Disney College Program at Walt Disney World: Roles, Housing, Perks and How to Apply
The Disney College Program places college students and recent graduates in paid, guest-facing roles at Walt Disney World for 4 to 8 months. Here is how the roles, Flamingo Crossings Village housing, perks, college credit, eligibility rules and application windows work.
The Disney College Program puts college students and recent graduates to work in paid, guest-facing jobs at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. A new Disney Experiences explainer lays out how the internship runs, from the roles and the housing to the perks, the classroom side and who can apply.
Key Details
- Where: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
- Program length: 4 to 8 months, with the option to extend up to one full calendar year
- Who: College students and recent graduates
- Pay: A paid internship
How the program works across Walt Disney World
Participants work as cast members in guest-facing jobs while learning skills for their careers.
- Where they work. Placements are at a Disney Resort hotel, a theme park or Disney Springs, the resort's shopping and dining district.
- More than 20 roles. Each participant is assigned one of over 20 cast member roles, and the day-to-day work depends on that assignment.
- Six role areas. Roles fall under food service, retail and sales, attractions, entertainment, lodging and operations.
- Year-round arrivals. Program arrivals happen throughout the year rather than on one annual start date.
- Four season options. Participants typically choose between Spring, Spring and Summer, Summer and Fall, or Fall programs.
Disney frames the program around an idea it credits to Walt Disney: however magical a place is built to be, it is the people who make the dream come true. College Program participants are a visible part of that cast across Walt Disney World.
Perks, park admission and transportation
Beyond the paycheck, the program bundles park access, discounts and rides to work.
- Free park admission. Participants receive complimentary theme park admission during the program.
- Cast member discounts. Participants get the special discounts given to Disney cast members.
- Attraction previews. The perks list includes previews of new attractions.
- Company transportation. Disney provides transportation to and from work, plus trips to area dining and shopping.
- Disney VoluntEARS. Participants can join Disney VoluntEARS, the company's cast volunteer program, at community support events.
Housing at Flamingo Crossings Village
Participants can choose to live in furnished apartments shared with other participants from around the world.
- Optional housing. Living at Flamingo Crossings Village is an option for participants rather than a requirement.
- Who runs it. The apartment community is owned and operated by American Campus Communities, a student housing company.
- Furnished apartments. The apartments come furnished.
- Pools and gym. The community has resort-style pools and a 12,500 square foot fitness center.
- Study areas. The community also includes dedicated study areas.
- International neighbors. Residents share the community with program participants from all across the globe.
College credit and career development
The program is built to count toward a degree and a career, not only a work history.
- ACE credit recommendation. The American Council on Education, which reviews workplace learning for college credit, recommends the program for credit.
- Four learning formats. Offerings span experiential learning, in-classroom sessions, professional development and networking.
- Time off for classes. Current students get dedicated time off for their school classes.
- Exam proctoring. The program provides exam proctoring for participants still enrolled in school.
- Behind the scenes. Participants get an inside look at how Disney makes magic for guests.
Who can apply to the Disney College Program
Applicants must be enrolled students or recent graduates of accredited US schools with US work authorization.
- Age 18 or older. Applicants must be at least 18 years old when they apply.
- Current students. Applicants can be enrolled at an accredited college or university in the US or a US territory, working toward an Associate's, Bachelor's or Graduate degree.
- Recent graduates. Graduates of an accredited US or US territory school qualify within 12 months of the job posting.
- One term completed. Applicants need at least one college term, or 6 credit hours, earned after high school or a GED.
- Work authorization. Applicants need unrestricted US work authorization for the entire program.
- Good academic standing. Some schools also require a minimum GPA or advisor approval before an off-campus program.
Major does not matter: Disney welcomes students of every major, and undeclared students can apply too.
Spring applications typically open in August, fall in January
Disney runs two application windows a year, and selected applicants move on to a short video interview.
- Spring season. Applications for spring programs typically open in August.
- Fall season. Applications for fall programs typically open in January.
- Video interview. Applicants selected to move forward are contacted for a 30-minute video interview.
- Where to apply. Applications and program details are on the Disney Programs website.
Our take. With the spring window typically opening in August, the next regular opening is the fall window in January. Students aiming for it should check now whether their school requires a minimum GPA or advisor approval for an off-campus program.