Walt Disney World College Program

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The Walt Disney World College Program is a U.S. national internship program operated by The Walt Disney Company, stationed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, USA. The Walt Disney World College Program recruits students (18 years and older) and all majors for a semester-long paid internship program working at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World College Recruiting actively schedules program presentations at most major universities and community colleges across the United States and Puerto Rico. The philosophy behind the program is further broken down into its three main concentrations: Living, Learning and Earning.

Contents

[edit] History

The first Walt Disney World College Program began in 1981. In the early days, the College Program consisted of just over 200 students from 30 schools working in only one theme park, the Magic Kingdom. At that time it was known as "The Magic Kingdom College Program".

In the Fall of 2004, student opportunities at Disneyland and Walt Disney Imagineering were combined with the opportunities available at Walt Disney World and the program was renamed to the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program. The opportunities with Disneyland and Imagineering are quite different from the opportunities available at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World's program remains the largest and most popular program.

Since its debut, thousands have participated representing hundreds of schools. The Walt Disney World Resort has grown through the years as well, and so has the college program.

Currently, Walt Disney World College Program students work in many diverse “Disney Roles” throughout all four theme parks, more than 20 resorts, two water parks and the various dining/entertainment/retail/sports complexes on the property.

[edit] Program Sessions

Students who apply are given the option of one of the following program sessions:

  • Spring — January through May
  • Spring Advantage — January through August
  • Spring Quarter — March/April through August
  • Fall — August through early January
  • Fall Advantage — May through early January
  • Fall Quarter — June through early January
  • Culinary — varies based on a culinary school's externship dates
  • Summer — May through August (As of 2006, this session is now open for all students but limited to Quick Service Food and Beverage roles or Custodial. Participants in this season will not be able to take part in Disney College Program Education classes.)

During the Spring school semester, the recruiters source for participants for the Fall, Fall Advantage, Fall Quarter, and Summer Program sessions.

During the Fall school semester, the recruiters source for participants for the Spring, Spring Advantage, and Spring Quarter programs.

Participants for the culinary program are sourced year-round.

For the most up to date official information check out this page on the official site: http://www.wdwcollegeprogram.com/sap/its/mimes/zh_wdwcp/students/program_seasons.html

[edit] Roles (Positions)

All College Program Roles may include prolonged exposure to outside elements including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions.

Interns are offered a wide variety of positions while attending the Walt Disney World College Program. Students pick their top three role choices during the College Presentation and if accepted into the program, their offer letter informs them of the job they will perform.

[edit] The College Presentation

The Walt Disney World College Program is an internship created to fully immerse college students in a Disney theme park working environment. The recruitment process begins with a presentation at a local university or community college. This presentation is hosted by one Disney College Recruiter who is often assisted by a Trip Partner (someone who works with College Program participants, but is not an actual College Recruiter). The mandatory presentation is also available for viewing on the WDW College Program Official Website if one cannot attend the live recruitment presentation.

Prior to the presentation date, the presentation date, time, and location has been advertised across campus with flyers, posters, newspaper inserts, door hangers, and press releases. Most of this advertising work is done by the Walt Disney World Campus Representatives. These are previous college program alumni who have returned to school and applied to become a Campus Rep. Aside from advertising the presentation date, they also act as greeters/coordinators before, during and after the on-campus presentation.

During the presentation, the program's focus is outlined including its core philosophy, Living, Learning and Earning by the recruiter using power-point, video, and live testimonials from other campus participants.

The internship is a paid program (in January 2006 $6.40/hr ($6.67/hr in 2007) with the opportunity for some roles to earn more). There is a guarantee of at least 30 hours each week, and up to 45 hours per week with the exception of peak seasons/holiday weeks where hours may be above 45). Any work done over 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day (unless otherwise noted at a participant's work location) is considered overtime at time-and-a-half.

[edit] E-Presentation

The college program now offers an online version of its presentation. This E-Presentation is for students who can not make the on campus presentations due to time conflicts or the inability to reach an on campus presentation.

The steps for applying online are the same for the regular presentation. Students can view the E-Presentation at anytime. After viewing the presentation a phone number will be giving to call and schedule a phone interview. Interviews must be done with-in 48 hours of viewing the online presentation.

Interested students can follow the steps at www.disneycollegeprogram.com/epresentation.

[edit] The Interview

At the conclusion of the presentation, the prospective applicants are given the opportunity to schedule telephone interviews (new for the Fall 2005 season). Depending on the recruiter's schedule, some in-person interviews may be held after the presentation for students who are ready with their paperwork. Prior to Fall 2005, applicants were scheduled for either an in-person interview at the school or for a telephone interview.

Students are presented with complete descriptions of the Disney roles available on the college program and are asked to indicate their preferences. The interview serves to determine not only if the student will be accepted, but also which role and program season they will be reserved.

[edit] Notification

An acceptance letter is mailed out to each participant to inform them of their recruiter's decision within two weeks of their interview. This letter will inform them if they were extended an offer (it will include their reserved role and program season), if they are still pending a decision (usually due to background check or rehire paperwork), or if they were declined a position. The students who receive offers are instructed to indicate their accept/decline decision via the official website, wdwcollegeprogram.com. If accepting, interns must complete additional paperwork (Lifeguard pre-qualification test or medical history form), provide their own transportation to Orlando and send in a $75 Program Assessment Fee.

