One of the biggest professional reasons that I wanted to do the DCP was get come down here and get trained by a top tier training company and to see what their system is like. And let me tell you, they take training very seriously. Before I even get to my on-the-job training, I have 3 orientation days to get through first.
Class: Welcome to Operations B
Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 7:30am - 11:30am
Location: Disney University
Class: Once Upon a Time…Is Now
Date: Sunday, February 1
Time: 7:15am - 15:45pm
Location: Magic Kingdom Utilidors
Class: Welcome to Food & Beverage
Date: Monday, February 2
Time: 12:00pm – 16:00pm
Location: Disney University
All these classes were listed on the paper I received at Traditions that a Cast Member reviewed with me. On the bottom of my paper, it details business and business casual attire, which are required for all classes, and also lists all additions information I would need to know including what to bring and that you should leave at least an hour of travel time for the bus routes.
What I Needed to Bring:
Nametage
WDW ID
Photo ID
Money or Lunch
My training schedule with this info
At least in my own mind, I got lucky and all my training days are back to back. A lot of other people are saying that they have one when I do on Saturday and then have to wait until Tuesday for another. That just means that it’ll take you longer to get to your actual job site for training and longer until you officially earn your ears. So I was pretty happy with my back-to-back schedule.
Welcome to Operations:
Deanna and I got lucky and had the same time for this class, though we weren’t in the same group ultimately, so we got to travel together. We had to walk over to Chatham to catch the bus and we left VERY early because we were set on being late. And it ended up being okay leaving early because we weren’t alone and Disney ended up just starting to sort us into our separate Operations groups as soon as we got to DU (Disney University). Now, Operations is probably the worst of all the classes in my opinion. It’s necessary, but in essence you will come to know this class as the class that taught you about your green zone and how to life a box. It totally sounds pointless, and in the moment it sucks, but if you apply what Disney teaches you, it can help you in the long run. So just go into your Operations class with an open mind.
This is also the class where you learn the infamous Disney Point. This has become a habit so quickly. Even at home when talking with my roommates, I still find myself using the Disney Point. It’s honestly contagious. Even the Disney Scoop, when it come to picking up trash and doing your part to keep the parks clean, and become second nature.
I ended up sitting with some of the girls I met in the café before we went up to our classroom, and it turns out that one of them is in my HR seminar series that I’m enrolled in. I’m so excited that I’ve finally met someone that has it the same time as I do so I won’t be going into it alone once it starts up.
Tips:
Try not to fall asleep because the information is relayed to ultimately help you.
Bring a drink and a snack.
Once Upon A Time…Is Now:
This class is a Magic Kingdom specific class. It started out with a tour of the Magic Kingdom for the first few hours of my shift. We started out in the Utilidors (which are a company secret) and then took a walking tour of the 6 lands. We got to enter the park from backstage before the park was opened and it was a completely new experience for me. I think Magic Kingdom before it opens in the early morning is not my favorite version of the Magic Kingdom. Since I was on the clock I couldn’t have my phone out so I don’t have any pictures to commemorate this breathtaking experience.
Our two tour guides explained what you’d find in each land and area of the park, told us some park stories and secrets, and WE ALSO GOT TO RIDE THE HAUNTED MANSION! I still haven’t gotten to ride it with the lights on, which is a cast behind the scenes perk, but it was still great.
After we were done our tour, I had my Restaurant Operations class and I learned how to memorize a menu, about the food and beverage industry within Disney in general, received my training schedule and reviewed it, saw a picture of my costume, and reviewed some last food and beverage rules and regulations.
Following class, we all headed to Costuming. For MK, Costuming is at the Westclock stop, on the same side as where the bus drops you off from the complexes. We all went in and since there were only two people, me and Tyler, assigned to Liberty Tree Tavern (the smallest costumed group) we got to go first. I would highly recommend trying to find your costume immediately upon getting into Costuming, especially if you have a big group being fitted, so you get a changing room and get out quickly or it could take a lonnnggggg time.
I can only speak for MK Costuming, but it is amazingly huge in this building. There's are rows upon rows of costumes, upon racks and draws of accessories, upon even more! It was slightly mind blowing when I first walked in because I had no idea what to expect initially. They show you where you drop off dirty costumes if you don't want to wash them yourself and then they split everyone up by location and CMs that work at Costuming help you find what you need. The lady that helped Tyler and I was impossible to understand first off, and second I don't she was understanding our confusion as to how to start picking sizes.
