Tricia's DCP Adventure

Tricia. 24. Film Major. Accepted for the Spring 2016 program at the Disneyland Resort! PhotoPass Photographer. Send me any questions you have about the application process or anything else you can think of to do with the college program and I will answer it as well as I can! Until Disneyland!

[triciadoesdcp]

I dunno if anyone still follows this blog or not, but I thought I would give a life update since today is 5 years since I was accepted to the DCP.

I ended up working at Disneyland as a PhotoPass photographer for almost 3 years. At the end of my time there, I was working in dining and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique most of the time. I still loved it, and I still miss it some days, but it was time to move on.

In the fall of 2017, I met someone through online dating that lived in Fullerton, not far from Anaheim. He was getting his master’s degree in paleontology, and we ended up spending  A LOT of time together at Disneyland. Eventually, we fell in love. After he graduated in May of 2018, he moved back to his hometown. We stayed long distance, but we couldn’t take that for long. In October of 2018, I left the Disney company to move in with him.

We stayed APs and visited Disneyland as much as we could after that. I have no regrets about when I left Disney or why. Even magic has a time for it to come to an end. I’m now happily working as a notary, something I never imagined for myself but actually brings me a lot of joy. In February 2020, I got married! We went to Disney World for our honeymoon, my first trip there ever. It was incredible.

We are expecting our first child in March 2021. I knew the DCP would change my life, but it changed it in so many unexpected ways. I wouldn’t have my husband or my baby without it, and for that (and for the memories) I am forever grateful.

Now I hope we can visit Disneyland again soon after all this craziness in the world calms down!

[triciadoesdcp]

tonight at work the castle was closed on us unexpectedly because there’s a wedding tonight after hours apparently so they didn’t have anywhere for a few of us to go. They decided to let us loose on the park and have a photo contest and it was so much fun and I won!

my life has felt pretty shitty lately, but man do I have an awesome job. And I’m reminded every day that I’m actually pretty good at it.

[triciadoesdcp]

Hi there! So now that you have continued on with Disney, are you living on your own/how are you paying for housing? If you don't mind me asking! I am applying to DCP Disneyland for the Fall but would love to stay in SoCal long term and am not sure if just a "Disney salary" will cut it! Thank you :)

Hey! So right now I’m living with my parents while paying off student loans, paying part of the rent, helping with expenses, etc. It’s tough but not impossible. I have a lot of friends who stayed on with Disney after the College Program and if you have enough roommates and take the time to really hunt for an apartment that is safe and nice enough without being too insanely expensive it can be done. Just make sure you find some reliable people to move in with so you know one of them isn’t going to flake out and leave you and your other roommates with the bill!

[triciadoesdcp]

It’s been exactly one year since I got this email and my life changed. That might sound stupid to some people. It’s just a job, after all. But this internship, and the fact that Disney kept me on afterwards, proved something to me. That I can make something of myself, that I didn’t have to be stuck for the rest of my life lamenting the fact that my mental illness stopped me from growing into a fully-functional adult. I have the best job in the world. How great is it that I’m told every morning before I go out “Okay, let’s go out there and make some magic.” I can do this. I can take care of myself and do a pretty damn good job of making other people happy at the same time.

Thank you, Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company. For everything.

[triciadoesdcp]

hey

hey do you guys

do you guys remember that time

when I got paid to hang out with Jack and Sally

and Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Woody and Buzz and Anna and Elsa and Belle and Merida

and how that shit was real and it’s still happening?

what is life, man?

[triciadoesdcp]

Have you just arrived at Disneyland for the DCP as a photographer?

I wanna meet you! I just finished my DCP in PhotoPass and have stayed on with the company. Reply to this post or shoot me a message, and let’s be friends!

[triciadoesdcp]

hey! i'm about to start my CP as a photopass photographer in 2 weeks (at WDW), and i'm so excited! i have a bunch of questions about the role i was wondering if i could ask you. first, what are your shifts normally like (how long, when did they start/end, did you get any breaks, etc)? also are you allowed to carry around a water bottle or anything when you're working outside? can you bring your own refillable one or does it have to be like a plastic one? thanks so much! :)

Hi there! Congratulations! Know that my answers to these questions will refer to my experience at Disneyland, and won’t necessarily be exactly the same at WDW.

Most shifts are 8 and a half hours long, which is considered a standard 8 hour day (with a 30 minute lunch). I was generally scheduled four days a week during my program, so a total of about 32 hours a week. Shifts, especially for PhotoPass, can start at any point in the day. You could open the park one day and then close it the next, it just depends on the luck of the draw. That’s what I think is fun about PhotoPass, though. You get to be in a different location every day and get to see the park from all angles at all possible times! You do get breaks. Law requires that you get two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch for a 7 hour day or longer. If you’re scheduled for less, you’ll get fewer breaks but you’ll always get at least one 15 minute.

