Hi all! Ok so, I want to take part in the CRP. I would like some help, and have some questions I would like answers to please ;D (I am from the UK by the way) 1) I am 16 at the moment (17 at the end of June 2010), so I have one more year left of 6th form. Would you recommend I take part in it as a gap year between 6th form and Uni. or a gap year during Uni. or once I have finished Uni? (I am desperate (read: obsessively reading the forums and wishing I am there already for the past year or two!) to take part in it, and I know that there is a chance I might not get on the program first time, so applying as early as possible is better, yes?) 2) How much roughly would it cost to take part in the program, including visas, any fees etc. (I've got an idea of flight costs, but include these if you want ) 3) If I was to apply to start the program in August/September 2011, would I still be able to carry out the application process whilst I am 17, even though I will be 18 when I start the program? 4) Is applying for the visas really as complicated as the American Embassy website makes it look? 5) What age were you when you first applied, and what age were you when you actually started the program? 6) What did you enjoy most and least about the program (anything from initial research to the flight home) Sorry there are so many questions, I just want to make sure I make the right decision before I start committing myself to anything! Thanks in advance ;D
Hi there! I'm gonna try and answer as many of your questions as possible for you. So I'm 18 now and first applied in January 2009 when I was 17. I got through the paper sift, and got through to a phone interview but unfortunately after that I was not successful. I then applied again in August 2009 (when I had turned 18) and January this year but have been unsuccessful in both applications- not even getting through the paper sift in these subsequent applications. Initially I was hoping to take the program as a gap year after 6th form whilst trying to decide what career path I wanted to take, but after being unsuccessful in my first application I decided to take a gap year and work, whilst still trying to decide what career path to take- as well as building up experience. I would suggest either taking part in the program before heading to uni, or after completing uni- as whilst you are at uni there are other programs you can apply for, that only students can participate in. Of course if you go before uni you will be unable to drink alcohol when you are out there- so it all depends on your personal preference and whether that bothers you. You can take part in the application process when you are 17, you just have to 18 at the time when you go and get your visa, which is roughly a month or so before your departure date. As I understand it, it is not difficult to obtain a visa as Disney will be sponsoring you- so your criminal background check would have already been completed etc. I have never heard of anyone being declined a visa for this program. It is a very competitive program, and it is difficult to know what they are looking for- for instance I got a phone interview the first time applied when I was still at school and had just over a years experience working at the weekend in retail. Yet in my January application I didn't even get that far and now have over 2 years retail experience and I am now a supervisor. I am still deciding whether to apply for a fourth time, or whether I should leave it a few years and apply again after completing a 2 year foundation degree course that I am interested in. Hopefully other people on the site will be able to help you with your other queries! Good luck if you decide to apply!
hey!! If it's any help...I am currently in my last year at 6th form i applyed in January this year and was still 17 at the time of the interview i have been offered a position for September 2010 and bk by spetember 2011 for uni which is great so you can defo apply when you r 17 however as you have missed january aplications the next one in june/july i think and they are for positons starting in early 2011 which are not so good as you will then not be bk in time for uni!!! hope this helps good luck!! ;D
Thanks 626Stich and 03goodl! I don't finish 6th form until May/June 2011 anyway, so I'm guessing the January application in 2011 would be best if I wanted to go for September 2011? That's good to know about the age, thanks! I was worried I would have to miss a year of applications because I would be too young, but I guess not I am thinking of trying to go before Uni, (the alcohol situation doesn't really bother me), but if I am unsuccessful, how long after you have finished Uni are you still eligible to participate? Am I right in thinking you have to be enrolled in a Uni at the time of application? Any more answers would be appreciated Good Luck if you decide to apply a fourth time 626Stich! And Congrats 03goodl! Have Fun!!
