How to Apply to the Disney College Program

Skip finals and head to the parks!

Whether you’re looking for a foot-in to the Walt Disney Company, a break from mundane college courses, or just want to stock your Instagram feed with castle pics, here’s everything you need to know to apply to the Disney College Program (DCP).

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Requirements

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be 18+ years of age at the time of application.

• Must be currently enrolled and taking courses at an accredited U.S. college, university, or higher education program OR have graduated within 24 months of the application posting date.

• Must have completed at least one semester at said accredited U.S. college, university, or higher education program by the time of arrival.

• Must possess an unrestricted U.S. work authorization for the duration of the program. Disney does not sponsor visas for the College Program.

• If applicable, meet any school requirements.

• If you have already been a participant in the Disney College Program, you must wait four months after departure before applying again.

Role Options

Disney offers a wide variety of roles for cast members in the Disney College Program. You can learn more about each role on the DCP’s site. Here’s a brief overview of the different sectors and where you might work.

• Food & Beverage

• Seater

• Quick Service Food & Beverage

• Retail & Sales

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

• Merchandise

• Vacation Planner

• Operations

• Attractions

• Convention Guide

• Custodial

• Monorail

• PhotoPass Photographer

• Skyliner Gondola

• Watercraft

• Recreation

• Children’s Activities

• Lifeguard

• Recreation Attractions

• Entertainment

• Character Attendant 

• Character Performer

• Costuming Operations

• Lodging

• Bell Services/Dispatch Greeter

• Club Level Lounge

• Resort Concierge

• Houseperson

Understanding the Disney Look

While Disney has taken steps to be more inclusive, they are still strict on how their cast members are perceived by guests. You can find the Disney Look Book on the casting site.

How to Apply to the Disney College Program

1. Head to the Programs section of Disney Careers.

2. Click Apply Now.

3. Read the entirety of the Job Summary.

4. Click Apply Now.

5. Sign In. We recommend making an account for easier access to your application.

6. Click Let’s Get Started.

7. Fill out all Eligibility Questions.

8. Fill out all Self ID Questions.

9. Fill out Role Preference Questions. 

10. Fill out Additional Questions/Job Specific/Work Authorization Questions.

11. Fill out Language Questions.

12. Electronically sign the acknowledgment. 

13. Review your application and click Send My Application.

14. Once submitted, you will be able to check your status on your Dashboard.

After submitting the application, you will wait to hear back if you made it to the Web Based Interview (WBI). If selected for the WBI, you will most likely have three days to complete it. The WBI is a personality-type test to determine if you are a fit for the program. 

On occasion, a phone interview is utilized, but the frequency of this practice has dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic ended. If you are not chosen for the program, your status will change to “No Longer In Consideration” and you are eligible to apply again in four months. 

If you are selected for the program, congratulations! You will receive more information via email regarding program details and we’ll see you in the parks soon!