Disney College Program - Understanding the Basics: A Primer for Parents
By Chris Bantham
In this article we’ll tackle some common questions:
- What is the Disney College Program?
- What are the roles assigned to those in the Disney College Program?
- It sounds like fun, but what are the tangible benefits of the Disney College Program?
- What do we really need to know before I apply?
(While the information provided below could apply to Programs at Disneyland or Disney World, much of the content is geared toward WDW in Orlando. Always check with Disney sources for the most up to date info and location specific info.)
What is the Disney College Program?
Let’s start with how Disney describes it.
“Discover a unique living and working environment with participants from all over the world. The Disney College Program allows you to gain on-the-job experience with a world-renowned company, providing uniquely Disney learning experiences, all while preparing for your future, building transferable skills, including networking, problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication.”
While Disney’s description is 100% accurate – or will be 100% once international students are welcomed back to the program post-COVID – it may sound like a speech you’d get from a recruiter and may leave you asking, “Yeah, but what is it really?”
Let’s start with a quick history lesson.
History of the Disney College Program 101
The Disney College Program is not new. Its roots can be traced back to 1981 with “The Magic Kingdom College Program” that had about 250 students working in various jobs in the Magic Kingdom. But, if we go back even further, we learn that in 1972, “The Disney Entertainment Work Experience Program” was started.
While the Work Experience Program focused specifically on recruiting college students that were performers (musicians, singers, dancers, and actors) it still was a “College Program,” and it advertised the benefits of gaining “real work experience as an entertainer.” Auditions were held to be part of various groups, like the “Disney All American Marching Band,” “All American Singers,” “All American Players,” and a few more. While primarily a 12-week summer program, students were offered a grant for local housing and a stipend that was reported to be around $1,000 in 1975.
So, some can argue that the history of what we know today as the Disney College Program, or at least a variation of it, goes all the way back to 1972.
Whether it was Disney’s interest in giving college students an opportunity to gain real-world work experience and to share “The Disney Way,” or they just needed to broaden their employee base, in 1980 Disney sent recruiters to the University of Alabama, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Georgia, and about 250 students were signed up. In 1981, with the program expanding to over forty universities represented, another 250 college students were recruited, and “The Magic Kingdom College Program” was officially launched. Additionally, with the opening of EPCOT approaching, eight international students were added – but worked in the Magic Kingdom.
Disney needed a place to house the college students, so they acquired land in Kissimmee, and the first CPs lived in brand new Mobile Homes in what was named Snow White Village.
Today, the College Program has grown to be one of the most highly regarded and competitive college-level internships worldwide. Under the umbrella of “Disney Programs,” opportunities for students and recent graduates have expanded to include:
Some additional helpful facts:
PAY
- It is a paid internship and participants are guaranteed to be scheduled for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Pay is weekly and housing costs (rent) are deducted automatically from the weekly paycheck.
- CPs are eligible for overtime (1.5x after 8 hours in a shift or after 40 hours in a pay period. There are also other times when OT would apply). Some CPs can end up working 50+ hours per week, while others might be scheduled for the minimum 30. Every applicant needs to do the math and be comfortable that they can meet any financial obligations on the minimum guaranteed 30 hours per week.
HOUSING
- Housing is provided, but it is not obligatory that CPs live in Disney-provided housing. For more information on Disney housing at WDW click here.
- Disney’s Flamingo Crossings Village apartments (NOT dorms) are equipped with full kitchens. There are no food service options, cafeterias or dining halls on site. Each participant is responsible for their own grocery shopping and meal planning.
TRANSPORTATION
- Parking a Car – Participants are welcome to bring a vehicle but Parking Permit must be obtained prior to arrival ($85 fee). However, PARKING PERMITS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY and are not guaranteed. If a participant does not get an onsite parking permit via the lottery held, there are currently no other options or alternative locations to park a vehicle and therefore cannot bring a vehicle. We understand that may be changing at time we go to press, so watch this space!
- Take the Bus –
Residents of Flamingo Crossings can make full and free use of Disney transportation. Dedicated buses are provided for CP’s and run on a frequent schedule to and from all Parks and Resorts – basically, anywhere a Participant could be assigned to work, there is a Disney bus to get them there and get them home. Additionally, there is a bus that goes to two different shopping locations and any of the buses can be used to get to Parks, Disney Springs, and other destinations for FUN, not just for work.
