DCP: Bucket List

If you aren't aware, it is really popular to have a bucket list when you are in the DCP. Here's mine so far:

General

1. Do the Backstage Magic tour
2. Go to all four parks in one day!
3. Go to Rope Drop at each park at least once
4. Go to a park by myself
5. See every show and parade
6. Eat an entire Kitchen Sink
7. Eat a Mickey Ice Cream Bar
8. Take a picture with every non-Princess character
9. Get a picture with Mickey in as many different outfits as possible
10. Play a lot of The Sorcerer's Kingdom
11. Get one cheesy shirt from each park
12. Do the Gospel Brunch

Magic Kingdom

1. Buy a balloon on Main Street
2. Curtsy to the princess at the fountain
3. Ride Dumbo, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, or TTA during Wishes
4. Ride Space Mountain with the lights on
5. Try pulling the sword from the stone in Fantasyland
6. Watch Wishes from every different land in the park

Epcot

1. Get a passport from Guest Relations and visit every country at WS to get it stamped
2. Pick a pearl in Japan

Hollywood Studios

1. Do the animation class
2. Experience Character Palooza!!
3. Get the highest score I can on Toy Story Midway Mania
4. Ride Rockin' Rollercoaster as many times as possible in an hour
5. See both Fantasmic showings in the same night

Downtown Disney

1. Design my own shirts at Design-a-Tee
2. Get ice cream at Ghirardelli
3. Ride the Characters in Flight balloon
4. See a movie at the dine-in theatre
5. Stroll around DTD at night
6. Visit Basin and wash my hands with the delicious smelling scrubs

Typhoon Lagoon

1. Take surfing lessons

Cast Member

1. Attend CP Graduation
2. Attend CP Formal
3. Get a GSF Card
4. Give GSFs to other CMs
5. Get a DCP goodies (bags,t-shirt, etc.)
6. Go to Grocery Bingo
7. Go to housing events! (Cool Beans Cafe, Pool Party, Asian Market, Games, Bus Trip)
8. Make a magical moment for a guest
9. Pick up a PAC shift
10. Pick up shifts in all the parks
11. Shop at Company D
12. Shop at Property Control and Cast Connection
13. Use my CM Discount to get TONS OF STUFF
14. Visit Mickey’s Retreat
15. VoluntEAR

DCP: Class Dress Code

Since it is the DCP, naturally Disney offers college classes. And just like the rest of Disney, they have very specific standards for how you need to behave and look.

 

I've seen lots of people who are needing help with deciding what is, and isn't appropriate for Traditions (a orientation of sorts) and the college classes. Here is what Disney says:

Non-Costumed Guidelines: Women

To maintain the Disney image of excellence, clothing should be classic in style, clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly. Clothing should not appear too tight, short in length, faded, or in need of repair.
Business Attire for Women

• Professional options for women include dress pants with a classic style blouse or sweater, skirted or pants suit, dress with or without a jacket, and business-style walking shorts with a blouse and jacket or vest.
• A blazer or suit may be required at certain times, depending on your work location and the nature of your role. Check with your area leader for more information.
• Sleeveless tops and dresses are permitted, provided the sleeve width is no fewer than three inches (approximately 7.6 cm). Tank tops, spaghetti straps, and other casual styles are not acceptable.
• Traditional and professional style mid-calf Capri pants are permitted. Cotton twill, cargo, leggings or other casual styles of Capri pants do not present a professional image and are therefore not permitted.
• Cotton twill full-length pants (i.e., Dockers®, khakis) are permitted only if they are neatly pressed, creased, and appear to be professionally laundered.
• Non-costumed cast members are permitted to wear a short- or long-sleeved oxford style dress shirt with property-specific embroidered logo. A blazer is optional.
• In addition to the options above, non-costumed women in Sports and Recreation at Walt Disney World® Resort are permitted to wear dress or golf-style shorts no shorter than three inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the knee. Shorts may be paired with a professional-style blouse (as detailed above) or with a neat, well-maintained polo or golf-style shirt. Shorts are not permitted for females in Golf Operations or for office-based cast in this area.
• Clothing not permitted includes polo or golf-style shirts (except for Sports and Recreation cast), cargo-style pants, t-shirts, sundresses, leggings, casual shorts, wrap-around shorts, one-piece rompers and garments made of denim fabrics.
• Winter jackets and coats should present a professional appearance and should be made of fabrics traditionally acceptable in business. For example, wool, leather and micro fiber offer good choices. Denim, nylon, satin and other casual fabrics would not meet these professional guidelines.

Clothing Lengths

Dress and skirt lengths may range from three inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the kneecap bone to the bottom of the ankle. The length of shorts should be from the top of the kneecap bone to three inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the kneecap bone. Slits in skirts, kick pleats and buttoned or snapped closures should not exceed five inches (12.7 cm) above the middle of the knee. Pants should be long enough to touch the bottom of the ankle.

