When you visit Walt Disney World for the first time, the magical world that unfolds in front of you seems almost completely removed from the planet you’ve come to know. Everyone is so friendly, and everything is so intricately themed — it feels transporting, not just to another place and time, but another universe entirely.
When you return again and again, you begin to understand that the people who operate the Vacation Kingdom on a day-to-day basis aren’t a mysteriously friendly alien race, but rather, passionate people who are motivated by a desire to make your vacation that much more special.
Once you realize that, it’s easy to start wondering what jobs in that kingdom you’d most enjoy doing — whether it’s operating a magnificent attraction or working in a special restaurant.
Here are six front-line jobs at Walt Disney World that seem like the most fun to do day-in and day-out.
Jungle Cruise Skipper
Image: dancingnomad3, Flickr (license)
If you were to ask 100 people what job they’d most want at Walt Disney World, the most popular answer would be — by far — Jungle Cruise skipper.
It makes sense, too! Other jobs at Disney have a few different responsibilities — serving food or handing out balloons. But if you’re a Jungle Cruise skipper, you have precisely one task: make the guests laugh.
Yes, there’s a standard set of jokes most skippers are exposed to and use in their spiels, but the ability to mix and match to ensure no two rides are the same make it a fantastic way to pass the day. Plus, with different guests on each voyage, the opportunity for guest engagement and so-called “crowd work” is as fun as it gets.
Kilimanjaro Safari Driver
Image: stevewise60, Flickr (license)
On a related note, the Jungle Cruise’s spiritual sequel is another great opportunity to interact with guests — and to do so while looking at amazing and magnificent animals.
Safari drivers actually are in full-control of their vehicles, meaning that they are totally in charge of what the guests see, how long they see it for, and how exciting the journey is. On top of that, they are experts in the animals that inhabit the safari’s plains and savannas — and the more they know, the more they’re able to enhance their guests’ experience.
And, if you like driving, being able to actually operate a motor vehicle all day is a nice perk on top of all the others.
Club-Level Resort Concierge
Image: rblanding, Flickr (license)
For guests choosing to stay in the most-luxurious of Disney’s accommodations, Club Level represents a different class of service on Disney property. Guests get a lot of perks, including free snacks and drinks as well as dedicated cast members to help on everything Disney-related, from check-in to check-out.
If you enjoy the planning elements of Disney trips, as well as making other people happy, these jobs offer a ton of rewarding opportunities — like scoring a hard-to-get dinner reservation for a honeymooning couple or tracking down a special treat for a well-behaved birthday girl.
Your job is to make a guest’s stay just a bit sweeter — isn’t that great?
Ferry captain
Image: Greg Goebel, Flickr (license)
Disney’s waterways are among the most beautiful places on the entire property, and the ferries that provide transportation service along those waterways are among the best ways to get around the resort for guests.
But, for a job, imagine being on the water all day — guiding guests to and fro while getting an up-close look at the closest thing to Old Florida the Walt Disney World resort has on offer. The vessels can also be quite small, offering the chance to really engage with guests and provide tips, tricks, jokes, or other bits of magic.
Add evening service to that, which can often include sailings during fireworks shows or around the Electrical Water Pageant, and you’ve got a wonderful gig all day.
There are also so many different waterways to choose from, including the Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake, the Sassagoula River, and the Crescent Lake/World Showcase Lagoon routes. It’s hard to get bored captaining a boat.
Minnie Van Driver
Image: Disney
If you drive Uber, Lyft, or other ride-share services, you probably laughed a bit at the idea of ride-share being a dream Disney job. But, Disney’s version has a lot of benefits not normally found in the industry.
The cars, for one, are adorable and clearly fun to drive. You might feel a bit silly in a polka-dot SUV, but it’s hard to deny that it adds a bit of whimsy to the whole affair. On top of that, the rides are short enough that you never really have to go too far with any one set of passengers. Even traffic at Walt Disney World isn’t too bad — with Minnie Vans being able to use special bus routes only available to cast members.
On top of that, getting to talk to the guests about their trip, offer up your suggestions for how to get the most out of their stay, and having the chance to make some magic really makes the whole thing that much more special. And, you get to listen to Disney music all day while sitting in an air-conditioned and well-cushioned leather seat — how bad can that be?
VIP Tour Guide
Image: nick99nack, Flickr (license)
For guests with a bit of extra money to burn, and for whom club level simply isn’t enough luxury, Disney offers VIP tours that provide front-of-line access and personalized service that is essentially unparalleled across the property. While these tours are fun for guests, they’re definitely fun for the tour guides too.
Yes, it’s a lot of work organizing everything and making sure everything goes exactly according to plan for the party. And, yes, it can be a bit awkward escorting your VIP group to the front of the line, but the benefits are plainly obvious. You have complete authority to make this one group’s Disney dreams come true. You must know everything about the Parks, and must be able to answer any question your group might have.
It’s the ultimate job for a Disney fan — helping others see Disney the way that we all see it, and ensuring they’re able to connect with the magic as deeply as possible. It’s always fun being able to show Walt Disney World to a friend or family member for the first time. Imagine doing it every day … and getting paid for the privilege.
