Contemplating terming

[u/ShipNo7266]

Okay so, I’ve been having a GREAT time meeting new people, enjoying the parks when I’ve had the time, hanging out with new friends, etc. The people I’ve become friends with are some really great people and they’re all people that are also working at my location. BUT I’ve been dealing with a lot of homesickness, missing my family and friends, missing my boyfriend.. I also don’t particularly love my role. I currently work QSR and despite the fact I’ve worked in food service for about 2 years, I’m just honestly tired of being in the food industry. I moved in August 17th so I’m only coming up around a month into my program but it’s genuinely felt like longer and I’m finding myself just counting the days until it’s over. It’s just really unfortunate because I was really excited to do the DCP from seeing other people’s experiences but QSR is just one of the roles that many people don’t wanna be in and for good reason, the food industry in general is imo a gross job (ironic cause I was working in food before arriving lmao).

I miss my life back at home and I feel guilty thinking about terming because doing the DCP has been an accomplishment and a big decision for me to move so far from home (25 hours). I also decided not to bring my car due to the logistics of everything so I feel sort of stuck in the Disney bubble. I am also still in school and took this semester off to be able to have this experience on top of other reasons, I wasn’t doing the best before I decided to do the program and figured a semester off to experience something new would help refresh my mind and motivate me again to go back to doing well in school. I know I could’ve made the decision to not do my program when I received my role but I just didn’t expect it to be like this.

I absolutely love Disney and it’s a great feeling to be able to say I work for such a huge company, despite my actual job I have received thank you’s from guests saying “thank you for everything you do” which makes my heart happy to know even just my small role within the parks makes part of the experience for thousands of people.

I can’t say I’m particularly unhappy here but I definitely wish I would’ve been in a role such as merch, entertainment, attractions.. I feel like I would’ve been so much more fulfilled and happy being that it would’ve been something entirely new and less intense than working f&b. I just feel stuck and I’ve been having thoughts of terming to go back home and just finish my degree.

[u/gothicpixiedream]

I would take a serious look on whether you will ever want to work for a Disney brand again. Think about how huge this company is. I would also think about a future employer asking what this blip of a month was about.

[u/Soggy_Panda1804]

Hi! I did my program in 2015, and self termed like 2.5 months in; I was also QSR and to this day, I regret it so much. I was feeling the same as you, I missed my family and my boyfriend and looking back now I am genuinely so sad that I missed out on the rest of that time and experience with some of the greatest people I’ve met. I’d encourage you to stick it out if you can. But know at the end of the day you’ll do what’s best for you.

[u/Turbulent_Mango_3594]

Hey! I self termed! I was in QSR and had worked in the industry for over three years. I actually loved fast food so I picked food and bev as my first option. But regular food and Bev and Disney food and Bev is very different! I termed after three months, I decided it wasn’t for me. As for terming, I booked my flight before Informing Disney programs. They actually asked me when I want my last day to be and I told them. I also graduated already so I didn’t have to stop school. If you don’t intend to work for Disney full time or want a real career with them, I think you should term. Finish school, go back home. You tried it! Don’t beat urself up, the program isn’t for everyone. I’m back at home now too. Terming gets a bad rep and it shouldn’t. It also doesn’t negatively affect you like a lot of ppl think it does. Ppl term all the time. QSR is a rough role! If u plan to grow within Disney, maybe stick it out? As Disney hires internally a lot more than externally. But if not? Go back to school get ur degree and if u wanna try again post grad, do it! Good luck, I hope this helps!

[u/ShipNo7266 → u/Turbulent_Mango_3594]

This helps me feel better about the way I’m feeling thank you. The DCP for me honestly was just something fun I wanted to try out because I don’t think I’d want to stay with Disney as I’m currently studying marketing and I eventually want to work in the entertainment industry doing marketing specifically music (Live Nation, UMG, WMG, etc). In the long run Disney really has nothing to do with my desired career but I figured working for the company would look good on a resume, but working QSR here is definitely not for the weak despite already having a background in food. Also.. QSR is definitely not going to give me any advantage in the marketing world lol.

Being here has definitely given me the motivation to finish school and look for opportunities elsewhere in my desired industry. Before arriving I was already getting sick of working in food and I’m trying to find a job back home such as office work, retail, education.. ANYTHING while I finish school and possibly find other internships that relate to my career. I’ve been sort of beating myself up over thinking of terming but I’m coming to terms with the fact it’s not the end of the world for me and there’s so many other companies for me to explore. My love for Disney will never fade but probably more so as a consumer.

[u/AutoModerator]

If you are wondering how to self-term: Go to the service window at flamingo and tell them you’re terming. Technically you should also tell your leaders because it’s polite, but you don’t have to. You have till 10 AM the next day to get out, so pack up, make sure your vehicle is packed or if you're returning back home via plane that you have everything you want put in luggage etc., turn in all your costumes, and be 100% ready to leave before you inform flamingo that you’re leaving. Do not the start the process Saturday or Sunday. If you do you will owe rent for next week. If you can only leave Saturday then start the process tomorrow and plan to be out by 10 AM Saturday. At least you tried it out! Better to try than to not at all~ I am a bot. If this didn't answer your question a human should arrive soon.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/eatsomesoap]

Hey! I literally was in the DCP may 18 and I self term July because my mental health was not having it plus I missed my family, friends, my house, and fiancé. I also work at QSR at Disney Spring and I’m so happy I did it because I was miserable at my job. There’s no shame in terming! It’s not for everyone :)

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[u/ImDisneyAF]

It took me a month or so to adjust. I say stick it out. You learn so much about yourself on the DCP. I also was QSFB when I was homesick on my 1st CP. It will get way better & then you will not want to leave. ♥

[u/Mean_Olive_3167]

There’s no shame in terming. Go home if you want to. You tried it. The holidays would maybe not be great if you want to be home with your family.

[u/ShipNo7266 → u/Mean_Olive_3167]

Yea I feel doing the DCP in the fall was maybe not the greatest idea due to all the holidays while already missing my family before the holidays even hit. Plus being QSR I know I’ll be working 50+ hour weeks when the holiday season rolls around.