While most college students are juggling classes, homework and perhaps a part-time job or internship, Leah Renshaw was juggling something a little … magical. The Fordham University junior spent eight months in the Disney College Program. Yes, this means she lived and worked at Disney World — something straight out of a childhood dream.
Applying to the program is a long process. “The Disney College Program is like an internship, but it’s also kind of like an audition,” Renshaw explained. “I attended a few auditions and did a phone interview. It’s a very long process, but once you get accepted, they place you in a specific role within the parks.”
Renshaw took a leave of absence from Fordham to participate in the program. Fordham did not offer credit for the program. “I think I was one of the first people to do it from Fordham,” she said. “Most colleges will give you credit for doing it as a paid internship. But Fordham did not, so I had to take a leave of absence, and it was totally worth it.”
The program isn’t just about work, though. Students also take classes while living in the parks, allowing them to stay on top of their schoolwork while gaining hands-on experience. For Renshaw, this was a no-brainer. As a film and television major, the chance to work at the leading company in that field and connect with professionals as well as other individuals who love Disney was more than enough reason. She even got to meet famed actor John Stamos!
What exactly did Renshaw do at Disney? Of course, some of what happens behind the castle doors is strictly Disney confidential, but she shared that most of her time working was spent on stage and even worked as a waitress in a cafe. “I worked a lot on stage in Magic Kingdom specifically, and it was the coolest. I also did a lot of money-related things when I wasn’t working on stage,” Renshaw explained.
And yes, the hours were intense. She often worked 50 to 60 hours a week, but for Renshaw, this was nothing compared to the joy she got to see on people’s faces. “The way I was able to overcome it was I just kept telling myself that people save a lifetime to come to Disney World, and I get to be here every day, and I get to be a part of making the magic for these families,” she said.
Renshaw’s love for Disney didn’t start with the program; it’s been with her for her whole life. Renshaw grew up visiting Disney World once or twice a year. “It had such a special place in my childhood, and I have so many memories. So yeah, and I’m definitely still a Disney fan. I come all the time,” she said.
Looking ahead, Renshaw hopes to return to Disney in a full-time role after graduation. “I love working for this company and all the leadership was really incredible,” Renshaw said. “The connections are amazing, and it’s one of the biggest in the world. So I would absolutely love to come back.”
Even after leaving the program, Renshaw keeps her Disney connection alive. She still visits friends from the program and continues to gain free access to the parks. For Renshaw, the program was more than a job; it was a chance to combine her love for Disney, her studies and real-world experience in a way that only a few people have the opportunity to do. While the Magic Kingdom may be over a thousand miles away from Rose Hill’s campus, the lessons she brought back are right at home: hard work, passion and a little bit of magic.
