DCP Phone Interview Tips and Questions

This is going to be a very long post so brace yourself.

Phone Interview Tips:

1. Write down your interviewers name and thank them by name at the end.

2. SMILE! It may seem silly, but you can really hear it when you talk.

3. Stand in front of a mirror, trust me you will be so much more energetic.

4. Have a water bottle nearby because your throat will probably get dry because you're so nervous.

5. Have 1 or 2 questions prepared to ask. They like when you ask "how did you get started in Disney?" because a lot of them started in the College Program themselves.

6. Be prepared 15 minutes before, and don't be worried if your scheduled time passes and they still haven't called.

7. It will be a blocked number so make sure you answer it.

8. Make sure you have your interview time correct. This may sound silly but you might have scheduled it for 8 AM instead of 8 PM like you meant to and if you miss the call that would be really really bad.

9. Go to the bathroom before hand, you don't want to have to hold it in for 15-20 minutes.

10. Make sure you're in a quiet room where you won't be interrupted and lock the door.

11. Most importantly just be yourself! They will be able to tell if you're faking it, and they want genuine people.

That's all the tips I have, now for the questions.

Here is a compiled list of all possible questions you could be asked during your phone interview and some answers I would suggest/gave in blue. Note: I didn't type the questions up myself, I found the list elsewhere and did a little editing. Also, any questions I was asked will be in red.

General

• Why do you want to work for Disney/do the DCP? **Almost always asked
• To gain professional experience, to work for WDW and any other personal reasons.

• How do you deal with repetitive tasks?**Frequently asked
• I make them into a game, trying to find other ways to do it to make it more fun.

• Do you have any experience speaking in front of large groups of people?
• Tell the truth.

• How do you feel about having roommates and living away from home?
• No problem, I live 7 hours away from home now with a roommate.

• Do you think any of your past jobs will help in any of your top 3 choices?
• Depends what your past jobs are.

• Why do you think you are qualified for your top role?
• Again, personal qualifications.

• Are you comfortable handling money?
• Yes, I worked for a retail store as a cashier.

• Do you have any tattoos or body modifications?*Always ALWAYS asked. DO NOT LIE. I have a nose piercing and a tattoo and I told her that and I was still accepted.
• TELL. THE. TRUTH. Seriously they will be really really mad if you tell them you have no body piercings or tattoos and show up with your lip pierced and a tattoo sleeve. Like I said, I have my nose pierced and a tattoo on my hand and I still got accepted because they are not hard to fix/cover up.

• Are you familiar with the Disney parks and resorts?
• Disney World, yes, I've been over 15 times. Disney Land, never been.

• What does Disney mean to you?
• All up to you.

• How will the CP help you professionally?
• People skills, communication, working in a team, whatever else you hope to gain.

• What are you most looking forward to in the DCP?
• Working at Walt Disney World, making new friends and a great experience.

• What makes you a good candidate for the DCP?
• Depends on your character.

• What do you plan to do after college?
• I plan to become a social worker at a victim advocate center.

• What can you offer to the Disney company?
• I am bubbly and energetic with a passion for Disney.

• What are 3 words a previous employer may use to describe you?
• Energetic, productive and helpful

• Describe a situation where you have had to work with a difficult person, boss, or teacher. **Frequently asked
• Your personal experience.

• What Disney character are you most like?
• Winnie-the-Pooh.

• What is your favorite memory of Disney?
• When I was 3 years old, there was a commercial where Pooh gave a little girl a rose and I was convinced he was going to give me one. So my family's next trip to WDW, Pooh gave me a rose outside the crystal palace and I still remember it. Here is an adorable pic of me right after getting my rose/crying. Note the Pooh shirt and watch...I really love Pooh.
• 

• Do you mind working outside in the Florida heat and in the rain? **Frequently asked
• Not a problem.

• Would you rather work alone or in a group setting?
• I can work in either, but I prefer alone because I feel like I get more done.

