Dorms: The New Disney World Cast Member Housing System

Hey! I have abit of spare time before bed so though I would write about the brand new Dorms system that has just been implemented for Disney college program housing! In previous years us ICP’s wouldn’t have a choice for roomies, BUT this new system is open to everyone! No more to the Americans have to queue from 4 am to be able to get their desired complex and room mates. It’s all done online before you arrive. So how does it work?

Approximately 10 days before the start of your program you will receive an email which states you can register for housing. During this you can put a preference for complex and flat size as well as linking up with roommates with the same start – end date as you. How many people you can link with depends on what date you arrive. I was allowed to link with 5 others, but those starting on June 10th could only link with one other person. Just get one person to set up the links by following the instructions, then the others can accept (see below)!

We requested a 3 bedroom in Chatham, which we luckily got! I know everyone got their roommate links, but not necessarily complex or room size. Remember that Disney cannot guarantee anything.

If you have any questions feel free to message me! I'm regularly uploading vlogs over on my YouTube channel also, if you want to see what me and my roomies are up to in Florida.

xox

The Application Process: Final Interview!

So apparently I just completely forgot to write about my final interview. Oops. I do have a video here about the whole application process if you would like to check that out. Anyway, I found out I had gotten through to the final interviews on Friday 12th October at 6:11pm.

Again I got the 5am coach from Southampton to London, meeting up with Kerrie at Victoria coach station before heading to Hammersmith together. There I met up with Becky & Jamie plus a few others. Off to Disney HQ we went! We had to go around the entrance, so in the little shopping centre follow the signs for the bus station then turn right. When we got to HQ, we were all given guest passes and told to wait in the lobby. The next few hours are a blur thinking back. We were led upstairs through a room adorned with Disney posters and sat in a movie theatre style room where we were introduced to the Disney recruiters and watched a presentation video.

Times were then read out for what “group” you would be in. I was in the 11am group… the first one! It turns out, I had the first interview, of the whole ICP 2013 intake final interviews. I was bricking it. The two American ladies but me at ease though, being very welcoming and friendly.

Some of the questions they asked were

• What course are you doing?
• Why do you want to do the program?
• Tell us about your top roles (I went into detail about each of my top 5 roles and why i wanted to do them).
• What do you think is good customer service?
• Any tattoos or piercings?
• Anything else to add? & Any questions?

During this we had abit of a laugh about British tea and I emphasised the cultural aspect of the program while mentioning I was interested in volunteering opportunities out there. I reckon the interview lasted around 15 minuets, but don't hold me to that. It was so long ago that I cant remember too much about it. What I do remember is how terrible I felt afterwards. I was so anxious and didn't know how I had done at all. I met up with the rest of the guys at the weatherspoons afterwards but just couldn't focus with how worried I was! I ended up getting an early coach home. As it turns out, my angst was nothing as on Friday 2nd November I got the email informing me that I was going to Florida! It must have been my in depth knowledge of British tea  

At the end of the day, the process can be scary (I had so many nights worrying about it, researching until the early hours and making notes on things I could say) but if you want this enough, you’ll be fine!

Remember,

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

- Walt Disney

Good Luck.

xox

1 Month to go Update, Disney Hoody & VISA/Embassy Appointment!

In exactly 1 month I will be on a plane over the Atlantic ocean, heading to Orlando. Is this real life? Other than university deadlines there's been a few exciting Disney bits happen over the past few weeks! For starters, my Disney Hoody arrived! These are not provided, you and your other participants have to design and order them yourselves. The lovely Rachael F designed our logo and Jack C organized where to get them from, thanks guys! We ordered them with hoodietee and I believe they are £25, actually being amazing quality!

  

Secondly I had my embassy appointment on the 24th April and I’m delighted to say my VISA was approved! I’ve spoken more about the day in a video and some pre-information here. I’m going to list some pre-to do things down below. If you have any questions on this fee free to comment/message me and ask!