With this particular program you can apply at any age! And you don't have to be a student or anything- it's the only program available for international non-students. I think most people who go out there are in their early- mid twenties. Mostly people who have just finished uni. The June 2010 applications may be good for you as well as they will be for positions to start in feb 2011-Aug 2011, so if you finish school in june it would still give you july and august to start. The January 2011 applications will be for start dates sept 2011-dec 2011. So I would suggest maybe applying in the June applications as if you are unsuccessful, it will give you another chance to apply in Jan. You are asked what months you are available to start so you do not need to be available for all the months in that application period. Thanks! Good luck to you too
I haven't been on the CRP myself, but I've applied twice (no interviews) and will be applying again in August. I have, however, done a LOT of research into a lot of stuff, so should be able to answer most of your questions. 1) This answer is all advice, and only what I would do in your situation. Feel free to ignore it. If I were you, I'd apply in Jan 2011 for a August/September departure date (ie, gap year before uni). If you're unsuccessful, I'd go straight to uni and apply for the ICP (summer program for uni students - find out more info about this while you can, too) for each year that you're out there. Once you've finished uni, if you're still wanting to head to Disney, or want to again (if you go on the ICPs), then apply for the CRP straight away, for departure after graduation. If you are unsuccessful in your initial CRP application, use your time at uni and get a part time job in either merchandise or food and beverage (the two areas available on the CRP) to make your CV more promising for when you graduate. 2) As for costs, it depends on a lot of things. General advice, for anything like this, is to save as much as you can. Flights can cost anywhere from £300 (if lucky) to £1000 (if not). Other than that, a visa cost about £100, spending money for the first few weeks is advised to be about £400-500. I have the unfortunate situation of having to continue paying my bank loan if I get to Disney, so that's another £1000 for the year needed. General guidelines seem to say roughly £1000 (inc flights), but the more you have, the easier it'll be for you. 3) Others have already answered this, but yes... you can apply when 17, so long as you are 18 when you apply for your visa (and therefore before you depart). 4) Visa applications aren't that complicated. The visa for the CRP is a 12 month work visa, which you NEED a sponsoring company for. Disney will be your sponsor, so that's not a problem. I have heard of people being denied a visa though, because they answer a question incorrectly at their interview. From what I've read it's a very short interview, but the questions are rather bizarre. You can easily reapply though if you do get denied a visa. Thinking about this, I don't know much about Visas... *goes to look at the US Embassy website* Having had a quick look, it seems the visa required for the CRP is an H-2B visa. (Anyone who's done/doing/about to do the program, please correct me if I'm wrong) The website makes visa applications look horrid and daunting, but it's mostly just paper work and filling things in correctly. If they're not filled in correctly, then the visa may be denied. That's the impression I get anyway. 5) I was 20 when I first applied, 21 now, applying again in August. If successful, I will be 22 upon departure. I hope I've helped. I strongly suggest you read these forums a lot. There's threads all over the place about medical insurance and flights and visas and all sorts of stuff. I also strongly suggest you check out the Disney International Programs website. There's a lot of info on there about both the CRP and the ICP. Best advice I can give anyone looking to apply to these programs is Read Read and Read. Get as much info as you can, do your homework. Realise it won't all be peachy keen, and make your decisions from there. I hope you make the right decision for you! Vikki.
I found this website rather daunting when i first went on it but after reading it a few times I understand things a bit better. Prices are here: https://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com/crp/living_expenses.html
The visa is a Q1 Cultural Representative Visa It was complicated for me because they just changed the forms when I applied, and it had a glitch in it, but hopefully they've sorted that now. The interview is rediculously short...so not worth the 3 hour wait lol. The most confusing thing is insurance by far, not the visa lol. I know you say the drinking doesn't bother you, but do think about it carefully. Just be warned that it will limit you. There are some clubs over here that are over 21 only, so some nights when all your friends are off out, you won't be able to go. Also, not all of your flatmates may be so considerate of the under 21 rule. If security find alcohol in the apartment, the whole apartment can be termed, whether you were drinking or not. I'm 23 now and have only just started the programme. Been here a month. It took me a year between applying and coming out here. I'm really enjoying it at the mo. It's really easy to settle in and I felt at home after a week or so. The worst parts are working lol...nah, not really, I do like work, but it's tough in the heat and can be a bit repetitive sometimes "Welcome to the Rose and Crown, if you'd like to follow me and I'll show you to your seat" 20 times a day lol. Having said that, you do get to faff about and say you're entertaining guests which is good. For example t'other day we were attempting Irish Dancing in the street just because we had nothing to do...we ended up with a crowd and people requesting us to do it...and one of the big wigs coming and taking a photo of us. Just don't go in thinking every day is going to be magical lol.
yep its a Q1 visa for the CRP as for the visa "interview" dont worry about it,after faffing around with endless amounts of paperwork etc you get called up to the desk where they scan your fingerprints and then ask a few questions like "why are you going to the USA?" (to which i replied "to work at Disney as a CRP in Epcot Sir!") and then "how long do you intend to stay? (12 months sir) and then i think i got asked if i was planning on doing anything illegal while in america?! (obviously say no to this one,and try to keep a straight face!) and thats it,the actual interview part is less than 5 minutes long,its all the hanging around and waiting in line that takes FOREVERRRRR. if people are being denied a visa i have no idea what they must be doing or saying at the embassy,a blind monkey in a straight jacket could get the visa!