The Walt Disney Company

Cast Member

January - August 2019 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

The overall atmosphere and traditional way of guest service truly makes the Disneyland Resort a magical place to work. Having the opportunity to learn from executives and Vice Presidents about how The Company functions was amazing.

What I wish was different

Nothing. This experience was absolutely incredible and I can’t think of anything I’d change.

Advice

Don’t let the magic die out; it can be a long, and often crazy journey during the Disney College Program, but one guest shouldn’t ruin the magic for thousands of others.

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Attractions host

May - August 2019 • Kissimmee, FL

What I liked

The coworkers and the guests I got to meet.

What I wish was different

The hours were really scarce. Less interns should've been hired.

Advice

The probationary period is a real thing and it's very important to literally do your best at all times.

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Retail Salesperson

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I enjoyed the postive attitude everyone who worked there have. It was a caring envirnoment where everyone was friendly and was willing to help.

What I wish was different

I wish that there was more of an option to work diffrent places such as stock.

Advice

I think this is a great job to break you out of your comfortzone and interact with people. You are able to talk to guest about the products that both of you might have good memories of.

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Disney College Program

April - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

An amazing experiencing working for such a large company. Plenty of networking opportunities and openings to grow within the company, if you so choose. Also a lot more fun than your typical internship, as playing in the parks and getting to know people from around the world is really what makes the program special.

What I wish was different

More consistent work schedules would have been nice, but needs fluctuate depending on the season.

Advice

It's important to use internships like this to have fun, but also to utilize all the networking opportunities available. There are so many people that will have meet and greets with you just to talk about their experience in the company and share advice on how to continue on and grow.

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Pastry Chef Intern

June - November 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Real experience

What I wish was different

More variety in product

Advice

It's great experience. Take in everything you can.

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College intern

August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

A great experience to meet new people and work for a very influential, successful business

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cast member

June 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Coworkers and making a magical experience for guests!

What I wish was different

The management not giving employees praise for working hard.

Advice

Work hard in all you do, even if it seems like no one is watching. The rewards will always pay off one day!

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College Program Intern: Skyliner

February - March 2020 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Making magic for families is the ultimate way to learn customer service, and the leadership at the company was amazing.

What I wish was different

I wish my internship had not been cut so short by COVID-19

Advice

Try and make connections with fellow Interns before you go so you can have people to share the experience with and support you. Also embrace a positive mindset and be thankful to work for such a reputable company.

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Merchandise Hostess

January 2016 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

Experiencing the daily operations of a Fortune 500 company is a valuable experience. This is a great opportunity to build customer service skills and meet people from all over the world. I also enjoy having the flexibility to pick up shifts in many locations around the Walt Disney World property, becasue each is unique and offers different learning experiences.

What I wish was different

The pay isn't great, but the overtime opportunities and perks make up for it.

Advice

Working for Walt Disney World is not an easy job. It requires you to put in long hours, work in the heat, and deal with a lot of guest issues on a daily basis (with a smile on your face). But, if you love Disney, or want to work your way up in the company, this is a great stepping stone.

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Lifeguard/Merchandiser

August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I had great coworkers and coordinators!

What I wish was different

My role was a pretty challenging one!

Advice

Some days will be harder than others, but making magic for guests is so worth it!

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PhotoPass Photographer

January - April 2019 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

The diverse group of people I was able to meet

What I wish was different

I wish I would've been fluent in another language. I knew a little bit of Spanish and could get by with nonverbal interactions, but I felt like it hindered the guest experience.

Advice

Take advantage of this opportunity to the fullest. I do not regret going. I enjoyed my time in Orlando! I have many life long friends because of it.

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Attractions Cast Member

May 2019 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

You interact with guest from all over the world and you have access to all of the disney perks along with other perks.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

To really think about what you would be happy about doing before applying.

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Front Desk Receptionist

January - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I liked the opportunity that I had to meet and interact with guests from all walks of life. It was a great experience having to get to know each one of the guests that I checked in, personally and to greet them by name whenever I see them around the hotel. My colleagues became friends then they became my family, there were things that I would've done for them in an instant, just because they were fun to hang out with and they radiated the "Aloha and Disney Spirit" with enthusiasm and class. I learnt a lot from them and continue to communicate with them until this day.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had the opportunity to extend my internship to a few more months. To leave the Disney Polynesian Village Resort was heartbreaking and sad, there never has a day gone by where I do not think of the people that I served with and the people that I served.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would share with those college program students who are planning to do their internship or are preparing to leave for their internship, is to make every day count. Enjoy the place, the people and the culture. Never waste any minute of your time at Disney moping around at home or sleeping. Take advantage of the parks and free rides. Go out make friends and leave the world better than you found it. :)

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Cast Member

January - July 2017 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I loved getting to meet and talk to people from all over the world. It was fun to see them having a great family vacation, and I loved the freedom I had to make their days better with free ice cream coupons, Fastpasses, etc.

What I wish was different

The hours are very, very long and it is a lot of work. I mean 15 hour days and not a lot of sleep. I was so burnt-out and couldn't wait to leave by the end of my program. There is not much room for anything else besides work.

Advice

You have to really enjoy what you do or at least form a bond with the people you work with. The program is very intense and without some form of motivation, you will get very tired and it isn't hard to give up.

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Cashier

May 2017 • Anaheim, CA

What I liked

They always have shifts to pick up.

What I wish was different

I came into a higher position.

Advice

Do not sell yourself short. Let the company know all of your talents and do not stop moving around until you found a position that you love to attend everyday at work.

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Disney College Program

January - November 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I really liked working for a large company in a different state. Most of the people I worked with were really friendly and helpful too. You meet a lot of different types of people while working at Disney World.

What I wish was different

Management is constantly changing and there's no stability in that aspect. Plus, some of the managers were questionable in their practices and power-hungry.

Advice

Go in with an open mind. There's so much to do during the program and so many people to meet. Don't go in with an agenda, whether it be partying, park hopping, professional development, etc. Try everything that Disney provides you with.

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Finance Intern

May - August 2023 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I really enjoyed how collaborative the internship was. We had the opportunity to work with our cohort and met with them at least once a week to really build relationships with the other Finance Interns. I also enjoyed how much of the company (and property) we were able to see due to the breadth of the events and outings we had.

What I wish was different

I don't think I would change much about the internship.

Advice

Take every opportunity to explore different areas outside of Finance (for me specifically)

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Cast Member

June - August 2018 • Orlando, FL

What I liked

I was a waitress, and I loved dressing up in a sailor costume, talking to children and pretending I worked on a ship, getting into the parks for free.