Ready to begin!

You've accepted your Disney Program - now what?

Complete all necessary steps to ensure a successful arrival!

Timeline at a glance

Please note: this is an estimate, keep a close on your email so you don't miss an important action item! 

Now

background check email

Now

Upload passport and required documents

8 weeks

Register for dorms

8 weeks

submit accommodation requests

6 weeks

Make your visa appointment

4 weeks

sign your lease

4 weeks

verify insurance

3 weeks

Onboarding
Workday Tasks

3 weeks

Complete I-9 paperwork

2 weeks

Immigration Compliance Video

2 weeks

Upload Visa

2 weeks

final preparations

Monitor your email

Prior to your arrival, you are encouraged to monitor your email inbox for next steps. It is imperative that each step be completed in the pre-arrival process for a successful start to your program. 

Don’t miss an important message - add
wdpr.disney.housing.message.no-reply@twdc.com to your address book!

Monitor your email

Prior to your arrival, you are encouraged to monitor your email inbox for next steps. It is imperative that each step be completed in the pre-arrival process for a successful start to your program. 

Don’t miss an important message - add dorms.admin@disney.com to your address book!

Now

1

1

Now

watch for background check email request

1-4 weeks after accepting your offer, our licensed partner company will be contacting you to request additional documents and with further instructions.

This email will come from one of the following depending on your country/region:

Yummy Jobs

From: Jenxxx@yummyjobs.com
Subject Example: Norway - CRP - Background check

Rocha's Overseas Education & London House School of English

From: londxxx@gmail.com

Subject Example: Criminal Background Check for Disney Programs

Student Travel Bureau (STB)

From: stbxxx@stb.com.br

Subject Example: Cultural Representative Program

Now

2

2

Now

Upload Passport and Required Documents into DOC

If you are not already done so, upload the following documents into DOC immediately:

J1 visa

  • Passport
  • Proof of Student Status Form (PSSF)
  • Prior US work visa (if applicable)
  • United States Social Security Number (SSN) (if applicable)

Q1 Visa

  • Passport
  • English Statement
  • Prior US work visa (If applicable)
  • United States Social Security Number (SSN) (if applicable)

Incorrect or incomplete documents will be rejected and must be corrected and resubmitted in order to be processed.

 

8 weeks prior

3

2

8 weeks prior

REGISTER FOR DORMS

You will receive an email approximately eight weeks before your program start date telling you to register for DORMS. DORMS is the online portal used by Disney Programs.

During DORMS registration, you will also have the opportunity to:

8 weeks prior

4

2

8 weeks prior

Submit any work-related accommodation requests*

*If you do not need to request an accommodation, no action is needed.

Learn more about requesting a work-related...

6 weeks prior

5

3

6 weeks prior

MAKE YOUR VISA APPOINTMENT

  • Receive Documents via dashboard

    • J1 Visa DS-2019 (Cultural Exchange Programs)
    • Q1 Visa I-797 Visa Approval Notice

  • Verify everything is correct

    If anything is incorrect, contact the Walt Disney World Immigration Compliance Department at IC@disney.com.

  • Make visa appointment

    • Make your visa appointment for the earliest available date. Delays in your visa appointment can cause your program to be delayed or cancelled.
    • You will need your DS-2019 or I-797 to make your visa appointment.

  • Log into DOC

    Log into DOC to add your visa appointment date. Please also return to DOC to upload your visa as soon as you receive it.

4 weeks prior

6

3

4 weeks prior

VERIFY YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE

J1 Visa – Cultural Exchange Program

As insurance is required by the visa, Disney has made arrangements with Gallagher to facilitate purchasing a medical plan at a competitive cost for all Disney Cultural Exchange Extension Program participants.  If you have any insurance benefits questions, please contact Gallagher directly at UniversityServices.GBS.CulturalExchangeIP@ajg.com or by calling 888-441-3719. If you choose to purchase your own insurance, it will need to be submitted for approval.

J1 – Academic Exchange Program

Health and life insurance are not provided for participants in these programs. The United States does not have government-funded health services; therefore, we strongly encourage participants to purchase the appropriate insurance coverage in the event they need medical attention while living in the United States.

Q1 Visa

The Walt Disney World Resort and its affiliated companies provide health and life insurance for employees on the first day of the month following completion of ninety (90) days of continuous service. We strongly encourage you to purchase the appropriate insurance coverage should you need medical attention before this date.

3 weeks prior

7

5

3 weeks prior

Complete onboarding/Workday tasks

You will receive an email about pre-arrival onboarding tasks to complete.

  • Edit government IDs

    For this page you should see a column with your temporary information already filled out. DO NOT EDIT prior to selecting submit.

  • Complete all tasks

    The "Hometown on Nametag" step will be the final task. You will know you are finished with your onboarding tasks when this is complete.

3 weeks prior

8

6

3 weeks prior

Complete I-9 forms

You will receive an email from The Walt Disney Company I-9 Service Center to complete your I-9 forms. This should be completed at least 10 days prior to arrival. Follow these steps:

  • Upload documentation

    For a list of accepted documents that establish both identity and employment authorization, click here.

  • Section 2

    Participants on the International Program will complete the I-9 section 2 with a Disney representative upon arrival. Please disregard any automated email reminders regarding section 2 prior to your arrival.

2 weeks prior

10

6

2 weeks prior

WATCH IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE VIDEO

Please visit training.disney.com and enter your username, password, and country of residence. The online course functions best on Google Chrome on a desktop/laptop computer as the modules are not always compatible with smartphones or tablet devices.

If you are having trouble accessing your account, please contact the WDW Immigration Compliance team by submitting a request.

2 weeks prior

11

6

2 weeks prior

UPLOAD YOUR VISA TO DOC

If you have not already done so, upload your visa to DOC immediately. 

Incorrect or incomplete documents will be rejected and must be corrected and resubmitted in order to be processed.

2 weeks prior

12

7

~ 2 weeks prior

Make final preparations

  • Start packing

    • Check out our list of packing suggestions.
    • Ensure required documentation is accessible on arrival day.

  • Review the Disney Look guidelines

    Our appearance standards are an important part of our company's heritage. Before you arrive, make sure to review the full Disney Look guidelines. You must be in compliance with Disney Look when you arrive. This includes removing any facial piercings, such as nose rings, for your ID photo that will be taken during check-in.

  • Review your itinerary

    Your itinerary will include your check-in time and appointments for your first week.

Don't forget:

13

Don't forget:

Ensure you have all required documents

  • College or Culinary Program

    If you are on a College or Culinary Program, bring an unexpired, original (not a copy) government-issued photo ID. Your fingerprints will be collected for a background check on your arrival day.

  • International Program

    • If you are on an International Program, you must have the following original documentation (copies will not be accepted):
      • Passport with visa stamp (US and Canada passport-holders do not require a visa)
      • Original Form DS-2019 with your signature and location/date signed (J-1 visa holder only)
      • Proof of medical insurance (J-1 visa holder only)
      • I-797 Visa Approval Notice (Q-1 visa holder only)
    • If you are on an International Program, you will complete I-9 section 2 with an HR representative on your arrival day.