Everything You Need to Know About the Disney College Program Roles

Since Walt Disney world is one of the largest companies in the world, there are going to be many different jobs that cast members can be placed in. It can be overwhelming to find which role is right for you. That is why I compiled a list of all the jobs offered to Disney College Program students as well as what each job entails. The jobs are split into six different categories, and each one is broken down to show each role that is available within that category. All of this information came from https://jobs.disneycareers.com/disney-college-program , follow this link for more information.

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Operations

Attractions

• Working in one or more of the following areas:

  • Working at one or more of the “rides” or theater shows

    • Loading and unloading Guests from an attraction

    • Operating sophisticated ride systems

    • Memorizing and delivering lengthy narrations (spiel) on a microphone to large groups

  • Monitoring Guest flow and providing a safe Guest experience

  • Assisting with audience control, including during parades

  • Maintaining safety standards

  • Cleaning areas surrounding attractions

  • Working with Disney FastPass+ service, which allows Guests to reserve access to select Walt Disney World® Resort theme park attractions, entertainment and Character Greetings in advance

  • Facilitating themed events-within-an-event, such as culinary & wine demonstrations, children’s activities, and playgrounds

    • Event opportunities where this may occur include Youth Events, runDisney, and/or events at the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™, and Disney Springs™

  • Working in parking or staffing outdoor Toll Plaza areas

  • Operating a large motorized parking tram and delivering narrations on a microphone

  • Working as a Park Greeter operating turnstile areas

    • Greeting all Guests who enter the park and validating their tickets

  • Working at Ticket Operations selling various ticket media at our water parks, Disney Springs™, or ESPN Wide World of Sports™

    • Using computerized ticketing systems

    • Strong knowledge of Walt Disney World® Resort ticket media

    • Cash handling — both manual and using computerized registers

• Standing for extended periods and working outdoors

• Valid driver’s license is required for certain Attractions roles

Convention Guide

• Working in one or more of our theme parks, water parks, or Disney Springs™ assisting with events such as:

  • Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

  • Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival

  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

    • Other events across property

• Guest crowd control

• Escorting large groups of Guests through a park from one venue to another

• Food handling

• Securing roped off areas while keeping Convention Guests inside their venue

• Maintaining safety standards

• Standing for extended periods of time

• Walking long distances

• Working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions

• Heavy lifting

Custodial

• High Guest interaction while working independently

• Extensive cleaning — including restrooms and toilets

• Working with cleaning chemicals and equipment

• Bussing tables in restaurants and outdoors

• Sweeping and mopping

• Emptying trashcans, lifting heavy garbage bags

• Driving golf carts

• Vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning pool decks

• Providing information to Guests

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Monorail

• Assisting Guests with boarding and exiting vehicles

• Using a radio and understanding radio communication

• Answering Guest questions about Walt Disney World® Transportation

• Assisting with audience control

• Speaking to large groups of people over a microphone

• Standing for extended periods

• Working both indoors and outdoors

• Providing exceptional guest service

• Valid US Driver’s License is required for this role

PhotoPass Photographer

• Assisting Guests in photographing their vacation memories

• Operating digital technology including: digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, PDA, and image fulfillment stations

• Carrying camera equipment for extended periods of time

• Approaching Guests and engaging them in conversation

• Answering Guest questions

• Suggestive selling; explaining features and benefits of Disney PhotoPass product

• Achieving monthly goals

• Partnering with Character Performers and Character Attendants

• Working in multiple locations - potentially all four Theme Parks in any given week

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Skyliner Gondola

• Monitoring and operating computerized ride system while providing a safe experience for Guests and Cast

• Greeting Guests

• Assisting Guests with boarding and exiting the gondola cabins

• Delivering narrations of varying lengths

• Providing audience control

• Comfortable with heights

• Working outdoors, standing for extended periods of time

• Climbing stairs

• Working in enclosed spaces

• Constant bending, stooping, and kneeling

• Valid driver’s license is required for this role

Watercraft

• Operating watercraft vehicles, including using on-board computers

• Assisting Guests with boarding and exiting vehicles

• Delivering narrations via microphone during trips

• Using a radio and understanding radio communication

• Answering Guest questions about Walt Disney World® Transportation

• Assisting with audience control

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

• Providing exceptional guest service

• Valid US Driver’s License is required for this role

Entertainment

Character Attendant

• Providing Guests with information about show schedules, Character locations, and visitation times

• Providing audience control, including handling challenging Guest situations

• Ensuring the safety of Character Performers and our Guests

• Partnering with Photopass photographers

• Maintaining show quality and Character integrity

• Proactively interacting with our Guests by involving them in the Characters’ story

