The Disney College Program is an internship offered by The Walt Disney Company at Walt Disney World Resort, and Disneyland Resort. It is offered in both spring and fall for currently enrolled college students, and students who have graduated within the past six months of applying*. For those who are alumni of the Disney College Program, or a former Disney Professional Internship (I will discuss this in another post) there is also an alumni only summer one available. Although for the alumni eligibility you still have to be an enrolled college student, or have graduated within the past six months as well. The program itself is considered a living, learning, and earning program, and I know this is generally followed by the question what does that mean exactly?
The first part is living** this component of the program is quite literal, since participates of the program will live in Disney provided housing with other applicants*** of the program. At Walt Disney World the Disney College Program housing complexes**** are Vista Way, Chatham Square, Patterson Court, and The Commons. At Disneyland Resort there is only one complex provided for housing and it is at Carnegie Plaza (I will address the specifics on housing in a separate post). The next part of the program is learning in which participates of the college program have the option of several Disney courses taught by Disney cast members (I will address specifics in another post). This is of course is optional for most students, and courses are not required by The Walt Disney Company in order to participate in the program. The final part of the program though is earning, which for those wondering the answer is yes Disney does pay you to work. The college program is an hourly position, and pay itself will depend on the role in which you are offered (I will address this in the application process post). As for the hours participants of the program work full-time as Disney is in the hospitality business that means anytime weekends, nights, days, and holidays. As for those wondering “anytime” does in fact mean anytime participates could work anytime the resort or theme park is open.
Now that the basics are out of the way the Disney College Program***** is a unique program, and even though it may sound like fun living at Disney (which it is!) it is not for everyone. I know why so negative all of a sudden? Because someone has to be that’s why. The Disney College Program is hard you will work in the rain, three in the morning, eight to twelve hour shifts, and Christmas day –it’s not easy I know I’ve been there. You will not always get the role, location, or housing you want that is just how it is going to be. Although I will say for anyone who wants an opportunity to get into the door of The Walt Disney Company this is the easiest way to do it. The program though is a little more then that, for those alumni you’ll understand what I am going to say more then most, it is an experience that you have to live to understand how it feels. You will work long hours, contemplate self-terming, dislike at least one coordinator, and probably get tired of the bus problems. What Disney does not tell you though is even after all that you’ll still want to go back. You learn exactly how much patience you truly have, that feeling of bliss of clocking out after a long shift, have some of the most magical memories to share, and creating friendships that will last a lifetime.
*The college program is only for those over the age of 18, cannot participate as a freshman in undergrad, and be eligible for employment in the United States (for the international students where is a separate application).
**I would like to address that this is limited to the Disneyland Resort.
***I would also like to address that anyone over the age of 21 can live of housing if they are able to provide their own transportation.
****In 2015 there was overflow from the college program housing complexes available at Cumberland Park, across the street from Patterson Court, for anyone over the age of 21 with a vehicle.
*****This post does not address the culinary program only the general DCP program
The first part is living** this component of the program is quite literal, since participates of the program will live in Disney provided housing with other applicants*** of the program. At Walt Disney World the Disney College Program housing complexes**** are Vista Way, Chatham Square, Patterson Court, and The Commons. At Disneyland Resort there is only one complex provided for housing and it is at Carnegie Plaza (I will address the specifics on housing in a separate post). The next part of the program is learning in which participates of the college program have the option of several Disney courses taught by Disney cast members (I will address specifics in another post). This is of course is optional for most students, and courses are not required by The Walt Disney Company in order to participate in the program. The final part of the program though is earning, which for those wondering the answer is yes Disney does pay you to work. The college program is an hourly position, and pay itself will depend on the role in which you are offered (I will address this in the application process post). As for the hours participants of the program work full-time as Disney is in the hospitality business that means anytime weekends, nights, days, and holidays. As for those wondering “anytime” does in fact mean anytime participates could work anytime the resort or theme park is open.
Now that the basics are out of the way the Disney College Program***** is a unique program, and even though it may sound like fun living at Disney (which it is!) it is not for everyone. I know why so negative all of a sudden? Because someone has to be that’s why. The Disney College Program is hard you will work in the rain, three in the morning, eight to twelve hour shifts, and Christmas day –it’s not easy I know I’ve been there. You will not always get the role, location, or housing you want that is just how it is going to be. Although I will say for anyone who wants an opportunity to get into the door of The Walt Disney Company this is the easiest way to do it. The program though is a little more then that, for those alumni you’ll understand what I am going to say more then most, it is an experience that you have to live to understand how it feels. You will work long hours, contemplate self-terming, dislike at least one coordinator, and probably get tired of the bus problems. What Disney does not tell you though is even after all that you’ll still want to go back. You learn exactly how much patience you truly have, that feeling of bliss of clocking out after a long shift, have some of the most magical memories to share, and creating friendships that will last a lifetime.
*The college program is only for those over the age of 18, cannot participate as a freshman in undergrad, and be eligible for employment in the United States (for the international students where is a separate application).
**I would like to address that this is limited to the Disneyland Resort.
***I would also like to address that anyone over the age of 21 can live of housing if they are able to provide their own transportation.
****In 2015 there was overflow from the college program housing complexes available at Cumberland Park, across the street from Patterson Court, for anyone over the age of 21 with a vehicle.
*****This post does not address the culinary program only the general DCP program