What are the requirements and qualifications to apply for the Disney College Program?
There are several qualifications to be aware of and the full list can be found here.
Here are the basics. The applicant…
- Must be at least 18 at the time they apply.
- Must be enrolled in and currently taking classes, or have graduated within the past 24 months, from an accredited US college, university, or higher education program.
- Must have successfully completed one semester by the time their Disney College Program term would start.
- Must be willing to agree to and be compliant with the requirements of “The Disney Look”.
What roles are assigned to participants?
The roles assigned are entry-level jobs. They are not supervisory or managerial roles, regardless of the amount of school completed, degree earned, or any previous work experience. At present, roles are assigned based solely on Disney’s need and are not based on applicants’ desire for a specific role, their field of study, or their prior work history or qualifications. In other words, it’s a random spin of the wheel and a CP may be assigned to any role.
Common Roles are (and you can click on the roles for a job description!):
- Attractions – Working as a Host/Hostess at a particular attraction or group of attractions. Attraction roles can vary and may include Kilimanjaro Safari Drivers/Guides or Jungle Cruise Skippers.
- Merchandise – Working at an indoor or sometimes outdoor retail store/ vending location (cart). Assisting guests, stocking shelves, Cashier, etc.
- Food & Beverage – From Quick Service to sit-down dining, CP’s can be assigned Front of House (Host/Greeter/Seater/Cashier) or Back of House (kitchen/food service) roles. (CPs are not assigned to ‘tipped’ positions such as a Server.)
- Transportation – Monorail, Skyliner, Parking/Trams, Watercraft
- Lifeguard – This role is only assigned to those that express a willingness to take on the responsibilities of a lifeguard.
- Custodial – First and foremost, Custodial is a remarkably high guest interaction role and like Parking, it is often a role that participants may be disappointed to get, but they soon discover how much fun the role can be and how great the teams are to work with. Custodial is, just as the name implies, trash, restrooms, litter patrol, etc. Custodial Cast Members have endless opportunities to make face-to-face magic with Guests!
- Houseperson – Assisting Housekeepers, stocking carts with linens/towels and supplies, custodial duties in resort lobby or pool area, “runner” delivering requested items to guest rooms, etc. (A Houseperson is not specifically a “Housekeeper” who regularly cleans and prepares rooms; however, they will be trained in Housekeeping duties and may be called upon if there is a need.)
- Recreation – Recreational areas such as waterslide operations, towel rental, cabanas, watercraft rental, marina operations, arcades, and resort recreational facilities.
- Children’s Activities – Working with children, primarily at Resorts, reading stories, organizing and playing games, playing music/line dancing, trivia contests.
- Photopass Photographer – Photographing guests at various locations through the Disney Parks.
- Bell Services Dispatcher – Greeting guests, gathering and tagging luggage, and assigning tasks to the Bellhops.
There are other roles that may be assigned to CP’s including: Convention Guide, Resort Club Level Guest Attendant, Concierge, Costuming, Spa Attendant, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Vacation Planner, Park Greeter, Character Attendant, and other roles based on Disney’s needs and dependent on further re-openings of certain activities at Disney Parks.
What about Character and Performing Roles?
Good question. In the past, CPs were occasionally assigned to “Character Roles” to be ‘a friend of’ Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, etc. Since the Pandemic, those roles were not being assigned to CP’s, pending the return of previously furloughed employees, who were waiting for their offers to return; however, we are hearing stirrings of upcoming “Performer” auditions that will include CPs.
More information about performance roles and auditions can be found here.
Other things to know about roles:
- Safety-critical roles require the successful completion of a drug test.
- Some roles require a valid US Driver’s License.
- Some roles may require a POET (Post Offer Employment Test) to ensure that the candidate is able to lift, carry, bend, and complete repetitive motion without injury.
