Sunnys Days Of Disney

Today at school, one of my professors let me know, in front of the entire class, just what he thinks of me doing the Disney College Program. I guess I talk about it enough that he felt like he had the right to weigh in on the topic. Whatever the reason, he talked about how “kids these days” (I am 23 and he is about 35, just 12 years older than me) have taken to working jobs outside of their field, and then want to be upset when they can’t get a job after they graduate. He despaired at how we have no work ethic, how all we want is to have fun, with no sense of responsibility. My response to him was a simple “you’ll never understand, because you don’t want to”. I refused to have this conversation with him because it had nothing to do with my education, and he took it as a defeat. But here’s the thing:

When I was 20 years old, I took a job at a local day camp as a reason to get out of the house. You see, I was taking care of my terminally ill grandmother, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before she was gone. I had no interest in being stuck in the house all summer. After one summer I was promoted to director, because I was really, really good at my job and at taking charge. It was a job that required a lot of off season work, like hiring, planning, scheduling, recruiting, and more. Sounds a whole lot like relevant work experience for my teaching degree to me. On top of that I was still going to school full time and had started nannying everyday after school and most weekends. Again, relevant work experience. I pay for school as I can afford it, because I work my ass off and I refuse to take out loans. The fact of the matter is, though, this man is just one of many who don’t care about what I’ve already accomplished, and are instead choosing to look at this internship as a foolish choice. Maybe he’d rather I was working in an office all summer, or grading papers for some teacher this spring. He probably would see that as a safe, more career oriented choice. But after giving more job references for my counselors than he has for students, I’ve learned a thing or two about why an office job is so much worse for you.

Every summer, hundreds of twenty somethings flock to cities to work the not so glorious unpaid internship. They’re lured in by the promise of a good reference, and the chance to learn from professionals in their field. The fact of the matter is though, when looking at applications, all nearly identical with their degrees and internships, the person looking at your applications knows exactly what they’re seeing. Because they’ve hired interns before, and they know all they let interns do is get coffee, run copies, and answer the phones. Now take what you know about the Disney College Program. Which sounds better?

When working at Disney or a summer camp, you’re going to be doing so much more than running errands for people who won’t remember your name in 2 weeks. You’re learning how to be a self starter, how to be a problem solver, and how to take REAL direction. When you create magic for that little girl who just dropped her ice cream cone? You’re learning how to put the guests happiness first. When you saw a co-worker struggling to get the floor stocked before closing so you go over to help? That’s team work. Those 12+ hours a day you work for a week straight without a day off? That’s dedication to your job. These are the things companies and schools want to see when they’re hiring you. This is why having a company, a job, like Disney on your resume is an asset, even if it’s not in your field of study.

Am I saying don’t take the unpaid, office job internship if it’s offered to you? No way. Lots of people have made it to where they are today by starting exactly there. All I’m saying is, if I had two nearly identical applications sitting in front of me but one had the Disney College Program on it? I know which one I would chose.

• Make your lists: Santa isn’t the only one who need to be checking his lists twice this December. Now is the time to be creating packing lists, shopping lists, and to-do lists. Make sure you check the on boarding website to see what comes in the kitchen before buying any supplies. Items like cookie sheets, plates, cups, and mug are just some of the things that come pre-stocked in the apartment. Decide what you are going to buy in Florida vs at home. If you’re driving, buying things like bedding and coffee pots will be cheaper and easier at home than in Florida, while your shampoos and such are better left for Florida, so they don’t burst on the way down. Make your lists and move on to the next point! (Excel is your best friend in this endeavor. In fact, it has a list making template that will let you check things off as you go!)

• Talk to your roommates about whose buying what: first of all, if you don’t know whose going to be rooming with who, sit down right now and figure that out. Don’t do anything else until you’ve done this. Once this is done, talk to your roommate about who is buying the shower curtain, bathroom rug, and any other essentials for your room that you won’t want doubles of! Also talk to your roommates who you aren’t sharing a room with about cleaning supplies! Instead of getting 6 dish soaps and 6 Swiffer’s and 6 Clorox wipes, split it up so each person is contributing one or two items with fewer repeats.

•  Go Shopping: December is the time to get the bulk of your shopping done, while there are so many sales going on. You want to be able to save as much money as possible for your program!

• Roommate Gifts: Now is the time to decide if you and your roommates are doing roommate gifts! Decide as a group, and if someone seems hesitant, be sure to let them know that there is no pressure! My roommates and I decided yesterday that we’re going to do them!

• Start Packing: Towards the end of the month it will be time to start packing. Start sorting through your clothes and decide what makes the cut and what does not. Packing lists can be found all over (even on this blog!) as a good place to start!