Fabrics and Patterns

Fabrics should be those traditionally acceptable for business, such as tweed, wool, cotton, polyester, silk, linen, rayon or blends of these fibers. Unacceptable fabrics include spandex, gauze, metallic fabrics, sheer fabrics, clinging knits, denim and chambray. Patterns that are large graphics, large company and non-company logos, and styles that suggest extremely casual sportswear are not permitted.

Fingernails

Fingernails should be kept clean. If polish is used, it should be complementary to your skin tone. This includes deeper, richer shades of polish. Polishes that are not permitted include neon, black, gold, silver or multi-colored. Charms or decals on fingernails are not permitted. Fingernails should not exceed one-fourth of an inch (approximately 6 mm) beyond the fingertip.

Hair Accessories

Hair accessories should be a classic style and should coordinate with the outfit.

Headwear

Non-costumed cast members, while working outdoors only, may wear hats made natural materials, such as straw, with a small brim for protection from the sun. These should be a simple classic style, solid tan or brown in color. Hatbands must be a color similar to the color of the hat. Baseball caps and visors are not permitted.

Jewelry

• Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, lapel pins, and a business-style wristwatch are permitted. A pin, brooch, or scarf clip in good business taste is also acceptable.
• Two necklaces and two bracelets in good business taste that blend with the outfit and each other are permitted.
• Ankle bracelets are not permitted.
• One earring in each ear is permitted. It must be a simple, matched set. Earrings may be clip-on, pierced, hoop or dangle and must be worn on the bottom of the earlobe. Earrings may extend up to two inches (approximately 5 cm) from the bottom of the earlobe and should be professional in style.
• Only one ring on each hand is permitted, with the exception of a wedding set. A ring may be worn on any finger.

Footwear

Dress shoes or boots in good business taste are required. Classic dress shoes are permitted to have an open toe, open heel and/or sling back. Athletic shoes, sandals, and Western boots are not permitted.

Hosiery is optional for female non-costumed cast members. If hosiery is worn, it should be sheer or opaque hosiery in subdued shades.

Non-Costumed Guidelines: Men

Guidelines for Non-Costumed Men

To maintain the Disney image of excellence, clothing should be classic in style, clean, neatly pressed and creased, and fit properly. Clothing should not appear too tight, too baggy, faded, or in need of repair.

Business Attire

• Dress trousers and a short- or long-sleeved professional-style shirt are required. Shirts must be tucked in, with the exception of camp style dress shirts and sweaters specifically tailored otherwise.
• A tie, sport coat or suit may be required at certain times, depending on your work location and the nature of your role. Check with your area leader for more information.
• Cotton twill trousers (i.e., Dockers®, khakis) are permitted only if they are neatly pressed, creased and appear to be professionally laundered.
• Non-costumed cast members are permitted to wear a short- or long-sleeved oxford style dress shirt with property-specific embroidered logo. Sport coats, blazers, and ties are optional.
• In addition to the options above, non-costumed men in Sports and Recreation at Walt Disney World® Resort are permitted to wear dress or golf-style shorts no shorter than three inches (7.6 cm) above the top of the knee. Shorts may be paired with a professional-style shirt (as detailed above) or with a neat, well-maintained polo or golf-style shirt. Shorts are not permitted for men in Golf Operations or for office-based cast in this area.
• Clothing not permitted includes polo or golf-style shirts (except for Sports and Recreation cast), cargo-style trousers, t-shirts and garments made of denim fabrics.
• Winter jackets and coats should also present a professional appearance and should be made of fabrics traditionally acceptable in business. For example, wool, leather and micro fiber offer good choices. Denim, nylon, satin and other casual fabrics would not meet these professional guidelines.

Fabrics and Patterns

Fabrics should be those traditionally acceptable for business, such as tweed, wool, cotton, polyester, silk, linen, rayon or blends of these fibers. Unacceptable fabrics include spandex, metallic fabrics, sheer fabrics, clinging knits, denim and chambray.

Patterns that are large graphics, large company and non-company logos, and styles that suggest extremely casual sportswear are not permitted.

Headwear

Non-costumed cast members, while working outdoors only, may wear hats made of natural materials, such as straw, with a small brim for protection from the sun. These should be a simple, classic style, solid tan or brown in color. Hatbands must be a solid color similar to the color of the hat. Baseball caps and visors are not permitted.

Jewelry

• Lapel pins, tie bars or clips, collar bars, cufflinks, rings, a bracelet and a business-style watch are permitted.
• One bracelet and one necklace, in good business taste, in gold, silver or a color that blends with your clothing is permitted. The width of the bracelet and necklace may not exceed one-half inch (1.3 cm). Ankle bracelets are not permitted.
• Jewelry may not be worn in any visible body piercing. See previous section on "Body Alteration or Modification".
• Only one ring on each hand is permitted. A ring may be worn on any finger

Footwear

Dress shoes and socks in good business taste are required. Western boots and deck shoes are not permitted.

 

So even though your new cowgirl boots are super cute, and I'm sure everyone wants to see your new hilarious T-shirt, that won't work for class.

