Ouachita Stories

Previously published in the 2019 Ouachitonian yearbook

While most students spend their college years hanging out with friends and professors, Emily Trigg, a sophomore finance major from Arkadelphia, chose to spend her time hanging out with Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck and Stitch. Trigg spent 10 months working at the Disney World parks through the Disney College Program.

“I applied because a couple of my friends did it the year before, so I wanted to give it a shot,” said Trigg. “I did not think I would get in. About 50,000 people apply and only 7,000 get in, so I thought there was no way.”

Within 30 minutes of submitting her application, Trigg was contacted to do a web-based interview. She then scheduled a phone interview and was on her way to Orlando to audition for character performing.

“I had shifts at different times and at different places depending on the character I was hanging out with,” said Trigg. “Let’s say I was hanging out with Mickey that day: I would come in at 8 a.m. and stay until 5 p.m. They give you special clothes, you do a workout stretch, put the costume all together, then travel to your location. I was on set for 30 minutes and off set for 30 minutes for me to take my costume off, breath, relax and drink some water. Then I went back. It is a lot on your body because most of the costumes are about 25 pounds. Which doesn’t sound bad but it is a lot on your shoulders and neck.”

Most of the days at Disney, Trigg worked at Hollywood Studios. During her time, she hung out with around 30 characters including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Pinocchio.

“The kids run up to you and tell you the craziest of things,” said Trigg. “One time, a kid did not have an autograph book, but he wanted Mickey’s autograph so bad he asked for Mickey to sign a napkin. I went and got him a book and signed as many characters as I could. He will probably always remember that.”

Besides hanging out with characters, Trigg spent the rest of her time with the five girls she shared a Disney-provided apartment with.

“There are so many different people in the world, and everyone is so different,” said Trigg. “One of my best friends that I met is from Canada, and she is so different. The whole experience and meeting people from all around the world was so cool getting to know their culture.”

Meeting guests from all over the world was one of Trigg’s favorite experiences, but it also came with its challenges.

“Dealing with guests from around the world with different ethnicities and ethics was difficult because some would be crazy and inappropriate but in their culture that was okay,” said Trigg. “The hardest part was being away from family. I live in Arkadelphia, so my family lives 15 miles down the road, and being so far away from them was hard.”

Although Trigg experienced homesickness at times, it did not stop her from wanting to go back to Disney in the future. Her plans were to continue working for Disney this spring break and summer.

“Because I did this college program, it is going to be easier for me to go back to Disney World and get a job because they have already seen my work ethic,” said Trigg. “By going back, I can keep my foot in the door with the company. After school, I want to go back and work in an office with my finance major.”

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