Walt Disney World plans to add 5,000 jobs in Central Florida over the next five years. The hiring would expand a workforce that currently numbers about 80,000 Cast Members.
The resort has not released a role-by-role hiring schedule or said when individual openings will be posted. Its workforce spans the four theme parks, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, transportation and the operations guests rarely see.
New Cast Members begin at Disney University before moving into training for their assigned roles. Housekeeping and concierge employees, for example, receive one to three days of on-site instruction before starting training at their work locations.
Costuming is one of the larger operations behind the parks. About 1,500 Cast Members work across 50 costuming roles and manage roughly 2.5 million garments used throughout Walt Disney World.
Three out of five leaders at the resort began in hourly roles. Full-time Cast Members in professional, leadership and skilled positions stay with the company for an average of 12 years.