Making Magic, Making Memories:
The Disney College Program
Looking past college, I knew I wanted to pursue work that felt... different. fun. exciting. I had known about the Disney College Program, a work-study, internship opportunity at Walt Disney World in Orlando, since freshman year, and finally decided to apply as a next step after graduation. After a rigorous application process, I was accepted for the Fall 2019 program in the role of character attendant - and I could not have been more thrilled.
An integral part of the Entertainment Department, character attendants serve as a liaison between guests and the Disney characters we all know and love. From Mickey Mouse to Moana, I facilitated meet and greets with hundreds to thousands of guests per day, helping them to create magical memories that would last a lifetime. From the time I began in August of 2019, I worked in all four parks at Walt Disney World as well as four resorts and several special events, so I was always learning something new and growing on the job. In just a few months, I found myself planted, both within the department as well as in the Orlando community, and I began to blossom.
The core of Disney's guest experience model is the Five Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Inclusion, Show, and Efficiency. Every day, I exemplified these elements of success in various ways. I maintained Safety by being present for the performers I was attending and by being ever vigilant of my surroundings in an ever bustling theme park environment. Always essential in guest relations, I demonstrated courtesy by answering questions and being my positive self in every guest situation, no matter what arose.
Inclusion is a value that acts on its own while also uplifting the other Four keys. Among my coworkers, I made sure everyone - attendants, performers, and PhotoPass - felt welcome in our work environment. As for guests, everyone belonged. I made sure that shy siblings, adults who thought they were too old to get to meet characters, and everyone in between enjoyed their experience and walked away feeling included.
Every aspect of Walt Disney World encompasses "show," from the parades to the spotless restrooms. As an attendant, I came to work polished and professional every day, and made sure Mickey Mouse did, too. And finally, I provided guests with meaningful interactions, while still ensuring that each character met as many guests as they could each appearance, demonstrating efficiency. These principles, though at the center of everything at Walt Disney World, are universal in potential application, and I plan to bring these principles with me to every opportunity.
In March of 2020, I was in the middle of my Disney College Program extension, and looking towards applying for a full time position in just a few weeks. Unfortunately before I was able to do so, Covid-19 forced the parks to close, and Disney made the important decision to suspend the Disney College Program, effectively terminating all participants with a favorable completion. I was completely uprooted, forced to return home for the foreseeable future. It was been a difficult transition, as one can imagine, going from spending every day at "The Most Magical Place on Earth" to, well, not. But it was not too long of a hiatus, and as soon as I was able to I was back making magic, on Main Street this time.
Receiving my nametag on my first day as a Cast Member!
Meeting Donald Duck at age 5; Working with Donald Duck at age 21!
Meeting a guest dressed as a
mini Character Attendant!
#CastCompliments
At Disney World, guests have the opportunity to use social media to give shout-outs, or #CastCompliments, to cast members who make their trip extra magical. These are the Cast Compliments I received during my program!
