Two Girls and a Mouse Tale

by Elly Collins, Caroline Collins, Bob McLain (Editor)

Elly and Caroline Collins aren’t just sisters; they’re best friends, too. So when Elly suggested that they join the Disney College Program together, Caroline went right along. They left their family and boyfriends in Colorado for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live, work, and play with Mickey Mouse. Two Girls and a Mouse Tale is both diary and tutorial. It offers essential advice on how to get accepted into the Disney College Program, and how to avoid the pitfalls of working for Disney and living in its pressure-cooker environment. But mostly it provides a fun, witty, intimate account of a year spent in the pixie dust trenches of Walt Disney World, taking you behind the scenes, through the theme parks, and out the front gate into the dorm-like Disney apartments and the warts-and-all College Program community. Caroline and Elly open their diaries and These two girls really do have a mouse tale to tell. You'll love their honesty, their humor, and most of all their enthusiasm for the happiest place on earth.

Genres: Nonfiction

174 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2014

Reviews

[Randee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought the hardback for my niece who wanted to do an internship at Disney and was given the opportunity to get a copy for my Kindle at no additional charge. I thought it might be interesting to learn some of the details of how Disney works behind the scenes. It sounds like one works hard but they make it as enjoyable as possible with all kinds of perks, assuming you are there because you love all things Disney. I thought the two sisters came off a bit spoiled (expected their family to pick up a lot of the tab) but it's obvious that they loved and were good at it; Disney asked them to extend their internship another six months. I think they were smart to take advantage of everything they could, going to special parties, staying at the resorts for 60% off for a night here and there, going on behind the scenes tours, etc. It's a great guide if you are looking to work for Disney....they give a lot of tips, do's and dont's based on their experience. I'm sure doing an internship at Disney is a lot of fun for Disney fanatics and looks good on a resume. I enjoyed a week's vacation at Disney World, but I don't think I would like to spend more time than that. All that smiling and gaiety began to hurt my face and sour my stomach.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me wish I had read the book in time to do the DCP! Great read for future DCP hopefuls or Disney lovers!!!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has to be one of the best books about the Disney College Program. These girls took advantage of every perk and discount they could get while still being good employees. Lots of interesting insight and tips. My only beef was their suggestion to hit up friends and relatives to "sponsor" your trip and to set up a GoFundMe page. Guess that is why they did so much more than the kids in the other books I read....they had "sponsors."

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After completing my college program in Fall 2013, I longed for more ways to connect with my Disney past and keep in in my present and future. After connecting with Elly Collins in a DCP Alumni group, I was excited to hear about her and her sister's experience during their program so I eagerly bought this ebook.

It was such a change to read about someone else's DCP experience. Not only did the Collins girls attend the WDW college program instead of my Disneyland program, but they attended as sisters and roommates which made for a unique experience.

I wish I had found a book like this before going on my program. They cover everything a potential DCP attendee needs to know, and give advice on things to avoid as well. Much appreciated!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all of the cast member books I've read so far, this is the best as far as telling you how to be successful in the Disney College Program. At the same time, I found the sisters a bit annoying. I did not like how they kept changing who was writing throughout the book in a very disjointed manner. If I had to live with them, and had nasty post-it notes left for me concerning the kitchen and texts telling me to "Shhhhhhhhh!" I don't think I would enjoy being their roommate at all. I can see why they did not get along with their roommates and were much happier when they did not have to share an apartment with anyone else.

[Amanda Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

First - I'd like to point out that I find Elly and Caroline to be slightly annoying and overly rich. They actually suggest hitting up all of your extended family for cash to do your DCP. Maybe it's just my family, but that's rude.

However, I did find their stories interesting. They read more of a "how to do the DCP" rather than a set of memoirs. Some parts were good, others not so great. I'm glad that both girls were hard-working and thoughtful - but at times they came off as too perfect.

Having read four books by former CMs in a row now, I think I'm pretty well versed in DCP.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a life long Disney lover, I wanted to know about how the Disney College Program worked. This would be a great reference for anyone who is thinking about applying to the program. There are tips on how to answer interview questions, what to pack to move down to Florida, and how things work. I enjoyed this book and all the backstories that went along with it. Gotta love the DCP interns for all their hard work!

[Tisha "Manic Reads" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

It was good to get two different perspectives in one story. It did get a little confusing at times because they kept changing tense. But it was a fun and quick read, and definitely one I recommend if you're going into the College Program with a lot of tips

[Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic telling of DCP

[Carol Wenrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been the best DCP books I have read.

[Laura Schrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book on the Disney College Program. This was one of the best. It really brought to life why someone would want to work that hard for minimum wage. They really brought out the magical moments.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info about the Disney college program. Sometimes difficult to read, because it changed tenses, and who was speaking throughout the book.