Last year, my dd applied on Jan 12, the day apps dropped. She applied late in the afternoon. She was moved on to the WBI about an hour after her original application was submitted. Then, about an hour after the WBI, she got the notice to set up a PI....she did that the next Tuesday. Then, she didn't hear anything until mid-Feb...when she got her acceptance email! But.....there were a bunch of kids that made it to the PI and then sat 'in submission' for months!!! Some didn't hear anything until the very last day!!! Even then, they were told they had been put on a waiting list!!! Then, a few just waited until mid-late July to hear anything! It was crazy!!!!
I'm just not sure why some kids move more quickly while others, who seem to be very similar to those accepted, sit and wait, in submission!!! It's the same thing with applying for extensions....there were many kids that had the same 'experience and qualities' my dd has, but they were denied!!! I think my kid is pretty terrific, but I'm her mom...I'm supposed to think that. I don't expect everyone else in the world to think she's all that and a bag of chips!!! So, while I'm thrilled she is making her life at WDW (hopefully getting perm. work this spring!!) for the life of me, I can't see what about her stood out to Disney when many others have very similar qualities!!!! It's mind boggling!
Good luck to all the kids applying now...I'm so glad that's behind us.