Hi! Sorry to intrude, I'm not actually an alumni but I have a question that you guys would know the answer to better than the other future Disney cast members. I'm going to work in the Canadian Pavilion in March, but I'm wondering about courses. In the interviews we were told that we can take courses while we're working for Disney, but what kind of courses? And do they cost money? Just curious. Also, is there anything I should be doing to get ready to go? I'm supposed to leave March 29th but I have no Visa approval or any information really and I'm starting to doubt my own listening ability (when I got the phone call that I was accepted I was a little overwhelmed)- did they say that they take care of the Visa? Or should I be doing something to get it? And should I go ahead and book a plane ticket without any information or should I wait? Thanks for the answers guys! Sarah
Sarah. Hi there. The courses that can be taken are at Disney University. They have a wide range of things you can take, from things related to your role down there (improving customer service etc...) to wine courses to... well.... anything really. They don't, I believe, cost money but have to signed up for in advance. I totally had plans to take courses when I arrived.... but then I woke up hung over 15 months later and it was time to go!!!! As far as what you are doing, there's not much to do ecept arrange your flight and insurance really. i'm not surprised that you don't have your visa yet, as I got mine about 4 weeks before I arrived. Just sit back and wait, and you can always call eric if your worried. Above all, enjoy your year down there as it is the best, i repeat, BEST year of your life!!! You have many, many jealous people (exspecially Alumni!!) who would love to be in your shoes..... enjoy, Robb 8)
Thanks so much Robb! That info is all really helpful. And don't worry, I plan to take full advantage of my time down there (provided I manage to avoid the hung over for 15 months thing- tee hee)! Sarah
Hey Sarah! I know that my boyfriend only received his visa a few days before leaving. He was supposed to arrive a few weeks earlier but got bumped because all the visas for his arrival group hadn't arrived yet. So don't worry. Disney will take care of it for you. Even if you don't get it on time, that doesn't mean that you won't eventually get it and that your arrival date can't be pushed back. Don't worry about it. They know what they're doing. HI ROBB! I found an MGM photo taken of our arrival group in our first week by those annoying photographers the other day! Too fun. Where are you now? Still in Scotland? If you're ever in TO, PLEASE let me know. I'd love to see you! Good luck Sarah! If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at eticknor@flaghouse.com. I was down there Sept. 2001 to Sept. 2002. ~Erin
Hi there! SARA: I was there Oct 02-Oct 03 working in Mexico Attractions. The courses you can take (and that I remember) are: Hospitality Management Organizational Leadership Marketing U! Human Resources.... and two or three more than I can't remember, but this may give you an idea. Classes are held at VISTA WAY (or they were, back then), so only 5 minutes away from THE COMMONS. There's a building behing from where the buses leave you which is for courses that College Program Participants have to take as part of their program, and those are the courses that you can attend to. There are also some other walks around the parks (with an expert), talks with Managers and Directors of many different areas at Disney and some other courses that you can sign up for at the CENTER OF EXCELLENCE at Epcot which is where you will be able to use a computer at Epcot, or you can also sign up for them through a phone line that you will learn about when you get there. ALL OF THE CLASSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE... well except some of them that are announced through the EYES AND EARS (internal communication newspaper) such as SIGN LANGUAGE, RCP, FIRST AIDS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT About the visa, if it helps at all... I GOT MY VISA ONLY TWO DAYS BEFORE LEAVING and I was GETTING CRAZY already!!!!! So don't worry, you will receive a package from the Procurement Ally in your country which I think is CASTAWAY... something and they will give you further instructions on it regarding visa. REALLY, DON'T WORRY. It will come when it has to come. Hope these answers helped a bit! As Robb said, I ENVY YOU.... IN A VERY GOOD WAY! ENJOY THE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!! ;D BYE! STIBY
Hey There!!!    Yay Canada, Im there now i just arived about a month ago. Im having so much fun!! You have to take 3 classes if your in Food and Bev, and they make those arrangments for you right away, They already have my classes up, i have my first on on tuesday!!! there not that exciting. Anyways about the visa I got mine a couple days before i left so don't worry if it's not here yet, I got accepted end of September and had to go Beggining of December, so i didn't have very much time to do anything Anyways if you have any questions like how everything works in Canada or whatever just give me an shout, Message me k Have a Magical Day
You gotta love that picture! hehe - Is Dean looking like a model on it??? Think i need to dig my copy out and reminisce! October 3rd 2001 - where has the time gone? :'( Ciao for now my fellow arrival group buddies! Clairee.g :-*
ERIN!!! ROB!!!!! how r u guys??? i miss you!!!! i'm back in calgary after my 6 week adventure in europe (visiting disney peeps)...it was CRAZYYYYY, i went to england, south wales, norway, italy, germany and france and i shouldn't have come back...hey rob how did u go about getting a visa for the uk? i'm so ready to move there!!! okay and in answer to the question this post was geared towards (damn my ADD!)...yes lots of courses available..i took bartending came in very handy and that was the first and only course i took b/c once i knew more drinks i had to try them every night of the week...i had plans to take others but somehow those damn hangovers got in the way. actually i don't know if i ever got hungover...i think i just stayed constantly drunk...except for one century club CGDT night....right erin??? hahahahahahahaha....oh dear GOD no wonder my liver suffers now. Oh and I only got my visa about a week before i left. Just book your flight, and you should have a phone number for the recruit who hired you right? if u don't have it by then give them a call...i phoned them so many times before i left with so many questions on stuff lol. they were very helpful Good luck! have fun! *~cat~* xoxo
I haven't been on this forum much lately, which is why it took me so long to reply, but THANK YOU so much. Everyone has been so helpful! And I got my package with the Visa infor and everything so I feel much better. I'm sure I'll have tons more questions though, so I'll be sure to contact you guys. Thanks again!!
