What it's really like after Disney

My program has now been over for a little over 6 months, and I could have in no way anticipated how different my life would be after returning home from my program. Every Disney commercial turns me into a crying mess. I dream about going back every single day. I spend a lot of my watching Youtube videos of Disney shows, parades, and fireworks. I look through my pictures constantly trying to hold back the tears. My life has been forever changed. The friends I met on my program still dominate my newsfeed, Instagram, and my top Snapchat friends. We have a group chat on Facebook where we talk at least once a week. Whenever any of them send me a text or tag me in a post, my whole mood changes because these people are some of my best friends. You don't realize how hard it is to have long-distance friendships until 95% of your friendships are long distance. By moving to Florida for a year, I lost a lot of my friends back home. I only have about 3-4 close friends left in Oregon, and the rest of my friends are spread out across the world. There are constant discussions of a reunion, but planning around everyone's schedules is harder than you would think. Disney is one of the best and the worst things that ever happened to me. I wouldn't change the experience or the friends I made for the world.

DORMS *UPDATE*

If you missed my first DORMS post, start here.

So I received a reply from Disney housing saying that my roommates and I can't live together so that's a major bummer! We have decided to pair off and all put the exact same request for building/roommate number in hopes that we will "randomly" be placed together. Even though we won't all be living together, we still have plans for dinner nights, movie nights, and park hopping together! I am excited to have a group of friends before I get down there, even if we won't be roommates. 

Filling out DORMS was very simple. I had to sign 3 documents talking about quiet hours, alcohol policies, etc. Then I just had to accept the roommate link from Linsey, my future roommate, since she filled out DORMS before me. After I filled it out, I printed out my boarding pass that I need for check-in day and now I'm good to go!

Instagram: kelsieslife

DORMS Time!

Today I received my long-awaited DORMS email to arrange housing while I'm in Florida. I have been talking to the people who I have already been calling my roommates for around 5 months now. We are a solid group of 6 girls that have gotten along perfectly so far. As we each opened our email, we noticed that the email said that for our arrival date we are only allowed to link with one other person! So, of course we are all super bummed now. We have discussed pairing off and standing in line together for check-in in hopes that we will get placed together. We have emailed Disney asking if they can make a special case for us since we solidified our groups months ago and have already bonded. I will update this post if Disney ever gets back to us, and of course I'll let you all know when I get my housing/job assignment in 13 short days!

Update 

Interested in Being a Future Cast Member?

For those of you currently in college looking to be a future cast member with the Disney College Program, applications for the Spring 2015 season were released today!

If you are:

• A current college student in the U.S. that has completed at least one semester
• 18 years old by January
• Work eligible in the U.S.

then you can apply!

You can apply for Spring and Spring Advantage in Walt Disney World and Spring in Disneyland.

For more information on the application process visit my blog post: Interview Process

If you are interested Apply Now!

If you have any questions feel free to comment or email me at kelsiedoesdisney@gmail.com


Just in case you need a little more insight: Enjoy!

So many emotions!

I am 19 short days away until I will be on my first plane ride ever to San Diego, California and then Orlando, Florida. Today I received my "See Ya Real Soon" email from Disney announcing that the countdown has officially begun (even though my countdown began about 5 months ago!) Anyway, I realized today that my view of this whole journey has taken an extreme change in these past few weeks. When I was thinking about leaving last weeks, I had more nerves than excitement. Today I realized that those nerves have disappeared and all I have is PURE EXCITEMENT. This could be from watching countless Youtube DCP videos or maybe from making final arrangements with the roomies, but somewhere in this process the nerves disappeared and I am perfectly fine with that! I can't wait to get my DORMS email to make this whole roommate situation official! It definitely helps that the last 2 nights ABC family has had a Disney movie marathon! I am so ready to live the Disney life!  

Follow me on Instagram at kelsieslife!

