After 32, fellow employees got laid off due to the closures, there I was still employed and actively working at Disney World. But the job, area, and coworkers that I loved so much were gone. Day by day, I was turning into the kind of Disney employee I never wanted to be. I didn't even recognize myself. I dreaded going into work, got more impatient with guests as the days went on, stopped looking after my own mental health, and could no longer see a future for myself at Disney.
I was embarrassed by who I was becoming because I've always prided myself on my strong work ethic. But that, too, seemed to be dwindling. I needed a change.
I needed to leave. Working at Disney during a global pandemic was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
And though making the choice to leave was also incredibly hard, I knew in my heart it was time. I'd already fulfilled my dream and worked for the company in the very best job there shoutout to the Disney Junior Dance Party in Hollywood Studios.
I left knowing that I did what I came there for. Change is always hard, but I'm comforted by the fact that I successfully chased a lifelong dream. It was just time to move on to the next one. Even though I chose to leave Disney, that doesn't mean it stopped being my happy place.
It just turns out that now I enjoy visiting more than I like working there. But for what it's worth, my time at Disney is irreplaceable and included some of the best moments of my life. I'm proud of all of the Disney employees who continue to work there to this day. They are some of the hardest-working and most selfless, caring people I've ever met, and they really make Disney the magical place it is. The next time you visit Walt Disney World , thank a cast member. You never know what they're going through in order to ensure that you can have a magical experience.
New York City weighs remote learning option amid omicron spread. As voting rights push fizzles, Biden's failure to unite his own party looms again. Seminar style classes do not include homework and are only a couple of weeks long and may be taken just for experience or based on interest, while collegiate classes are offered for those who are looking for more regular coursework and to receive credit.
Exam proctoring and distance learning opportunities may also be available. I took a seminar class on Exploring Marketing and I loved it! Sure it took up a couple of hours on my days off, but it was totally worth it. Although I majored in history, I work in marketing now and this class was honestly what got me interested in this field. Q: Do you need to live in company sponsored housing?
A: No, living in company sponsored housing is not a requirement. CPs may opt to find their own housing, which may or may not be less expensive depending on a number of factors like roommates , location, amenities, transportation costs, etc… though many CPs choose to live in program housing as it can be easier than securing a short term lease on their own, and transportation to and from work is included in the rent.
Additionally, housing events take place for CPs, and many participants worry that by living off site they may miss out on some of the experience. There are lots of perks to staying outside of company housing, but if the Disney College Program is your first time away from home or a dorm room , I recommend staying in housing. Plus, Flamingo Crossings looks beautiful! Q: How many hours do CPs work? A: CPs work a minimum of 30 hours a week, but during peak seasons with overtime may work upwards of 60 hours.
It is difficult to predict exactly what your hours can be like because they really vary by role, location, and time of year, but a minimum of 30 hours per week should be expected. My friends who worked in Magic Kingdom , specifically in custodial averaged about 50 hours. It does really vary by role and location, but you usually have opportunities to pick up shifts or stay later if you want to, and you can always put in to ER early release during your shift and see if it gets approved.
Disney also pays overtime when you work over eight hours in a day, so you can make some extra cash by picking up an extra shift or trying to extend a shift on a given day. Q: What is the application process like?
If they are selected to move on with the process, they will be asked to complete a web-based interview that is essentially a series of timed questions about their personalities and work habits. Not all applicants are asked to move on with the process upon submitting the application, and there is no definitive way to know whether or not one will be selected to move on. Q: Are applicants randomly selected to move on to the web-based interview?
A: No, Disney College Program recruiters have repeatedly stated on the official Disney Internships and Programs Blog that invitations to move on to the web-based interview are not given out randomly. Each individual application determines whether or not you will be selected to move on, and Disney has never officially released information as to what pushes an application through to the web-based interview and what does not.
If you are interested in applying for the program, fill out the application to the best of your ability and try not to compare your progress with the progress of others—everyone has a different experience while applying, and many applicants never share their experiences online.
Comparing your application to others may only end up causing you unnecessary stress. A: This just means that your application is still being reviewed. Q: How much does the program cost? These fees cover the cost of housing events and rent payments for the first couple of weeks of the program.
Q: How much does rent cost and how do you pay rent? Rent is deducted automatically from each paycheck, except for the first two weeks or so when rent is covered by the program fees.
Q: Can time-off requests be accommodated? A: CPs may put in requests for time off from work, however requests are not guaranteed to be approved, and they depend on the availability of other cast members and business needs during the selected days. CPs may swap shifts to change their days off if they only need to switch one or two days in a week. Q: When living in program housing, where does the included transportation go? Bus schedules vary , and CPs may view a printed schedule or download a real-time mobile app, however it is suggested that they leave for work early to ensure that they arrive on time given that the buses can fall behind schedule and they make multiple stops.
Q: When can I start going to the parks with my complimentary pass? A: The short answer is after Traditions the training every Cast Member must do before starting work. Traditions typically takes place a couple of days into your program, and you are usually given your Main Entrance pass shortly after or told an alternative way to enter the parks with your ID.
Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. The Walt Disney World College Program is a national paid-internship program owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company, and it could be your ticket into a career at the Magic Kingdom.
College-age students can apply to take part in a program that is highly competitive and quite rigorous. But it could also give you a distinct advantage in becoming a part of Disney's unique culture and diverse community. And for a sense of what the Disney College Program is really like, we spoke with program graduate, Jennifer Tatum.
Jennifer is a professional substitute teacher, a mother of three, a wife of one, and a storyteller living near the shores of Lake Michigan.
We believe they are quite illuminating. Also, be aware that spots in this program are extremely limited, the application process is challenging, and the program is demanding.
Check out our profile of the Disney College Program here below and continue on for answers to your biggest questions about getting a Disney education. The paid, semester-long internship program allows students to live just outside Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, or the Disneyland Resort in California, while earning college credit at Disney parks and resorts through a combination of on-the-job experience, shadowing, and seminars.
While enrolled in the Disney College program, students will work in front-line roles at the resort. This work covers the cost of tuition and residence, and comes with a modest paycheck. Additionally, while participating in the Disney College Program, students can continue to take online courses through their university of enrollment, and remain on track with their degree program.
For admission, applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited college program or have graduated within the past 12 months, and must have approval from their university. Read on for answers to your biggest questions about the Disney College Program and other Disney-sponsored educaitonal opportunities:.
The Disney College Program refers to an array of programs providing education, professional development, and paid internships through the Disney company. The program typically works alongside a traditional college degree program. Many traditional and online colleges have partnered with the Disney Company to give their students access to the Disney College Program.
Though each of these experiences is distinguished by terms of eligibility and areas of focus, the Disney Company succeeds through a highly sophisticated measure of brand control, especially through its development of a well-defined employee culture. This begins with a thoughtfully constructed curriculum, immersive educational experiences, hands-on training, and focused professional development.
One feature that truly distinguishes a Disney education from a traditional campus experience is the compatibility between work and education. Disney University graduate Jennifer Tatum recalls:. The Disney College Program offers students a combination of on-the-job experience, college coursework, and immersion. Disney divides this program into three key thematic priorities:.
It bears noting that Disney University, not to be confused with the Disney College Program, is reserved for those who will ultimately go on to become Disney employees, or cast members. She explains:. Jennifer reveals that she grappled with a very serious health matter during her time at Disney, but she learned how to show up each day with a smile. The program is typically between five and seven months in length, or roughly the minimum length of a college semester.
However, there are options for extending your program to a second semester.
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