why I left the Disney College Program
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- čas přidán 10. 12. 2021
- I am very happy for the opportunity that I was given and experience that I had but those times had to come to an end sooner or later. I made a very hard choice by leaving the dcp and I want to k]let you guys all in on the loop so that you can understand how I was feeling the past couple months. I met some of the most amazing people and had the time of my life and I can not wait to go back after I graduate from college this coming year! I hope you all can understand and respect my decision, in the end it is only mine to make and nobody should have anything rude or bad to say. Any hateful comments will be deleted.
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All statements and opinions are my own and do not reflect the Walt Disney company.
I understand your opinion just know I work at port Orleans as custodial on the DCP and it is AMAZING! I talk to tons of guest everyday, I make Mickey heads, hand out stickers, make water art. So just for anyone we get tons of guest interactions and we have an easy going job, Port Orleans has one of the best hotel management staff!
I loved reading your comment! Feels like you're there with the right attitude! What's something guests could say or ask for that brightens your day?
I’m glad you posted this! I just got custodial at Y&B
I just got custodial at Hollywood Studios for my DCP, and your comment is exactly why I'm so excited! Should be a great way to interact with guests and also take care of the park :)
I appreciate your honesty, some people only talk the “honeymoon phase” but never the “backstage” truth. I hope you feel better mentally, physically and overall. I honestly thought it was only because of school. Thank you for sharing this side, of the program and your life. Real life has different shades, the good, the bad and all mix in and mental health is very important and work can take a toll on it. Love youuu!!
Great video and I appreciate your honesty ! I am glad you posted this video to give a true representation of what the college program can be like for some people. It’s not all wine and roses all the time. From a former employee and supervisor at WDW for 18 years I have some tips for someone who may have doubts about doing the College Program.
1. This is a internship and you are needed first and foremost to keep Disney running for the enjoyment of the guest and not your happiness. Your enjoyment is an added bonus. It’s also a paid internship, and many companies who offer internships don’t pay you at all. Even though most of your check goes toward your housing, at least you’re getting something. (Hopefully)
2. The program is not for everyone. In my opinion, the happiest employees are the ones who truly love Disney and would do the internship just so they can be on property taking in the whole experience, whether they got paid or not.
3. Getting Disney on your resume’ will help you in your future career aspirations, no matter what role you have. Disney is viewed by many in the corporate world as the gold standard …..they think if you can work there under Disney’s strict rules, you will be a loyal and responsible employee. It impresses them.
4. The strict rules on attendance, getting ADO’s (authorized days off) and following company rules is not just for College Program. Full time and part timers are held to the same rules, for the most part.
5. There are a lot of kids who would do any role just to get in the program, so if you aren’t sure you would like being put somewhere less desirable, don’t apply for the program. There are other kids willing to take your spot wholeheartedly and with no reservations.
6. Disney kind of runs itself like a Broadway show or the military…..their mission is one whole concerted effort with the goal to “shock and awe “ the guest. You are a soldier and doing your part to fulfill that mission. If you don’t believe in the mission, don’t enlist.
7. Punctuality, a good attitude and a willingness to adapt quickly to changes will take you far in the company.
8. And last but not least, my college program roommate had all of these attributes and ended up being a General Manager at one of the parks. She only had a bachelors degree but her work ethic was outstanding. I on the other hand , had a smaller role ( food and bev) but still ended up in a supervisor role in an office and I had no degree. It took me a few years to get promoted, but I got chosen over applicants with degrees because of my work ethic. Disney loves to promote from within.
Good luck to you Donnielle and thanks again for showing this side of it. I hope you get a chance to go back and work for the company. Maybe this time wasn’t the best experience for you , but at least now you know more about what to expect. I am sure they would love to have you back. It’s obvious you really do love working for the mouse 😀
🏆
Great comment, and exactly what I’d (former mgr) have said if I made it here first lol. Really this comment should be made into a video that all incoming CPs are required to view imho
i’m so happy for you! you made the right decision for you, and not others. you gave us the pleasure of vlogging your DCP days! enjoy your time back home!!!
Very proud of you Doni! Never feel like you have to apologize/justify putting yourself first. It takes more courage and strength to stand up for yourself and your happiness than it does to ignore it. I’ve been watching your videos since day 1 and I’ve loved watching you on your Disney journey. I can’t wait to see where life takes you next!!!
