How to Ace the Disney College Program Interview Questions

If you’re interested in working in the DCP — the Disney College Program — one of the first steps you should take after applying is practicing Disney College Program interview questions. It’s a great way to prepare for one of the most rigorous interview processes out there. 

We’ll explain everything you need to know, from what the program actually is and what it includes, to Disney College Program interview questions and how to answer them. 

What’s the Disney College Program (DCP)?

The Disney College Program — also referred to as the DCP — is an internship program targeted toward college students at either the Disneyland Resort in California or the Disney World Resort in Florida. 

Usually, the program lasts for a semester, but participants can choose to work through the Disney College Program for a full year. 

Students who take part in Disney’s college program also get benefits such as:

• Transportation
• Housing
• Discounts on Disney services and products

It’s a popular choice for university students looking for a program as you’re able to work for one of the biggest, most history entertainment companies in the industry. Not only that, but you get the transferable skills and work experience that comes with it. You’ll also be able to meet, connect, and network with other employees at Disney.

Disney College Program requirements

Your major, and the college or university you attend doesn’t matter. The main requirements are that applicants need a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and need to be at least 18 years old. 

Examples of Disney College Program roles

There are quite a few Disney College Program roles available for applicants. Some of the most common areas DCP participants can work in include: 

• Lodging
• Operations
• Entertainment
• Food and beverage
• Retail
• Recreation

What’s the Disney College Program acceptance rate?

The Disney College Program acceptance rate lies somewhere around 20%. So, typically, for every 100 applicants, only 20 are accepted. 

However, this isn’t a fast and hard number; the acceptance rate can change based on the year, the semester, the number of roles available, and the number of candidates who apply.  

Disney College Program application

To be accepted into the DCP, students must complete a Disney College Program application, which can be found on the company website. Potential candidates can usually apply from January to July. 

The application includes things like:

• Questions about your work experience and academic background (including any extracurricular activities you participate in)
• A personal statement to show why they’re interested and what they can offer Disney
• A resumé
• A transcript
• And occasionally, depending on the role, a portfolio of their work or a video audition

After a Disney College Program application is submitted, Disney recruiters will review it and select certain applicants for interviews. Disney will then contact said applicants and invite them to either an in-person or phone interview. 

Once the interview process is complete, selected candidates will get an acceptance letter in the mail from Disney with info about the position, housing assignments, and program length. 

Disney College Program housing

A great benefit to participating in the DCP is the Disney College Program housing. Participants in the program get access to free housing during their time in the program. The Disney College Program housing is located close to the Walt Disney World Resort in Flamingo Crossings Village. 

There are both townhouses and apartments, and usually, multiple students share the housing. Each apartment and townhouse offers lots of space and include living and dining areas, a full kitchen, bedrooms with private bathrooms, and amenities like fitness centers, laundry rooms, and swimming pools.

What’s the Disney College Program pay?

On average, the starting pay for the Disney College Program is $16 per hour. The previous starting pay was around $14 per hour, so this is a pretty significant increase. The pay is competitive with other internship programs.

In addition to this, students also have the opportunity to earn extra pay through bonuses and tips. 

Disney College Program auditions

For people interested in a performing role during their time at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, Disney College Program auditions are the ticket in. 

Students interested in a performance role — including roles like dancers, musicians, character performers, and singers — will be invited to audition in person as long as their application is accepted. The auditions have typically been held in major U.S. cities. 

During Disney College Program auditions, students may be asked to do various tasks, such as:

• Dancing
• Reading a monologue or scenes from a script
• Singing
• Acting
• Answering questions about why they’re interested in the program or about their overall experience

Disney College Program auditions are very competitive. 

Disney College Program classes

One of the most interesting benefits to the DPC is the Disney College Program classes. These are an aspect of the students’ training program that are meant to give students information about Disney, including its dedication to customers and guests, and its culture. Students also learn about things like conflict resolution, safety procedures, and employee relations during these classes. 

Disney employees teach the Disney College Program Classes, and students can learn about topics like: 

• Disney culture and history
• Customer service standards at Disney
• Professional and personal development
• Training specific to their role

How to Prep for Disney College Program Interview Questions

Preparing for the Disney College Program interview questions is imperative to your success as a potential candidate for the program. 

To best prepare for the interview, here are five ways to prepare to answer Disney College Program interview questions.

1. Start by researching your specific role and responsibilities (and the Disney College Program). 

Some people skip this step as they figure they already know what role they’re applying for. Even so, doing a little research on the program and the role you applied for should be your first step. Doing so will help you get a better idea of what the DCP is and what you’ll be expected to do if you get the job. 

To learn more about the Disney College Program, check out Disney’s website. You can also hear directly from past DCP program participants by reading the articles and blogs on the site. 

In addition, you can get a better idea of the specific position you’re interviewing for not just by reviewing the job description, but also by taking a look at some of the available videos of Disney employees with that position. That way, you can see what you’d be doing, what the position entails, and even what qualities or skills the interviewer might be looking for. 

2. Practice answering some common Disney College Program interview questions.

Though it can be overwhelming to think of all the Disney College Program interview questions you might be hit with, practicing can alleviate some of that stress. 

