16. WAS THERE SOMETHING
YOU STRUGGLED WITH
DURING YOUR
INTERNSHIP THAT YOU
WORKED AT IMPROVING?
HOW?
There is no sitting, or being idle for shifts sometimes
reaching 12 hours.
I had to exert myself physically in order to do my job.
There is little time for sleep and it is easy to become mentally
exhausted
18. WHAT KIND OF
IMPROVEMENTS COULD
BE MADE TO THIS
COMPANY’S INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM?
It’s important to understand the disposability of interns, but
also not to get stuck on it
If Disney were to organize or encourage more job shadowing,
that would be appreciated
This class, however, needs to be restructured
19. RECOMMENDATIONS
What advice would you give another intern looking to work
with this company?
Be ready to be a ‘Team Player’
Be in good physical shape
Focus on professionalism
I am currently working as an intern in WDW entertainment costuming department
I’ve been trained in two locations within WDW’s Animal Kingdom
Character Room – Build and pre-set costumes for familiar characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and some newer characters like Russell and Dug from Disney Pixar’s, UP
Show – My second location is Animal Kingdom’s Finding Nemo the Musical – during my shifts here I assist in presetting performers costumes, dress performers during the show and also complete several quick changes.
The third and final proposal focuses on courtesy and efficiency within the DAK Character Room. I would like to reorganize the “Outgoing Textile Services Board” for ease of understanding. While training in the front laundry position, I noticed the large board was disorganized and incomplete.
Many of the headings were crossed out and unclear. This disorganization caused front laundry cast members to make costly mistakes. For example, fur costumes were sent to Textile Services and melted by heated washing machines and dryers.
First, I will discuss the current contents with coordinators and staff members to understand any concerns they might have about its current state. Next, I will design the new, proposed organization and present it to the presiding coordinator. Following this, I will use the brief period after a 19:00 park close to erase and re-write the board. This process may take multiple sessions to complete, but I will provide temporary information for cast members with questions about the process.
When completed, the new board will be alphabetized, color coded and formatted to prevent confusion for new and old cast members alike.
Large company, contracts out many aspects of labor here in WDW
I learned that large companies like Disney often outsource and contract labor, production, training and transportation (etc.)
Uniforms is a word not used by the Disney Company – they prefer costumes
Disney Costumers use Jinx Ink on everything. It removes ink from character gloves, overdressing and fur
Complex logistics
Mistakes, performers cant go out to show
Efficiency managers test production times to prepare for lay offs
Ive met people from all over the country and the world
Ive connected with former broadway stars and I will maintain those connections
