Life at Disney

This season on the Life at Disney Podcast, we've gone global. We're speaking to cast members and employees in our offices around the world. In this week’s episode, we’re headed to Latin America to meet with Eliana and Jacque on the Business Intelligence & Analytics team! Eliana, Senior Manager, Data Science, leads efforts to improve day-to-day productivity for Disney’s multiple lines of business within the Latin American market (streaming, theatrical, consumer products and more) by analyzing and reporting data. Jacque, Manager, Partner Analytics, contributes strategic insights and recommendations for key stakeholders such as offering add-on products for Disney+. Join Steven as he speaks with Eliana and Jacque to learn more about how they turn data into business solutions for The Walt Disney Company Latin America.

Kate and Laura from The Walt Disney Studios are here on the Life at Disney Podcast to share their stories and experiences on bringing to life the music and movies we know and love today. Kate is a Character Technical Director with Walt Disney Animation Studios who started her career with Disney in 2013 and has worked on films such as "Big Hero 6," "Zootopia," "Moana" and more. Laura is the Director of Marketing for Disney Music Group and has been with the company for 15 years. Laura works closely with our businesses to develop music strategies and marketing plans for soundtracks. Join LaJoy as she talks with Kate and Laura to learn more about their roles and career journeys!

We’re officially back with Season 2 of the Life at Disney Podcast! We’re kicking off this season with a special episode where you’ll meet our hosts, Cassie, Steven, LaJoy, Stephen, and Natalie. Join us as Ally, a Life at Disney Podcast producer, sits down for a roundtable conversation with Cassie, LaJoy, Steven, Natalie, and Stephen. Hear from your hosts for the season as they talk all things Life at Disney, their favorite Disney memories, and their current roles with the company.

Started on the Disney College Program and now they’re AMBASSADORS! Walt Disney World Ambassadors Shannon and Serena join Holly and Destiny to talk about their Disney career journeys how they still use the skills from their College Program in their roles today. Welcome to season three of our miniseries, where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Shannon completed her first Disney College Program at Disneyland in parking and transportation. Then, she came over to Walt Disney World for a second program in attractions before landing a Disney Internship in recruitment. Serena completed her Disney College Program at the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. After graduating, she came back to Florida for a Disney Internship in sourcing. Today, Shannon and Serena make up the 2024-2025 Walt Disney World Ambassador team.

Disney College Program recruiters are BACK on campus! Recruiter Savone, Disney Programs Representative Maya and their team might just be visiting your college or university. Welcome to season three of our miniseries, where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Savone kicked off her Disney career as a maid at the Haunted Mansion during her Disney College Program and then transitioned to a leadership role at EPCOT through the Disney Hospitality Leadership Program. Now she’s a College & International Programs recruiter and gets to visit campuses across the country. Maya completed her Disney College Program in parking during the Fall 2023 season before transitioning to her current role as one of our new Disney Programs Reps! You can catch her recruiting for Disney Programs at University of Central Florida. The pair are reminiscing on their programs, giving tips and tricks for future applicants and answering some questions from our social media followers.

Our participants know that the opportunities are endless on the Disney College Program! Just ask our guests, Kendall and Andre. Welcome to season three of our miniseries, where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Kendall is a recent graduate from Winthrop University and a merchandise hostess at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where she recently became a trainer. Andre is a recent graduate from Five Towns College and a park greeter at Magic Kingdom. Andre has dreamed of working for Disney since he was a kid. Meanwhile, Kendall applied for the Program on a whim. Now they’re both planning to stay in Florida to continue their careers with Disney! Learn about how they are making the most of their Disney College Program, what it’s been like moving away from home, what they love about living in Florida and more.

So what’s the Disney College Program really like? We’re sitting down with two current participants to find out! Welcome to season three of our miniseries, where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Tasia works in merchandise at Magic Kingdom and recently became a trainer. She’s an Alabama A&M alumna and started her journey through the Disney College Program HBCU Cohort. Isaac works in outdoor foods at Magic Kingdom. He’s a current student at Modesto Junior College and a first-generation college student. They talk building connections to further their careers, the perks of extending their programs, living with roommates at Flamingo Crossings Village and so much more!

Walt Disney first said, “It requires people to make the dream a reality.” Today, we’re we’re kicking back with Disney College Program alumni who not only made those dreams come true during their programs but are also bringing their professional wishes to life since then! First, hear from Stephanie, who shares how her experience and transferable skills from the program helped her reach her dream role with The Walt Disney Company! Then, listen as Ruben shares how his Disney journey has taken him from volunteering at The Walt Disney Family Museum to working in custodial at Disney California Adventure Park to most recently, supporting the Disney+ Original Series "Obi-Wan Kenobi” with Industrial Light & Magic.

Making candy apples? Check! Tossing a coin in Cinderella’s Wishing Well? Absolutely! No matter what’s on your Disney College Program bucket list, we're ready to help you achieve it all and more. And today, we have two guests who are living their best lives at Disney! Tune in as our first guest Edwin Diaz, an aspiring Disney animator all the way from New York, shares how he’s living on his own for the first time and loving it. Then, hear from Diamond Gaston, a Merchandise cast member at five unique Disney Springs shops, who spends her free time making memories with her coworkers and building lasting friendships. Get ready to discover all the magic you can experience on your own Program!

