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Please contact us with any questions you may have about the program at: disneymickeyvacation@yahoo.com. We also offer a Tips, Advice and Pack List Document for interested students. Just email us with a request for a copy!

The Walt Disney World College Program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and should not be missed, no matter what your major or career goals are. Visit the official College Program website at:

www.wdwcollegeprogram.com.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Walt Disney World College Program

Q: How long does the intern last? Is this program beneficial if I am planning on staying with Disney and getting a full time job there after college? Do they pay you enough so that you can live?

A: You can do a regular program, or an advantage program, which dips into the summer. The college program understands that some Universities run on a semester schedule and others (like the California UC system, for example) run on a quarterly basis. So they offer programs for every student's needs. I did the Fall program. I left for Florida on August 20th and returned home on Jan 3rd. My husband (whom I met while on the program), did a Fall Advantage Program. So he arrived in late May and stayed until December. You always have a choice and can choose the departure and arrival dates of your choice to suit your school schedule. Yes, this program is very beneficial if you wish to work for Disney full-time after graduation. Keep in mind that the WDW Resort offers advanced internship programs as well. You must complete a basic program first, but can return for an advanced program, which is specialized for your major or career choice. Pay at Disney is quite low, especially in the parks and the resorts. Even managers, who have worked with the company for 10 years, don't make a great salary, but it tends to be enough for most people. While on the program, you make a tad more than minimum wage. They automatically deduct your rent out of your paycheck and there are no other expenses, unless you have your own (cell phone bill, credit cards, etc...). It is important to understand that the program is not a job, and it isn't about making money. It is a paid internship program and you are there for the experience and the networking.

Q: What jobs do you get through the College Program?

A: The roles are entry-level, park and resort hotel jobs. During the WDW College Program, your roles range from:
Hospitality (front desk, lifeguard, retail, custodial, concierge, etc...)
Merchantainment / Retail
Transportation (monorail drivers, shuttle drivers, stroller rental, etc...)
Operations (attraction cast members)
Custodial
Food Services
Recreation (lifeguard, activity rentals, etc....)
Disney wants you to learn the company from the ground level up. But the jobs are a ton of fun.

Q: I know that the College Program allows you to have the chance of taking Disney classes. What are these like? Are they sprinkled throughout your internship or do you do them first? Were they good classes? Are they mandatory?

The classes are completely optional and only cost you the cost of any required materials. For me, it was a book, and not an expensive one either. The course I took started in the middle of my program and ran for just a few short weeks. We met at the AMC Theater at Downtown Disney one day a week for 4 hours. My manager worked my work schedule around this class, so it was great. Each week, we'd get to hear a different presenter speak. Each presenter was a current Cast Member who started out low, where we worked, and made their way up to some pretty impressive roles, such as VP of Costuming, etc.... I never earned credit for the class from my University, but it didn't matter. It was an awesome class and I'm so glad I took it! The classes change each year, so you'd just have to check the course list if you end up doing the program.

Q: I know I have to attend a presentation and go through an interview, but how early can you apply?

A: Once you've attended college for a year, check the official website (www.wdwcollegeprogram.com) for the representative presentation schedule. Try to attend a presentation near you and bring a parent or friend if you can. A parent or legal guardian is best though as it will better help them understand the program and be more supportive. Then, if you like what you see at the presentation, you can sign up for an interview, which typically take place the following morning. You can complete a phone interview, but the in-person presentations are so much better and your odds of getting into the program greatly increase when you interview in person, so do try. You do not have to attend the college they are visiting. So for example, if you are enrolled at Chapman University in California, but they are presenting at USC, then you'd just go there for the presentation - whichever one is closest to you.