Pros & Cons

Good Morning wonderful people! While I'm taking care of quite a few things, I thought I'd give the pros and cons of my Disney College Program thus far, based upon personal experiences.

Pros

• Independence
• Having the opportunity and ability to visit the Walt Disney World Resort on a daily basis, including free admission to the parks
• Certain discounts and perks of being a Cast Member, including discounted admission to holiday parties, cast previews, and such
• Access to the Cast Service Center which has media resources available for check-out
• Working and Living at the Most Magical Place on Earth, with others that have the same appreciation.
• Opportunity to meet new people, and network with others, if possible.

Mid-line

• Location. location. location. Depending on where you're placed can either make or break your entire program. If the management truly cares about the College Program experience, beyond work needs, then it will be wondrous. There's a variety out there.
• Sociability with others. The social opportunities are many, from work to bus rides to other things as well. Everyone makes personal choices such as partying nightly, and those are the type of friends they make. Find people where you like doing things the most.
• Friends, they come in all different shapes and sizes. There's some that you'll see every so often, and some that you'd rather not ever see again. There's some that truly care to build upon a friendship, and some that think they're the high school 'popular' kids. Appreciate those that stick around.
• Relationships. I've heard amazing stories of people meeting their significant other on their program, who was a friend's roommate. Personally, I've discovered that it can go both ways as there's relationships to grow from. Just enjoy the relationships with those that you have, and keep those around that support you and make you happy.
• Deployment, following up with location. Being deployed can give you multiple opportunities to work at different locations.
• Guests.
• Freedom. It's a use-it or abuse-it situation which is a personal choice. You can either follow the rules that are set out in a work/personal environment, or don't. The choice is yours.
• Roommates. There's the awesome roommates that bond throughout their program and enjoy each other's company, and the others that don't take the time. There's the decision to be a mature adult and take care of your own messes, or leave it long enough that someone will do so. You may have situations that may not be suitable at times, and things you may have to address. Use your imagination at the rest, but just try to pick people you'll enjoy your time with.
• Requested Time Off. If you need a certain day off, it's simple enough to request it off. If you've got an even nicer manager, they'll figure a way to give you those special days off such as your birthday. Albeit, most of the time during holidays (December) everyone is 'waitlisted' until further notice due to the need of the holidays.

Cons

• Late hours, Long days. Many people get sick and rundown because they have no time to take time for themselves.
• Unreliable busing system, with buses constantly showing up late or not at all.
• Florida's Hot and Humid weather
• Housing. You essentially pay ~$100 a week to share a room with someone you've most likely never met before. You've to deal with security on a daily basis, some of whom are quite rude. You're not allowed to visit other housing complexes after-hours, although you pay rent like everyone else to the same exact housing companies. Monthly inspections, which are now surprises, and if failed you have to pay a fine. The housing has been mal-maintained over the several years, and has continually deteriorated to the point where things are failing. 
• The 'Point' system. Feeling Sick and need to call out? You get a full point. Tired after that long day and forget to completely clock out? You receive half a point. There's little forgiveness and leniency.
• Missing a semester or more of school. I've constantly been asked by guests and managers alike as to why I gave up a solid future to be here. 
• Emotions. Depression, homesickness, and everything else imaginable while being away from home.
• Paychecks. They will be very small, unless you're working 50+ hours due to housing and other 'costs' being removed from your paycheck. Double check that you're being paid correctly as well.
• Holidays spent working.