• Setting up and removing stanchions, ropes and poles

• Assisting Character Performers with putting on costumes

• Retrieving and arranging strollers

• Maintaining cleanliness and order in work location

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Character Performer (Auditions Required)

• Portraying specific costumed character roles

• Working in hot, confining, heavy costumes with limited range of vision

• Communicating non-verbally to Guests

• Signing autographs and posing for photographs

• Interacting with Guests outdoors and in dining establishments

• Potential to perform in parade and/or puppeteer roles

• Due to costuming requirements, special consideration will be given to individuals 4' 8" - 5' and 6' - 6' 3"

Costuming Operations

• Issuing costumes to fellow Cast Members throughout Operations and Entertainment Locations

• Operating a computerized costume checkout system

• Working around performers in various stages of dress

• Operating basic laundry equipment

• Repetitive overhead reaching, bending, and heavy lifting

• Moving heavy costumes from location to location

• Handling and laundering soiled garments

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

• Working independently, with minimal to no Guest interaction

Lodging

Bell Services Dispatch/Greeter

• Assigning luggage deliveries, including directing bellmen

• Greeting Guests upon arrival at resorts

• Handling and storing luggage, which requires heavy lifting (including overhead lifting)

• Using a computerized dispatch system, multi-tasking

• Answering Guest calls and responding to service requests

• Taking luggage off buses, vans and cars

• Tagging luggage

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

• Valid US Driver’s License is required for this role

Front Desk

• Must be willing to work in all of the following areas but might only work in one: Front Desk, Luggage Services, Dispatch or Telephone Room

• Checking Guests in and out of resorts and processing payments

• Assisting Guests with itinerary planning and ticket sales

• Handling complex Guest situations, problem solving

• Operating computer-based reservation and ticketing systems

• Lifting, tagging, and delivering luggage

• Handling large amounts of cash

• Answering Guest telephone calls

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors, heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, and kneeling

Houseperson

• An opportunity to develop relationships with other College Program participants in the housekeeping line of business by participating in a housepersons cohort

• You will take part in the “end to end” experience in learning the Housekeeping Line of Business

• Train alongside your fellow College Program housepersons in tasks such as:

  • Deep cleaning

  • Runner

  • Houseperson support

  • Custodial Public Areas

  • Linen distribution

• Learn and experience how Walt Disney World® Resort creates magic for our guests in a variety of roles on special trips just for you and your cohort

• Participate in job shadows of the following roles:

  • Housekeeping Dispatch

  • Custodial Coordinator

  • Housekeeping Leader

  • Housekeeping Initiatives Trainer

• Network and strengthen relationships with a team of leaders assigned to oversee your experience and development

• Work shifts primarily in the afternoon and evening

• Work assignments will be flexible throughout the shift, including working both indoors and outdoors

• Please note, this work can be physically demanding

• Assisting Housekeepers with obtaining linen and cleaning chemicals

• Removing dirty linens and providing clean replacements

• Collecting and disposing of trash

• Dusting and vacuuming hallway areas, room exteriors and pool decks

• Stocking and organizing storage rooms

• Performing physically demanding work cleaning multiple Guest rooms and public areas daily (including toilets, showers, sinks and tubs with cleaning chemicals)

• Making beds, requiring repetitive bending and pulling

• Pushing large carts and equipment

• Providing information to Guests

• Driving golf carts

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors and indoors

• A valid US Driver's License is required for this role

Food & Beverage

Seater (Non-tipped role)

• Greeting and seating Guests in restaurants

• Managing a seating chart and resolving Guest situations

• Utilizing a computerized reservation/seating system

• Cash handling — both manual and using computerized registers

• Rolling silverware, folding napkins, and keeping area stocked

• Light cleaning, multi-tasking

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Quick Service Food & Beverage

• Selling food and beverages at outdoor carts and/or indoor restaurants

• Taking and filling orders, multi-tasking

• Preparing and assembling food items in a kitchen area, including the use of a fryer, grill, broiler, and other industrial cooking equipment

• Preparing, handling and serving food products including but not limited to meat, meat products, pork, shellfish, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, and nut products

• Cash handling - both manual and using computerized registers

• Bussing tables, cleaning kitchen and counter equipment, and emptying trash cans

• Dispensing and selling alcoholic beverages

• Setting and stocking tables, outdoor carts, and restaurants

• Heavy lifting, pushing heavy carts

• Working with cleaning chemicals

• Working independently or as part of a large team

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Retail/Sales

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

• Performing all duties in character as a member of the “Fairy Godmother in Training”

