Road Trip!

My Disney adventure is fast approaching, and I thought it would be a good idea to have a playlist of mostly Disney as well as a ton of other music (because I don't want to drive my mom and aunt crazy) for the drive down to Florida! I am going to be driving from Green Bay, WI, which makes the whole trip about 20 hours long; that's the length I'm shooting for with this playlist!

I've asked the DCP Facebook people to give me some suggestions, and a few playlists that were already on Spotify were helpful as well. You can always put these songs into your own playlist on Spotify and remove/add songs as you wish. Spotify Premium is only .99 cents for the next three months, and I totally recommend it!! Premium allows you to make these songs available offline so you don't have to drain your data and you can listen when you have no internet. 

My "Disney Road Trip Playlist" has many of my favorite Disney songs along with a lot of the Disney classics. I also included a ton of songs that just seem like they would be good for a road trip and many oldie-but-goodies to add some variety. I'm adding every day, so please let me know what other songs you think belong on here! 

Enjoy!
Sam 


I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to get this playlist widget into my blog...so cool!! The widget only shows the first 200 songs in the playlist, so you'll have to go to Spotify to view the whole list. You can go here in case the widget doesn't work for some reason. Thanks for listening!

DCP Packing List

THE DCP IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY. 
I've been compelled to make lists for everything, and I thought this one in particular might be helpful for many DCPers! I'm going to be driving down to Orlando, so I'll have room for this super long list of items, so you may need to edit your own list as necessary. I used checklist.com, which makes making/using lists easy and customizable. Plus, check out this list I made for items you might split between your roommates and this one for items to buy the day of move-in. And lastly, as usual, let me know if there are any things I missed and should add to the list! You may find the official Do/Don't bring lists Disney provide helpful as well.

DCP Personal Packing List

• Backpack
• Bathroom Stuff
• Band-aids
• Bath mat (for each bathroom, discuss with roommates)
• Bath towels
• Bobby pins
• Body wash
• Clippers
• Cold medicine
• Comb
• Conditioner
• Contacts
• Contact solution
• Face wash
• First aid kit (decide with roommies)
• Floss
• Glasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Hair brush
• Hair clips
• Hair dryer
• Hairspray
• Hair ties
• Headbands
• Loofah
• Lotion
• Makeup
• Medications
• Mouthwash
• Nail polish
• Pain reliever
• Q-tips
• Shampoo
• Shower curtain (one for each bathroom, talk with roommates)
• Soap
• Straightener
• Sunscreen
• Toilet cleaner
• Toilet brush
• Toothbrush
• Toothbrush charger
• Toothpaste
• Trash can (one for each bathroom, talk with roommates)
• Beach bag
• Beach towel
• Bedroom Stuff
• Alarm Clock
• Blankets
• Coaxial Cable
• Comforter (Twin)
• Extension cords
• Fan
• Foam Mattress Pad (Twin, definitely need this)
• Hangers (lots)
• Lamp
• Laundry basket
• Mattress cover
• Movies
• Over the door hooks
• Pillows
• Power strips
• Sheets (Twin)
• Storage containers
• Wall calendar
• BluRay/DVD Player (decide with roommates)
• Car (I've heard it is best to bring one, but not impossible to go without)
• Clothes
• Bathrobe
• Belts
• Blazer
• Bras
• Coat
• Cover up
• Dapper Day clothes
• Dresses
• Jacket
• Jewelry
• Pajamas
• Pants
• Scarves
• Shirts
• blouses
• long sleeves
• short sleeves
• tank tops
• Skirt
• Socks
• Sports bras
• Swim suit
• Underwear
• Command Strips
• Disney pins
• Documents
• Birth certificate (not necessary, but might come in handy.)
• Car insurance info
• DORMS registration forms
• Health insurance info
• I-9 Documents
• Passport card
• Social security card
• Valid driver's license
• Duffel bag
• Electronics
• Camera
• Laptop
• Laptop Charger
• Memory Card
• MP3 Player
• Phone
• Phone Charger
• Tablet
• Floor lamp(s) (decide with roommates)
• Furniture for balcony (decide with roommates, disregard if planning on living in Vista Way, no balconies there. Also have been told that balcony furniture is not allowed. maybe wait on this.)
• Games
• Cards Against Humanity
• Deck of cards
• Harry Potter Scene-It
• Kitchen Stuff
• Britta filter/pitcher
• Coffee mug
• Coffee maker (decide with roommates)
• Crock Pot (decide with roommates)
• Dishcloths
• Dry erase markers
• Food containers
• George Foreman Grill (comes in handy, decide with roommates)
• Ice packs
• Kitchen towels
• Kitchen utensils
• Lunchbox
• Magnets
• Mixing bowls (decide with roommates)
• Oven mitts (decide with roommates)
• Recycling bin (decide with roommates)
• Sponge
• Toaster (decide with roommates)
• Trash can (decide with roommates)
• Travel mug
• Water bottle
• White board (decide with roommates)
• Lanyard with sturdy ID case
• Money, money, money
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Purses
• Push pins
• Shoes
• Dress shoes
• Flats
• Flip-flops
• Tennis shoes
• Work shoes (wait until after assigned role/location, some roles provide shoes)
• Suitcase
• Sunglasses
• Swiffer mop (decide with roommates)
• Table lamp(s) (decide with roommates)
• TVs (decide with roommates)
• Umbrella
• Vacuum (decide with roommates, they have some there, but if you can bring one it is more reliable and I guarantee you will vacuum more.)
• Wallet
• Watch
• Wireless router (decide with roommates)

