I'm going to Disney World!
STEP ONE: APPLICATION & INTERVIEW
My story with the Walt Disney World College Program (WDWCP) began at the end of my sophomore year. I had decided to change my Theatre Arts minor to a second major and it was then that my mom recalled hearing something about a college program down at Walt Disney World. Some further investigation pulled up the following website:
www.wdwcollegeprogram.com
I decided I wanted to wait until I graduated to do the program. That way there was a chance of turning the program into a career. I wouldn't have to go back to college, but I could possibly stay at Walt Disney World.
So, I sat around impatiently for two years.
Applications for the Fall semester of 2008 became available in January. I immediately applied and watched the E-Presentation. I didn't want to wait for Disney to come to me, so I sat through it and loved it all. I set up my phone interview for the following week.
My recruiter was Linda and she was a doll! We had a great conversation about the program. She asked me what roles (jobs) I'd like to be considered for. And I told her...
A few weeks later, I got an e-mail confirming my interview that told me I was scheduled to audition in Pittsburgh, PA.
STEP TWO: AUDITION
My mom and I drove to Pittsburgh for the audition. (Go Browns! lol) We got lost finding the studio, but eventually made it there. I quickly filled out my paperwork and made friends with the people I was in line with. I was number 96. Numbers 94-106 would become best friends by the end of the audition process.
Nearly 110 people came to the Pittsburgh auditions. We filled out paperwork, took headshots, and were measured. I had spoken to several people about the audition process and knew what to expect. By the end of the first cuts, we lost about 30 people.
The audition process was unlike any I had ever experienced. It was informative, energetic, and FUN! The ladies in charge were hysterical and knew how to break the ice fast. One of the casting ladies had been friends with Snow White for several years. (No pressure, right?) The exercises and dance routines were so much fun...and honestly weren't all that difficult. There was nothing that I wasn't capable of doing. (Thank you to all of those years of musical theatre and dance classes.)
They videotaped a few people doing the final dance. They fitted people for face characters, including my friends Jonathon and Jacquie (who were both accepted!). It was an amazing feeling. We could see the costumes hanging on one of the barres in the dance studio. Less than 50 feet away...it was so exhilarating to be that close to those costumes.
By the end of the audition, we were pulled aside and told that we would receive notification by e-mail within the next 2 weeks, letting us know whether we were accepted, denied, or placed in the character pool.
STEP THREE: ACCEPTANCE
Five days later, I got my e-mail. I got accepted! And I got my first choice...character performer! The classic WDWCP purple folder came in the next week, stating that I was listed as Pooh height. A little online research hints that Pooh height may also include being friends with Max, the White Rabbit, Terk, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Robin Hood, Timon, and a possibility of Chip, Dale, and the mice from Cinderella (Suzy and Perla).
My arrival date is August 13th! And I call Disney my home until January 2nd. I can't wait to move down...to hang out with all of my friends I met on the WDWCP Facebook group...to see Jonathon and Jacquie again.
I will continue to post updates and musings about the WDWCP here. I appreciate comments and feedback and I will do my best to answer them all as quickly as I can.
Peace, love, and Mickey Mouse,
~ Nikki
My story with the Walt Disney World College Program (WDWCP) began at the end of my sophomore year. I had decided to change my Theatre Arts minor to a second major and it was then that my mom recalled hearing something about a college program down at Walt Disney World. Some further investigation pulled up the following website:
www.wdwcollegeprogram.com
I decided I wanted to wait until I graduated to do the program. That way there was a chance of turning the program into a career. I wouldn't have to go back to college, but I could possibly stay at Walt Disney World.
So, I sat around impatiently for two years.
Applications for the Fall semester of 2008 became available in January. I immediately applied and watched the E-Presentation. I didn't want to wait for Disney to come to me, so I sat through it and loved it all. I set up my phone interview for the following week.
My recruiter was Linda and she was a doll! We had a great conversation about the program. She asked me what roles (jobs) I'd like to be considered for. And I told her...
- Character Performer (any costumed character)
- Attractions (specifically to operate The Great Movie Ride and others like it)
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess (makeover little girls)
- Character Attendant (hang out with characters and help with pictures, etc.)
- Quick-Service Food and Beverage (like McDonald's, just because they need so many)
A few weeks later, I got an e-mail confirming my interview that told me I was scheduled to audition in Pittsburgh, PA.
STEP TWO: AUDITION
My mom and I drove to Pittsburgh for the audition. (Go Browns! lol) We got lost finding the studio, but eventually made it there. I quickly filled out my paperwork and made friends with the people I was in line with. I was number 96. Numbers 94-106 would become best friends by the end of the audition process.
Nearly 110 people came to the Pittsburgh auditions. We filled out paperwork, took headshots, and were measured. I had spoken to several people about the audition process and knew what to expect. By the end of the first cuts, we lost about 30 people.
The audition process was unlike any I had ever experienced. It was informative, energetic, and FUN! The ladies in charge were hysterical and knew how to break the ice fast. One of the casting ladies had been friends with Snow White for several years. (No pressure, right?) The exercises and dance routines were so much fun...and honestly weren't all that difficult. There was nothing that I wasn't capable of doing. (Thank you to all of those years of musical theatre and dance classes.)
They videotaped a few people doing the final dance. They fitted people for face characters, including my friends Jonathon and Jacquie (who were both accepted!). It was an amazing feeling. We could see the costumes hanging on one of the barres in the dance studio. Less than 50 feet away...it was so exhilarating to be that close to those costumes.
By the end of the audition, we were pulled aside and told that we would receive notification by e-mail within the next 2 weeks, letting us know whether we were accepted, denied, or placed in the character pool.
STEP THREE: ACCEPTANCE
Five days later, I got my e-mail. I got accepted! And I got my first choice...character performer! The classic WDWCP purple folder came in the next week, stating that I was listed as Pooh height. A little online research hints that Pooh height may also include being friends with Max, the White Rabbit, Terk, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Robin Hood, Timon, and a possibility of Chip, Dale, and the mice from Cinderella (Suzy and Perla).
My arrival date is August 13th! And I call Disney my home until January 2nd. I can't wait to move down...to hang out with all of my friends I met on the WDWCP Facebook group...to see Jonathon and Jacquie again.
I will continue to post updates and musings about the WDWCP here. I appreciate comments and feedback and I will do my best to answer them all as quickly as I can.
Peace, love, and Mickey Mouse,
~ Nikki