When I was accepted for my first program, I immediately began to think about what I would pack. After being accepted for my second program, I starting thinking about it again, especially since I made so many packing mistakes during my last program. Last year, I left all my packing to the last moment (like literally the day I flew out), and my bags were too heavy and I had to set aside things to be shipped, which never got shipped. It was all a nightmare. This time I'm planning and preparing better. Before you look at this list, I want to give you two pieces of advice: 1. Don't just look at my list, look for more (Pinterest is a good place) because I might have a very different personality from you and need different things from you, and 2. Think about how you're travelling, if you're flying it makes more sense to pack as little as possible and buy things in Florida, but if you're driving, it might more sense to pack your things so you don't have to spend money buying things you already own. The list will be organized by room. Items in italics are suggestions of things that might be helpful, but aren't a necessity. Many may be easier to purchase in Florida, bring it if you have it and have room, but if you don't already own it, it's better to buy it in Florida. I recommend taking this list and making two lists: First, make a list from all the things on this list that you already own and use that as your packing list. Second, take the rest of the items on the list, and use that as a shopping list once you get to Florida. You might also consider asking for some of the things on the list. Don't forget to add thing you think you need and take off things you don't think will be useful to you.
I love being an alumni and part of the DCP Facebook pages because it gives me the opportunity to answer questions! Most questions I see are about housing, and how to choose your apartment. Choosing your housing complex is not like picking your dorm or house hunters, where you'll pick exactly what you want and know everything ahead of time. I'm going to walk you through the process, based on what I remember from last year, and changes I've heard about since then. You'll be invited to select your housing preferences 2-3 weeks before your check in date, but there are things you can do in the months before that! There are two things you should do in preparation to pick your housing. I've listed these as "Step 1" and "Step 2" but I recommend doing them simultaneously.
As I wait anxiously for the next 120 days to pass before I arrive at Disney, I pass my time pinning ideas for my apartment and roommate gifts. I've collected some of my favorite pins for you! Display Your EarsDuring your program you'll assemble quite a collection of ears! You'll get one pair at traditions and one at graduation, and you'll probably buy more to wear in the parks. I have 4 sets of Minnie ears and my two ear hats. I've spent a lot of time trying to come up with the best way to display them, and this is the cutest! Pin it!
This time last year I still didn't think I'd get the opportunity to interview for the Disney College Program, I wasn't extended the offer to schedule a phone interview until the end of September. Fast forward to the end of January when I finally make the step to venture out on my own. I didn't know anyone, I had a few friends I'd met on the Facebook group and was excited to meet, but unlike moving to college, I really didn't know anyone. I have a few uncles in Florida but both live a few hours from Orlando so I was really venturing out all on my own for the first time. I flew back from Minnesota to New Mexico a week before I had to leave for Disney. I started packing up all my belongings and wrapping up loose ends. I had to say goodbye to lots of friends and return some of my work uniforms. This week flew by faster than I ever guessed it could! The hardest part was going to my last Nav night for the time being and saying goodbye to all my friends there.
So you've been accepted and now you're thinking about where you'll live? Or maybe you're just really excited and thinking ahead. The first thing I want you to know is that roommates matter far more than which complex you end up in. That being said, first I will share a general overview of the complexes and then I'll compare them by price, transportation, and the people you commonly find in them.
As you fill out your Disney application you might be thinking about brushing up on your Spanish, ASL, or German skills. (For a full list of language pin options check out the Official Disney College Program Blog.) Thinking about all these other languages you might be interested in practicing you might have forgotten that working at Disney practically requires learning a whole new language! Disney loves to abbreviate, and in addition to that there are a lot of words that are just general "Disney-ese." In this post I will walk you through some of these Disney words and abbreviations and when you might hear them. If you come across any more words let me know in the comments at the bottom and I'll try to help! The Application ProcessApps dropped: Disney has released the applications and you can now apply!
Dashboard: Your dashboard is the home page where you can find all the information about the status of your application. WBI: Web Based Interview, Disney liked your application and they want to know more about you to see if you are a good fit for the internship. It's basically an online survey where you pick the answer that most describes you. PI: Phone Interview, you passed the WBI and now you get to have an interview with an actual person over the phone. In Progress: A general status term you'll see on your dashboard, usually this means you're going somewhere but who knows what this actually means. In Submission: Another general status term you'll see on your dashboard, usually one thought of to be more negative, I think of it like a waiting list for college. NLIC: No longer in consideration, this means you are not being considered for an internship with Disney this recruiting season but you are free to apply next season. Action Required: You have another thing you need to do to continue in the application process, this could be taking the WBI, scheduling your PI, or accepting your offer. WDW: Walt Disney World DLR/DL: Disneyland Resort A few days ago I joined the DCP Spring 2017 page as an alumni and an applicant. Applications only came out a few days ago but everyone's already worried about the status of their app, and I don't blame them. There are tons of theories that float around every season as to how you get into "in submission" or "in progress" or what increases your chances of being accepted. All of these are valid questions, but also no one knows the answer. If this is you, I want to encourage you to slow down and remember it's going to happen or not, worrying isn't going to help you, quite the opposite actually. In order to encourage you to be patient and wait I wanted to give you a glimpse into what the timing of my application process last year.
It's been a rough week as I prepare to start my program in 19 days. I'm realizing more and more that while there are a few hundred Christians going, that's still only a small percent of the total people in the program, and many people seem to be very different in their views. Earlier today I heard about someone who accepted Christ for the first time a few years ago during her program though, so that helped me to focus and be encouraged. I remember when I initially chose not to participate in the program; one of the reasons was that while I know the Lord could use me in both places, I knew what I was called to do in Albuquerque. When I chose to accept the program a few weeks ago, some of the things I felt called to do in Albuquerque were no longer happening, but I still didn't know what the Lord was calling me to do in Disney. I'm still not totally sure what His plans are for me, but I know I am growing a fire in my heart and a passion for something. As I prepare to start my program, here are a few things I'm praying about. If you want to lift them up in prayer that would also be very helpful. Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Prayer for BelieversHere are some of my favorite blogs about the program: Two Girls and a Mouse Tale: collinsrace1.wordpress.com Best Housing Info: thedcplife.blogspot.com My Favorite Blog Ever: dcp2014.wordpress.com Lucy Ears Her Ears: lucyearnsherears.weebly.com Don't forget to check out the official program blog, youtube videos, and connect with people you know who've done the program! Disney QuestionnaireIn 27 days I will arrive for my internship at Walt Disney World! That's 27 days..... it's sooooo long! If you're stumbling across my blog as you try to anxiously pass the time before your program, then this post is for you! You may have heard of "Adult Coloring Pages" but now we're calling them "art therapy" so those people with sticks up their butts who think they can't do anything childish can play too. Disney has some great ones, all for around $12 I think. I've rounded up a few from the internet that I've found to occupy your time until they come in the mail. My advice: grab your favorite coloring utensils (crayons, markers, colored pencils, handmade paints from the berries that grow on your farm, whatever floats your boat), curl up in your favorite Disney jammies with your favorite Disney stuffed animals under your favorite Disney blanket, watch some vlogs and color!
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