WDW Disney College Intern Program About This Page:

[ilovedisney0_0]

Hi everyone! My DD is interested in applying for the WDW College Intern program, and I was hoping those of you with experience could give her some pointers and advice. I've read several threads over the years where people have tried to get in, but were unsuccessful. So, for those of you that have been lucky enough to get in (or have family members that were), any advice? Tips? Suggestions? She will have graduated with her bachelors in elementary education, and wants to apply for the semester after she gets home from studying abroad in Ireland, but before she starts her Masters program for school psychology.

[JerseyDad]

....you're lucky if the college that she attends is a participant in the intern program. My daughter went to Kean University in NJ ...and they refused to participate in the program!!

....she, however, has just recently (as a graduate ....class of 2010) got feedback for a non-intern (full time) job with Disney in Fla ...and is awaiting a notification for an interview.

[ilovedisney0_0]

Wow, so exciting! Good luck to her!

Yes, her college does participate in the intern program. The thing is, though, I know the program is VERY competitive. Even though she is a Deans List student and very well-rounded, from reading other's posts about their attempts (or their kid's attempts) to get in, that doesn't mean much. I am just hoping someone can give her some ideas of what worked for them, when applying, so she has the best chance possible of getting in.

[Teresa]

Hi! My DD has applied twice and been denied twice. Can't give you tips about how your DD can get in, but I can tell you: doesn't really matter.
As long as you answer truthfully on all the questions, say you're willing to work most areas of service (DD only said no to character and maid service), and attend a university, you have a chance.
The applications are all computer generated, on-line applications and tests. No telling what they're looking for at that particular moment or why some kids get it and some don't. DD didn't make it, but there were some kids on line, on a "I want to be a DCP participant" FB page who did - and were very un-Disney like people.
Who knows?

[Pepperjackgirl]

I think luck and the number of people they need at the time have a large amount to do with whether or not she gets in. The more flexible and positive she is, the more likely she will get in, but then she does need to ask herself if she really is ok spending a semester picking up trash at the Disney theme parks If she is looking for a more professional internship then she will need to have completed 1 semester doing the regular college program and then she would be considered for the advanced internships which quite honestly are a lot more helpful when it comes to your professional career. A 6 month stint in food and beverage (even at Disney) doesn't get you very far, but it is fun.

[ilovedisney0_0]

I think her thing is that she wants to experience every little thing she can, everything that holds any interest for her, before real life (bills, responsibilities) sets in.

[shannonwellnitz]

As a previous cast member of Walt Disney World International Program (I worked in the Canada Pavillion in Epcot,) I can tell you that the thing on my application that stood out were volunteer work and willingness to participate in anything they put forward. Positive attitude is a huge positive for them...I had a very large amount of volunteer work in my past, most with children and it served very well for me! I loved my time working for Disney...not a day goes by when something doesn't remind me of it!!! Good Luck and Pixies to your daughter!!!

[JennyM]

My daughter did the CareerStart program (for high school graduates) and was asked to extend for that program and did, came home, went to college applied to the DCP and didn't get in. It seems a lot of the process depends on how much housing is becoming available for that session, how many people are needed, things like that. The DCP seems to be extremely popular and they get an
overwhelming number of applicants for a limited number of jobs. She got an email mid-summer saying they need more people, reply back before Friday to be accepted, first come first serve...she replied back within a half hour and didn't get in...again. She sent an email and asked why and was told they had all the people needed reply back BEFORE the half hour it took her to reply. She was kind of upset because we also saw people who got accepted talking online about exactly how to break rules, how to call in for shifts, etc and she already had a proven track record with the company. That being said, she loved it and would do it again in a moment's notice. However, your job is your job...Disney isn't really flexible...seemed kind of like just a full-time job that didn't pay a lot. She worked Speedway for her first program and front desk All-Star resorts for her second. We actually just moved down to FL and she has already visited some friends in the Orlando area and is making plans to apply and move up to be roommates with someone she roomed with in her first program!


