What is the Disney College Program?
The Disney College Program is offered to currently enrolled or recently graduated college students. It provides the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, move to Florida, and work at the Disney Parks or resorts. You can take the semester off or take classes online. Disney provides housing, so you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to live in a city you have never been to, you get to live with other program participants, and are provided free transportation to work and the parks. The best part, though, are the perks. This includes free park access, discounts on food, merchandise, hotel stays, and exclusive opportunities for backstage tours and learning!
About My Program
My first Disney College Program experience remains the best experience of my life. I wanted to do the program since before I even knew what college I wanted to go to. My dad claims to remember me talking about it after getting back from a family trip to Disney World in fourth grade. I applied for the first time for fall of 2022, and initially got rejected. So I applied again for spring 2023, significantly more nervous this time. I got the acceptance email shortly after with the confetti GIF right after waking up from a nap. I remember jumping up, yelling the news to my parents, and all of us cheering in the kitchen.
I flew to Orlando with my dad for my check in date on January 23. We spent some time eating and watching firework shows from the hotels, and then I moved into Flamingo. The first week of being there is a blur: I got to know my roommates and spent most days “resort hopping,” a rite of passage for program participants before they get their free park access.
The real excitement started when I started training for my job at Flight of Passage. Putting on my costume and starting work made it feel real. Every day I got to be a part of the magic. I told guests the story of the moon of Pandora and greeted them with Na’vi phrases. When children were too short to ride, I would let them pet the little banshee on my shoulder and walk them to the front of the line for the ride next door. If guests were extra kind, I’d let them ride again. I made some of the best friends of my life there. We worked together, lived together, visited the parks together. When we got out of work early enough, we would run to catch fireworks at one of the other parks, and stop at Wendy’s on the way home.
Summer 2024
This summer, I am going back for my second program. I’m not sure where I will be working yet. I could be in EPCOT or Magic Kingdom or the Grand Floridian hotel. I am just excited to be back in Walt Disney World, making guests’ days. So many of my friends from my first program are going back, too. I am so looking forward to park days with friends I haven’t gotten to see since last spring.
I cannot recommend the Disney College Program enough. It is an excellent opportunity for anyone hoping to get out of their comfort zone, meet new people, gain experience and build connections, and make magic. Since my program, I am so much more confident, independent, and outgoing.
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