• How would you help a guest who speaks little or no English?
• Take them to guest services or find another Cast Member that speaks their language.

• Tell me about some jobs you have previously held.
• Your job experience.

• Tell me about a time you made a guest or customer happy at a previous job.**Frequently asked
• Your job experience.

• How would you handle a roommate disagreement?
• Talk with them about it first and if we couldn't work it out get someone else's input/assistance.

• Do you mind working mornings, evenings, overnight, weekends, and holidays?**Frequently asked
• No prob.

• Do you prefer a fast paced or slow paced work environment?**Frequently asked
• I prefer fast paced because I get more done and am more productive.

• Can you stand for hours at a time outside?
• I can if I need to.

• Do you prefer and indoor or outdoor environment?
• I prefer indoor, but can work outdoor as well.

• What are 3 negative qualities about yourself?
• Can be too impatient, perfectionist

• What is your favorite Disney (movie, ride, park, character), and why?
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, EPCOT, Eeyore

• What are your top 3 roles? *Will always be asked
• Attractions, Character Attendant, Merchandise

• How would you handle an emergency/tell me about a time you have had to handle an emergency in the past? *Everyone I've talked to for Fall/FA 2014 has been asked this question
• Calm and collected...I don't really remember what I said oops

• Are you open to the QSFB or Custodial roles? **Frequently asked
• Be honest, I told them I wasn't.

• Why are these your top role choices?
• 
  

ROLE SPECIFIC

(I'm not gonna put suggested answers except the ones I was asked because a lot of them are based on personal experience)

BBB

• Do you have any salon experience?

• Do you have any childcare experience?

• How would you react if a little girl was shy or scared?

Costuming

• Are you comfortable operating an advanced costume checkout computer?

• Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs+) costumes to different locations?

• Would you be comfortable working independently?

• How do you feel about working “backstage” with minimal guest contact?

• Are you willing to operate basic laundry equipment?

Housekeeping

• Are you comfortable working with cleaning chemicals?

• How do you feel about working in a guest’s room while they are not there?

• Are you able to work independently with little to no guest contact?

Lifeguard

• Are you comfortable working for long periods of time in the Florida heat?

• Are you willing to work in another role during off-peak seasons?

• Are you comfortable with spending long periods of time standing in water?

• What would you do in the event of a guest injury or illness?

• Do you believe you are able to pass the swim test? (not sure why they asked me this...)

Custodial

• Are you comfortable with emptying trashcans (which may include shooing bees or flies) and lifting heavy garbage bags?

• Are you willing to bus tables in restaurants and outdoors?

• Are you comfortable working for long periods of time outside in the heat, rain, or cold?

Main Entrance

• Are you comfortable delivering long speeches on a microphone?

• How would you make a guest feel special as they enter a park?**Frequently asked

• Are you willing to drive a large parking tram?

• Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades and park openings?

Merchandise (my #3)

• Are you comfortable with handling cash? **Frequently asked
• If you've worked in retail, then yes.

• What would you do if a guest was looking for a specific item, but you are out or don’t sell this item? **Frequently asked

• Are you comfortable suggesting items to guests based on first impressions?

• Are you willing to work independently outdoors at a cart?

Photopass

• Are you comfortable with operating digital cameras?

• How do you feel about achieving monthly sales goals and suggesting products?

• Are you comfortable working in several different parks, potentially all in the same week?

• How do you feel about a guest refusing a picture?

QSFB

• Are you comfortable preparing simple food items, which may include using a fryer, grill, or other cooking equipment?
• I am because I love to cook.

• Would you be willing to wash dishes or bus tables?

• Are you comfortable selling alcohol?

• Are you able to multitask?

• Are you comfortable handling cash and using a cash register?
• Yup.

• How do you feel about working independently at a food cart?

FSFB

• Are you comfortable handling cash and using a register?

• Are you willing to spend long periods of time rolling silverware, and folding napkins?

• Have you ever managed a seating chart, or are you willing to learn?

