Disney College Program Interview Questions & Answers

Here is my Disney College Program Interview Cheat sheet. I was asked about 90% of the questions on this sheet except for the Merchandise questions. So, this was a solid interview cheat sheet for me.

I put this in a Word document, edited it to fit my needs, and printed the sheet out on the day of my Interview. The "Tips for Interview" part was for me personally. LOL! Most of these were my personal thoughts and answers. Majority of it came out very different that what I typed.

My interviewer was extremely nice and bubbly. The interview was 20 minutes long and she called 5 minutes before my schedule time. She spoke really fast, but at the same time, I didn't feel rushed. 

Many people ask, "When do I request a location?". Well, at the end of every interview, the recruiter asks, "Do you have any questions for me?". That is YOUR moment!!!!! I don't know why there is so much confusion about when to ask! LOL!

Disney Questions

Recruiter’s Name: ______________________________

TIPS FOR THE INTERVIEW:

* SMILE!! * TALK SLOWLY & CLEARLY * BE ENTHUSIASTIC * BE HAPPY

* DON'T SAY -  “UM” just pause - “LIKE” use for example - “Yeah” – yes or absolutely

NOTES : 
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Program Questions

• Why do you want to do the Walt Disney World College Program?
  • No one can really answer this for you. Even though, I typed up the somewhat generic answer below to help arrange my thought, I ended up speaking from the heart. 
  • My answer came out 10 times better, than what's on this cheat sheet because I was honest and really wanted my recruiter to know how I truly feel about the program. My recruiter ended up loving my honest and heartfelt answer!!
  • My Generic Answer: Ever since I completed my last program, Disney has remained strong on my resume and I have been offered many opportunities because of the DCP. Being a part of the DCP, taught me independence and responsibility. I want truly want to experience this amazing opportunity again. I enjoyed meeting new people and improving my work skills, so to sum it up . . . I honestly miss Disney!
• What are you most looking forward to?
  • I looking forward to the opportunity to create memorable experiences for guest and working with cast members from all over the world. Living in Florida, the warm weather, and roommates.
• What does Disney mean to you?
  • When I hear the word Disney I think of magic, family and happily ever after. To me Disney means making guests dreams come true.
• What can you offer the company?
  • I can offer a positive attitude, hard-work and honesty. I can help keep the magic going throughout the parks and resorts. Be professional and a team player towards my fellow cast members.
• What would you look for in a CP applicant? Good candidate for the Program?
  • A good CP would be an individual who is responsible, has a strong work ethic and can maintain professionalism while working well with others.
• How will the college program help you professionally?
  • The college program will help me ___________________________________________. Mention your future plans, skills you will gain, connections that will be made, etc.
• Are you willing to maintain the Disney look?
  • Answer Yes or No
• Have you ever been to Disney World/Disneyland? Did you like it and why?
  • Answer Yes or No.

Work Related

• Do you mind working outside in the Florida heat or inside in cold air conditioning?
  • No, I do not mind. 
• Would you rather work independently or in a group setting? A slow or fast-paced environment?
  • I wouldn’t mind either situation because I consider myself a diverse individual and I adapt well to any situation.
• How would you handle an emergency?
  • In emergency, I would stay calm, abscess the situations and look for potential dangers and evacuate guest to a safe place. I would then get further instructions from my coordinators and/or managers.
• How would you handle a guest who doesn’t speak English but clearly needs help?
  • If a guest did not speak English, I would ask another cast member or direct to guest services (if available or close by) to translate . If no one speaks the language (this has happened to me at All Star) then I would use pictures or items to describe what they wanted or needed.
• Do you mind working mornings, evenings, late nights, weekends, and holidays?
  • I do not mind.
• How would your coworkers describe you in 3 words?
  • My co-workers would describe me as ________________________________.
• How would you interact with guest? Make a guest’s day?
  • To interact with guest, I would address children as princess, pirates, and cowboys’ or address them by the theme of my location or attraction. I would also speak with anyone who has a pin for example “Happy Birthday!”, or “what are you celebrating?” or “how is your first day in the park?” I would also do water mickeys if in custodial, pin trading for merchandise, suggest magical poses in character attendant, stickers in attractions. I would also do hula hoop, trivia, balloons, games, and other activities based on my role and location.
• At which park or resort would you prefer to work? (Tip: take a look at the location’s hours, attractions, restaurants, shops, etc. before you make your selection.)
  • My preference is 

Roles Related Questions

• What are your top 3 to 5 roles?
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• What are your past job experiences and how do they relate to the roles you chose?
  • If you're asked this question, list each role, the experience, and the reasons you chose this role. Even after answering this question, you may be asked more questions "AGAIN" about each role.

