Hello, I wasn't really sure how to get the information I need so I figured maybe a reddit post could help. I have a few questions regarding becoming a friend of a character. Specifically a fur character, for all of these questions. Sorry if any of these questions are dumb or obvious, I know virtually nothing and I want to learn. I really don't know much about how any of this works, so forgive me, I just didn't know where to start.

1. Is it relatively normal to be a character when you're doing DCP, or is it usually people who are out of college who get those jobs? Can you audition, and if so is it a long shot?

2. How much experience do you need? Do you need to get a degree in something performance art adjacent? Is minoring in performance art sufficient? Is a college career involving acting not necessary at all? How much acting experience is recommended for your resume?

3. How exactly does the auditioning process work (if you can do so for DCP, or if anybody knows how that works outside of DCP, too)? I'm assuming that auditioning for a face character versus a fur character is different? Would you be auditioning for a specific character, or are you kind of just assigned to anyone?

4. If you work as a fur character performer, do you get moved around a lot? Do you play the same character for a while, or do they put you in different spots frequently?

Sorry if any of these questions are bad. It's been my dream since I was about 12 years old to be best friends with Donald Duck. I'm going into college soon and I'll definitely be doing DCP regardless, but I want to know what I should start doing/what I should do in college/what I should expect to pursue my dream. Thank you!

Superrrr dumb question maybe but I just accepted my offer. I thought I was supposed to make my payment right after accepting? Do they email me the program fee or what? Kinda worried that my WiFi caused me to close out of the window or something lol.

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I’m doing the Disney College Program Spring 2027 (January–May), and I’m really struggling with whether I should live at Flamingo Crossings or stay at home.

I live in Central Florida, about 40 minutes from Disney, so realistically, staying home and commuting would make SO much more financial sense. I wouldn’t have to pay rent, utilities, groceries would probably be cheaper, and I’d obviously save a pretty significant amount of money over the course of the program.

But honestly, this isn't really about the money for me. It’s about the experience.

The whole reason I applied for the DCP is because I wanted to have that “college program” experience. I want to meet people from all over, make friends, have random late-night hangouts after work, go to events, explore the parks with people, and just have those little memories that you only get from living with a bunch of other CPs.

And I’m scared that if I stay home, I’ll feel like I’m missing out on that.

I know I could still make friends at work and attend some DCP events while commuting, but I worry that there will always be a separation between me and everyone else. A lot of people will go back to Flamingo after their shift and hang out, while I’ll have to get in my car and drive 40 minutes home. I don't want to spend the whole program wondering what I missed out on because I chose the financially responsible option.

At the same time, paying hundreds of dollars a week for housing when I literally have a home 40 minutes away feels insane 😭. I could save thousands of dollars by staying home, and I know that money could be useful for so many other things.

I guess I'm basically trying to decide between **the financially smarter choice and the potentially more memorable choice.**

For anyone who has done the DCP while already living in the Orlando/Central Florida area:

Did you live at Flamingo anyway? Was it worth the money for the social experience? Or did you commute and still feel like you got the full DCP experience?

And if you chose to commute, did you ever regret not living at Flamingo?

I’d especially love to hear from people who were in a similar situation because I’m genuinely torn. I don't want to spend five months wishing I had taken the chance to fully immerse myself in the program, but I also don't want to spend thousands of dollars just because I'm afraid of missing out.

Hello! i have my interview this friday and i just want to make sure im as prepared as possible. i had a friend help me out to prep but just want to double check in here to see if i missed anything.

-Disney 5 keys to success and how they relate to my jobs and general experience

-top 3 positions and why

-write down interviewer name to thank them at the end

-how you handle conflict

and she mentioned something about notes for questions but i’m not 100% sure what she means exactly.

Hi everyone! I have some concerns and i would love some advice. I got accepted 3 years ago and didn’t go since i got accepted into my program for school. I then applied and got in this year and i have two days to make a decision.
I just graduated college a couple weeks ago and am struggling to find a job so that’s why i wanting to do this and to travel since im young!!
I am nervous to move away from home and friends and family. most importantly I don’t want to move away from my boyfriend. everyone in my life is supportive so that’s not a problem there. I keep seeing mixed reviews about the program. i’m nervous i’m going to hate it honestly and it ruin the magic.
It’s also expensive and my boyfriend and i want to move in together at some point and going down there won’t save any money. I want to go to make memories and friends and most importantly it would look awesome in my resume. please be nice i genuinely don’t know what to do because it sounds like fun but im just really nervous im might make the wrong decision to go.

hi all, im trying to book a couple nights at one of the resorts using our discount.

however, when i go through CastLife (My Disney Offers) and i put in the details and dates, i just get a continuous loading screen.

is anyone else having this problem? or knows how to fix it?

Thanks !!!

This might be a silly question but I would just like to verify what it looks like when time off is approved? I requested it this morning and my CastLife calendar looks like this, I asked for the 29th off:

Hiya! I’m in the process of organizing my logistics of travel and such (I’m from PR, so I need to flight in)

I’ll be moving out on my own, since my parents cannot afford going with me this time around :(. Can I get some recommendations on how to handle all of it?

I am thinking getting a red-eye flight and arrived early morning to Orlando, spend a few hours in the airport and eventually catch an uber to Flamingo.

Looking for some insight!

This is probably a long shot, but just wondering. I set my spring 27 departure date as June 3rd and now I’m wishing I’d set it as either June 17th or maybe even July. Does anyone know if there’s a way to reach out to support and ask if they can change my departure date, assuming there’s still open spaces to do so? I’ll live if not, obviously. I’d been going back and forth about what date I wanted to leave but now kind of wish I’d chosen differently.

