Disney Professional Internship Info?

[iamsosleepy]

Hi,I just got accepted to a Disney Professional Internship working in Labor Operations Cast Deployment... I'm very excited about this, and I'm looking for anyone who has done a professional internship with Disney before to give me any tips on what to expect! Since I'd be taking a semester and half a summer off from school (Boston University), I was also curious as to what everyone did regarding taking classes.

Any information would be helpful, thanks!!!

~niki

[sunkissed212]

Niki-

Sorry, I don't have any experience with this so I can't offer any advice or insight to you but I just wanted to say congratulations!! This sounds like an amazing experience. I'm sure it will be very beneficial to your future career. Congratulations and best of luck!

[Miss Kelly]

Hi,I just got accepted to a Disney Professional Internship working in Labor Operations Cast Deployment... I'm very excited about this, and I'm looking for anyone who has done a professional internship with Disney before to give me any tips on what to expect! Since I'd be taking a semester and half a summer off from school (Boston University), I was also curious as to what everyone did regarding taking classes.

Any information would be helpful, thanks!!!

~niki

Congratulations! :cheer2:

[meanstreak82]

Niki,

I just found out Thursday that I also got a PI as a Cast Deployment Asst! I'm pretty sure that it's for MGM. Let me know what you find out (anything at all... i'm info-starved) or if anyone else has any info to share, let me know. Not sure what the next step is, so I'm getting pretty anxious.

-Rich

[Miss Kelly]

:thumbsup2 Congrats again to both you!

Quick Question -

Did you both do the WDW College Program? Are you both still in college? How was the interview process, etc? Thanks!!!

[meanstreak82]

I actually didn't do the CP. I thought about doing it, but just couldn't take a semester off of school. My PI was one of the few that didn't require you to be a CP alum (even though it was recommended). Given that, I really didn't think that I had a good shot at getting it, but was extremely excited when I found out.

I'm still in school, but only a few credits short of graduating... I'm a 5th year senior at Indiana University. I figured now would be the best time to do it, and was going to apply for a CP if I didn't get my PI.

The interview process was a little spread out actually, but like I read on another board, it seems like it is different from office to office. I applied online about 3 months ago and got a phone call about a week after that to schedule a phone interview to take place couple of weeks after that. The interview was a conference call with Cast Deployment people from each of the parks (that was in early February). They told me that I was the first person to interview and that their decision would be made by the first week of March. March 2nd I got an email with the application that you print out and fax back to them (work experience... references... etc) which I thought was odd that I recieved it after my interview. Anyway, I got a call Thursday (March 16th) telling me that I got it!

I got an email today from my recruiter congratulating me and directing me to a link on the official interns website that had a form for me to fill out "to confirm your acceptance of the Deployment offer made to you".

Hopefully I can get more info (is there anyone here that has done anything in the Labor Operations office? Any info would be greatly appreciated... i.e. where is it located... etc)

-Rich

[iamsosleepy]

I'm currently finishing up my second year at Boston University, majoring in Business Management with a double concentration in Organizational Behavior and Marketing, Minoring in Mechanical Engineering. My process of getting the professional internship was similar to Rich's... I was looking online for the possibility of a summer internship at Disney and I found the Disney Professional Internship site, and applied for 4 or 5 different ones. I got a call probably a week later regarding the Labor Operations Cast Deployment to schedule a phone interview with two hiring managers from the parks, which was a few days later. 3 weeks subsequent to the interview, I got a call saying I got the internship! I applied and got accepted to the College Program as well, just in case I didn't get an internship. I'm not sure what park I'm going to be located at yet, but the internship is through the beginning of January and I head up there end of June.
Rich, what are the dates for yours, and are you doing the raffle for the apartments?


Niki

[Miss Kelly]

Thank you both! :sunny:

[Harmony272]

Hi, I've applied for a PI. I have always wanted to do the CP but I'm married so I never applied. Then I found the PI program and decided that would be great to do. Is is really hard to be accepted I don't really have any idea.
Thanks
pirate:

[meanstreak82]

Niki,

The dates for mine are June 14th through Jan 3rd. I put my name in for the NB raffle. I just don't want to deal with the hassle of finding another place that's close, furnished, and with utilities included. I talked to my recruiter, Kim, and she said that it doesn't take as long to get to NB as you think. But if I can find roommates and a place that's closer/just as close and furnished I would do that.

