Disney Colege Program: The First Week

The first week of the Disney College Program can be a scary and exciting time for everyone. One question that is been asked is, What will my First week look like? Well its going to be different for everyone, so here is the run down:

Day One: Everyone will go to check-in at their complex they will be living at. If you live off-site, you will check in at Patterson Court. Next you will have casting. Some may not have it this day and will have it the next. Instead Some may have a housing meeting. If you have the role of a life guard, attractions or a transportation cast member you will have a drug test. More detail in  my check-in blog.

Day Two: If you didn't have casting or your housing meeting, you will likely have it this day.

Day Three: Most likely you will have a day off

Day Four: You will be going to traditions.

Day Five: If you didn't go to traditions, you ill go then. Depending on your role role you may start training.

Day Six and so on: training will start at least for everybody or you may have a few more days off before you train, but you will start training at least by day 8

Disney College Program: Traditions and training

Everyone in the Disney College Program has to go through Traditions, which is the orientation overview to the Walt Disney Company, specifically Walt Disney World. You'll have orientation pertaining to your role later, and then orientation at your location, followed by actual role training.

Your traditions will be scheduled a few days after you check in. Your traditions will be dived into groups by last name and you will receive a sheet before you check in letting you know if you will go in the morning or the afternoon. If you go to traditions in the afternoon it is usually longer then the one in the morning.

You must dress in business clothes for  Traditions, Park orientation, and any training done at Disney University.

What will Traditions entail?

Just like when you went to casting you are REQUIRED NOT TO TAKE TRANSTAR. Disney will provide coach buses to get you to traditions.

Your day begins on the bus ride to Disney University, where your Traditions "class" takes place.

Once there you will be divided into more groups and will make sure your name and school is spelled correctly for your name tag. You will not be able to put your city on it at this point. If you would like, you have to do this at costuming once you start training at your location.


At traditions you will learn some of Disney's business success secrets, their special "language," the Four Keys, creating magical moments and interacting with Guests, and a look back at Walt's life.

There will also be many videos of Guests explaining how Cast Members made their vacation extra magical, and how the Cast Members responded to the Guests' letters. There were videos of children being told they were going to Walt Disney World and their reactions to the news.

 During traditions you will learn about the Four Keys. What are the Four Keys? These are Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency. These are integral to success at any branch of the Walt Disney Company. And you will never stop hearing about them while on your Disney journey -- they are that important! This doesn't hurt to mention these in your interview.

After awhile you will take a special trip to the Magic Kingdom to see the Four Keys in action. After you return they will talk a bit more of what you saw in the Four Keys and then a special guest will come in. I don't want to spoil anything so that all I will say after you return. There is also some other special surprises during the class.

After you are done with traditions you are able to play in the Parks!!!!

What will Training entail?

Everyone's training is going to be different, so I will give you the basic run down. Everyone will have a few classes at Disney University, where you will learn about your role and do computer training.

Then you will have a Welcome to orientation at your park or resort you are working at. The Same will be for Disney Springs and the ESPN Sports Complex. After the orientation  you will start your on the job training. This is going to vary by role, so I am not going to get into this much. You will also be getting your costumes at this point in your training.

Disney College Program: The Gird

When I was finishing my Fall 2014 extension the housing team at Disney was constructing a new store at The Commons. In February 2015 The Gird finally opened.

The Grid is open seven days a week until 1 a.m., and offers a wide array of hot and cold food items, health and beauty products, and coffee and assorted beverages. If you are flying and don't want to hit Wal-Mart right away, this is a good place to get you settled for a bit until you stock up.


Starting in the Fall 2016, Disney has partnered with College-Ave a site where you are able to order dorm supplies. So seven days prior to arrival you may order items from the site have them shipped to The Commons apartment Complex. All of the items located in the site has been preapproved by Disney housing.

Disney College Program: Check in, casting and housing meeting

You have finally made it to Florida or California for your Program.  Your first few days are going to be busy, so instead of rushing, its best if you try and fly or drive in the day before check-in. This will allow you to rest up, get familiar with the area, and plan for any late flights if you are flying.

For both Disney World and Disneyland make sure you have your important paperwork before you leave HOME!!!!

