The Walt Disney Company

Disney college program

May - August 2023 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I liked being able to meet people from all over the world, but most of all i just liked being able to work for Disney because that is where i want my career at.

What I wish was different

nothing different just wish some of the management would do more check ups on the employees.

Advice

Be ready to work alot, but also be ready to have a great experience.

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Costume H/H

June 2022 - January 2023 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Good networking opportunities, free park admission, lots of opportunities to pick up more hours

What I wish was different

Extremely poor communication between middle management and on-the-ground employees, abysmal company culture (including but not limited to targeting and retaliation by management, threats of termination for minor infractions, "cliques" of supervisors who choose specific employees to "make an example of"), EXTREMELY unsafe work environment characterized by numerous OSHA violations which presented clear and present jeopardy to employee health and safety (including black mold and other fungal growth in air conditioning systems and carpet/upholstery/costumes, cockroach infestations, and standing water in work areas), infrastructural stagnation (daily-use costume database and inventory software was last updated in the Windows XP era and runs on 15+ year-old machines, often causing employee-to-employee transactions to disappear from records and charge employees for falsely "lost" goods)

Advice

Know your rights to fair treatment and a safe workplace, but understand that it's not easy for Disney employees to stand up for their rights without pushback from superiors

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Finance Intern

May - August 2023 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I really enjoyed how collaborative the internship was. We had the opportunity to work with our cohort and met with them at least once a week to really build relationships with the other Finance Interns. I also enjoyed how much of the company (and property) we were able to see due to the breadth of the events and outings we had.

What I wish was different

I don't think I would change much about the internship.

Advice

Take every opportunity to explore different areas outside of Finance (for me specifically)

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Disney College Program Cast Member at Disney's Skyliner

June 2023 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

The thing I liked the most about Disney's College Program was that you were able to take part in unique Disney experiences. The Disney Skyliner allowed me to work with people with different experiences and interact with guests from around the world. Disney's Skyliner allowed me to gain valuable on-the-job experience at Walt Disney World. The college program offers a lot of networking opportunities as well, where I was able to connect with people in Mechanical Engineering roles that work all throughout the Disney Theme Parks. It has built lifelong friendships and memories that I will always remember.

What I wish was different

Even though you don't get to choose role exactly where you want to be, the Disney team does a really good job in putting you in a place at the the Disney Theme Parks that they think is the best fit for you. Something I would do differently would be to go to the theme parks more on my off days by interacting with the other cast members that are working to see how they enjoy their job. I would also try to go to as many events that Disney's College Program has to offer for students. This will offer even more experience other than being on-the-job.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share about this experience would be to just meet as many people as you can throughout your college program. Building friendships right away will allow you to meet a lot of other people and build connections. Throughout the program you can do a lot of networking events that Disney sets up for you to be able to meet people in the same field as you and offer you great advice. These connections can always be great to have for later down the road!

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Cast Member

May - August 2022 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Free park admission

What I wish was different

Almost everything. This program is not an internship and offers next to no classes like they promise. It is merely a way for them to import cheap labor from across the country where you essentially pay them to work insane hours. I was regularly scheduled 13+ hour shifts and had the most inconsistent hours.

Advice

Know what you're signing up for. There is next to no info on this program online, but it is NOT an internship. You will NOT be placed in a role relating to your major, there is no classes, and you won't get college credit.

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National Ad Sales Intern

June - August 2022 • Santa Monica, CA

What I liked

What I enjoy most about the work I do is the content! The opportunity and ability to work with exciting, thought-provoking, entertaining, and youthful content across Disney keeps me engaged with my work because I just want to learn more about it! What I admire most about the team is that I can honestly say I have never met a mean person. All my team members are so down to earth, willing to teach me, and are genuinely interested in getting to know me as a person, not just a coworker. I pride myself on the people I surround myself with and I hope everyone gets the opportunity to meet or talk to my manager, Nick Leal, to see what I'm talking about! What I value most about The Walt Disney Company is that it has EVERYTHING! There are roles and positions that I didn't even know existed and by working in an experienced company like Disney, it broadens my perspective on where I can take my career and exposes me to new network opportunities for work.

