Hi, I'm Maddi. I'm a guest relations hostess at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World as part of the Disney Professional Internship Program. I'm also a freelance blogger, currently blogging for
Good Nature and
Touring Plans. I worked for two years as the part-time travel marketing associate with the WWF Travel Program. I recently graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Marketing and Management. I'm originally from Mount Laurel, NJ and now live in Clermont, FL. I can be contacted at madisonphiggins@gmail.com or found on
LinkedIn.
Hi Maddie! I just heard that I am going to be a Vacation Planner at WDW and I was wondering if I could maybe ask you some questions? :)
ReplyDeleteSure, feel free to leave a comment or email me!
DeleteHi, Maddi! I just had my CP phone interview Monday. I really stressed that VP would be the best fit for me. I don't have that much work experience, unfortunately. Currently I am a delivery driver; however, my first, and favorite, job was with Ripley's Believe it or Not! where I sold tickets. I actually won two of the three cross over sales competitions we had that summer. Apparently I listed QSFB as "high interest" but I really, really, really want CPVP. How terrible would it be in I were to decline an offer to WDW or DL as QSFB for this upcoming January? I really want VP, I would also prefer to work in the park during the holidays, and I have a few personal reasons why I would like to postpone starting my CP until August. Also, what other jobs or skills could would you recommend for me to do to impress Disney and increase my chances of VP in August-December? Since I am graduating in December, January will be the last time I am able to apply. Is it risky to decline when I only have one opportunity left? Sorry this is lengthy! Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteHi Darby,
DeleteI honestly don't even remember which roles I listed as high or low interest during the application. When they interviewed me they asked me again what roles I'm interested in. I don't know which answer they gave more weight to, but I listed VP as my second favorite during the phone interview and that's what I got.
I don't really see how you could have better or more relevant experience than literally selling tickets at an attraction. I know some of my trainees and coworkers had experience selling tickets at their local attractions before getting hired, so I would think that's helpful. The sales position I had at the time of my interview was waitressing and an internship at an event venue, so your experience sounds even more relevant.
I have never been a part of the hiring process, but Disney is a huge company and its staffing needs are constantly changing. There is no way to know how many CPs they'll be taking in which department. When I applied, concierge was available and it was my first choice. Shortly after, they stopped offering concierge as a CP role. I don't think declining would decrease your chances, but it is obviously a risk if participating in the CP is important to you.
You didn't ask me about this, but I noticed you said you're graduating in December. I knew many CPs that didn't ever leave Disney and didn't end up graduating or had to start over at a local college. How flexible is your school on letting you finish your degree off campus? You can move to Florida at any time and get hired outside of the College Program relatively easily. Getting your college degree is much harder and more expensive. I don't want you to not finish school after all the hard work you put in!
My advice would be: wait to do the program until you're ready. It is not that hard to get hired by Disney, CP or not. It's much harder to get through 6 months of a job you hate or rearrange school or never get your degree.
Thank you so much for your reply. I am graduating this December, so I will be graduated from college for my CP in Spring and Fall, whichever I do. Working at a venue sounds like that would be great experience as well. Thanks!
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