I do love how honest you were in this video! I feel like so many people only talk about the dcp as though everything is magical, but that's just not realistic. I am starting my dcp in less than a month and it was nice to hear your story. Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you are doing better now, especially mentally.
I self termed because they moved me from Mini Golf Hostess to Custodial at Blizzard. I had the SAME mentality as you! Love your honesty!!
your reasons for leaving are totally justified, there’s no point to stick around when you know your not gonna be happy and there is no true benefit. You had a good run and made the best out of it while you could and I think that is what’s important! It takes courage to know what’s best for you and when to walk away, so I find that admirable! Nothing is worse then being stuck somewhere where your unhappy mentally, it will eat you up. Loved your insight and videos during the program so far and hope to see more uploads from you!
so happy & proud of you that you made the decision for youuu & not other people ! I appreciate your honesty and can’t wait for what the future holds for you.
I actually left a comment on your DL vlog about how I wanted to take a trip to DLR while on my program in the spring and welllll.. After my first trip to WDW last month I’ve actually decided not to do the program lol oops love that, I’ve been ignoring all of the problems my friends talked about just because I would be working in Disney, I’m used to working a lot already but my mental health is already shaky sometimes due to my anxiety so I know I wouldn’t be able to handle it all and being away from my family for so long. I’m glad you put yourself over the job despite it being Disney, that’s so important! 💖 Excited to see where you go from here!
I am so happy that more CPs are talking about the not so fun parts because being a CP that is about to move there in a month its nice to have videos that kind of forewarn that it isnt sunshine and rainbows 24/7 and I feel a lot more prepared for what is to come and I am not in this fantasized headspace about the DCP. Also love you sm Doni
Are you a Jan 10th arrival? That's my arrival!! :)
@@leahmauldin4106 yeah:)
@@leahmauldin4106 LEAH HEY BESTIE
I’m a Feb 28th!!
Thanks for sharing all of the good and bad during your DCP. Your mental health is so important and only you can make the decisions that are right for you. No shame in taking care of YOU!!
So glad you shared the other perspective of the DCP. I always say the DCP was the best and absolute worst experience of my life. I worked at DAK merchandise.. my coordinators were not the nicest, the older CMs I worked with hated CPs and made it known, and I worked crap hours like 5am-7pm and my roommates were always opposite from me and I was alone. I was miserable. But for everything else, getting to meet amazing CPs and the few CMs who treated me great, it was awesome! I picked up tons of shifts at Once Upon a Toy & the Pooh store that made me really wish I had a different placement. I wish you had a better experience, but glad you did what was best for you!!
girl you are totally valid to feel like that role wasn’t for you! I want to do the dcp one day too & personally just can’t see myself doing custodial. there’s nothing wrong with it I just have worked fast food in my past & would get panic attacks when having to clean the bathroom/take out the trash because of the germs, it sounds dumb but I personally couldn’t see myself happy in that role either. best wishes!
I understand how you feel completely. I’m not festivals, but I got deployed to Creations Shop after my first three months there. It was amazing before Creations. Everyone was happy, we had a huge friend group, now after the deployment people have grown apart and it’s just not the same. August and September were some of the most fun I’ve ever had, but now it’s not the same.
Thanks for being honest! I hope that the hours get a little better by the time I do the DCP. I plan on applying for Fall 2022. By the way, you are not a quitter. Your reasons for self terming are so valid and please don't let anyone tell you other wise. Good luck on your future Disney endeavors! If you had a choice, would you want to work at Disney World or Disneyland?
when mine is over I’m gonna do my little truth video.
I honestly love the honesty.
u did what u had to do girlie.
i self termed too… i had issues with my job, my roommates & i missed my family ❤️ the DCP is so much more than just going to the parks & living at WDW… you made the right choice 100% be happy and learn from the experience! that’s what i did ❤️
i had self-termed from the dcp a few weeks after i was transferred from festivals to BOH pecos bills..my hours were terrible, (98%) leaders were extremely rude, and i was exhausted mentally (and really tired)..a lot of people who extended (like me) had cancelled their extension bc of the leaders at pecos
if anyone is reading this and gets custodial don’t be afraid, it is by far the most fun thing i’ve ever done and i miss it everyday!
