Now, whenever I hear that someone didn't enjoy their time in the Disney College Program, I'm curious to see what opportunities they took advantage of. Many times, people will visit the parks on their days off. Maybe spend some time at Universal. And sadly, I'll hear people who spend most days watching Netflix at home on their days off. Those are the people I see who leave the program feeling like it didn't meet their expectations. There are so many unique opportunities presented to you while doing the DCP, and I took advantage of as many things as I could!
My last program, I spent most of my time in the parks and took a Disney class, which included some tours. Mainly, I treated it like an extended vacation where I worked to pay my way through. This time, I wanted to have some unique experiences, do some networking, and see what it would take to stay with the company long-term. While there is no way I could fit everything onto this list (it was actually really difficult to create this list), here are my top 10 adventures. Some are common trip adventures, and others are more unique! How many have you tried?!
# 10. Cast Member Amazing Race
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| For this challenge, we had to make our own banchee and take a picture of it sitting on someone's shoulder! |
There's a group of amazing cast members who host cast member events in the parks. I love scavenger hunts and logic puzzles, and this tested your physical and mental skill. We had a blast running around Animal Kingdom, got SO many steps in, and had the chance to experience Animal Kingdom like never before! We came in sixth place out of thirteen teams!
# 9. Mini Golf and Water Parks
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| Fantasia golf course! There were even times where the golf ball would trigger sound and music! |
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| This photo was taken 5 days before Christmas. It was 80 degrees in Florida and -5 in New York! |
Like many families with limited time in Disney World, my family has never spent time in the water parks or mini golfing. Boy, was that a mistake! I spent several days in both water parks, and I did the Fantasia golf course. It was a great way to relax while still taking in the Disney theming typically found at a theme park! My favorite thing to do would be to sit in a tube on the lazy river with my phone in a waterproof holder and read ebooks for hours. I probably looked like a silly sight, but it was pure bliss (except when the route took us under waterfalls)!
#8. Characters in Flight
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| I'm in that hot air balloon! |
I wanted to do Characters in Flight my last program, but the balloons were never able to go up because of the wind (it needs to be under a certain wind speed to take flight). I finally had the chance to go, and it was amazing! You could even see a *very small* Spaceship Earth and Cinderella Castle! While I probably wouldn't spend the money to go again (my lovely family paid for me), it was definitely an experience everyone should try once!
#7. Trying Different Disney Spas
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| Had to take a quick picture before leaving Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs! |
Another experience my family doesn't take the time to do. However, the Disney spas are wonderful! As a cast member, you are given a discount to the spas that are extra steep around the holidays, so this was a wonderful treat. The best part is, you have access to the facilities the whole day you are there. They include a sauna, whirlpool, anti-gravity chairs, heated tile chairs, complementary snacks, coffee/tea, and even a glass of wine depending on the service you choose! I really took advantage of this (most people get their service done and leave), but since I had all the time in the world for Disney experiences, I spent the whole day there. I heard that Saratoga Springs was better (and everyone was right), but I wanted to see what the Grand was like too. Saratoga was significantly better, to be honest. I wouldn't necessarily take the time to do this on a trip shorter than 7 days (since for the amount you pay you should take advantage of the facilities), but if you prefer a more laid-back trip, or are doing the college program, this is a must-do!
#6. Holiday Tapings
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| Having fun at the taping - we were running on very little sleep in super hot weather standing for hours in one spot, but you could never tell from this picture! |
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| Protecting Raven from the sun in between takes while fixing her makeup! Everyone in the crowds wished they had those umbrellas, too! |
I've always wanted to go to a holiday taping - and I ended up going to three! When you see them on TV, most people don't know that those crowds are mainly cast members and their families. While the public is welcome to come, cast members are informed in advance, and Disney even gives them free guest tickets for friends and family for whatever day they are going to the filming! However, a ticket is not required for joining the crowd. The earlier you join the line to go in, the better chance you have of getting on camera (despite our best efforts and waking up SUPER early, we ended up in the third row the day we woke up earliest). It was fun to see how the tapings are run, seeing the stars, and being "coached" on how they wanted us extras to act on camera. Yet another experience I wouldn't necessarily recommend if you have limited park time, but an absolute must if you're doing the college program!
