Being an avid Disney fan, I once considered applying for the Disney college program. I later changed my mind because of some family issues, but I have always wondered what it would have been like. Luckily, I have a very wonderful friend, Ariel, that participated in the program. I know that a lot of college students are unsure of what to do after college or even once they begin.

This is how I got the idea to interview Ariel to get the 'inside scoop' on what it's really like to work at Disney.

J: Why did you decide to join the program?

A: I had been going to Disney World with my family very frequently, sometimes once a year, until I was in college. It has always been a place where my entire family actually got along. After seeing cast members with their colleges displayed on their name tags, I decided to do my own research on the company and the College Program itself. I decided that I didn’t exactly have any direction for my future career, so I was hoping that working for them would help me decide. It didn’t exactly do that, but it gave me the skills required for the career I eventually chose.

J: How did your family/friends feel about you doing it?

A: My parents were thrilled when I got accepted. I had been declined from the program on a previous application attempt. Round two was a success! We are lifelong Disney fans, so they were excited to have someone working for the company. They also knew how many times I had switched majors at this point, so they were hoping it would give me some direction. My friends were confused. A lot of people find my Disney obsession bizarre for someone in their 20s, and at the time I was an English major, unsure of my plans for after graduation. A lot of them suggested a summer abroad, but this was a little more up my alley.

J: How were the people you met? Was it weird living with strangers?

A: I met some of the most amazing people on my program, many of whom I am still friends with today. Living with strangers wasn’t that weird, as I had already done that in the dorms at college. Most people (including myself) will join a Facebook group of people checking in on the same date and make friends/pick out their roommates before they arrive. The housing doesn’t have to be totally random if you don’t want it to be.

J: Did you find out any Disney secrets while you worked there?

K: Not so much secrets, as just getting to see how the company works, which from a guest perspective, you might not know. For example, I was in attractions, but that doesn’t mean I work every attraction. I had a set area and I worked only the two attractions I was trained on. Also, since I worked at the Magic Kingdom, I got to walk through the Utildors (their underground walkway system) to get to work, my locker, and lunch every day.

J: Do you think the experience prepared you well for ‘the real world’?

A: Yes, so much. My current job has almost nothing to do with what I did during my program. However, it is a customer service position. I use the skills Disney taught me from a service standpoint on a daily basis. Also, because it is a major eye catcher on a resume, I got my first job in a library as a result of my boss being a huge Disney fanatic. I now work in libraries as my career.

J: Did you have multiple jobs or bosses? How did they treat you?

A: Nope, I only had one job in attractions, specifically in Fantasyland. That was my only job. Yes, there are multiple layers of “bosses.” There are trainers, coordinators, managers, and up it goes. I mostly worked with/saw the trainers and coordinators on a regular basis.

J: What was the most challenging part of the whole experience?

A: I would say the most difficult parts were both the pay and the homesickness. You are making just enough money to get by (they take rent out of your paycheck, too), so you need to have some saved up before you go. Also, I’m a huge baby so I was very homesick. I went to college an hour from my house and Disney is about 14 hours. There’s a lot to keep you busy but sometimes it just wasn’t enough.

J: Did your personal feelings toward Disney as a whole change because you worked there?

A: I actually thought it would ruin the “magic” by going behind the scenes. In fact, it did the opposite. Learning the history of the company and how it operates gave me a greater appreciation. I now have an annual pass and vacation there one to three times a year.

J: Would you do it again if you could?

A: Definitely. I loved it, and I have some regrets from my program that I wish I could have a do-over on. Also, I would like to try different roles. I did attractions and would be interested in merchandise or something else to see how those work too.

J: What recommendations do you have to anyone who wants to apply/made it and will be attending soon?

A: Save up some money before you go.

Decide what roles you would be okay with. In the phone interview they will ask you if you’re okay with certain roles; if you’re not, be totally honest, or you might end up in a role you don’t want.

You can apply even if it has nothing to do with your major. You might figure it out while you are there. Some kids go down and never come back because they stay working for the company.

Bring your car with you, or make friends with someone who has one. This makes groceries and getting to work much easier.

Go in with an open mind.

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If you're interested in the program, I hope this interview gives you some insight into what it is really like. Don't forget us when you meet Mickey!