Can we take Disney University coarses ?

Someone was saying we have the option of taking university coarses while were there?
Has anyone heard anything about them and what we can take? it sounds fun

 

Yes you can! I don't know about all the courses, but I think there's management, entertainment, hospitality at least...

By the way, I checked the website, check these links for courses:

http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/education/edu_pds.html

http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/education/edu_collegiate.html

Seems like some of the courses are major specific though...

 

Thanks for the links. im trying to find someone who has taken some of these coarses to get the inside details!

 

is that just for people on the year long programes or can the summer student take them? they look pretty cool.

 

I think everyone's able to take courses, but I've heard they start every 3 months, so it has to fit with when you're there I guess... If you're on the summer program I would recommend you email someone and ask.

 

Hey Guys!

When you start your training you are required to take a certain amount of courses at Disney University (which is behind the Magic Kingdom). You must take Traditions (which is awesome) which is an introduction to the company and explains the history of Walt's vision etc. If you are in F&B you have to take Food safety classes and if you're in merch you have to take 'merchintainment' (I think that's what it's called). Then, as your contract progresses you are requried to take other courses (i.e. wine appreciation and disney trainer). I'm not sure how available the other courses are to people in the international program and the college program but it is worth looking into when you get down there, I know I'm going to!

Best of luck,
Emily

 

that would be awesome! i'm doing civil engineering at university - and the engineering classes look really cool (yes, i'm sad) - it would also rationalise not doing some slightly more relevent work experience!

oh - i can't say how much i want to go there - it's just getting cooler and cooler.

 

The classes look so neat, but I'm glad we have to take classes for our jobs because it will be neat learning all the new things!

How fun is it to say to people "I went to University in the magic kingdom!" lol

 

They do have all sorts of small courses that aer available throughout the year. When I was there I took a sign language basics course that was offered at the Cast services area of the Carribbean Beach Resort. It was a full day course and it was something you had to sign up for but it was fun it helped to give an idea to be able to communicate with guests at least basically anyways. You find out about stuff like this all over the place sometimes they are posted in break areas and at the club house other times they are listed on the cast newsletter. There are also fun things to do like backstage tours of the rides. I did Rockin Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. they were morning tours right before I went to work it was awesome. Anyways ya there is lots to do and you will find out all about what to do and how to do this stuff.

 

You get to go backstage in the rides. Sign me up right now!

 

Are you looking at the engineering Professional Development Study (PDS)? I really really reeeeaaaalllly want to do the Entertainment one! They sound great don't they!
I emailed yummy but they didn't know much about it so I emailed Disney and received this..

Congratulations on being selected to take part in the Summer Program. Unfortunately, we don't offer the Professional Development series during the summer. We are currently offering the class in Term 1 that runs February - May. It won't be offered again until Term 4 which runs September - December.

If you have any further questions about the education portion of the program, feel free to contact our office at 407-827-1244

So it seems that ICP people can't do PDS.. *sad* its unclear about the other courses so maybe they are available?
Well anyway, that settles it, I will definately be doing a year there when I'm done at uni! In... 2.5 years.. :-[

 

are you guys on about certain courses that disney pick, or any course offered at UCF?

 

im really confused so what courses can we actually take if we're on the summer program?

 

I agree im in a state of confussion too. maybe after the interview and 2 hr videos we see it will be clear what is available for us. For those who have taken the culture programs maybe u can help us out!

 

well we have training for our roles at the university, but i think classes and such like that wont be offered due to time, and the summer months usually being a sememster off for schools

 

I read in another thread here that's there no classes in the university during the summer. But check when you arrive, there might be other classes you can take!

 

thats rubbish if you cant!

 

If you are going to work at Disney throught the program with UCF then you will be required to take classes that are through UCF but I think they provide them at a different location.

I came out to work in Merchandise on the Cultural International Program in 2003-2004. They offered the chance for cast members to take Collegiate Courses.:
http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/education/edu_collegiate.html

I believe I was the first person ever in the UK Pavilion to actually take one of these courses (I could be wrong but the mamagers then hadn't had anyone else ever take a class). I took the 'Marketing You'. I was in a class with mostly Americans on the college program and a few Internationals. The class was around $50 (i think) taken automatically out of your paycheck over several weeks. If you decide to drop out before the class starts they still take the money from your paycheck.

It's harder to take classes when on the IP. The tutors said that you tell your scheduler what classes you're taking and what the times are and they are supposed to work your schedule around that. This is only the case with Americans on the college program as they actually get college credit from these classes. Every week for 8 weeks (depending on the length of program) I had to beg and plead with people to swap shifts with me so I didn't miss the classes. My scheduler wouldn't adjust my schedule at all. I thoroughly enjoyed the class but having to swap shifts was a right pain. If you miss omre than 3 clases you automatically get dropped from the class. I passed the class and received A Ducktorate Certificate for completing the course, which is pretty cool.

If you want to enquire about these types of classes, just remember that it is up to you to change your schedule to make sure you go to these clasees. I was worried that i'd paid all this money for the class and wouldn't be able to hand in my assignments cause I couldn't get the time off work, therefore failing the class. Luckily I passed.

Otherwise, all IP's take Traditions. A 4 hour class about working at Disney and quizzes. Then depending on which area you work in, you'll have additional classes. As I was in merch, i had to take merchantainment (where you learn how to work a register and stocking). Also I had the privilege of becoming a trainer. So I had to go for another 4 hour (i think) class on how to train other cast members, where I received a certificate and my trainers pin.

Hope this info helps.

Any other questions just ask.

 

That's cool! But do you know if we get to take the major-specific classes? Because I really want to take entertainment!

 

Tink, you're going for the CRP right? I think as long as you are around whe the courses are running, (ie start jan or start sep), they can't stop you taking any of them! (except UCF ones - but the pds courses are not to do with UCF *as far as I'm aware*. Just sounds like you may have to be doing some shift swapping.. a small price to pay surely! Ahhh i'm so jealous WHY am I not going for a year!