Cast Member Union: Disney College Program Will Remain Paused After Parks Reopen - Inside the Magic

As the Walt Disney World resort prepares to reopen in Orlando, Florida, they have begun to call their cast members back to work. However, it appears that the Disney College Program will be absent for some time, and all positions that would have been filled by the students would now have to be filled by returning full-time workers.

One of Disney World’s Cast Member Unions, Local 326, held a call explaining to its members how these employees will be called back to work, which will not be recalled, and how those who will not be called back–he specifically mentioned slide operators and vacations planners–can request a transfer and get first dibs on positions that need to be filled and, otherwise, would have been filled by young adults in the Disney College Program.

He said:

“You should have received a call from Disney HR to submit for a temporary transfer to a number of jobs where there will be a greater need. Attractions and custodial (work). There is a greater need for more workers than the current amount…Because of the number of College Program Cast Members that used to work in our jobs, the company is going to have to bring in more full timers to staff that they have.” 

Those needed jobs go beyond attractions and custodial to also include merchandise as well as food and beverage. All Cast Members who transfer to those positions are promised to be able to return to their original job once the need arises again.

Read More: Full-Time Disney World Cast Members Can Return To Work – Option for Temporary Transfer

International College Program Also Remains Suspended

The Cast Member Union call also confirmed the absence of International College Program Students in their home countries when EPCOT reopens.

He said:

“World Showcase attraction will be fully staffed by domestic attraction workers. There are not going to be any international college program students any time soon staffing Frozen’s ride at EPCOT or the Ratatouille ride in France, or the Mexican boat ride. Any of those things will all be run by domestic attractions workers when they open.” 

EPCOT is scheduled to reopen on July 15.

There is still no word at this time when the EPCOT’s cultural representatives and the rest of Disney’s College Program student workers will return. Walt Disney World officially suspended the program due to the global pandemic saying:

“The company has made the difficult decision to institute a temporary, short-term furlough for non-working executive, salaries, and hourly non-union Cast Members and ended the Disney College Program and International Programs earlier than expected. In addition to these measures, we are also suspending our other Disney Internships & Programs effective April 18.”