Walt Disney World

A few days before you arrive you will receive an itinerary from Disney letting you know what times you will have check-in, casting, and your housing meeting.  Starting with the Spring 2017 programs you location will be included in the itinerary. If you are attractions you will find out your ride you are going to work at on your first day of on the job training. The earliest someone could check in is 7AM and go through at least noon. So like I said its best to arrive the day before, as you don't want to have to rebook flights if fly in during your check in time.

As of Fall 2016, check-in is a bit different. Instead of everyone going to Vista on their first day, you will report to the housing complex's clubhouse you will be staying at. So now before you get to Disney, you will know what complex you will be staying at. You must report to the complex at the time given. Security will NOT LET YOU IN EARLY! If you do arrive early you will be waiting until your check in time.

If you are bringing your car down, this is where you will get your decal and make sure your car info is correct. The decal  is $50 if you get it before you check in and $75 at check in.

Complex address
Vista Way 13501 Meadow Creek Dr
Orlando, FL 32821
The Commons
8050 Gables Commons Dr
Orlando, FL 32821
Chatham 8161 Chatham Manor Blvd
Orlando, FL 32821
Patterson Court
8139 Patterson Woods Dr
Orlando, FL 32821

During check in you will go through some of the paper work you did before you arrived, go over the Disney Look, get pictures for your housing ID, and Keys for your apartment. They will also give you a housing guide and some FREE STUFF!!!

Parents are not allowed during check in or casting, but will be able to help you move in.

For your pictures you need to be in Disney Looks from the Neck up other then that you can and should ware whatever you want. My advice is to wear relaxed clothes as you will be hot and tired after the day is over. So you if you are person who like to wear a suit for check-in, Don't do it!

Next on the itinerary will be the time you will need to report to casting. You Must go to Vista or Chatham and get on the BUS. These buses do not go to the other complexes. The nice thing your casting bus will be coach buses and not TranStar. You can't drive as there is no parking at casting.

Once at casting you will finish up going over paperwork, do figures prints for your background check and get your WORK LOCATION!!!

Depending on your role you may need a drug test which will be done at casting as well. It may be separate from your casting time. If you are a life guard you will have your swim test scheduled for that day as well.

Next you will have your housing meeting witch may be the same day or scheduled for the next day. This will be held at The Commons and is MANDATORY that you GO. Since there is NOT a lot of parking at this complex it is best that you take one of the Transtar buses or walk to The Commons.

Everyone's check in process will be different, so don't freak out if yours isn't the same as your roommates. The next day you should have off before you have traditions. As that will be covered in another blog.

Disneyland
A few days before you arrive you will receive an itinerary from Disney letting you know what times you will have check-in. 


Living at the complexes will report to
Check-in Location:
Carnegie Plaza
180 W. Center Street Promenade
Anaheim, CA 92805

Not Living at the complexes will report to
Check-in Location:
Team Disney Anaheim
700 W Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92802

During check in you will go through all of paper work you did before you arrived, go over the Disney Look, get pictures for your housing ID, and Keys for your apartment. They will also give you a housing guide and some FREE STUFF!!!

Unlike Disney World your housing meeting will be usually the same day and will be dived up by floors of the complex. This is  MANDATORY that you GO if you live in housing. You will be given the time during check in.

The check in process will be different for everybody except for the housing meeting.

I will update for Disneyland as I find more information.

Disney College program: Manageable Packing List

When I did my program back in 2014, I made an extreme packing list  outlining everything you could bring on the program by combining hundreds of packing lists to just one. That list is more if you are driving down and can't bring everything in the world, but lets face it if you are flying you still may pack to much.

When I went down my parents drove me down, but when I came back it wasn't easy getting everything on the plane. I had to ship a few boxes back and even pay airline fees. Yes, I over packed and even for a male.

You can use my extreme packing list for suggestions, but this is a new improved packing list that will go through everything you really need, but I will focus on a flying list more as apposed to driving since I will be flying for my next program. However, I will still make notes along the way for the people who decided to drive to California or Florida.

*Indicates that you may want to buy when you get their if flying
**Items you could talk to your roommates about splitting the cost if sharing the items


Bedroom

If you are in a room with bunk beds, bed risers will not work for any of the beds.

