Starting today, I'm going to do a series of posts on this blog on my experience during my Disney College Program. I'm writing these to hopefully help you and me, should I decide to do the program again.
To say the Disney College Program changes your life is an understatement. While you don't realize it right away and probably won't till you get back home, there's a lot of mistakes that you can make during your program, that might make it less enjoyable. So here are 5 that I made that hopefully you can avoid.
1. Looking For Love
I think this is something that everyone will go through on the program. Some people will go to it expecting nothing, while others hope to find their future soulmate. But no matter your intentions, you will develop a crush. Possibly multiple. And it tears you apart. I had 2 during my program and it sucked because I knew I would eventually go back to being far away, but at the same time, I really wanted to have someone to go on park dates or explore Orlando with. There's nothing wrong with it, but just know that Disney has a policy where if you ask someone out once, the second time can be considered sexual assault and you can get fired
2. Not Going to A Park or Out With Friends Because You're Too Tired
Just face it. From the second you check in, there will not be a time where you're not tired. Working for Disney is hard work. So whether your shift (or class) starts at 7 am or ends at 1 am, youre going to be tired. If you're off the next day, wake up early, have a healthy breakfast, drink a coffee or energy drink, and enjoy the park(s) of your choice. For a lot of people, this is only temporary and its very unlikely that you'll ever have free reign to go to any Disney Park for free ever again, so embrace it, no matter how much fatigue you feel.
3. Calling Out/Asking to Go Home Early
This is an easy one to do. Trust me, its not worth it. It's so easy to wake up with just a few hours in between shifts and want to call out. If you don't call out in a situation like that, you'll get overtime pay. If you call out, not only are you missing out on valuable hours (which they are so valuable with how much housing costs), you basically are forcing yourself to stay home all day. And that's not fun, unless you have Netflix. If you really aren't feeling well enough, then do call out. Some positions will give you a point no matter what you do. If you go in sick, though, you could get a bad judgment point which looks worse if you are looking to get rehired by Disney.
4. Joining In Discussions In the Facebook Groups
If you know anything of the Disney College Program, you have probably heard of the oh so famous Facebook groups. Most of the time its civil where people will just ask for some help with something. But there's always that one person who will start problems with a comment or a post. (These include "I deserve a bus seat" or "Why are there no single guys? They're all gay or taken." The first one is rude and the second one is false. There are a lot of good guys you just get have to get past the looks. Think before you join in or even do one of these posts. A lot of the time, people will be savage and start bullying, calling you out for rumors, etc. It's not fun and truly gets to your head, especially if you have anxiety, depression, and have been bullied in the past like me.
5. Not Preparing Yourself For the Inevitable End of Your Program
I know it may be the beginning of your program and you don't want to think about the end, but for you to make the most of your program, you need to. This is especially if your program is only 4 months. One day you'll wake up with only 7 days of your program left and you'll work 6 of those days. Seriously, make a list of everything you want to do while in Orlando and do it. Don't let your dreams turn to tears. Just do it!!!!
Until Next Time, Alex
3. Calling Out/Asking to Go Home Early
This is an easy one to do. Trust me, its not worth it. It's so easy to wake up with just a few hours in between shifts and want to call out. If you don't call out in a situation like that, you'll get overtime pay. If you call out, not only are you missing out on valuable hours (which they are so valuable with how much housing costs), you basically are forcing yourself to stay home all day. And that's not fun, unless you have Netflix. If you really aren't feeling well enough, then do call out. Some positions will give you a point no matter what you do. If you go in sick, though, you could get a bad judgment point which looks worse if you are looking to get rehired by Disney.
4. Joining In Discussions In the Facebook Groups
If you know anything of the Disney College Program, you have probably heard of the oh so famous Facebook groups. Most of the time its civil where people will just ask for some help with something. But there's always that one person who will start problems with a comment or a post. (These include "I deserve a bus seat" or "Why are there no single guys? They're all gay or taken." The first one is rude and the second one is false. There are a lot of good guys you just get have to get past the looks. Think before you join in or even do one of these posts. A lot of the time, people will be savage and start bullying, calling you out for rumors, etc. It's not fun and truly gets to your head, especially if you have anxiety, depression, and have been bullied in the past like me.
5. Not Preparing Yourself For the Inevitable End of Your Program
I know it may be the beginning of your program and you don't want to think about the end, but for you to make the most of your program, you need to. This is especially if your program is only 4 months. One day you'll wake up with only 7 days of your program left and you'll work 6 of those days. Seriously, make a list of everything you want to do while in Orlando and do it. Don't let your dreams turn to tears. Just do it!!!!
Until Next Time, Alex
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