[edit] Student Housing

Originally, students lived in Snow White Village or Lake Vista Village. Today, students live in one of three company sponsored housing complexes near Orlando, Florida. As of 2005 they are Vista Way, Chatham Square, and The Commons. Each location has similar amenities. All offer a safe living environment with 24-hour gated security, a non-Disney apartment management company (Price Management), transportation to work locations in WDW via scheduled buses, and recreational amenities (pool, jacuzzi, weight room). Should the three company sponsored housing complexes have no vacancies (which generally happens when Disney offers summer internships to international students), Disney will sign short term corporate housing contracts with local apartment complexes.

Students must pay a weekly housing payment that covers all of their utilities (electric, water, cable), local phone service, transportation, high-speed internet service, and a completely furnished apartment (furniture, dishes, kitchen utensils and appliances). This payment is deducted weekly directly from each participant's paycheck.

Each student is given a resident ID card on their first day, and they must show it to the security each time they wish to enter the complex. Guests (up to three per day) may be signed in until 1am and then they must depart the complex. Similarly, resident vehicles are tagged with a sticker to permit them to access the housing complex. Recreational events are planned throughout the program such as grocery bingo, Night of Stars talent show, and a Spring/Fall Semi-formal dance.

One- to four-bedroom apartments are available, and housing costs vary depending on the size of the apartment and which complex a participant is assigned to live in during his/her program.

In assigning apartments, all participants will be separated by gender and whether they are over or under the age of 21. Those living in housing complexes who are under the age of 21 upon arrival automatically will be placed in a Wellness apartment (dry apartment, no alcohol). All others will be placed in Non-Wellness apartments, unless you request otherwise upon arrival.

All apartments are designated non-smoking.


Housing costs: (This includes all amenities.)

   * Vista Way: $71 or $83 a week
   * Chatham Square: $73 or $85 a week
   * The Commons: $77 or $90 a week


These rates are based on the number of bedrooms and varying amenities among the complexes. They do not include any applicable taxes.

Housing costs are automatically deducted weekly from a Cast Members' paychecks, so they don't worry about turning in a check at the beginning of the month. They make every effort to ensure the living component of the program is as convenient as possible for the participants.

[edit] Vista Way

The Vista Way apartment complex is located off of State Route 535 in Orlando, Florida. It is one of three exclusive company-sponsored housing locations primarily for the Walt Disney World College Program interns but also for the Walt Disney World International Program. Vista way is one of the oldest college program complexes, but Housing does the best they can to keep it well kept. Vista Way includes laundry rooms thought out the complex, two pools and hot tubs, fitness center, basketball courts, and volleyball nets.

[edit] Chatham Square

The Chatham Square apartment complex is located about 3 miles from Vista Way,and 1 mile from The Commons. Chatham Square is a well maintained complex. Which includes: laundry rooms, a pool, volleyball nets, and a fitness center.

[edit] The Commons

The Commons are just down the road from Chatham Square apartments. The Commons is the key to recreational events, that is because The Commons is where the College Program Housing Office is at. The Commons is the home of most to the Walt Disney World International Program. These apartments include Washer and Dryer right in the room. The Commons also have a pool, fitness center, tennis courts and basketball courts.

[edit] Working

All Cast Member positions, including those available on this internship, are referred to as "College Program Roles" at Walt Disney World. Typically, the first and second day is spent completing paperwork for the housing complex, and getting settled in. On the third or fourth day, students go to Disney University (DU) where they attend Disney's Traditions class (company orientation class). Afterwards, interns are divided into training groups based on their work locations and are presented with their specific training schedules. Some Disney roles require 1-2 weeks of training at DU, while others are mostly "on the job" training. Work is a very important part of the program, and participants are expected to work their scheduled shifts.

[edit] Cast Member Benefits

While on the College Program, participants receive benefits similar to Full Time, Part Time, and Seasonal Cast Members. Participants receive unlimited entrance to all four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom) almost every day of the year. Exceptions are holidays (Christmas, New Year, 4th of July) and during special hard-ticket events ( Grad Nites, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Pirates and Princess Party's and Nights of Joy. Tickets are however available at a discount). Participants also receive a merchandise discount of 20% and are able to attend special Cast Member-only sales, pin trading events, and access to Property Control. A full-service food & beverage discount of 20% is also available (at select locations). Another benefit is that Cast Members have a special hotline to call and make reservations for on-property resorts at up to 40% off the nightly Guest rate for friends and family. Disney presents each participant with a Main Gate Pass (blue card). The card allows a Cast Member to let up to four people at a time on 6 different occasions into the park. The guests of the Cast Member are given one-day park hoppers upon entrance. Cast Members who work during the Christmas season should receive a holiday package with additional park tickets and coupons for 50% off meals in a theme park and resort full service restaurant in addition to 8 free sodas or servings of popcorn. Throughout the holiday period Cast members receive an increase in their merchandise discount. It increases to 40% although selected items are not valid for this discount. However the distribution of these is not always successful. For the Christmas 2006 numerous cultural representative did not receive the holiday packs they were entitled to. (If this is happen, go to the Disney Casting Building and they should be able to redistribute a new right there, and void out the old passes).

While on the College Program, there are many benefits for students and young professionals. Disney encourages networking with leaders, hosts multiple weekly workshops, and dependent upon their specific management team can offer College Program participants opportunities to "shadow" a leader or manager to learn about their role at Disney. Many students utilize these programs to secure a position with the Disney company after their internships end.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

News links
Alumni fan sites, inspired by the college program experience
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