For example, check out an online interview simulation like Yoodli. Yoodli is an AI communication coach that can give you actionable tips to improve based on your personal speaking data and metrics. That way, the suggestions are individualized to you specifically, so you can skip all the guesswork and go directly to improving your interview skills. 

To start, download Yoodli’s desktop app right to your computer and explore all it has to offer. For specifics, check out the below explainer video highlighting some of Yoodli’s perks: 

One of the main reasons it’s so helpful to practice via Yoodli is because it presents a realistic interview using generative AI technology. You can choose which questions you’ll be asked from Yoodli’s question bank and create a few of your own to practice too (like Disney College Program interview questions).

You can personalize the interview even further by choosing the type of interviewer you’d like the simulation to emulate, such as: 

• Friendly
• Professional
• Behavioral
• Stress
• Technical

Using your responses to the Disney College Program interview questions and the resulting data, Yoodli will give you suggestions for improvement. For example, if you tend to use lots of filler words, Yoodli might recommend you use a few natural pauses and slow your speaking pace.

For those in need of practice — especially for specific queries like the Disney College Program interview questions — Yoodli is the best tool for you. 

3. Dress professionally and appropriately for your interview.

Of course, whether the interview is in person or online, dress professionally and appropriately for the interview. By dressing professionally, the recruiter or interviewer can see you’re serious about the DCP and the role you’re interviewing for. It shows you’re taking the process seriously. 

A safe bet would be business casual attire. This could include outfits like a button-down shire, a blouse, slacks, or a skirt.

4. Focus on your attitude and enthusiasm.

At Disney, your attitude and enthusiasm is more important than you might think.

Because Disney is looking specifically for people who genuinely want to be part of the corporation and program, be openly positive and enthusiastic. The DCP is looking for someone who’s adept at and passionate about customer service especially. 

While you’re answering Disney College Program interview questions, show whoever’s interviewing you that you’re excited, enthusiastic, and thrilled to be interviewing for the position and program. Be eager to learn and absorb information about both Disney and the role.

5. Prepare for the follow-up, including follow-up questions. 

At the end of the interview, there will usually be time for you to get more information. Be prepared to ask some interview questions for interviewers. 

These can be queries like: 

• What’s the work culture like at Disney and in the DCP?
• What is Disney doing to show its commitment to DEIB?
• What are the most significant obstacles a person in this role could face?
• What are the next steps in the DCP interview process?
• Do you have any other questions for me?

You might also consider sending a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for their time and emphasizing that you’re available for follow-up questions if they need any information from you. 

11 Most Common Disney College Program Interview Questions

It’s clear that not every interview at Disney is the same. However, sometimes the questions asked in interviews can be somewhat similar, depending on the role.

Here are the most common Disney College Program interview questions to practice answering:

• Tell me what you know about the Disney College Program? 
• Why are you interested in this role in the DCP?
• As an employee, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Would you be willing to relocate to Florida for this program?
• Would you be comfortable working in an outdoor environment in Florida, where the humidity and heat could be a factor?
• What can you offer the Disney College Program and the Disney company in particular?
• Can you give me an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a guest or customer?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult manager or coworker.
• How would you handle a scenario where a guest is angry or upset?
• Are you comfortable working during weekends and holidays?
• Why do you want to work for Disney in particular?

How to Answer Disney College Program Interview Questions

When answering Disney College Program interview questions, you could feel overwhelmed. After all, there’s a lot to remember and discuss. 

Here are three critical tips for how to answer Disney College Program interview questions. 

1. Be enthusiastic and have a positive attitude. 

As mentioned above, your attitude is half the battle. Disney won’t hire a candidate who’s negative, pessimistic, cynical, or not genuine about wanting to help guests and customers. As such, make sure you keep your attitude in check and be as positive and enthusiastic as you can. Having a good executive presence helps, too.

2. Give specific examples to best answer Disney College Program interview questions.

When you’re answering Disney College Program interview questions, one thing the interviewer is looking for is specificity. For example, if the interviewer asks about your strengths, don’t just say “I’m a good communicator.” Expand on that by providing examples of how you’re adept at communicating and how that skill is one of your best. 

3. Relate those specific examples back to the role’s responsibilities. 

It’s also important to explicitly connect the examples you use to show your experience and skills back to the job description. So, for example, if the position’s responsibilities include helping guests around the park, you might discuss your customer service experience at your previous job and how that in particular will inform your work in the Disney College Program. 

The Key Takeaway 

The DCP is an amazing, exciting opportunity for college students. But before you can get there, you need to excel at answering the Disney College Program interview questions asked in your interview.

Yoodli’s interview flow should be a great asset in helping you prepare for your interview. You’ll be able to boost your self-confidence and your chances of scoring a position with Disney with a few hours of dedicated practice.

Sources

• The Best Schools: “Disney College Programs.”
• Monroe Community College: “Disney Program Frequently Asked Questions.”
• Disney Program Support: “Applying.”
• Life at Disney: “Disney College Program Character Performer Audition Opportunities.”
• American Campus Communities: “Flamingo Crossings Village | Disney College Program Housing.”