1. Sheets* (On a budget bring with you)
2. Pillow Cases
3. Pillows*
4. Blankets* (On a budget bring with you)
5. Mattress cover*
6. mattress pad*
7. Push pins
8. Extension cord
9. Stuffed animals
10. Hangers* (if you have the room bring them)
11. Flash light
12. Sleeping mask
13. Pictures and decorations
14. Calendar
15. Cable splitter/Cord if bring a TV for room
16. Command strips
17. Alarm Clock

Bathroom

Each bathroom has a trash can inside, but are welcome to bring your own.
One roll of toilet paper is provided in each bathroom once you arrive.**

1. Shower Certain
2. Towels
3. Washcloth
4. Toothbrush & toothpaste
5. Bath rug**
6. Shaving cream
7. Shaver
8. Hand soap
9. Body soap
10. Shampoo
11. Q-tips
12. Lotion
13. Vaseline
14. Sunscreen
15. Mouth Wash
16. Medicine/vitamins
17. Iron

Clothes

You really don't need a lot of clothes or shoes on your program. Most of the time you will be in your costume. For work shoes you will have to wait until you are down there to see what shoes you will need. Some roles will provide shows for you like custodial or quick service.

As for undergarments that is up to you. For me I brought 20 pairs of white socks, 4 black socks and 30 underwear. This may let you wash a lot less and even save money.

Since I was in my costume much I didn't even use a lot of my clothes and was in them for only a few hours.

If you are flying this will save room in your luggage, so you have more room for other things.

1. 4-5 t-shirts
2. 4-5 shorts
3. 2-3 pants
4. 1-2 dress pants
5. 1-2 pairs of daily shoes
6. 1-2 dress shoes
7. 1-2 sweatshirts/hoodies
8. 2-3 PJs
9. 1-2 jammers
10. 2-3 Jackets
11. Belt
12. Tie
13. Dress shirt
14. Suit/Sport Jacket

Electronics

1. Modem
2. Laptop
3. Cell phone/charger
4. TV

Kitchen/Living room

Disney does provide plates, bowls, cups, silverware, pots and pans,  strainer, measuring spoons (cups I forget), spatula, and some other little things that I can't think of. If you do don't have these things when you arrive go to the housing office and let them know you don't have it. Then they will have you fill out a form of everything wrong with the apartments and the items you don't have. Then they will give you the stuff that you don't have and put in work order for the apartment.

You can bring more cooking utensils , if you really like to cook, but what they have is okay and will should you through. I didn't get anything extra things as well for my roommates and we were just fine using hat Disney provided us with.

For things Like toilet paper, paper towels, and food that would be commonly shared. It is probably best to wait until you get their to decided to see what your roommate what to do.  It may be cheaper by splitting the cost or rotating on who buys it each time the products run out.

My big packing list gives you ideas on what you could bring for the kitchen.

Cleaning supplies
If you are flying don't bring these and buy when you get down there. Vacuums are provided in the clubhouse for WDW and in the apartment for DL. Disney does provide you with a some cleaning supplies as well, but after that you will need to get them yourselves. This is another item that you may want to consider splitting the cost.


Items not allowed

1. Candles
2. Bikes (Disneyland is allowed)
3. Pets
4. Electronic Blanks
5. Shot Glasses (allowed if you are in a Non-wellness (21+)  Apartment)
6. Weapons of any kind and even toys

Hope this helps and limits yourself to what you pack.

Disney College Program: Budgeting on the peogram

One of the most questions that is asked is am I going to make enough money? The answer is yes you will to pay rent and have enough for your basic needs. Another major question is am I able to save money while on the program and the answer is still yes as long as you budget well and sped it wisely. This applies to both Disney World and Disneyland programs.

You may not get a lot of hours one week, your apartment fails an inspection or you go home and don't have enough to cover rent, so budgeting is the key thing to survive the program. . Some of these suggestions may sound insane, but did help me during my program.

Tips that will help

1. Make a budget to know what your needs are during the program.
2. Go to grocery stores like Walmart, Aldi, and other cheap stores. You can still use publix, but don't be shopping their every week.
3. Put money to the side after each paycheck
4. If you can bring some food down with you from home
5. Work with your roommates to see what you all could share and split the cost.
6. Bring your lunch to work as the cafeteria can be expensive.
7. Bring a lunch and/or snacks to the parks. 
8. If you bring a car take the bus once in awhile.
9. Don't bring money/Cards to the parks or even work to avoid spending while an breaks once awhile.
10. Don't eat out all the time.
11. Avoid purchasing merchandise until after your program or only when we have the 40% discount.
12. If you must purchase things while in the parks limit yourself on what to buy.

