The Disney International programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will not only provide you magical memories that last a lifetime but also help set you up with skills to help throughout your entire career.

So, what exactly is the Disney International programme?

There are three different options open to New Zealanders, with most opting for the Cultural Exchange

·        Academic Exchange Programme, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from professionals in the industry, while taking academic courses, in partnership with US colleges and universities. Build friendships and create lasting memories as you learn about the different cultures and experiences of co-workers from around the world.

·        Cultural Exchange Programme, where you can immerse yourself in different cultures from around the world, connect with industry experts and build lifelong relationships in a programme that provides the opportunity to enhance your customer service knowledge and communication skills

·        Cultural Representative Programme, where you’ll interact with people from across the globe and create an immersive experience that transports guests to your home country. This programme offers participants the opportunity to authentically represent their homeland while gaining leadership and business skills from seasoned professionals.

 

The programmes are all designed for students aged 18+ to head to the United States of America on a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa to work at Disneyworld Orlando, in Florida for either 6 months or 1 year.

During sign-up, applicants can choose from a wide variety of Tourism roles across 6 different departments including:

Operations

These roles are responsible for ensuring all of the rides and attractions operate safely and smoothly, while the park is open.

·        Attractions (Ride Operators/Attendants)

·        Convention Guide

·        Custodial

·        Monorail

·        PhotoPass Photographer

·        Skyliner Gondola

·        Watercraft

 

Entertainment

These roles are responsible for ensuring all Disneyworld guests have an amazing time and are fully entertained by all Disney characters at the park.

·        Character Attendant

·        Character Performer (Audition required)

·        Costuming Operations

 

Lodging

These roles are responsible for ensuring great stays for guests at the onsite accommodation.

·        Bell Services Dispatch/Greeter

·        Club Level Lounge

·        Resort Concierge

·        Houseperson

 

Food & Beverage

These roles are responsible for ensuring guests are well fed whilst they’re enjoying their time at the park.

·        Seater

·        Quick Service Food & Beverage

 

Retail/Sales

These roles are responsible for selling Disney products and making sure guests leave with memories they can cherish forever.

·        Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (where you get to turn young girls into princesses!)

·        Merchandise

 

Recreation

These roles are responsible for ensuring the rest of the park’s facilities are operational and meet Health & Safety requirements and often require technical expertise and qualifications.

·        Children’s Activities

·        Lifeguard

·        Recreation Attractions

·        Spa

 

With such a wide variety of roles to choose from, you can guarantee you’ll find something you love! And, for those who decide to work at Disney for over 6 months, the option of switching roles and trying out your skills in another department is available.

What’s it like working for Mickey?

Depending on the role you go into, you can expect to work between 6 - 10 hours a day, both prior to, during and after park opening hours. You can guarantee that no two days will be same; expect to perform a variety of tasks, depending on your department location and role

Your uniform will be called a ‘costume’ and will always match the department and area you work in; for example, the Haunted Mansion Gift Shop costume will look very different to the Winnie the Pooh Shop!

If you are dealing with currency, particularly for those working in Food & Beverage or Retail Sales, you will need to learn about American money – this will come in handy especially when giving customers their change!

Working at Disneyworld can be tiring but you’ll get to work with some amazing people, meet some incredible guests and, if you work in the parks, you get to see fireworks every night!

What’s it like living at Disneyworld?

One of the best things about moving to the States to work at Disneyworld is that accommodation is provided for everyone participating in the programme. Rent is simply deducted from your weekly pay, so no need to worry about finding somewhere to live before you land! Check out the housing village,  Flamingo Crossing, here.

The housing team also put on regular social events for staff to participate in, including things like:

·        Grocery Bingo, where you can win a weeks’ worth of groceries

·        Character Balls

·        Holiday Parties like Thanksgiving Dinners and Christmas

·        Graduation Party when your time with the programme comes to an end.

 

There are also a heap of discounted tickets to special events available to staff throughout the year, including things like:

·        Behind the scenes tours of park attractions, rides and theatre shows

·        Tickets to big park events (if you don’t have to work at them!)

·        Discounted sports games and events down the road at Universal Studios!

 

As well as accommodation, staff buses are also provided to and from the parks and housing village, to make getting to work every day even easier!

Life outside of the park and work

On days off, staff are encouraged to explore everything Disney has to offer throughout their 4 major parks: tasting the different international food and drinks options at Epcot, going on a Safari Cruise through Animal Kingdom, watching wishes at Magic Kingdom or taking a ride in the Tower of Terror at Hollywood studios. You can also visit the waterpark, Disney Springs and book yourself into the Disney Resorts to have breakfast or dinner with your favourite Disney Characters. Disney staff are also given the opportunity to bring along friends and family to join then at the parks free of charge for a limited time, for anyone lucky enough to have visitors.

You will never be bored!

Besides Disney, there are heaps of awesome things to see and do in the Orlando region, including these top 10 places to visit:

1.      Universal Studios

2.      Gatorland

3.      Ripley’s Believe it or Not

4.      Kennedy Space Centre

5.      Giraffe Ranch

6.      Legoland

7.      SeaWorld

8.      Hollywood Drive-In Golf

9.      Nona Adventure Park

10.   Escapology

 

Additionally, Orlando also hosts a variety of sporting events every year and there are lots of free activities to check out and brilliant restaurants to dine at.

Getting to and from the housing village or park to the local area is easy; buses to malls and supermarkets are frequent, taxis are readily available and some staff also have personal vehicles – try to make sure you make friends with someone who has a car! Public transport is also available to get you home after late night shifts, with most buses leaving every 10 – 40 minutes.

 

What are Disney looking for in new staff?

One of the key things Disney looks for in new staff is alignment with their Values. These will be taught to you in your first week induction and are used throughout Disney parks worldwide. The values are:

Safety

-        I practice safe behaviours in everything I do

-        I take action to always put safety first

-        I speak up to ensure the safety of others

 

Efficiency

-       I perform my role efficiently so guests get the most out of their visit

-       I use my time and resources wisely

 

Courtesy

-       I project a positive image and energy

-       I am courteous and respectful to guests of all ages

-       I go above and beyond to exceed guest expectations

 

Show

-       I stay in character and perform my role in the show

-       I ensure my area is show-ready at all times.

 

Recently, Disney have also added Inclusion to their values, to ensure staff are welcoming and respectful of all people, whether this be colleagues or guests. One of the great things about these values is that they can be easily transferred to other jobs and are great life skills to possess.

What happens after Disney?

After you leave, you’ll always be part of the family! Past crew stay in touch, share their stories, visit the parks with their friends and families and inspire the next generation of cast members to kickstart their Disney careers!

Disney also offer a range of other opportunities, post-programme completion, including:

·        Disney Professional Internships

·        Disney Auditions

·        Disney Cruise Line

·        Disneyland Paris

·        Disneyland Hong Kong

·        Shanghai Disneyland Resort

 

How to make the magic happen!

If all of this has inspired you to kickstart or continue to build your Tourism or Hospitlaity career with Disney, find out more and register online.