I learned a lot during my time in the College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., during the summer and fall of 2025. I learned that I would like to come back and live in FL. I loved seeing the geckos, but I didn’t really see any gators or snakes in the area I was in. Being a part of hospitality made me also want to pursue it as a career.

This was a seven-month long internship from June to January and involved me working as a full-time employee. The official name of this opportunity is the Disney College Program and it is available for all College students that have completed at least one semester of higher education. You can also apply up to two years after graduating. I applied because I have been going to Disney since I was a kid and wanted to be a part of creating memories for others. I heard about the program on YouTube when I was in middle school and my passion grew from there.

During my time in the DCP I was able to meet many people from different backgrounds, build long lasting friendships and network with other officials within the company, which also includes ESPN, Pixar, management and other studios acquired by Disney. By using these resources, I was able to grow and expand my knowledge for my future with and without working in the company. For example, I met Tony Baxter a legend in Walt Disney Imagineering who has helped design and create some of the iconic rides and experiences at Disney parks. He worked with the Muppets as well.

DCP participants are placed in one of two housing complexes 15 minutes from the property. You live with three other people and have access to amenities like a pool, gym, events and even classes on business, networking, mental health and other great opportunities. So it isn’t work all the time.

There is bus transportation provided at these complexes, but they don’t leave the Disney area. I’m glad I had my car because otherwise it would have been especially difficult to get groceries. Having my car was a lifesaver as I didn’t have to wait to get picked up after work and I could go anywhere I wanted when I was not on the job. Most of the places I went to were inside Disney, but I did also go to Universal Studios, the Kennedy Space Center and downtown Orlando.

As for location, you don’t really get a choice as to where you are placed to work within the world. But you can do a ranking system when you’re applying online. The most common roles are Merchandise, Food & Beverage, Attractions, Lifeguard and Custodial, among others. You could be placed in any of the parks, resorts or water parks depending on the season. Everything is based on Disney’s operational needs.

I was placed at Pop Century Resort in Merchandise, also known as the gift shop. Once you get a role you can’t transfer unless it doesn’t fit your accommodation or you don’t pass their training. As I stated previously you are a full-time employee and can get up to 40 or more hours a week so it’s all what you make of the experience. Some days I loved my job while others I just wanted to leave and go to bed due to a long work week or just a lot happening in and outside work.

I made around $17 an hour but it can vary on role and location. The pay is…ok but you won’t get rich or be able to save too much. I really had to budget and that helped me a lot since I wanted to buy stuff from the parks.

What I liked most about my job were the benefits and perks it gave me since not everyone can get free park entry and discounts on merch and food. Something I didn’t like was that you couldn’t pick or contact your roommates before moving in. If you got along, great! If not, sucks for you. And something that surprised me was how everything operates behind the scenes like training, rules, and management.

Not everyone’s experience is great but it’s all about your mentality and what you make of it.

Living in a different part of the country can be difficult since you are away from family and things you’re used to. Some people I knew had a hard time adjusting or would get home sick as well. But there are resources out there for DCP participants to help cope with that.

You also don’t know your roommates until you move so it’s just luck of the draw. I was lucky and got along very well with my roomies. Over the span of seven months, I had five roommates: two were Florida natives, while the other two were from China and Japan. They all worked in the parks, so I was the only outlier working at a resort.

There is a lot of wildlife in Florida! You will definitely encounter flying roaches and other pests while living in the apartments so be prepared with a can of Raid or other bug killer. The most common wildlife I saw were geckos and different types of birds since it is a swamp area. It was nice to see things you don’t normally get to see back here in Connecticut. But if I never see another cockroach, I’ll be happy!

The surrounding area is also full of restaurants and stores in the town plaza and there are still more being built. Being a Disney employee has its perks. In EPCOT I got to ride Test Track 3.0 after it had been reimagined and closed for over a year. Cast members are the first to ride and experience new things in the park so it was cool to wait in line with other cast members excited for this updated attraction.

This was also my first time living on my own, so I was able to learn valuable life skills such as budgeting, time management and setting my priorities. I also made lasting friendships with my coworkers and met so many people from all over the U.S. and internationally.

Though working in a large amusement park might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it was a life experience I would want to do again.

For more information about the Disney College Program visit https://www.disneycareers.com/en/disney-college-program.