Helpful DCP Links

Where can I find...?

There have been a lot of questions about where to find different resources and sites for the DCP around the Facebook groups, and I thought it would be a great idea to put together a list of the links I keep bookmarked for myself to make this whole process a lot easier. Let me know if I missed any, and I'll update when I find new resources! Enjoy!

100 Things I Learned on the DCP (The Fro Diaries: Working for the Mouse Blog)

ATM Locations at WDW (WDWinfo)
Budget Spring 2015 Facebook Group
Cast Member Perks (Disney Little Things Blog)

Courses (Official)
Course Registration (Official)

Course Registration (Ears on Emily Blog)

Customized Maps of the Parks (Freebie)

DCP Dashboard Sign In 

The DCP Guide App

DCP Site (Official)
DCP WDW Onboarding Site (Official)

Discounts and Perks (The Disney College Life Blog)
Disney Decals (Freebie, design your own)
Disney Food Blog
The Disney Look (Official)
Disney Professional Internships (Official)

Disney Programs Blog
Disney Vacations Mobile App (Official)

Disney World Vacation Site

Dorms Site
FAQ (DCP Spring/SA 2015 Accepted Facebook Group)
First Few Days Official

First Week Info (MiceChat Blog - very detailed)

Freebie Guide (Cheapskate Princess Blog)
Free Disney Vacation Planning DVDs (Place order online)
Free Things to Do in Orlando
Go Fund Me - Raise money for your program!
Helpful Things to Pack for the DCP (Living Colorful, Cheerful, and Creative Blog)

Housing (Official)

Housing (The Disney College Program Life Blog)
Housing (Mouskateerz Blog)
Housing Pre-Registration and Pricing (Official)
How to do Grocery Shopping on a Budget (Full-Thyme Student Blog)

Interview Questions and Tips (Alyssa's Dream Come True Blog)
Jogging Trails at WDW (WDW for Grown Ups)
Living in Florida
Mint - Personal Finance and Budgeting 
Move-in Day Shopping List (my own list, checklist.com)
New Hire Portal
Packing List (Official)
Packing List (my complete list)

