“Whether you are a guest or a Cast Member, both of them, you are the magic”- Stephanie Fowlie
Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a Disney College Program cast member? The Disney College Program is a 5–7-month program where College Students (or college graduate of up to 24 months have a chance to work at Disney is different areas from Quick Service to attractions. I was fortunate enough to catch up with my friend Stephanie who is currently doing her program right now.
Stephanie Fowlie is a friend of mine who is a Disney lover. We became friends at Unity College (where I went for my first year of post high school) and we have been friends since. She majored in Wildlife Care & Education and a minor in Zoology and graduated in 2020. I remember one time when we did a Disney movie marathon on a Sunday. We watched the Lion King, Oliver and Company, and Moana all in one sitting. It was a great time! I got a chance to talk with her as she has been doing her Disney College Program.
Q: Did you apply in 2020?
A: Yes! I applied in January, got accepted in February 2020, and then got cancelled.
Q: What was the Experience like applying again?
A: It wasn’t as difficult this time around. If we applied last year, we just sent in a new form that said we want to apply again this year.
I applied in either April or May where I was pet sitting.
Q: What was the process like from May until like…the beginning?
A: You are gonna wait until the week before to know where you are working and your role. We were not given preferences about where we were working. Until then it was all information that I needed like identification and vaccination information.
Q: You were given your role a week before. What is your Role?
A: I am at Flame Tree BBQ as a Quick Service Cast Member.
Q: How have you been enjoying working at Disney World?
A: It has been a great time. I have gotten to work with so many people who are also CP (College Program), Part-time, full-time. I have had a few guests who gave a little card. And I have gotten small bottle of hand sanitizer from guests.
Q: Have you ever had to cover someone else’s shift that was not at Flame Tree BBQ?
A: Not yet. I know some people who have had to come from Pizzafari, and I know some people who have moved to the EPCOT festivals?
Q: What is your schedule like?
A: So when I started it was 5 days a week, 6 hours a day, but with the holidays coming up, my hours have been changing to some 7 to 8 hour shifts.
Q: You got to join the College Program at the right time with the Most Magical Celebration, and part of your program is that you got to experience Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. How was it?
A: I got to do it a couple of times before it opened. It was so cute. It was fun not waiting for a virtual queue or waiting in a line.
Q: You also got to be there for the new dorms at Flamingo Crossing. How is the dorm?
A: Well, I don’t have horror stories of a previous dorm, but it has been good. We did have an issue at the very beginning where it is hot, but we were able to get it fixed right away.
Q: What kind of activities are there at Flamingo Crossing?
A: When I get home, I am exhausted, so I do not usually go to the events, but they have been showing a movie night at least once a week. We got to do rare character meet and greets where we got to meet Oogie Boogie.
Q: And when you said busy…do you go to the parks?
A: I got to the parks at least once a week. If I am not at the parks, then I am out grocery shopping, and I have also done Universal. I got to do Horror Nights a couple of times.
Q: Currently there is Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT. Have you got to experience Food & Wine?
A: Yes. EPCOT is the park that I have been to the most because I was to try something different every time. I have tried the Mac & Cheese at EPCOT. It is good but, in my location, we have a pulled pork mac & cheese and I think it is the best thing on our menu. It is better than EPCOTs.
Q: What has been your favorite thing about being at the parks?
A: I have always been rushing on my trips because I would always be down for a week and trying to fit everything in. So it is nice not to rush around and be able to take everything in.
Q: What has been your favorite thing about the Most Magical Celebration?
A: Harmonious has been my favorite from the celebration. There are great visuals, and the music is amazing. One of my all-time favorite firework shows was Wishes, but this is a close second.
Q: What do you think of Enchantment?
A: I like it better than people have portrayed it. Like so many people have complained about it. I like it better than Happily Ever After.
(Authors note: Enchantment got so much heat when it debuted. I would scroll through Twitter and see everyone’s reactions. They would be comparing it to the other previous shows. I did a whole post on my thoughts on Enchantment if you want to know more.)
Q: I know someone who decided to extend their stay from 4 months to 11 months? Are you thinking about extending your stay?
A: I am not extending; I know some who have chosen. I want to go back home and pack stuff up and move down here permanently.
Q: With you returning to Florida, are you going to reapply?
A: In January, I am going to look at professional internships to see if there is anything I can do for my major.
Q: What is your favorite park?
A: I got Animal Kingdom, which is my favorite park, so I got lucky. My least favorite is Magic Kingdom. My order goes as follows:
· Animal Kingdom- Animals
· Hollywood Studios- Star Wars
· EPCOT- Countries
· Magic Kingdom- Extremely busy
Q: What’s been your favorite Restaurant?
A: I could be bias and say mine, but Yak n’ Yeti has amazing food. But also, Teppan Edo in EPCOT. The food was great!
Q: Okay, last question. If there is someone reading this, what would you want to tell them?
A: For the application process, be as honest as possible. That’s probably the best way to apply because you can say what preferences you like. When you are accepted, go out to the parks, make a bucket list. Get out of your room and take advantage of going to other parks.
If you are interested in learning more about the Disney College Program, check out the link. Disney usually will post about a Hiring Window on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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