Disney College Program

Matthew Carpenter
Oct 22, 2019
5 min read

For this week’s blog I will be discussing the Disney College Program! In this post, just like in my blog on Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, I have information straight from those who have or are currently participating in these programs. For this post I interviewed my friend Peyton who is currently participating in the Disney College Program! I have also watched almost 100 vlogs of those who have also done it! I highly recommend searching on YouTube for vlogs, there are hundreds of videos that you can watch for every step of the program from the application process to the last day.

The Disney College Program is a work-travel program for international and U.S. college students at Walt Disney World and Disney Land and Resorts. In order to participate, applicants must be currently enrolled in a college course, or within 12 months of graduation.

You have the option of applying for two main time periods: Spring and Fall. The fall term lasts from September to January; and the Spring term lasts from January until May. Both terms have the opportunity to extend, called Spring or Fall Advantage Program. You have the opportunity to make that call during your time at Disney.

Application Process:

The first step in the application process is applying at www.disneycollegeprogram.com. To apply you will create an account that will keep you updated on your progress the entire time until you are either accepted or rejected. Peyton said within the hour after submitting her application, she received a link for a web-based interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZW5DlYtAAI : Application Process Tips

The web-based interview according to Peyton and several bloggers is basically a personality test. Basically, you are asked a series of questions to find out if you are the right person to fit for Disney. For every question you answer with “strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree.” Almost every vlogger noted that it is best to refrain from neutrality as much as possible, you want to portray yourself as confident as possible.

During this process, you will be asked to comment on the roles you want to work in and rank from not interested at all to highly interested. You will be considered for any job that you have any interest listed for. So, if you hate food services do not show ANY interest for it!

Make sure you check the website for preferred language use to help with your application. The computer looks for key words and offers a web-based interview based on that.

After you submit you can be offered a phone interview, or you may be rejected. Phone interviews are usually offered pretty soon after completing web-based interview. Phone interviews usually last from 15 to 20 minutes.

This is your chance to sell yourself, so make sure you prepare for it, get enough sleep, and get excited for it! They want to hear the happiness and positivity in your voice, remember, you’re applying to Disney. I also recommend looking up a video or two of vloggers phone interviews so that you can get an idea of what it’s like.

After you finish the phone interview, it is pretty much a waiting game until you are either accepter or rejected. During this time, keep checking your portal page and your email. You can find out shortly or it can take up to a few months.

Living Situation:

There are currently four housing complexes where you can have up to eight housemates. It is possibly to have your own room, but that is very expensive. Most rooms have two to three people in them. Your housing expenses are directly taken from your paycheck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmimFfQSr6E : Housing Tips

You do get to preference which complex you want, but it is not guaranteed that you will get that location. Also note that each location has a different price, so if money is an issue for you, I would definitely research which is best for you. Each housing complex has its pro’s and con’s, as is with any apartment complex. You do have a stocked kitchen with appliances, dishes, silverware, etc. And you also have access to a gym, pool, and some have game rooms.

In the vlogs that I have watched on the housing complexes, there really doesn’t seem to be one that is a bad place to live. Some are nicer than others, but they are all pretty nice looking.

Some people prefer going with a random roommate, but if you are like me, you want to know exactly who you are living with. Just like college, there are Facebook groups where you can find people compatible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lQBQbBVoHQ : A night in Disney Springs

As far as transportation goes, Peyton said there really is no need to bring your own vehicle because there are busses that bring you anywhere you need to go, including to work. You have the option to bring your own vehicle, and for some that may be the way to go if you don’t want to rely on a bus to get around.

The Job:

There are many job possibilities within the Disney College Program, anywhere from custodial staff to being a Prince or Princess. Again, look up videos for different jobs from former or current Disney College Program participants to learn the pros and cons. Take what they say seriously, but also take everything with a grain of salt. They may not have liked that job, but maybe you will. And like I said earlier, do not put that you have any interest in a job that you are not willing to do.

When you arrive you will go through extensive, but fun training to make sure you are fully prepared before you start. Peyton arrived in Florida on September 9th, and did not finish training until September 21st. From what I understand from the vlogs, the first week is pretty relaxed and you get to bond with your roommates and meet people.

You are provided a costume that is based on the location you work at. Disney is pretty strict on your appearance, meaning they don’t want you to have excessive piercings or crazy haircuts. It all coincides with the Disney look and feel.

Language goes along with the look and feel. An example of trained language comes from Peyton, she worked at the Polynesian Resort, so she addressed everyone with “Aloha”, referred to boys as “Pirates”, and girls as “Princess”. She noted that at first it is unnatural to talk like that, but once you get used to it, it becomes a lot of fun.

A big part of your job is to create “magical moments”. These can be small acts of kindness to big gestures that kids will remember for a long time. Your job is other people’s vacation and most of them have waited a long time to go there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As6EbaTUnB4 : All about Merchandise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjJ8nrqGFIk : Pro and Cons of different jobs

Final thoughts:

Make sure taking a semester off to work here is the right path for you! It is a fun place to work, but try to get some college credits from taking classes at Disney or at least get an internship credit. The memories you make will last forever; like staying up late hanging out with your new friends, exploring Disney or Universal Studios before work or on your off day, or simply creating a magical moment for a guest. This may be the program for you, be sure to listen to vlogs from those who have gone through the program to find out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm185eFPIyo : The Tea on DCP

Next Week:

Make sure to check back next week where we will hear from people who have participated in work-travel programs, including my friend Honza from the Czech Republic and his experience working for Water Country USA!