Walt Disney World is known as the place where dreams come true.
For most college students, a trip to Disney World is merely a dream, but for students like John Davis and Courtnie Pollard, that dream became a reality.
Davis and Pollard are both ULM students who participated in Disney’s College Program Internship this past summer and fall semesters.
The Disney College Program is a three to six month program open to all college students who have completed at least one semester of college. During the program, students work in all aspects of Walt Disney World, including resort work, food service, running rides and character attendants, as well as opportunities to take classes and gain college credits.
Pollard, a sophomore sociology major, worked in fast food services in the EPCOT park and said there were many positive aspects and benefits that came from her time working with the Disney College Program.
“It helped me grow up a little bit. I think I’ve changed as a person, to be better… it’s helped me talk to people from all over the country and it’s definitely benefited me in that it’s going to be a good resume plug-in and help me get jobs,” Pollard said.
Pollard also said the program helped her practice her skills in branching out and interacting with people from other cultures, such as being able to use her Spanish language skills while working the cash register.
Along with Pollard, Davis, a junior construction management major, who also worked in the fast food service in the Blizzard Beach and Magic Kingdom parks, said the Disney Program offered some great benefits.
“It benefited me by broadening the world to me instead of just being Louisiana-based and also helped on my personal and public speaking skills. I gained lots of new friends from Turkey, France, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Mexico and all over the U.S. It’s a great program for anyone interested and it’s definitely worth your time,” Davis said.
While on the outside, Disney World may seem like a magical place full of wonder without care, all is not golden and sparkling in the Disney College Program.
Both Davis and Pollard said that with the many positive aspects of the program came some equally negative aspects.
“The rules are so strict there. You’re always kind of second guessing yourself on whether or not you should do this or that and when the times right to do so. Orlando traffic is horrible. If you leave a few minutes too late you may be late for work,” Davis said.
Along with the Orlando traffic and strict rules, the program comes with a massive workload and low pay. Pollard said that her major problems came from her work schedule and salary in the park.
“They didn’t pay us nearly enough. I only got to see about half of the money we actually made. You work all the time, 30-50 hours a week depending on holidays. I would usually work about 10 hours a day. My last shift I worked 12 hours, and that was on New Year’s Eve,” Pollard said.
In the end, both Pollard and Davis said the benefits and the positive aspects of the Disney College Program outweighed the negative parts.
“In the end, it was beneficial to me. It helped me better as a person and it was a great life experience,” Pollard said.
More information about the Disney College Program can be found at http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/.