Pre-Visa To Do

• As soon as you receive your welcome pack phone up the embassy to book your appointment and pay the $160 fee. You will be sent an receipt & appointment confirmation letter for this. Print them out.
• Fill out the online SEVIS form, pay the $35 fee and print the receipt out immediately. You cannot print this off at a later date so only do it when attached to a printer.
• Fill out the online DS-160 form and print out the completion page as instructed. You will need a photograph of yourself for this, but it’s alright if you don't have an appropriate one. Just make sure you take one to the embassy.

These forms will take about a hour and half in total, just get it out of the way so you don't have to worry about it.

Embassy Appointment Documents Checklist

• The non-immigrant visa interview confirmation letter (send by email after booking your appointment).
• Print out of the MRV application fee receipt (sent with the interview confirmation letter).
• SEVIS receipt (printed after completing the form).
• DS-160 Confirmation page (printed after completing the form).
• DS-2019 visa petition (sent with your welcome pack).
• Passport (valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay).
• Passport sized photograph.
• Official Disney welcome letter (sent with your welcome pack).
• Supporting documentation showing intent to return home (most people weren't asked for this but take along a university letter saying you intend to return for your next year, a job offer letter, postgrad offer letter or anything that shows ties to your home country).
• Payment for the courier fee – London (they only accepted card when we were there. If you are getting your passport processed in Belfast take a prepaid special delivery envelope).

As I said, I have done a video about the actual day which you can find below!

31 days and it still doesn't feel real!

xox

Disney World ICP 2013 Vlog #5: Pre-Disney Meetup

Hey guys! So the other week I met up with some of my favourite ICP buddies at Medowhall Sheffield. It was amazing how we instantly clicked and I’m really looking forward to spending the summer with them. Also included in this vlog is some bits from my Lion King the Musical adventure. Remember if you have any questions feel free to email/comment and look forward to seeing more from me next week when I attend my visa appointment.

xox

The Lion King Musical

 

On Tuesday 2nd I went to see The Lion King Musical! My boyfriend got us tickets for Christmas as it was coming to Manchester and I've never really been to a musical before (and Disney)! I had a great time and would 100% recommend it. Of course being me I couldn’t resist the souvenir table, where I picked up a beach towel for Florida (justification right there). My ticket came with a program and a tote bag also. I did vlog a little so I will combine the footage into one video when I meet my Disney chummies next week and go to the visa appointment.

 

I filmed a little tutorial of makeup inspired by the show here if you want to check that out! It’s also the makeup I wore to the theatre =]

xox

Disney ICP Welcome Pack and Visa Update!

So the welcome pack finally arrived! It was sent out on Friday 22nd March and I received it on Tuesday 26th March. To be honest I was pretty disappointed. After all the hype and Yummy Jobs saying it contained a few surprises, all’s it contained was:

• A letter from YJ
• Official Disney Job Offer (okay that was pretty exciting)
• DS-2019 Visa Petition
• I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
• USA and Canada Sim Card
• Visa Application Instructions

No Disney Look Book. I am beyond gutted we didn’t get one this year. Instead we got directed to a website where all the information was. I guess it’s more up to date and practical but I was really looking forward to having it as my first souvenir.

Of course this has set off the all important Visa process. My $35 SEVIS Fee and $160 Visa Appointment Fee have now been paid via the website I was directed too! My appointment is 24th April at 11:30am in London. Let me tell you, the pre-appointment stuff is a little bit of a pain but I’m going to create another post about that when I’ve had my appointment. All worth it!

xox

ICP 2013 Pre-Departure Costs!

Heya! I thought I would do a quick video today on costs you can expect before the program starts. They seem higher than ever looking back at previous people’s programs so be aware before you apply that it can get a little pricey. Worth it though right? In this post I will go over my own personal budget and in the video go through the costs form Yummy Jobs gave us.

Interview Travel Costs	£40 approx (underground & coach fare)
Return Flights	£583.37
Criminal Background Check	£60
US Embassy Appointment Fee	$160
Cost of Calling the Embassy	£1.23 approx per minute
SEVIS Fee	$35
Courier Fee	£14 approx
US Embassy Travel Costs	£20 approx
Medical Insurance	$70 approx per Month
Program Assessment Fee	$100
	£910.92 Excluding Medical Insurance and Cost of Calling the Embassy

 

I haven’t included the cost of calling the embassy as my parents will do that from their house phone, nor insurance. I’m not sure if we will have to pay insurance in a bulk sum or monthly, if all together expect to pay another £100 totalling the cost to £1010.92.

