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The Housing Experience
Many former participants in the Disney Theme Parks & Resorts College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort tell us that while they expected to learn about the hospitality industry and sharpen their leadership skills, they were surprised by how much they learned about themselves during their experience.Participants in the Disney College Program live in one of three apartment complexes, each a secure, multicultural environment. Many are living away from home for the first time. Some have never shared a bedroom with a roommate or shared an apartment with as many as seven other people. To set these Cast Members up for success, we provide each of them a Resource Guide upon arrival. The book features more than 70 pages of information about their program and all of the resources available to them.
Most of our participants do very well in this environment. They take
part in the many activities we plan for
them, such as pool parties, movie nights, trips to the beach, Grocery
BINGO, volunteer experiences and other activities designed to create a
welcoming, comfortable and friendly environment. Others need additional
support, which we provide in a variety of ways.
Our Program Support Manager, located in Clubroom Thirteen501, partners closely with leaders in Housing, Recruiting, Operations and Education to serve as a universal touch point for program participants; and will provide immediate assistance, offer direction on how to best address their issues, and ensure the Cast Members' issues receive the proper follow-through. We welcome our program participants to contact our Program Support Manager if they need help and are unsure who to contact.
The Housing Operations Program Office is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and leaders are available to help counsel and moderate "apartment meetings" to help roommates express their concerns and agree on compromises to reach a solution.
Each of our apartment complexes has a front desk that is staffed each day of the year. Our Cast Members can contact the front desks to request maintenance assistance, inquire about apartment moves, borrow cleaning equipment such as vacuums and mops, check out sports equipment such as basketballs and ping-pong paddles, use fax machines and pick up maps to local service providers, hospitals, churches, beaches and other areas of interest.
In our housing complexes, safety is our number-one concern. Our gated housing complexes are located just outside the Walt Disney World Resort and feature 24-hour security. Cast Members must show ID to enter the complex, and overnight guests are not allowed.
Transportation is available to and from work, as well as to local areas of interest, such as the post office, grocery store, bank and shopping mall. Because of the large number of riders, our bus system is similar to the public transportation offered in a large city.
It is our intention to maintain a living environment where program participants can thrive independently and be assured they have a strong support system on which they can rely when needed.
