The Walt Disney Company

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.

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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