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Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program

For more information about the Bryan School Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program contact:

Bud Miles
363 Bryan Building
PO Box 26165
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Phone: 336.334.4527
Fax: 336.334.4141
Email: disney@uncg.edu

UNCG Home > Bryan School > Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program

The J-1 visa requires that you be a full-time student while residing in the
United States.

• To be a full-time student while in the U.S., you must be enrolled in 12 credits.UNCG provides two distance learning courses to meet the 12-credit requirement:
  Business (BUS) 110: Exploring Business Basics (6 credits)
  and
  Business (BUS) 230: Applied Business Concepts (6 credits).
• You will be enrolled in these two UNCG courses (BUS 110 and BUS 230) during your time at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Requirements of the Business (BUS) 110, UNCG Course

Complete a written report for each of the following topics, using the following format:
each report should be at least 500 words in length, approximately 2 pages, in 12-point font, 1 and ½ line spacing, 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).

1. Arrival Experience topic
   Describe your arrival process. What worked well and what would you change? In what apartment complex are you living? Describe your roommates. Where will you be working and in what park or resort? What is your role? What work will you be doing? What have you learned about Disney so far? During your first few days at Disney, what information did you wish you knew, but you could not obtain?
2. First training activity is Traditions. (This activity is part of the Disney orientation process.)
3. Second training activity. (This activity will be one of your workplace orientations.)
4. Third training activity. (This activity will be one of your workplace orientations.)
5. Disney Online Learning. (Here are some example topics for assignments 5 – 12, Disney Online Learning: Approaching Conflict with Confidence, Communicating with Style, Disney Milestones - Company History, Career Management Overview, Resume Writing.)
6. Disney Online Learning.
7. Disney Online Learning.
8. Disney Online Learning.
9. Disney Online Learning.
10. Disney Online Learning.
11. Disney Online Learning.
12. Disney Online Learning.
13. Cultural Experience topic.
    Consider what it has been like to live and work with people from cultures other than your own. What have been the challenges and benefits? Please give specific examples of your experiences to illustrate each particular challenge or benefit.
14. Disney Living Experience.
    Consider your Disney living experience. What were the positives and negatives?
15. Disney Earning Experience.
    Consider your Disney earning (working) experience. What were the positives and negatives?
16. Disney Learning Experience.
    Consider your Disney learning experience. Think of both your interactions with Disney and UNCG teachers. What were the positives and negatives? What would you like to see changed?

Requirements of the Business (BUS) 230, UNCG Course

1. Complete a total of eight (8) reports from the list of topics below. You are to follow these report requirements:

1. Each report must be at least 500 words in length, approximately 2 pages, in 12-point font, 1 and ½ line spacing, 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).
2. Do not repeat a topic. (You may only write on a specific topic one time.)
3. Use the computer’s spelling and grammar application program (a spell-checker program) as you prepare your report to help you avoid obvious writing errors.
4. Include your name, course number, report number, and the title of the topic you selected when submitting each assignment. The following is an example:
     Name: Robert Blanchard
     Course Number: BUS 230
     Report Number: Report 8
     Topic Title: Going the Extra Mile
5. Select eight of the following topics and prepare a report for each topic selected. 

Understanding Your Workplace

• State where you work and in what park or resort.
• How do you interact with guests and coworkers every day? Describe the “Disney Look” and how it applies in your workplace. What is it like working for the Disney company?
• What is the corporate culture of your workplace? What is its purpose? How is day-to-day business conducted?
• What are some of the policies of your employer? How do the policies relate to the corporate culture of your workplace?

Understanding Your Role

• State where you work, in what park or resort, and state your role.
• What are the tasks that you can perform in your role? What are the other roles in your workplace for your coworkers? How is your role part of the bigger Disney picture?
• What is the title and description of your role? Describe your responsibilities where you are employed.
• What are some other roles at Disney? How do all roles relate to the mission of the Disney company?
• Describe three other roles (i.e., your leader, coordinator, or someone with whom you work whose role differs from yours).