- 99.9% of Roles will require walking, and in some cases lots of walking, as well as standing for extended periods. Keep in mind heat can be a factor for many. (Disney takes Cast Member health and safety very seriously but still, working in the hot sun and heat of the day is often part of the job.) The work can be long, hard, physically demanding, and stressful. Applicants need to fully understand this when applying.*Medical Accommodation requests may be applied for and approved if the request is documented and based on a qualified disability. This includes animal allergies due to the allowed ESA animals in Housing. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, complete those Medical Accommodations forms in advance of arrival. Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.
It sounds like fun but what are the tangible benefits of the Disney College Program?
If you are the parent of a student that is considering the Disney College Program this is a very fair question. How do you connect working in a Parking Lot or as a Custodian at a Disney Park to their field of study?
A few thoughts. Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to figure out how the program relates to their degree or career goals. Instead, consider how the program can influence their life.
First, there are skills and life lessons to learn beyond the walls of the classroom. Here is the input from an Academic Advisor.
“We have seen the experience and skills that are developed from this program be a benefit to any student and any major. The transferable skills and maturity gained and developed from this opportunity are immeasurable. Developing better communication, problem-solving, leadership, time management, teamwork, and guest service skills to name a few, will all benefit any student in any career choice. And employers echo this sentiment telling us they prefer skills and experience more than merely a degree alone.”
College Program Alums consistently share that when they have applied for a job the interviewer will ask, “I see on your resume that you interned at The Walt Disney Company. Tell me about that.”
Why do future employers or recruiters want to know about Disney experience? Because they are aware that Disney has exacting standards and a reputation for quality. Interning for Disney can demonstrate that you are responsible and dependable. You know what hard work is. You’ve likely learned how to interact with both happy and unhappy customers and learned how to keep calm and communicate with professionalism. And the list goes on.
And finally, there is no denying that it’s FUN. Many students have worked hard to get where they are and sometimes the best path along any journey is to plan for a break, a gap semester, or a time to engage in something that is less intellectually demanding and less competitive.
For some students, the Disney College Program has been part of their master plan for many years. Others might be in school but not have a specific career plan in mind and six months in the Disney College Program might help to open them up to some ideas or provide direction.
Despite the challenging work, many leave the program energized, recharged and with a new network of friends from around the US and potentially from around the world.
Wondering about earning college credit for the Disney College Program? Look for our next blog post: The ‘COLLEGE’ part of the Disney College Program.
A final checklist:
Some important things to consider before applying or certainly before accepting a position in the Disney College Program:
- Has there been a meeting with an Academic Advisor, Dean, or Financial Aid Officer to consider how participating in the Program will affect status as a student and the impact on any scholarships, grants, or student loans?
- Will the student take a semester off, are they eligible to receive credit(s) from their school for the internship, or will they / should they take courses online while in the Disney College Program?
- Is the applicant ready to say the following?
- I want to participate even if I don’t get a parking permit, won’t be able to take my car, and will be relying 100% on Disney transportation.
- I have worked out a budget and understand how much I’ll make, what I’ll likely spend, including groceries, and I have included the cost of transportation (airfare) to and from, and any hotel stays for arrival (check-in) and departure (check-out).
- I want to participate even if I am assigned to a role that I don’t like.
- I understand and accept that the hours can be long, and the work can be hard.
- I want to participate even if I don’t get my choice in apartment type (sharing a room versus a private room).
- From day one until the final day of my program I will remain committed to it. I don’t have a plan to “give it a try” and quit if Disney doesn’t see things my way, or a plan to end the program early so I can come home and be with family for the holidays.
- I understand that there is no guarantee (and in fact the chances are slim) that I will be able to get days off to come home, travel, attend a wedding, spring break, family event or graduation.
- I understand that Disney has some strict rules and procedures, and that they have a disciplinary matrix for both attendance and performance, and that points and reprimands can be issued, and if I get too many I could be terminated from the program.
- I have fully researched the Disney College Program, had all my important questions answered, and I understand the pros and cons. I realize that being a Guest at Disney is quite different from being a Cast Member at Disney, and I am ready to take on this challenge without hesitation.
Still have questions? No problem. The Disney College Program Parent Group has the answers. It’s the best way to connect with parents that have similar questions, concerns, and advice. If you are the parent of an accepted CP, and have not already joined, what are you waiting for? Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/disneycollegeprogramparents