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[Pepperjackgirl]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

I think her thing is that she wants to experience every little thing she can, everything that holds any interest for her, before real life (bills, responsibilities) sets in.

In that regard it is a totally awesome experience

I was on the program and actually ended up in HR with the company and got to go on a recruiting trip in TX. We had a lot of food and beverage spots to fill so pretty much anyone with a positive attitude and a Disney smile got in But I am sure their recruiting efforts have changed since then and I wonder if the internet is making it even more competitive.

Hope she gets in - it is a great experience, but you do have to be willing to work whatever they give you since there is so much competition to get in.

[scillarella]

Running a register or working a food and beverage cart may not seem like the most helpful experience to have on a resume, and maybe it isn't the most helpful, but it's still Disney and it looks good on a resume regardless. It shows you have been trained in first rate guest service by a top company, and that you have worked with many different cultures. You can learn people skills, sales skills, and other things that are valuable in just about any line of work. Aside from that, it's Disney and you will have an incredible experience and have the chance to go seasonal when the program is over and continue to work occasionally and keep your free park admission.

My advice, as others have stated, is to be positive and flexible. In the DCP you will be working long hours, you will be depended on to have a good attitude and be responsible wherever they place you, and you will most likely be moved around to different locations as needed. Showing an eagerness and excitement to fulfill your role and bring the magic to guests can only help in the interview process. Any specific stories of what Disney magic means to you and why you want to bring magic to others would be helpful.

[mamajab]

DD's college also didn't participate, so she had to wait until she was about to graduate to apply. I agree with the people who say "Be positive and be willing to do anything." I don't know exactly what DD said (or did) but she got accepted when many of her friends did not. She is currently finishing her second semester, and has enjoyed it ( for the most part). Best of luck to your DD!

[zhemi]

My cousin Jennifer attended UB and did two summer internships with Disney. Both times she worked food concessions, but loved it just because it was Disney. I'm not sure if her 3.94 gpa, major in aerospace engineering with a secondary in musical composition or just her really long blonde hair were the deciding factor of acceptance, but she did get accepted.
We are hoping they open up the CareerStart program again as my own teenage daughter has aspirations of going into that.

Good luck for your daughter! I hope she gets in. It's definitely an experience of a lifetime!

[ilovedisney0_0]

Thank you all for your encouraging words and very valuable advice! I think she would make an amazing CM, and Disney would be very lucky to have her - but I'm not prejudiced, or anything!

[Kelly66]

Originally Posted by Pepperjackgirl

I think luck and the number of people they need at the time have a large amount to do with whether or not she gets in. The more flexible and positive she is, the more likely she will get in, but then she does need to ask herself if she really is ok spending a semester picking up trash at the Disney theme parks If she is looking for a more professional internship then she will need to have completed 1 semester doing the regular college program and then she would be considered for the advanced internships which quite honestly are a lot more helpful when it comes to your professional career. A 6 month stint in food and beverage (even at Disney) doesn't get you very far, but it is fun.

I spent hours and hours clicking around the internship site before I applied-looking at professional internship job descriptions and requirements. I also looked at Disney's Career The Walt Disney Company Home | Jobs and Careers higher level job postings to see what kind of pre-requisites there were. Many of them did require the college program. I kept clicking higher and higher jobs seeing what kind of responsibilities there were at each level. There is a 'Disney Careers Map' at the bottom of the page.
I also clicked around, and attended an audition as well as being open to many many positions. The ones I didn't choose, I was asked why I had not included them, so I was glad I had taken notes when I made my selections.
Perhaps having done that all that, I had a mindset when I filled out the on-line web interview. But truly my personality is right in line with the Disney Culture, and I think they can ascertain that. Expect high quality, emphasize safety, be truly FANatic about providing magical experiences -even picking up trash. Good luck.