The Walt Disney Company

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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Retail intern

January - May 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Going to the parks

What I wish was different

Living space

Advice

Others should take time to spy and go for it

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Attractions Host

May - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

How I got to learn more about how attractions operate so efficiently and safely along with making a lot of friends.

What I wish was different

Transfer opportunities.

Advice

Safety is the number one priority. After that it's all about learning and having fun.

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Culinary program

June - November 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Meeting new people cultures and learned new languages. Also learning how to work with so many people from different backgrounds and attitudes

What I wish was different

I wish I learned more culinary skills

Advice

Continue to push through no matter what, it doesn’t get easier it just gets harder so definitely keep pushing

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Marketing Intern

May - August 2017 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Ability to work in many departments of the company and be involved with many differing projects.

What I wish was different

Better pairing of interns with their mentors / supervisors.

Advice

Make your voice heard and make sure you are making the most of every opportunity

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Intern-Show Electronic Engineering

August 2017 • Glendale, CA

What I liked

Variety of meaningful work similar to what full time employees did.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more control over what I could work on.

Advice

Be curious and interested in as much as you can, but don’t fake interest.

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Merchandise

August 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved being behind the magic of Walt Disney World

What I wish was different

Only thing I'd change would be having my best friends there with me.

Advice

Enjoy every moment and take advantage of every opportunity. Time goes by FAST.

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Wildlife Express Operator

August 2016 - January 2017 • Kissimmee, FL

What I liked

Free park access, driving the train, making magic for families

What I wish was different

Disney's corporate structure, ethics, and culture.

Advice

Know they don't actually care about you, but it's worth it if you're a Disney fan so you can play in the parks. Being a guest is 10 times better than being a cast member.

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Attractions Hostess

August 2015 - January 2016 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Not only was the work enjoyable, fulfilling, and exciting, but the people I met on my college program changed my life. You get so many opportunities for fun events; plus you can go into the parks whenever you want! I loved everything about it and could go on forever.