 “Going the Extra Mile”
(A definition of this term: to make more effort than is expected of you; to do more than one is required to do. An example of “Going the Extra Mile,” is when a cast member volunteered to do a coloring book activity with the children so the parents could order their meal without distraction (always be ready to do more than a guest would expect to be done).

• What have you done in your workplace to “go the extra mile” and to go “above/beyond” to help guests or coworkers?
• What does Disney do to reward/recognize a cast member who goes above/beyond in the performance of one’s role?
• What does it take to earn recognition?
• What characteristics do cast members possess who earn an award?

Developing Self-Confidence

• How have you gained a better self-understanding and developed more self-confidence? Provide examples.
• What opportunities or experiences have caused you to become more independent?

 Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

• What have you learned about your own strengths and weaknesses from the Disney experience?
• How have you grown/matured? What situations have been learning experiences for you?
• What do you see as Disney’s strengths and weaknesses?
• Based on this knowledge, would you consider pursuing a career with this type of company? Why or why not?

Working with Others

• What cultural differences have you experienced with guests and coworkers? What have you done to learn how to better understand cultural differences?
• What communication difficulties have you experienced? Why do you think they occurred? Were they resolved? How were they resolved? If not, why not?
• What kind of training does the Disney company provide for assisting employees in multi-cultural situations?

Handling Conflict/Solving Problems

• What are some problems that you have experienced with guests, coworkers, or leaders?
• Why do you feel these problems occurred?
• How did you handle the situation(s)?
• What can you do to avoid these kinds of problems in the future?

Implementing Creativity in the Workplace

• In what ways can you be creative in your workplace?
• What liberties are you given to be creative when interacting with guests? How can you put your own personal touch in your role? Give examples.
• What are some examples of when your creativity has created magical moments for guests?
• Are there ways to show your individuality and, at the same time, express your ideas to the decision-makers?
• Have you been able to have an idea implemented?

Building Networks

• What have you learned from people other than those in your workplace? What do you know about what it is like to have a career at Disney? If you could pick, would you like to have a career with Disney or a company like Disney?
• Are there opportunities for advancement for interns? Describe a career path for someone with your background.
• Who are the key people in making advancement decisions?
• If you were seeking advancement within the Disney company, how would you begin the process? Map out a job search/career path for your “ideal” job.

Dealing with Ethical Situations

• Have you experienced any situation where your personal values were challenged?
• How does the Disney company deal with people (cast members or guests) who conflict with the values of the organization?
• Is there a way to compromise or professionally handle ethical conflicts without sacrificing your personal values?

Motivating Yourself and Others

• How have you motivated yourself to continue in this program even when situations were difficult?
• How have you helped motivate others to keep a positive outlook when they were experiencing a difficult situation?
• Often in a workplace there are people who are negative about their roles. If applicable, how have you handled this outside negativity? If no negativity exists, what are the positive forces that prevent negativity?

Impacting the Environment

• What does Disney do to help conserve and protect the environment? What activities are done at your workplace to help with conservation?
• Are there state or federal environmental regulations which the Disney company must follow in its business practices? Describe.
• Explain how you play a part in the conservation efforts of the company.

Choosing Your Own Topic

This topic provides you with the opportunity to explore an area important to your major and/or significant experience that has had a profound effect on you. As with the other topics, you can select this topic only once. Just as is true for all reports, this report must be related to a Disney experience.

• Write about a specific, significant experience that you have had. What made this experience so significant? What did you learn and has it helped you to handle future situations?
• Select a topic that is unique to your internship experience and your major. Develop several questions pertaining to your topic. Then look for answers and insights from yourself, your roommates, coworkers, leaders, the literature, etc.

 2. Complete one (1) Disney Collegiate Course. These are the eight course titles:

• Advanced Studies in Hospitality
• Corporate Analysis
• Corporate Communication
• Creativity and Innovation
• Experiential Learning
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing You
• Organizational Leadership

Disney Collegiate Course Selections

Each Disney Collegiate Course is focused around an area of Walt Disney World expertise and contains levels of academic rigor not uncommon to the classes you take at your own college/university. Participants will likely have required textbooks to read, papers to write, and special projects to complete. A major difference from a traditional setting is that you will be able to apply this knowledge immediately at your work location. Course policies, including the absence policy, will be explained by the Disney instructor for the course; you are to adhere to the course policies.

