DCP Application/WBI Tips!

See the DCP Minute video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIRwgA6fniA

The Disney College Program is pretty competitive. To give yourself the best chance at success, it’s best to research the process before so that you’re familiar with it. Having been through the process, I can tell you that it’s not scary if you feel prepared and you have the right attitude.

Part 1: Application

The first part of the preliminary application is a breeze. It’s going to ask you questions about your work history and education. (Spoiler alert: you must be enrolled in a college course to apply).

The second part of the preliminary app may be a bit more difficult for you depending on your familiarity with the various roles offered for the DCP. In this part, all potential DCP roles will be listed with drop down menus ranging from “Very Interested” to “Not at all Interested.” I’ll be giving you all a more detailed post on advantages/disadvantages to those roles at a later date. For now, I’ve included the link to the Program’s list of roles with descriptions.

Really research these roles and answer honestly. This should go without saying, but there’s an inclination for some to mark high interest for all roles, even roles they don’t want, to try and increase their chances of getting into the DCP.

If there are roles that you know wouldn’t be happy in, don’t put interest in it or at least put low interest. Remember that getting into the DCP does not guarantee your happiness in life. It might seem like the end of the world if you don’t get in, but I knew too many unhappy people that regretted putting interest in the role they were placed in. You might be better off applying later than getting into a role you know you’d be miserable in for 4-6 months.

Once you submit the preliminary application, your status on your dashboard (where you keep up with your application) will read “In Submission.” If you’re going to move on to the next step, your dashboard should change to say “In Progress” in a few days when you get your WBI. I have known several people that have not gone past “In Submission” the first time that they applied. Disney says it’s not random, but they all seemed like fairly good candidates. However, all of those people applied a second time for the DCP and got in. I’ll be writing more on this in another DCP post.

2. WBI- Web Based Interview

It’s a well-known fact that Disney Cast Members have to uphold certain ideals and portray somewhat of a persona while on the job. For example, a Disney Cast Member has to keep their area “show ready” and give beyond good service.

It’s structured so that the applicants are presented with many statements and they must agree or disagree as to whether or not it applies to them. Here are two examples:

I am a messy person… Strongly Disagree / Disagree / Neither Agree nor Disagree / Agree / Strongly Agree.

I work well in teams… Strongly Disagree / Disagree / Neither Agree nor Disagree / Agree / Strongly Agree.

Depending on who you ask, you’ll get different advice. I recommend avoiding lukewarm answers. If you’re about to put “neither agree nor disagree” seriously think about which side you lean to and at least answer on one side or the other. This is meant to give Disney more information about who you are and how you work. They won’t learn very much if you aren’t specific. These answers will also help determine where you’ll be working so answer honestly. No applicant wants to hear that Disney doesn’t think they’re not ready to work for them, but the WBI is structured to determine whether or not that’s the case. Trust it for the meantime, but don’t give up on your dreams. Keep trying if you don’t move on.

3: Phone Interview

This is the most infamous of all the stages in this process. Something about talking to a real-life Cast Member seems to intimidate people. Well, I’m here to tell you not to be afraid. I LOVED my phone interview. That being said, I was able to relax during it because I felt that I was well prepared.

The phone interview requires more preparation and therefore, I think it deserves its own post. I’m going to try to get this one out ASAP because I know there are many future Cast Members that are anxious to prepare.

Preliminary advice:

• Look up questions interviewers may ask for your top choice roles.
• Practice, but don’t memorize your answers.
• SMILE! It really does make a difference.