- Eva Keller is a travel blogger and former Disneyland and Disney World employee.
- Keller attended four Disney College programs and worked at the park as a student.
- “If you’re there to make friends, it’s easy,” Keller said. “If you’re there for work, the opportunities abound.”
This so-called essay is based on a conversation with Eva Keller, travel blogger Former Disneyland and Disney World employee. Edited for length and clarity.
When I was 12, I learned about the Disney College Program. Around the time when people started asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always wanted to be able to go to Disney World.
My family used to go on Disney vacations every summer and some vacations, so I didn’t want to grow up and have that kind of luxury.The program was perfect.
As an adult, I learned that travel and tourism is a college degree program.
I followed that path to earn my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees while enrolled in the Disney College Program. He attended an undergraduate program at Leo University and a graduate program at the University of Central Florida four times.
Courtesy of Eva Keller
I started working at Disney World Orlando in the fall of 2014 and joined the graduate college program in the summer of 2015. I hope she graduated in December so I could apply for the Disneyland program in Anaheim, CA and check out the other side of the coast.
I stayed there until August of the following year, after which I returned to Florida to participate in the Disney College program again while attending graduate school. They provided great perks most of the time I wanted, with the exception of a few blockout days, including free entry to all parks except Tokyo Disneyland.
Each time I had to apply to the Disney College Program, I learned the process well.
Applications for college programs only ask for very basic information. It’s not like 100 long questions. It’s a simple form where you just upload your resume and optionally upload a cover letter.
Soon after, I knew if I would proceed with the online interview. This is a timed automatic survey.
Courtesy of Eva Keller
When I went through the process, if you passed the part, they’d schedule a phone interview with you and talk to one of the recruiters who place people in Disney college programs and Disney’s professional internships. .
Those who want to apply early
They will let you know in advance when the application will open, so I encourage you to sign up for the Disney College Programs mailing list and have your application ready on day one.
The sooner you apply, the sooner they can consider you. If you wait until the end, there are already plenty of seats filled.
Then go to the online interview part
There, statements such as “I’m always late” or “I prefer to work in a fast-paced environment” are presented. Then respond on a scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Choosing only middle-of-the-road answers makes it seem like you can’t make decisions or don’t have strong values.
Courtesy of Eva Keller
Also, don’t lie. It’s obvious because they’re trying to ask you the same question in different ways. After that, you will always be asked if you are on time.
In phone interviews, my voice sounds different, so I’m told to keep smiling until the end. Also, you should have a story ready in case someone asks you why you want to attend the Disney College Program. It doesn’t have to be a big story, but it needs answers.
Also, ask them why they would like a particular role in the application.
I don’t know if it’s to catch them off guard or what, but they’ll say things like, “What do you think about the parental role?” or “Why didn’t you say you were interested?”
If you really want to be prepared, every year people create a Facebook group where they share what questions have been asked so people know what to expect.
Courtesy of Eva Keller
I have always chosen roles in attractions, and some seemingly less desirable roles actually have many advantages. Not. In addition, there is a lot of interaction with guests.
Ultimately, the program is what you make
I have many friends who have joined but they were miserable and left early and some like me have returned.
If you’re out there and want to make friends, it’s that easy. If you come here for work, there are many opportunities. Everyone’s experience is very different.