Hello everyone, my name is Taylor and this is my first time ever on this forum. I'm a senior in High school in Ontario, and am seriously considering applying to the Disney International Program. I love Disney, and will be visiting on December fourth and also in August, so I'm sure you can see how awesome I really think Disney is. So, to get to the point, I'd really like to talk to some people who have experience with this (preferably Canadian but its fine otherwise). I have tons of questions and would really love to hear about people experiences, because I believe this will help me with my decision. So, if you wouldn’t mind me asking probably stupid and random questions, this thread is for you. My email addresses are luckytaylor1@msn.com or Taytoretots@hotmail.com. I typically check luckytaylor1@msn.com first, but either is fine and I check them both at least once a day. Of course, you can just respond here as well ^.^ Thank you for reading this through and hopefully for your help, it will be much appreciated.
Hi Taylor I did the International College Program in the summer of 2006. I was 18 years old that summer so I'm assuming right around your age now. Anyways, I absolutely LOVED it. Its a fantabulous way to meet all sorts of people, not to mention watch wishes on a regular basis I have applied for the cultural rep program and along with a bunch more of us, patiently waiting to hear whether or not I've been selected. Who am I kidding.... I'm actually not being patient at all lol. One important thing to keep in mind is the drinking age in Florida - 21. They are very very strict on this policy and its a really easy way to end your program earlier than hoped. You are applying for the cultural rep (1 yr program) right? If you're planning on going to college or university, take a look at the College program. Its still loads of fun but you're only there during your summer break from school. Best of luck!
Hey Taylor! I'm Matt, and I am Canadian. I grew up in Red Deer and went to University in Edmonton. I basically have the same story as Jackie. I completed the International College Program (ICP) in 2006 and am currently waiting to see whether I've been accepted for the Cultural Rep program (CRP). Personally, the ICP was the best experience I've ever had and is the reason why I have applied for the CRP. You will have so many memories that will last a lifetime and you will meet so many people and make many friends. I not only stayed in touch with many people that completed the program with me, but a few of them and all of my roommates are now the best of friends and we get together regularly. It is definitely a life changing opportunity if you're ready for it. The reason I say that is because I've known people who were accepted and due to one circumstance or another, did not enjoy it. But if you are, then it is the adventure of a lifetime! If you have specific questions, post them on here, or search through previous threads as we have all been there at one point, wondering exactly what this is and how to be a part of it. And make sure you inform yourself well as this is an opportunity you do not want to miss out on!
Hey Taylor! I'm Shayna from Guelph Ontario! And like Jackie and Matt... I did the International College Program in Summer 06 and worked in Mickey's Toontown! I am also waiting to hear back as to whether I have been accepted for the Cultural Rep Program for Canadians to work in Epcot. Let me tell you... if you're thinking you wanna do this... do it! Disney is an amazing company (as i'm sure you know) and having them on your resume is HUUUUGE! The program and experience though is incredible in itself! You get to work in the place where dreams come true, make magic everyday, and meet people from all over the world! Living in Florida is fantastic! There is so much to do - not to mention that when your a cast member you get into all the Disney parks for free - AWESOME DEAL! You'll be living with other cast members on the same or similar programs, and Disney has bus systems that take you to work, to the parks, grocery stores etc if you dont have a car! These buses come right to the living complexes! I can't stress enough what an amazing experience it is to work for Disney! However like Matt said, you have to make sure you're ready to go before you do! The work hours are long, and just like living away from home anywhere, you struggle with meeting people and feeling homesick! BUT... you will meet fabulous people! I met the most amazing people ever (Matt, jackie!) lol! And we've all stayed friends - the friendships you make there will last a lifetime - and it's so much fuuuuuuun! And you have the time to do lots of things you don't necessarily have time to do on a Disney vacation! I was 20 when I did my first program... and like Jackie said one thing to keep in mind is that the drinking age in the states is 21... and they are STRICT about it lol! Mind you, I had a great time on my first program and I was underage... but I am looking forward to being of age if I go back... then it's not a concern or a worry for me. Just something to think about If you have specific questions... post 'em! lol! I could talk about this all day We're all here to help ya out!!
