When Your Disney College Program Role Isn’t What You Expected | S7E5
ON THIS EPISODE OF THE DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM PODCAST
Welcome to the season seven finale of the Disney College Program Podcast! On this episode, meet Joanie, a Disney College Program participant working at Tomorrowland Speedway, a part of Fantasyland East attractions. When Joanie found out her role was in Fantasyland East attractions, she assumed she’d be placed at Enchanted Tales with Belle, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, or a Storybook Circus attraction. Imagine her surprise when she was assigned Tomorrowland Speedway!
Joanie discusses how to tackle getting a role you didn’t expect on the Disney College Program, how to set yourself up for success, and how she quickly fell in love with working at Tomorrowland Speedway.
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ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Joanie is from Denver, CO and is going into her third year at the University of Alabama, where she studies interior design with a double minor in entrepreneurship and hospitality.
Joanie has always loved everything Disney and wanted to do the Disney College Program from a young age. This is her first Disney College Program, where she is an attractions cast member in Fantasyland East — with her main location being Tomorrowland Speedway. Working at Tomorrowland Speedway has taught her to be open-minded, and she has grown so much since starting the Disney College Program in January 2026. Her goal is to graduate from the University of Alabama and return to the Walt Disney Company as an Imagineer.
HOW TO TURN ANY ROLE INTO YOUR DREAM ROLE
1. Don’t judge before you start
While finding out you didn’t get the Disney College Program role you wanted can be disappointing, try your best not to judge your role before you arrive!
When Joanie learned she was working at the Tomorrowland Speedway, she said her negative attitude going in impacted how her fellow cast members saw her on their first days of training.
“I met my best friend in the Disney College Program, but her first impression of me was talking about how much I didn’t want Speedway,” Joanie said. “That is something I regret. Obviously, it’s ok to have that disappointment, but I wish I hadn’t vocalized it as much.”
2. Fully learn the role
In Joanie’s case, learning how the Tomorrowland Speedway operated and connecting with her trainers was the catalyst for her mindset change.
She said that during her tour of the Speedway and the training days that followed, her trainers made the experience so positive that she couldn’t help but fall in love with the role. During her breaks, Joanie also kept conversations going in the break room to foster the early relationships you make in your role.
At first, Joanie didn’t know what the hood of the Speedway cars was called and referred to it simply as “the thing,” which became a joke with her trainer. Making mistakes or not knowing everything during training is completely normal, but once you get the hang of the job, Joanie said everything falls into place!
3. Have fun with your peers
Sometimes, the people you’re surrounded by in your role can turn it into your dream location. That was the case with Joanie, who became friends with many of her fellow Tomorrowland Speedway cast members — both Disney College Program participants and part-time cast members.
Being able to smile and have fun with them while working made all the difference.
“There was one day there was no one in line, and I was greeter and (my friend) was Lightning Lane, and we started doing the Fantasmic dance at the front,” Joanie said. “It really just made me be like, ‘I love it here.’”
4. Enjoy your days off
Joanie said she started having so much fun at work that she picked up shifts on her off days to spend more time with her friends. While that can feel tempting, it’s important to take time for yourself and your mental health. Everyone needs a break!
“I was exhausted, and was just like, ‘I’m going to go home and go to bed,’” Joanie said. “It’s so important to do what you need for yourself.”
Taking time to recharge will set you up to be much more successful during the work week.
5. Remind yourself of why you’re here!
Participating in the Disney College Program and working at Walt Disney World Resort is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Joanie said she never wanted to lose sight of that.
“Even when I’m tired, I just remember that even though this is my every day, it’s not the guests’ every day,” Joanie said. “If I can just have a little bit of fun with them, that’s going to make their day.”
Remember that you’re a part of the magic of Walt Disney World regardless of your role, and the memories you make here will last a lifetime!