I also recieved the "Disney Look" pdf via email today. Basically telling what the appearance/clothing guidelines are. Hopefully more info like this will be coming soon. Niki, do you know where you're going to be yet? My recruiter said my specific job site hasn't been determined yet. Have you heard anything about any other details?

-Rich

[smilingmouse]

Congrats to both of you. I worked as a Cast Deployment Assistant at the Studios in 2004. It was an amazing experience. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions :)

[Disneyland_emily]

I also am doing a PI and know as much as ya'll :)

I'm in the Management Training Program (however they call it) for Retail. I'll also be there June-Jan

Since the Mgmt kids cant apply for the raffle I am in the process of looking for an apt :)

Is it June yet?

-em

[iamsosleepy]

I got the Professional Recruitment folder in the mail today, basically the Disney Look info and standard employment forms and all. Still waiting to hear which area I'm going to actually work!

I also put my name in for the raffle for the apartments, but I do have a bunch of friends in Orlando anyway I can live with if it doesn't work out.

Anyone know how possible it is to take classes while doing an internship? I'm already taking Summer 1 up here in Boston, but I'd really hate not doing ANY academics in the fall.

Also, know what kind of hours I'm likely to be working, or does it just depend? Like, 9-5 type hours? And SmilingMouse - Where at the Studios is the cast deployment office?


Thanks again :)

[smilingmouse]

I got the Professional Recruitment folder in the mail today, basically the Disney Look info and standard employment forms and all. Still waiting to hear which area I'm going to actually work!

I also put my name in for the raffle for the apartments, but I do have a bunch of friends in Orlando anyway I can live with if it doesn't work out.

Anyone know how possible it is to take classes while doing an internship? I'm already taking Summer 1 up here in Boston, but I'd really hate not doing ANY academics in the fall.

Also, know what kind of hours I'm likely to be working, or does it just depend? Like, 9-5 type hours? And SmilingMouse - Where at the Studios is the cast deployment office?


Thanks again :)

Congras to you on the internship! I worked a variety of shifts....openers had to be there at 6 am...ugh! Most of my shifts were between 7 and 8 hourd each, and I generally worked 40 hours...I was also able to get lots of OT

The office is in bungalow 3, rightbehind Millionaire.

Please let me know how things go :)

[carolinagirl4]

Hey guys. I'm heading down mid-June for a professional internship too. I'm a marine mammal intern at the Living Seas. I was just wondering if anyone has heard from housing and whether or not you plan on doing the NorthBridge housing.

See everyone in June!

[iamsosleepy]

I got into Northbridge, so I'm going to live there... If anyone else plans on doing the same, let me know! I'm still waiting to hear where I'm going to be working exactly though.

[GuestRelationsIntern]

Hey everyone. I got accepted to be a professional intern as well. I'll be doing the Guest Relations Internship at the Magic Kingdom. I received an email about housing at North Bridge because I put my name in the lottery and I got it! I still haven't received my information packet yet. My arrival date in June 14th. Oh yea, I'm a senior at the University of Illinois about to get my bachelor's in Spanish. :) Where is everyone else working??

[carolinagirl4]

I accepted the NorthBridge housing too. I read somewhere that the way they assign roommates is by whoever is registering before/after you when you first get there. So basically the people you are in line with will be your roommates. Also, I think they allow you to switch rooms after 2 weeks.

[Liverstealer]

I might as well join the crowd....I'm a supersenior graduating from the University of Illinois and I've been offered a position as an Educational Presenter at Animal Kingdom. I'm going to live at Northbridge, but I'm a little concerned that I haven't really signed any contracts or anything. I haven't gotten anything in the mail concerning the internship or housing, but when I emailed my contact person, they said I didn't need to sign anything yet. Idunno, things aren't all that far off and I'm just paranoid that I've missed some form or some email. Can't wait for it though! pirate:

[Florida_Gator]

First of all, congrats to you guys for getting a Professional Internship with Disney!

I also got an offer from Disney. I will be working in the Industrial Engineering PI, starting this Summer. The check-in is in Vista Way, on May 19th.

Disney recruiters came to our Career Fair (University of Florida), and I gave them my resume, and they called me a couple of days later for an interview. Two managers interviewed me at my University and about two weeks later, they offered me the position!

As far as paperwork is concerned, I filled out my application before my interview. After getting acepted, I have received pdf for Disney Look, a letter of acceptance, and info about Northbridge. The only thing I have received over the mail was the letter about driving directions to Vista Way.

