Many people around the world dream of visiting the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney World. This semester I am lucky enough to get the chance to work for this wonderful company at their theme parks and resorts. This was no easy accomplishment. I went through the application process along with thousands of applicants, an online interview, and a phone interview. Once I completed this, it wasn’t long before I got the magical email congratulating me on my acceptance.
The Disney College Program pays its interns along with offering college credits for colleges that accept it. Out of our paycheck comes rent each week if we decide to live in one of the four apartment complexes that the program offers its students.
The best day of the first week is the traditions class. This is a class that each student must take which officially makes him or her a Cast member. On this day, we are brought to Disney University, which is located behind the scenes, in the back of the Magic Kingdom. I will never forget driving into the backstage area to pass the train that goes to the Magic Kingdom. All you heard was the trains whistle and all you saw was this huge red train with steam coming out the top, on its way to open the Magic Kingdom. It was amazing.
The class taught us the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of being a Castmember, for instance, how to point using two fingers, and how to pick things off the ground using the same foot same hand method. After the class we get to go to the Magic Kingdom and see Cast members in action, however, we do not use the front entrance. For those of you who do not know, at the Magic Kingdom are a series of tunnels called the Utilidor. These tunnels are massive, allowing all of our Castmembers, including Mickey Mouse, of course, to go from one end of the park to the next, without being seen. This is one of the many ways Walt Disney World is one of the most efficient companies in the world.
Aside from the backstage access and the discounts that Castmembers receive, working for this company is much more. During the class, they showed videos of children being told they were going to Disney world. We all cried. Kids whose families saved up years just to bring them to this magical place just scream and then break down and cry. As Walt Disney once said, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality”, and now I get to be one of those people, making children who may have troubles in their lives feel as if they are a princess or a special part of this world. Knowing I am making a difference in a family’s vacation and creating memories that last a lifetime for these people is a reward in itself. I cannot wait to go on this journey and make magical moments every day, and I cannot wait to share them with you.
Danny Piroli
Danny is from North Haven Connecticut. He is a junior at Albertus Magnus College majoring in Business Management with a concentration in International Business, and participating in the Disney College Program. In his spare time, Danny plays Hockey for the Connecticut Hockey League and is certified as a Boat Captain in the state of Florida.