Attraction H/H
Part-time
Jul 2021 – present
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
• Walt Disney World [returned to assist the resort during pandemic recovery and 50th anniversary celebration]
- Attractions Host; Disney's Hollywood Studios, Sunset Boulevard (Aug 2022 - present)
Fully trained operational proficiencies for attractions The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith including theatre shows Fantasmic! at Hollywood Hills Amphitheater and Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy at Sunset Showcase
- Events Host (special seasonal shifts); Disney Springs crowd control for "Disney Dreams That Soar Presented by AT&T" Nighttime Drone Show and Magic Kingdom treat distribution for "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party"
- Attractions Host; Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland (Jul 2021 - Aug 2022)
Fully trained operational proficiencies for attractions including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Barnstormer featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini and Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid [Coordinator shadowing to learn internal processes of Cast Deployment System and Ops Sheet logistics]
Merchandise Host / Production Crew
Contract / Seasonal
Jan 1991 – Dec 1996
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
• Walt Disney World Casual Temporary [worked at least one week annually]
- Merchandise Host, Retail; EPCOT Center and other park/resort locations
- Production Assistant; The All New Mickey Mouse Club (TV Series - worked summer 1991) - Job Notes (pdf)
Merchandise Host
Apprenticeship / Part-time
Sep 1990 – Jan 1991
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
• Walt Disney World College Program [auditioned and selected with another student out of 200+ applicants from Widener University]
- Merchandise Host, Retail; EPCOT Center, World Showcase Plaza - Job Notes (pdf)
- Disney University; Studio Production Curriculum
Clint Dantinne was selected from among thousands of applicants nationally to participate in an elite group for the Fall 1990 Walt Disney World College Program. He was instructed at Disney University for Studio Production. He continued to work each year seasonally at the Central Florida theme park resort through 1996.
Clint's primary work location was at EPCOT Center (Origin 60) at the Towers (Department 4ZA). He sometimes worked other locations for overtime. This picture looks toward the East Tower during the Character Carnival. Clint said, "I had the best work location on Disney property. The Towers were a bit inside and outside. Every day I saw the character parades and each night a fireworks and laser show called IllumiNations. The Disney entertainment was always spectacular. Interacting with the park guests each day was a special treat. Everyone was friendly. Although not everyone spoke English, at best we could always communicate with a smile. I even met some celebrities on their vacations."
He worked at both the Port of Entry (West Tower), Disney Traders (East Tower), and merchandise gift carts. Occasionally he would sell 'Glow' after sunset near the performance of IllumiNations.
The Disney supervisor gave Clint special permission to have another job outside of the Walt Disney World College Program. In fact, it was said Clint had been the only Cast Member on the program to have this exception. He worked an on-air shift each Saturday evening (6 p.m. until 1 a.m.) at WTLN 95.3 FM radio studios and transmitter site in Apopka, a 40-minute ride from Vista Way Apartments.
1990 Highlights
The Walt Disney World College Program was filled with friendship, learning, working, and having fun. These are a few highlights from Clint's journal.
