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Here is a sample of comments we've heard from our participants as well as some facts we want you to know regarding the "Working" aspect of the Disney College Program. Please also be aware that all Disney College Program Cast Members receive a Resource Guide when they arrive to begin their program. This book includes phone numbers and contact information, as well as details about each component of the program. It also features answers to just about every question we get. If your child says, " I don't know," ask if he/she has looked for the answer in the Resource Guide.
Please click each question or comment for additional information.
- What kind of business training will students receive from
working in a front-line role such as Housekeeping, Custodial or Food &
Beverage?
Students are often concerned that their job, or role, is not always related to their majors; however, the role your child performs here is only one part of the learning experience. In addition to the transferable skills your child will learn in the work area (such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, analytical thought, etc.), he/she can take classes and possibly earn college credit. All of our employees, or Cast Members, may attend learning activities hosted each month around our property. Our Disney executives speak about career development, time management, leadership, etc.
- What can be done if my child feels they are working too many
hours?
The range of hours participants can be scheduled varies between peak and non-peak periods. If participants are enrolled in one of the Disney Education Courses, or have registered a distance learning course with our Education office, they will be scheduled 30 to 45 hours per week during non-peak periods.
If they are not participating in any learning component, they will be scheduled 30 to 50 hours per week during non-peak periods.
During certain program arrival periods (generally January, May, and August), participants who are not enrolled in any learning component may be scheduled more than 50 hours per week.
During peak periods (which generally occur during holiday weeks), all participants may be scheduled more than 45 hours per week. Please note that Disney Education Courses do not meet during peak periods. (Please see the Education area of the Student section for further explanation.)
They may work more hours by choosing to sign up for additional hours through our Extra Hours Hotline.
- What can be done if my child feels they are not working enough
hours to support himself/herself?
The range of hours participants can be scheduled varies between peak and non-peak periods. If participants are enrolled in one of the Disney Education Courses, or have registered a distance learning course with our Education office, they will be scheduled 30 to 45 hours per week during non-peak periods.
If they are not participating in any learning component, they will be scheduled 30 to 50 hours per week during non-peak periods.
During certain program arrival periods (generally January, May, and August), participants who are not enrolled in any learning component may be scheduled more than 50 hours per week.
During peak periods (which generally occur during holiday weeks), all participants may be scheduled more than 45 hours per week. Please note that Disney Education Courses do not meet during peak periods (Please see the Education area of the Student section for further explanation).
- What can be done if my child feels that their manager doesn't
know or have time for them?
It's true that our front-line leaders are responsible for many Cast Members, but each Cast Member is important and a valued contributor to the work location. We encourage our Disney College Program participants to step up and make appointments to meet one-on-one with their managers and provide participants a series of "Check-In" documents, located in their Resource Guide, to offer a suggested structure for the meetings. If they continue to experience concerns in their work areas, we direct our participants to the Disney College Program Liaison or Human Resources Manager in their area. These leaders can assist in providing the support your child needs. Contact information for these leaders is available in the Resource Guide.
- Are students ever asked to work in a position that they were not
originally offered?
Although we never anticipate deploying Cast Members to another position, to maintain operations at our theme parks and resorts it is sometimes necessary to assign Cast Members to roles where they are most needed. At any time during your child's program, he or she may be asked to move to a different work location based on labor needs. This is an opportunity to learn a new role, meet new leaders, network with a new group Cast Members and learn a different aspect of the Walt Disney World business.
- What can be done if my child feels that their job doesn't apply
to their major and they are unsure of how to maximize their learning
opportunities?
The role your child performs here is only one part of the learning experience. In addition to the transferable skills our Cast Members learn in the work area, he/she can take classes and possibly earn college credit. All of our employees, or Cast Members, may attend learning activities hosted each month around our property. Our Disney executives speak about career development, time management, leadership, etc. In addition, we offer Professional Development Studies courses in Entertainment, Security, Finance and Engineering. If your child is majoring in one of those areas, we strongly recommend he/she enroll on one of these courses. More information is available in the Student section of this Web site. All Cast Members also have the opportunity to visit resource libraries across the Walt Disney World Resort, called Disney Learning Centers. These centers offer resources such as self-paced learning programs, books, audiotapes and CDs. Cast Members also can attend networking sessions and classes that focus on Disney heritage and traditions, computer programs, résumé writing and other career skills, and life skills such as stress management and financial planning.
Many former participants in the College Program tell us they did not realize how much they learned in the workplace until they started a new job back home and could make comparisons in the training they received, the approach to Guest service, etc.
- What can be done if my child feels that their concerns are not
being addressed in their work area and they do not feel comfortable approaching
their direct leader?
We encourage Cast Members to consult their leaders first, if they have any concerns. If they are not able to discuss the issue with their leader, we suggest they meet with the Human Resources Manager or the Disney College Program Liaison/Cast Service Manager in their area. "Liaisons" are Disney leaders who serve as the Disney College Program contact for their work area. Contact information for Disney College Program Liaisons, Cast Service Managers and HR Managers is located in the Resource Guide.