• What would you tell a guest if they wanted to eat at a restaurant, but there are no tables available for several hours?

Recreation

• Are you willing to train with watercraft, arcades, and other recreational facilities?

• Do you believe you will be able to pass the swim test?

• Are you willing to work in another role during the off-seasons?

• How do you feel about working for long periods of time outdoors and around water?

Transportation (the role I got)

• Do you have a valid driver’s license?
• Indeed I do.

• Are you comfortable memorizing and delivering long speeches?
• I've been in theatre for 7 years, so yes I should have no problem.

• Are you comfortable talking to other CM via radio?

• Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades?

• How do you feel about driving large vehicles (such as a monorail or bus) filled with guests?

Vacation Planner

• What do you think the duties of a vacation planner are?**Frequently asked

• Are you comfortable handling large amounts of money and achieving monthly sales goals?**Frequently asked

• How do you feel about working in multiple parks, potentially all four in a week?

• Are you willing to help with crowd control during parades?

• Are you comfortable working with a computerized ticket system offering over 128 different ticket combinations?

• How do you work while under pressure?

Character attendant (my #2)

• How would you react if a child was being violent with a character?
• Try to get the character away without being rude to the guest.

• What does character integrity mean to you?**Frequently asked

• What would you tell guests if you had to turn them away because a line is closing for the day?

• What would you do if a child was afraid of a character?

• What would you say if someone asked why the fur character doesn’t talk?**Frequently asked
• They're saving their voice for the parade!

• How would you say “(mickey, Cinderella, ariel, Donald, beast) has to leave?”
• Say they have to go meet up with another character that would make sense. Ex. "Pooh has to go back to Christopher Robin" or, "Daisy has to go get ready for her date with Donald"

Attractions (my #1)

• What would you do if a child wants to ride space mountain, but is too short?**Frequently asked
• Say something like "there are lots of rides for princesses like you, but this one is just too dangerous. Maybe your next visit you will be big enough!" and show them how far away from the height they are so they leave excited to come back next time and ride it and are not disappointed that they can't ride it now.

• What would you do if a guest wanted to get on an attraction but it was out of service?

• How would you feel about operating a ride?

• Would you be willing to help with crowd control during a parade?

• Are you comfortable talking in front of large groups of people?
• Yes ma'am.

• Can you memorize and remember long speeches?**Frequently asked
• Yes ma'am.

• What would you do if you messed up your spiel?
• Just pick back up where I messed up like nothing happened.

Bell Services

• Are you willing and able to carry heavy (up to 50lbs) luggage (including overhead)?

• Are you comfortable talking to guests on the phone?

• Are you comfortable being the first CM that a guest interacts with on their vacation?

Hospitality

• What would you do if a guest wanted a specific type of room and there were none available?

• How do you feel about being trained on a computer system?

• How would you make a guest feel special as they are beginning their vacation?

• Are you comfortable talking to guests on the phone?

• Are you comfortable handling large amounts of cash?

Concierge

• What do you think the duties of a concierge are?**Frequently asked

• Do you have any experience handling cash, including foreign currency, and travelers checks?

• How do you feel about being trained on a computer system?

• What do you expect when you stay at a Disney Resort?**Frequently asked

Character Role (my close #4)

How would you deal with the heat inside the heavy costumes?**Frequently asked

Honestly don't remember what I said. It wouldn't be a good idea though to say something like "it would really suck because it's so hot in there".

What would you do if a child was afraid of you?

What does character integrity mean to you?**Frequently asked

Never breaking character in front of guests no matter what. To them you are Ariel. If a guest says "oh you do Ariel's voice so well" say something like "Well I sure hope so, I am Ariel!" instead of breaking out of character because it's an adult and they don't really think you're Ariel.

I really hope this helped at least one person, and best of luck on your interview! Just remember to be yourself and have fun with your interviewer, they are all super cool!

Thanks for reading, and have a magical day!

Kelly