And yeah, I will live in Northbridge Apartments! It is a very convenient place (close to the Millenia Mall, and the International Drive). I am from Orlando, so if you have any questions about the city, let me know.

The only concern I have is that my car is broken, so I won't have transportation at all. I have to rely on buses (Lynx and Disney buses), or carpools. Hopefully I will be ok! :cool1:

[Florida_Gator]

I forgot to mention that I will take some online courses. Many universities offer that option. I will take mostly business courses in order to finish my minor.

[doc2b]

Ok well more questions then, where did you all find the postings on internships on the disney website. I go to professional internships click search, and it take me to a page where I put keyword Internship in. From there it populates a page of ABC Internships in Glendale, CA. Any tips with this? At university of South Florida we dont get many recruiters for some reason so I am relegated to the internet. Also, are you planning to work with disney after your PI or are you using this as a stepping stone to find another company to work with, or do you know? :bounce: :crazy:

[Florida_Gator]

Ok well more questions then, where did you all find the postings on internships on the disney website. I go to professional internships click search, and it take me to a page where I put keyword Internship in. From there it populates a page of ABC Internships in Glendale, CA. Any tips with this? At university of South Florida we dont get many recruiters for some reason so I am relegated to the internet. Also, are you planning to work with disney after your PI or are you using this as a stepping stone to find another company to work with, or do you know? :bounce: :crazy:


I got my Professional Internship because Disney recruiters came to UF... I am not familiar with the website thing, but you can go to the disney.go website and choose Disney Careers and there are different types of Professional Internships, just follow the instructions and send an email... However, I guess it is more difficult to get a PI by applying online than getting an interview by a recruiter on campus...

[carolinagirl4]

doc2b, internships are not always posted on the website. They come and go with availability. My guess is that since Disney is getting ready to bring in the fall semester interns, they're not ready to start taking applications for the spring or beyond. My recommendation is to just keep checking. More will be added as time progressses. And don't worry if recruiters don't come to your school (they didn't come to mine either, but I still got an internship). I applied online with no problem. You might not have too long before they start posting more internships on the website. They posted mine I believe in October for the following fall semster (a good 8 or so months before it actually starts), so just keep your eye out and good luck!

[Trinket143]

Hey, y'all! I also got a professional internship. Mine is Education Presenter at Animal Kingdom. I actually have a close friend who did the same internship last year so I've been able to find out a lot of stuff from her.

I'm graduating this Friday though so I don't know anything about taking classes there. From what I understand, too, our hours may not be regular so it might be hard to take a class.

[disneyisaslavedriver]

As a warning to all of you new PI'S, stay away from NORTHBRIDGE WELFARE HOUSING. I lived there. You are paying 2x more than a single apt costs and it is not safe. My fellow interns had tires slashed, muggins, were robbed, lost laptops and dvd players from LOCKED apts. It is loud,unclean,and the biggest nightmare of my life. DO NOT BE NAIVE. Disney will try and brainwash you to stay there but please find your own housing. Professional interships are not all they are cracked up to be, and I would stay far away from Disney if I were you. I know most of you are from other states and all excited about it. Guess what I was too. But hey if you don't believe me check back here one month after you start and tell everyone the real deal. Have a magical nightmare.

[faeflora]

Ok well more questions then, where did you all find the postings on internships on the disney website. I go to professional internships click search, and it take me to a page where I put keyword Internship in. From there it populates a page of ABC Internships in Glendale, CA. Any tips with this? At university of South Florida we dont get many recruiters for some reason so I am relegated to the internet. Also, are you planning to work with disney after your PI or are you using this as a stepping stone to find another company to work with, or do you know? :bounce: :crazy:


If you go to the Disney Careers website and put in internships you get a longer list of options. They are now listing professional internships that begin in January 2007.

[sergeastorms]

As a warning to all of you new PI'S, stay away from NORTHBRIDGE WELFARE HOUSING. I lived there. You are paying 2x more than a single apt costs and it is not safe. My fellow interns had tires slashed, muggins, were robbed, lost laptops and dvd players from LOCKED apts. It is loud,unclean,and the biggest nightmare of my life. DO NOT BE NAIVE. Disney will try and brainwash you to stay there but please find your own housing. Professional interships are not all they are cracked up to be, and I would stay far away from Disney if I were you. I know most of you are from other states and all excited about it. Guess what I was too. But hey if you don't believe me check back here one month after you start and tell everyone the real deal. Have a magical nightmare.

