by KRISTIN LARMORE
Lifestyles Reporter

They meet and live with students from across the world, network with successful company leaders and work in well-renowned parks and resorts.

On their days off, they take free jaunts through the colorful, musical lands of Disney.

Disney College Program Cast Members at the Walt Disney World Resort receive a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.

Anamarie R. Nall, sophomore special education major, and Jaime L. Rau, junior hospitality and tourism management major, both participated is the Disney College Program last fall.

The five to seven-month program is offered to eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors at Appalachian State University with possible class credit received.

Rau

Nall started as a lifeguard at one of the high-end resorts, and additionally began managing children’s activities two months into her internship.

Instead of receiving credit through Appalachian, Nall took online classes at a community college during her stay in Florida.

Though Nall participated for the experience and not for her major, Rau received 12 credit hours, six from UNC Greensboro and six from Appalachian.

Career Development Coordinator Traci D. Royster said students must additionally apply to summer classes at UNC-G to receive credit, as UNC-G has received accreditation.

Disney also offers optional courses, allowing networking with various departments, an opportunity to ask professionals questions, creating personal business cards and meeting the president of the company.

Both students said the experience was rewarding.

Royster serves as a resource for students interested in the program.

She reviews all options students have available to them, reminds them of the administrative offices they must contact and helps fill out paperwork.

“I’m kind of their go-to person even if they’re already in Florida,” she said.

It is crucial students talk with their departmental internship advisor before making a decision to see if they can make room for all classes before graduation.

If students are looking to work for Disney, the College Program is the place to start, as many of the company’s professional internships require this preliminary introduction to the company’s policies and business practices.

“They want you to learn the company, learn the corporation,” Royster said.

Once students understand the Disney process, they can specialize in their area of study, and professional internships can often lead to full-time jobs, Rau learned.

Benefits include conflict resolution skills, discipline and open-mindedness, Nall said.

Not only are cast members required to say “no” at least three times to customers when offered tips or rewards, but they also work on a point system.

Nall explained each late arrival racks up half a point, each no-show racks up one point and every three points warrants a reprimand.

Three reprimands equal termination.

Rau worked in stroller, wheelchair and locker rentals in Magic Kingdom sometimes until 3 a.m.

“I got used to it, but it was [an] adjustment,” she said. “Especially in my location, people get angry about their strollers and wheelchairs. If it breaks, they think they should have it for free.”

Possible setbacks of the program include time consumption and loss of financial aid.

If students are not receiving credit through Appalachian, they can’t receive financial aid.

Disney representatives will come to campus for their yearly visit March 30 and 31. Presentations will take place in Linville Falls 5 p.m. Monday and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

For more information, visit disneycollegeprogram.com

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