I realized in my introductory post I didn't really speak of the interview process in detail, so I've decided to do that right now!
Disney did the interview process differently this year. In the past, Yummy Jobs did the interview process up until the face to face interviews. This year, Yummy Jobs wasn't involved at all. The only major difference was that we did not have to go through phone interviews, but face to face interviews were given based on resumes and cover letters.
I submitted my resume and cover letter application back in September 2013, I believe. I knew I wanted to do another International College Program since my last program in 2012 but I spent summer 2013 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I had the opportunity to be the Vice-President Communications for the Acadia Students' Union- a job I had my heart set on since first year of university and couldn't turn it down (and I am so happy I didn't turn it down!)
I found out I had a face to face interview for Disney in January 2014, I believe. I was very excited to get away to Toronto for a little vacation! I chose Toronto for my interview location because I was most familiar with Toronto, it fit the best with my schedule and my friend Alexandra from my 2012 program was going to be attending that interview!
I flew out early, early on a Monday morning. Let me tell you- I hate flying. I really, really do. This flight was a bit of a nightmare too because it was my first time flying Porter and we were scheduled to stop in Ottawa. All was good until we took off from Ottawa, destined for the Toronto Island airport. Around 15 minutes into that flight, they turned the plane around to go back to Ottawa. I was sitting next to a very lovely lady and she definitely calmed me down but I was freaking out! I just HAD to be in Toronto before the next day for this interview!!
The good news is that once we landed in Ottawa once again they said that the snow had passed through already and we were good to go to Toronto! And so we were!
I took a taxi from the island airport to the hotel. It was so nice to land in downtown Toronto and not have to worry about getting from Pearson to downtown. Alexandra and I booked a hotel room in the hotel our interviews would be in, which was very convenient!
After happily being reunited with Alexandra, we walked around Toronto- we hit up the Eaton Centre, and just walked around and around. Urban Outfitters was a highlight for me because we don't have those stores in Nova Scotia. We had dinner at Chipotle which was also nice because we don't have THOSE in Nova Scotia either.
I remember Alexandra and I being super excited for our interviews but also super curious- what would they ask? What roles did we want?
The next morning was a blur- the two of us ate breakfast and got ready for our interviews. The interviews always start with a presentation about working at Disney.. which is always super exciting. It made me want to drop everything and move to Florida right then and there! They talked about how the program is a living, learning and earning experience (and it really, really is.. maybe a little easy on the earning part though).
My interview was the very, very first of the day coincidentally. There were 3 interviewers- I had the gentleman interviewer, and the other two were ladies. He didn't ask me a whole lot of questions and it went super quick- we actually had a mutual friend so that was a neat connection.
And just like that it was over....
I had to wait for Alexandra to finish her interview and we basically just hung out around the hotel that day. I remember being super anxious and wishing my interview was longer- I wish I could've talked more. I was also stressed about missing school.
I flew out of Pearson that night and got into Halifax around midnight, and in my bed in Wolfville around 1am.
It was a whirlwind trip with a lot of emotions but it was exciting to be back in the Disney bubble and to see my good friend Alexandra again. It was also cool to get away and have a little trip to Toronto in the middle of the semester (becoming somewhat of a tradition with me).
It seemed like a LIFETIME waiting to hear the results of the interviews. The scariest thing happened- they sent the emails out in waves which was different than past years. Alexandra found out she was going to be a character attendant- an AMAZING role!! I was so happy for her but also so, so scared- why hadn't my email come?
My email ended up coming 24 hours later... 24 brutally long hours... and I was accepted into the program as an attractions cast member!
I was eating at Paddy's Pub with Coltan, Andrea, Matt, Ian and Darcy (some of my very favorite people) at the time which was really nice.
I am very excited to be working attractions. It was one of my top picks. As a Disney history buff, I am very hopeful to get one of the 1971 original rides or even a classic Epcot ride. I'm open to working in any park, really, because I've had the Magic Kingdom experience (although I'd love to have it again!). I'm also enamoured with Disney costumes- I love them! I want the most obnoxious costume! I might regret saying this later though...
My top picks for attractions to work would be:
1. Haunted Mansion
2. Peter Pan/It's a Small World
3. the new Little Mermaid ride in New Fantasyland
4. Journey into Imagination with Figment
5. Spaceship Earth
But like I said, I'd be happy anywhere! I can't WAIT to find out!
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