• Interacting with children of all ages, including small children

• Performing a variety of hair techniques including braiding, teasing, shaping, finger curls, and twists

• Applying facial makeup; painting nails or applying press-on nails or facial art (temporary tattoos)

• Utilizing a computerized reservation system to check guests in for their scheduled appointments

• Calming upset children

• Working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

• Receiving shipments of products, monitoring stock levels, restocking work areas, cleaning and dusting surfaces with cloths, brooms, cleaning agents and brushes

• Responding to special guest requests and standing for extended periods

Merchandise

• Demonstrating and selling merchandise in indoor and outdoor areas

• Cash handling - both manual and using computerized registers

• Stocking and cleaning shelves and carts

• Receiving/putting away stock and deliveries

• Stroller/wheelchair rental — including repetitive lifting, stacking, and pushing strollers and wheelchairs

• Preparation of food/candy

• Selling of alcohol and tobacco

• Providing information to Guests

• Approaching Guests and engaging them in conversation

• Preparing packages for shipping/delivery

• Working independently or as part of a large team

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Vacation Planner

• Selling ticket media to Guests

• Achieving monthly sales goals and maintaining minimum sales requirements

• Working with a computerized ticket system, offering Guests tickets from a menu of over 128 different ticket configurations

• Having a strong knowledge of the Walt Disney World® Resort and its ticket media

• Handling large amounts of cash

• Understanding the Guests' needs while helping them select the right-fit tickets for their vacations

• Being able to work under pressure and overcoming Guest objections

• Assisting with audience control, including during parades

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

• Working at multiple locations - potentially all four Theme Parks in any given week

Recreation

Children's Activities

• Working with children visiting our Resort Hotels

• Facilitating a wide range of supervised activities:

  • Reading stories

  • Providing refreshments

  • Playing games

  • Teach line dancing and other high energy programming

• Work could be both indoors and outdoors

• Prolonged standing and heavy lifting

• Providing first aid and basic life support in the event of Guest injury or illness

• Maintain a safe, clean and well organized environment

• Maintaining safety standards

• Answering Guest questions

Lifeguard

• Monitoring Guests’ safety in water and on slides/attractions

• Physically challenging work and prolonged exposure to outside elements

• Providing first aid and basic life support in the event of Guest injury or illness

• Ability to detect and respond to noises and distress signals in an aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility

• Must be able to observe all sections of an assigned zone or area of responsibility

• Strong swimming skills

• During off-peak seasons, assisting other operating areas throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort, including performing roles other than lifeguarding

** Each individual must be evaluated and certified at the Walt Disney World® Resort. All lifeguards must pass a swim test and a vision screening with at least 20/25 corrected or uncorrected. In the event you do not pass the swim test described below, you may be placed in another role based on availability.

Lifeguard Swim Test **

• Swim 200 yards (183 meters) freestyle or breaststroke

• Retrieve a 10-lb (4.5 kg) brick from the deepest section of the pool (minimum 8 feet / 2.4 meters)

• Tread water with hands out of the water for two minutes

Recreation Activities

• Assisting Guests in one or more recreational areas such as waterslide operations, towel rental, cabanas, watercraft rental, marina operations, arcades, resort recreational facilities, Spa, Salon and/or Fitness Centers

• Prolonged exposure to outside weather elements

• Strong swimming skills

• Providing first aid and basic life support in the event of Guest injury or illness

• Maintain a safe, clean and well organized environment through consistent monitoring and cleaning of the locker rooms, showers, kitchen and lounge facility areas

• Cash handling – both manual and computerized register systems

• Accurately book, change or cancel Spa, Salon and Fitness Center appointments

• Maintaining safety standards

• Clean and stock fitness centers on a regular basis throughout the shift

• Assisting with food and drink orders

• Answering Guest questions

• Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

• During off-peak seasons, assisting other operating areas throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort, including performing roles other than recreation

Spa

• Accurately book, change and cancel spa, salon, or fitness center appointments

• Review guest appointments/schedules as needed

• Meet the guest when called by the front desk and issue facility lockers, robes and slippers (when applicable) to guests, and escort guest to locker room

• Assist with purchases and recommendations, responsible for cash handling and all POS transactions

• Provide orientation tour, detailed descriptions of spa, salon and fitness center treatments, packages, services, facility features and hours of operation

• Maintain a safe, clean and well-organized environment through consistent monitoring of the locker room/lounge facility area

• Clean fitness equipment, bathrooms, showers, changing rooms and lounge regularly

• Restock water, tea and snacks throughout the day and maintain area clean

• Organize and clean retail area as needed