 

Disney has no problem with taking you out of the class if you don't want to stick to their rules, and there are twenty other people behind you who would be happy to take your place in Disney Heritage.

DCP: What Is It?

Short Answer:

The Disney College Program is an opportunity to college students to go and work for Disney.

 

Long Answer:

 

The Disney College Program is for college students, it is an opportunity to go and work a day (or night) job for Disney, and live near the park(s) and take classes.

 

You can apply to either Walt Disney World, or Disneyland, you have the option of applying to both, or selectively one or the other.

 

A far as the job, that can include anything from Hospitality, to Custodial, to Food Service, to Character Preforming, and all of these jobs are vital to running the various Disney Parks.

 

If you apply and are accepted (which is a whole other post) then you will be assigned a job. You will work your job around 28-40 hours a week, depending on the season.

 

You can apply for multiple lengths of time, some of which will be more popular than others. I applied for and was accepted into the Spring Advantage Program, which means that I would be gone anywhere from five to eight months.

 

While you are there, you will be able to live in apartment complexes, with up to six roommates. Personally, I only wanted one roommate, and somehow ended up with what seems to be an awesome roommate.

Make sure that you have criteria, otherwise you could end up with a roommate that you can't stand.

 

As far as the classes go, you have the option to take two classes per semester that you are there. I am taking Corporate Analysis and a seminar called Exploring Marketing.

 

The classes that could potentially count for credit do charge, mine cost around $25, but compared to the ridiculous hourly rate of most colleges, that is insanely good.  

 

Don't worry! There is still time to have fun and hang out with your new friends. Personally, I don't party, but there is a nightlife for those of you over 21.

For those of us who are underage, there are lots of other events we can attend, and personally I plan on spending a lot of time in the parks (where Cast Members get free admission!).

There are other things that I haven't mentioned, you just have to look for events on your own.

 

There are lots more parts of this program, that I will write about, but this is the basic explanation of it. If you want to read more about the DCP, visit my other blog and Disney in general:

 

http://controversialkendra.blogspot.com/

Have a Magical Day!

 

 

 

Pre-Disney: Finding a Roommate Part Two

So when you have completed filling out your Roommate Survey, you will (eventually) talk to potential roommates. And everyone has different ideas about what makes a good roommate, so before you become BFFs and decide you want to live together forever, here are some good questions to ask (these are written for girls, but can be adapted for guys):

Do You Drink? 

This question is extremely important if you are underage in the Disney College Program, since anyone found with alcohol under the age of 21 is fired on the spot and sent home, the incident is put on their Disney employment record, and often results in the employee not being eligible for re-hire status. I cannot stress this enough, if she/he drinks and they are underage, find a different roommate! I'm sure they are wonderful, but it isn't worth you being associated with 'the underage drinker'. 

How Often Do You Shower?

Do I really need to explain this.

What Kind of Movie/Music Do You Like/Hate?

If you can't stand her Broadway tunes, and she can't stand your Metallica, you should probably find someone else. Or at the very least, agree to a headphones policy. 

Do You Have A Boyfriend?

This will help you know if she is planning on bringing guys back to the room, and is also a good chance to make sure both of you know about the no overnight guests rule, this is also potential termination cause.

Are You Allergic To Anything?

Again, I think this is fairly obvious. 

Do You Have Any Religious Restrictions? 

If she can't eat pork, or has to prepare her meals a certain way, that is important to know, since it will affect your schedules. This is also a good way to find out if either of you just don't want to room with each other because of religion.  It can be an uncomfortable conversation, but it's better to have it than to be walking on eggshells around each other (or arguing) for 4-8 months. It isn't discrimination, it is just smart decision making in who you know you will and won't get along with.

Are You Bringing A Car?

The general DCP student probably won't bring their car, but some do. It is a huge advantage over taking the bus system, which isn't awful, it is simply the convenience factor. If she is bringing a car, and she offers to take you places, offer gas money. This is the most basic of manners, and if you can't afford gas money, offer to do her chores, or cover a shift. This is a big deal in the DCP to have extra transportation, and you should be very grateful when you get it.

Are You Tidy, Clean, Messy, Or Dirty?

There is a huge difference between all of these. 

Tidy: Everything is picked up and in its spot ninety-nine percent of the time, and is extremely hygienic. 

Clean: Generally picked up, almost no clutter and is very hygienic. 

Messy: Generally a mix between cluttered and clean, organized in piles of clean possessions, and is hygienic. 

Dirty: Never picked up, food everywhere, no organization, and is extremely unhygienic. 

This could potentially be a deal-breaker between you and your possible roommate, this is one of the most important questions. 

I hope these questions helped anyone who needs to find a roommate, it can be hard, and you probably won't choose the first person you meet, but keep looking! Unless you are incredibly chilled out, you do not want to be stuck with a randomly assigned roommate. I found mine on Facebook through DCP pages, and it's worked out amazingly so far. Just keep looking, and be smart while you're immersed in the Disney magic.