It was 2015, and the young, hopeful, 22-year-old me did the Disney College Program. Now, 11 years later, this is why I would have done things differently.
Let me start with this: I don’t regret the Disney College Program as a whole. I learned a lot, made incredible memories, and had experiences I’ll talk about forever. But there are definitely some things I wish I had known before packing my bags and heading to Disney World. If you’re thinking about applying to the Disney College Program (DCP), or you’re just curious what it’s really like, here are a few reasons why the experience isn’t quite as pixie-dusted as it looks on Instagram.
First, What Is the Disney College Program?
The Disney College Program is a paid internship where college students and recent college graduates move to Disney World (or Disneyland) to work in the parks, resorts, or backstage roles. Participants live in Disney-sponsored housing, work hourly roles, and get free park admission, discounts, and behind-the-scenes access to how Disney operates. I did my college program at EPCOT in merchandise. Sounds magical, right? It absolutely can be, but it’s still a job, so that brings ups and downs.
1. I Basically Spent All the Money I Made
After Disney automatically took rent out of my paycheck, whatever money was left… well, it didn’t last long. On my days off, I was in the parks a lot — eating snacks, buying merch, trying new drinks, and living my best theme park life. It’s really hard to save money when you are eating out for most meals and buying all the Mickey merchandise. I went in thinking I’d come out with savings from working so many hours, and instead I came out with souvenirs.
2. It’s Expensive to Move
The upfront costs can be shocking. Paying for your travel costs, the hotel the night before, moving boxes… it adds up fast. And depending on where you’re from, you might actually be making less money than you would at home if your state’s minimum wage is higher than what Disney pays. It’s something a lot of people don’t fully consider until they’re already there.
3. You Might Work A Lot
This one really depends on your role and location. I was usually scheduled around 40 hours a week, but many people I knew worked much more and sometimes with little notice. Case in point: I worked at EPCOT on New Year’s Eve and had a 14-hour shift. Was it exhausting? Absolutely. Was it also one of my favorite days I ever worked? Weirdly… yes. But long shifts like that are very real during busy seasons.
4. Holidays? Yeah… You’re Working
Speaking of the holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, weekends, you name it, and you’ll be scheduled. Theme parks don’t close, and CPs are often scheduled during peak times. Time off is limited, and getting approved for vacation days can be tough depending on your location. If being home for the holidays is important to you, this can be a big adjustment.
5. You’ll Make Friends And Then Say Goodbye
One of the best parts of the DCP is the people you meet. You’ll form intense friendships really quickly because you need each other. But before you know it, the program ends, and everyone moves back to different states (or countries). Staying in touch is possible, of course, but it’s hard. That part of the program can be surprisingly emotional.
6. Sleep and Nutrition Took a Serious Hit
Between long shifts, late nights in the parks, and early morning call times, sleep often came last. Cooking healthy meals felt impossible when I was exhausted, so I lived off theme park food or whatever was quickest in the apartment. Fun? Yes. Sustainable? Not really. I think my most nutritious meal was the Subway in EPCOT.
7. You Will Get Sick. A Lot.
With the lack of sleep, poor diet, and when you’re around thousands of people from all over the world every single day, you’re going to get sick. Germs are unavoidable. Many CPs joke about the “Disney College Program flu,” and it’s funny until you’re on your third cold in two months.
The Disney College Program can be an incredible experience, but it’s not a vacation, and it’s not always easy. Knowing the downsides ahead of time helps you decide if it’s the right fit for you because, just like any job, it’s not made for everyone. For more Disney news and stories, be sure to follow AllEars.net.
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Would you like to work for Disney World? Tell us in the comments below!
Always said when I retired I’d work at Disney
Yes! I would love to work for Disneyworld in the Corporate division. However, the pay would have to be sufficient, so that I could support myself.