The biggest chunk by far are the flights, taking up half the budget. This is without my added travel costs though, which all together will cost me around £500 more on top of this. Plus I am taking around $1000 with me in cash and travellers checks so my total cost for my summer is going to equate to around £2100!

Luckily I should be able to save up quite abit of my wages for my LA and NY spend as I’m taking quite abit beforehand. We’ll see!

 

 

Overall it has cost me quite abit but will be 100% worth it!

xox

100 Days to Go: Updates & Clothing Haul!

It seems like only yesterday I was chanting ‘200 days to go’ and already that's halved. Not too much has happened since I booked my internal flights. I got my CRB check back and did some shopping, not really that interesting. We are expected to get our welcome packs anytime in the next month so I'm mega excited for that and will 100% do a video as soon as I get it.

Alot more will start happening once we get them as we can then book our visa appointment, sort fee’s and apparently do a new housing quiz online which has been implemented this year (according to my sources). Exciting times!

I think I have pretty much all the clothing items I need now excluding swimwear which I still need to pick up. Other than that it’s just toiletries and bedding really. I’m going to get the rest around Easter so if you would like to see a haul video or packing list let me know. For now I shall leave you with my clothing purchases (which I uploaded on my beauty channel)!

xox

The Plan: Orlando > Los Angeles > New York City!

So it’s 131 days to go and everything is in motion! Hotels in LA are booked, 5 nights in central LA and 3 nights near Disneyland Cali. New York apartment is getting booked tomorrow and flights are all paid for!

So the overall plan for the most amazing summer ever is:

Orlando Florida working for the mouse: June 3rd – August 9th.
Staying in Disney World Hotel: August 9th – August 12th.
Central LA: August 12th – August 17th.
Disneyland Cali: August 17th – August 20th.
New York City: August 20th – August 26th.
Flying Home to England: August 26th.

It’s so so real right now. I can’t believe how quickly its gone from 200 days to 131 days. The plan from now on is to save save save so I can go shopping for new summer clothes over Easter and afford a few luxuries (come on Kindle HD!)

Welcome packs and stuff like that should be arriving soon and my CRB check has already been sent out to my parents house so I shall post an update when more news has come though!

xox

New YouTube Channel & a Little Update!

Hey guys! So I've messed around with my YouTube channels a little as I wanted to film beauty videos on my main one and make a separate one of Disney/Travel vlogs! I would love it if you could check me out HERE! I’m going to re-upload the 2 vids I made on the other channel and update it more when things start rolling.

I know I've not updated this blog much too, that's because nothing is really happening to be honest! We should be receiving our welcome packs soon so I’ll make sure to do a video/post on that. In the meantime you can check out all the Disney goodies I got for Christmas HERE and a few Disney Store bits I got in the sales HERE! I have a Beauty Blog where I’ve been uploading reviews of the Disney Villains makeup range if that takes your fancy. Just click on the image below and you will be taken to it =]

xox

180 Days to Go!

So it’s 180 days until I jet off to Florida to embark on, hopefully, the best summer of my life. Before that though is 6 months of winter (brr), university and working. It’s not all bad though, Christmas is just around the corner and with that I hope to share the Disney love with everybody. Needless to say most presents I buy will be of said theme. Today saw me nipping into the Disney store to buy a few cheeky gifts and a villains tumbler for myself.

From my parents this year, I hope to receive a video camera so I can document my time in the USA. Fingers crossed!

There's not too much left that I have to pay for regarding my program. Flights and CRB are done, so the only things really left are things which need to be paid sooner to departure. In the mean time I’m saving as much as I can so the option to splurge on a new wardrobe/goodies is there!

I’ll check in soon!

xox

The Application Process: Pre-Screens!

So, here's the next part of my application process, the pre screen. I got the email inviting me to one on the 28th September at 6:30pm. Needless to say I was pretty excited, nervous and prepared for it like a mad woman.

