Walt Disney Company Mission Statement"The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world."
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My RoleHowdy! I interned at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. My role was Quick Service Food & Beverage, which is basically a fast food restaurant. I worked at Pinocchio Village Haus in the heart Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, right behind Cinderella's castle. In this role, I had so much guest interaction, whether it be filling orders or setting up a coloring table in the middle of the dining room. I learned so much about customer service and teamwork, because it takes so many people to keep a restaurant that large running efficiently!
Quick Service Food & Beverage is one of the largest roles at Walt Disney World. This job includes bussing dining rooms (sweeping, cleaning tables, trash duties, guest interaction), filling food orders, making drink orders, and restocking items on the counter. It can also include pin trading, handing out stickers, setting up coloring tables, and talking to guests. This is an entry level position that does not really require any specific skills. One must be able to lift fairly heavy objects and stand for long periods of time.
Benefits & Opportunities |
The best perk of all: unlimited free admission to the Disney theme parks. This is a paid internship so that is a huge bonus. I am paid $10.34 per hour, which is slightly more than other roles because I am in Quick Service in the Magic Kingdom. The Disney Company is big on hiring from within. There are many opportunities to move up within the company if one is driven to do so. Most upper level jobs do require a college degree.
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Achievements |
I feel that my interpersonal skills have grown stronger throughout this internship. I am constantly interacting with people from different backgrounds and making sure they are satisfied with their experience. My problem solving skills have also been honed because things are constantly being thrown my way. I feel like I have a new perspective on the tourism industry.
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Since there are almost always hundreds of people in the restaurant, I had to wait until after hours to take pictures of me in action! These show what I spend most of my time doing - cleaning an talking to guests!
Pinocchio Village Haus is one of the only original restaurants still in operation at the Magic Kingdom! It opened with the park 45 years ago. It has windows in to the beginning of the ride "it's a small world." It is the second busiest restaurant in the busiest theme park in the world! |
Is the College Program right for you?
While the work is often tedious and the hours are long, I absolutely loved my time doing the Disney College Program. I went in to this experience knowing that the work part would be tough, but hoping to gain experience and have fun while doing it. The accommodations are overpriced and the work can be strenuous, but nothing can beat the free access to the Disney Parks. I absolutely love the people I work with, but I know that this is kind of a luck-of-the-draw situation as not everyone feels this way about their co-workers. I personally have gained so much from this experience, both professionally and personally. I feel more confident in the line of business in which I would like to work. I learned a lot working with people from different backgrounds. It is difficult to be away from home, and this experience is different for everyone. I may have just gotten lucky with my job placement and living situation, but I would not trade my semester at Disney for the world.