10 things you didn’t know you could do on an East Coast Disney Program
Playing in the parks is always a great idea, but did you know there are lots of new and exciting things you can experience outside of the parks as part of a Disney Program? From trips to favorite locations all around Central Florida, to boosting your professionalism with education offerings, there are lots of ways you can have fun and learn new skills. To help you out, we put together a list of outings and other opportunities that you can sign up for while on your Disney Program!
- Beach trips
There’s nothing better than the Florida sun and warm sand under your toes! Every season, the Disney Housing events team takes participants to favorite Florida beaches to soak up the sun for a day of fun. A beach day is a must-do for anyone living in Florida, so be sure to pack your favorite swim suit and towel!
- Sports outings
If football, basketball, baseball or hockey is more your jam, we’ve got you covered! While the type of sports offerings we are able to offer varies from season to season, you can bet sporting events will be on the events calendar during your time with us. Go, team! - Learning opportunities
It never hurts to work on your professional skills, and while you’re in Florida there are a number of great learning resources you can use to hone your career acumen. Career Development Workshops are offered regularly in topics such as “Networking 101,” “Personal Branding,” and “Professionalism.” You can also attend a College Program Alumni Speaker Series and learn about specific fields, such as Entertainment or Communications, from leaders at Walt Disney World Resort who were once Disney College Program participants. - VoluntEARS
Giving back and making a difference is an amazing feeling! The Disney VoluntEARS program began almost 35 years ago, and over the years VoluntEARS have contributed to a variety of community initiatives. From beach clean-ups to helping sort and pack food at the local food bank, there are lots of activities you can get involved in! From time to time, we even offer special VoluntEAR opportunities exclusively for Disney Programs participants!
- Don’t Miss a Beat
Did you know you can become certified in CPR and AED techniques for free?! Through the American Heart Association’s Don’t Miss a Beat sessions, you can learn proper, compression-only CPR and basic AED usage absolutely free of charge. In addition to learning something new, you’ll be well on your way to earing your American Heart Association certification! You never know when these skills will come in handy, so it doesn’t hurt to pick them up and potentially save a life! - Mystery Movie and Meet-and-Greets
Movies? Check. Popcorn? Check. Rare characters? Check! With Mystery Movie and Meet-and-Greets, you’ll be able to watch Disney classics and then see those films come to life when you meet special characters from the film. Examples of past Mystery Movie and Meet-and-Greet guests include Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa, Peter Pan and Wendy, and Moana. You never know who might stop by!
- Winter Garden trips
Located just a few miles from Walt Disney World® Resort, the quaint little town of Winter Garden is waiting for you! If you’ve ever wanted to see a different side of the Orlando area, this excursion is for you. With adorable boutiques, delicious food and plenty of Instagram-worthy photo spots, this trip definitely makes for a delightful afternoon! - Theater trips
All the world’s a stage! As part of your Disney Program, you’re able to take trips to see a number of shows at both local, community theaters and larger, Broadway-scale venues. In the past, participants have seen “Cinderella”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “The Lion King” and more. Brava! - Backstage tours
Ever wondered what’s behind the curtain of your favorite attraction? You’re in luck! Throughout the year, Disney Housing offers backstage tours to all kinds of attractions, shows and other experiences. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert on how the magic is made!
- Capstone events – Starlit Splash and Winter Formal
Our end-of-program capstone events are two offerings participants look forward to every year! Starlit Splash occurs in the spring, and Disney Programs takes over Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park just for our participants. If you’re participating in a fall program, Winter Formal will be your capstone event. At Winter Formal, you’ll be able to dance the night away to your favorite tunes, meet characters and enjoy a delicious meal. No matter what season your program takes place in, we know both of these events will leave you with memories to last a lifetime!
As you can see, there are many things you can do to help make your Disney Program magical and action-packed. This is just a small list of activities you can partake in during your time here; we can’t wait to see what other adventures you’ll discover!