Wholeheartedly agree
Take this from someone who is very old in internet years- anyone telling you that by leaving, you left other people in a tough spot? They need to re-examine themselves. It’s toxic to tell someone to ignore their gut and do what makes other people happy. Also, I’m curious if Disney offers overtime pay? The DCP may be a phenomenal experience, but it’s also a way for Disney to take advantage of relatively cheap labor!
Disney does offer overtime pay but they try not to give CPs overtime! We also do not get holiday pay!
I did the DCP in 2018 and ended up working for Disney in various roles until I was laid off in 2020. I completely get it, you can love a company, the people and even the job sometimes and still know that it’s not fulfilling you in a way that you need. My DCP was the best semester of my life but I knew even then doing that job wouldn’t fulfill me long term. I think you did the right thing for you and that’s the most important! Hopefully you can go back and try new roles and new opportunities one day!
Wow and did the Company call you back to work ?
@@drjhale9801 I was called back 4 months later in April 2021 but I had already found a job that offered better pay, benefits, and stability so I turned it down to give someone else a chance to get called back sooner. It was a really tough choice but I think I did the right thing for me!
I self termed as well, my husband is in the Marines and he was going to be home, I also didn’t know when he was going to be stationed, and to me, my husband is way more important than anything. I also wasn’t making any money/saving any money so that was awful. I also had to park in satellite parking 15 minutes away, which definitely put a damper on my program. My leaders understood completely. Loved them,
You expressed yourself extremely well. There is no reason for anyone to have a negative opinion. I have enjoyed your Disney vlogs and your experience. It is good for people to know the reality of what the DCP is. The good parts and the real parts!
Doniella, you have to do what’s right for you and your mental health! You did the right thing!
You seem like a very good and strong person! Don’t worry about what some say! You did the right thing for you! Your mental health is what’s important! Your videos put a smile on lots of peoples faces. Including mine! Just wanted to let you know that!
I can see how it's more efficient from the employer's perspective to assign CP's wherever they currently need bodies regardless of the employee's suitability for the role, but it also seems like they'd have a lot less turnover if they at least allowed incoming CP's to rank their preferences. Even if they're not able to accommodate those preferences at the moment, it would at least give the CP's more of a feeling of being invested in their jobs and not just another generic screw in a generic hole. I think they'd also see an improvement in customer service and guest satisfaction. Workers who are treated like people are more likely to treat guests like people in return.
I agree!! I feel like if we actually got put into a role that we were really interested in the company would benefit more in customer service!! They really are hyper focused on filling spots though instead of preference :/
You did the right thing. You don’t want to be somewhere that you don’t enjoy being. Same thing happened to me. I was working attraction’s then one day I checked my email and I was being moved to custodial at Epcot. Im Optimistic about it. But we will see how it goes lol.
I worked all star resorts I had the worst experience I lived in Chatham square and I hated my location and was heartbroken when my crappy leaders termed me instead of moving me I guess I had made some mistakes no one told me so I couldn't fix it I felt like my leaders were sexist like Bob chapel I don't recommend all-star or the dcp
I so get it! I was a CM and totally noticed how the CPs got mostly the crappy late shifts and at that time the pay was horrible and they were charged a lot for their rooms that were crappy then too! ( They are much better now) I loved my Disney time and miss it sometimes but CPs are great and still not treated that well even now! You will do wonderfully in life ! Enjoy your life ! There is an awesome one without Disney !
I was merch during the program, if I got custodial, I wouldn’t have gone either
People are finally figuring out DCP is just cheap labor for menial jobs disguised as important work experience. “I worked at Disney at a register!” Yeah, ok. I can do that at the mall. And now rent is $800ish/mo per person or $3200 per apt for 4 people? And you have to pay $400 just to sign up for the mindless job program aka DCP. That’s nuts
I worked in MK during the after hours parties and it was brutal I would get home at 3 am!! I also self termed due to exhaustion and finances. TIP: Please bring savings if you're doing this program
How do you get to leave on good terms if you self termed? Much appreciate your response! Love your videos ❤️ I have my DCP spring 2022!
I talked to my leaders about how I was feeling before I termed and they told me they understood and that I could always come back and email them if I needed anything. They respect honesty and kindness.