From uniquely Disney learning opportunities and experiences to covering college credit and so much more - you won’t want to miss this episode! Our first guest is Josh Brasher, a Disney College Program alum who is giving back to the Program in a BIG way with unparalleled opportunities and knowledge from his journey with the Company. You’ll also hear from Nick Warner, who is participating in the Disney College Program and truly making the most of the learning component while also developing impactful connections for his future Disney career. But that’s not all! You'll even discover a few fun facts along the way like which Disney legends recently joined as guest speakers. Tune in!

Welcome to season two of our miniseries where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Kicking off episode one of the season, you’ll hear from Reese Tate, who is following in her mom’s footsteps by participating in the Program. She’s currently working in attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® with the hopes of merging her theater background with leadership opportunities. Then, you’ll meet Kamrin Williams, who enjoyed her Disney College Program so much, that she’s back for round two. This time, she’s getting extra pixie dust as part of the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Cohort powered by Disney on the Yard.

Some of the greatest things in life can come from taking a chance and trying something new. Applying to the Disney College Program helped both of our guests discover just that and gain new confidence in themselves. From viewing each day with a positive outlook to daily “pinch-me moments,” the program experience can lead to exciting opportunities and lasting memories. Our first guest is Javier Moreno, a current participant working at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort that made a big move from California to begin his Disney journey. Then you’ll hear from Alexis Rojas, an ad integration and strategy coordinator with ESPN who started her career on the Disney College Program, making the most of each opportunity she received and continues to do so today.

No matter where you start, there's a place for you within The Walt Disney Company! That's what both of our guests in this episode discovered through their Disney College Program experiences. First meet Emma, a current Disney College Program participant working in merchandise at Dinoland U.S.A. within Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park! Through her program she's developed friendships, working relationships, and leadership skills as well as discovering her dream of building a career with Disney. Then hear from Jose, an alum of the program and seven-year cast member currently in a role with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He speaks about his own Disney College Program experience, how mentors and leaders helped in his journey, and why inclusion is important to him, especially as he now gets to be an integral part of so many other's Disney career journeys.

We’re there because we care! Today, we’re chatting with the team that brings uniquely Disney experiences to life for our Disney Programs participants. We go over everything from exclusive activities and learning offerings to academic and career support. On this episode you’ll hear from Quan Spratley, a Program Experience Associate who recently completed the Disney College Program and is now beginning his career helping current participants make the most of their program. You’ll also hear from Ryan Geno, a Program Experience Manager with a decorated 15-year career at Walt Disney World® Resort who focuses on bringing a variety of experiential and instructor-led learning offerings to life for thousands of participants.

Welcome to our new miniseries where we will discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Discussing his unique Disney College Program experience, magical moments, and important lessons, you’ll hear from Colin Hooper, a current Disney College Program participant working as a Resort Concierge and Trainer at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. You’ll also hear from Taylor Barfield, a Disney College Program alum whose program helped her begin her career with Disney. Now, she is paving the way for future participants and connecting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with meaningful opportunities as an Outreach and Engagement Manager.

From pre-visualizing attractions and shows to researching and developing new experiences that are years away from entering our parks and resorts, we are joined by two Walt Disney Imagineers in this episode. Jonathan Becker, Senior Research & Development Imagineer, and Emily Van Bellegham, AR/VR Design Engineer talk about their current roles, how they got their start with Walt Disney Imagineering, and advice for anyone interested in becoming an Imagineer.

To serve sports fans, anytime, anywhere, is the mission of ESPN. As the go-to stop for all sports coverage, we sit down with two ESPN employees, Jett Watkins, Social Media Specialist II and Sania Blu, Associate Producer at ESPN Next, who share that it is not all about the final score, but the stories that EPSN tells. We hear about how ESPN handles breaking news – like when Tom Brady announced he was retiring – tips on how you can improve your content skills, and the different job areas you get to work in when you join the ESPN Next program.

Discover a unique living and working environment with participants from all over the world. The Disney College Program and Disney Internships can be the start of your career with The Walt Disney Company. Hear from two Disney College Program alumni, including a recently converted Disney Intern, Karla Quintanilla, Programs Experience Associate, and Kevin Boutte, Walt Disney Imagineering Inclusive Strategy Development Designer about their experiences, their roles with the company today, and how you can get started in one on a Disney Program.

The Culinary teams across Disney Parks, Experiences and Products create unforgettable dining experiences for guests from around the world. This week we make stops at our parks on both coasts as we hear from the Culinary Director of Signature Restaurants, Chef Andrew Sutton, and Chef Assistant at EPCOT Festivals, Chef Pedro Pomales. They share their culinary journey, how they conceptualize dishes that end up in our parks and resorts, and the different career paths available with Disney Culinary.

At Disney, inclusion is for everyone. We strive to design work environments that inspire optimism and drive innovation for all employees at all levels. And because we recognize that maintaining an inclusive, supportive workplace requires mindful attention and intention, we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our people. To discuss the opportunities available for our cast members, crew, Imagineers, and employees, as well as our external audience in the diversity, inclusion, and equity space, we are joined by Corey Savage, Senior Outreach & Engagement Manager, and LaJoy Mercer, Tech Recruiter as they share their experience and how they have seen this evolve while with The Walt Disney Company.