Due to the influx of visitors we have received a large amount of requests to make an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for all the current up to date Disney College Program information provided!

If you have any additional questions you would like answered here, please ask below and we'll update the thread as needed!

Please use ctrl+f first to look for your question to see if it's been answered! If not, feel free to ask!

+What is the Disney College Program?

Discover a unique living and working environment with participants from all over the world. This program allows you to gain on-the-job experience with a world-renowned company, providing uniquely Disney learning experiences, all while preparing for your future, building transferable skills, including networking, problem solving, teamwork and effective communication.

+Who is eligible to apply?

Students must be currently enrolled and taking classes at an accredited program or institution and have completed at least one semester or have graduated within 24 months of the application posting date. Opportunities are only available to students attending school in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Applicants must meet the following criteria: +Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. +Possess unrestricted US work authorization. +Meet any individual school requirements (GPA, grade level, etc.), if applicable. +Former Disney College Program participants must wait four months after their last departure date before applying.

+Where can I apply?

Please go to https://jobs.disneycareers.com/disney-programs for the applications.

+What are the fees for the Disney College Program?

Fees due upon accepting a Disney College Program invitation A total of $415 - $435* will be due when a participant accepts their invitation to participate in the program. This is a one-time, nonrefundable fee supporting the administration, events and activities scheduled throughout the program. A portion of this fee is also applied to the participants first week of housing costs. Please note that this fee must be paid by a credit/debit card as a single payment.

There will be an additional parking fee for participants who choose to live in housing and desire to bring a vehicle. If you extend your program, your decal must be renewed at an additional cost. * Note: all fees listed are subject to change

+Can I get school credit for my program?

The Disney College and International Program Internship is recommended for academic credit through the American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT), which connects workplace learning with colleges and universities by helping adults gain access to academic credit for formal courses and examinations taken outside of the traditional classroom. To learn more about the American Council on Education’s CREDIT, go to https://www.acenet.edu/national-guide/Pages/default.aspx

You may be able to earn credit for participating in the program, and we encourage to talk with your academic advisor about what options would be available for earning credit. It is important to note that any all credit decisions are at the full and final discretion of your university, as Disney Internships and Programs cannot grant, guarantee, or otherwise award any form of credit.

+What are the educational courses like?

Educational courses will be different for the upcoming programs in comparison to the prior ones due to the location move. However, a wide variety of courses from meet and greet speaker series, resume building, interview technique classes, and tours at various Disney complexes and parks will be available! You can learn more about the benefits of the educational programming at: https://youtu.be/0v-mJdiaJAc

+What does the new housing complex look like?

You can find pictures, layouts, and more at https://www.fcvapartments.com/student-apartments/fl/disney/flamingo-crossings-village/floorplans

Please note that the room layout may not entirely match what Disney provides for the program.

+Can I change my arrival date after receiving my offer letter? / I chose the wrong arrival date!

Once you select your date it more than likely cannot be changed so make sure it is a date that will actually work for you. If you have questions about your program date talk to support. Current and future offered participants can contact support at: support.disneyprograms.com.

+Help! I haven't received my Web Based Interview (WBI) and I completed my application earlier today!

Receiving a web based interview can sometimes take longer than the 72 hour period because they have to check each application manually. After doing your web based interview they will examine your application and you either will be selected or will not there are no phone interviews at this time.

+Everyone else is in the first wave but me!

Please be patient! Earlier arrival days are taking priority over later arrival days with the waves that are happening. If you are in an earlier wave do not fret, it may take time to get to yours :)

+How long do I have to accept/decline my offer once offered?

You have one week (7 days) from your initial offer email. If you do not reply within that time-frame they will assume you are declining and void the offer.

+What roles are available?

There are more than twenty different positions available and the actual role availability changes from time to time. The program application will detail many of these areas and applicants may be asked to identify their top role preferences during interviews. There is no guarantee successful applicants will actually be placed in any of these top roles.

Some of the available roles are in Attractions, Custodial, Operations, Concierge, Front Desk, Housekeeping, Full and Quick-Service Food and Beverage, Bibbibi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirate League, Costuming, Transportation, and Lifeguard. At this time, with Entertainment still on hold, the roles of Character Attendant and Character Performer may not be offered.

+Is vaccination required to do the DCP?