Hey Taylor! Another ICP 06-er here! I'm Shanan, a former maid at the Haunted Mansion! As mentioned multiple times previously, the International College Program is really opportunity of a lifetime. There are so many things to take advantage of even outside the realm of the parks! You can sign up and take some courses from the Disney pro's (I had hoped to get into some imagineering courses, but they were only offered after my departure date... sad panda). Take enough courses, and you'll be awarded a "Mouse-ters" or a "Duck-torate" They're not typically counted as credit, but really, knowledge is power no matter what form it comes in! If you end up going to college or university down the road, you can participate in the J1-Academic program. This entitles you to work at WDW, but also one day a week take courses (for credit!) through a participating university (University of Florida and University of North Carolina are two schools who I thiiiiiink offer some courses for this). You're classes would be based in Orlando, and typically focus on marketing or HR-related. A great opportunity, and one of the newer programs offered! I'm just not clear yet if this is open to Canadians yet, or just those in the UK. The ICP program is nice in that it basically lasts for a summer term and so fits nicely in between school years. They may continue to offer it at different parts of the year as well (again, not positive on this as I have never looked into it myself), and those terms would likely be a little less competitive. The Cultural Rep Program is a year-long contract, so it's a bigger commitment time-wise, but from what I've been told by speaking to former CRP Cast Members, such a time length really allows you the opportunity to explore anything and everything, including sights outside of WDW (Kennedy Space Centre, beaches, etc). Another perk to working as a Cast Member is that you get discounts on all (or at least most) of the behind-the-scenes tours they offer! I've always been a huge fan of these, and it's a great way to learn about the parks, the stories behind everything, and truly see how it all comes together. Furthermore, there are some CM-only tours that are offered, such as a behind-the-scenes tour of the Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, Fantasmic (and I'm sure more!) - granted, these tours fill up quick! Definitely something I wish I knew more about when I did my ICP! There is also the option to lend a helping hand via the VoluntEARS program, which you can sign up for if you wish. In this program, CM's work with Give Kids the World, which is a smaller attraction type area just outside of WDW that is for children who are battling illnesses, living with a disability, etc. A nice way to help spread a little more magic! Something else I wished I had known about sooner during my ICP! OH plus let's not forget - at least depending on the time of year you're there, or the length of the program (pending which you choose), you have the chance to see all the amazing Disney parties (Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!). Still have to pay for tickets to go to those, but definitely worth every penny So all that is rouuuuughly skimming the surface of some of the different programs, and some of the different things you can get involved with as a Cast Member! If you want to learn more, definitely check out the Yummy Jobs web site (the international recruiter for Disney) at www.yummyjobs.com, as well as the Disney International Programs site at http://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com/. And if you want to read some personal experiences through the various programs, blogs are a great way to start! I kept a blog during my ICP in 2006, and you can check it out at www.dizneedreamer.blogspot.com. Kev, another former ICP participant from Ireland (x2! 2006 and 2009) has also kept a blog at http://summerwiththemouse.blogspot.com/ (He has worked at Innoventions, Main Street Parade Activities, and the Great Movie Ride). Louisa from England has another great blog worth checking out - she worked in WDW under the J1-A in 2006 (in the Main Street Bakery, and later as a Jungle Cruise skipper), and is presently working there now under the CRP in the UK pavilion. http://www.freewebs.com/disneygibbs/ John participated in the CRP in the Canada pavilion in 2006, and he kept a great blog (and even more pictures!). His site is http://wdwjohn.blogspot.com/ So those are just a quick listing of blogs off of the top of my head! I'm sure there are PLENTY more out there - if you nose around these forums, I'm sure you'll find a plethora of old and new blogs! Hope that helps! Shout if you have any more questions at all! Definitely go for it though, you won't regret it! If you love Disney through and through, and love sharing that - well, it goes without saying you've got that magical touch of pixie dust!
Thanks everybody for your replies, I can't wait to do it! Just one question, do you have to be in a certain university program to apply? I know that you have to be in in university, but i'm not sure of anything else really xD
Nope! For the ICP or J1-A programs, you can be in any ol' university or college! Doesn't matter what program you're in, you just have to prove you're a student there (in 2006 they asked for a letter from a school rep confirming that you do in fact attend the school and what degree you're pursuing there - I just asked one of my profs!). For the CRP, you don't need to be attending a school at all, just have to be at least 18!
Don't quote me on this, but I think for the J1-A you do have to be attending a University that has it arranged with Disney. I don't believe that you can be at any university for that program. For the ICP though, it doesn't matter, you just have to be in post-secondary school, have to have finished at least one semester and must be returning to the program after the summer is over. Great experience for sure!
