By Rachel Albon, Communications Manager, Disney Programs
It’s amazing to think that one year ago today, on June 15, 2021, we welcomed the first group of Disney Programs participants back to Walt Disney World Resort.
About one month earlier – on May 3, 2021 – we shared the announcement that the program would be returning. The excitement was immediate, and as soon as the opportunity opened up, thousands of applications came flooding in for the Summer/Fall 2021 Disney College Program.
Participants impacted by the program’s cancellation in March 2020 were the first to have the opportunity to submit an application to return, and for many of them, it was a moment they had been anxiously awaiting for over a year. “I was supposed to come in fall 2020,” one user shared in a comment on the return announcement Instagram post, “I am literally in tears. I’m so happy to get another chance.”
“The moment I heard that Disney Programs was opening back up, I applied immediately. I told everyone about it,” says Sam Medina, an attractions cast member who arrived on her program last June. “Walking in, being one of the first groups, I feel like everyone was so excited.”
“I just can’t believe it’s gone by so fast,” says Mikey Lujan, another participant who was among the first to arrive in June 2021. “It makes me feel like 10 years is going to fly by and I’ll still remember my first day here.” (You might recall Mikey from this story we shared last year at the beginning of his program!)
As we reflect on the last 365 days, we also look forward to celebrating many more exciting milestones for our programs – including welcoming back our Cultural Representative Program participants, who will be returning to Walt Disney World Resort this summer.
“The program came back bigger and better than ever,” said Mikey. “And we got to be a part of that, which was so amazing. I’m really thankful for that.”
Interested in learning more about Disney Programs? Want to be the first to know when applications open up for the Spring 2023 Season? Visit our website and sign up for our emails at DisneyPrograms.com