Disney World

The Disney College Program

A unique opportunity for college students to participate in a paid internship working on the frontlines of Disney Parks & Resorts for a semester.

"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes the people to make the dream a reality."

- Walt Disney

"Most Magical Place on Earth"

official tagline for the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World

The Walt Disney Company has been in operation since 1923. It started as a cartoon studio and was founded by Walt and Roy Disney. Over 20 years later, in 1955 the first Disney Resort opened in Anaheim, California and they called it, Disneyland Theme Park. Since then the company has built 12 theme parks, 6 Disney resorts, across 3 continents. Walt Disney World is made up of 4 of those theme parks, Animal Kingdom(1998), Epcot(1982), Hollywood Studios(1989), and Magic Kingdom(1971), which is where my internship took place in Orlando, Florida.

"to entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the iconic brands, creative minds and innovative technologies that make ours the world premier entertainment company."

- THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

ALL ABOUT THE SEATER ROLE

For my internship I worked as a Seater in the Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe in the Magic Kingdom. In other words, I was one of the many cast members who got to help create memories and make magical moments for hundreds of guests every day through unparalleled customer service, guest interaction, and enthusiasm for the job.

The requirements to participate in the Disney College Program are:
Officially: College Student, age 18 or older with unrestricted work authorization
Unofficially (as determined by me): a people oriented individual who is an enthusiastic, hard working, team player

When going to work every day it was important to maintain character integrity. This is why I would get changed into my costume, the one on the left if I was working at Diamond Horseshoe and the one on the right if I was working at Liberty Tree Tavern, and park in a special cast member parking lot where I would get on a bus that would take me to the underground, back entrance of Magic Kingdom, otherwise known as the utilidors. From there, I was able to walk underneath the Magic Kingdom, down the Liberty Square tunnel, where I could pop up into my land. This is how we prevent, for example, a haunted mansion attractions cast member on Main Street.

When Do You Work?

When I tell people I did the Disney College Program they mostly assume it was an easy ride and I spent all my time playing in the parks. Unfortunately this isn't exactly true. While I did spend my free time strolling through the World Showcase or Flying with the Na'vi on a Banshee, that free time was mostly limited to my allocated 2 days off a week (if I was lucky).

A Typical Work Week

This is a screenshot of my schedule as posted on the HUB (Disney's cast member intranet). Schedules are posted weekly on Sunday (like 1 hour after Saturday is over if you are lucky like me). As you can see a 12:00pm-9:30pm shift was my norm and I typically had 5 of those a week. Breaks not included, that left me working about 40 hours a week with two days off. My work location did not open until 11 (Liberty Tree) and 1 (Diamond Horseshoe) which is why the earliest I was normally scheduled for was 12. I also included these dates to show that yes, I did have to work holidays, but holidays are fun when you work at Disney World.

SEATER RESPONSIBILITIES

GREETING AND SEATING GUESTS IN RESTAUARANTS
MANAGING A SEATING CHART
UTILIZING A COMPUTERIZED RESERVATION SYSTEM
KEEPING AREA STOCKED INCLUDING: PLATES, FORKS, KNIVES, CUPS, GLASSES, ICE, NAPKINS, BEVERAGES

LIGHT CLEANING, MULTI-TASKING
STANDING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME
WORKING OUTDOORS
RESOLVING GUEST SITUATIONS
CASH HANDLING

What Did I Gain From the DCP?

Leadership Skills

I was given responsibilities that pushed me outside my comfort zone, introduced to new procedures and tasks that I had never learned before, pushed myself to gain as much knowledge as I could so that other college program cast members could look to me for guidance and direction. I was put into situations where I could make or break a guest experience and it allowed me to build confidence in my ability to handle those situations.

Career Interests/Passions

The question of "what do you want to be when you grow up" is now a lot less intimidating. I want to be the President of Disney World and I am going to get there through my passion for hospitality and my interest in large scale food and beverage management. I plan on pursuing a management internship after graduating with either Marriott or Disney in the hopes of obtaining a management position after that year long internship and working my way up from there.

Invaluable Experience

I was able to take what I had learned in RPTS and apply it to real world experience. There are few to no companies who outmatch Disney on guest experience and quality, allowing me to study tourism where it thrives. I was mentored by someone who has managed nearly every restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. He took me under his wing, showed me what he knew and challenged me to and take actions every day to set myself a part from the people around me.

So is it worth it?

in short, yes.

Benefits

As a Disney Employee I was given

free entry into all Disney parks (and waterparks)
fast pass bookings up to a month in advance
special character meet and greets
cast member exclusive events
backstage opportunities (my work location was offered a Haunted Mansion tour)

Discounts on

merchandise: 20% normally, 40% during Holiday discount which is at the end of your program if you're fall and the beginning if you're Spring)
food (from 10%-40% off!)
resort stays for friends and family! (from 20%-50% off)

Pay + Housing

College program cast members were paid the minimum (Disney) wage of $12
Disney offers its own housing for International and College Program participants. Each week your housing costs are taken out of your paycheck so you do not have to worry about paying it (utilities are included). There are 4 different housing complexes and within each housing complex there are various styles of rooms, anywhere from 1 bedroom 1 person suites to 4 bedroom 8 people suites. I lived in Vista Way Apartments(the cheapest option), paid around $110 a week, and had a 3 bedroom/2 bath, 6 person apartment
I usually received around $300 per week, per paycheck, after housing was taken out (E.P.C.O.T)(Every Paycheck Comes On Thursday)

Opportunities

Resume Builder: when I worked at the Gaylord Texan I had a coworker who was hired off participating in the Disney College Program alone
Networking: I want to work for Disney long-term so getting the chance to meet and interact with high up executives (I met the Vice President of the Magic Kingdom, the Director of Food & Beverage for Magic Kingdom, and the Walt Disney World President) as well as working under Leaders who have incredible advice to offer was a dream come true
Classes: Disney offers a variety of "seminars" that are 1-2 hours in length, only one time, do not count for any credit at Texas A&M but do give you a deeper insight into the company

Think the Disney College Program Might Be Right For You?

I would highly suggest checking out their website and even searching on YouTube the Disney College Program if you are even the least bit curious. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I will never forget all that I learned and experienced while living and working in Disney World.

DCP Main Site

Application Requirements