Disney College Program
The Disney College Program (DCP) is a United States national internship program operated by the Disney Programs division of The Walt Disney Company, located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. The program recruits college students (ages 18 and older) of all majors for a semester-long paid work experience program at either the Orlando or Anaheim resorts, with the option of extending to almost a full year.
Other name
DCP
- Magic Kingdom College Program (MKCP)
- Walt Disney World College Program (WDWCP)
- Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program
College internship
1981
Disney Programs
4,000+ per semester
Urban
Disney Programs Life Now
History[edit]
The first Disney College Program began in 1981 as the Magic Kingdom College Program (MKCP) and initially consisted of just over 200 students from 20 schools working only at Magic Kingdom, in Bay Lake, ten years after the theme park opened.[1] In October 1982, the program expanded offerings to Epcot, when the theme park opened, and its name changed to the Walt Disney World College Program (WDWCP),[2] employing approximately 500 college students each spring, summer and fall session. From the beginning of the program until 1988, program participants resided in Snow White Village Campground, an off-property mobile home park and the remainder of Lake Vista Village apartments in Kissimmee. In 1987, a new company-sponsored gated-community apartment complex, Vista Way, was opened for college program participants nearby Lake Buena Vista, located much closer to the Disney property. By 1988, all participants were fully relocated out of Snow White Village Campground, which was later converted into a vacationing site.[3]
Following the massive growth of the Walt Disney World Resort in the 1990s and the widespread popularity of the internet, the program grew substantially, seeing three new participant housing complexes built and many more colleges represented. An average of 4,000 students participate each spring, summer and fall session,[4] representing at least 301 colleges and universities[1][5] In August 2006, the program expanded to the Disneyland Resort and was renamed the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program. The program's opportunities are available at all theme parks, resorts and shopping districts of the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, officially changing its name to the Disney College Program, which is colloquially shortened and referred to as the DCP.
Application process[edit]
Eligibility[edit]
Eligible applicants are those who reside in the United States or their territories, who possess American citizenship,[b] are students aged 18 and older prior to the expected arrival date and are actively enrolled in an accredited semester-program university or college as a full-time or part-time student. Students actively enrolled in their final semester[c] of an accredited semester-program university or college are also eligible to apply to be accepted for the following program season or apply within a year of graduation. Students must complete at least one semester of university or college before entering the Disney College Program.[6]
Programs last between five and seven months, though the culinary program's length depends on the student's school schedule. Once a student is approaching the end of their program, they may extend for an additional five months with the option to change to a different position or transfer from their current resort (Orlando or Anaheim) to the other.[7]
Other programs[edit]
Disney Culinary Program[edit]
The Disney Culinary Program is a subdivision of the Disney College Program that provides the same experiences but aimed at students enrolled in an accredited culinary school. The application process is the same but with specific requirements, mainly, being enrolled in an accredited culinary school in order to receive credit and also upholding the Disney Look.[13] International students are also eligible to apply.[14]
Disney Professional Internships[edit]
Disney Professional Internships are offered by the Disney Programs division of the Walt Disney Company, aimed at students who are pursuing a professional career in the company, such as in business, marketing, sales, production, entertainment, etc. Internships are offered in many of the company's assets and divisions such as Walt Disney Studios, Disney Parks, Marvel Entertainment, ABC, ESPN, among others. The experiences are the same as the Disney College Program, with the exception of sponsored housing and transportation, which interns are required to provide for themselves since offerings are also available in different cities in the United States and even worldwide. Students participating in the Disney College Program are eligible, as well as students who are actively enrolled in an accredited college or university, or students who have graduated from a college or university within eighteen months.[15]