Disney College Programs and Internships: Check In

At check-in, participants will receive their specific apartment unit assignment and have their photo taken for a Program ID.

Please Note: California participants will have their weekly housing payments deducted as an automatic checking withdrawal. Florida participants will have weekly deductions from their paycheck.

When arriving for check-in, participants should dress comfortably; however, they need to ensure that they are following the Disney Look and dressing in good taste. Appropriate dress options may include jeans, T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, etc. Disney Look Guidelines include:

• Removing all body piercings (including cartilage piercings, nose piercings, and tongue rings)
• Covering visible tattoos
• Adhering to proper hairstyle and coloring guidelines.

Remember: You will be taking your ID photo, so ensure that you are not wearing a sleeveless shirt.

Check In Overview

As you prepare for your program, it is essential you remember to bring the original employment eligibility documents you plan to use to complete your Form 1-9. 

Your friends and family are welcome to join you and can wait in one of the common areas while you check in; however, they may not proceed through the check-in process or Casting with you.

Disney Land Resort California

Participants living in housing should arrive at Carnegie Plaza no more than 30 minutes prior to your scheduled arrival time. Participants who are not living in housing should arrive at the Team Disney Anaheim Building a few minutes early in order to park and walk to the "Sign In" room located next to the lobby.

If Traveling by Air

Please attempt to arrange your flight so you can pick up your luggage and travel to your check-in location by your scheduled time. It is advised you allow for around 2 hours to do this. Local airports include: Santa Ana (SNA) which is 15 miles (24 km) from site, and Los Angeles (LAX) which is 33 miles (53 km) from site.

Disney World Florida

On arrival day, you will check-in at your assigned housing complex. The time stated on your itinerary is mandatory and specific. DO not arrive early, as you will be asked to return at your scheduled time.

If Traveling by Air

Make flight arrangements to arrive in Orlando, pick up your luggage and travel to the complexes. It is recommended you set aside at least 2 hours for this and arrive in Orlando by 9 am on your arrival day. Local airports include: Orlando (MCO) which is 19 miles (31 km) from site , Sanford (SFB) which is 42 miles (68 km) from site, and Tampa (TPA) which is 78 miles (126 km) from site.

Drug testing may occur during the check-in process. The test is required for only specific roles and takes a short amount of time.

Remember: Marijuana of any kind is illegal in Florida and will show up on a drug test. Disney also has a policy of random drug and alcohol testing on a regular basis.

Certain positions require a post-offer employment test which is designed to assess the physical abilities needed to properly perform the role. These tests are created with the intent of simulating motions and movements such as lifting, pushing, pulling, and placing items on a shelf. 

All Disney cast members are required to take a background check when they are hired. This process includes being fingerprinted; however, the fingerprinted will be completed digitally so participants do not have to worry about having ink on their fingers for the rest of the day. 

Lifeguards will be expected to take their swim test on the second day of check-in. Specific details about the test will be given during the check-in process. The swim test will test the following areas:

• Swimming 200 yards (183 meters) freestyle or breaststroke.
• Retrieving a 10 lb (4.5 kg) brick from the deepest section of the pool (minimum of 8 ft./2.3 meters) using a feet-first surface dive.
• Treading water for two minutes with hands out of the water.
• Vision test.