I experienced Disney’s college program last spring and I loved it! The college program encompasses students from across the world. You make the friends of a lifetime and have fun while learning a little something and not only school-related learning, but also about yourself!
What you derive (college program only):
Disney provides you with a state to live in one of their three apartment complexes. You have a choice of a 1-4 bedroom apartment and each bedroom is double occupancy. Then you get thrown together with people you don’t know from all over the station and you have to learn to get along. It’s kind-of like the Real World on MTV. In your apartment, you have furniture, all the appliances, bed linens, and towels. You basically obtain everything you need!
Next you are placed in a job. This job can be in any of the theme parks, water parks, or resorts. It’s not a glamorous job at all, but it is money. You don’t get paid a lot of money and your rent comes directly out of your paycheck, but there are a lot of opportunities for overtime. At your job, you will meet all kinds of people between your co-workers and your guests. And remember this – you are not an employee in a uniform; you are a cast member in a costume no matter where you work!
The third component is the learning aspect. Disney provides for free a number of classes you can choose to take as share of your college program experience. The American Counsel on Education has recommended these classes for college credit. Also, you develop up your resume with the Disney name and learn primary and transferable skills.
The Walt Disney World College Program was the best experience I have had so far. I have made lifetime friends and opened doors for myself that I never knew I could. I am currently looking into management at Walt Disney World after I graduate in May. And if I chose not to go back to Disney, I won’t have too much of a problem finding work because I have that Disney name on my resume. I already have had job offers from companies basically because I have that customer service skill that only Disney can teach.
Applying for a job at Walt Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort has positions in a variety of areas, including Casting Services (which recruits entry-level, hourly Cast Members, skilled trades people, and administrative support); Executive and Professional Recruiting (which recruits industry professionals); College Recruiting (which recruits undergraduates for full-time working and learning experiences); Entertainment (which recruits parade performers, singers, dancers, musicians, stage technicians, stunt performers, and DJs); and International Recruiting (which recruits international students for working and learning experiences).
All Cast Members at the Walt Disney World Resort typically receive free park admission to the four theme parks anytime. You may receive discounts on park tickets, merchandise and resort accommodations inside Disney as well as outside Disney. If you are a full-time Cast Member, you may be eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefit plans. A retirement plan and paid vacations, holidays, and sick days.
Tangible benefits like excellent medical, dental, and retirement plans aren’t the only things you may be eligible for as a full-time Cast Member. The Disney family is always looking for ways to reach out to potential Cast Members who want to make friends, make magic, and make a difference. That’s why thousands of people become a part of the Disney family each year.
The Walt Disney World Resort is the largest single-site employer in the United States, which means lots of opportunities for you. There are over 3000 different job classifications as well as management opportunities. Also, the Walt Disney World Resort is open 365 days a year, which means working 40 hours or more per week.
As a cast member, you will be expected to comply with specific appearance guidelines. For men, hair should be neat with a natural look, cut over the ear and off the collar. Men must also be clean-shaven every day. No bracelets, earrings, or necklaces are allowed but you may wear a watch and one ring per hand. For women, hair must be a natural color (no streaking or frosting). Make-up and nail polish should be natural tones and only used as an enhancement to your appearance. And fingernails cannot be longer than ¼ inch beyond the fingertip. Again necklaces or bracelets are not allowed. One ring per finger, a watch, and one earring in each ear (post style, no larger than a quarter) is permitted.