**Ladies, costuming sizes are not what you'd normally expect. You could normally wear a 2, but be taking home a shirt that is a size 18 from Disney. Just go with it. It is only a number.**
I honestly had no idea what number to start looking at. The lady helping me then instructed me to pick a size of my skirt and shirt and then pick two more complete outfits - one a size larger and one a size smaller - so I could take them all into the dressing room and find which was best. Despite the fact that Tyler and I had no idea what she was talking about, she knew the deal and got us out of the costuming isles and into dressing rooms very quickly. I of course ended up getting the stall that didn't have a light, so getting dressed was slightly difficult, aha! However, the first combination of sizes I tried on and walked out in for a costuming CM to inspect fit perfectly. (For the ladies that are wondering, my skirt size ended up being an 18 and my shirt size a 16.)
My facilitator then pointed me toward the jackets. Now, jackets are optional, but I did decide to get one. You can only take out one jacket, but you can take out up to 5 costume sets. There are exceptions to that number though. I believe, do not quote me on this one, that you can only take out 3 vests at a time for instance. After I picked out my jacket I still had time to run and grab a second, while most people in my group were only able to take out one set that first day. I clocked out and then had to check out all my costumes.
Checking out is my LEAST favorite part of costuming because it always takes forever for me. For some reason I can never get the machine to pick up all my articles of clothing. Luckily there's always a CM standing there that can help out.
Step 1) Scan your Disney ID.
Step 2) Make sure you're holding the costumes away form your body and that they're not mixed in with anything else you're holding.
Step 3) Make sure that you walk slow enough through the dector with the costumes so it can pick up each item, but don't wait too long to start to walk through because then you'll have to go back and scan your card again and start over.
Step 4) Check the screen on the other side of the detector or make sure that it picked up each and every item. If it didn't, swing the pile of costumes through the detector again until it picks them all up.
Step 5) Click done. The end!
What I got from Costuming today:
2x White bonnets
2x tops
2x skirts
2x white aprons
2x backwards neckerchief type-things
(Here ya go Mom...finally a full-body picture of my costume for you to rightfully laugh at!)
This overall had to have been my favorite day of training. It was by far the longest schedule, but the tour made it completely worthwhile.
Tip:
Try to arrive a little earlier if you want a whisper unit.
The whisper units don’t always work the greatest, but our group turned out to be so large that they had to dive us into two tour groups and that they ran out of whisper units. In that case, you just have to try to stay close to whoever is directing your tour.
Welcome to Food & Beverage:
This is my last class before I begin on-the-job training and it the class that focuses on my area of work: food and beverage. The facilitator goes through the different types of food and beverage service Disney offers, the hierarchy within the workplace, the Four Keys in regard to your area (The Four Keys is Disney’s decision-making model that the company thrives on. I may or may not dedicate a post to them later on.), and then ends with a very long and interactive online training videos and quizzes. These online components are pretty dry but legally necessary. They cover topics such as how to properly handle and store different types of foods; health and hygiene; food hazards; and general sanitation.
As a side note, when sitting in all these classes, specifically before they begin, everyone talks to the people around them. The conversation normally goes something like this:
What’s your name and where are you from?
What’s your role and where are you working?
Was that role one of your top choices?
Where are you living and was that your top housing choice?
Is this your first program?
So Nicole and I (Nicole is the girl that was sitting next to me that I previously met and drove to this class with) started going through this whole spiel with the girls in front of us. As soon as we got through the first two questions, I found out that Victoria (the girl that was sitting directly in front of me) is from Australia, although Disney wanted her to wear a Belgium nametag to be more diverse, and is working with me at Liberty Tree! As soon as I told her where I was working she got up and hugged me immediately! Spoiler alert: This became the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
Following this class, we were sent across the street to Costuming again to get our complimentary pair of shoes. I believe it is just Food & Beverage and Custodial Cast Members that are given their shoes.
**Supposedly, Food & Beverage CPs never have to buy shoes, even if the first pair wears out. You just need to take the original pair back to Costuming and they’ll switch them out. I have no experienced this first hand, but I did hear about it. However, I saw other CMs buying pairs of shoes at Costuming, but I do not know what their roles were and whether or not they were CPs.**
Personally, I would’ve rather got my costume and shoes all in one shot, but Disney thought otherwise. lol