Looking Back on the Magic: Graduating from the Disney College Program

It’s been a few years since I graduated from the Disney College Program—2018, to be exact. And yet, not a week goes by where I don’t think about that magical time in my life. The friends I made, the pixie-dusted memories, the lessons I learned—it all feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once.

Sometimes, it takes looking back to truly realize how special something was. And the DCP? It wasn’t just a program. It was a turning point, actually it shaped my whole life and career at sea with Disney Cruise Line!

Disney cast member dressed in puffed sleeve emporium winter costume standing in front of empty Main Street USA with cinderellas castle in the background at night at magic kingdom

The Beginning of Something Magical

When I got my acceptance email, I couldn’t believe it. I remember staring at my screen, heart racing, realizing that I was about to pack up my life and head to Walt Disney World. Little did I know, that email would change everything.

Moving into my apartment (rip Chatham Square and Vista Way days), meeting my roommates, and receiving my first Cast Member name tag and earning my ears red tag—it all felt so surreal. I was nervous, excited, and completely unsure of what to expect. But one thing was clear: magic was calling and I was ready to answer.

Disney cast member traditions book with Mickey Mouse ears and nametag

Girl with glasses and Minnie Mouse ears hugging Mickey Mouse at Magic kingdom

Where I Learned, Grew, and Glowed (with Sweat and Happiness)

Working in the parks wasn’t always easy. Long hours, Florida heat, and being “on stage” even when I was tired or homesick—that was real. But so were the moments that made my heart soar. The family who thanked me with tears in their eyes after I made a magical moment for them. The little girl who was so excited to trade pins with me because I had the exact Minnie Mouse pin she was looking for. My very first day in the Emporium and a family gave me a Grape Soda pin to thank me for making magic. The pure joy of watching Happily Ever After every night with a snack in hand and goosebumps on my arms.

I learned more than how to write on a celebration button or give directions to Space Mountain. I learned how to connect with people. How to show up. How to lead with kindness and patience. And I carried those lessons far beyond the park gates.

Hand holding grape soda pin with plaid emporium costume in the background

Disney cast member dressed in plaid costume standing in-front of Mickey plush wall in the emporium while hugging a Mickey plush

My Disney Family

The people I met during my program? They’re still some of my favorite humans in the world. We came from different countries and backgrounds, but Disney brought us together. We bonded over late-night diner runs, costume malfunctions, and shared dreams. We laughed until we cried and cried until we laughed.

Even years later, we still message each other when Disney announces something new, or when we stumble on an old photo that transports us back.

Graduation Day (and the Day After)

Graduation was emotional. We wore our special Mickey graduation ears, took a thousand photos, and hugged like we weren’t about to go our separate ways. I remember thinking, “How did this year go by so fast?”

What they don’t tell you is that the hardest part isn’t the closing shifts—it’s saying goodbye. To your friends. To the parks. To Mickey Mouse. To the magic that became your every day.

But the magic doesn’t disappear—it just shifts. You carry it with you.

Five+ Years Later…

Now, more than five years later, I still see the ripple effect of my time in the DCP. In the way I treat people. In my work ethic. In the belief that even the smallest moments can make a big difference.

That version of me—the one who took a leap, packed a suitcase full of Mickey ears, and stepped into the unknown—laid the foundation for the person I am today.

The Disney College Program didn’t just give me a job. It gave me lifelong friends, unforgettable experiences, and a whole lot of heart.

But Mickey Mouse truly stole my heart – I tried to go back to ‘reality’ but it wasn’t for me. So here I am back working for the Mouse, sailing the seas with Disney Cruise Line, making magic. Right where I belong.

Disney Cruise Line Crew Member nametag with 1 year pin. Red Mickey funnels in background.

Disney Cruise Line officer with Mickey Mouse onboard a disney cruise ship

A Forever Kind of Magic

To anyone considering the DCP: if you get the chance—go. Say yes. Lean into the magic, even when it’s hard. You won’t regret it.

And to my fellow 2018 alumni: can you believe it’s been this long? We did something incredible. We lived the dream. And even now, years later, I still believe in the magic we made—and the magic we’ll always have in our hearts.

Once a cast member, always a cast member. 💖

Disclaimer: All opinions in this post are my own and not affiliated with Disney in any way.