The Walt Disney Company

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.

What I wish was different

I wish I had talked to my managers about my goals earlier on. They were all so kind and helpful once I did, but by then time was up!

Advice

Learn your job as quickly as you can, remember to make magic, and make friends with your coworkers!

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Quick Service Food and Beverage

September - December 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Travelling, good for business students, met lots of wonderful people

What I wish was different

Definitely take classes through Disney, if you don't you will be missing out on important professional development

Advice

As above, take classes, go to as many external work events as possible

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Quick service

January - June 2015 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I got to meet people from all over the world and work for a company who truly takes pride in making people’s dreams come true!

What I wish was different

I wish I would have made deeper connections with the people I worked with and networked while I was there.

Advice

Don’t pack as much as you think! Make as many friends as possible! Enjoy going to the parks as much as you can!

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A & R Intern

June 2017 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Managers treated me like an employee and not like an intern. Had a lot of cool tasks.

What I wish was different

Less admin work but that’s part of publishing so they can’t change that.

Advice

Go the extra mile and be proactive.

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Show Mechanical/Animation Intern

August 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

great environment, great job, cool projects

What I wish was different

I was only given a few weeks notice that I got the job before my start date, but that is very typical for the company

Advice

you must have a car for the internship

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Character Performer

August 2016 - January 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Amazing company to work for. I was constantly surronded by uplifting people and became really close to my managers.

What I wish was different

I wish that I would have made more money while I was there, but besides that I really dont have any complaints.

Advice

Keep an open mind and always stay positive. It was so easy to let guest or other cast members get under my skin. Guest can be a handful, but if one stays positive it makes your spent working so much better. Also, Disney will not hire you if you arent positive. So always smile.

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Merchandise

May - August 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Working for Disney was so fun because I got to meet a lot of new people from all over the world and really get a sense of how such a successful company provides the best experiences and guest service to it's guests.

What I wish was different

I wish my internship had been longer!

Advice

Enjoy every second of the program because it goes by fast. Also take every opportunity you can to make magic for a guest! It is the most rewarding part of the job.

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Bus Greeter

January - July 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved working with other college kids from all over the world. I learned so much about myself and about the company and how to return full time. I loved that even though the hours were long and early I still got to have amazing experiences and interact with people from all over the world. I liked that I grew as worker and my self confidence with talking to managers, interacting with people I have never met, people of different cultures, how to work through language barriers, problem solve and deal with unhappy guests and try to take a bad situation and turn it into a good one. I loved seeing everyone excited to start their day and them sharing their happy experiences made my day. Of course there were cons but I had so many wonderful interactions and had the time of my life that I cannot wait to go back and work there full time.

What I wish was different

I wish it was longer through the summer because I did not want it to end, and I wish that the apartments were not as expensive and that it was not so much to get down there.

Advice

Enjoy every minute of it. It goes by so fast, and even if you are tired, still go to the parks, go to events, hangout in the resorts, and just take it all in because you will move back home and miss it everyday.

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Cast Member

August 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The atmosphere and the work environment is phenomenal! I love how everyone works together to create magic every day!!!

What I wish was different

I wish I did the college program earlier!

Advice

Always follow your dreams!!! Don't be afraid to take a huge risk when applying for the College Program. If you know how to stand out, they definitely want you!

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Colleges Program Merchandise Hostess

September 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The educational opportunities afforded by the program are fantastic if you're proactive and know how to get involved. A lot of leaders and managers recognize that you're an aspiring student and they genuinely want to help you get into your dream role(s). It's also great experience to see how such a large company is run.

What I wish was different

Sometimes it's frustrating trying to balance being a student and being an hourly employee. It can also be tiring trying to get every opportunity possible, but it feels like it'll be worth it in the end.

Advice

Know what you're getting into but don't be discouraged if things don't go exactly as you planned! The College Program isn't always easy but it's a rewarding experience if you want it to be.

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Network Engineer Intern

May - August 2017 • Celebration, FL

What I liked

Fantastic networking and learning opportunities

What I wish was different

A little more variation in work

Advice

Network network network, you never know who can help in the future.

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Disney College Program Participant

February - July 2016 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Working for Disney allowed me to make friends from all over the world! It was so cool to work for a huge company that is recognizable to everyone.

What I wish was different

Even though I loved working at Pop Century Resort, I wish I would have been able to work in a park.

Advice

Go in with an open mind and a positive attitude, take advantage of every opportunity they give you, and have fun!!

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Quick Service Food and Beverage Hostess

January - June 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Having experience with a Fortune 500 Company, the perks the company offered as a Cast Member, and enhancing my experience in Food and Beverage.

What I wish was different

I wish that I was a better leader, and more organized.

Advice

Enjoy your time at Disney, and make sure you are working hard.

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Project management intern

June - August 2017 • Glendale, CA

What I liked

Hands on experience as a project manager for a suite of applications handling movie order fullfilment to theaters, well developed project management office

What I wish was different

During my short 2.5 months, 3 contractors were let go making me question the overall culture for engineers in disney.

Advice

Spend a lot of time with project managers learning how they approach their work and their attitude towards their team during times of difficulty.

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Merchandise

August - October 2016 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved being able to get the experience of working for such a world renown company.

What I wish was different

I wish that the hours weren’t are demanding but I understand why they are.

Advice

Make sure you have fun. Even if you miss home go to the parks with friends and just have fun.

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Attractions Hostess

January - July 2016 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Gaining knowledge of the Walt Disney Company and how the cast members intereact with the guests is something I found interesting. Learning about how the company was started is a unique story- unlike any other company!

What I wish was different

Advice

Make the best of your Disney College Program experience. You will meet people from all over the world and gain connections. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience!

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Attractions

January - May 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The classes I was taking were taught by company executives in the field I want to someday be in and we were able to network with them after class. My job was so fun and I got to connect with students and guests from all over the world. I also got to go to Walt Disney World theme parks for free on my days off!

What I wish was different

I wish I had brought my car!

Advice

Network to the best of your ability!

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Quick Food and Beverage Service, Typhoon Lagoon, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom Cast Member

February - July 2016 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

I loved helping create that Disney magic for the guest and serve them with great hospitality. Working and meeting people form all around the world and the United States was an awesome experience.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more time to visit the parks on my days off. I also wish I had more time to explore the area and Florida. Everything cost more in Florida than other parts of the United States so be careful about your spending.

Advice

Always work hard and do your best everyday. Set a good example for others. Smile, and be friendly to your fellow Cast Members and , try your best to keep the guest happy. Enjoy your time working and creating magical moments for the guests that visit the Disney Parks and the Resorts because you are creating memories that will last a lifetime for those guests and for yourself so you can look back on those moments when you are not having such a great day. Also go to the Disney Parks as often as possible especially because you get in for free if you are a Cast Member. Remember to always keep the 4 keys in mind while working. The 4 keys are safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency. "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." -Walt Disney

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Park Operations - Attractions - Space Mountain Cast Member

January - August 2017 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

I was able to learn how The Walt Disney Company is operated and how to give great guest service. I had free access to the theme parks as well as discounts to many local places.