How to Apply for a Disney College Program

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

Are you a college student that is looking for an interesting job? Working at the Disney Parks in what Disney calls their College Program may be for you. It might not be for the faint of heart, but it does take some guts and knowledge to know the application process. If you think you got what it takes, then this article is for you.

Steps

1
Decide what session you want to apply for. Do you like sweating? Do you like crowds? If not, then do not apply for the Fall, or Fall Advantage program. If you do, then apply for that time. If you like a tamer time of year for either the Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, you should apply for Spring or the Spring Advantage session of the program.^{[1]
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2
Put together a job resume. Even if you've never worked before, you still need something to give the employer to prove your schooling and references.

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3
Complete the initial application. Fill out a regular application like you would for any other job application. However, unlike most jobs, the Disney Careers' application is online. (DisneyCareers is the hosting company of the Disney College Program). You can find this page here. DisneyCareers has chosen not to give participants a papered form, therefore do not try to look for one.
- Visit the College Program website above. You must meet the criteria the school requires for participation, along with a high school diploma or GED. These requirements include a GPA at grade level and a number of credit hours earned to participate.^{[2]
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4
Find and click the green button that says “Apply Now!” to continue with the application. Fill out this information (name, address, etc.) as well as your choice of park (Disneyland (CA) or Walt Disney World (FL). After completing the application, some job applicants will not get past this point in the application process. If you do not get past this step in the application process, then that means that you are either not qualified to work for Disney based on prior work experience or you do not meet the necessary qualifications the Disney College Program requires.
5
Take the web-based interview. A link will be sent to you. This link is your personalized web-based interview. You need to finish it within 48 hours.
- Answer the questions honestly!
- Set up a time when you can take the phone interview. If you meet the Disney standards for the web-based interview, then within a day or so you should get an email about setting up a day and time for a phone interview.
6
Respond to the phone interview when Disney Parks calls you. According to Amber Sewell in the book "Amber Earns Her Ears", she said that the call will come through as a restricted number, so be prepared for it.^{[3]
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7
Answer questions with an honest opinion. The questions will most likely be formed like these:^{[4]
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- Why do you want to be a part of the Disney College Program? The key to this question is about the College Program. It's not about working for Disney or being a total fan of Disney
- What are the top three roles, and different situations that could happen at work and at the apartment? Roles are the types of jobs that you have the chance of getting. For example, you could work in merchandise, or for attractions in the parks.
8
Email the recruiting director for the program to ask about making appointments for an in person job interview. For Disneyland contact here; for Walt Disney World use WDW recruiting address instead. Ask about making an appointment for an in person job interview. If you don't live in California or Florida, you'll need to make travel arrangements (and travel documentation if you live outside of the United States) to get to your specified location. You must be able to speak English.
9
Take part in the interview. Answer the questions you get asked, and ask some questions about the job/program yourself. This is a time for both yourself and the company to get to know a little about your ways you interact with people. Ask as many questions you can, without it seeming like you haven't done any research about the program.^{[5]
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- Let the interviewer know you researched the online program, but that there are still questions about some things you still don't understand. If and when the interviewer asks you why you want to work for Disney Parks, infer through some of the Disney principles that you 'love Disney (include movie references and potential park references if you've ever been to them before to show just how much you love Disney and it's other guests).
10
Be patient. Some applicants get answers the very next day, while some it may take a few weeks. Disney says that you will get an answer between two and three weeks after your phone interview, but people hear things at different times. If you don't get an answer within the three weeks, ask about whether or not you qualify. If you don't get the specific job you applied for, ask Disney why.
- Some people find out the very next day, and some in those few weeks. Regardless, the time it takes, certain is worth to wait.
11
Congratulate yourself, if they say you've made it. Don't despair, if they tell you that you haven't; there's always next time! If you do make it, you can rejoice. You made it: You are going to work for the Walt Disney Company! You will be working for one of the most successful companies in the world.