends on you school and your major. My major was Biochemistry, so I got nothin! My good friend was an HR Management major and was actually able to get 12 credits out of her CP which was like not missing a semester at all!

[karliebug]

our main problem is insurance. She needs to be a full time student to be under my insurance and she really needs that because she has a chronic illness and takes lots of expensive medication.

[princesslindsey]

Originally Posted by karliebug

our main problem is insurance. She needs to be a full time student to be under my insurance and she really needs that because she has a chronic illness and takes lots of expensive medication.

I obviously know nothing about your insurance, but I do know that my sister had the same problem when she did the cp last semester. Supposedly she had to be a full time student, but our mom called the insurance company and found out that as long as she took an online course through the college, it was considered full time because she was also doing an internship (even though she got no credit for the internship). I would call your insurance company if you haven't already. You never know what they might tell you!

[PrincessJill]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I don't think I understand this. How is the CP different from just walking up and applying for regular old job at WDW? You get housing... I'm sure you pay for that?... but what?

I just went to an info session on campus and they sold it as a networking opportunity. You can go to seminars led by what sounds like Disney higher-ups and basically have a chance to make connections with them. If you want to do a professional internship with Disney, most of them require that you've done the CP first. They stressed that if Disney had 2 applicants for a position, they would prefer to go with someone who's done the CP, because they already know and understand the Disney "culture".

To me, it sounds like it's a great way to get your foot in the door at Disney for something more long-term...

[alilmagical32]

Originally Posted by princesslindsey

I obviously know nothing about your insurance, but I do know that my sister had the same problem when she did the cp last semester. Supposedly she had to be a full time student, but our mom called the insurance company and found out that as long as she took an online course through the college, it was considered full time because she was also doing an internship (even though she got no credit for the internship). I would call your insurance company if you haven't already. You never know what they might tell you!

This worked for me. Even though I was not getting actual college credits, I was able to stay on my parent's insurance because I was doing an internship! Good luck!

[mmforme2009]

Oh congratulations!!!! I hope she does it and has an absolute blast and has great stories for you to share!!

[karliebug]

UPDATE: She is going down Feb. 1 and will be there through August. She will be working in merchandising but we won't know exactly where until she checks in.

[hanwill]

Congratulations! Glad she is taking the opportunity! Hope she enjoys it!

[princesslindsey]

I'm sure she'll have a blast! And its a great excuse for you to go visit! Any excuse to go to Disney...

[StaceyDarling!]

Originally Posted by karliebug

I'm so excited. Kate got accepted to work in merchandising at WDW for next semester. She doesn't know if she wants to do it She isn't sure if her college will give her any credit and merchandising was her last choice. She really wanted to do hospitality, guest services or attractions. I told her I would impersonate her and go in her place! She has a week to decide. I hope she does it, what a great opportunity. I'm so jealours. I wish I was 19 again.

That is so exciting! Tell her congratulations! I also got accepted for Spring for Merchandising. I am going for CS though! :] But its the same difference really! lol. In my opinion, she should still do it! She'll have such a wonderful experience. I mean, of course if her school won't give her credit that would really suck. But she should def go to her advisor and ask them. Theres info on the CP website for teachers and such if she needs the information.

Another thing she could do, is she could try and email or call the recruiting office and ask them if there is any chance she can switch roles, as long as she hasn't accepted her role yet of course. My friend who is doing the CS got custodial and wanted FSF&B, before she accepted her role online she emailed the recruiting office and asked if she could switch, and they actually switched for her no problem. Now of course, theres not a guarantee, it is a request. But if never hurts to ask!

If she decides to do it tell her we can be CM buddies! haha. Merchandising actually is a lot of fun, depending on where you work of course it could be slow. But I know a few ppl who have done the program in Merchandising and LOVED IT! They even extended and did the program again.

Hope she makes a decision soon! Keep us posted! :]

[StaceyDarling!]

Originally Posted by KarenWDWCP

Tell her to do it! My CP (nine years ago now, eek!) was in merchandise. It was also not my first choice, I really wanted attractions, but thought I might end up in merchandise due to my past retail experience. I had an ABSOLUTE blast. It was truly one of the best things I have ever done. I also didn't get one iota of credit for it from my school.

Merchandise doesn't sound as exciting as attractions or guest services but she will still have lots of time to interact with guests and make magic. Though I was stationed to work in a shop on Hollywood Blvd, I also worked outside at 2 carts in front of the Chinese theater where I got to see the parade every day. Some days I got to do parade control. And I worked Fantasmic merchandise a few times and got to enjoy the show while working several times. It was great.

There is nothing like the magic of working the CP. Some mornings I would get a kiss from Tigger on my way to open the outdoor cart. Often I'd see Minnie, Goofy and Chip and Dale backstage as they left Hollywood & Vine (I told you it was a long time ago) and I'd be grabbed for an impromtu dance with one of them on my way to the Shop. I had to chase Aladdin around the cart when he "stole" a stuffed Mickey from me. And I helped Pocohontas with her costume when her assistant was off helping someone else. I would often see Mickey and Minnie holding hands and skipping out the window of the Cast cafeteria as they made their way back to their picture spot.

All in all, it was an amazing experience and one I regret not repeating the summer after I graduated. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I was wondering how this works, if you don't get credit for it from your school, how do they let you go and take the time of school?

[karliebug]

she is taking a leave of absence from Penn State because they wouldn't give her credit. We are getting her 12 credits from another school that accepts the program for credit and then transferring those credits to Penn State as general ed. credits. I had to do this because she needs to carry 12 credits to still be on my insurance plan.