Disney World's Secret to Attracting Top Talent: A Culture of Belonging
At Walt Disney World's 80,000-strong workforce, new hires begin their journey through a unique orientation called Traditions. This first-day experience is an opportunity for employees to connect with the company culture and values that it brings to its guests.
Traditions includes a video featuring longtime cast members talking about their meaningful careers, as well as another that's a supercut of some of the parks' littlest fans being surprised with the news that they're going to Disney World. Both might just leave hardcore Disney lovers a little misty-eyed.
As part of the orientation, new employees receive instructions on the 'keys' of the company, safety, courtesy, inclusion, show and efficiency, and how they're expected to embody them every day. They also get their first pair of Mickey ears in a red bow-topped gift box, which is the start of their journey.
After Traditions, new employees move on to role-specific training, where they gain confidence before interacting with guests. The Disney University building houses several unique classrooms known as 'learning labs' for everyone from cleaners to concierge workers. These labs are designed to mimic real-world scenarios and ensure that all new hires get the best introduction to their tasks.
Many Disney leaders started in hourly roles, with the average full-time cast member tenure being 12 years. Three out of five Disney World leaders began in hourly jobs at the parks, demonstrating the opportunities for growth and development within the company.