The Disney College Program.
This program changed my life. Growing up, my family loved going to Disney, and we created so many wonderful memories there. In high school when I heard about the program (where I could LIVE in Orlando, Florida and get to create that same magic that had been created for me), I was over the moon, and I couldn’t wait to get to college so that I could apply.
Well, the time finally came…application day. As I filled out the application and hit submit, I held my breath and wished upon every star out there… and I waited… and waited. Three months of waiting was agonizing. Three months of seeing other people in the Facebook group moving through the rounds of interviews. Three months of waiting to hear on the last day that I was no longer in consideration.
I was disappointed to say the least, but I wasn’t going to let it get me down. I knew what I wanted. The DCP was my dream, so I brushed myself off and stood back up.
Next application season came around, and I applied again. This time I started receiving invitations for a second interview… and then a phone interview! This time was it. I knew it. My perseverance had paid off. After my phone interview (the last possible round), I started watch people get accepted on the Facebook group. With each week passing by, more people were accepted. With each minute passing by, I was refreshing my email. Then on the last day, I received that email once again. I was no longer in consideration.
Wow. I couldn’t believe it. I thought this was it.
“No. I’m not gonna let this stop me” I thought to myself, “People encounter trials and tests on their way to their dream. It usually doesn’t go the way they thought it would, just watch any Disney movie”.
Before I knew it, application season had once again arrived. As my friend Jessica and I sat on her dorm room floor jamming to Disney tunes, we opened the application, filled it out, and hit the submit button. This time seemed different. I felt it in my bones. I didn’t feel anxious or nervous, but excitement because I just knew I was moving to Orlando the following semester.
Interviews came more quickly this time. I had watched dozens of YouTube videos and read articles and took notes on how to prepare for these interviews. During the second wave of acceptances, I received an email that thought I was imagining (and immediately screenshotted): “Dear Macie, Congratulations! You have been selected…”.
Five months later, I moved into my apartment with five amazing roommates, and I was getting ready to start my first shift in merchandise on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Little did I know that I was going to be dancing every night to the firework show, making friends from all over the world, and creating memories that I’d never forget.
I went into college not knowing what I wanted to do. After a semester of GenEds, I decided that I loved people and storytelling, so I went with a Communication degree (because you can do anything with that, right?). The Disney College Program gave me direction and helped me narrow down what I wanted to do, but more importantly, it showed me where I wanted to do it.
You are going to hear “no” in your life. You will probably even hear it two or three times, but don’t let it stop you from following your dreams. When you hear “no”, use that opportunity to make the most of where you are, preparing yourself for your next chance. You will learn something from it. Surround yourself with positivity and know your time is coming. Don’t lose hope. Chase after your dreams with everything you have.
As Walt Disney once said, “The difference in winning and losing is most often not quitting.” Pursue your dreams with everything inside of you and don’t hold back.
Written by: Macie Delnay