I know in WDW, they have more relaxed rules about water. From my understanding, in WDW PhotoPass photographers are allowed to have water on them while they are on stage. I believe water bottles are provided, and I’m not sure about bringing your own. Anyone who works outside in Florida want to help me out with that one?

Congrats! Welcome to the Disney family!

[triciadoesdcp]

I was approved to stay on with Disney after my internship ends next week! More photography and adorable princesses and early mornings and magic to be had!

As everyone’s favorite Space Ranger says, to infinity and beyond!

[triciadoesdcp]

Fall 2016 DCP Participants!

I know your arrival day is soon! I’m just finishing up my college program at the Disneyland Resort as a PhotoPass Photographer, and I’m hoping to stay on as a regular cast member.

I know you guys are so excited and have so many questions. So send them to my ask box! I will answer everything I can! Also, I participated in the program at Disneyland, and I know there isn’t as much information out there about the west coast program, so make sure to ask me stuff if you’re coming out to California and have questions!

[triciadoesdcp]

Flashback to last September when I woke up to this in my email. Getting up every morning and going to work at Disneyland has become so second nature, but now the college program is almost over and there’s no guarantee that I will still have a job in three weeks’ time.

It’s good to remember that there was a time when I never would have grumbled at getting up at 6am to stand at the castle for 8 hours. To remember the butterflies in my stomach and shouting to my mom “I’M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!” I don’t want it to be over, and I hope I get to stay. But whether I do or I don’t, I want to remember how magical it really is to be here and how lucky I am. For the next three weeks, and hopefully beyond, I’m going to do my job like it’s my first day again. I owe myself that much.

[triciadoesdcp]

Hi! It has been my dream to apply to the DCP for 5 years and I'm finally applying for the spring advantage 2017 program!! however, I'm getting really nervous because I don't have any substantial job experience, especially not in customer service or entertainment related things. is job experience crucial for being accepted?

Nah. A lot of friends I’ve made here had next to no job experience before they were accepted for the program. I only know one or two people currently doing the program who have a background in entertainment, and not everyone is trying to get a career in entertainment in the future. More than anything, Disney is looking for a certain personality and ability to deal with certain situations. Job experience can help with that, but you can also draw on other experiences you have to answer their questions. Just think about times you helped people, and made them happy. Disney LOVES volunteer work so if you have any of that under your belt, really talk it up! Good luck!

[triciadoesdcp]

When you think the CDS is going to tell you it’s time for your bumpout but it gives you another assignment instead

[triciadoesdcp]

Today I got to ride the trolley with Chip and Dale, make some magic with Goofy, and hang out with my best friend Donald. (He's the real #1, obviously) So yeah this job is okay I guess.

[triciadoesdcp]

today a guest asked me “So, how does someone get that job at Disneyland?”

and I really want to thank that guest for reminding me that through the days that are rougher than others, I have a job I dreamed about. That thousands of others dream about, and there’s a reason for that. It’s pretty incredible, and I better never let the novelty wear off.

[triciadoesdcp]

Today, as we were walking along the Rivers of America, Dad said "You know, no matter what happens for the rest of our lives, we'll always have this year." I definitely feel that way. After growing up, going away to college, and finding my own way I haven't spent as much time with my parents. Since moving here, we spend at least a few days a week together hanging out at Disneyland where we get to be kids, but are also getting to know each other as adults and having the most amazing time. Thanks, Disney, for letting me be part of your family and for giving me the chance to remember what's so special about mine.

[triciadoesdcp]

Hey! I was wondering how much experience someone should have to be a photopass photographer. I'm in yearbook at school and take quite a lot of pictures and have some basic knowledge, but does Disney train you on their cameras?

Oh yes. If you know the basics about cameras, that’s all that’s really required. I’m a film student with very little still photography experience before I started working at Disneyland and they hired me into PhotoPass, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t try! Especially if you’re going the Disney College Program route. But either way, I say go for it. They do train you on the cameras and spend four days making sure you are comfortable. That’s not to say it’s not nerve wracking your first few shifts on your own, but you will learn quickly through training and experience what a good shot is and what a bad shot is. I have seen myself improve so much as a photographer in the three months I’ve been here and it’s honestly been such an amazing experience. So whenever someone asks “should I apply to PhotoPass?” my answer will always be yes! It never hurts to try!

[triciadoesdcp]

I stood in the middle of the Animation building, my favorite happy place of the entire resort, before opening this morning while all of my favorite songs happened to play. I decided my day hanging out with Olaf was going to be good, and it most definitely was.