How to Become a Disney Intern from a 6x ex-Disney Intern (Part 1)

The [in]side Scoop 🍨 from a 6x-ex Disney Intern

What a Disney Recruiter Taught Me About Resumes & Interviews (That Changed Everything)

Hey, hey [in]siders! 🎢✨ If you’ve ever dreamed of interning at the Happiest [work]place on Earth, let me tell you—you’re not alone. Landing a Disney internship is one of the most competitive processes out there, and trust me, I know firsthand how tough it can be.

I applied for five different Disney internships and didn’t even make it past the resume screening for three of them. Another one, I made it to the phone screening but got rejected. I almost gave up completely. But that one phone screening/rejection was a gift – because the recruiter gave me some advice that was worth, quite literally, thousands of dollars. I made a few key changes—starting with that resume—that completely turned things around. And now? I’m a 6x Disney intern. 🤯

If you’re a freshman with no experience or a seasoned student looking to gain a competitive edge, you’re in the right place. Here’s what I learned (and what you need to know) about crafting the perfect Disney internship application, mastering the interview process, and standing out from thousands of applicants.

📝 Step 1: Your Resume—A Makeover Fit for a Fairytale Ending

When I first applied to Disney, I submitted one generic resume for all five internships. For three of them, I got rejected outright. Another, I made it to the phone screen, but got cut at the second stage.

But here’s the game-changer: the Disney recruiter who ultimately rejected me from that role, gave me feedback on my resume. And that feedback? It’s what took me from rejection to acceptance.

✨ Resume Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To!)

1️⃣ I treated my resume like a list of responsibilities instead of a highlight reel of impact.

• My original resume just listed what I did instead of showing what I achieved.

• Example: “Managed social media accounts.” ❌

• Instead: “Increased engagement by 40% through targeted content strategy.” ✅

2️⃣ I wasn’t tailoring my resume to the role.

• Disney hires for tons of different departments, and my one-size-fits-all resume wasn’t cutting it.

• Each resume should match the specific skills listed in the job description.

3️⃣ I didn’t include keywords.

• Recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human even sees them. If you don’t include relevant keywords from the job posting, your resume might not make it past the ATS.

• Example: If the job description says “project management” and your resume says “team coordination,” you’re missing a key match!

🚀 Resume Fixes That Landed Me the Job

✅ I restructured my bullet points using the Google XYZ method:

• “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].”

• Example: “Designed a product prototype that reduced operational inefficiencies by 30% through iterative user feedback.”

✅ I tailored my resume for each role I applied to.

• If you’re applying for a marketing internship, highlight social media, campaign management, or graphic design.

• If you’re applying for an engineering internship, focus on coding languages, technical projects, and problem-solving skills.

✅ I added metrics and measurable impact.

• Numbers grab attention. Whenever possible, quantify your success.

• Example: “Increased customer satisfaction scores by 25% through a redesigned UX workflow.”

✅ I formatted my resume for ATS compatibility.

• Simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).

• No fancy graphics.

• Clear section headings.

• PDF or .docx format.

🚨 Pro Tip: If you’re struggling to fill your resume because you have no experience, create your own!

• Start a project (ex: build a website, create a social media campaign, organize an event).

• Participate in case competitions, hackathons, or fellowships.

Your resume isn’t just about work experience—it’s about demonstrating your skills, initiative, and impact.

🎤 Step 2: The Interview—How I Stood Out with Just Two Questions

After finally making it past the resume screen, I got invited to my Disney internship interview. And to my surprise, it was purely behavioral—just two questions:

1️⃣ Tell me about yourself. 2️⃣ Who’s your favorite Disney character?

Yep. That’s it. 🤯

At first, I panicked. But then I realized: this was a test to see if I was a cultural fit.

🎬 How I Nailed the Interview

✅ For “Tell me about yourself,” I focused on storytelling.

• Instead of listing my background like a LinkedIn summary, I told a story about my journey, tying it back to Disney’s values – I even referenced the Happily Ever After fireworks show and shared a quote from it in my answer (this is what really made it memorable)

• Another example: “I’ve always been drawn to stories—whether that’s through technology, content creation, or community-building. When I saw the opening for this internship, I knew it was the perfect way to combine my skills and passion.”

✅ For “Who’s your favorite Disney character?” I made it memorable.

• I shared two – growing up, my favorite was Mulan because it was nice to a princess who looked like me, but secondly Moana. I loved Moana’s character growth throughout the movie and how her grandmother didn’t push her to become a hero; rather she led her to find the strength within herself.

🚨 Pro Tip: Use your answer to highlight traits that match the role.

Example: If you’re applying for a marketing role, pick a character like Remy from Ratatouille and talk about his innovation and creativity.

✅ I showed “intense curiosity.”

• My supervisor later told me that my curiosity made me stand out.

• I asked thoughtful questions and showed genuine enthusiasm for the work.

• Curiosity is something that can’t be taught, and employers love it.

🎯 Your Action Plan — How YOU’RE going to land a Disney Internship

1️⃣ Optimize your resume with tailored bullet points, metrics, and relevant keywords.

2️⃣ Get feedback from mentors, career advisors, or even a recruiter if possible.

3️⃣ Prepare for the interview by thinking beyond the obvious answers and showing curiosity.

4️⃣ Apply, even if you think you’re under-qualified! (I almost didn’t apply—don’t make the same mistake!)

The first step? Start today. Even if you’re a freshman with no experience, build your skills NOW. That’s how you’ll stand out when the time comes to apply. ✨

Next up in this series? What I Wish I Knew Before My First Day at Disney. Stay tuned, [in]siders! 🏰💼