Advanced Studies in Hospitality
The objective of this advanced-level course is to prepare students to become entry-level managers in the hospitality industry by exposing them to contemporary and complex operational issues and situations while equipping them with the ability to analyze problems as well as develop, propose, and implement strategic solutions. Topics covered include leadership, strategic planning, international tourism, organizational behavior, communication, ethics, etiquette, human resource management, hospitality security, and guest service, among others. Previous working knowledge of the hospitality industry gained through academic studies and practical experience is helpful. However, a list of independent reading material will be provided at the beginning of the term to help those students without this knowledge.

Corporate Analysis
This course is designed to explore knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to achieve corporate goals that make organizations successful. Students will learn the importance of corporate culture and how it creates a competitive advantage; students will apply the theories of vision and mission to personal decision-making.

Corporate Communication
This course is designed to introduce the students to the purpose and significance of communication within an organization at many levels. Students will learn both the why and how of communicative technique as organizations interface with customers, employees, and the public. As a result, students should have greater understanding of and appreciation for the corporate communicative process.

Creativity and Innovation
This course introduces students to the main theories of creativity and innovation. Students will learn various tools to promote creativity within themselves and others, processes to increase innovation, how to contribute to a creative team, how to manage creativity, and how to establish a culture of creativity within an organization. As a result, students should have greater understanding of and appreciation for the creative/innovative process and be better able to harness and direct those forces for themselves and others.

Experiential Learning
This course combines academic classroom education with on-site learning opportunities across the Walt Disney World Resort property. Participants study theories of adult education, experiential learning, and the role of learning in a corporate environment. Directed activities include diversity, self-directed learning, career exploration, community volunteer activities, and the exploration of education in entertainment.

Human Resource Management
This course provides an overview of fundamental human resource management in a corporate setting. The focus is on the fundamentals of human resource management including the following: the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, employee rights and labor relations, recruiting and the foundations of selection, employee development, performance evaluation, rewards, benefits, safety, and health programs.

Marketing You
Through participation in this course, students learn how to market their skills of communication, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision-making, self-management, and creative thinking. Key elements include the development of a career focus and a personal marketing plan that encompasses the creation of a cover letter, resume, and networking strategy. The students will also learn interviewing and negotiation techniques.

Organizational Leadership
This course analyzes the universal principles of leadership theory and its application within a personal and corporate environment. Instruction is designed to build repeatable and transferable leadership knowledge and skills.

Important Procedures

You may not elect to drop, stop attending, or be incomplete in assignment submissions for the Disney Collegiate Course which you selected and/or in which you were enrolled.

1. UNCG course assignments
   If you miss more than two (2) consecutive assignments for either BUS 110 or BUS 230 or in a combination of the courses, without explanation from you, it may be necessary for us to send a notice to the Disney College Program Education Office and your home institution to inform them you are not making satisfactory academic progress.
2. The timing of the submission of assignments
   You may always turn in assignments early. However, do not bunch them (e.g., turn in multiple assignments at the same time); we want you to have time to consider the feedback on each assignment before you submit the next one.
3. Data that should always accompany your reports
   Include your name, course number, report number (for BUS 230 reports) or appropriate title (for BUS 110 reports), and the title of the topic you selected (for BUS 230 reports). Include this information on page one of each report. Here is an example:
     Name: Robert Blanchard
     Course Number: BUS 230
     Report Number: Report 8
     Topic Title: Going the Extra Mile
4. Format requirements for all written reports
   Each report should be at least 500 words in length, approximately 2 pages, in 12-point font, 1 and ½ line spacing, 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).

For answers to questions about registration for any Disney course, contact:
Disney College Program Education Office, Vista Way, Room 703
Phone: 407-827-1244

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We want your participation in the UNCG/Bryan School/Disney College Program to be a wonderful experience. Call on us whenever you need us to answer questions or assist you in other ways.

Page updated: 04-Nov-2009

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