Yes, Northbridge is very expensive when you consider that you're sharing a room. There is the possiblity of having a single though, since they put 5 people in the 3 bedroom apartments. I wouldn't count on it though, since if you're coming in June you will probably be moving in with people already living there.

I am currently doing a PI, staying at Northbridge with other professional interns. It is true that housing typically rooms you with who you are in line next to. The other PIs in my program arrived on the same day, and most of them live together. I got here a couple days later, and although I don't live with PIs in my department, I do live with other PIs.

Yes, there are other disadvantages to Northbridge. It is much farther away than Vista Way or Chattem - those are like living on campus. However, the drive really isn't that bad, at least for now. It takes me around 20 minutes to get to work, although during the busy season (it may already be starting) I expect traffic on I4 to get worse. Also, there are regular families living here, since it's marketed as Apartment Homes.

However, it's not nearly as bad as disneyisaslavedriver makes it out to be. So far I'm really enjoying my internship. I really like the people I work with, and I've met a few other cool interns in Northbridge. The gym is actually quite nice - it has free weights, treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, and weight machines. Northbridge also has two pools, one in front and one in back, however it seems to be more families than students that hang around them. It also has a pretty neat common room with a pool table, two bowling lanes, a popcorn machine, a couple big tv's and a playstation 2 which appears to be a permanent fixture. All the apartments have pretty nice porches, washer/dryer, ceiling fans, twin beds, etc. They don't have blenders though. I would suggest bringing a wireless router if you have one, because there is only one internet port (although your future roommates might already have a router). There also aren't any desks for your computer so I would suggest the laptop (if you have one, of course). My roommates have set up a makeshift workstation on the kitchen/living room table, but it is far inferior to your own desk.

As for the professional internships themselves, they seem to vary greatly depending on what area you work in. I am in industrial engineering, and I work M-F around 8:30 - 5. I am getting great experience and I enjoy the work. One of my roommates who just moved out (probably to make room for one of you newcomers) worked at the Living Seas with the turtles and seemed to enjoy it. He had Tuesday and Thursday off though.

As far as taking classes at the same time, I wouldn't personally reccommend it. Maybe you can pull it off, but I was used to the college schedule of staying up late and waking up late, and the adjustment to the work week was pretty big. I feel like I have less free time than in college, even without homework here. Maybe that's just me though.

Oh yeah, Northbridge is also real close to some cool places. It has Subway, a haricutter, a coffee shop, soon a pizza kitchen, and some other stuff inside the complex. The Mall of Millenia is right next door, which has an Apple Store and a bunch of girlie stores. There's Moes, Super Target and Super Walmart, Quiznos, and a lot of other stores. It's kind of in between downtown Orlando and Disney. Downtown has some pretty cool clubs/bars, like Wall Street, Church Street, and IBar. And of course there's Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney, which is free for cast members, I think Sunday through Thursday.

Sure, overall it may not be all it's cracked up to be, but few things are. I had very high expectations coming in, and I am very pleased with my PI. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have - I am one of those people who wants to know everything before I start and I know the lack of information Disney gives you is brutal. Hey, even if you just want someone to hang out with, hit me up (as long as you're not some weirdo). I'm always up for meeting new people, and I know there are a lot of cool students living at Northbridge that won't get to meet each other. My AIM and email are in my profile.

- James

[DisneyElite]

I have a couple questions about the application process for PI's, for all those in the know!

1. When I submitted my resume online, it appeared in the box unaligned and screwy looking. I went through and fixed it, but I'm not familiar with database resumes, and I'm worried that it's going to look funky on their side. Anyone have any info on this?

2. Is it possible to send hard copies of resume/cover letters etc? Or do those get thrown in the trash? I'm just wondering if the best way to apply is through the internet b/c it seems kind of hard to get noticed this way.

3. The assessment quiz it asks you take after applying asks you what your GPA is, and although mine is listed on my resume, it made me wonder if there is a required GPA? Does anyone know what it is?