@@doniellesofia thank you!! I know this will be a hard physically demanding job so I want to be prepared for self termination but also not give up Disney career later down my career path! You did amazing, thanks for sharing❤️
@@socialkatherine yes just communicate! they told me that my future in the company is not going to be impacted by my points or termination down the road I just have to wait 6 months to apply again and by then all my points will reset so that’s why I was so okay with it!
were you taking any classes during your cp? i’m planning on going for spring ‘22 but im not sure how school and an intense workload would go together. my start date would be around march 24, so i would only have class throughout april and the start of may but still not sure about whether i should just apply again after i finish my degree.
I took one class and it wasn’t too bad I know people that took 4 classes during their cp idk how they did that many but a couple shouldn’t be too hard or demanding!
I did the DCP fall 2019 and I originally got that same role of custodial at Port Orleans… when we went to casting I showed them my small tattoo I have on the inside of my middle finger they moved me to attractions
I’ve heard they do that for certain things! Visible tattoos are now allowed as long as they’re smaller than your hand which is cool!
@@doniellesofia that’s true I guess it wouldn’t work now but it worked out for me back then!
I agree with u mine was very hard front desk it was pretty bad mentally we were thrown to the wolves
Is this your first time working full time 40-50 hours a week? I think any first job working retail or hospitality is hard. Basically any first job is work,
no not my first time. the difference with this job is that they’ll schedule CPs an 8 hour closing shift where you get home at midnight and then have to come the next morning at 8 am and doing that 6 days a week gets really tiring and draining very fast. Also dealing with guests and talking basically for a full 8 hours adds to the exhaustion not including rude guests that make your day worse.
dumb question-- my daughter wants to be DCP in the future. Is there ever an option in your situation you can refuse custodial and be sent elsewhere? I didn't know if there was a way to appeal. thanks!
I’m not sure if you can flat out refuse it in the DCP but I know if you fail the test they make you take for custodial they are required to send you elsewhere. I think the test is only given for theme parks custodial though not resorts. She could always talk to programs or her leaders and see if anything could be sorted out!
@@doniellesofia thank you-- she is way more open than I am-- I think I would think more like you!!! :)
They definitely need to increase the size of the people they accept and then give 8 hour shifts for 5 days or 10 hour shifts for 4 days.
I had to read that comment like five times because I couldn't understand how hiring bigger people would help.
what day were you supposed to leave ?
Mid January
Did you have to pay the remaining rent you had left?
no rent ends when you leave! I just had to pay rent for the week I left and that’s it!
Port Orleans is such a large resort you would probably go the whole day without speaking to anyone. The main point of the DCP is about gaining experience. Personally, I think one of the best things the DCP provides is guest interaction, to develop your interpersonal/communication skills. Which is important regardless of the field you are in.
Don't feel discouraged or guilty, you don't have to explain yourself to anyone! You must do what is right for you and your future. Especially if you weren't happy and it was impacting your mental state.
My father and I were at EPCOT once and saw you working at a booth. We didn't go up to say hello because it seemed like you were busy. Unfortunately our paths never crossed again lol.
Speaking of applying to jobs at Disney. I would love to work at the gibbon exhibit in Animal Kingdom.
miss you
Really upset about what the program has become. That’s all I’ll say about that.
💖💖
Agree.
ILY BEBS
Good for you!!! Custodial is Disneys BS / dignified way of calling you a JANITOR 🤣🤣🤣
I would leave too if I got custodial.
Custodial at a park is one thing, but at a resort??? F that…
I think you should’ve at least tried custodial. You may have liked it? Welcome to the real world. Being in the workforce whether you like it or not can be stressful. Work hard while you’re young. It doesn’t get any easier the older you get. Good luck in your future endeavors!
I know a lot of people think I should have tried it but in the long run I will not be doing custodial in the future and I did not want to have to deal with the chance of cleaning up unmentionable things which I feel like most people would agree on. I also don’t think getting paid below minimum wage for a janitor job is worth it so I made my own decision to leave which I don’t regret. I cleaned up after people in food service and that was mild and it was still disgusting and not fun at all so I decided to leave and find a better job that I know for sure I would enjoy.
@@doniellesofia You sound stuck-up.
You’re an awesome 😎 CZcams channel.