#5. Exclusive Photo Opportunities
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| The Fab Five at the DCP welcome event! |
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| Happy Halloween from Donald! There was NO line for this one, and he spent a long time with my friend and me. |
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| "Fixing" Tiana's hair after a day of work in the castle! I am a fairy godmother in training, after all! |
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| While this one wasn't exclusive, it was mainly cast members in the line to meet Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, after her beautiful performance in the Candlelight Processional! |
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| For the DCP Thanksgiving event, we met Mickey and Minnie dressed as pilgrims! |
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| Stitch dressed as Elvis!!!! Ah! |
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| A rare picture of Mickey in a Santa suit! |
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| A special treat for the working cast members on New Year's Eve! |
So many people don't take advantage of these unique photo opportunities, but I went to every one I could! Usually, there are short lines, and it is something you'll likely never have the chance to take again! I'll cherish these for the rest of my life!
#4. Tech Behind the Dreams
I can't write much about this, and definitely can't post pictures because I'm legally contracted not to do so. BUT I can tell you that this amazing event allowed me to meet a ton of Imagineers, learn about different roles in Imagineering, and learn how the magic actually happens. Finding the location was quite a feat - because it isn't on a map. And that's all I can say about that...
#3. Meeting Disney's Original Tom Sawyer
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| Tom Nabbe, Disney's original Tom Sawyer, told us all about what Disney was saying when he took this picture. He had fond memories of Walt. |
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| When Tom Nabbe retired, they asked him what he wanted. This was his response - a window on Main Street. I got to meet someone who has his own window on Main Street! Ah! |
I won't lie, it was hard to wake up so early for this event. But his story was fascinating. It was his idea to go up to Walt, as a teen, and tell him he would be Walt's Tom Sawyer when the island was being built. Instead of saying "no," Walt said, "I'll think about it." For a year, Tom would ask Walt if he had made up his mind, and he would say he was still thinking about it. Eventually, Walt said yes, and the rest is history!
#2.Wild Africa Trek
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| Hungry Hungry Hippos! They had us wear a harness so we could go super close! |
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| One of our two tour guides would take pictures with a professional camera of the participants and the animals throughout our tour! Unexpected, but awesome! |
Since my program was during the holidays, I humbly asked my family for money for Disney experiences instead of gifts this year, and this was one of those experiences! Cast members get a FABULOUS discount for this tour, and there's no way I would have been able to afford it otherwise. This tour was indescribable. You get to be super close to the animals (I mean, not petting them, but as close as you can safely get to a hippo or crocodile)! Then you get your own private safari bus and a light meal. If you can afford it, EVERYONE should go on this tour!
#1. Night of Stars
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| On the red carpet! |
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| My trophy! |
And my #1 DCP experience is.....drumroll, please.... Night of Stars! You are truly treated like a celebrity! I was too nervous to audition my first program, and I really regret it. My theme this program was no regrets, so I went for it, and I was lucky to win best specialty act! One of the coolest parts is that Niall from One Direction performed on the same stage as me just a day later. It was a long day of rehearsals leading up to the performance, but it is one that I will never forget. You can view the video of my performance here!
And there you have it - my top 10 DCP adventures! Honorable mentions go to unique dining experiences, Christmas party, Halloween party, Disney during a hurricane (this one wasn't a choice lol), meeting Madame Leota's grandson in line for Frozen Ever After, becoming a Galactic Hero, taking Disney classes, and oh so many more experiences.
The Disney College Program is all about what you make of it. So make the most of all of the opportunities presented to you. Not every day will be all pixie dust and smiles - I can guarantee it. But I can also guarantee that if you push aside excuses and just tell yourself "this time next year, I'll be home and not in Disney World," and remind yourself that there's a good chance you'll never have this chance again, you will have the experience of a lifetime!
