Traditions day started super early for me, to be exact it was 6:45 AM! I wasn’t looking forward to it but once I arrived at Disney University it actually hit me that I was now a new Disney employee. The instructors for traditions were very friendly and amazingly awake for 7 AM, they had so much energy that everyone in the room was kept awake and interested. The videos were amusing and informed us of all the wonders Disney has to offer.
Some of the main things that were stressed during Traditions were Efficiency, Safety , Show , Courtesy! It was on the videos, and the instructors repeated them over and over. During our tour to Magic Kingdom we were asked to point out some acts which portrayed the four keys. The instructors explained how they achieved the position they hold today after they completed their college program which gives us an incentive to keep going and work hard to one day reach as far as they have or even further .
Traditions relates to the article in many ways, one of the main ones that caught my attention was making the employee feel like a guest for one night, during traditions we were taken on a quick small tour to Magic Kingdom as guest with our instructor as our tour guide. That was very important to me because they want us too see hoe important the guest are to Disney! Also the videos that are shown to the new employee, we were shown many videos of many different things Disney has to offer to its employees. Last but not least the picture and a quick bio on the new employees posted on the bulletin board so prior employees can help them integrate with everyone is a very important thing that Disney does; I think its a great idea for the employer to make the employees feel comfortable in their new work area.
The article closely relates to many things Disney does and offers to its employees, it was interesting and made me see somethings offered which at first I didn’t pay much mind to.
It is interesting that you ended your post as you did. The best orientation programs are seemless. They are meant to provide a foundation without the new employee feeling as if they are being highlighted but cherished. Making sure that the very first experience for all employees is similiar helps support the established culture of the establishment.
It is rewarding to know that your experience is in line with what industry professionals are telling us is the standard and will foster a strong employee.