The Dream

My College Program experience started the day I returned home from a June 1999 vacation to Walt Disney World. I had been to WDW many times before this, but I looked at everything differently now than I did when I was younger. I was more interested in the inner workings of the parks, and especially interested in the people who made it all happen: Disney Castmembers.

I had never heard of the College Program before. But I was very interested to find out if there was a such thing as an internship in WDW. I had just finished my freshman year of college, and like many first-year students, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I was looking for an experience that might lead me in some direction.

So I jumped online one day and simply searched for a WDW internship. Immediately I found many sites dedicated to the Walt Disney World College Program. I had found exactly what I was looking for.

In the coming months I practically became an expert on the program. I spent many hours researching and reading about alumni experiences. I then contacted some professors and the Career Services office at school to see what kind of credit I could get. I was very disappointed when I found out that the program was basically unheard of, and no one knew exactly how I would get credits. I then looked into the possibility of finding some independent study, but found that I could possibly run into financial aid troubles because I wouldn't be enrolled for enough credits. I also found out I needed to be full-time (12 credits) in order to stay on my parent's medical insurance plan. The excitement that I had built up was gone, and I was ready to give up on my dream.

With the presentation and interview being held the next day, I decided to give it one last try. I walked into the financial aid office and got more information. It turns out I wouldn't lose my financial aid as long as I had 6 credits, and I would only receive a warning letter this time. I walked out of the office very excited. I decided I was going to the presentation, and I would find a way to work out the 6 credits and medical insurance later after I found out if I was accepted or not.