Packing Checklist - General (my own list, checklist.com)
Packing Checklist - Personal (my own list as well)
Packing Checklist - Roommates (again, my own list - feel free to use!)
Paycheck Calculator 

Penny Press Machine Finder (very old website, but still useful)

Pre-Arrival Checklist (Official)
Publix Savings (nearest grocery store to the apartment complexes)
Recruiting Contact Info

Reservations

Role Descriptions (Official)
Roommate Finder
Special Events and Tours (Disney Official)
Spring DCP Facebook Groups
Survival Guide (UNCW Campus Rep Team - super helpful!!)
Top 20 Things You're NOT Allowed to do at Disney Theme Parks
Tips on Being a Good CP (Amanda Joy Makes the Magic Blog)
Traditions Attire (Official) 
Traditions Overview (Official)
Two Girls and a Mouse Tale Purchase (amazon)
Volunteering in Florida

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hopefully this list helps you from looking like 
this during your pre-DCP preparations! :)

Let's Make Reservations!

I have recently made friends with some pretty great people (future roomies!) and we have decided to make some reservations at a few of the many restaurants at Disney World. I have been trying to do some research, even though I have had absolutely no time to do anything that's not related to school, work, or my internship, and I learned that you can make reservations up to 180 days in advance. And If you wait longer than that, you probably won't get in! That seems crazy to me. If you want to make your own reservations online, it's super easy! Just go here!

Anyway, I thought that the best way to narrow it down would be to make a list of places that interested me and hopefully my roommates and I can make a decision from there. I used this food blog as a reference in case you wanted more details. There are so many more restaurants at Disney World than I thought! 
  (Disclaimer: this isn't a bucket list of restaurants by any means. These are just ideas! We'd all get fat if we ate at all of these places!)

Magic Kingdom

• Aloha Isle - This is where you get that delicious Dole Whip that everyone has been talking about! You don't need a reservation or anything, but I definitely want to try this place! 

• Be Our Guest Restaurant - You definitely need a reservation to get a table at Be Our Guest! I am pretty sure that I am going to wait until my boyfriend visits before I go here for the first time. This is also the only restaurant in the Magic Kingdom that serves beer and wine. Then I'll also be able to cross "try the grey stuff" off of my bucket list!

• Cinderella's Royal Table  - Another hard one to get into! At this restaurant you actually get to dine inside Cinderella's castle! Characters visit you, and I bet the entire experience is magical. I'd love to be able to just see the inside!

• Gaston's Tavern - I'd love to see the antlers in all of his decorations! No reservation necessary. This isn't really a must, but I really want to visit.

Epcot

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall — Princess Storybook Restaurant - Allegedly one of the best kept secrets of Disney Dining! We have to make reservations for a banquet hall character meal; most of the best princesses will be there! Located in Norway of Epcot World Showcase. Reservations made.

• La Cava del Tequila - Alright, this one is on here solely for when Wil visits. His birthday is Cinco de Mayo, and of course his liquor of choice is tequila. I probably won't find much to my liking here! Located in Mexico of World Showcase.

Animal Kingdom

• Tusker House Restaurant - Another alleged best kept secret! Mickey and friends often visit at breakfast, and it's one of the cheaper options at Disney! Plus, American and African style buffets!

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Sci-Fi Dine-In - This one looks really fun! Dinner and a movie, in literal car tables! Must make reservations for this one for sure! Shows mid-century movies and serves American dishes.

• Pizza Planet! - Oh my god! This is a must! (Not necessarily for the food, but come on, it's Pizza Planet!) No reservation necessary!

• Writer's Stop - This little cafe sounds wonderful. One of the places many people miss during their rushed and stressful disney trip. I can't wait to stop in and look at all the books!

Polynesian Resort

• 'Ohana - I've heard great things about this restaurant! Character breakfasts with Mickey, Stitch, Lilo, and other characters! Plus, everything sounds delicious. Reservations made.