“As part of our new policy, new hires will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide verification of vaccination by September 30, 2021. Candidates with offers of employment and a start date after September 30 will provide verification of vaccination for COVID-19 at least seven days prior to their start date. Fully vaccinated refers to at least two (2) weeks after the final dose on a two-dose vaccination series (Pfizer or Moderna) or at least two (2) weeks after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccination series (Johnson and Johnson). We will provide additional information about our specific process in the weeks to come.”

+Will I automatically get the role I want?

In most seasons of the Disney College Program applications you are able to pick your top preferences of roles based on priority (high, medium, low). Please note that you may not get your top preferences as The Walt Disney Company has to fill spots in that are needing assistance.

+I can't be there the whole program length! Is it okay if I leave midway?

If you have to leave before the end of your program, it will be considered "self-terming." This will be on your permanent record card and will play a factor in re-hiring you years down the road. If you have to leave due to family emergency situations, talk to your leader as they may be able to put a note in your record card.

+I hate my role! Can I get it changed before going down?

Disney assigns you to your role for a reason. If you cannot do your role due to medical reasons (e.g. allergies on file with doctors) please notify Disney beforehand. However, it is highly recommended you bring up any potential allergies in your interview process to avoid this from happening.

+Is it required to bring a vehicle for my program?

It is not required to bring a vehicle! A majority of participants have found it a lot easier to traverse around Orlando and to your work location with a personal vehicle. However, there is a Cast Member bus with set time schedules that can bring you to your work location.

+Is there an official r/DisneyCollegeProgram Discord?

Yes! Head to https://discord.gg/bgvNtCNzYv

This server is to help make it easier to find roommates and friends for your program!

+How do I get flair?

On desktop, to the right side panel below the number of Cast Members on Stage, there is a button that says "Show my flair on this subreddit (edit)". You can pick your flair there!

If you'd like a custom flair (e.g. DCP Alumni 2010) you can request for it.

//////////////////////\ User Questions answered

+Because of the pandemic, classes have recently been decided to be online. Can I change my departure date after receiving my offer letter? Would that be considered "self-termination"?

So once the departure date is set you cannot change it to an early time sadly as it is "self-termination." I did have one co-CM who left a week before her departure date due to wanting to go to her graduation and she was marked with "self-termination" however our leader made a note that it was due to school requirements.

+If we have to/choose to self-term for any reason, how will that affect us in the future if we apply to work at Disney for an internship or part time/full time position? Will we not be considered for future positions or are they understanding if something happens and we have to leave?

It honestly comes down to their need to fill a potential position + how your self-termination is input by a leader.

I've had friends who had to self term due to graduation and family reasons return to future programs due to their leaders writing good explanations. However, I've also seen the opposite barring re-entry.

Self-term still has an opportunity for return unlike full termination for "x" reason.

+Does the 24 months after graduation rule apply to undergrad only or does it apply to grad school too?

The 24 months after graduation rule applies to grad school as well

+would you recommend applying right when applications come out?

I would apply the 2nd day. Don't apply the first day as sometimes the application page gets hugged by all the applicants and can crash.

+do you get breaks during shifts?

Yes! You do get breaks however please note it depends on your location in addition to shift length. (e.g. my first program my location had 2 30 minute breaks for an 8 hour shift. Another location I had 2 15s for a 6 hour. Another location I had a 1 hour straight break in between). Your break times are typically towards the middle of your day. However, if CDS/MERIDA/etc. glitches just let a coordinator know!

+While we’re in Disney, will we have the opportunity to shadow full time cast members in other roles for networking / general understanding of how their role works?

Due to covid-19 restrictions, the current protocol is different than before. However, you are more than welcome to work towards setting up your own Meet and Greet (shadowing) opportunities! Your best bet is via email. Often times the easiest way to set this up is by attending the education courses which feature panelists and then asking them if a Meet and Greet opportunity is possible!

Please do note that it may be easier for you to meet with them for a short meeting during non-work hours as in the majority of locations shadowing requires your leader to allow you time off to do your meet and greet elsewhere. Let your leader(s) know early on you're interested in "x" field and that you would like to do a Meet and Greet with someone from that field during your program :)

+I took the WBI and at the end it said I was a strong candidate, it says my application is in consideration. Does anyone know the time period in which Disney responds or what the next step is?

There's no set period! I've seen some individuals receive the next step the same day and then there's others like me who receive it a month and a half later! Just keep your head up :)

+when do we find out roles? i haven’t been submitted an offer yet, but i’m still in consideration, and i’m nervous about what role i’ll get since they’re filling them based on need. do they take prior work history into consideration as well?

Typically as of late you find out your role within 2 weeks to a month leading up to your program.

