When the theme parks suddenly shut down in March, Disney promised to pay employees through mid-April. But that didn’t apply to the thousands of College, International, and Professional Internship Program participants. They were all notified that their programs were being terminated and their offer letters rescinded.
As Disney negotiated with unions on the July reopening plans for both Disney World and Disneyland, we wrote that they had agreed upon terms which would guarantee placement of workers based upon seniority and that union workers would be returned to their positions before the college programs would be restarted.
Today, Disney confirmed that the College Programs at both Disneyland and Disney World would continue to remain closed for an indefinite length of time. We believe this is mostly due to the parks planning to operate at significantly reduced capacity and an equivalent need for less staff, which can be filled with full time and part time staff with seniority.
Here are the official statements from Disney, both of which use similar language. Though we find it odd that the letters mention “government health agencies” when Disney plans to reopen hotels and theme parks to regular guests. Is the context that it would be unsafe for special program participants, but not for guests? We think the actual reasons have much more with union agreements and a lack of need for additional staffing.
Disneyland Internships and Programs Letter:
Disney World Internships and Programs Letter:
The College Program can be an amazing experience. Though it isn’t without its critics, who have described the program as a form of indentured servitude, in which Disney pays a very low wage and then deducts the cost of the dorms from pay. Still, tens of thousands apply for the program every year and most happily stay for the length of their program.
Let’s Hear From You
Were you a Disney College Program (or other special program) participant? Was it a good experience? How do you feel about the suspension of the program for the foreseeable future?