. It may have been on the internet, or even from the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour guide. However I heard about it, I thought it sounded like fun and was seriously thinking about applying.
I scoured the internet looking for info on the College Program. I stumbled onto Chris Caines' long gone "WDWCP Page of Adventure" and felt like I'd discovered Atlantis. Here was everything I'd wanted to know, and a whole lot more. I printed the entire site out and read it, over and over again. After lots of discussion with my folks, I decided to take a risk and apply.
My interview went well, and only a short months later, my parents and I were headed down to Orlando for my check-in at Vista Way, the main WDWCP housing complex. That was August 31, 1998, and it was the start of a whole new chapter of my life.
I ended up working at the then-brand-new Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, at an attraction called "Kilimanjaro Safaris." My job consisted of guiding approximately 40 Guests through the wildlife and scenery of the African savannah. For more info on the attraction, check out Chip's Kilimanjaro Safaris website, my main internet claim to fame.
During my four months of "Living, Learning and Earning" on the Walt Disney World College Program, I lived in Apartment 2911 at Vista Way. I shared a 3-bedroom apartment with 5 other guys, not the most comfortable sounding living arrangements, but we got along together pretty well. I shared a room with Brian, a custodial Cast Member at the Magic Kingdom. Kwasi and Mark, Keystone Clothiers merchandise and Magic Kingdom custodial respectively, shared another bedroom. Sean and Noel, Boardwalk Merchandise and Main St. Magic Kingdom Quick Service, shared the last bedroom. I've lost contact with most of them, so if you're reading this, guys, drop me a line, ok?
Back then, our lives were basically composed of work, rest, play and study. That's not to say that we studied, but back then College Program'ers (or CP's) were required to take weekly 3-hour seminar classes at Vista Way. They weren't hard, and I actually made a couple of friends in mine. As a matter of fact, I still keep in touch with my friend Rob, "that loud guy at another table."
When January rolled around, my first College Program ended and I had to head back to school. It was really tough getting re-adjusted to college after something like the WDWCP, and I actually went through some pretty hefty depression. It wouldn't be long, however, before I'd be back where I loved.
The Walt Disney World College Program
