10 ways to enjoy your Disney College Program to the fullest

Your program is personal to you, so by all means, do what you want with it! But here are some of my favorite ideas to add to your fun Disney College Program experience!

1. Document your adventures

Whether or not you choose to post your adventures on social media, recording them for your own memory is so smart! You could vlog for Youtube or TikTok, post your images on Instagram, or even just write in a journal for yourself. This way, you have these memories to look back at, and think of the best program of your life!

2. Experience everything

There's so much to do on and around Disney Property. You could visit all 4 parks in one day, or switch it up and visit Universal Studios. Say you're looking for a relaxing day, go visit a nearby beach or even hang out at the complex pool! The possibilities are endless, and where will you ever get this much time to explore them? Point proven.

3. Plan your days!

I always enjoyed having a goal for my park days. During the release of Frozen 2, i decided to adventure by myself to experience everything Frozen before watching the movie. I even dressed in an Elsa Disneybound! Having goals and ambitions for your park days, will make them just as much fun, if not more, than a Go with the Flow day!

4. Go to the parties and festivals

If you're doing a Fall program, take the opportunity to visit Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; you will not regret it. These were some of my favorite memories from my program, from dressing up with friends, to meeting the exclusive characters and enjoying exclusive treats. Also, don't forget about Epcot’s festivals! Flower & Garden and Festival of the Arts in the Spring, as well as Food & Wine and Festival of the Holidays in the Fall! They are some of my favorite ways to experience Epcot!

5. Take the classes they offer

Disney Programs offer program participants educational classes about tons of things, such as interview tips, how you can grow in the company, and professional socialization. These classes helped me realize my future, and were very beneficial in my life; and only took an hour of my time! If you have any confusion on your future, or just want to learn more about the company, take at least one!

6. Take advantage of special perks

Cast Members are offered Magic Experiences, which could range from a background tour of Fantasmic!, to other special events exclusive to us. While these experiences are hard to come by, they are so worth trying to apply as soon as they drop!

Some of the parks even offer special parties or gifts for the working cast. At Epcot, we had a party showing us the new ride details for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where they gifted us food and entertainment. When I picked up a shift at Magic Kingdom on Mickey’s birthday, I was gifted a button and a chocolate for helping to celebrate the magic! The possibilities are endless.

7. Don't be afraid to break out of your shell

You may think you're trapped in a Disney bubble, surrounded by guests who don't appreciate you. But don't be afraid to break your own standards and unlock a new version of you! I have found so much confidence in my customer experience abilities, as well as my personal ambitions. You have to try something once to learn that you don't like it!

8. Make friends with your coworkers

Work is work, but going to work with friends makes it much better! Your coworkers are there everyday, and the people that will make some of the biggest impacts on you. Building these relationships, friendships, and leadership connections will not only make your program better, but you will see these changes in your future endeavors!

9. Pick up at other locations (If applicable)

Your home location may be the most comfortable place for you, and you may feel scared to try out new locations, but I promise you it will be worth it. In my role in Merchandise, with the proper training, I could pick up wherever applicable. I took advantage and worked at 3 out of the 4 parks. Those shifts turned out to be some of the most fun shifts of my program, as I got to work at my favorite shop in Hollywood Studios, and watch the fireworks from Frontierland. You'll make even more connections, and get to make magic from other perspectives!

10. Make bucket lists

Creating a list of things you want to complete during your program might seem overwhelming at first, not knowing how much free time you'll actually have, or how realistic these things are. But having that list in front of you will help you complete the things you really want to do during your program. This could range from “visit Halloween Horror Nights at Universal” to “give a magical moment to a child.” The list is so customizable, and completely unique to you! It's such a great way of keeping track of how you want to spend your program, and how much you live it to the fullest!

See more of my DCP pictures on Instagram! @sawyersgotadream