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| Olivia (middle) and her Speedway friends! |
Ever wonder what it's like to work the Land of Tomorrow? Olivia was kind enough to share her experience in attractions during her college program in Florida!
What role did you have during the DCP, and where did you work?
My role
has been attractions for the full year, but I've had 3 locations: 1. Honey I
Shrunk the Kids playground at HS 2. Tomorrowland Speedway at MK, 3. Space
Mountain at MK
What was a typical day like at work?
The playground is what you'd expect, watching the
slides and finding lost children. Speedway consists of loading people into
cars, making sure they have their seatbelt on, and telling them not to bump the
car in front of them (the rule they never follow.) It's very laid back
because it's a guest driven attraction so you can only go as fast as the
people. Space is similar whereas you get people into rockets and send them, but
you have to deal with resets when the mountain breaks down. The pace is much
faster there since its a computer based ride system and it normally has a long
line.
Is this the role you originally wanted? If not, are you happy you
got it?
I LOVED
my cast member family at studios, but the playground was chipping away at my
soul. So, I moved locations for my first extension. I was once again
disappointed to hear I got speedway, another hot outdoor attraction. It turns
out that speedway has been my most favorite place and I've had the time of my
life there. We have an amazing cp group and I'm so thankful everyday I got
placed there. I was able to cross train over at space for my final extension
which will have my program end in January.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your job?
As with
all attraction roles, the guests can make or break your day. Speedway is
particularly difficult because of the loud engines, it can be hard for guests
to pay attention and listen to what you tell them. Don't even get me started on
trying to explain rules or assigning car numbers to foreign guests that speak
very little to no English. But as with everything else, you take it in stride.
Hands down the best part of my job is seeing and interacting with the little
kids that are absolutely the most excited to drive a car. Some are scared at
first but they come back laughing and having the time of their lives. It's
amazing. Make a wish children always make your day. Most of those kids won't
make it to their 16th year to go through the process of getting their drivers
license, so being able to see them drive a car and give them our speedway
Mickey licenses is truly magical. I love my fellow cast members and we have
AMAZING mechanics and they make us food and we all have a good time together.
Any specific magical moment you want to share?
Oh my
goodness, there are just too many to choose from. I'll say the most typical
magical moment to guests (but seemingly ordinary to us) is when an adult comes
up with 2 kids, both crying and fighting over who gets to drive and the adult
is freaking out over it as well. We have a flag we can put on the car that lets
us know to let it go around twice, switching drivers after a lap, so that both
kids can drive. When we tell them about that option, they literally worship the
ground we walk on because it saves them having to wait in line twice and waste
an hour of their day.
What made you want to do the DCP?
I am
your typical life long Disney lover so I was immediately interested when I
heard about it. But I came down for reasons other than to be able to work at
Disney. I did the college program to sort of come out of my shell and over come
shyness and things like that. It's absolutely worked. I am 100% more outgoing
and can strike up a conversation with a stranger with no problem.
Is there something you wish you would have known before doing your
program?
I felt
prepared about the weather, and the bugs, crazy work schedules, and the barely
there pay checks, but I didn't full realize the kinds of guest interactions I
would have. I mean all of them, ranging from the absolute best to the absolute
worst. People freaking out over the fast pass system will be your worst
nightmare, but your coordinators will always have your backs in those
situations.
What advice would you give to those who want to participate in
your role?
Again,
be prepared for the range of guest interactions, the good the bad and the ugly.
But you will survive. You will also have amazing days that will make it all
better.
What advice would you give to people who are interested in doing
the DCP?
Be sure
you are ready and prepared to work a lot. If you come down to just party and
have fun and play in the parks all the time, you will be sorely disappointed
and probably go home within the first month. But honestly, 90% of the time, my
best memories and most fun times come from work. Be prepared to be optimistic
because if you don't, being pessimistic will ruin your experience. It has hands
down been the best experience of my life. I don't know how I'm going to leave
all my friends, but it was absolutely the best decision I've ever made for
myself.
If you're a current or past college program cast member and would like to share your experience, email your name and role to thedisneyden@yahoo.com to participate!
I hope everyone has a magical day!
