The Walt Disney Company

College Program Participant at Old Key West Resort

January - May 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Working as a Disney College Program Participant taught me how to live in a big city, how to manage a full-time job when surrounded by amazing activities, and how to create connections with important individuals in a Fortune 100 company. The experience impacted my confidence, work-ethic, and connections positively.

What I wish was different

I struggled to connect with one of my four managers. I wish we had been able to become closer, but the other three remain in contact with me!

Advice

Expect sleepless nights (full of Disney fun) and do not take a heavy course load on your first program!

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Security

August 2018 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

Good to work while going to school.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Workforce/Staffing Analyst

May 2017 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Do everything in the parks, you will never be able to do this again!

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Quick Service Food and Beverage

May 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Its an amazing experience that lets you network for future careers. You make a lot of amazing people that you eventually call friends and family. Some of the people you meet are from all over the world. Theres so much to learn from the program and its a lot of hard work thats worth the reward. You get to go to the Disney parks for free and get discounts, overall would do the program multiple times if i could.

What I wish was different

I do wish i could change my role but overall i loved it.

Advice

I would say dont sit around and not experience everything the program offers, theres events only for interns and amazing learning opportunities, just take advantage of all the resources.

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Hollywood Studios Park Greeter

January - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved that I could work in any park for Disney World. I loved making magic in as many places as I could. I also loved the living arrangements that Disney had to offer as well as all the friends I made while down there!

What I wish was different

Even though I did love my job, i do wish I could have tried another role or position on Disney property.

Advice

Open yourself to as many possibilities as you can and just go with the flow!

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Marketing and Content Creator

July - September 2017 • Singapore, North Region

What I liked

I loved the work environment at Disney, it was a very happy and high energy environment. I also enjoyed being exposed to a variety of projects ranging from different departments within the company.

What I wish was different

Advice

Use your time at Disney to take advantage of the many different departments and learn from each one

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Entertainment Costuming

May 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

At my work location I was able to work on high quality and some Equity productions in the entertainment tside of things at the Walt Disney Parks. The people I've met here are some of the greatest humans.

What I wish was different

I wish I was able to choose my work location, fortunately I was lucky enough to be put on productions unlike many others with the same internship who end up only working Ops.

Advice

Do not expect everything to go your way and for people not to listen to every word you have to say. Learn from your encounters with fellow cast and crew and apply those lessons accordingly.

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Merchandise Intern

January - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I enjoyed having the opportunity of learning about the company through hands on experience. It was a lot of vigorous work, but it made me have a better understanding of the working of Disney World. I also loved the perks they offered the cast members (ex. getting into the park for free and 30% discount on certain Disney items). I also loved how the Disney College Program offered seminars for students looking to work for either a higher position in Disney for the future, or want to know the ins and out of the company through either a media and communications perspective, environmental, financial etc.

What I wish was different

Definitely the guests, but that is way out of my control. I also wish our leaders were not so strict about what was required, and assumed that we weren't doing out jobs if we weren't doing anything at that very second. I also wish I had done the internship in four months rather than signing up for the six month program.

Advice

Definitely apply, because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work for such an amazing and loving company. Don't worry about what others say about the internship, because it is worth it. Work hard, smile, and have fun.

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Park Operations/Custodial Guest Services

January - July 2017 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

Everything. Disney only hires the best, so naturally you'll meet some truly amazing people that will become like family to you. Getting to eat, sleep, live, and breathe in Disney World for 7 months is a truly life changing experience and is a lot of fun, too. You learn a lot about how a mega-business runs from the inside, and have so many tools available to you for personal and professional development. The culture at Disney is great, and you get to work in the warm Florida weather. You're empowered to make magical moments for guests and to do whatever it takes to make their vacation be their own fairytale.

What I wish was different

Sometimes CPs get overloaded with hours and it takes a lot out of you working 8 to 12 hour shifts in the Florida weather. Also, all work in a place that should be all play is very mentally draining, so make sure to take advantage of your free time, and trade for shorter shifts if you start to feel overwhelmed from work and use that free time to play in the parks, or explore the many things to do in Central Florida.

Advice

Take advantage of all of the opportunities that the DCP has to offer. Enroll in Disney classes or seminars, attend events put on by Housing, never miss an opportunity to make a connection or talk to somebody new.

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Software Engineering Intern

May - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

There was a small group of interns in Seattle, so we formed a very close-knit group and they were a joy to be around. The work I did was very applicable and impactful, and the managers really valued my final recommendation for the project.

What I wish was different

More guidance especially in code design for such a large scale project, especially because I was so new to the technology.

Advice

Ask questions and ask if you can potentially experiment with multiple projects rather than one summer-long one.

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Attractions Host

August 2017 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

Learning the ins and outs of operations within the Disneyland Resort. I’ve always been a huge Disney fan, and being a part of the magic making will stay with me forever.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Photopass Photographer

February - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved the work environment and the work i was able to do. It really felt like i was able to make a difference.

What I wish was different

I wish I had the option to do specialized training for different departments, but even without that it was a great skill building experience.

Advice

Do research in advance and prepare yourself for the travel and living abroad experience.

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Software Developer Intern

June - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

The environment was more open and relaxed yet still efficient.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Custodial

June 2016 - August 2017 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

Working at disneyland is an amazing experience. The atmosphere is fun and you meet a lot of cool people.

What I wish was different

The pay

Advice

Enjoy the experience make use of all the benefits you get being a cast memeber.

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Quick Service Food and Beverage

August 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I liked the work experience I gained. The internship is also paid so that was a nice benefit.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been doing something a little bit more relative to my future job aspirations.

Advice

Be prepared to work your butt off because working in the parks is not an easy job.

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Landscape Architecture Intern

August - December 2017 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

What I liked

The entire internship was incredible and taught me so much about my industry and opened my eyes to a lot of aspects of my major that I would have never considered. The people you meet here and the network you build will be so helpful for the future and I cannot wait to see where the network I built will take me. Disney has a unique system of "meet and greets" where you can set up a time to meet with almost anyone in the company. I was able to set up meetings with some executive directors and project managers who I never thought would have time to talk to an intern.

What I wish was different

I wish it had been longer, I had the opportunity to extend but didn't want to miss any more school.

Advice

Apply over and over again, I applied 6 times before receiving this internship. Also apply knowing it is very competitive and don't be hard on yourself if you don't get it. Once you make it into the office, network with as many people as possible and try to reach out to other teams that could have possible future positions for you.

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Professional Intern

August 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Excellent pay, great company, monthly learnings, encourages interns to try different departments

What I wish was different

A bit more flexible with class schedules. The internship was full time so it is hard to take classes in person

Advice

Take advantage of all of the knowledge available from professionals in the company more than 30 years

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Slide operator and Lifeguard

February - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved having guest interaction and my coordinators were great to work with.

What I wish was different

I wish that guests had been more kind. I know this isn't a very realistic request, but I feel that my employer did everything right as a company. I have no complaints against Disney and no suggestions really.

Advice

I would say that this experience helped me grow. You definitely have to be open to moving across the country, being away from home, and living with several people you have never met before. There can also be long hours, but the experience is definitely worth it.

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Hotel Front Desk Clerk

January - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The guests were phenomenal, my coworkers were amazing, and the fact that you can go to the parks WHENEVER you want was literally a dream

What I wish was different

Nothing!

Advice

Do it with an open mind because you will he stressed out every now and then, but make a good solid group of friends with your roommates and coworkers so everything will be smooth and happy.

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