What To Do While Waiting to Start the DCP

As I've said on different blog posts, I postponed my whole Disney life by an entire month just so I could attend a Bruno Mars concert (for the second time). Well that is over now, and was totally worth it I should add. Now that I have half a month before my journey begins, I am taking advantage of all my time at home by spending time with my friends and family that I won't see for 5 months. 

I've really learned throughout this process who my real friends are. 2 of my roommates have already bought their tickets to visit me while I'm in Florida, and I have 3 others who are trying to arrange their schedules so they can visit me. Even if it doesn't work out in the end, just the thought of coming all the way from Oregon to come see me means so much to me! Anyway, the countdown continues for me to begin this crazy adventure! I'll be there before I know it. 

As always you can follow my journey on insta @kelsieslife and you can even check out some pics from the Bruno concert! <33

I'm Almost There

I check-in 1 month from today!!! It is still so surreal for me. I haven't started packing at all and there's about a million things I need to do before I leave. It's becoming a little stressful! I am applying for the Education program at my college and the application is due a week after I come back from Disney, so basically I need to get it done now! D: But on the positive side, I am sooo excited! My instagram feed is currently flooding with people who have already started the DCP and scrolling through those pictures just makes me that much more excited! Yesterday I received my "Your trip is around the corner" email from Southwest airlines and my "Prepare for your arrival" email from Disney. My inbox is a constant reminder that I'm on my way to Orlando! In about 2 weeks I should be receiving my DORMS email where I get to pick my lovely future roommates! Can't wait to finally meet those girls that I feel like I've been taking to for MONTHS! We're basically already friends! Thanks for continuing to follow my pre-disney journey!

"Live Every Moment As Not to Regret What You Are About To Do"-Mickey Mouse

Today the first set of Fall CPs moved in. It's safe to say I'm ridiculously jealous. When the Fall Advantage CPs were there, I was fine, but today I just really want to be in Disney!! When I signed up for my arrival date, I had the option between August 11th and September 8th. I chose September because I have tickets to a Bruno Mars concert on August 11th. Although I've been to one of his concerts before, I'm in love him, so I wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to see him again. Also with choosing the later date, it gives me more time to prepare for everything and save money! I'll get plenty of time in Disney, even with going a month later. AND on top of all of this, I wouldn't have connected with all the lovely ladies I will soon call my roommates if I had chosen a different arrival date. I feel confident in my choice. I know I won't regret it next week when I see my husband in concert ;)
<3
insta: kelsieslife
Follow it up!

Packing List

35 days until check-in and I have finally put together a packing list with the help of some DCP alumni and fellow DCP blogs. So here it is:

DCP Fall 2014 Packing List

• Photo ID
• Blank Check
• Social Security Card
• 2-3 Professional Outfits
• 7 Casual, Everyday Outfits
• 3-4 Pajama sets
• Hangers
• Shoes
• Laundry Soap
• Halloween Costume
• Swimsuit
• Bed Sheets
• Mattress Topper
• Pillows
• Towels
• Soap
• Makeup
• Nail clippers
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Razor
• Shampoo/Conditioner 
• Contacts/Solution
• Glasses
• Locker Lock
• Cell Phone/Charger
•  Camera/Charger
• Purse
• Headphones
• Alarm Clock
• Laptop/Charger
• Sunglasses
• Decorations for Bulletin Board (Pictures, Postcard etc.)

Note: I am flying, not driving. I haven't even decided if I am packing a mattress topper, bedding, or hangers or if I will just buy them when I get down to Florida. For those who are driving this list may be much more extensive such as plates, silverware, cleaning supplies, a tv and more. Consider flying vs driving as you are packing for your DCP trip!

Wait... What?