Thanks!!:)

[Rustyflwr3]

DisneyElite-

I applied over the internet, and I agree...it does seem like it would be a bit hard to get noticed. I would just suggest uploading your resume rather then just pasting it into the box. The internet is the only way I could apply, as Disney doesn't visit my school at all. I have gotten emails saying that my information was forwarded to a recruiter, so I guess somebody is noticing something...! As for the GPA, some of the internships require a certain GPA, so I guess since the assessment is standard, they have to screen through that. Im guessing that if they don't like your assessment or your answers such as your GPA or if you are a CP alumni don't meet the specifications of the internship, your resume profile won't even be looked at. (This is only my best guess from what I have experienced). Sorry, im not much help! Im just playing the waiting game. I must say that I think information on the professional internships and the new system on disneycareers.com is scarce. HTH!

[DisneyElite]

Thanks Rustyflwr3!

I did upload my resume, and it ended up looking weird after uploading it, so I realigned it in the box. Disney comes to my school, but only for the college program.

I got automatic response e-mails after applying, and then I also received additional e-mails a few days after applying saying my resume was being forwarded to a recruiter. Is that how what you got? I've been a little worried b/c nobody I've talked to had received additional e-mails, so I wasn't sure if it was a bad thing.

I'm guessing there is a GPA req. for most of the PI's. Do you know what it is? My guess would be anywhere from a 2.0 - 3.0 I just hope it's not anything outrageous like a 3.5! I'm also assuming if you don't meet the assessment requirements you won't get so much as a glance.

I wish there was more info out there!

[wdwprincess03]

Does anyone have a list of which PI/MI they suggest for Business Admin majors? I'm thinking of doing one. I did the Spring 04 program, and stayed in Orlando. However this past March we moved to near Tampa to help my fiance's mom out. I was thinking of doing a Internship again when we go back. Also, anyone know what the pay rate is, or really what I need is the least paying. Although I lived on disney pay before, I'm making almost $2 more an hour now. Trying to save for a house, wedding, ect. I'd just need to make at LEAST 300 a week after taxes....

[tlashle1]

I will be arriving at the WDW resort on August 25th. I am looking for a roomate. Hopefully before I get there. I am an african-american male from Washington, D.C. I am a student at Ithaca College studing Theatre Arts Management and Law. I will be a Professional Intern in the Entertainment department.

~T

[bluraiderboy08]

i had just one question. i applied for a bunch of PIs online a couple of weeks ago, and I had a message on my voicemail when I got home today from some lady at disney asking me if i was still interested in doing the PI that I put my resume in for. She didnt specify which one it was, but Im going to call tomorrow and see what its all about. But my question is, is the rate of pay different for PIs that it is for CPs since it is more on the professional level? And is it a more formal internship than the CP would be? Thanks for yalls help in advance!

[sergeastorms]

bluraiderboy08: Yes and yes.

[tlashle1]

Oh Yes. Please call that lady back. I am on a PI now and I am loving every minute of it. Some PIs make double than CP depending on major and job. I encourage you to do it 100%.

[adreayoung]

I got a call back to schedule a interview for a PI- but I couldn't do it b/c I just signed a year lease on my apartment and I need to finish school- the best part is that they said I could do it after I graduate :)

[bluraiderboy08]

well..i called back and they told me that i was qualified for the:
-Management Intern-Retail
-Travel Industry Sales Coordinator Intern
-Pricing Internship

Any of those 3 sound great, but I would love to do the Travel Sales, that sounds like it would be pretty fun. I have a phone interview Monday at 4:40pm so wish me luck!

[KimAJ]

fun! good luck! Let us know when you get more info ;)

[Rustyflwr3]

Good Luck! I actually interviewed with the International Sales Department which is under the Travel Sales coordinator internship!!
Lots of luck, let us know how the interview goes!

[blondsunshine02]

'

[GalDisney]

Do you have to do the CP before you can do the PI?? Or can you do the PI without having done the CP??

[Rustyflwr3]

No, you don't have to complete a CP before you do a PI! I have heard it is strongly suggested and your chances are better, but I didn't do a CP before and I just accepted a professional internship!

[allsmiles316]

well..i called back and they told me that i was qualified for the:
-Management Intern-Retail
-Travel Industry Sales Coordinator Intern
-Pricing Internship

Any of those 3 sound great, but I would love to do the Travel Sales, that sounds like it would be pretty fun. I have a phone interview Monday at 4:40pm so wish me luck!


BLURAIDER--Did you end up interviewing for all 3? I just found out last week that I got the Strategic Pricing Internship. They told me that there were 2 spots...Any updates on acceptance to any of the 3?