I got the 5am coach from Southampton to London, which arrived at 7:30am giving me plenty of time to make my way over to Waterloo. After chilling in Starbucks for 30 mins, people I had arranged to meet up with beforehand arrived (oh George! – inside joke) and we made our way over to the restaurant together.

At the event we had a presentation and a little quiz, then got given time slots. I was in the same group as Becky, one of the girls I had met up with that morning which was pretty cool, so we just stuck together and got some food/chatted to others with our time slot ect. Interviews were running over a little, so we got into the room at maybe 12:30ish. There was a desk at the front where the yummyjobs ladies were sitting, and chairs in a semi-circle around the desk. I actually enjoyed the pre-screen most of all about the whole process, as it really was a massive chat between us all. Firstly we went around and said our names (there was about 10 people in each interview), what course we study and an interesting fact about ourselves. Then questions were just thrown out by YJ! Remember it is a group interview so anyone can chip in at any time, luckily everyone in my group was very considerate of others talking so we all just bounced off each other.

Some of the things they asked us were:

• Why do you want to do the program?
• How would you cope with the long hours & the heat?
• How would you deal with living in shared dorms?
• What of American culture would you like to experience and what of British culture could you share?

Individually they asked us:

• An interesting fact about yourself.
• What is your future realistic and unrealistic job?
• Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
• Top 3 roles.
• What program dates are you available for?
• What Disney character are you most like?
  
  

It lasted about 45 minuets, and that time literally flew by. Abit of advice is to interact with people. They want to see that you can listen and communicate within a group. Also don't forget to smile (although it should be pretty hard not too anyway)!

Also don’t see the others as competition, see them as future friends. Two of the girls i met in Starbucks I'm actually going traveling with after the program, which is going to be amazing. Oh and remember the Disney look ladies and gents. It’s not crucial for this stage, but its recommended. Natural makeup, hair and take your piercings out.

I hope this helped a little and if you have any questions feel free to message me.

xox

Video: Application, Pre-Screen & Final Interview!

Hey! So I’ve started vlogging eep! I’ve done 2 so far, one on the application process/pre-screen/final interview and a little room-mate survey. These are going to be put on my main YouTube channel which will feature some beauty videos, so I’m going to be linking each video here for those of you who don’t want to get makeup spam if you subscribe haha!

I will do accompanying posts for the pre-screen and final interview, having already done an application one which you can find here. Mostly this is to future applicants to help them with the whole process, so if your reading this from the future (wooooooooo) good luck and feel free to ask me any questions!

xox

200 Days to go: Flights Booked, CRB Sorted!

I don’t think it’s actually sunk in yet that I’m gonna be working for the mouse. An overload of university projects, applying for post-grad and working has taken over my life at the moment making me mega excited for Christmas. WTB relaxation. Some very exciting news though, is that I've booked my flights!

I wanted to get flights done as quickly as possible as prices can go up dramatically! £583.37 is not too bad I guess.
I am going to travel a little after the program and luckily me and 3 other lovely ladies have decided to adventure together. I have met Becky and Jennifer before at pre-screens/final interviews so I’m very excited that we get to share this experience. Also looking forward to meeting Rachel for the first time, hopefully at the Manchester meet up in December! All three have blogs so go check them out.

Rachel: http://www.disneysummerexperience.blogspot.co.uk
Becky: http://becky-adams.tumblr.com
Jennifer: http://jennisney.tumblr.com

I will chat more about our travel plans in another post.
As well as booking flights, I did the whole Criminal Background Check thing we are required to do this week. Another thing tickets off the “to-do” list. A simple form and £60, sorted.

xox

The Application Process: CV & Online Application!

Hey! I just thought I would write abit about the initial application process starting with the online application and CV! This year (summer 2013 applicants) the online submissions opened on August 3rd and ran until September 28th, I received an email that very night inviting me to a pre-screen.

Before I go into more detail about that though, I want to share with you all what I wrote on my CV and for my cover letter. I personally spent a whole week refining and working on my application as I wanted it to be absolutely perfect. According to yummy jobs 1600 people applied for the program and 500ish got through to pre-screens, although that's not official as we are unsure if they were allowed to disclose exact numbers.

