For as long as I can remember, I’ve been enamored by Disney. This is the company that built “The Happiest Place on Earth” (Disney World) and created countless iconic films that have brightened millions of childhoods.

So when my brother told me about his amazing experience in the Disney College Program—making new friends and an indescribable satisfaction of creating joy—I knew I had to apply. I was excited at the prospect of becoming an employee of the Disney Company. It’s an experience found nowhere else, to inspire delight and wonderment for thousands of people every day.

Today, I still remember the moment I opened up the acceptance letter, the very last day on the job, and everything in between. The experience of working as a Disney Cast Member left a lasting impression on me. Once the excitement of the acceptance letter subsided, I realized that I was moving to Florida for five months. I had to mentally prepare for what was to come. I was living at home with my own room, my mother’s cooking, and my own car to go wherever, and I was about to start a completely new experience in Florida.

When I arrived in Chatham Square, one of four housing complexes for Disney College Program (DCP) employees, I was placed in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with seven other roommates. The shared living space meant there wasn’t much privacy in this “home,” but it created an opportunity to get to know my roommates with whom I shared hilarious moments and created special bonds.

Disney Casting and Traditions

After we were shown our living quarters in Chatham Square, we spent the first few days at Disney Casting, where I learned that I would be working at EPCOT-Future World as a Custodial Cast Member. Once everyone was assigned a role, it was off to orientation, called “Traditions” at Disney.  

The majority of positions within the DCP are Attractions, Custodial, Photopass Photographer, Character Performer, Front Desk, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Retail/Sales, and Lifeguard.  The list of roles is long, and there’s no shortage of different roles you can apply for according to personal experience or preference.

Once you receive your work assignment, all College Program interns must get their fingerprints taken, read and sign a variety of employment documents, and be screened to make sure you adhere to the “Disney Look,” such as not having any visible tattoos, long and unruly beards or mustaches, or any piercings on the face.

The last thing that happens before you leave Disney Casting is that you are given your training week work schedule, which tells you who your training managers will be, what your costume is going to look like, and what to expect during your week-long training session. All in all, this whole casting process takes about two hours to complete.  

Disney University

Two or three days later, you are taken to Disney University where you are placed in a classroom.  Here, Disney’s Traditions showcases the company’s history, heritage, and overall rules of safety and values. You are also taught the “Disney Four Keys”: Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency. These are the basics of Walt Disney’s philosophy to be an exceptional Cast Member.  

Interestingly enough, I was taught that every job is called a “role,” where each role is part of the “cast.” When at work, you are “on stage” performing a specific role so as to keep the “show” going; on top of this, every uniform is called a “costume.” During the final part of Traditions, a few Disney secrets of what is to come for the various Disney parks is revealed, such as concept art for upcoming rides and attractions.  

After the classroom, you are split into groups and are taken to Disney’s Magic Kingdom where you are told to watch the Four Keys in action by observing Cast Members at work. Once this brief exercise is finished, you head back to Disney University where you are given your official nametag and company identification card, which allows you free pass to any of the Disney Parks. I still remember how excited I was to get my ID card, as I was more than ready to start exploring the parks.

Custodial Cast Member Role

Being a custodian at Disney was a worthwhile and fulfilling role. Anyone who has ever visited Walt Disney World can confirm that cleanliness is spot on, and the Custodial Cast Members take great pride in this. It also offered a certain level of autonomy compared to some of the other roles, as I had an opportunity to walk around the park and did not have a supervisor looking over my shoulder all day long.

As a Custodial Cast Member, you interact with a lot of guests. I would often come across confused or lost guests and help them find their way around the park. Many guests who would spot me while walking around the park asked to take their photos, which allowed me to help them create lasting memories. Additionally, I would create “Magical Moments” for guests, kids and adults alike, such as: 

• Trading pins (A popular fad within the Disney Parks)
• Giving away Mickey Mouse stickers
• Creating water art of Disney characters on the floor using brooms
• Participating in the park’s nightly closing act by wearing Mickey Mouse gloves and waving goodbye to hundreds of guests

An added bonus of being a Custodial Cast Member is that, if you are working the night shift, you are able to watch the fireworks show, which never gets old. Disney is known for its mesmerizing display of nightly fireworks at both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom.

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Perks of the Disney College Program

As a Disney Cast Member, you receive a number of perks that are pretty phenomenal. My favorite perk was being able to attend any of the major Disney World parks for free, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. A 1-Day Pass costs $120-$185, so gaining free admission is a stunning perk.

I cannot express enough how great of a deal this is. On days off, I would visit the parks, sometimes with roommates and other times alone. The convenient thing about going alone is that you are able to skip long ride lines whenever a Cast Member would call out for single riders. 

However, along with your own free admission, you are able to get up to four friends or family members into the Disney parks for free through Guest Passes. The four Guest Passes are perfect if you have any friends or family in the area (it was pretty great when my family came to visit me in Florida and we got to enjoy all the parks together).

Other great perks include the magical employee discounts. Disney employees are able to purchase store merchandise and various restaurant meals at discounted prices as well as additional products exclusively for Cast Members. Disney’s private Cast Connection is a store only for employees of the company. In it, there are overstocked items or slightly damaged clothing and merchandise offered for 50-75% off retail.

The Disney College Program housing would also provide a number of activities for their college program interns. From character-themed parties with music and free food to swimming pool barbecues during the summer months, there was never a dull moment at any of the apartment complexes.

The Magic, Lessons, and Memories

For every Magical Moment made, a new memory was created for both me and the guests. Something as simple as giving a seven-year-old girl a Mickey Mouse sticker or taking a picture for a family left a  lasting impression and gave me a lot of satisfaction. It was special moments such as these that made the job so much more worthwhile. To this day, I value and take to heart my many interactions with guests, appreciating how they have helped me become more confident when interacting with new people. 

From my time working at Disney, I learned a great deal of valuable things that I was able to use well after my internship. As a Cast Member, I was taught that  a simple smile can go a long way, and I’ve found that to be quite true when engaging with others. Disney also teaches Cast Members to always maintain a positive attitude, which can make a world of difference at any job or in life.  As Walt Disney once said: “happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”

In the end, I am grateful. The friends I made, the lessons I learned, the memories I forged; it was all worth it. I learned how to be more positive, appreciative, and accommodating through my role within the Disney family. Self-awareness and maturity grew on me, pushing me to get up every day and share the magic.

I will never forget the smiles I saw each day on the thousands of guests as they walked around EPCOT, or the thrill I felt when going from from 0-57 MPH in 2.8 seconds on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios. I have grown into a better person because of this Disney Internship; it was an opportunity, a complete experience, and a magical time, all at once. Today, I’m no longer there but I fondly remember my experience and the lessons I learned.

“First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.” – Walt Disney