Fall Advantage of '09?!

[joanna71985]

ah, very cool... graduating from MSU? so will you be moving to FL when you go FT?

Yep. I am almost done with Montclair! And I will be going to FL. If all goes well, I will be graduating in May, hope to do a final CP (to save up money, and look for an apartment), and if possible would try to go FT either in Jan or May 2010.

I would really like to end up as a FTer. I'm am just worried that if I do, then there won't be much room for improvement as far as moving up in the company. I am a business major so this is something that I have had drilled in my head for the past 4 years now.

So if you have done so many programs, how old are you? I am 21 but I will be 22 by the time I go and I'm kind of curious what the average age is down there, whether I will be considered older or average?

Thank you for answering all my questions, you are really making this exciting for me when I can get the real answers quickly instead of the "Text Book" answer.

I am 23 (24 in July). I would not worry at all. There are plenty of people who are 22 (and older down there). You would be considered average-aged.

[joanna71985]

According to a newsletter I got from the CP, Disney should start recruting for Fall 09 in Feb! I can't wait!

[InTheSpotlight]

According to a newsletter I got from the CP, Disney should start recruting for Fall 09 in Feb! I can't wait!

Good to hear, I wish it was sooner though I really want to get going on this as soon as possible. I would love to have one less thing to think about.

[joanna71985]

Good to hear, I wish it was sooner though I really want to get going on this as soon as possible. I would love to have one less thing to think about.

Yeah, it would have been nice if it was sooner. But it doesn't matter for me. As soon as applications go up online, I will be applying. I can't wait! I need to get back down to FL!

[InTheSpotlight]

Yeah, it would have been nice if it was sooner. But it doesn't matter for me. As soon as applications go up online, I will be applying. I can't wait! I need to get back down to FL!

yeah I think I might just do the online one because I've already been to a couple presentations. I am really crossing my fingers and praying that I get the opportunity to go down there. I know it's not good to put all your eggs in one basket but I completely have with this one.

[joanna71985]

yeah I think I might just do the online one because I've already been to a couple presentations. I am really crossing my fingers and praying that I get the opportunity to go down there. I know it's not good to put all your eggs in one basket but I completely have with this one.

I definitely will be doing the online presentation. My school holds the presentation too late, for one thing. I can only do Fall (because I have to take summer classes), for another. And I really want to get entertainment again. So that is why I am applying early, online.

[InTheSpotlight]

OK so a new question has come up, when your check comes in, and after regular expenses (i.e. food, and phone bills) what is an average amount to have left?

[joanna71985]

OK so a new question has come up, when your check comes in, and after regular expenses (i.e. food, and phone bills) what is an average amount to have left?

It varies for everyone (the amount of hours a week, the role you have as some pay more then others, if you spend a lot of money a week, ect). But I always had at least $130 a week (after rent).

[goodguy20k]

Hey, I just thought I'd jump in with the budget thing... I have an excel sheet going (I'm a geek, what more can I say?) to figure out about how much I'll be making.

I have six columns. Two with low pay (minimum they list), one column with high cost rent, one with low cost. Then two with high pay (highest they list), and same two rent columns. And then I have an averaged pay area with the two rent charges.

I've also put in a minimal hour week (I picked 40 hours/wk), and a maximum (I picked 60 hours/wk), and also an average of the two.

There are also some basic deductions for food (I'm thrifty, so I can keep it lower, y'all might not be so thrifty, so bump it up) and clothing, as well as rent insurance (not needed, but it's only $20/month from most companies). I plan on the bus system as my main means of transportation (but I wouldn't mind splitting gas with someone who wouldn't mind driving me somewhere, but I take that out of my spending allowance). I've also put in a cell phone budget, something to give me flexibility of communication (but remember, you can't take it into the park when you're working ). I've also taken an estimated tax out of it (I heard someone say that around 7.3% was taken out of their paycheck for social security and medicare... I saw elsewhere that the income tax bracket for the estimated amount we'd be making is around 8%... So I just went with 8%. It probably should be bumped up for safety, but I feel comfortable with 8%.).

So... After all the math...

Weekly:

Low pay, high cost

Low pay, low cost

Medium pay, High Cost

Medium pay, Low Cost

High pay, high cost

High pay, low cost

Low hours:

$21.01

/wk

$46.01

/wk

$48.01

/wk

$73.01

/wk

$75.01

/wk

$100.01

/wk

High hours:

$237.31

/wk

$262.31

/wk

$284.56

/wk

$309.56

/wk

$331.81

/wk

$356.81

/wk

Average:

$129.16

/wk

$154.16

/wk

$166.29

/wk

$191.29

/wk

$203.41

/wk

$228.41

/wk

Take it as an estimate. A very rough one.

