I am old, at least compared to the people likely reading this. As a dad in my mid-thirties, I probably sound ancient if you’re thinking about applying for the Disney College Program. But my age doesn’t matter. What matters is this: I am practically begging you, if you are even considering the Disney College Program, please do it. My own program experience may have been many years ago, yet the memories I made still feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday.
I cannot tell you enough how deeply it shaped my life. Nearly fifteen years later, those few months still shine brighter in my memory than almost any other period. It only lasted a short while, but it became the most defining experience I have ever had. If you were to ask me when my “good old days” were, I wouldn’t say high school or college. Without hesitation, I would say it was those fleeting, precious months I spent in Orlando.
The friendships you make during the program are unlike anything else. They are forged in long shifts and busy days, when you and your fellow cast members lean on each other to get through. It feels like a trial by fire at times, but what comes out of it is a strength and a bond that is hard to describe. You will meet people from every corner of the world, from every background, belief, and story. Together, you create this unlikely, wonderful team. People you might never have crossed paths with suddenly become some of the closest friends you will ever know. Even now, so many years later, I know that if I ran into one of them, even if we only had fifteen minutes together, we would pick up right where we left off. Some of those friendships have lasted to this day.
I would also assume that if you’re interested in the Disney College Program, then you like Disney, and that becomes one of the greatest unifiers. You are no longer the “weird Disney kid.” Instead, you suddenly find yourself surrounded by an entire army of people just like you.
There is also a freedom in the program that is hard to put into words. For a few months, life feels simpler. My world became about working, laughing with my friends, and spending my days off in the parks. The everyday stresses of school and family obligations faded into the background. Yes, the work was work, but it was at Disney. Everything else around it made life feel like a dream. It was a chance to reset, to clear my head, to live in a way that felt full of joy and possibility before moving forward with the rest of my life.
And yes, I know nostalgia has a way of softening memories. I know the Disney College Program comes with long hours, low pay, and real challenges. But that isn’t what I carry with me. What has lasted all these years is the way it made me feel. I woke up every day feeling free, happy, and full of wonder. That is what I remember, and that is what still makes me grateful I said yes.
