From Trainee to Cast Member

After Traditions is Training! What your exact training will be like completely depends on your location, role, and segment of the company. I will do two generic ones though (some based on my own experience) of a corporate PI, general MI, and a general DCP one as well to give you an idea of what to expect. 

Disney College Program
Much like the Disney PI and MI what you do during training will depend on your specific role, but I will start out by saying you lifeguard’s have an extra step. If you happen to be in the lifeguard role prior to even starting your property orientation you will have to complete a swim test (twice) and Ellis training. The first will happen shortly after you arrive usually on the check-in day or the day after. For everyone else your first training with Disney is typically your themed property orientation (Aloha Day, Grand Difference, Our Town –yup these are just a few), but some of you might have OJT first which is fine. However most do not so on property orientation day it will typically be about 4 hours, and consist of information you are going to actually need to know. Usually it consist of learning about amenities, restaurants, attractions, parade times, fireworks, building locations, pool locations, areas nearby, methods of transportation, and etc. You will also have a walking tour of guest and non-guest areas to get a feel of where everything is on that particular property. During your OJT you will be with a trainer (you do not always have the same one) who will teach you basically everything you need to know, or what they think you need to know about doing your job. This will consist of about 4 days of training, and on the final day you will have an assessment which yes you do need to pass. After you pass the assessment (which is also not hard) you will have a talk with one of your managers about expectations and what not, and then be signed off as finally earning your ears.  

Disney Professional Internship 
Corporate: On the first day of training it will usually consist of starting off by taking a tour of the building (for me it was Team Disney), then taking a tour of your floor, and of course the cubicles (yup gotta love those). You may also go to see some of the buildings nearby as well that you might need to know for your job. You might also go out to lunch with the team you will be working with (at WDW usually lunch is at a resort restaurant), and then you will be taking more tours. For some roles you may take a tour of the convention centers / hotels on the resort property as well as other event location. For those of you who do not do that the rest of the mornings there will usually be filled with training classes where you will learn to use all of the programs needed for your role. 

Theme Park/Resorts: You will have a themed property orientation regardless of your role you will take a 3-4 hour class before beginning on-the-job training (OJT). During this course you will learn all your area has to offer (yes I mean everything…) from activities, amenities, events, and etc. You will also take a lovely walking tour of the entire area of both guest and non-guest areas. After that you will have you OJT, which usually consist of about 4 days. What you are trained on depends on your specific role, but it will be skills needed to do your everyday work. At the end of the training you will have to complete an assessment (I promise it is not hard), and then have a meeting about expectations with a manager. Then you finally get to stop earning those ears, and become a regular non-trainee cast member.  

I want to be clear this was left general on purpose, but if you want a more specific look into what check-in day will look like in my next F.A.Q. post I will attach some other helpful blogs that go into more specific internships as well. 

I wish I could say general excitement since you are actually working for this first time at Disney as a Cast Member, but really it is just helping you get into the swing of things. The first day when you are on your own it finally sets in you are working for Disney, and this is going to be your home for the next 6 months to a year. 

Step Into the Magic: Traditions

For the time has come to take your places, and finally become apart of the magic that is The Walt Disney Company. You guessed it Traditions! Where you officially become apart of the magic by becoming a Disney Cast Member. I will break down this down into California and Florida now keep in mind California will vary depending on your role within the company. 

Let’s start with the basics first what is Traditions?

Well it is an overview of the company, and particular your specific area of the company (Studios, Disneyland, WDW, and etc.). This orientation is for the company, and each of you will have a specific orientation later pertaining to your actual roles. As I stated this is where you become an official Disney Cast Member, and will receive your infamous blue ID (if you are a third party vendor it will be green). For those wondering what is so special about the blue ID besides your going to need it, well until you get your magical main gate it will get you free entrance into the parks.


Traditions: Florida

• Dress is business professional
• Bring your program guide
• Show up on-time
• Eat something before Traditions can be long
• Speaking of long Traditions can be a few hours long

Traditions is split up into two start times so some of your roommates may have it bright and early in the morning, and others will have it later in the afternoon. First things first though wear Disney Look business professional attire I know people who have been sent back to the apartments for not wearing the right attire. Alright, past the boring warning you are going to be bused into to Traditions, and those who want to drive can (although I do not suggest it if you do not know where it is). When you get there you will be lined up, then broken down into groups (they are random), and then shuffled into the cafeteria. Prior to entering the actual Traditions room you will basically play Disney trivia in the cafeteria where you can win little Disney figurines. After that each group will be sent into their rooms where Traditions will begin, and now so will I.

The first part of Traditions is very boring (trust me) it is going over computer modules, company procedure, and safety in case of fire or whatever else happens. I know more of you will be focused on what is inside the giant red box with a huge bow –do not worry I will get there.  

Now the next part is where if you are super emotional (like the girl who sat next to me) it is a magical, sappy, inspirational video about The Walt Disney Company, and working for them. Also, I know people are going to ask so I will say it now –yes those are all 100% real Cast Members. After the video they are going to give you more information about The Walt Disney Company, and then you are going to be allowed to take a short break.

When you come back you are going to be allowed to open those giant red boxes with the bows to find our very own free set of Mickey Mouse ears. Then you will move on to talk about the Disney “Four Keys” which are Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency in that order. If you are confused about it now do not worry those four concepts will be imbedded into your brain for life even after you leave Disney.