What I wish was different

Advice

My experience with my internship at Disney has been nothing short of incredible! I genuinely feel like I am learning invaluable information about the competitive linear and digital media landscape that I will keep with me throughout this internship and beyond. I've had efficient and comforting communication with my hiring leader, no problems with IT, and I feel valued as an intern with the Independents Ad Sales Team!

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Merchandise Cast Member

May - August 2022 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

It was amazing to work with other cast members and serve guests.

What I wish was different

I wish leadership had been more responsive and available.

Advice

Be prepared, this is a job just like any other.

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Cook 2

January - July 2022 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Like the community, I learned how to multi-task and worked on enhancing my speed and techniques

What I wish was different

Wish I could have visited different locations

Advice

Ask lots of questions and talk to the chefs about teaching you one on one.

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Cook

January - July 2022 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

The ability to work in a high volume environment and the opportunity to connect with guests within the role. Many perks and benefits such as park entry and housing made the experience unforgettable. Having Leaders that could listen and coworkers that act as family made The Walt Disney Company a valuable resource for growing within your career path no matter the role

What I wish was different

The ability to experiment within the role was heavily limited due to the volumes within the role.

Advice

Go in knowing that the Walt Disney Parks are some of the biggest and busiest in the world. Try to work on efficiency first and foremost within your role at this company, and you will find the key to success

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Intern

May - August 2022 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved a lot of things dealing with this experience. For starters, I liked making people have memorable experiences, whether during a vacation or just an ordinary day at the parks.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Disney College Program

April 2022 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I was able to interact and make connections with a variety of people throughout the company. Additionally, I was able to bring about joy and magic to guests and their families. I also enjoyed working within Animal Kingdom and being around a variety of animals on the daily in addition to my attractions-based role.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more transparency regarding the different resources I could have used and pursued. I didn't find out much information about a variety of things that would have helped me begin a foundation for a career at the company until much later on in my program.

Advice

Step out of your comfort zone and seize every opportunity. While it may be uncomfortable or different for you, persistence and going out of your way to look for connections and opportunities more than helps you in the end.

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Drama Development Intern

June - August 2022 • Los Angeles, CA

What I liked

The team and supervisor were extremely supportive! I got access to a lot of scripts and projects and felt like my voice was heard and my value was ackgnowledged.

What I wish was different

n/a

Advice

Take initiative, be open-minded and speak up!

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Intern

April - August 2022 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

I loved that they offered an actual dorm instead of a housing stipend. The dorm came with busses for transportation so it was great to be able to know where i'm going and how to get there in a new city.

What I wish was different

I wishs that the rent was a little cheaper. it is 185$ a week for the cheapest option and i was there for 20 weeks? so that is 3,700 on rent for the summer. that is almost as much as my rent for fall and spring semester in palmetto.

Advice

Be ready to WORK. in the college program, you can get scheduled anywhere from 30 hours a week to 70! it all depends on your role and location, so be open minded. If you need any medical accomodations made, have that done before you arrive and before you get your role. It is so much harder to get done once it has all been selected for you.

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Lifeguard

April - August 2022 • Florida City, FL

What I liked

The opportunities and many different People I met during this internship and working with this Company.

What I wish was different

I wish the Internship would've lasted longer and we could've been paid more.

Advice

It's worth it! If you ever have free time over the summer, I recommend you join the Disney College Program. Disney is a good company to work for. You get a lot of Networking.

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Intern

April - August 2022 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I got to work at many different locations and meet all kinds of people from around the world!

What I wish was different

I wish my hours had been more consistent. Some weeks I worked 20 hours and others I worked 55.

Advice

Expect to work hard! Living and working at Disney is so amazing but it’s also hard work.

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Cast Member

April - August 2022 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The job was not difficult. It was relatively easy. A lot of hours so I made good money.

What I wish was different

There is a point system for interns so if you are sick and have to call off, you get a point. Three points = one reprimand. Disney doesn’t accommodate those with disabilities.