This helped me on my program and I did fine with money. Although you want to budget still make sure you have a great time on your program.

For me I had very little bills, so it was pretty easy with the high prices of rent, but if you do have many bills its still doable. If you have a lot of bills, don't be afraid to put some aside before you go down or even while on the program.


How much money should I bring to get started?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions and there isn't a correct answer to this. Its really just going to depend on you and what you needs and wants are during the first few weeks. I am not going to say to go down with no money, but I have seen people do it. My personal opinion would be around $300 dollars. If you are going to want to go out everyday the first week I would say $500 to $800. But again the main thing is what do you want to have in your apartment the first few weeks or can you get away with a it until the first decent pay check?

This is for Walt Disney World, but for Disneyland you may want to double what you would bring to Florida as  it is more expensive out there. But differently take some.

Disney College Program: Hire Documentation, I-9 Forms and other documents

You have been accepted and now need to take care of all of the paperwork that is in involved. It is required to do this ahead of time as it will delay your check in to the program as you will then have to do it at check in.

Medical Accommodations  
Although this isn't required by everyone it is best if you start filling out the medical accommodations  as soon as possible. If you don't and need them this may affect you while working. So get it done as soon as possible.

For details about to documents please visit the link at the bottom of the page.

Renters Insurance
Although not required in Florida, renters insurance is required for the California program.

To ensure you have the appropriate documentation upon arrival, please fax your proof of renters insurance to our Programs Office at 714-833-5216 prior to your arrival. We will review this information and contact you via email in advance of your arrival if anything needs to be corrected.
This documentation MUST INCLUDE all of the following detail and MUST BE CIRCLED OR HIGHLIGHTED ON YOUR POLICY PRIOR TO YOU FAXING IT TO US:

• Your name (Student Name) must be included as the name insured with address of 180 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
• Certificate Holder, Additional Interest, Additional Insured, etc. must be: The Walt Disney Company with address of 180 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
• Coverage must include personal liability of $100,000 minimum
• Policy must be in effect during the duration of your participation on the program and the dates must be visible on the policy

For details about to documents please visit the link at the bottom of the page.

Hire Documentation

This will arrive to your email about 3 weeks before the start of your program.

1. the email will contain your New Hire Portal username and a link to login.
2. Once you receive the email, click the New Hire Portal link.
3. You will be prompted to create a password.
4. After logging in, please follow the instructions on how to complete your documentation

This will have you read a lot of Disney polices, Sign contracts, direct despot, and provide your tax information.

I-9 Documents

During Check in you will need to provide two of the following as well using these while filling out the new hire documentation. You will use one (1) document from List A, or you may use one (1) item each from BOTH List B AND List C. All documents must be unexpired.

List A: Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization

1. U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
2. Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
3. Foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa
4. Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766)
5. In the case of a nonimmigrant alien authorized to work for a specific employer incident to status, a foreign passport with Form I-94 or Form I-94A bearing the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the alien's nonimmigrant status, as long as the period of endorsement has not yet expired and the proposed employment is not in conflict with any restrictions or limitations identified on the form
6. Passport from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) or the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) with Form I-94 or Form I-94A indicating nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free Association Between the United States and the FSM or RMI

List B: Documents that Establish Identity

1. Driver's license or ID card issued by a state or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address
2. ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address
3. School ID card with a photograph
4. Voter's registration card
5. U.S. Military card or draft record
6. Military dependent's ID card
7. U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
8. Native American tribal document
9. Driver's license issued by a Canadian government authority

For persons under age 18 who are unable to present a document listed above:

10. School record or report card
11. Clinic, doctor, or hospital record
12. Day-care or nursery school record

List C: Documents that Establish Employment Authorization

1. Social Security Account Number card other than one that specifies on the face that the issuance of the card does not authorize employment in the United States
2. Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545)
3. Certification of Report of Birth issued by the Department of State (Form DS-1350)
4. Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State, county, municipal authority or territory of the United States bearing an official seal
5. Native American tribal document
6. U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
7. Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)
8. Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security

MAKE SURE YOU BRING THESE WHEN YOU CHECK IN!!!


For more detail go to the boarding sites.

• Florida onboarding information
• California onboarding information

 The onboarding sites above go into depth. Some the information I did copy over, but for specific for medical, renters insurance forms, and religious accommodations, please go to the sites.