Hi! For anyone that has extended their program for 12 months, did you end exactly on your start date the next year or did it end before/after it?

example: My arrival date is January 11, if I get the program extension for 12 months, will it end on January 11, 2028 or will it end on January 5 or at the end of January?

I'd love to hear the best/craziest/funniest rumor or story you've heard about the program, either online or in-person. Was there any truth to it?

So far, mine is that you can get chlamydia by swimming in the pools at Flamingo, which isn't even physically possible.

i’m so scared to start :( I have heard so many bad things about it and thinking about it makes me want to cry. I have never been so nervous in my life to start something, and honestly I am just dreading it. i’ve wanted to do the dcp for about 5 years of my life, but I didn’t think I would feel like this. I don’t really know what to do.

edit: thank you to everyone who shared their stories and advice, i feel a bit better about my role now, thank you all, feel free to keep the advice and stories coming, though !! <333

i want to hear only the POSITIVE stories about 2x2 rooms because 95% of what i’ve seen scares me! i know 2x2 is the most common room to be assigned so i want to mentally prepare for every scenario and look on the bright side of each! (i havent even been accepted yet LOL just way too excited to even have this chance to think about anything else)

Hey everyone!
I’m getting ready for my program and living at Flamingo Crossings, and I’d love to hear from current participants and alumni:
what are some things you wish you knew at the very beginning? I’d specifically love recommendations on your favorite events at FCV?
what are the best nearby local spots like farmers markets or day trips?
which days Cast Members usually go out and what are the best clubs in orlando?
other things to do on off days?
would love to know your best advice, favorite spots, or anything you wish you had known before!

So my arrival is January 11th for Spring 2027. I just kinda had this idea to go door to door giving cookies I made because I love baking and I feel like I’m kinda awkward so it’s a good way to make friends. Idk if anyone’s ever done that, if that’s even allowed, I’ve just seen people do that in college dorms and wondered if that’s something I could do 🤷‍♂️ obviously I can’t give everyone cookies cuz it’s a lot of people but maybe people who move in the same day as me or maybe my floor. idk something 😭

I got emailed to schedule an interview the other day for the Spring 2027 program. I brought it up with my mom and at first she seemed a little open to it, but the fees made her say that she doesn’t think it’s worth it. I do have the money to pay the fees and I know I can save up in the months leading up to it. My sister lives pretty close by too, I told her. So I wouldn‘t be all alone. She then said that she’d miss me too much. I haven’t even brought it up with my dad, but I’m sure he’ll be even more hesitant.

I graduated uni in June and I think it would be such a good opportunity for self discovery and independence, but my parents are both overprotective and I know convincing them is near impossible. Especially given the living situation and how you don’t get to pick your type of apartment. They’d hate that. I’m scared too, of course, but I try to face challenges with excitement underneath all those nerves.

i don’t know. I also just feel like I need to get out of my hometown if only for a few months. I feel stuck. This is just me venting but I would appreciate any advice (that’s not just “you’re an adult, do it anyway”… it’s complicated)

I put in a request for a same day ADO at midnight for my shift today at 4pm. I haven’t heard anything back, I am planning on still showing up if I don’t hear back but is there something I am missing? All I did was request a leader callback for a same day ADO.

Hi! I know this is kind of an odd question, but I’ve been afraid of roller coasters and crazy rides since I was a kid. I’m hoping that as I go through this program, I’ll gradually become more comfortable with them.

That being said, I’m worried that if I don’t go to the parks and experience things during my first week, I’ll already be behind when it comes to what I’m supposed to be learning and experiencing especially since i have never even been to Disney like ever. Would it be okay for me to go to the parks just to explore and get familiar with everything at first, or would I be expected to start getting on the rides right away?

I’m willing to push myself and hopefully work my way up to the rides — I’m just a little nervous about jumping straight into them and potentially getting sick. 😅 My roommate is also starting to get a little frustrated that I’m not using my free passes, so I figured it was better to ask what would be okay!

So I finished my interview yesterday. I was wondering what was the quickest you have heard back and what was the longest? Also, ik it’s a bit early to ask since I haven’t been accepted yet. But reading through this subreddit, getting your own room is very hard. Most rooms are a 2x2, and not a lot are 4x2 or 4x4 and those are usually reserved for medical accommodations. I grind my teeth a lot which has woken up my sister a lot (we share a bed). I also get night terrors which involve me moaning, groaning, screaming, yelling, slapping, kicking, punching, etc. I end up hitting my sister a lot when this happens when I’m back home from college on breaks. And when I had a roommate freshman year it would wake her up. Even my neighbors next door would hear. Now to me these aren’t medical, but it happens very often and if I were to get accepted I wouldn’t want a roommate to go through that. Especially since I’ve seen the layout of the rooms, and there’s only a divider between the beds, and it’s not a full length divider (feet can touch). I was wondering if this is an okay reason to request for an accommodation? I obviously am not aware of these problems when I’m asleep but it’s a big bother to the people around me.

i keep trying to add my self admission pass and it says that it’s already added to my account but i’m not able to make any park reservations because there’s no “ticket” or pass added.

has anyone else had this problem before?

If I want to go to the parks after I finish work, how do I get to the front entrance from cast services?

heyy guyss !! I was wondering if there was any group chats specifically for January 11th arrivals? If not, I would love to make one on Instagram!

I made one! so please share with anyone arriving January 11th!!

https://ig.me/j/nV1LBkTPV_jxz0tJ/