Disney College Program: Working at Walt Disney World

"Let's go to Disneyland, Momma!" "I can't wait to go to Disney World this summer, Dad!" Undoubtedly, these phrases have been said a countless number of times in countless homes in countless places all over the world. The excitement knows no age limits, as adults (like children) look forward to and dream about a vacation with Disney.

I was one of the millions of children who looked forward every summer to going to either Disneyland in Anaheim, CA or Disney World in Orlando, FL. I imagined myself walking through the parks and seeing my favorite characters walking by. As I grew older, I still looked forward to our Disney vacation with the anticipation and excitement I had displayed before. I loved the "magic" that went on all around me every time we visited the parks. I loved the adoring look of little children as they met Mickey Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and all the other famous Disney characters face to face. Their looks of awe melted my heart. Disney never lost its magic for me, and it became a dream of mine to work there one day.

I was on my way to class in the spring of 2005 at the university I attend when I saw a flyer announcing that the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Resorts College Program was on campus and was recruiting people for internships. I attended the presentation, filled out the application, signed up to be interviewed, was accepted and I was off to Florida, not knowing that I was about to experience the best time in my whole life. My life-changing adventure had begun!

From the start, I was excited and knew that the opportunities for me were endless. I was fulfilling a dream and couldn't wait to see where it would take me. My trainers and teachers were wonderful and full of excitement that motivated and excited all of us. I made some new friends the first day and, it turned out, that two of them were going to be working with me at the Caribbean Beach Resort at Old Port Royale. We were divided by morning and night shifts however, and one of my friends worked morning while the other and I worked night.