I attended my Disney College Program graduation yesterday and it was a bittersweet experience. It was so much fun finally getting our diploma and mickey ears with the tassel that means we had completed our program. Well, even though we still have two more weeks to work.
Even through all the crappy hours of work we put in for virtually no pay, I got to do some pretty sweet things while I was here that made it all worth it. Here is my the top 10 moments I had while on the Disney College Program.
10. Getting to network with Disney Professionals.
I took an Exploring Marketing class while I was here and it was pretty neat to hear from Disney Professionals who started out in the Disney College Program and now work high up at Disney. It gives us hope for later in life that they started just like us.
9. The Soccer Cup.
The College Program Housing held a soccer tournament for all of us College and International Program kids. My roommate Angela and I showed up to the field and found some other players to make a team with. Us two and our friend Jackie were the only girls! Playing against boys is one thing, we did it in college all the time, but international boys from England, Germany and South America just play so much fast than American boys. (No offense guys!) We gave them a good run and it was neat to learn even more about the game.
8. Working at the Wide World of Sports.
I loved working at Wide World of Sports because I loved being apart of all the youth tournaments that were held at the complex. There was softball, soccer, cross-country, college basketball and even robotics! I miss being part of a team like that and traveling to different tournaments like we did so much for soccer. It made me realize that I want to be involved in sports events like this as a career.
7. The Disney College Program Graduation.
I couldn’t get over Donald, Goofy and Chip and Dale doing the Cupid Shuffle and Ho Down Throw Down. I need to learn that dance.
6. Living at Vista Way!
I never thought I would go back to sharing a room after my sophomore year in the dorms but we had some good times living in the 1606. There were 6 of us sharing one tiny fridge and freezer but we made it work somehow. There is a reason why everyone who works for Disney has heard of Vista Way and it’s because it really is the best and most fun place to live!
5. Every Parade Ever at Disney.
Getting into the parks for free whenever we want is a major perk for working at Disney. I’ve seen every parade multiple times and I never get sick of them!
4. The Tower of Terror 13K.
After running the Tower of Terror 13K through Hollywood Studios and Wide World of Sports I am now addicted to racing. The race was so much fun especially because it was at night and especially because my bestest buddy Stef came to run it with me. She is an experienced racer so it was good to have her by my side. I think we were the only two people to stop to for pictures along the way! Next were thinking the Disney Princess Half Marathon in March if we can afford it. Disney is going to need to start paying me more.
3. Getting to watch the Holiday Wishes fireworks show from the roof of Adventureland.
If you have never seen the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom you are missing out. No one knows how to do fireworks like Disney. And during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party they do a special holiday edition. So while we were working the party we took our break during the show and got to see everything from the rooftop. Long hours of work is so worth it when you get to do things like that.
2. My roommates and the friends I made!
My six roommates were literally from all over the country but I learned so much from everyone and I’ll miss everyone when they leave in January! We had some amazing times here and were going to live it up our last few weeks! I thought Purdue was diverse but it was nothing compared to living and working here!
1. Getting to be in the opening number of the Disney Christmas Parade with the Jonas Brothers.
Getting up at 4 in the morning for two days in a row was not so much fun but knowing we were going to be within arms length of the Jonas Brothers made it all worth it. Thousands of us got to learn a dance to one of their songs while they preformed in front of the castle. Think Oprah’s flash mob dance in Magic Kingdom.
So there is my list and I would suggest to anyone thinking of doing the Disney College Program to come and do it because it is awesome!