Downtown Disney

• Earl of Sandwich - I've been to Earl of Sandwich and it is seriously delicious! Inspired by the fourth Earl of Sandwich who invented the sandwich!

So there you have it. A very long list of very fantastic eateries that I would like to check out during the DCP. Believe it or not, this is very shortened compared to the entire list! Let's make some reservations!! 

Comment on your experiences with these places or let me know of any that I missed!

Custodial? Really?

As some of you know, I am going to be a custodial guest services cast member in Walt Disney World while I am there. I am sometimes somewhat hesitant to reveal this information to people for the sole reason that it just doesn't sound very glamorous or like it would be a good job.

The fact of the matter is, through my research about all the roles prior to my phone interview, I found that custodial guest services is actually one of the best jobs offered in the parks. Here's a list of all the positive things that custodians are able to do at WDW:

1. Move around a large area at their own pace
2. Interact with guests all the time
3. Trade pins with guests (My fave!!)
4. Make Disney water art
5. See exclusive places in the parks (Haunted Mansion with the lights on!)
6. You don't have to repeat the same thing over and over and over and over again
7. Opportunity to experience all the parks (while working!)
8. Take guests pictures for them
9. Watch the parades before cleaning up
10. Watch the fireworks before cleaning up
11. Learn directions to everywhere in Disney so you're able to help guests
12. No greasy kitchens
13. Don't ever have to tell a guest "no" (closing ride lines, character lines, etc. Not my job!)
14. People watching can literally be a part of your job
15. No high strung stressful situations (for the most part)
16. So much independence
17. Take pride in the fact that Disney has the cleanest parks in the world

I am extremely excited to be in custodial guest services at Disney World. I don't regret telling my interviewer that I am open to being a custodian and I know that I am opening many, many doors for my future with Disney. Cinderella, Tatiana, Rapunzel, Belle, and Aurora (I'm sure) all had to clean before their big break. And I am right there with them.

The truth is, "Working for Disney is a DREAM JOB no matter where you’re placed; live and love the DREAM" (source).

I'd Like to Make YOU Proud!

Hey everyone!

I have decided to cast my net a little wider and put a Go Fund Me campaign out there just in case there are some generous folks that would be willing to help me out while I'm on the DCP adventure. The authors of Two Girls and a Mouse Tale (found here) suggested this website, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to try. Money is always tight, and any little bit would help make this trip a little less stressful financially. Your support will go toward rent, food, gas, and other necessities that my meager paycheck will likely not cover completely. 

My ultimate goal in this journey is to one day work full time as a graphic designer for Disney. I realize this is a huge goal, but I am remaining optimistic and using this wonderful program as a gateway toward that goal. Once I graduate from UW-Green Bay with my Design Arts Degree, I plan to apply to the Disney Professional Internship, specifically for graphic design and from there hopefully become a part of the Disney family for good.

If you find that you are able to contribute in any way, I promise to send you at least biweekly postcards, pictures and keep you updated on my experiences while in Orlando. My motto for this journey is to "Make Walt Proud" and I'd like to add you guys to that. Making YOU proud is just as important to me! 

Donating is easy, just go to http://www.gofundme.com/samdoesthedcp. 

Thank you so much for your support! 

Love,

Sam

DCP Bucket List

Things I will absolutely try to do during my DCP:

