Let’s be honest — I couldn’t possibly name this site monorailmike.com and not shed some light on my experience as a Walt Disney World College Program “cast member,” could I? Working for the Mouse Q. How did you get to work for Disney World? A. A friend of mine had worked on the College Program in late 1994, and couldn’t say enough about it — the people he met, the fun he had, and so on. He was convinced that if anyone else would enjoy such an experience, I would. 
So, when Disney came to campus in March 1995, I casually signed up for an interview. At the time, I didn’t even want the job that much. A job in an amusement park didn’t sound very relevant to my major, I could make much more money working almost anywhere else, and I’d have to endure the hot and humid climate of Florida during the summer months. But the interview went well, and I received an offer to work at Disney World! Despite some lingering doubts, I decided to absorb the risks and give the College Program a try. In hindsight, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The job involved some hard work, but the overall experience was a lot of fun, too. Best of all, I made a number of great friends from all over the country, and I still stay in touch with them to this day. Q. Where did you live while you were there? A. We lived in an apartment complex called Vista Way. It’s a Disney-owned property with two- and three-bedroom apartments for College Program participants. The complex was very nice, but a considerable percentage of our paychecks went toward rent payments. The College Program was not a money-making proposition, but it was worth it. Q. What are some specific facts about the monorails at Disney World? A. Their specifications include:
Q. How many monorails are in the WDW fleet? A. There are 12 in all. They are identified by color:
Q. Did you have to pass a driving test? A. You bet. In fact, the process to become a Monorail Pilot at Disney World involves six days of intensive training and a seventh day to take the test. It looks fairly easy, and in some ways, it is. The train’s wheels steer the vehicle along the track. But you have to constantly watch your speed, be aware of the location of the next train ahead, and manage to stop the train so that its doors line up with the gates in the station. A 200-foot-long train doesn’t stop on a dime like your car — trust me. One curious passenger asked me, “Do you really drive these trains? I thought you were here just for show.” I replied, “Yes, ma’am, we do drive the trains. Besides, if drivers were here ‘for show,’ they probably wouldn’t have chosen me!” Photo credit: Walt Disney World |