Just Keep Swimming: DCP Extensions

It is that time again during the Disney College Program where applicants must decide if they want to extend, or end their time at Disney to head home. So, I decided to make a post strictly about extensions along with the information you need to know as well as the pros and cons of extending. 

First things first! How will you know when to extend? Well first off it will show up multiple times in the weekly newsletters that come in the email, the information will also be posted on the Hub, and you will receive an email like the one below letting you know. 

Before getting into the actual extension I would like to post this again (although it is in the F.A.Q.) here are the requirements you must meet in order to extend your program. I will state this information can be found on the Disney Programs official blog, Disney College Program guide, and on the Hub as well.

To be clear attendance notations include points for clocking, calling out, and no call/no shows.

**To be clear about this "rule" keep in mind Disney does not always stay true to it sometimes they let people extend with a reprimand or five notations. However, you probably be unlikely to change roles so for anyone who meets this rule I suggest you leave at least one option as same role / same location to better your chances of staying. 


Here is what you need to know about extensions

• The application is only available for a limited time frame
• You can apply using the Hub 
• It is on the CM Disney Careers page for internal hirings
• The roles are very limited, so you may not see the one you want available
• Most common extensions are same role/same location or same role/different location
• Extensions are limited
• So just note even if you are in good standing with the company you may not be offered an extension
• If you wish to extend into a character performer you must attend the extension audition 
• You will receive an email about this audition prior to the extension availability 
• Extensions are not always available at the end of the college program 
• You will be given 5 options to choose (from a list) 
• Yes, you can put the same role 5 times however I do not suggest especially if it is a non-high need role. You may wind up putting yourself in a position where you do not get extended based on the role you chose, so keep your options open. 

Once you apply for an extension typically it will take 2-3 weeks to get a response back about your application. Now keep in mind you can apply for an extension, and part-time/full-time through transfer genie on the Hub. I suggest doing that way just in case as you have a back-up option as well, but as an unrelated note FT is rare right out of transfer genie depending on the role. More than likely you are going to be offered PT, so just be prepared for that when the time comes.

Accepting the offer for an extension! You are going to get an email late in the evening around 5:00 pm (why that late? I have no idea) with your role, and your new dates if you accept. After the offer comes you are going to be given a window to accept or decline, and no you cannot find out your location prior to accepting it. If you decide to accept you will respond to the offer, and you will pay the programs fee again.

Just as a note this was not my offer, but it is to give you an idea of what it looks like


I want to be clear you have to pay the programs fee again, which is the fee that covers housing events and such. You will not pay for two weeks rent again, so just so you are aware rent does not stop when you extend.

In case anyone was wondering if you decide to accept your extension, and then decide later you do not want it -that is okay. However, you are going to need to inform the service center prior to your new start date that you want to decline your offer. If you inform them prior to your new start date you will be given your old end date back, and must leaving housing by your original departure date. If you decline after your new start date it is considered self-terming, and you will be put on a restricted rehire list.


Now I said I would do a list of pros and cons for extending, but I am going to break it down by session you are extending into. So, please read carefully!


Spring Advantage/Spring into Fall Extension

Pros:

• Opportunity for a new role 
• Extending into the peak holiday season
• More hours as most of the fall session is peak season
• Get to attend the holiday parties 
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
• Majority will be able to attend Formal (fall)
• You will be there for the filming of the ABC Christmas Day Parade in November 
• Experience Food & Wine
• Weather cools down 
• One of the two water parks closes for renovations 

Cons:

• Almost all those holidays you will be working
• Limited roles so you may not have the option to pick the one you want
• You will not earn new guest passes for extending as it is not a new calendar year 
• Yes, you will be stuck with the original 9 max per year
• It may be the same Disney World, but it will feel completely different
• Putting off school for longer periods of time
• Keep in mind Federal Student Loans are a 6 month grace period (if you use it) for non-repayment 
• You are probably going to miss your family and friends back home
• If you stay in same role / same location most of the time you most likely will be given more responsibility as the new CPs are getting trained 
• You have to pay the program fee again 

Fall Advantage/Fall into Spring Extension

Pros:

• Opportunity for a new role 
• You are extending into the slower season 
• Eligible to earn new guest passes as it is a new calendar year
• Yes, you can earn 9 max passes in the new year
• Majority of you will be able to attend Starlit Splash (spring)
• Experience Flower & Garden
• Both water parks are typically open

Cons:

• Limited roles so you may not have the option to pick the one you want
• Less hours as you go into the slower season
• It may be the same Disney World, but it will feel completely different
• Putting off school for longer periods of time
• Keep in mind Federal Student Loans are a 6 month grace period (if you use it) for non-repayment 
• You have to pay the program fee again

I also won't lie I extended into Spring after starting in Fall, so I know a little but more about that one.

In case anyone was wondering if you choose same role / same location (most common extension offer) you will continue working without a break, so your schedule just continues as if you did not extend.

To be clear as I know at least one person is confused about passes from Spring into Fall not being eligible for more than 9, while Fall into Spring are eligible for more than 9 I suggest you read this.

For anyone still confused Disney passes go by calendar years, so for Spring into Fall CPs there is no change in the year. So, for example if you do Spring 2015 and extend into Fall 2015 -see the issue? For Fall into Spring extensions there is a change in calendar year, so new passes are available to them. So, for example if you do Fall 2015 and extended into Spring 2016 there is a change. Now why does Disney do the calendar year change for new passes? Well that is the same rule regular CMs follow however I know for CPs and Seasonal it seems a bit unfair -rules are rules though. 

I also want to make this clear this holds true for PIs, MIs, ICPs, and CPs you can only be an intern at Disney for one calendar year. They are very strict about this rule, and make no exceptions to it so be careful if you plan on doing a CP than a PI afterwards.




Now, just keep this in mind because this is a very important note: Disney is not going anywhere.
I feel like I need to type that out sometimes, because trust me I know leaving Disney is hard. You are going to want to stay but Disney isn't going anywhere if you leave for 6 months, 2 years, or even 6 years Disney will still be there -I promise. So, do not feel like you have to stay -you don't, and trust me as I said I know leaving this magical place is very difficult however some things are more important. If you need to finish school -do so! Besides you can try to come back for a PI anyway, and if you graduated and feel you need a "real" job -go for it! The worst decision you make is realize you hate it or were not ready -that is fine! You can always come back to Disney.