Anyway! The application consists of a few personal details, name and address ect plus a job history box. The bits i focused on the most though, were “motivation for taking part” and my actual uploaded CV. Starting with the cover letter, i put mine in the motivation for taking part section as the guys at yummy jobs have thousands of applicants to look through, if my uploaded CV has too many pages they’re just gonna skim it right?

Having visited Walt Disney World Florida and Disneyland Paris in the past, I am very keen to get involved with the Walt Disney Company by undertaking a position on the Summer International College Program. I am currently a photography student at university and believe the experience and personal growth I would gain from the program will benefit me in my future goals and career choices. I reflect the high standards set by the Walt Disney Company and wish to undertake a placement working within a role and with individuals who have the same values as myself. My previous experience has given me valuable skills within the hospitality industry such as a constant high standard of customer service, excellent communication skills, a healthy work ethic and a pro-active response to meeting targets, attributes which can further be enhanced and developed by the Walt Disney Company. Additionally my personal feelings and enjoyment of all things Disney makes the International College Program a perfect opportunity for me to acquire new skills and learn valuable lessons while making somebody's dreams come true.

Remember to not copy mine, they do have plagiarism scanners. I am including it though so you can have an idea as to the kinda thing they are looking for. My CV had the typical layout, skills, school history, job history, hobbies, just make sure its not over 2 pages long and explain/include examples of your skills. I put key things in bold just in case they did skim, they could pick up the gist. I’ve included a snippet of my CV for you to take a look at! (I changed second year to third year when I went to my interviews)

So that’s abit of a run down of my application! Remember this is an actual JOB you’re applying for, don’t treat is any different. Feel free to include your enjoyment of Disney, but don’t bang on about it.

I hope this was helpful and if you have any questions feel free to email me on janewaringphoto(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk.

xox

Quick Service Food & Beverage: Role Outline & Potential Placements!

So, my role in the show will be Quick Service Food & Beverage! I have to say I am a little disappointed with that as its the last thing I wanted to do, but at least I’m going right? I can’t be too selfish and complain about that when a lot of other people didn't get the job. Abit worried about having to handle meat, being a vegetarian, it would probably knock me sick! I thought I would do a little post about what the role would entail and my top choice for where I would like to be placed.

• Selling food and beverages at outdoor carts and/or indoor restaurants
• Taking and filling orders, multi-tasking
• Preparing and assembling food items in a kitchen area, including the use of a fryer, grill, broiler, and other industrial cooking equipment
• Cash handling - both manual and using computerized registers
• Bussing tables, washing dishes, cleaning kitchen equipment, and emptying trash cans
• Dispensing and selling alcoholic beverages
• Setting and stocking tables, outdoor carts, and restaurants
• Heavy lifting, pushing heavy carts
• Working with cleaning chemicals
• Working independently or as part of a large team
• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

That’s quite a massive list of things I could be required to do, but it’s all experience right? I’m really looking forward to making friends and interacting with guests. I think I'd most like to work in a cute little cafe/ice cream parlour in fantasy land, fingers crossed!

Mrs. Potts' Cupboard: Soft-serve ice cream. Fantasyland.
Enchanted Grove: Swirls, slushes, orange juice. Fantasyland.
Main Street Bakery: Bagels, pastry, yogurt, parfaits, quiche. Main Street U.S.A.

They’re just some of the places I would absolutely love to work, especially Mrs. Potts’ Cupboard. Of course I could be placed anywhere, and to be honest I’m just happy to be going! It’s gonna be a perfect end to my university life and a great start to perusing my teaching degree and joining the “real world”.

xox

Disney International College Program Summer 2013!

So, as the above email states, I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD! Firstly, I should probably introduce myself if you’re a random who has stumbled upon my corner of the internet. Herro! I’m Jane, and twenty one year old photography student from near Liverpool UK who is currently studying in Southampton! I’ve been a Disney fanatic for as long as I remember, and this summer my dreams are actually coming true by making it onto the International College Program.

Over the next year I'm going to document the process leading up to the adventure, and of course being there itself! Kinda for my friends and family so they know what I'm up to but also for myself, so i can look back and remember my time. Also I hope to offer help to anyone looking to apply for this program in future years.

Thanks for reading <3

xox