Union Leader Shares That the Disney College Program Will Not Resume “Anytime Soon”

Earlier we shared that Disney World is starting to ask a large number of Cast Members back to work prior to opening select resorts on June 22 and prior to reopening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom on July 11.

Cast Member with required face mask

But while many Cast Members are returning, there are still questions surrounding what the future could hold for Disney College Program participants.

Back in March, we saw the interruption of the Disney College Program (as well as the Disney Culinary Program, Disney Cultural Exchange Program, and Disney Academic Exchange Program).

College Program Pins

In an Orlando Sentinel article, Local 362 union leader Eric Clinton was quoted saying, “If anyone thinks that college program workers are coming back anytime soon, they are mistaken.” While Disney has yet to confirm this, this could potentially cause staffing problems for the company, as many College Program participants work in frontline positions including entertainment, food & beverage, attractions, custodial, and more in the parks.

Cast Member Welcoming CPs on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Some other updates we’ve spotted include news relating to Disney’s Cultural Representative Program. Disney has a few interesting job applications listed on their website. Yesterday, Disney posted a job listing for the Mexico Cultural Representative Program. According to the site, these applicants would start their programs between January and June 2021.

Today, Disney posted two more listings for Germany and Norway Cultural Representative Programs. What’s so interesting Disney says these positions will start between August and November 2020. We will continue to keep an eye out on Disney’s hiring process to see when some of these positions could begin welcoming back more Cast Members.

Donald at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts

We shared last week that those who “do not meet the culturally authentic theming at Epcot may be temporarily assigned to work in positions which are otherwise reserved for cultural representatives.” You can read more about this here. 

As things start to open and return to normal there are bound to be updates along the way.  We will continue to keep you posted on the lastest news, so be on the lookout.

Learn more about some new info regarding the reopening of Disney World!

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