College Students: Here's Why You Should Consider the Disney College Program
If you're reading this blog, then we know you already love Disney. That, a smile, and a friendly personality is all it takes to get into the Disney College Program. In this post, we're going to talk about all the reasons why you might want to consider doing the Disney College Program, as well as a few red flags that will tell you when you shouldn't.
Before we get too far, though, it's important to note that right now, The Disney College Program is suspended because of the pandemic. However, as you'll learn as you read on, we have good reason to believe it will be back in full force in the future. So while 2020, and 2021 for that matter, may not be the years to consider the program, here's why you should consider it sometime before you graduate.
Here's Why You Should Consider It
The housing is convenient to the parks... and is getting better.
When I went back in 1999, there were only two housing options, and they weren't really options at all. If you were an international student, you got to stay at Gordon Commons, and if you weren't, you stayed at Vista Way. Every unit was the same with paper thin walls, and 5 strange-to-you roommates. But, each unit was furnished and included all the utensils and pots and pans you might need, and you had a pool and hot tub to enjoy. Even then, it wasn't anything to write home about.
Since then, two other housing developments have been built and now students have a choice of having 2-5 roommates (You know what, though? If you don't know anyone, I'm still going to recommend 5 roommates. That way you keep from getting on one person's case too much and you always have a buddy around).
But people are freaking out because Disney has started removing all the furniture from all the College Program housing in the past couple of weeks. Since the program is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic right now, people are worried this means the end. But it's not the end. In fact, it's the beginning of something that sounds really great!
Flamingo Crossing concept art copyright Disney
Flamingo Crossing is a huge housing development being built to house ALL College Program participants. It will have huge pools and a lazy river. It will also include a clubhouse with a 24 hour fitness center and studying space. And all units will have high speed internet. But I think one of the best parts is all participants, regardless of where they are from, will be in the housing complex which will hopefully give people the experience of meeting more diverse co-workers.
And College Program housing always includes free secure shuttles to and from your workplace, all parks, and some local stops too like the Super Walmart.
It looks great to future employers!
I am certain that having the Disney Company on my resume makes employers look twice. Disney is a leader in customer service so if you're in that field, it's perfect. But also, Disney is a very discerning employer with high expectations. If you were accepted by Disney, most employers seem to see that as a benchmark that you can be a good fit for them too.
Of course, working for Disney doesn't come easy. You must learn to put the spirit of guest service in your heart. You must adhere to a very strict dress code and personal appearance code. You must represent the company well, even when you are off the clock. You must present yourself as a leader in stressful situations. Disney will teach you some of these skills, and the experience is invaluable, but you have to be prepared for it to be hard work.
You can get a unique education.
The College Program has changed so much since I was in it. In addition to the on-the-job skills I mentioned above, we had one "business" program we had to attend by going to 7 half-day seminars throughout the semester. Disney taught unique skills in these seminars like collaboration, and an understanding of different cultures, and how to present yourself, and how to hold a meeting, etc.
Now, of course, the College Program seems to have improved with its course offerings in that area as well. They now have a catalogue which includes the Business Skills courses but also other tracks like Animal Care, Health and Wellness, Life Skills (YES!), and an entire course track designed to just give you a deeper look into how Disney works (I would have signed up for that in a heartbeat. Optional extra-curriculars include behind the scenes tours). But if that all doesn't float your boat, you can also continue courses at the school of your choice online if your school offers online courses and just enroll in a Study Hall program that allows you time for your coursework outside of Disney programming.
There ain't no party like a Cast party.
I never was a party person, but a Cast Member party is something else entirely. Granted, they are technically work events (no alcohol) but they are also pretty amazing. I had the joy of attending two such events. One was an after hours event at the park I worked in (Disney's Animal Kingdom). They took over the Lion King Theater and the tumble monkeys put on a striptease-esque routine right down to the fur. We had free reign of the park and I got to see where my friends worked, including the very interesting area where Mickey and Minnie hang out when they aren't greeting guests.
Another such gathering was less formal because it was during the work day, but given a lot of us had to work on Thanksgiving, my area decided it would be nice to put on a barbecue backstage so that when we came back on lunch we could have some good food. I expected some hot dogs. There was a huge tent with an enormous spread being catered.. everything mouth-watering. We're talking whole pig on a rotisserie grill type of thing, and none other than our managers were serving us and making sure we felt catered to. I felt really appreciated that day.
