Photo courtesy Scott Madsen
Scott Madsen, a senior from Rexburg; Alisha Smith a sophomore from Meridian Idaho; Rachel Hall a sophomore from Mountain Home, Mont.; and Joy Price a sophomore from Draper, Utah, stand near the Walt Disney World College Program Display in the Manwaring Center on Feb. 18.

Disney recruits students for character roles

by John Walker WAL01008@BYUI.EDU A&E Asst. Editor

BYU-Idaho is hosting Walt Disney World College Program recruiters to interview students interested in the program in the Manwaring Center Little Theater today at 3:30 p.m.

Beginning last semester, Disney recruiters have been holding auditions for character roles or a chance to “be friends” with your favorite Disney character.

Scott Madsen, a senior from Rexburg, participated in the program and is now an official campus representative. Madsen said that Disney recruiters love BYU schools, especially BYU-I, because of our high standards, work ethic and dress code.

“BYU schools are in the top five as far as recruiting,” Madsen said.

“When Disney came last year, they said that they’ve never seen so many beautiful people,” Madsen said. “One of them said that they wished they could take our whole campus to work at Walt Disney World.”

Interns are within a whole new world of Walt Disney, Madsen explains that being in the Disney College Program is a real world experience where students will be able to apply all of their skills.

Rachel Hall, a sophomore from Mountain Home, Idaho, worked in Downtown Disney at the Art of Disney, a specialized gallery where Disney art is sold. She said that her experiences are priceless.

“If you participate in the program you will meet all kinds of people,” Hall said. “I met people from France, Brazil, China, Mexico, Norway, Japan and so many other countries.

“They even have advanced internships that are more specialized for your major,” Hall said.

College interns may live in subsidized housing where BYU-I standards are observed, as well as receive free transportation. However BYU schools do not accept the Disney World College Program entry-level position as an accredited internship.

But once a student is a College Program Alumni, their chance for an accredited advanced internship increases.

Meanwhile students in the Program at Disney World are able to take classes from Disney University in a choice of seven different courses that deal with business, marketing, human resources, hospitality, leadership and communications.

Madsen explained that other companies pay thousands of dollars to take these courses at Disney University, but they are offered to Program participants for little to no cost.

Unfortunately this credit may or may not transfer, Madsen said. “But this is your way to get your foot into the door.”

Bo Nyleen, a sophomore from Portland, Ore., worked in The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and is now an official BYU-I campus representative. He said that the opportunities to share the gospel are tremendous.

“A lot of people you work with are interested in the Church. You’ll have tons of missionary experiences,” Nyleen said.

“I gave away Books of Mormon and sat in on a lot of discussions,” Alicia Smith, a sophomore from Meridian, Idaho, said.

Smith was a lifeguard at the Walt Disney World Pop Century Resort, and said that if students perform well and make a good impression they are always welcome back.