When Ellen McCormick ’04 was six, she remembers walking hand-in-hand with mom and dad down Walt Disney World’s bustling main street, her eyes aglow with the magic and wonder of “the happiest place on earth.” With Cinderella’s magnificent castle in full view ahead and Disney characters frolicking in the street, McCormick was awestruck. It was her first visit to the Magic Kingdom but certainly not her last.

In fall 2004, McCormick relived her childhood memories of Walt Disney World when she returned to participate in the Walt Disney World College Program. By this time, she had already visited Disney World on five occasions and with each visit loved the Disney theme parks more.

After McCormick came across a website promoting the Walt Disney World College Program, she decided to attend an informational seminar. She had always dreamed of working at Walt Disney World, and as a theater major, the entertainment factor intrigued her. McCormick auditioned and was accepted into the six-month program.

At Disney, McCormick moved into a three-bedroom apartment provided by the program with five other female participants from all over the country. This made for an interesting living situation. “It was very much like a college dorm,” McCormick explains, and the surrounding area was similar to a college campus, with a pool, computer center and tennis courts.

For 35 to 40 hours a week, and more during the holidays, McCormick worked in Disney’s entertainment department. Disney policy keeps McCormick from being specific about the work she did, but she jests, “I watched Pluto while Mickey was out.”

To prepare for the work, program participants went through five days of training, including seminars on Disney traditions and expected behavior of employees. The job was physically strenuous for McCormick with long hours. Even though the job sometimes was taxing, McCormick enjoyed working in the entertainment industry. “It was something I could check off my dream list,” she says.

To balance out the long work hours, program participants were also able to enjoy the perks. McCormick had free admission at any time to all of the Disney World parks as well as discounts on food and merchandise, coupon books and passes for family members and friends. “Around Halloween and Christmas, the people in the parades do dress rehearsals and employees could come in during rehearsals to watch.” As a theater major and a dancer, McCormick was drawn to the showmanship of the parades, taking particular notice of the choreography. A preview of New Year’s Eve fireworks for program participants at midnight on December 30, McCormick’s 23rd birthday, was “like a birthday present,” she says.

One of the most rewarding experiences during the program, she says, was volunteering at the Give Kids the World Village, a non-profit resort sponsored in part by the Walt Disney World Company that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. An event called “Parents Night Out” gave McCormick the opportunity to interact with these children while their parents were given some down time. “Just making their day a little bit better was rewarding and fun at the same time,” McCormick says. A self-declared “big kid” herself, McCormick’s experience volunteering at the Give Kids the World Village reminded her how much she loved being around children.

On Dec. 8, 2004, McCormick and her fellow participants attended their Disney graduation. “I got my Mickey ears with a tassel on it,” she says. At that point, McCormick had a choice of extending the college program and staying in Florida for six months or a possible full-time job in Walt Disney World, but she decided to head home instead.

“It was a great experience,” McCormick says, “even though I wanted to come home at the end.” Interacting with guests on a daily basis helped McCormick learn to be more patient, she says, and the opportunity to gain professional experience in the entertainment industry was priceless. Another bonus, she adds, was making new friends…Mickey and Minnie included, of course.

Now in her home town of Lake Ariel in Northeastern Pennsylvania, McCormick is exploring her options for the future. She is interested in a variety of fields, but her number one dream job is acting. “Maybe some day I’ll go out to California to get my Oscar,” McCormick quips.

– Jordan M. Mauger ’06