• Make sure everything is sorted out with your school: the last thing you want is for something to go wrong with school while you’re in Disney. Make sure, if you haven’t already, that you talk to your counselor about what, if anything, they need you to do.

• Make sure you’ve done everything on the November list: if you haven’t done the stuff on THIS list yet, you need to get it done STAT.

• Disney Advanced Studies In Hospitality Management
• Disney Corporate Analysis
• Disney Corporate Communications
• Disney Creativity and Innovation
• Disney Human Resource Management
• Disney Organizational Leadership

• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability: Creating a Green Culture
• Disney Heritage:1901-1954
• Disney Hospitality & Guest Service
• Disney Cast Engagement & Human Resources
• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability: Inspiring Action
• Disney Heritage:1955-1982
• Disney Leadership 101
• Disney Marketing and Sales: Defining the Strategy
• Disney Marketing and Sales: Implementing the Strategy

• Engineering Professional Development Study
• Entertainment Professional Development Study

• Disney's Environmentality & Sustainability:Creating a Green Culture 
• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability:Inspiring Action
• Disney Heritage:1955-1982
• Engineering Professional Development Study
• Entertainment Professional Development Study
  

• Disney Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management
• Disney Human Resource Management
• Disney Organizational Leadership
• Disney Hospitality & Guest Service
• Disney Cast Engagement & Human Resources
• Disney Leadership 101

• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability:Creating a Green Culture
• Disney Heritage:1901-1954 
• Disney Environmentality & Sustainability:Inspiring Action
• Disney Heritage:1955-1982 

1. Make Your Hotel Reservations.If you haven't already, you need to make your hotel reservations now. You don't want to risk losing out on a room, or that the price might go up. Reservations can always been changed or canceled, and Disney will fully refund your room up to five days in advance.
2. Book Your Flight/Rental Car. If you are flying to Orlando or renting a car, now is the time to book. Make sure you always search incognito mode, so that it's not storing your cookies and increasing the price every time you search. Check all of the different websites and search for promo codes before you purchase your plane ticket. 
3. Make Dining Reservations. If you are planning on doing any dinning at Disney before check in (or during that week) now is the time to make ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations). Talk with your roommates, see if they want to do dinner when you first get there and make a reservation! Some places book quickly, and ADR's can be booked up to 180 days in advance.
4. Pack Your Summer Clothes In Space Bags. If you live in a cold weather climate, like me, you're headed into winter! While everyone else is still enjoying Fall, PSL's, and cool weather, you know it's time to break out the winter coat. So, instead of putting your summer clothes away until it's time to pack, why not go ahead and START packing? Wash your clothes with those awesome fresh protect beads, dry them, and pack them into a space bag. Take a fabric softener sheet, put it into a Ziploc baggie with holes poked into it, and place between every few items of clothes. Putting it into the baggie prevents the fabric softener from staining your clothes. Suck the air out and store it somewhere it will be ready to go! TIP: DCP housing has vacuums on loan, but these vacuums do not have the hose attachment needed to suck the air out of your space bag on the way home. This is a cheap, easy, simple solution, but takes a while to come in the mail, so order at least a month before you need it!
5. Find Roommates! If you haven't already, now is the time to be finding roommates! Check Facebook for groups specific to your dates and role! They are a great way to find roommates and friends! I've posted the standard blank roommate survey on my side bar, to be found here, for anyone who might be looking for it! Finding roommates can be daunting, but don't lose faith! The perfect roommates are out there for you if you're just willing to put in the time! 
6. Start Swimming. If you've been chosen for the lifeguard role, now is a good time to begin swimming! Try visiting your local Y or school pool to practice for your swim test! All lifeguards must pass a swim test before they can go through training. Anyone who cannot pass the test will be assigned a different role, usually QSFB. So, practicing before you get there is always recommended. There are separate tests for deep and shallow guards, but since you won't know your location until you get to Disney, it's best to be prepared for the deep water test. For Disney's certification you need to be able to swim 200yds continuously without stopping or letting your feet touch the ground. Swim 25yds, surface dive (meaning from inside the pool), retrieve a 10lb brick, and swim 25yds on your back without your hands. And finally, you'll need to be able to tread water with your hands above your head for 2 minutes. TIP: Almost all pools have a 10lb brick at easy disposal for in-service training. If you ask nicely, they should allow you to use the brick for practicing!
7. Make Sure You Have Proper Identification. This means your drivers license AND social security card (or birth certificate) OR just your passport. If you do have them, put them someplace safe until it is time to go. If you do not have them, make sure you are going through the process of getting a replacement as soon as possible so that you have it on time!