I decided to plan ridiculously in advance and get my costume for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party before I head to Disney World. I was torn between being Anna from Frozen or Tinkerbell. I decided to post on about my dilemma on instagram and there was a unanimous vote for Anna. I ordered a gorgeous dress from ForYouWithLuv on Etsy. I will add the link to their page on the bottom of this post. They traditionally only make dresses for children but I requested an adult dress and I couldn't have dreamed of a better dress. It poofs out at the bottom in a tutu, and for those of you who don't know me, I have a thing for tutus! It is so amazingly gorgeous! I can't get enough of it! My only concern is packing it, as I will be flying to Florida from Oregon, and it's going to take up quite a bit of space. Oh well! I'll cross that bridge when I get there! Check out their selection! They are great at communicating quickly, speedy shipping, and customer service! I recommend 100%!

New Hire Documents? Check!

I have almost reached the one month mark before I leave and I finally got the joy of filling out my new hire documents! I received them on July 27th and finished filling them out two days later. Based on the DCP Facebook group it seems as if many people were having problems submitting their documents. However, I didn't run into any problems at all. I used Internet Explorer as suggested and everything went through perfectly. The papers are very simple to fill out. The actual input of information took around 20 minutes. The time consuming part comes with the forms. There are about 15 different forms to read, sign, and submit ranging from 1-99 pages. I read the majority of the forms, but to be honest, I skimmed the 99 page form. They really aren't as bad as everyone makes them sound. I sat down one night and busted them out no problem. Now that those are done,I will be receiving my DORMS email soon where I will get to choose my roommates! Can't wait! Don't forget to follow my journey on instagram @kelsieslife See Ya Real Soon!

And at Last I See the Light

I'm down to 49 days until I fly to Florida! I celebrated by 50-day mark by buying my plane ticket and booking a hotel for the night before check-in. I am flying with Southwest based on advice I received from other CPs. I have decided to stay at the Holiday Inn right across from Vista Way the night prior to check-in so I can just walk there in the morning. I will be staying with one of my future roommates so neither of us have to pay full price for a room. Now that my fly out date is getting so much closer, it's time to think about packing!! Packing list coming soon! Don't forget to follow me on instagram @kelsieslife Have a magical day!

What is the Disney College Program?

Ever since I accepted my invitation into the Disney College Program in March, I have been asked what it is and how it will benefit me at least 100+ times. So here it is-- everything you need to know about what the DCP is and what it can do for you. Additional Questions? Post them in the comments!

The Disney College Program is an internship for College Students. It is required that you have taken a minimum of one class in the previous term. The positions in the DCP are endless--Character attendant, attractions, merchandising, housekeeping, lifeguard, janitorial, etc... When you fill out an application you get to express interest in each area from no interest to high interest.

The Disney College Program is a fantastic way to get your foot in the door if you hope to work for Disney someday. It will give you excellent experience that can help later down the line. However a major that is dirctly Disney-related is definitely not a must! I'm an education major which quite frankly, has no relation whatsoever to my merchandise role in Disney World. I am choosing to do this for the experience of a lifetime and to grow as an individual. 

CPs get hourly pay like any other job. You are responsible for paying the initial fees and the cost of/finding transportation there (weather that be a car, plane ticket, etc.). There are apartments 15 minutes or less away from the parks that CPs stay in. The cost of housing comes out of the weekly pay check.

Disneyland vs. Disney World

Both locations have the same application so if you don't mind working at either one, you can simply pick option 1 and option 2, and you will be put in the running for both. I've heard it is lot harder to get into Disneyland since it is so much smaller, there are a lot less positions available for CPs. 

I'm sure there's something I'm missing so feel free to comment!

Have a magical day!

