What Would Make Disney Your First Choice?

[SanFranciscan]

I am not the tradional college age, but I am sure that I would encourage my child to apply to the Disney College Program. I am biased, of course, because I am a Disney fan.

Not everyone can get into the Disney program so naturally there has to be Plan B. However, for those of you who would choose Disney as your first choice of internships, what was the deciding factor for you?

To be honest, I do not own a business. I am not in a position to hire you. It is a safe bet though that Disney would love to know what would make you choose Disney.

 

[Berlioz70]

For me - it's really the Disney brand. I love the way the parks make people feel and how it is such a global experience when you're there. The fact that housing and transportation is taken care of is a HUGE selling point for college students when looking for internships. I've found that most internships I've done only pay minimum wage, so why should Disney be any different - the pay is not a concern of mine.

It's my understanding that most people are granted acceptance into the program. As long as the applicant shows some excitement for the program and interviews early then they are pretty good to go! Another person posted that this Spring is the first time - EVER - that people were turned away from his/her school and that was because they interviewed so late.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

For me it was a dream, my first trip to Disney in 2004 I saw a kid with my hometown on his name tag. I asked him how he ended up at Disney and he told me about the College Program. That sparked the thought, the rest as they say is history. I love the area that Disney is in not for the weather but for the people. I am hoping once I finish my Degree that I can work full time for Disney. Not because of the brand that they have created but because of the people you will meet along the ride.

So for those who do get accepted, don't get caught up in the where I am working and the we need to make more money side of things. Enjoy meeting people from all over the world, enjoy the smile on the three year olds face as you wave to them. That is the real magic of the college program.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I'm not really interested in internships, Disney would be my only choice.

 

[Flower4Pwr]

For me the reason I first applied was because it was Disney and I am a huge fan. Plus I needed to get out of Maryland! But what has kept me coming back was the operation side of the company. I love how efficient Disney is. I love how they empower their cast members to keep both the guest and the cast happy. I like that I can work a few years here and then decide I want to try something new and switch careers within the same corporation. I have yet to run into a manager at Disney who hasn't offered to help me get where I want to be as long as I prove to them that I am willing to work hard for it.
I was a Disney fan before I started working for the company and although every company has it's stregnths and weaknesses I can honestly say I've become a bigger fan since I've started working in the company!

Also, it's not true that everyone that interviews gets accepted. I've been a campus rep at 2 schools and at both schools a high percentage get accepted but not 100%.

 

[Joanna71985]

I am a HUGE Disney fan. When I found out that my college is a host school for the CP, I knew right away that it was fate to do the CP. Since I started, I have done 3 programs and plan on going FT at Disney.