Why We Support the Disney College Program (And Why We Wrote a Guide About It)

When we sent our 18-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter four states away to Florida, we won’t pretend we weren’t nervous.

As parents, you always feel it — that moment where you realize they’re not just “trying something new.” They’re stepping into real independence.

We didn’t love the idea of them being that far from home. We worried about safety. We worried about money. We wondered if they’d feel overwhelmed.

But we also knew something else.

Growth doesn’t happen in the living room.

What Surprised Us the Most

The biggest surprise wasn’t the parks. It wasn’t the magic.

It was how quickly they grew up.

Within weeks, they had:

• Built new friend groups

• Learned how to navigate an entirely new city

• Figured out work schedules, transportation, and budgeting

• Adapted to professional expectations

They shared our daughter’s car. I (mom) drove down with them and flew back home. That drive back to the airport alone? That was one of those quiet parenting moments where you realize — this is happening.

They stayed from early January through mid-May. They could have chosen a shorter stay, or extended longer. That flexibility mattered.

By the time they drove home together, they weren’t the same kids who left.

The Real Growth We Saw

Both of them came home more mature.

More independent.

More self-reliant with money.

They had learned:

• How to live with roommates

• How to manage schedules

• How to show up to work consistently

• How to handle customer situations professionally

Disney does a very good job training their participants to be professional. They don’t just throw them into shifts. They teach them how to communicate, how to solve problems, how to deal with all kinds of guests.

That matters.

Those are real skills.

The Experience Was Bigger Than We Expected

They met friends from all over the world — and they’re still in touch with many of them.

They weren’t just working.

They were building a global network at 18 and 20 years old.

They loved the perks — discounted food, park access, the ability to use the parks for free. They were constantly at the parks between shifts with their friends.

Sometimes together.

Sometimes completely on their own.

That independence — choosing to explore alone — was huge for us to see.

They also lived at Flamingo Crossings, where there are restaurants and stores within walking distance. They had access to what they needed. It felt structured, but not restrictive.

Safe, but not sheltered.

And Here’s What Really Confirmed It for Us

Our daughter chose to go back.

On her own.

She’s currently thriving down there.

That’s when you know it wasn’t just a “fun semester.”

It was formative.

Our son is working in Yellowstone this summer — another housing-based work experience — but he still talks about missing his Disney experience.

That says something.

Why We’re Talking About the Disney College Program So Much

We’re not pushing Disney because it’s Disney.

We’re pushing structured, housing-based, real-world experiences for young adults.

The Disney College Program just happens to be one of the most accessible and well-structured options out there.

It provides:

• Built-in housing

• Professional training

• Diverse social exposure

• Adult responsibility

• Income

• Flexibility in length of stay

And most importantly — it provides growth without jumping straight into massive college debt.

We believe strongly in this season of life between high school and “real adulthood.”

Build a life before you buy a degree.

That doesn’t mean don’t go to college.

It means don’t rush blindly into four years and tens of thousands in debt without knowing who you are.

Why We Wrote the Guide

After our kids went, we kept getting questions from other parents:

Is it safe?
Is the Disney College Program worth it?
How does housing work?
What about transportation?
What about money?

We’ve written more in-depth about whether the Disney College Program is worth it, because that question deserves its own honest conversation.

Instead of answering the same questions over and over, we decided to put everything we learned into one place.

Not a hype piece.

Not a Disney commercial.

Just a straightforward parent perspective on what this program can offer.

If you’re considering the Disney College Program and just want a clear, parent-level breakdown of how it actually works — we put together everything we learned in one simple guide: