March 12, 2011

WDW College Program Live Presentation Recap



Even though I have already been accepted I decided to go to a live recruitment presentation anyways, out of curiosity. While I'm glad to have the option to view the E-Presentation instead and get the whole application process done earlier, I did find the live presentation to be more interesting and engaging. 


I took notes during it so here is the recap:
Tuesday March 8th @ Rowan University in Glassboro NJ
3pm (There was also a 5pm and 7pm presentation) 
There were about 35 or so people in attendance from not just Rowan but a few other local schools. (I go to CCC, a nearby community college)


The CM running the presentation, his name was Jeff and he started off with asking a few questions about the Disney Company and gave out pens for the correct answers.
One of the questions was what the first full length feature was. (Snow White)
Trivia: Snow White grossed 1,000,000.00 at the box office compare to recently, Toy Story 3 grossed over 1,000,000,000.00
Another question was about where Disney Parks are located outside of the US. (Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong)
Trivia: Shanghi is the next park location in development.


He also informed us that the WDW CP is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year and since 1981 over 100,000 participants have correctly completed the program.
Trivia: 4,700 participants in the Disney World CP / 350 in the Disneyland CP
Mentioned that Rowan has 6 people in the program currently and CCC (my school) has 9. 


Next up was a video hi-lighting the various Disney brands and ventures. (Pixar, ABC, Marvel, ABC News, ESPN, Muppets, Music, Internet, Video Games, Live Theater and Ice Shows)


Jeff then introduced himself a little further. He went to Rowan. He's been with the company for 13 years and a college rep for 7 of those years.


He then went into more info about the program. 



"What's in it for me?" 
  • Personal and profesional development
  • Disney on your resume / resume development

Living, Learning and Earning
Living
  • WDW has 4 apartment complexes
  • (Vista, Chatham, Patterson, The Commons)
  • WDW also has it's own transportation
  • About 50/50 with who brings a car and who does not
  • DL has one apartment complex
  • You use public transportation but DL pays for it for you
  • Housing ranges 82-137 a week (137 being in DL)
  • A campus rep (there were about 6 or 7 others there to answer any questions) spoke briefly about her living experience from 2004
Learning
  • WDW offers 8 classes
  • DL offers 2
  • Types offered: Collegiate, Seminar and Self Paced
  • Also mentioned backstage tour opportunities for College Program participant
  • Another college rep spoke about their "Learning" experience 
Earning
  • Started with a video, mostly DL employees though all had started in the WDW CP and worked their way up to bigger full time roles
  • Talked about how it's challenging but fun
  • Discussed the Role Checklist 
  • The slide on the display listed: Housekeeping, Quick Service Food and Beverage (QSFB), Custodial, Attractions, Entertainment and Merchandise
  • Mentioned there was over 20 roles to choose from
  • WDW alone has over 500 restaurants (both QSFB and Full Service combined)
  • Informed us of when the Philly character audition was being held
  • Pay rate: 7.25-11.50/hr (With the higher end of that being the DL pay rate)
  • Full time position while in the CP
Discussed Disney's "Corporate Culture"
  • Entertainment lingo - "Cast Member" "On Stage" "Role in the Show" ect.
  • "Disney Look" - Family riendly, conservative 
  • Tattoos are OK for CM's as long as they are covered while in Costume
  • Briefly mentioned the Magical Moments CM's get to make with guests
  • Another rep spoke, this time about her "Earning" experience in Spring 2010 (All the reps, while interesting to hear talk, were all very general and broad. Nothing specific really that I took any notes on)
  • Endless possibilities - Professional Interships - CP Alumni only
All the Rest
  • Free theme park admissions
  • Mickey's Retreat
  • Activities - Grocery Bingo ect.
  • Discounts
  • CM only previews
  • Also went over the interview process
  • Wrapped up

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