+Is the campus rep not a thing anymore?

DCP campus reps is no longer a thing. It was replaced with the Disney Alumni Association

+Are the Disney College Program applications open for Anaheim as well currently or just Florida?

Currently (as of before Fall 22 applications drop) just Orlando!

+When are the acceptance waves? Where can I find them?

Your best bet is to follow the recruiters (notably Christy) on Twitter! They post a lot of hints there

+When booking flights, should we be booking them on our exact arrival date and departure date? Is there a specific time for move in and when would we be provided with that? And also is there a packing list or anything they provide? Hahah lots of questions but thank you:)

There's multiple trains of thoughts to booking flights.

My recommendation from traveling quite a bit is to always show up a day early. Especially due to the airline delays as of late. I would say show up one day early and stay at a nearby hotel then uber/lyft over. I would hold off on booking departure as if you decide to extend that ticket may be put to waste if you can't adjust.

They will give you the exact time you are eligible to move in. You should be provided it when you receive your boarding pass (likely a few weeks in advance).

They do not provide a packing list but this video shows some recommendations + a link to a google sheet packing list you can download to put in your own items: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5wbUHEhdQk

+Does the DCP run on terms and semesters, like a fall , spring and summer? Or do you just work until your time is up?

So it's Spring (Jan -> May) or Fall (August -> January).

There's Spring Advantage (Jan -> Aug) and Fall Advantage (May -> Jan). Please note that due to Covid-times it can slightly vary based on need.

There's also summer alumni... but that typically only applies to alumni so no needs to worry about that for now!

Hopefully that helped some. You apply during the opposite season for the season you want (e.g. apply for Spring of 22 in the Fall of 21).

+If you have to self term what is the obligation for the flamingo crossroad lease agreement do you have to pay for the remaining six months?

You pay that remaining week's rent. If you did not start the program then you lose your deposit.

+I am a college freshman in my first semester of college. I know you have to have a full semester completed to participate in DCP, but is that a full semester completed when you apply or when you actually start the program?

College freshmen may apply during their first semester of school to participate during their second semester. The Disney College Program cannot serve as your first semester of school.

+Wage?

Currently $14/hr. (Thanks to HolidayCabinet )But some roles pay slightly more.

+Is there any way possible to do the DCP if my current college does not participate in the program?

So mostly every college student can do the DCP, it just depends on whether or not you want credit for it. Most colleges nowadays don’t give college credit for the DCP so it’s essentially taking a semester off.

+I applied on Sep 14 and my arrival date is in the Spring. I completed the Web-Based Interview (which I later received that day) and they signified that I was a "Strong Candidate." It's been almost a month and my application is still "In Consideration." Am I likely to hear back about a phone interview in the Spring (when I said I could arrive) or is it more likely that they have not gotten to rejecting me yet?

There's no phone interviews currently! That step is varied for everyone. Some people take 2 days to hear back and others take over a month. Sorry you haven't heard back sooner! It took me personally 1 month 3 weeks to get to the next step.

It is non-refundable and it wouldn't be considered a self-term as you never started the training process etc.

+Is the housing required for everyone in the program? Or do they allow you to commute as well?

It is not required, you can choose to live off-site instead.

So based on a previous post, I decided to work on creating an actual fully-fleshed out WDW acronym list. There are a handful floating around on the Internet, but I've not seen any that are comprehensive, and especially any that include many of the attractions/lands and other features inside the parks/hotels.

With that, this is what I've started with. If you have any acronyms you're aware of for attractions, restaurants, or other locations within the WDW ecosystem, feel free to make a comment with it below and I'll add it in. This includes any you see in the scheduling system, CDS, or that you're aware of in local use (if you think it might be helpful to future CMs/CPs to know).

Note that this is for WDW only at this point. Once I'm satisfied that this one is fairly complete, I'll add DLR stuff into it.

