Have you ever heard of the most magical internship in the world? If you haven’t, I’m here to tell you all about it!
The Disney College Program is a paid internship with the Walt Disney Company. This internship can be done at either of the two locations: Disneyland in Anaheim, California or Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
I was chosen to do my college program in Orlando, Florida. My role was Quick Service Food & Beverage. I basically worked at a restaurant that was dinosaur themed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of four Disney parks in the Orlando area.
Before you even get to begin training, you go through what they call Traditions. Traditions is basically your orientation to Disney where you’ll get to learn the magic behind the magic. Here you will get a surprise and receive your neat name tag with your name and school’s name.
Upon completing your Traditions class, you finally earn your Blue ID (not pictured because I forgot to take a picture of it). This is the key to happiness. Your key to free entry to the parks (while you wait on your main gate) and your key to merchandise, resort and food discounts. FYI, not all Quick Service restaurants give you a discount, only Animal Kingdom does.
Expect fun. When I mean fun, I mean FUN. You are in Orlando, Florida!! (or Anaheim, California if you get chosen for Disneyland). Anywho, there is always plenty to do.
For example, paint parties at Señor Frog’s
Señor Frog’s on a Tuesday
Mardi Gras concert at Universal Studios! (Shawn Mendes, heck yeah!)
Spontaneous road trips in sketchy taxi vans to Key West – drinking out of a coconut
Paint parties with roommates (Two of which are missing in this picture)
And so many more adventures that if I post them all, this would last forever. Apart from crazy adventures with roommates or friends, don’t forget to bond with your co-workers.
If you don’t get along with them, you might get annoyed with your location. Luckily for me, these people became my second family right after I finished my training. P.S., KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEM!!! If it weren’t for our crazy in-work and out-of-work adventures, we wouldn’t have survived.
Don’t forget to watch the fireworks shows, meet characters, or ride the roller coasters over and over (and make some awesome poses for the ride’s picture).
The Disney College Program is what you make of it. Some people hate their role but suck it up and still have fun because of their location and co-cast members. Others, well they basically hate it and don’t even try to make the best of it and self-terminate.
Over 40,000 people apply for this program. Most of them past their web based interview (WBI) and move on to their phone interview (PI). Some go well, some don’t. Only around 4,000 people get accepted into this program, so ENJOY THE MAGIC!!! Because at the end, you even get a graduation party!
If you liked this article and want to sign up for the Disney College Program, applications are currently open for the Fall 2017 semester: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/category/disney-college-program-jobs/391-5733-5732/2499/1
If you have any questions about the Disney College Program, feel free to follow me on twitter @_simplyamandaa and I’d love to help you out!