Disney Cultural Exchange Programme

[Kiwifan]

My DD has just been accepted for the Disney Cultural exchange program to commence in January. She is so excited. It's something she has been working towards since our 2012 Orlando holiday.

 

[newkie]

I've never heard of this, what exactly does it entail?

 

[miss.potatohead]

Congratulations to your daughter! I've also been accepted, what was her role? is your daughter a member of the Australian/New Zealand 2015 facebook group?

Newkie, it's the international equivalent of the Disney College Program. Disney sponsor a J-1 visa for Australian and New Zealand (amongst other countries which have their own program) to work in various entry level roles within Walt Disney World for 6 months. Disney provide housing and transportation but the cost is deducted from your weekly pay.

 

[newkie]

That sounds fantastic! Congratulations to your daughter OP And you too miss potato head

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congratulations! That's wonderful news. Are you planning on visiting her?

 

[dabecs]

Congrats all round!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Well done DD.

I think it's a right of passage that all young people these days do an OE. The memories and life experiences are priceless.

 

[Kiwifan]

I am definitely planning a trip next year. I'm hoping to use her friends & family discount to stay on-site

Hi Miss Potatohead. Congratulations on being accepted. DD starts in January.
She has had a problem with the candidate portal & hasn't been able to log in so she doesn't know yet what job she will be doing. She is waiting for a reply from Disney to see if it can be sorted. (& panicking a little because as you know she only has 14 days to accept the offer). I'll tell her about the facebook group.
What role have you been offered?

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Congrats to both DD and Miss Potatohead-so exciting. Something I would have loved to have done if I had my time again (wasn't offered back in my dinosaur days).

 

[Kiwifan]

I'm with you Aussie Wendy. I would have loved to have done this. I have been encouraging DD every step of the way

 

[miss.potatohead]

I am definitely planning a trip next year. I'm hoping to use her friends & family discount to stay on-site Hi Miss Potatohead. Congratulations on being accepted. DD starts in January. She has had a problem with the candidate portal & hasn't been able to log in so she doesn't know yet what job she will be doing. She is waiting for a reply from Disney to see if it can be sorted. (& panicking a little because as you know she only has 14 days to accept the offer). I'll tell her about the facebook group. What role have you been offered?

I've been offered operations (attractions or main entrance). I'm sure Disney recruitment will help sort the portal out, there's been a few people with issues getting on so she's not alone!

 

[Kiwifan]

Disney got it sorted. She has been offered merchandising which she is very happy about. She's joined the facebook group and then spent all day texting me about flights Her start date is 27 January.

 

[Snickals]

How exciting Congratulations!!!

 

[darrenf67]

Congratulations to those who are accepted - so lucky to be doing that - they need a new program for us older folk who want to work at WDW for 6 moths or so. I would jump at such an opportunity

 

[bern1992]

I did the program for 12 months in 2013 and it was the best year of my life. I met so many lifelong friends and made so many magical memories, I just wish I could turn around and do it all again.

they need a new program for us older folk who want to work at WDW for 6 moths or so.

Older people aren't uncommon on the program, as there is no age requirement. All you have to do is be undertaking and completed at least one year of tertiary education (University or TAFE) or have graduated in the 12 months prior to program start. If you're really serious about doing it, just find something to do at TAFE, do it for a year, then do the program!