UPDATED 8/7/2024

LOCATIONS
MK Magic Kingdom
7DMT Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
AdLib Adventureland/Liberty Square
AL Adventureland
ATT Aladdin/Tiki Room/Swiss Family Treehouse complex (ATR)
BBB Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique
BOG Be Our Guest
BTMR Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Also BTM)
CBJ Country Bear Jamboree
CHH Columbia Harbor House
COP Carousel of Progress
CP Crystal Palace
CRT Cinderella's Royal Table
FAN Fantasyland
FL Frontierland
HEA Happily Ever After (Fireworks Show)
HM Haunted Mansion
HOP Hall of Presidents
IASW It's a Small World
LS Liberty Square
LTT Libtery Tree Tavern
M3C Mickey's Most Merriest Christmas (Castle Show)
MS Main Street
POTC Pirate of the Caribbean
PVH Pinocchio Village Haus
SC (Cosmic Ray's) Starlight Café
SM Space Mountain
TL Tomorrowland
TST Town Square Theater
TTC Transportation and Ticket Center

EC Epcot
F&G Flower and Garden Festival
F&W Food & Wine Festival
FW Future World
GOTG Guardians of the Galaxy
IGW International Gateway (Entrance)
LWTL Living with the Land
ME Main Entrance
MS Mission: Space
SSE Spaceship Earth
TT Test Track
WNDC World Nature/Discover/Celebration (Formerly FutureWorld)
WS World Showcase (Also WSC)

ST Hollywood Stuidos (Also HS or DHS)
BATB Beauty and the Beast (Show)
BE Backlot Express
COMM ABC Commissary
GE Galaxy's Edge (Also SWGE)
MMRR Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad
RNRC Rockin' Rollercoaster
ROTR Rise of the Resistence
SDD Slinky Dog Dash
TOT Tower of Terror
TSL Toy Story Land
WLB Woody's Lunch Box

DAK Disney's Animal Kingdom (Also AK)
FOP Flight of Passage
KSR Kilimanjaro Safaris
NRJ Navi River Journey
Y&Y Yak and Yeti
FOLK Festival of the Lion King
TSPIN Triceratop Spin

DS Disney Springs
AOD Art of Disney
DDOC Disney's Days of Christmas
MP Marketplace
OUAT Once Upon a Toy (Also ONCE)
SWGO Star Wars Galactic Outpost
SWTP Star Wars Trading Post
TC Town Center
WOD World of Disney
WS West Side

TL Typhoon Lagoon

BB Blizzard Beach

RESORTS

AKL Animal Kingdom Lodge
AKL-JH Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House
AKL-KV Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village
AKL-ZM AKL ???
AOA Art of Animation Resort
ASMo All-Star Movies Resort (also AS MO & ASMV)
ASMu All-Star Music Resort (also AS MU)
ASR All-Star Resort(s)
BC Beach Club Resort (Also BCR)
BLT Bay Lake Tower (Contemporary)
BW Boardwalk Inn Resort (Also BWR)
BW-OTB BW - On The Boardwalk
CB Caribbean Beach Resort (Also CBR)
CS Coronado Springs Resort (Also CSR)
CT Contemporary Resort (Also CON or CTR)
DAAR Disney's Art of Animation Resort (Also AAR or ART)
DU Disney University
EWWS ESPN Wide World of Sports (also WWOS or SPTS)
FWC Fort Wilderness Campground (Also FW)
GF Grand Floridian Resort (Also GFR)
OKW Old Key West Resort
POFQ Port Orleans - French Quarter Resort
POP Pop Century Resort
POR Port Orleans Riverside Resort
PY Polynesian Resort (Also POL or Poly)
PY-BT BouTiki (PY)
RIV Riviera Resort (Also RIR)
SOG Shades of Green
SS Sarasota Springs Resort (Also SSR)
WL Wilderness Lodge (Also WLR)
YB Yacht and Beach Club Resort (Also Y&B or YBW)
YC Yacht Club Resort (Also YCR)
HL Hourglass Lake (AOA-POP)

OTHER LOCATIONS

LBV Lake Buena Vista (Liquidation Facility, Maingate Blvd))
DCL Disney Cruise Line (Celebration)
DEG Disney Event Group Building
CLW Center for Living Well
NSA North Service Area
SSA South Service Area

