By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Heading off to Orlando, Florida or Anaheim, California for the DCP is the beginning of a dream come true for most participants. It may also be a little scary, especially for those who haven’t lived away from home or had a real job. You have some time between when you get your acceptance email to when you check in for your program to learn some valuable life skills that will help you succeed in the DCP and get the most out of it. By the time you start, you should know how to:

Get Along With Roommates: Many CPs describe their roommates as the highlight of their program while some say they were the worst part of it. No one will argue the fact that it’s not easy living in close quarters with as many as seven other people. You don’t have to become best friends with your roommates to make the most of this arrangement, but you do have to find a way to get along.

Start by having an open mind. Realize that not everyone does things or thinks the same way, so it’s essential that you know how to compromise. If you have a difference of opinion, find time to talk it out in person, perhaps set up a meeting for all apartment residents. Merely leaving notes around the apartment is not an effective way to resolve a problem.

Balance Your Budget: Living in, or almost in, a theme park can be expensive. While admission is free for CPs, there are still plenty of things on which to spend money—food, merchandise, and for those of age, alcoholic beverages. Not to mention, the other nearby attractions just begging for your dollars.

Unless you are independently wealthy, you will need to know how to balance your budget. Disney deducts rent from your weekly paycheck, as well as Federal taxes. If you are a resident of a state that has its own income tax, set aside money from your earnings so that you aren’t caught short when your taxes are due in April. Earning money as a CP also gives you the opportunity to build up some savings.

Prepare Meals: Speaking of balancing your budget, preparing meals in your apartment will help you save a lot of money. It is costly to eat out, especially in or near a resort area, like Orlando or Anaheim. Your health will also suffer if you dine out frequently. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to eat well. Salads, sandwiches, and pasta are all easy to prepare. DCP buses go to nearby supermarkets where you can stock up on groceries.

Take Feedback From Leaders: The people in charge of managing the CPs and other cast members are known as leaders. Their job is to make sure everything at a particular location runs smoothly. That often includes telling those they supervise how to improve their performances.
Take your leaders’ feedback seriously. You will not only learn how to do your role better at Disney World or Disneyland, but you will also be able to take what you learn and apply it to future jobs.

Speak Up for Yourself: One of the hardest parts of being an adult is speaking up for yourself. It is also one of the most satisfying things to be able to do. Since you know best what you need and want, you can be your greatest advocate.

There are many times during your program when this skill will come in handy. For example, if there is a problem in your apartment, let’s say palmetto bugs have taken over (no need to panic—it’s not so unusual in the warm South), you will have to request that housing send an exterminator to get rid of them. Things get busy, so you may have to ask more than once.

Listen Carefully: Avoid misunderstandings by paying close attention when others are speaking to you. Whether your leader is instructing you on how to perform a role-related task, a guest is asking a question, or your roommate is bringing up a concern, good listening skills are essential to making sure you understand what they are saying.

Keep Your Temper in Check: No matter how much you love your role, theree will come a time when a guest will get on your very last nerve. If it happens only once during your program, consider yourself very lucky. People are people, and there are some who aren’t very nice.

As much as you want to scream at a demanding guest, obviously you cannot. The next best thing: paste a smile on your face, and say have a nice day. Perhaps your kindness will rub off. This skill will also serve you well in other situations during your DCP, for example when a leader or roommate upsets you.

Manage Your Time: Living on your own means you will need to find time to do laundry, go grocery shopping, prepare meals, and, of course, socialize. Making friends with other CPs and your coworkers may be one of the best parts of the DCP.

How are you going to fit all those things into a busy work schedule? Knowing how to manage your time is an essential skill. Make sure you get it all figured out before your program begins or you may find yourself giving up the one thing you need most—sleep.

Make Small Talk: Some people are great at starting conversations with total strangers. Others find it challenging. The ability to make small talk will come in handy for the DCP, and for the rest of your life.

In most roles other than character performer, you will find yourself having to chat briefly with guests. No one expects you to have long meaningful conversations. You can ask them where they are from and if they’ve ever been to Disney World or Disneyland before. The weather is also a good topic.

Say “No:” There are times during your program when you will have to say “no” and not just in the situations you learned about in high school health. Although it could feel uncomfortable to refuse someone’s request, it is better than doing something you don’t want to do or worse, compromising your success in the DCP.

You may have to, for example, turn down an invitation for late night socializing when you have to be at work early the next day. Or you may have to refuse to give free park tickets to your old friend who has barely spoken to you since the day you graduated from middle school. It’s amazing how many people come out of the woodwork when they hear you work for Disney and think you may be able to get them in for free. You may also have to say “no” when a fellow CP asks you to switch shifts with them if doing so will make your life difficult. It’s nice to help out if you can though.

Remember, you will get out of the DCP what you put into it. Entering your program armed with these skills will increase your chances of having a fulfilling and productive experience.