by Chris van der Merwe

The experience started after boarding a Virgin Atlantic A340 in Johannesburg for our flight to Orlando over London. Most of us were getting our first international travel experience and you can imagine the excitement building. Making new friends onboard, missing the ones you left behind, and imagining and dreaming about the start of a new life in a place of magic and wonder, after all, we were going to Disney World...

Similar to the Cultural Representative Program at EPCOT, the Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK) Program offers the Working, Learning and Living Experiences to Cast from all over the African continent. The program is exactly the same as any other IP at Walt Disney World, but for the fist time in 1998, allowed Africans to participate with the Opening of Disney's fourth and largest theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The Working Experience

The opening of a new theme park is a great experience for everyone involved in a project of this size. When we arrived in Orlando late January 1998 DAK was still a couple of months away from opening. This made the experience even more special - we could see the park growing with us. With the first visit we were amazed with the 'home' Disney has created for us. Trees being planted, new animals introduced to the savanna and even at this time, new baby animals being born. Day by day we saw DAK growing to the huge and exciting theme park it is today. During the first two months we were training and learning all about the valuable Disney traditions - and will we ever forget DAKlimation, learning more about and how to implement what DAK stands for - conservation. Cast preview came and for a couple of weeks Disney Cast members and their families were allowed to come and explore the new Theme Park. This provided us with the opportunity to practice the operations and to make adjustments where needed. Come April 22, 1998, we were ready to open Disney biggest, and according to me, most exciting theme park. These were the most exciting days, seeing television crews and well-known international reporters from all over the world doing live broadcasts, boarding our safari trucks and dining in our restaurants with their international linked cameras - something difficult to describe.

Working at DAK as an African your main duty will be the cultural representation of the country you are from. So don't try and speak with an American accent now, your natural one is part of the job! According to the cultural visa you are issued with, you are only allowed to work in the Africa land of DAK and it is very important that you keep by this rule. You will be placed according to previous experience. Basically two work options are available, either in Attractions (rides and nature walks) or in Food & Beverage which will be Tuskers quick service restaurant. Sometimes your are allowed to transfer between locations but I preferred to stay at the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction for my full contract. A basic work week will be about 40 hours and sometimes additional overtime is available, exactly the same as with other IP at Walt Disney World parks.

The Learning Experience

Learn as much as you can from a company as great as Disney. Not only will you gain valuable operational skills while working with thousands of guests, but you will also have the opportunity to participate in classes provided by the Disney University. They have several part-time courses that you might find interesting. As the opening group we were lucky to have seminars specially organized for us and they proved to be valuable in future endeavors. Having two days free a week will give you plenty of time to learn a new language or to attend a marketing seminar. Millions of guests visit the Theme Parks every year, this is the vacation capital of the world and because of this you will be exposed to cultures from all over the world - teaching them about Africa and in the process learning a lot from them. This is a one-year program so you will get a good taste of the American lifestyle - which is great, by the way. Having learned so much in a year's time proved to be extremely valuable, but I think the most valuable aspect of the Learning Experience is what you learn about yourself, far away from the place you call home.

The Living Experience

"From Hooch drinking in the Grand Canyon to all-nighters at Apartment #506" - Taken from my leaving book, a note from a dear friend on how far back friendships go in a year like this.

For most participants, including myself, this is the best part of the program. At first the idea of staying with cultural Cast from all over the world sounds a little scary but this proved to be the highlight of 1998. We stayed in Vista Way and it will also be your home away from home when selected for the DAK Program. Vista Way is located about 15 minutes from DAK and Disney shuttle services are provided. Rent includes your fully equipped apartment which you will share with five other International or College Program participants, shuttle transportation to work and various other locations, clubhouse with pools, fitness center and email facilities. You are really looked after well while rent is automatically deducted from your weekly paycheck. Staying at Vista Way really is an amazing experience. You get to meet people from all over the world, not only once a year but several times a month because of the different contract start and end dates. This is the place where friendships of a lifetime are made, people that you know will be your friend until the day you die. Being a big group made a difference to our experiences but still individual arrivals will have no problem making new friends and being part of the big Disney family.

The Living Experience doesn't end at Vista Way, you are in Orlando after all, vacation capital of the world. There's millions of things to do and travel in the US is relatively cheap - providing you do some overtime at work. Travel agents have special rates for Vista Way residents and that makes it even better. We went on several trips during 1998, they included a Mexican cruise, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Miami, Grand Canyon, Florida Keys and some other great destinations. It's really up to yourself on how much you travel. You will have to choose, either make this a money making year by cutting down on travel or go wild with shopping in some great stores and by traveling as much as you can.

How to Apply?

This is wide open, if you think that you will enjoy representing your country at a place like Disney's Animal Kingdom, start working on that application. To qualify for this program you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• have good conversational English
• have a positive attitude and personality
• be willing to model Disney values
• have an outgoing personality
• be ready for the year of a lifetime

When we applied for the program through our schools Disney recruiters were looking for students with a Hospitality and/or Tourism background, but don't let that hold you back. I would still try and apply no matter my experience and education, there's nothing wrong with trying and you might just be the type of person Disney recruiters are looking for. The Tourism Concept in Johannesburg, South Africa are doing all the pre-screening for Disney applicants so be sure to get in touch with them.

Is there life after Disney World?

Hard to think so but yes, absolutely! Working for Disney really is a great opportunity. This is only a year contract but if you value the Disney experience and would like to continue with the company, there might be opportunities with the International Disney family, such as Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney International. I recommend the International Program for any adventurous person wanting to meet new friends from all over the world. And the best of all, learning from the world's hospitality and entertainment leader the great values of Disney. See you in Disney World!

As part of the 1998 Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK) International Programs Opening Team, Chris has experienced the Program firsthand from its very beginning. Currently working aboard the Disney Magic as a Service Excellence Coach, Chris will be heading back to Animal Kingdom shortly as a Manager at Tusker House.