1. Go to all four parks in one day
2. Have a drink at each of the countries at Epcot (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, Italy, America, Morocco, France, UK, and Canada)
3. Go to both water parks
4. Ride every ride
5. Participate in as many different Animation Academy classes as possible! (DHS)
6. Witness a wedding proposal
7. Try to finish a Kitchen Sink with my roommates
8. Go on as many backstage tours as possible
9. Get a sunset picture in front of the castle (DMK)
10. Watch a Wishes fireworks show
11. Take polaroid pictures with as many characters as possible
12. Have the characters sign the polaroids.
13. Go to the beach more than once
14. Attend a Character Breakfast and meet the princesses
15. Experience a magical moment
16. Eat around the world at EPCOT
17. Dress and act as a major tourist (Visor, Fanny pack, etc)
18. Collect and trade as many pins as possible
19. Eat at Be Our Guest restaurant with friends
20. Try the Grey Stuff (I've heard it's delicious)
21. Take pictures of as many hidden Mickeys as possible.
22. Go to Disney outlet mall
23. Go to Disney seminars
24. Flashlight tour of the Haunted Mansion
25. Go to the Wizarding World of HP at least twice
26. Make someone's day completely magical
27. Have Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
28. Ride all 4 Mountains in one day (Space, Thunder, Splash, & Everest)
29. Attend a Cast Member only private event
30. Be Cast Member of the Month (that's my goal, anyway)
31. Eat at Earl of Sandwich
32. Go on a Safari in Magic Kingdom
33. Say "YES" as much as possible
34. Get personalized Mickey Ears
35. Swim with sharks in the Typhoon Lagoon Shark Reef
36. Collect pressed pennies from all the parks
37. Take one Disney class and get a Mouser's Degree
38. Make a wish at Cinderella's Wishing Well
39. Get a haircut on Main Street
40. Get a pin from every park
41. VoluntEAR
42. Take pictures of the park when it's empty
43. Visit every resort on the Monorail
44. Walk the boardwalk at night
45. Take a picture comparing hand sizes with Tarzan
46. Try Dole Dip
47. Meet Anna and Elsa
48. People watch
49. Find PUSH
50. Fill a passport at EPCOT
51. Sit in the front row of Soarin' (EPCOT)
52. Make a lightsaber with Wil (DHS)
53. Get ice cream at Ghirardelli (DTD)
54. See a movie at the Dine in Theater (DTD)
55. Attend CP Graduation
56. Shop at Company D
57. Collect Fast passes from every ride that has them
58. Buy Disney shot glasses
59. Take literally thousands of pictures
60. Meet guests from all 50 states
61. Do a character breakfast

I really really want to do this! via

I GOT IN!

I got into the Disney College Program!! I can't believe that I got in and that I found out so soon! So in order to record my amazing Disney adventures and the events leading up to the DCP, I've decided to start a blog. 

I applied to the program for the very first time on August 23rd, 2014 through an online application, and was almost immediately invited to take the web based interview. I answered the questions honestly, while all of the answers they were looking for were fairly obvious to me. Again I received an email from Disney almost immediately to set up a 15 minute phone interview, which I scheduled for August 27th at 8:15pm. Finally, after lots of research and preparation, it was time to wait for that potentially life changing call. It was super nerve wracking! Using what had I prepared from the online research that I had done, and I gave it my all. My interviewer, Kim, was super friendly and interested in what I had to say which was really helpful. 

Once the phone interview was finished, it was time to wait. Kim had told me that they don't make most of their decisions until late October, so I was ready to be in limbo for a while. To my great surprise, on September 5th I was officially invited to become a Walt Disney World Cast Member! I was in the first wave of accepted students for the Spring 2015 DCP!! Over 40,000 students applied and overall only 4,000 get in. That's pretty fantastic. 

Since I was accepted, I have been trying really hard to get connected with other students going to WDW around the same time as me through Facebook. I've had a lot of luck actually! Three girls have already stuck out to me and I think we are going to get along really well if everything goes to plan.

Otherwise, the best resource that I've found so far is a book that my Grandma gave me called Two Girls and a Mouse Tale. It's about these two sisters that did the DCP in WDW for 8 months starting in August 2013. They give every detail imaginable about the program and really make you aware of the many, many opportunities that I'll have when I'm in Orlando with the Mouse. 

All of their insight has given me quite a few ideas of things I want to do while I'm there, which means I have to make a super long bucket list to do! That will probably be my next post!

If you would like to buy Two Girls and a Mouse Tail, go here.