With blaring house and retro re-mixes of songs from various animated films, Disney filled the Husky Hut in the Brooks Student Center recently and pumped up the energy as 43 students entered the Hut to hear about Disney’s internship – The Walt Disney World College Program (WDWCP).
The internship offers thousands of college students a year the opportunity to “live, learn, and earn” in Orlando, Fla. Disney claims by being “cast” for various “roles,” (Disney’s term for jobs), and through optional college-type courses, students gain invaluable, transferable job skills. Such skills include guest service, communication, self-confidence, and problem solving.
Though many are enthusiastic about the program, some people disagree with the educational potential and question Disney’s motives.
The roles, such as custodial, ride operation, retail, and fast food service, are not resume builders, according to Jane Kuenz, associate professor of English, and her husband Shelton Waldrep, assistant professor of English at USM.
Kuenz and Waldrep are two co-authors of the book Inside the Mouse: Work and Play at Disney World, a postmodern critique of the Disney complex.
“I had some people write or tell me about their experiences in the college program who said what they were promised and what panned out were totally different,” said Kuenz.
She said that the positions students filled did not build job skills or bolster their transcripts.
In their book, Kuenz and Waldrep detail poor working conditions as well as employment practices that prevent employees from moving up the ranks or obtaining benefits. Disney maintains a rotating staff, preventing many employees from working long enough to get benefits, according to the authors.
The college program may be an additional way of maintaining part-time employment.
“The whole idea of [the program being] an internship and an academic program is questionable,” said Waldrep. “Disney is using college students as just another pool to draw from.”
The book also details many of the difficult working conditions at Disney.
Many “cast members” who take on the roles of the Disney characters – Mickey Mouse, Goofy, etc., complain of the high heat that builds up inside the costumes. Many people faint or vomit in the mask and are not allowed to remove the heads until taken “off set.” This, according to Disney, would ruin the magic. Disney has not officially stated that humans are inside the costumes, according to Kuenz.
Employees who removed their character’s heads or who had the heads fall off when they tripped or toppled were immediately fired.
Disney representatives did not wish to comment.
“We really don’t discuss our characters because it would compromise the magic,” said Ren? Callahan, spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resorts.
Callahan denied any knowledge of such occurrences. She also would not comment as to whether people actually inhabited the Disney characters.
Yet many claim the program is a valuable experience, preparing them for future employment and building self-confidence. They also boast their experience as highly enjoyable.
“Over 90 percent of our college program participants have given the program great reviews,” said Callahan. “For the other 10 percent, there will not be a program available for everyone.”
Callahan cited networking, guest service, and “insight into leadership” as resume builders.
A few USM students have participated in the program and give it positive reviews.
“It was a phenomenal experience. I had so much fun and met so many people from all over the world,” said Grace Tudan, a senior nursing major who was custodial staff in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Through work, I gained a lot of really great techniques for working as a group and in a team.”
The program is, in fact, a strong resume builder, according to Brain Wilson, a temporary exchange student visiting USM.
“People look at your resume and see Disney and are immediately stunned,” said Wilson.
Both Tudan and Wilson say WDWCP is an icebreaker in job interviews. Employers are interested in the program and are inquisitive, asking about the program and the skills gained while in Orlando.
If students decide to take Disney classes, they can get credit recognized by USM, according to Carol Chipman, coordinator of Cooperative Education Programs. They can receive credit for ARS 100 – Exploring Careers in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Degree programs may grant credit for other classes as well.
Of the 43 students attending the meeting, approximately half stayed for interviews, according to Elaine Howe, coordinator for the Gorham Career Center. According to Disney representatives, generally 50 percent of those interviewed are selected, said Howe.
Assistant News Editor Matthew Clifford can be reached at [email protected]