by Brittany DiCologero and Adriana Yvonne Vega
This Disney College Program role interview features Adriana Yvonne Vega, who worked in quick service food & beverage at the Magic Kingdom during the Fall 2016 program. Adriana is a junior at University of Central Florida where she is majoring in Hospitality-Event Management.
Q: What made you want to do the Disney College Program?
A: As a Florida native, born and raised, I grew up with Disney. I’ve been going to Disney since I was baby. I love Disney and my dream job is to work for Disney full time as a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Planner. I applied for the Disney College Program because I wanted to experience the magic that is being a Disney Cast Member and get my foot in the door because Disney is my future!
Q: What was your role and location? Was it your first choice? If not, what was?
A: I was Quick Service Food & Beverage Stands East at the Magic Kingdom. QSFB was a role I expressed no interest in and I was so disappointed when I found out I got it because I really wanted merchandise . Since I have worked merchandise at Legoland Florida, I was hoping to experience merchandise at Disney. Besides not liking the role, I gave the Disney College Program a chance because I really wanted to do it. I was hoping for Magic Kingdom because I love the park and I was so happy to be placed there!
Q: What was your training like?
A: I had the basic Disney trainings, the lovely Traditions, Welcome to Operations, and Welcome to Food & Beverage classes at Disney University. Then, I had a full week of on the job training. Since I was Stands East, I had to learn how to work in 9 different locations: 5 locations in Fantasyland (Gaston’s Tavern, Storybook Treats, Prince Eric’s Market, Friar’s Nook, & Cheshire Cafe), 3 locations in Tommorrowland (Auntie Gravity’s, Cool Shop, and Lunching Pad), and 1 location in Storybook Circus (Turkey Cart).
I also was deployed for 2 out of the 4 months of my program to train and participate in the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. That consisted of 4 days of training classes and then the on the job training was learning by doing without the help of any trainers. I worked registers the entire 2 months of Food and Wine Festival but I was fine with that because it helped me to get used to being on register.
Q: What did you like most about your role?
A: I enjoyed giving out “Magical Moments.” Frequently, I would give out free drinks (Lefou’s Brew or soda) and food (cinnamon roles/ham & cheese pretzels). My favorite would be the few times when I would give out princess Belle or Gaston cups to little kids and even adults. Guests always appreciated when I would make them feel special.
Q: What did you like least?
A: The role. QSFB is by far the most challenging role. I have work experience in merchandise and as an education associate at Legoland but that was easy compared to working in QSFB. It was more challenging to me because I had no prior experience in the food industry before so, having to use my past register & cashier experience while learning to deal with food and cleaning machines was tough. I didn’t enjoy it at all.
Q: Would you recommend this role to a friend?
A: I wouldn’t recommend this role to anyone. I didn’t have a good experience with it and I wouldn’t want someone else to experience it. I think any other role would be better than QSFB.
Q: What advice would you have for new CPs in this role?
A: Be patient, listen carefully, and be able to multitask. QSFB is a challenging role because of having to do several tasks at once while making sure that the guests have the most magical experience possible.
Q: What have you been up to since your program ended?
A: Going to school and looking for a new job. I applied for a second college program and got accepted but instead, I will be working part time as a merchandise cast member at the Disney Character Warehouse at the Orlando Premium Outlets. I start my new job very soon!
