Boost your resume and gain academic credit while building lifelong connections in a unique, full-time paid internship at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. The Disney College Program offers up to one year of professional growth, networking with industry leaders, and the unforgettable experience of creating Disney magic.
- 20+ positions in operations, lodging, food and beverage, retail/sales, recreation, and entertainment
- Placements anywhere in the Disney World Resort
- Housing in Flamingo Crossings Village just a short drive away from the resort
- Pathway to future careers at Disney
Future J-1 Academic Exchange Partners
Tompkins Cortland Community College is one of the only colleges in the country to work with Disney to offer this exclusive program for international J-1 Exchange Visitors students. Students come from across the world for 5-6 months to gain hands-on experience in operations, lodging, food and beverage, retail/sales, recreation, and entertainment. This program offers a unique resume building experience, and a pathway to future careers with Disney.
Current TC3 Students
The Disney College Program is open to all college students in any major. At TC3, it works especially well for those in Business Administration, Hotel & Restaurant Management, and Liberal Arts General Studies.
Who is eligible?
The Walt Disney College Program is available to anyone who:
- is at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Older, non-traditional students are welcome.
- is currently enrolled and taking classes OR have graduated from an accredited United States* college, university, or higher education program within 24 months of the application posting date
- possesses unrestricted work authorization within the United States
- is receptive to Disney Look appearance guidelines
- meets TC3's requirements:
- Has at least 12 college credits completed prior to applying, not including high school dual credit
- Has a minimum GPA of 2.0 at the time of application
- Has a recommendation by a TC3 faculty or staff member
How to Apply
- Review the Disney College Program website.
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss how it fits into your program.
- Meet with TC3’s Disney Coordinator, Merryn Clay, in the Global Initiatives Office
- Submit the TC3 Disney College Program Application to the TC3 Disney Coordinator.
For fall programs, applications are accepted the preceding February and March. For Spring programs, applications are accepted the preceding September and October. - After the coordinator confirms your eligibility for the program, complete the Disney Online Application.
- If Disney accepts your application, you will be contacted by Disney for several additional steps, including a telephone interview.
- After the phone interview, it could take anywhere from one to six weeks before you hear whether Disney has accepted you. If you are accepted, follow Disney's instructions for accepting your role offer.
- Work with the Disney coordinator and your academic advisor to decide whether to take BUAD 261 and how many credits are appropriate for you.
Full Details
What are the dates and how long does it last?
Flexible program length varying from 4 to 8 months (with potential to extend up to one year).
- Fall program: Arrival dates available May through September, with departures available from January through February.
- Spring program: Arrival dates available January through March, with departures available from May through August.
Students should talk with their academic advisor to determine which semester would be best to be away from TC3, as some required courses may only be offered in certain semesters. Some students find it easier to complete their degree requirements first and do the Disney program as a post-graduate internship.
What are the benefits of participating in this internship?
- Develop transferable skills that are essential for success in any career, including responsibility, problem solving, intercultural communication, teamwork, and customer service.
- Having Disney on your resume can be a real competitive edge. How many people can boast of working for a Fortune 100 company while still in or just out of college?
- Opportunity for additional internships with Disney, as well as the possibility of full-time employment with Disney or its sister companies (ABC, ESPN and others) after completing college. Many Tompkins Cortland alumni have made careers with Disney World after participating in the College Program!
- Disney Programs offers numerous learning opportunities for participants in this program. Complete information on Disney Programs learning opportunities is available through the Disney College Program.
- And of course, there is the benefit of making lifelong friends from all over the world.
What are the jobs?
- More than 20 different positions are available in operations, lodging, food and beverage, retail/sales, recreation, and entertainment.
- Students may be placed anywhere at the Walt Disney World Resort, including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney and Disney resort hotels.
- Participants must work when they are scheduled and understand that it is normal to work late nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays. All roles may include prolonged exposure to outdoor elements, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions.
- Complete role descriptions are available through the Disney College Program.
What is the pay?
Pay starts at $17 per hour and varies depending on the position. Students are guaranteed at least 30 hours per week and may be scheduled for 50+ hours per week during peak periods. Time-and-a-half is paid after eight hours a day or 40 hours a week.
What about housing?
Most students live in Disney's purpose-build apartment community, Flamingo Crossings Village, which is owned and managed by one of the largest student housing companies in the country. This community features fully furnished apartments and includes additional amenities like a 12,500 sq. ft. fitness center, quiet spaces to study, and resort-style pools. Disney Programs also provides bus transportation from Flamingo Crossings Village to and from our parks and resorts.
What about transportation?
Students must provide their own transportation to and from Florida. It may be helpful to have a car while in the program. Disney Programs provides regular bus service to all work locations and nearby shopping areas.
What about academic credit?
- All TC3 Disney students have the option of enrolling in a Business Elective, BUAD 261- Walt Disney World College Program, which can be taken for 3 to 15 credits, depending on the student's major and to what extent the course can help to fulfill degree requirements
- BUAD 261 can count as an unrestricted elective or as a BUAD elective. Or it may substitute a specific course or courses. For example, a Hotel and Restaurant Management student may be able to substitute BUAD 261 for HRMG 102, HRMG 103, HRMG 213, or some elective courses. Similar possibilities are available for Business Administration and other majors.
- To earn BUAD 261 credit, students must successfully perform their work role, write several learning reflections essays, and complete a number of Disney Educational Offerings. Learning activities and assignments will be tailored to the number of credits requested by the student.
- Advance planning and communication with an academic advisor and the TC3 Disney Coordinator are essential for students to maximize their credit opportunities.
What does it cost?
- Disney charges a nonrefundable Program Participation Fee, part of which is applied to the cost of the first week of housing at Disney.
- Housing fees vary depending on the housing option selected and are deducted from weekly paychecks. See current fees and detailed floor plans at the Flamingo Crossings Village website.
- Students need to have enough money for transportation to and from Florida and to cover living costs for two to three weeks until they receive regular paychecks.
- Students who enroll in TC3’s BUAD 261 must pay tuition and fees to Tompkins Cortland. The tuition amount depends on how many credits the student selects for BUAD 261. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.