Ok so to you guys i'm gunna seem like a total noob since this is my first post but... I'm 18 in 2 weeks, (from the UK) I've applied to university but I really don't want to go this year, so I had to idea to go work in disneyworld, because i've been 5 times and it really is the happiest place on earth! So i've spent about a week researching it all and like the look of the 12 month cultural representative program, and lurked on these forums for a bit, and was totally shocked to see people with so much experience to be turned down over and over. What my main question is what does disney/yummyjobs actually want from people? do they want loads of experience with children or in retail or do they want people overly enthusiastic about disney and working there or a combination of the two? Can anyone share some succession stories with me, because its my dream to work there! and its probably most of yours, i'm going there in 8 weeks with my mum for the 6th time. I've spent a year working as an assistant for a photography studio, just started as an Art technician at my college, and I only have a few various experiences when working with children, but I have the disney look, i love entertaining, and disney is my life! So how much chance would there be with me getting an interview? 1 in a 1000? and I don't even care if i'm stacking shelves, or cleaning, working over there is 10000 times better than working over here.
Your best bet is probably to go to uni, do the ICP summer program for each year you're there, then try for the CRP when you graduate. I say this, mainly because the next CRP application set isn't until August, with departure dates in early 2011. As for what yummy/disney look for in applicants, it's never really advertised. As you say, it's most likely a combination of the things, plus a large amount of luck. If you are intent on applying for the CRP though, I'd look at getting as much retail and/or food and beverage experience as you can. Hope that's helped. Vikki.
the problem is, my degree would be in Graphic Design which has nothing to do with merchandising or food and beverage whatsoever, I don't see how that could appeal to them if I applied for the ICP?
It doesn't matter what you're studying. I also did a design degree and have done two ICP programs (between 1st and 2nd year and then between 2nd and 3rd year). Lots of people on my course got design-related work experience during those two summers but I went to disney and it was the best decision I've ever made.
The CRP is literally for anyone. The people who do it can be from any walk of life and you don't have to have gone to university to do it. But, it is a stupidly competitive program and so any customer service is valuable, but as Vikki said, it's mostly about luck. You've just got to hope you shine at the right time and if it's to be, then it's to be. Having said that, I know people who have been turned down because they don't have enough F&B experience, but then have gone on to get the job later on. It really depends on how many people apply for that set of interviews. If ridiculous amounts of people apply then they have to wittle down someway! But don't let that put you off! Really, everyone has the same amount of chance as anyone else. The ICP I think is slightly easier to get on because there are more positions available and it's only open to those with certain criteria. But that's not saying you don't have to be at you best when you apply! A Any experience is valuable, and so long as you can show that you're bringing something to the Walt Disney Company, then all you can do is cross your fingers and hope for the best. And if at first you don't succeed, try and try again. I did and now I've worked for the company for a total of 25 months (on two seperate occasions) and next year I'm off to work on the Disney Cruise Line! If you work hard enough and believe in yourself, dreams can come true!
i second everything disneygibbs has just said! You have as good a chance as anyone else, of course any f&b experience would be an advantage but as long as you can show a real passion for customer service etc you should be ok, all you can do really is apply and hope for the best, even if you dont get through this time you can always re-apply give it a go, see what happens, you have to in it to win it after all!!!!
Food & Beverage (i.e working in the chippy, restaraunt, anything food & drink related, which includes seating people at tables etc)
Before going to Disney I had zero experience of working in F&B - my most recent experience was in general admin for 2 years and finance for 18 months and then before that some retail work. I still got through so I wouldnt say that experience is necessary but it can be helpful. I think though crazed uber enthusiasm is prob not the best way to go.
yeah i think F&B experience would be an advantage, especially when (if) you get over there as youl hit the ground running so to speak but i think having a really upbeat and outgoing personality and being really enthusiastic is what gets most people through