This section will be followed by another inspirational video this time by the CEO Robert Iger, Chief Executives of Parks and Resorts, CFO, and etc. (basically a bunch of executives most of you won’t remember –however I am after Iger’s job lol one day!) Now I promise you though this next part is worth everything trust me! You will leave the Disney University building and head over to West Clock to take a bus to none other then the Magic Kingdom! You will arrive at the sketch location known as the Utilidors (aka the tunnel system), and there are no pictures allowed down here since it is ‘backstage’. I promise for those wondering they are not amazing trust me the second floor of Magic Kingdom is much better then the first floor. You will follow the tunnel down a few corridors, and eventually make your way to the second floor to walk onto Main Street USA (and yes you will be the most overdressed people there). If you do not remember why you decided to take this internship you will remember in that moment when you look up to see Cinderella’s Castle.

The Magic Kingdom tour is short lived though, and you will all head back to Disney University next to West Clock (for those who haven’t quite got it yet West Clock is the Magic Kingdom parking lot for Cast Members). Your surprises yet are not quite over for the day just when you thought Mickey Ears and the Magic Kingdom in the same day was not enough you will get on more surprise by none other then the Mouse himself –Mickey! Who happened to bring along a wonderful gift, which are your name tags! Mickey leaves and the Traditions Cast Members make a graduation type ceremony to receive your name tags (also if your name was spelled wrong like mine –no worries you can order another from costuming for 5 dollars). Then you get your blue IDs then you are pretty much done for the day (if your blue ID does not come during Traditions you cannot get into the park, since they are still waiting on the background check). As for everyone else enjoy the rest of your day in the parks, since you are officially a Disney Cast Member!

Fair Warning! While some of you will be done with Traditions for the day others will not be so lucky to leave Disney University just yet. Some of you will have to be there for your specific job line orientation, and that will make it an hour or so longer.

*Now I know this question will arise so I will put it here: Once you have your Blue ID in hand to enter a park you will need to see a Guest Relations cast member, since Main Gates are the only ones that work like passes –which you do not have.


Traditions: California 

• Dress is business professional
• Bring your program guide
• Show up on-time
• Eat something before Traditions can be long
• Speaking of long Traditions can be a few hours long

Traditions is split up into two start times so some of your roommates may have it bright and early in the morning, and others will have it later in the afternoon. First things first though wear Disney Look business professional attire I know people who have been sent back to the apartments for not wearing the right attire. When you get there you will be lined up, then broken down into groups (they are random), and then shuffled into the room. Prior to entering the actual Traditions room you will basically play Disney trivia in the room where you can win little Disney figurines. After that each group will be sent into their rooms where Traditions will begin, and now so will I.

The first part of Traditions is very boring (trust me) it is going over computer modules, company procedure, and safety in case of fire or whatever else happens. I know more of you will be focused on what is inside the giant red box with a huge bow –do not worry I will get there. 

Now the next part is where if you are super emotional (like the girl who sat next to me) it is a magical, sappy, inspirational video about The Walt Disney Company, and working for them. Also, I know people are going to ask so I will say it now –yes those are all 100% real Cast Members. After the video they are going to give you more information about The Walt Disney Company, and then you are going to be allowed to take a short break.

When you come back you are going to be allowed to open those giant red boxes with the bows to find our very own free set of Mickey Mouse ears. Then you will move on to talk about the Disney “Four Keys” which are Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency in that order. If you are confused about it now do not worry those four concepts will be imbedded into your brain for life even after you leave Disney.

This section will be followed by another inspirational video this time by the CEO Robert Iger, Chief Executives of Parks and Resorts, CFO, and etc. (basically a bunch of executives most of you won’t remember –however I am after Iger’s job lol one day!) Now I promise you though this next part is worth everything trust me! You will leave Traditions, and will head over to Disneyland to get a walking tour. Yup, if you do not remember why you chose Disneyland over Walt Disney World the second you walk into the park you will remember why.

The Disneyland Park tour is short lived though, and you will head back to the auditorium where you will finish the rest of Traditions.. Your surprises yet are not quite over for the day just when you thought Mickey Ears and the Disneyland Park in the same day was not enough you will get on more surprise by none other then the Mouse himself –Mickey! Who happened to bring along a wonderful gift, which are your name tags! Mickey leaves and the Traditions Cast Members make a graduation type ceremony to receive your name tags (also if your name was spelled wrong like mine –no worries you can order another from costuming for 5 dollars). Then you get your blue IDs then you are pretty much done for the day (if your blue ID does not come during Traditions you cannot get into the park, since they are still waiting on the background check). As for everyone else enjoy the rest of your day in the parks, since you are officially a Disney Cast Member!

Fair Warning! While some of you will be done with Traditions for the day others will not be so lucky to leave Disney University just yet. Some of you will have to be there for your specific job line orientation, and that will make it an hour or so longer.

*Now I know this question will arise so I will put it here: Once you have your Blue ID in hand to enter a park you will need to see a Guest Relations cast member, since Main Gates are the only ones that work like passes –which you do not have.

**Also once you have your main gate your Blue ID will no longer work for park admission you must use your main gate from that point on.