Also, I'm planning on taking a quarter of the income and saving it (in the bank), taking half of it and starting to pay off my college loans, and leaving the last quarter for spending cash. That's actually not too bad, based on the above numbers.

Also note: I have NOT attended the program yet. I have a friend in the program, and I've been researching as much as possible, but that's all that it is: research.

Next I would recommend you start considering what you will need there, and what all you already have of it, and how much it will cost to buy the rest. Like, they require formal wear... I don't even have slacks! (I'm from Texas. :P ) So I'll have to buy at least slacks, if not a whole suit, before I go. There's the $100 admission/events fee... There's transportation costs (flying or driving)... Etc. But this really should go in another thread, I think.

Hope that helps!

-Daniel

[Sneekypeeks]

HI, I am applying and very excited! This will be my first time trying out for the college program. I am hoping I make it. I am thinking I will apply for vacation planner, merchandising, and transportation. Can some of the alumni give a brief description of the roles? I read the ones on the site, but I like insider information.

PS I can't remember which post it was asking about the cheapest way to get to Florida. Check out southwest.com. They don't charge any extra for your 2 bags, and you are allowed 2 carry ons, etc. Plus their rates are pretty awesome. I did some work at a ski resort in NH and a dude ranch in CO, and I live in Louisiana, i learned to apprecaite them. WHen I find that thread I will move this stuff there.

[Rico117]

Hey Everyone,

I am applying for Fall '09 as well. What are the housing costs and the best places to live? Does anyone know what the acceptance rate is? I am a socal guy so i will probably apply to oth DLR and WDW. Also has anyone taken the Disney classes? Any info on those is appreciated.

Rico

[joanna71985]

HI, I am applying and very excited! This will be my first time trying out for the college program. I am hoping I make it. I am thinking I will apply for vacation planner, merchandising, and transportation. Can some of the alumni give a brief description of the roles? I read the ones on the site, but I like insider information.

PS I can't remember which post it was asking about the cheapest way to get to Florida. Check out southwest.com. They don't charge any extra for your 2 bags, and you are allowed 2 carry ons, etc. Plus their rates are pretty awesome. I did some work at a ski resort in NH and a dude ranch in CO, and I live in Louisiana, i learned to apprecaite them. WHen I find that thread I will move this stuff there.

Welcome! Good luck to you. Hopefully I will see you down there (I will be applying for Fall 2009 myself).

I don't know much about Vacation Planners. They are the ones in the front of the parks that sell tickets, help pick out plans, stuff like that. Transportation is working either the monorails, the boats at Epcot/DHS, or the boats at MK. I have done merchandise. I worked in Fantasyland at MK. You work the shops/carts at one of the parks, resorts, DTD, and maybe the water parks. When I was in merchandise, I mostly worked the registers and assisted the guests. I also did stocking once in awhile.

Hey Everyone,

I am applying for Fall '09 as well. What are the housing costs and the best places to live? Does anyone know what the acceptance rate is? I am a socal guy so i will probably apply to oth DLR and WDW. Also has anyone taken the Disney classes? Any info on those is appreciated.

Rico

Good luck! There is a housing fee of $100 for the WDW CP (which is paid when you accept the offer). Rent varies by complex, and also by apartment size (the bigger the apartment, the cheaper the rent).

There is no definite rate for how many people are accepted. However, the CP has become very popular. So more people are being turned away. Luckily Patterson is almost done with construction, so that will help for the Spring/Fall 2009 CPs. To help with your chances, make sure to apply early, and pick several roles that you know you would enjoy (my recruiter recommends at least 4. I probably will be picking 4-5 myself for the Fall).

[Sneekypeeks]

To help with your chances, make sure to apply early, and pick several roles that you know you would enjoy (my recruiter recommends at least 4. I probably will be picking 4-5 myself for the Fall).

I thought you could only pick out three of the roles to apply for? What is everyones favorite roles who has done the program? Those three I am going for seem like the best for my degree, but don't really seem like the most fun, except the transportation one!

[joanna71985]

I thought you could only pick out three of the roles to apply for? What is everyones favorite roles who has done the program? Those three I am going for seem like the best for my degree, but don't really seem like the most fun, except the transportation one!

Oh no. You can pick as many roles as you want.

My favorite role so far has been character attendant. I have done it twice now, and will be selecting it again for Fall 09.

[Sneekypeeks]

Has anyone taken any of the collegiate courses offered through Disney? I am going to be taking the HR management one and 4 hour class periods seem like a really really long time to be sitting still.

Thanks