Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences students create magic through the Disney College Program

Written By: Rebecca Hoffa, rhoffa@purdue.edu

Luke Wiseman takes a photo in front of the Disney University sign during his Disney College Program experience.(Photo provided)

A little girl loses the bubble wand her parents purchased in the Walt Disney World theme park. When they get back to the hotel, the parents ask the front desk personnel if the wand has turned up. Later, a new wand shows up in the family’s hotel room.

This magic of Disney doesn’t happen all on its own, and Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences students participating in the Disney College Program each semester contribute to creating magical experiences for families throughout the park.  

“The entire job is super rewarding, and I got so much out of it,” said Daniela Morones, a senior studying hospitality and tourism management. “I would do it again if I had the opportunity.”

Rediscovering the Disney dream

Daniela Morones(Photo provided)

For Morones, growing up in Miami, Disney was a part of her childhood. It wasn’t until she came to Purdue’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management that she saw herself participating in the Disney College Program.

“I think I was 8 or 9 when I heard about the program for the first time,” Morones said. “I thought it was really cool, but I never really thought it would be something that I would do. Then I started studying hospitality and tourism management, and it really opened my eyes to how many possibilities there are. The Disney College Program came up again, and this time, I was thinking more of it as an internship choice. I want to go into hotels in the future, and what better place to learn about exceptional service than Disney? That was what ignited that spark again.”

During her experience, Morones worked in the All-Star Sports Resort as both a front-desk clerk and a runner, making magical experiences for her guests.

“It was super cool because I got to engage with everyone who has been saving up their whole life to come to Disney, rather than the people who may stay at the Grand Floridian and go three times a year, so I got to really see these experiences firsthand,” Morones said. “One of the most memorable things was that I got to meet people from a lot of different countries, and at the time, I was one of the only staff at the resort who spoke Spanish, so often, I would form relationships with the Spanish-speaking guests. I’d never gotten to use Spanish in a working environment, so that was fun.”

After completing the program, Morones returned to Purdue and served as a Disney College Program ambassador.

“It was definitely fun seeing students who had the idea of going and helping them by sharing my story and leading them either one way or the other,” Morones said. “I definitely got super blessed with a bunch of incredible experiences and internships after my Disney College Program. I don’t think I would have had those opportunities if I didn’t have the Disney College Program on my resume.”

Finding a place in hospitality

Luke Wiseman(Photo provided)

Luke Wiseman, a sophomore studying hospitality and tourism management, originally learned about the Disney College Program from his interest in engineering, but when he decided to pursue hospitality and tourism management, he saw the program as a strategic move in his career.

“I already knew about the program through Imagineering, but putting Disney in hospitality on your resume is a huge thing,” Wiseman said. “When I changed my major to hospitality, the program ended up working really well for me as a concierge to get that hospitality experience.”

For Wiseman, the most memorable part of his experience was working as a runner — the person who makes those magical moments, such as procuring a bubble wand, happen for guests.

“That was definitely my favorite job,” Wiseman said. “One time, I was working the late shift, and there’s a bar at the Polynesian called Trader Sam’s. It closes at midnight. We had a guest that needed an ADA taxi, so we partnered with a taxi company, but they kept canceling. Our duty manager decided that I would go and drive these people to their other Disney resort. Disney will not leave anyone stranded as one of their set things. I got them in the car, put the wheelchair in the back, dropped them off and then go back to the car. It’s running with the keys locked inside.

“It’s a great story about the amount of service Disney goes to for their guests. The recovery on the post side of getting stranded somewhere with a company vehicle is very unique.”

Wiseman, who is currently working as an ambassador for the program, said while he’s open to a variety of opportunities after he graduates, working in events at Disney is his dream job.

“I love the problem solving of large events,” Wiseman said. “You have a large event every single day at Disney. I’m not necessarily set on Disney, but Disney is where I see myself being the happiest, and I want to succeed there.”

Graduating with a boost

Lillian Dotson-Hughes(Photo provided)

For Lillian Dotson-Hughes, a junior majoring in psychological sciences in the Department of Psychological Sciences, the Disney College Program was a great internship opportunity while enjoying all the fun of Disney World’s parks. She noted the customer service opportunities allowed her to build on her interpersonal skills that will serve her after graduation when she hopes to work in human resources.

“It really pushes you to work on your hospitality, being around people from different places, ethnicities and cultures,” Dotson-Hughes said. “I think that helps with what I will do in the workplace. I know what it’s like to be a part of a bigger corporation now. But also having Disney on a resume is an automatic boost because companies know that working for Disney is not easy.”

Dotson-Hughes’ most memorable experience was the Disney College Program graduation, which allowed her to join an exclusive community connected by the Disney name.

“Graduating was memorable because we have this whole ceremony where you see Mickey in his cap and gown, and you take pictures, get your diploma and become a part of the alumni association,” Dotson-Hughes said. “It just gives you a boost up. It’s like a special club.”