You get the chance to see things before guests do at Cast Member Previews.
While as an intern you don't get quite all the perks of being a full Cast Member (you can't join the union, and you don't get health insurance), you do get some of the perks. One unique perk for the Disney fan is the Cast Member preview. This is usually an after-hours or before-hours event where a ride, show, or other attraction is tested on a Cast Member audience for feedback. When I was there, I had the opportunity (which I passed up, silly me) to see the preview of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. It was late, though, and I had to work the next morning. Some of my co-workers went though, and I know the Cast Member reviews were glowing because my co-worker could hardly express in words how cool it was. I just remember him tearing up and trying to explain to me "Then, the EARTH floats out into the center of the lagoon and it's all lit up and then it splits open and a TORCH comes out of it" while I just looked at him like he was insane because I couldn't see how that could have possibly happened (it did).
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth concept art copyright Disney
You get into the parks freeeeeeeee.
Yeah, you know this one. Don't let it be the only reason you sign up for the College Program. It's NOT going to be one long vacation, trust me. But... being able to go to any theme park almost any time is pretty great. Add to that that you get a few days that you can admit a friend or family member which is pretty awesome as well if your family is able to visit you.
The experience will build your character.
THIS. This right here is the biggest reason to do this. It might not seem like it right now, but looking back, I know that the biggest thing taking this internship taught me was independence. Let me explain:
You can already function as an independent adult - you're in college. You can maybe cook for yourself, get yourself around, plan your day, all that. This goes beyond that. This is leaving your community, leaving your state or country maybe, leaving your friends, family, and your every day patterns. This is turning your world on its head just to see what its like on the other side.
And there is something gained when you leave everything you know and move to a new place where the only people are new people and you are doing new work. It's hard, but it's priceless. It's going to teach you skills of resilience and confidence and, yes, independence.
But Here's When You Should Not Go
I've made this all sound pretty good so far, haven't I? But let's not forget, the Disney College Program is hard work. You will be paid minimum wage and most of your earnings are going to come out of your paycheck and go right back to the company to pay for your ridiculously expensive housing.
So don't go into it thinking you'll make a good bit of money.
Also, you are going to work hard. For me, it was harder than I've ever worked in my life, physically and emotionally. And it was long hours, and ALL holidays you better bet you will be working. And you're going to do this without the benefit of a 40 hour work week (that's for union folks... you can expect 45-60 hour weeks) and without the benefit of, well, benefits.
So don't get thinking this is going to be a cakewalk.
And if somehow by some crazy ability at bluffing, you manage to pass through the interview process and don't really REALLY love Disney in your heart, this is not going to go well for you. Now, I know you love Disney because you read this blog! But you have to really REALLY love Disney in order to work for them. Because your first few weeks, you will be surrounded by strange people in a strange place. You will be working harder than you may have ever worked in your life and you'll be sore in your muscles and exhausted from the long hours. You will not be able to show that exhaustion on stage because your manager will tell you to smile and greet every guest, so you're hiding all of this. And you'll be so homesick it physically hurts. You might find yourself after a long shift crying on the bus back to housing while sitting across from your co-worker who is also crying. This was so common when I was there, that you learned how to acknowledge crying co-workers on the bus politely (you nod at them, sit nearby, but not too nearby, in case they want to talk, and then ignore them until they indicate otherwise.)
And what's going to get you through this dark time is your belief in what you are doing and what you are part of. If you remind yourself that YOU are what can make a guest's day magical, you can find the light. If you remind yourself that it's not just you, but it's everyone you work with who is working hard all for the guest experience and to make Disney what you love about Disney, you can find the light. And if you don't have that love, well, you are probably going to quit. And for me, I love Disney more than almost anyone I know, but sometimes I had to go ride Spaceship Earth on repeat to remind myself what I was part of. But when I did that, I always recharged enough to be ready for another shift.
So don't do it if Disney is not for you.
I could write pages and pages about the Disney College Program, and probably will at some point in the future. While the College Program is suspended now during the pandemic, it's clear that Disney continues to invest in it and continues to make it a great opportunity. Look for future posts about how to apply and what to expect.
And let us know if there is anything in particular you want to know about the College Program. Until then, you can follow us on Facebook or Pinterest to see when the new blog is posted each week.
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