https://jobs.disneycareers.com/professional-internships

The Walt Disney Company

Attractions Cast Member

May - September 2018 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

I enjoyed working backstage and being part of creating magic for guests. The company is very generous and cares for their employees. The environment was a pleasant and goal-driven one.

What I wish was different

I wish the company would have been more willing to work with my school schedule that would have allowed me to continue with the company.

Advice

Working attractions is a role that requires lots of responsibility and practical knowledge. I found it to be very rewarding and enjoyed producing the work expected of me.
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Cast Member

January - May 2018 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Working for Disney was extremely rewarding and provided experiences to earn about customer service from the very best. The program helped me to grow a lot as an individual, and gave me life experience I can carry with me into my career and the rest of my life.

What I wish was different

If I had to criticize anything, it would be the housing situation. Considering you have to pay rent, the rules they enforced were a bit over the top. No overnight visitors is just one example.

Advice

If you are even considering the program, DO IT. Even if you get stuck in a role you aren't exactly happy about, if you make the best of it and become friends with your employees its an absolute blast.
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Cast Member

May - December 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Getting to for Disney is a really unique experience and I learned so much.

What I wish was different

Maybe having a different role.

Advice

If you are thinking about doing a Disney College Program understand that Disney is not all magic and at the end of the day it is a reallly difficult job.
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Disney college program

January - August 2018 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

What I wish was different

More relevant internship experience

Advice

Super hard work, super rewarding
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merchantainer

January - May 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

They offered housing and transportation. I also received all benefits of a normal employee.

What I wish was different

Wish I had been scheduled more

Advice

Be prepared to work hard and have fun.
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Disney College Program

May - August 2018 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

The benefits of working for Disney and being able to list such a well-known company on my resume.

What I wish was different

This was my second college program and I did not enjoy my work location as much this time around but it was still an amazing experience.

Advice

I would absolutely recommend the Disney College Program to anyone and everyone. You work extremely hard but the benefits you receive and the friends you make are well worth it.
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Disney College Program Intern

August 2018 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

The people at Disney are super friendly and they make the experience a whole lot of fun! We get complimentary access to the parks as a bonus. The class we take has also been super helpful regarding my future career plans.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have been assigned a different role other than food service.

Advice

Do your research if you apply, and during the interview make sure you only explain the work experience that backs up the role you want even though you do have other experience.
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College intern

August 2016 - January 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Learning Hospitality from the Number one company in Hospitality

What I wish was different

Advice

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Disney College Program Attractions Cast Member

May - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

You get to work with people from all over the world! The friends you make are the best people you’ll ever meet, and you all have a special bond not found anywhere else. It’s also pretty amazing to get to go to the Disney Parks whenever you want for free!

What I wish was different

We were over staffed at my location, so I would I could have worked more hours.

Advice

Go in to it with an open mind, and ready to work! Be open to new experiences and push outside your comfort zone to try new things and meet new people!
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Merchandise

August 2018 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Getting to interact with different people from around the world and learning something new every day

What I wish was different

Advice

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Friendship Boat Captain

May - August 2018 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

It was a lot of fun. I got to move across the country and meet new people from all around the world. I also got to network with professionals at the Walt Disney Company.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have been there longer.

Advice

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Disney College Program Participant

January - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved every part of my program. I was able to gain valuable skills that will benefit my future careers. I was able to take classes and learn about the corporate side of Disney.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had to return to school.

Advice

It taught me more than professional skills. It taught me how to treat other people in my day to day life, and that is with kindness and respect. I would like for people to evaluate how they treat people they don't know.
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Conservation Education Presenter

June 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I really like getting to talk to hundreds of people everyday and feeling like I have a big impact. I liked feeling like I was helping shape the ideas many young people had on conservation.

What I wish was different

I wish I was more involved in networking with people in other branches of the company.

Advice

Like with almost internships, you’re going to get what you put in to it. So it is crucial that you show up to everything that you can, even those things that are optional or outside of the job description.
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Emerging Technology Software Developer Intern

May - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I loved working for Disney! Disney is my dream company. I got the chance to learn about machine learning and to work on a machine learning project for ABC. While working on that project, I collaborated with people from my team and people from a different team. I also got the chance to work on the app team that creates the Android apps for the Disney Parks. I worked on tickets for the Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Hong Kong Disneyland apps. I met a lot of great people at Disney. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. The intern program in the Seattle office was great! I got to know the other interns and the intern coordinators did a really good job running the program. For our intern offsite event, we went out to lunch and then went to MoPop to see the Marvel exhibit and the rest of the exhibits there. Interns also get free admission to the parks like other Disney employees which is a great bonus to working for an awesome company! I can't wait to go back in January!

What I wish was different

Advice

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Mechanical Engineering Intern

June - December 2018 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Friendly, professional environment. Jump right into work as soon as you arrive. Being able to make appreciable contributions that will last even after I leave.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Merchandiser

May - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Interacting with guest from All around the world. Also working hand and with people from around the world.

What I wish was different

I wish I was in the front of the entrance working instead of inside the park I wanted to see the magic being made from the start once they got to my location they were worn out from the heat

Advice

Be open-minded. Don’t take the experience lightly treat the job as if you were working as the ceo it does get noticed
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cast member

February - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Working with people all over the world.

What I wish was different

The housing situation was less then ideal.

Advice

It is Disney World, but it's also a job. They work you as much as possible.
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Disney College Program

May - August 2018 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Having a new adventure, creating magic for guests, gaining independence and responsibility

What I wish was different

More time

Advice

Our school (advisors/career center) isn't very helpful, look for people who have done the program in the past for help
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Cast Member

July 2018 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

I enjoy the fast paced work environment. I also am encouraged to learn something new every day that I work. I have plenty of interactions with people from around the world, which is fulfilling for my own social skills.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Disney College Program Intern

February - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Where to even begin? Doing the Disney College Program was hands down the best experience I have ever had in my life. I loved getting an insight on everything that goes in to running as massive of a business as the Walt Disney Company. I got to work and make magic in the attractions role at Disney's Animal Kingdom, specifically at Expedition Everest and Rivers of Light. Also, I got the opportunity to attend seminars and speakers about leadership, Disney heritage, hospitality, and event planning. Over the six months I was there, I made so many incredible friendships and learned and grew so much as a person. Also, getting to go play in the parks and experience the Disney magic everyday wasn't the worst. This whole experience was a dream come true and I recommend it to anyone who is even considering it a little bit!!

What I wish was different

I wish I would have taken more initiative to meet with individuals in different careers that I might be interested in.

Advice

I would say that this experience is incredible but to make sure you realize that it is definitely not just pixie dust and magic everyday. There are going to be bad days and working long shifts with so many guests that are tired, hot, and irritated can get exhausting. The important thing is to keep going and wait for those magical moments with guests that make everything else absolutely worth it.
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