A DCP Life for Me: Housing Events

Good news for you DCP although you are going to work a lot of hours, and probably dislike your job at some point in time -there are benefits. What are they you ask well quite a lot actually especially when it comes to housing events, but the ones I will cover here are the major ones.

*To be clear right off the bat guest cannot attend Starlit Splash or Winter Formal it is for CPs only (or PIs who pay the fee)

Graduation aka the Service Celebration ceremony is hosted every program no matter what session. It is hosted near the end of your program, and it is that realization that your time with Disney is coming to a close. It is much like the other parties hosted with free food, music, meet & greets, and a photo booth (some props provided).  This event is hosted at Chatham Square, and usually hosted two days (at two different times) although you can only attend one of those days.

Here are some things to remember:

• You do need to ask off for the graduation
• As of Spring 2015 you need to RSVP using DORMS to one of the service celebrations, so do not lose that information
• Graduation for your specific departure date is hosted twice, so if you cannot attend the first you might be able to attend the second
• You get a memory box, certificate, and graduation ears (they do not sell these ones in the parks)
• Not sure if they still do this but you used to be able to get a general embroidery done for free at the Chapeau on Main Street USA
• You can only attend one of the graduation ceremonies per program, and yes if you extend you get to attend graduation again
• The meet & greet offered is Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto also sometimes Donald and Daisy as well

Early in the first week of May Disney does something pretty amazing for its CPs, and open Typhoon Lagoon from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am for Starlit Splash. As the park is only open to CPs at the time good news is the waiting lines for anything are pretty much non-existent for everything. Yes, I also want to be 100% clear the entire water park is open for use not just a section. There is free food, music, meet & greets, water park fun, and Mickey Bars galore (seriously they were everywhere). As a note you also get a free t-shirt as well (although someone stole mine), and also they are limited so get there early I know not everyone gets one. Also I did mention meet & greets now to be clear they are not the same every year, but I know when I went we had: Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook, and Smee to name a few. They also end the night in true Disney fashion with dynamic fireworks display over Mount Mayday and Miss Tilly.

Here are some things to remember:

• Bring your Housing ID/Offsite ID you will need to to get into Typhoon Lagoon 
• They do not provide towels, so do not forget to bring one
• For anyone who does not know the water is heated (minus the shark reef obviously)
• Meet & Greets typically happen early, so if you want to meet them be there closer to the start of the event
• There is no alcohol at the event at all 
• Do not call out of work and show up to the event
• It is for College Program and International College Program participants only 
• Exception: If you are a PI who paid the fee to attend CP events

*As a note this is only happens in May, so if you do strictly Fall or your extension falls short of May you will not be able to attend 

**Yes you have to ask off for this as no one is guaranteed off, and for you lifeguard CPs at Typhoon & Blizzard I'm sorry you are more then likely working as well. I suggest ask when you find out the date (it will be posted on Disney Housing Twitter's site).

Early in the first week of December Disney does another pretty amazing CP event (won't I prefer Starlit Splash), and opens up a convention center to throw a Winter Formal. In the recent past they have chosen Coronado Springs Resort as their venue of choice, but may decide to change it if so Contemporary was the other venue they have used in the past as well (2013 I believe). Much like Starlit Splash there is free food, meet & greets, and music -although no fireworks for obvious reasons. It usually is a themed event I know ours was "In the Courtyard of Good and Evil" which had Prince and Princess Mickey, Hades, Jafar, Maleficent, Aurora, and the Evil Queen as meet and greets (fair warning for meet & greets you need to get their early or you will miss it).


Here are some things to know:

• Bring your Housing ID/Offsite ID as you will need it to get into the event
• There is no certain attire you have to wear to Winter Formal (although they do encourage you to dress up) you can go in pretty much whatever you want. 
• Note 90% of the girls at my event wore similar Forever 21 dresses
• There is no alcohol at the event 
• Meet & Greets typically happen early, so if you want to meet them be there closer to the start of the event
• Do not call out of work and show up to the event
• It is for College Program and International College Program participants only 
• Exception: If you are a PI who paid the fee to attend CP events

**Yes you have to ask off for this as no one is guaranteed off, so I suggest ask when you find out the date (it will be posted on Disney Housing Twitter's site).

It is a talent competition held only for Disney College Program and Disney International College Program participants. Auditions are typically held at The Commons Clubhouse prior to the event (obviously) you can sign-up in advance, or if they have time you can walk-in to audition as well. Also for those wondering it is held during both sessions of the College Program, so Fall & Spring participants will have a chance to attend.

Here are some things to know for those participating:

• As I said it happens in Fall & Spring for the DCP
• Auditions are typically in September and January 
• For those participating or auditioning acts must be less than 3.5 minutes
• Awards are: Best Singer, Best Instrumental, Best Dancer, and Best Overall
• Yes you get a trophy 
• Winners are chosen by the audience

Here are some things to know for those attending:

• Attending the event is simple just bring your Housing ID/Offsite ID 
• There are seats in the House of Blues (where it is held now it used to be held in Hollywood Studios)
• You can vote for your favorite act by cheering and applauding

As I said these are not the only events just the major ones, and if anyone is curious as to the other events offered during their DCP (or PIs if they pay the fee) I will list a few:

• Cocoa Beach trip
• Miami trip
• Farmers market trips
• Tampa Bay Ray baseball games
• Movie nights at Clubhouse 
• Resume building events
• Pool parties
• Welcome parties in the Chatham field (usually themed with characters)
• Prime example we had a Neverland welcome event with Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Wendy, and Smee meet and greets
• Grocery bingo

*As a note not all of these are free events, but Night of Stars, Starlit, Graduation, and Winter Formal are 100% free. 

**As a note none of these are my pictures