Internship Assessment
Internship Assessment
Internship Assessment
Analyse and critique the induction and training process experienced during the
internship.
A. Give a detailed outline of the induction, initial and ongoing training process that took
place.
Before starting work we all attended classes at the University of Disney. The first induction was about
five hours long and basically we were given assigned times and classes to attend based on our job
roles and location. The first class I attended covered several important information needed to know in
order to be able to go forward with my role and what I needed to do within the workplace. We were
then able to take a tour around Magic Kingdom where we could put some physical action into practice
and also covering certain places we could and could not go through due to being backstage and
onstage. This tour gave an insight of the workplace we will be working in and what it would look like
for us for the next few months. After the tour we then headed back to the University of Disney ending
our day off with an important message from Walt Disney. This video covered his history, background
and also about us as cast members creating that magic also for these guests. This could include
simple gestures such as smiling, waving, using the terms “princess and prince”, giving them a no
strings attached voucher if anything happened such as their ice cream dropped on the floor due to
someone knocking it over, just that extra magical experience making them feel special and noticed. If
anything the the classes attended I have learnt that us too as cast members can make a magical
experience a lifelong memory for these guests to cherish forever.
A few days after the Disney induction my on the job training began. We were given a few days to go
through the attractions where we learnt the process of what to do within my role and my
responsibilities at each ride. On the first few days we had a few tests about important information we
needed to know such as “to do’s and what not to do” within the workplace. We were taken around
backstage with our trainer who went through expectations and guidelines of being backstage. We
were shown the locker rooms where all belongings could go and how to use the facilities provided for
us. We were taught how to clock in and clock out through the computer system which helped benefit
us before starting work as we knew what to do. Before our day ended we made our way to the
costuming centre where we got our first uniform helped by our trainer because the sizes were
confusing and had a different fit regardless of the size number given. Our trainee for the day was such
great help with all the information provided that she thought would be very helpful for us along the way
and also with the perfect fitting of our uniforms in just one go.
Day 1 of physical training began on the following day where I finally got to go hand on work. I learnt
how to open up the Carrousel and the right way of performing a checklist. We were then allowed to
ride the Carrousel as part of the checklist to see whether there were any problems with the ride and if
so we were to report it to maintenance and our coordinator. Once this checklist was done we then
headed to Pan CDS where we were then shown when we should sign in and sign off example signing
in 5 minutes before and 12 minutes before signing out. We also learnt how to pull assignments which
automatically gives you an assigned role for a certain ride whether it would be a rotation or a normal
assignment for you to bump someone out or give them a break or just to task. If we had a rotation
assignment we then print it out twice and leave one of them in the rotation holder that way if any
coordinators needed to find me they would look at the rotation list. We pulled an assignment for
PhilharMagic where we got to watch our trainee perform the first physical part and then I perform the
next. I learnt how to spiel, how to hold the show when needed to clean the theatre, how to pause the
show when it was a full show because people take precious time to find a seat, covering seats in case
of an accident and more. We then made our way to the lobby where we had to fit as many people in
as possible filling in all available spaces so we could hold the next set of people for the next show.
The next position was merge where you show people where to go, opening chains for the disabled to
go through, learning the different times of when to let people in, when to cut the line in order for me to
clean the 3D glasses for the next group, changing the empty trays and also resetting the amount of
guests for each show so that I don’t overload the show.
Lastly we headed to the Princess Fairytale Hall where it consists of 4 different positions such as Pink
& Blue fastpass and Pink & Blue merge. Pink fastpass is for guests who have a fastpass to see
Repunzel and Tiana and Blue fastpass is for guests who have a fastpass to see Cinderella and Elena.
For those who do not have a fastpass they go through standby which is usually a longer wait as
fastpass is first priority. Merge’s job is to maintain these lines from their sides allocated to where they
have another person giving them a number of families that can come through at a time. This is where
merge would need to get the lines flowing but also making sure fastpass is always first priority. I learnt
how to perform ratios when having a large amount of guests, for example having a family from
standby and a family of 10 from fastpass. I found this straightforward and simple.
In between these days of training we got given booklets to read about each attraction which talked
about the health and safety rules and procedures in case of any emergency. We read about what we
needed to do incase of any emergencies and how we can help when in a serious problem.
On my second to last day of training I was given as many positions as possible so that I could be
more confident before starting alone. I learnt from what I needed to work on and I also became
confident in the positions I was least confident about. I also had my trainer by my side helping me
when I was unsure about certain things which did boost my confidence for the next time I do it alone.
The two attractions I wanted to focus on was the Carousel and PhilharMagic as I felt like I was still not
confident enough to spiel in front of so many people but as time went by and I got more training on
these two locations I became more confident and better every time. Once I felt like I was comfortable I
was then let off to go home.
On my final day I had to perform a written and physical test where I had an assessor watching me do
everything on my own. On this day we started it with the written test which had multiple choices. Once
we were done my assessor had to mark my test and with any answers I had got wrong he would
reword the question and I would get it right the second time. He had given it in a different wording
better for me to understand which helped me a lot as he said some of the questions would be
confusing but when I explain it I would get it right. After this test we had a coordinator come in and
officially welcome us into Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and also talk to me and a few others
about the expectations again and what he expects to see. This was the ending of earning my ears
and the beginning of my new job at Walt Disney World.
B) Analyse and critique the effectiveness of the induction and training process and reflect on
how it prepared you for your role.
In terms of the induction and training I would say it was very efficient and effective as I learnt so many
new things that I could adapt to in my next roles. I learnt about safety hazards and procedures of how
to handle them in case of any emergencies, guests who are upset, missing children and more. Safety
at work is our number one priority as our role of operating rides consist of someone’s life in our hands
to keep them safe at all times which then becomes a big responsibility. At all times we must ensure
the guests safety is our responsibility making sure we are alert at all times and aware of the
possibilities that could happen therefore keeping an eye out on each and everyone throughout the
ride reducing the risks of guests getting hurt. Now I can say that I feel more prepared when stopping
the ride or emergency stopping the ride for the safety of our guests. It is important that we show
sympathy and empathy towards our guests at all times showing them that we do care and helping
these guests with something better in exchange due to the issue. I was also prepared to deal with
unsettled customers and how to handle them and approach them in a calm way.
C) Based on your critical analysis of the induction and training process, make
recommendations about any changes or enhancement to the process that benefit a new
employee and/or the company.
On my first day working alone I had a supportive group of work members who helped me when I was
unsure about a certain position or what I was meant to be doing. Being alone helped me focus more
on what I needed to focus on more and work towards and also having the help and support by my
surroundings gave me that boost of confidence knowing I was doing something right. I learnt how to
do things when it came to certain times for example closing up entries to an attraction due to firework
procedures and opening another entry for guests to be able to still access the ride. One thing I would
recommend for my training would be, for the first time we start training to explain thoroughly what we
are going to be doing and also letting the beginners practice so that we know what to do for when we
do open up a certain ride one day. Overall I found my training and induction process great and very
helpful because I learned so many things along the way and so much more to adapt to which will
benefit me in the long run.