My Florida Bucket List

Most Bucket Lists that I have seen are strictly things to do while in Disney World. I decided to broaden mine and add things I would like to do while in Florida. "Who Says That my Dreams Have to Stay my Dreams?"-Ariel

Florida Bucket List

Spend New Year’s in the Parks

Try as many Disney restaurants as possible

Go to all the parks

Go to downtown Disney

Pass all classes I take while in the DCP

Make lifelong friends

Try a Dole Whip

Go to Universal

See an Alligator

Experience a tropical storm/hurricane

Go to a Florida Beach

Attend the One Direction Contest

See a celebrity in the parks

Meet as many characters as possible (especially Rapunzel & Tinkerbell)

Watch the Main Street Electrical Parade

Ride Space Mountain

Watch Wishes

Ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Watch IllumiNations

Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade

Watch Fantasmic

Toy Story Mania

Festival of the Lion King

Tower of Terror

Attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal-Walking Dead maze!!

See a movie at a theater in Downtown Disney

Take a behind-the-scenes tour

Walk down Main Street

Finish a kitchen sink with my friends

Attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween in costume

See the filming of the Disney World Christmas Parade

I'm sure I will add more as it gets closer! A little less than 2 months before I leave! <3

Adventure is Out There- How I Got Started/Interview Process

On March 13th, 2014 I randomly decided to apply for the Disney College Program. I know a lot of people have these amazing stories about how they went to Disneyland/world when they were 3 years old and dreamt of working for Disney ever since, but that wasn't the case for me. I applied on a whim while procrastinating a reading assignment for a history class. I have always been a Disney fanatic, but I've never even been to Disneyland or Disney World! 

The online application was very simple. It asked basic questions like any other job application; where do you live, where do you go to school, if you would want Disneyland or Disney World, Fall or Fall Advantage, stuff like that. The next day I received an email saying that I was selected to participate in a web-based interview. I was able to take this as soon as I received the email. The email also said that I would notified right after this web-based interview if I would move on to a phone interview or not, so you know... no pressure.

Going into the web-based interview, all I could think of was what would Disney want in an employee, what are they looking for? After the intro to it, I completely my mindset. It literally said don't answer the questions how you think we want them answered, just be yourself. The web-based interview  consisted of a list of traits and I had to say if I felt that trait described me or not. I was 100% honest in my answers, staying true to myself and not what I thought Disney would be looking for. It also listed every role you could possibly receive working for Disney and I had to put how much interest, if any at all, I had in each role. After answering these questions, I was told I was a strong candidate for the Disney College Program. This was the best feeling ever! 

I immediately got another email telling me how to set up my phone interview. They gave me a series of times, and I had to select which one worked out best for me. Unfortunately I took the web-based interview on a Friday afternoon so I had to wait all the way until Monday for my phone interview. That weekend I thought about NOTHING else. I spent my mornings, afternoons, and nights watching videos of people who were currently in the DCP or had been in the past. The more I watched, I more I wanted to take part in it. 

I should also add that at this point, I didn't tell ANYONE I had applied. I was scared I wouldn't get in and didn't want to have that awkward conversation with everyone, so I thought it would just be easier if no one knew. It was really hard to keep this to myself. In my excitement I made a stupid Facebook post about how I made an impulsive decision, and I would know later if it was a good one or not. To my surprise, this post BLEW UP. Who knew everyone cared about my life so much?? Everyone from college friends, to old teachers, to my mother needed to know what this decision was. Then the guesses started rolling in... I got everything from switching my major, to getting a tattoo, to shaving my head.  

Anyway back on topic, Monday FINALLY rolled around and I had my interview. Waiting for them to call was the longest 3 minutes of my life. My interviewer was very nice. She asked me questions that you would expect to be asked. Why I want to work for Disney, what my top 3 role choices would be, how I would handle certain situations (a child crying because they are too short for a ride/angry parents for the same reason, the repetitiveness of merchandise). When the interview was over, I honestly had no idea how it went. I thought some of my answers were great, and others weren't so great. She told me it would be 2-3 weeks before I would get my decision email... cool, more waiting. 

A lot of people have to wait nearly 3 weeks for their decision, but since I was towards the end of the application deadline, I only had to wait 11 days for that amazing CONGRATULATIONS email!! I was chosen for Disney World for Fall in Merchandise. 


Let the adventures begin!