Flash Back Friday // Walt Disney World College Program

Once upon a time – I lived in Cinderella’s Castle.
Okay, that’s a lie. I didn’t really, but whenever we watch a Disney movie & it opens up with the shot of Tinkerbell flying over the castle? I tell everyone that “I used to live there.” Because I sort of did.

In 2009, I went on a grand adventure. I packed up my little, 2-door, Chevy Cavalier and drove 1,000 miles to Orlando, Florida. I was attending Westmoreland County Community College at the time, and on a whim decided to attend a presentation about internships at Disney World. I mean, it sounded too good to be true – work at the happiest place on earth & get college credit for it? Where do I sign up? The presentation hooked me and I signed up for a phone interview while I was there (Disney is actually pretty picky about who they bring down to Florida to work for them). It was probably the most daring thing I had ever done in my little life so far.

I interviewed over the phone and specifically remember sitting on the arm of the couch in our family room, talking to the recruiter: “Have you ever lived in a dorm style environment?” “No, but I have 5 younger siblings, so that’s basically the same thing, right?” I was accepted and given a start date of January 7, 2009 – my Dad’s birthday!

Disney gives you several different housing options: the most expensive (yes, you pay rent) is in their newest & biggest apartments with the fewest roommates. The cheapest, is in the oldest and smallest apartments with the most roommates – which is the option I signed up for. Which meant I ended up living with 5 other girls – in a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 kitchen, & 1 living room suite. Honestly: we didn’t care what it looked like or how small it was or that there was writing under the counters by previous interns.

When I signed up, I put down that I would do basically anything – that they could place me anywhere: merchandise, ride attendant, janitor, food person – I truly didn’t care. I got the best job though! I got placed in merchandise at the Emporium on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. So yes, I worked under the shadow of the Castle every day. I listened to the parade go by every night. But the best part was listening to the fireworks every night – the best!

I worked there for 5 months and as my internship was coming to an end, I couldn’t imagine leaving! There was still so much I wanted to do and explore and I wasn’t ready to go home yet! So, I applied to extend my program and was accepted to stay another 3 months.

When you extend, you are given the opportunity to change your “field” – I could have stayed on at the Emporium & that was my second choice, but I had heard whisperings that they were going to allow several interns into the PhotoPass program (a previously “closed” area to interns) as guinea pigs – to see if they would do well. It wasn’t on the application – you had to write in that you were interested and go through another interview.

I was blown away when I was accepted. I was so excited! I was going to get to take photos at Disney World! I got assigned a PhotoPass job at the Water Parks (I worked at both Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon). I loved it! It was so challenging and different – yes there were limitations to what I could do as a photographer (your settings are set for you when you pick up your gear, you are assigned to a specific location, there are certain shots you are supposed to get) but it was so fun to work with Disney guests especially since I knew that photography was a business I was interested in pursuing.

When my 8 months came to an end, I cried. I bawled big ugly tears as I drove out of the parking lot for the last time. I literally had the time of my life & I wouldn’t trade the experiences, the friendships, or the lessons learned for the world. It was amazing!