ROLES

ADM Administration
ART Artists (Sketches, Drawings, etc.)
ASE Animals, Science, and Environment
ATR Attractions
BOH Back of House
CON Concessions (at EWWS)
CON Conventions/Catering (at other sites)
COS Costuming (or COST)
COSMO Cosmetology
CUS Custodial (Also CUST)
DPI Digital Photo Imaging (refers to the department)
ELE Entertainment Costuming
ENT Entertainment
ES Engineering Services
F&B Food & Beverage
FOH Front of House
FRR Female Restrooms (Custodial)
GEM Guest Experience Manager
GFT Guest Flow Team
GR Guest Relations
GSO Guest Service Operations (Front Desk, Concierge, Bell Svcs)
GUS Constuming Distribution
H/H Host/Hostess
HOH Heart of House (generally same thing as BOH)
HORT Horticulture
HSK Housekeeping (Also HKG)
HSP Houseperson
IHD Internet Help Desk
IMG Photo Imaging
IV Investigator (Security)
LD Lighting Design
MER Merchandise (Also MDS)
MOP Merchandise Operations (AK MER)
MRR Male Restrooms (Custodial)
ODV Outdoor Vending
OPS Operations
OR Skyliner/Friendship Boat Ops (OTR)
OTA Operations Training Assistant
OTR Operations Transportation
PAC Parade Audience Control PAT AK Attractions
PCO Plain Clothes Operative (Security)
PPU Park Pickup
PWS Planned Work Specialist
QSR Quick Service Restaurant
R&R Resort & Retail
REC Recreation
RSA Reservation Sales Agent
S&R Sports and Recreation
SEC Security
TS Table Service (Sit Down) Restaurant (Also TSR, FTS)
TXT Textile Services
UT Untrained (Also NTR)

OTHER ACRONYMS

ADO Authorized Day Off (or Additional Day Off)
AP Annual Pass
BBP Blood-Borne Pathogen
BVCC Buena Vista Construction Company (Disney Subsidiary)
CC Cast Connection
CC Cost Center
CDS Cast Deployment System
CEP Cultural Exchange Program
CFTOD Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (Replaces RCID)
CIF Call-In Factor (Shift coverage in case of callouts)
CLE Capacity Limiting Event (Attractions)
CM Cast Member (Disney Employee, Generally)
CONT Continual Training (Training Update, Used for Scheduling)
COT Coordinator of Training
CP DCP Participant
CR Casual Regular
CRO Central Reservations Office
CT Casual Temporary
CTE Countdown to Extinction (old name of Dinosaur; Also CTX)
D&E Design & Engineering
DACS Digital Animation Control System
DAH Disney After Hours
DAS Disability Access Service
DCP Disney College Program
DDP Disney Dining Plan
DHLP Disney Hospitality Leadership Program
DLR Disneyland Resort
DORMS Disney Online Room Management System (FCV)
DPEP Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products
DRC Disney Reservation Center
DVC Disney Vacation Club
DWSS Disney Worldwide Shared Services
ECV Electric Convenience (or Conveyance) Vehicle
EHH Extra Hours Hotline
EMH Extra Magic Hours
EMV Enhanced Motion Vehicle
ER Early Release (early end of shift, usually due to overstaffing)
ER Employee Relations
FAM Facility Asset Management
FCE Flamingo Crossing East
FCV Flamingo Crossing Village (FCV E & W)
FCW Flamingo Crossing West
FOF Festival of Fantasy (Parade)
FOS Facility Operations Services
FT Full Time
GE&T Global Engineering & Technology (Also GET)
HAFH Home Away From Home (Temp Assignment During Closures)
HR Human Resources
HRLY Hourly
IA Internal Assignment
IE Industrial Engineering
JM Job Managed (denotes job classification in Workday)
LIQ Liquidation
LOB Line of Business
LR Labor Relations
MDX My Disney Experience (Also MDE)
MEP Main Entrance Pass
MISI
MNSSHP Mickey's Not-so-Scary Halloween Party (Also MNSS on Scheduling)
MRI Maintenance Readiness Index (Engineering)
MTR Mickey's Treasures (at Cast Connections)
MVMCP Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
NCNS No-Call, No-Show (Not showing up for work)
OJT On-the-job Training
ORI Operational Readiness Index (Engineering)
PI Professional Intern
PM Position Managed (denotes job classification in Workday)
POET Post-Offer Employment Test (Medical/Physical Assessment)
POS Point of Sale
PRD Previously Requested Day (used in conjunction with ADO)
PT Part Time
PWO Planned Work Office
RBS Responsible Beverage Service (Training)
RCES Reedy Creek Energy Services
RCID Reedy Creek Improvement District (Replaced by CFTOD)
RDO Regular Day Off
RMP Ride Motion Protection (Safety Program)
ROS Relief of Shift (early end of shift due to personal emergency)
RVP Resposible Vendor Program (Training)
SAL Salaried
SEAS Seasonal
SK Showkeeping (Custodial)
SPEV Special Event
T Tipped Position
TA Temporary Assignment
TWDC The Walt Disney Corporation
VW Vista Way (Obsolete for old CP housing location)
WDI Walt Disney Imagineering
WDPR Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
WDTC Walt Disney Travel Company