Students
Students
Get Connected
Students, Educators, Parents and Alumni
Sign up for the CareerStart newsletter and keep up on the latest program news and updates
Sign Up
Select a Topic:
Pay

Role Descriptions

While in the Disney CareerStart Program, participants will take part in the Disney show, making magic for our Guests and taking a lead role in learning what it takes to be successful in a Fortune 100 company.

Participants might be working in one of our theme parks, including the Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios®, or Epcot®, one of our Water Parks, like Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon® or Disney’s Blizzard Beach®, or, they might perform a role in one of our more than 20 Resort Hotels or the Downtown Disney® Area.

The following roles are available at the Walt Disney World® Resort as part of the Disney CareerStart Program. The descriptions listed below provide an overview of the responsibilities included in each role. It is important to note that each role may include, but is not limited to, the descriptions below.

All roles may include prolonged exposure to outside elements, including heat and humidity, cold temperatures, and wet conditions.

Onstage Roles

Attractions
Responsibilities may include:

  • Working at one or more of the "rides" or theater shows
  • Loading and unloading Guests from an attraction
  • Operating sophisticated ride systems
  • Memorizing and delivering lengthy narrations on a microphone to large groups
  • Handling the evacuation of an attraction when necessary
  • Monitoring Guest flow and providing a safe Guest experience
  • Assisting with audience control, including during parades
  • Operating a motorized vehicle
  • Cleaning areas surrounding attractions
  • Working with FASTPASS®, the ticketing distribution system that confirms attraction ride times
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Custodial
Responsibilities may include:

  • High Guest interaction while working independently
  • Extensive cleaning - including restrooms and toilets
  • Working with cleaning chemicals and equipment
  • Bussing tables in restaurants and outdoors
  • Sweeping and mopping
  • Emptying trashcans, lifting heavy garbage bags
  • Driving pargo carts
  • Vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning pool decks
  • Providing Guest information
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Full Service Food and Beverage
Full-Service Food and Beverage is a non-tipped role.
Responsibilities may include:

  • Greeting and seating Guests in restaurants
  • Managing a seating chart and resolving Guest situations
  • Utilizing a computerized reservation/seating system
  • Cash handling - both manual and using computerized registers
  • Rolling silverware, folding napkins, and keeping area stocked
  • Light cleaning, multi-tasking
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Lifeguard
Responsibilities may include:

  • Monitoring Guests' safety in water and on slides/attractions
  • Physically challenging work and prolonged exposure to outside elements
  • Providing first aid and basic life support in the event of Guest injury or illness
  • Strong swimming skills
  • Keeping recreational areas clean
  • Providing Guest information
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors
  • During off-peak seasons, assisting other operating areas throughout Walt Disney World Resort

Each individual must be evaluated and certified at the Walt Disney World Resort. All lifeguards must pass a swim test and a vision screening that requires 20/20 vision with or without corrective lenses. In the event you do not pass the swim test described below, you will be placed in another role based on availability.

Lifeguard Swim Test

  • Swim 200 yards (183 meters) freestyle or breaststroke
  • Retrieve a 10-lb (4.5 kg) brick from the deepest section of the pool (minimum 8 feet / 2.4 meters)
  • Tread water with hands out of the water for two minutes

Participants reserved a Lifeguard position must complete a pre-qualification test prior to their arrival. Participants must have have the certified instructor validate skills and complete a form that must be sent to the Recreation team no longer than 2 weeks prior to a participant's arrival. This form will be provided to those extended invitations to participate on the program as a lifeguard.

Merchandise
Responsibilities may include:

  • Demonstrating and selling merchandise in indoor and outdoor areas
  • Cash handling - both manual and using computerized registers
  • Stocking and cleaning shelves and carts
  • Receiving/putting away stock and deliveries
  • Stroller/wheelchair rental - including repetitive lifting, stacking, and pushing strollers and wheelchairs
  • Preparation of food/candy
  • Selling of alcohol and tobacco
  • Providing information to Guests
  • Approaching Guests and engaging them in conversation
  • Preparing packages for shipping/delivery
  • Working independently or as part of a large team
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Quick-Service Food and Beverage
Responsibilities may include:

  • Selling food and beverages at outdoor carts and/or indoor restaurants
  • Taking and filling orders, multi-tasking
  • Preparing and assembling food items in a kitchen area, including the use of a fryer, grill, broiler, and other industrial cooking equipment
  • Cash handling - both manual and using computerized registers
  • Bussing tables, cleaning kitchen and counter equipment, and emptying trash cans
  • Dispensing and selling alcoholic beverages
  • Setting and stocking tables, outdoor carts, and restaurants
  • Heavy lifting, pushing heavy carts
  • Working with cleaning chemicals
  • Working independently or as part of a large team
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors

Backstage Roles

Costuming
Responsibilities may include:

  • Issuing costumes to fellow Cast Members
  • Operating computerized costume checkout system
  • Working around performers in various stages of dress
  • Operating basic laundry equipment
  • Overhead reaching, bending, and heavy lifting
  • Moving heavy costumes from location to location
  • Handling and laundering soiled garments
  • Standing for extended periods, working outdoors
  • Working independently, with minimal to no Guest interaction