“I’d like you better if you were more like me…”
By Chris Bantham
I read a book a while back with that title; “I’d like you better if you were more like me.” It got me thinking, once again, about the expectations that an incoming CP brings with them on arrival day.
“I will live in the Magic Kingdom, within ‘the bubble,’ where my boss, a Mouse, is all about fun.”
It is perhaps illogical to believe that everyone entering the Disney College Program is ‘like-minded’ and shares a common love of ‘all things Disney.’ Finding two or more CP’s that have something, or perhaps everything, in common is not hard. What can be hard is when a CP comes to the realization that not every CP is like them. One quick lap around Flamingo Crossing and some chats with CP’s and anyone can quickly learn that CP’s come in every shape, size, color, and background, with varying levels of education and maturity, from different cultures, with unique values, lifestyles, interests, and expectations.
Introverts and Extroverts. Artists and Engineers. Gamers and Bookworms. Optimists and Pessimists. Republicans and Democrats, Far Left and Far Right. From Goth to Preppy. From Casey’s Corner Corndogs to Organic Vegan Herbal Salad. There will be those that want to synchronize their Apple Watch to Disney time and Procrastinators that have a plan to do that tomorrow. Those that point fingers and those that accept responsibility for their errors. Those that will pump the rumor mill and live on the gossip it spits out and those that have no time in their day for such things. Some will be laser-focused on their career goals and their plan to network their way to a Disney career and others just happy to wear their “I’m Just Here for the Snacks” shirt. There are Disney Vacation Club CP’s that are on their 100th visit and there are even CP’s that have never, ever set foot on Disney property. Are you sitting down? There may be CP’s that do not like Minnie Ears and will argue that a lightsaber is a sounder investment.
There is also a ‘difference’ that will surprise CP’s and parents alike. It’s not cultural. It is not about character or integrity. It is not about common interests or similar personalities. It is simply the year you were born. There is no age limit for being in College and ANYONE 18 and over can participate in the Disney College Program. While it might be a safe bet to say that the majority of CP’s are in the 18-25 range, there are some CP’s in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and even older. Perhaps their own kids are adults, the nest is empty, they’ve started a new chapter that includes college and now it even includes a chance to be part of the Disney College Program – the same program and opportunity as your kidult. (Kid+Adult=Kidult)
We would be naive to think that CP’s don’t encounter discrimination. They do. Whether sexual orientation, religion, culture, ability/disability, dress/appearance, and a long list of other choices, traits, or beliefs. Those that are not what you may believe to be “typical college-age” face discrimination as well. They can be greeted with an “Uhh, what are you doing here, this is for college kids?” attitude.
In the Disney Traditions class, CP’s will learn about “the Five Keys”. They will learn that at the opening of Disneyland in 1955 Walt said, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” And that in December of 2019 the fifth Key of Inclusion was added.
I heard recently about a participant who left the DCP soon after arriving. They had been paired with a roommate that was ‘significantly older.’ The Mom expressed that, ‘this was not the Disney experience we expected,” and added sentiments along the lines of, “Disney needs to do better.” It is unfortunate for anyone who gets so far and then allows one difference — a difference they were not expecting — to ruin their experience.
In reality, the Disney College Program is not Summer Camp and Flamingo Crossings is an apartment complex and not a college dorm. If a student is considering, applying for, or accepted into the College Program they need to have the maturity to understand that Disney is serious about “to all who come…welcome.”
Learning to live in community and to work with folks that are not like you can be challenging. It can require patience, effort, and understanding. A dose of humility, the ability to offer or accept an apology, extend grace, or forgive & forget may also come in handy.
Accepting those that are not like us or those that we disagree with is one of those things that an incoming CP is often quick to say, “Oh, I can do that” but then they are faced with the reality of “meet your new roommate”.
From Preschool through High School and College, and all the way to the Retirement Home, we can sometimes be guilty of letting our differences become an obstacle to creating connections and friendships.
The Disney College Program is an excellent time to learn that “Connectedness” does not have to be based on similarities. Learning to work with, live with, and connect with others, even if you come from two different worlds, is often an unintended outcome of the Disney College Program.