Disney International Program : a unique international experience for future tourism professionals
Imagine walking through the gates of Florida’s famous Walt Disney World theme parks, not merely as a visitor, but as a veritable actor in the Disney magic. The sun will be shining in the Sunshine State as you join an international community of fellow enthusiasts, ready to live a life-changing professional adventure !
The Disney International Program is much more than just an internship abroad… it’s complete immersion in tourism service par excellence in one of the world’s most respected companies. For our tourism students, this unique opportunity blends academic studies and on-the-job experience, with the added cultural dimension. But what makes this experience so special, and how does it transform our future tourism professionals into veritable ambassadors of international hospitality?
The cultural program that opens doors
"The magic of Disney as experienced from the inside" Discover the inspiring stories of Julie and Abel, two students from Excelia Hotel & Tourism School who lived this extraordinary adventure at Disney World. Watch the video
At the heart of the Flamingo Crossings Village, the international community of students shares a lot more than just a place to live. From cultural evenings to daily socialising, everyone becomes an ambassador for their own country whilst learning about the traditions of others.
This real-life immersion in the United States transforms our students into citizens of the world. The Disney International Program gives participants the opportunity to rub shoulders with people from all over the world: Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Australia to name but a few. It’s a unique chance to build an international professional network whilst developing a global vision of tourism.
A study programme taking you to the heart of Walt Disney World
Right from your very first day, you’ll go behind the scenes of the four legendary theme parks. From top-class customer service in the Magic Kingdom to event operations, each and every role trains you in the international standards of hospitality.
Tourism students benefit from a unique job rotation between a variety of services : VIP reception, attractions management, organisation of special events. Sarah, a student on the Bachelor Tourism Management Track, explains: "In three months, I gained more practical experience than in a typical year!”
Training and immersion in the College Program
“My goal was to understand the secrets of hotel revenue management, and Disney gave me that chance”, reveals Thomas, a student on the Bachelor Tourism Management Track. At the University of Delaware, our students attend specialist courses in hospitality management, enriched by talks from Disney executives.
A life-changing cultural experience
In the heart of Florida, the magic of Disney becomes the catalyst for a personal and professional metamorphosis. Students from Excelia Hotel & Tourism School experience a real cultural transformation, far beyond simply perfecting their English.
With night parades and international festivals, our future tourism professionals develop a unique multicultural awareness. This immersion on a daily basis forges a distinctly international vision of tourism.
The magic also happens when least expected: an informal conversation with an Australian manager becomes a lesson in intercultural leadership, whilst an evening with other Cast Members turns into an international networking opportunity. These valuable moments help build a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural expectations of visitors from all over the world.
Personal stories... the magic experienced from the inside
“One evening I was giving a VIP tour of the Magic Kingdom in French, the next I was coordinating a corporate event at EPCOT”, relates Emma, a student on the Bachelor Tourism Management Track. Her eyes light up as she reminisces about her time in Florida where theory and practice came together seamlessly.
The versatility developed during the program radically transforms students’ vision of tourism professions. To quote Lucas: "As a tourism student, observing visitor flows and understanding how to manage peak attendance was like attending a real-life masterclass. The revenue management courses I had taken really come into their own here."
For Marine, it was the events side of the business that really marked her experience: "Getting involved in the organisation of the Food & Wine Festival was like being immersed behind the scenes of a mega-tourism event. In just a few months here, you learn what would take years elsewhere."
Skills acquired in tourism
The Disney experience shapes versatile professionals who have a thorough understanding of international tourism standards. Managing the daily flows of thousands of visitors helps students to develop unique expertise in crowd management and in how to optimise the customer experience.
Operational skills are further complemented by strategic savoir-faire: analysing tourist behaviour, adapting to diverse cultural expectations, and mastering digital booking tools. Being immersed in mega-events like the Food & Wine Festival offers an enhanced understanding of large-scale tourism events.
The program also consolidates highly sought-after areas of expertise: hotel yield management, multiculturalism in customer relationship management, and innovative tourism promotion techniques. These skills ensure a competitive edge for an international career in tourism.
Developing your career through Disney
The Disney International Program opens up exceptional opportunities for international careers in tourism. Our past participants have since taken up strategic positions, including Director of Customer Experience for a luxury hotel group, Marketing Manager for international destinations, and even Tourism Development Consultant.
“My experience at Disney was a real career accelerator”, recounts Sophie, now Revenue Manager at Four Seasons. “Recruiters are impressed by such a prestigious company on my CV; it clearly illustrates my ability to evolve in a demanding multicultural environment.”
The professional network created during the programme remains active for many years afterwards: our Alumni organise regular meetings in Paris, London and Orlando to share opportunities and advice. It’s a springboard to excellence that distinguishes our graduates in the international tourism job market.
The international adventure as perceived by our students
Julie and Abel were delighted to share their story with us… their eyes still sparkling with excitement! In this exclusive video, they recount their most magical moments :