Character Attendant

• Why Character Attendant?
  • I understand what it means to keep character integrity and create magic. I have no problem answering questions all day. I would love sharing information about the parks and the best times to meet characters.
• How is _____________ in two parks at once?
  • They use tinker bells pixie dust to move between parks.
• Why can’t characters talk?
  • They must save their voice for the show!!
• What would you do if a child being rough with the character?
  • I would get the character a safe distance away from the child then ask the child nicely to think about the characters feelings and tell them it makes them sad. Maybe have my character make a sad face or motions so the child can understand it hurts them. Explain that they want to be friends. I would also ask the parents to step in and help create and keep the magic. *Call security as last resort
• What does character integrity mean to you?
  • Character integrity means preserving the magic. There is only one Mickey Mouse, saying things such as he doesn't go to the bathroom, but he is going to get have lunch with Minnie or Buzz needs some batteries. Also, when outside of work or off the clock it’s important to say you’re friends with “Mulan” or “Goofy”.
• What would you do if a child was afraid of a character?
  • Be creative with this answer. Mention characters and something funny.
• What would you tell guests if you had to turn them away because a line was closed for the day?
  • I would apologize and give them the next time and location that this particular character will be available and also inform them of any characters in the park at this very moment and the location of these characters. I would also recommend some good times to see their favorite character.

Attractions

• How do you feel speaking in front of large groups?
  • Use school presentations for projects,any church or club functions, drama clubs or classes, public speaking classes . . . use anything.
• What would you do if a 4 year old girl wanted to ride Space Mountain but she was too short?
  • If a child is too short to ride, I would apologize and tell them they are a little too short to ride this ride but I can show them some awesome rides in the park that are just as cool. I would then ask the parents for their map and then mark or show them all the attractions the child can get on. I would then give the children stickers or something cool to make them feel better and encourage them to return when their taller.
• If you were doing a task that was repetitive (spiels), how would you keep yourself interested in it?
  • I would find ways to get guest excited. I would say my spiels in as many exciting voices or tones as I can. I would find little games like “who can be the loudest” or “who can find a hidden mickey”. I would move around a little bit or wave to guest about to take off on a ride.

Merchandise

• If a package of chips comes at $1.50 each, and a guest wants 3, and gives you $10, how much change do you give back?
  • I would give $5.50.
• What would you do if someone wanted an item, and the shop was out of it?
  • I would apologize for not having the items in stock. I would call down to the stockroom and ask them if the items are available . . . if so I would have them send it up. If it’s not available, I can tell them where to find it or possibly have it ordered to their room or reserved. But an effort will definitely made to find their requested item.
• What would you do if a guest wanted a specific item that you did not carry anywhere in your park?
  • I would tell them what park has the items or refer them to Downtown Disney ‘s, World of Disney store, since they have many of the same items and it’s on of the biggest Disney merchandise stores. Also, ask check if it’s online. Maybe offer to reserve or order the item.
• You will have to be able to pin trade with customers, will you be comfortable with children touching your lanyard and asking to trade?
  • Yes. I want the guest to have the most memorable experiences.
• If your phone is ringing, you are checking a person out, and someone in the store needs help with an item… what do you do first, second, and last?
  • Answer the phone and ask them to hold, apologize to checkout customer and then answers the customer question.

Custodial

• Have you ever had experience cleaning?
  • Use any previous experience. 
• Are you allergic to any chemicals, cleaning supplies, or latex?
  • Answer, yes or no.
• Can you handle talking to multiple people and multi-tasking?
  • Use past experiences. 
• Can you handle working outside for up to 8 hours a day?
  • Use past examples

Questions for the Interviewer

• Yes, can I request a park location at this time.
• Have you done the DCP before? How did you like it? Where did you work?
• Tell me about your Disney Career?
• Do you have any magical moments or experiences?
• How do non-credit classes work with the DCP? The most classes? How does it work with my work schedule? Recommended? Did you take any Disney Classes?
• What kind of qualities does Disney look for in future CPs?
• Can you explain the Disney Look?
• Glasses black frame fine as well as transition lenses?
• When will I hear back about if I am accepted or not?

Be prepared to answers question, such as:

• Tell me about a time you were a team player?
• Name a time when you went out of you're way for a guest or made guest feel special?
• How would you handle an emergency?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle an emergency? (I had this one!!)
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult guest, co-worker or manager?
• Name something you didn't like about your past jobs?
• What are your weaknesses and strengthens?

The recruiter may ask, say, or word questions like this after you tell them about your past experiences:

For example, my interviewer noticed on my application, I went to China. She asked me, “While you were in China, how did you communicate with people?”. Instead of asking me, “How would you handle a guest that couldn't speak English?”.

My interviewer even asked me some questions twice but worded differently. Also, I may have answered a question early on in the interview, but the Interviewer will ask the questions anyway.

For example, when she asked me to list my top 3 roles and why I chose those roles, I mention Character Attendant and said I talked about my knowledge of Character Integrity.

Later on, while asking role specific questions, for Character Attendant, she asked me, “What does Character Integrity mean to you?”. This happened more than once during my interview.