March 19 - Disney Representatives present the program at Widener University
March 20 - Interviewed and auditioned with WDW recruiter (Karen) on campus
April 12 - Received letter of acceptance
September 10 - Check in at Vista Way Apartments #1107
September 11-13 - Disney Traditions, orientation and training
September 14 - First day of work at World Showcase Towers; EPCOT Center Merchandise
September 15 - Cash handling class
September 22 - First day of work at WTLN radio station
September 25 - Visited Universal Studios Florida (1st time visit as new park just opened 110 days prior)
October 4 - Seminars began: Studio Production Curriculum (Ralph Clemente, Instructor)
October 5 - Visited Tampa and Clearwater
October 12-15 - Family visited WDW
October 31 - Halloween party with College Program friends at Church Street Station
November 2 - Visited Cocoa Beach and Space Center with friends
November 16 - Norwegian Nerd Party
November 19 - Toured Haunted Mansion's backstage operation
November 22 - Thanksgiving at Dan's apartment with Joan and Walbert
November 23 - Magic Kingdom: Main Street Electrical Parade and Fireworks
November 26 - Toured Norwegian boat ride (The Malestrom) backstage operation
November 30 - Worked retail at Magic Kingdom (Emporium on Main Street)
December 1 - Visited Universal Studios (2nd time)
December 2 - Watched Space Shuttle launch approximately 2 a.m.; Cast Christmas party with visiting brother Matt
December 10-12 - Visited Florida Mall, Xanadu Home of the Future, resorts
December 12 - Worked retail at Disney-MGM Studios (Golden Age, Star Tours, Indy Cart)
December 16 - Worked retail at Pleasure Island (Avigator's)
December 20 - Toured Adventure's Club backstage operation; Grad Ball Dinner Dance at Lake Buena Vista Hilton
December 21 - WTLN Christmas Party
December 31 - Worked New Year's Celebration at EPCOT featuring live bands and special IllumiNations
January 4, 1991 - Toured IllumiNations backstage operation at EPCOT Center and watched show from control center at Mexican Pavilion
January 5, 1991 - Checked out at Vista Way Apartments; last day of work at WTLN radio station
Vista Way Apartments houses both the Walt Disney World College Program and International Program students. College Program students could be assigned work at various locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. International Program students primarily worked at their country of origin at EPCOT Center's World Showcase
Vista Way Apartments
13501 Meadow Creek Drive
Orlando, FL, 32821
The facilities at Vista Way were independently contracted to EPOCH Management.
As part of the Fall 1990 Walt Disney World College Program, living with other students from across the United States and around the world was a tremendous multicultural experience.
Later becoming a WDWCT (seasonal employee), Clint Dantinne also worked during the summers of 1991 and 1992 and all Christmas holidays through 1996. He participated in the Cast Member sneak preview prior to the grand opening of Splash Mountain in 1992, then again when the same attraction was reimagined as Tiana's Bayou Adventure in 2024.
While working, Clint met thousands of guests including comedian Gallagher and radio personality John Lander. Disney executives Michael Eisner (CEO) and Frank Wells (COO) walked past him too one day.
Clint spent a week in southern California visiting Disneyland and Walt Disney's Carolwood home during the summer of 1991. He also visited The Walt Disney Studios property to see the iconic 1939 water tower and Team Disney Building (Seven Dwarfs as pillars). That same season he returned to Florida for work at EPCOT and the Disney-MGM Studios.
"It was a pleasure and privilege to be a part of Walt's dream."
Clint Dantinne
I visited Vista Way apartments on the 30th anniversary of my start for the Walt Disney World College Program. The property was vacant as a global pandemic sadly halted the many of the programs and work opportunities.
Disney was always a popular vacation destination for my parents and family while growing up. As a boy, I visited Walt Disney World and Disneyland many times. Once after a show performance at Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland Terrace, I met musician Michael Iceberg (August 1981). This is where I was first exposed to electronic music through keyboards and synthesizers. Although I was only a young boy at the time, Iceberg gave me his undivided attention and business card. That magical moment and level of respect meant a lot. It seems like I have been with Walt Disney World from the beginning. I was there for the 25th... and wouldn't miss being a part of the 50th.
On July 9, 2021, I began working part-time once again at Walt Disney World after so many years! This time, I am working in attractions within Fantasyland - the heart of the Magic Kingdom and all Disney Parks & Resorts. My Fantasyland attractions include Dumbo the Flying Elephant (inside play tent and outside revolving flyer), The Barnstormer (roller coaster) and Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid (dark ride). For me, there is a great reverence for The Most Magical Place on Earth.
On May 27, 1969, construction began on Walt Disney World. A groundbreaking ceremony (press release PDF) had taken place in 1967, but extensive preparation of the property had to be completed before actual construction work could begin. "Six million yards of earth were needed to fill low areas," the Orlando Sentinel's Emily Bavar wrote about the project earlier that May. When one of the project's lead designers had first seen the site years before, he asked his boss, "What are we going to do with all this swamp?" Walt Disney replied, "That's not swamp. That's beautiful land."
Orange County Regional History Center
While at Fantasyland, I assisted at various checkpoints for park opening, crowd control, guest relations, and special events including Fireworks & Nighttime Entertainment (Disney Enchantment, Fourth of July Celebration and New Year's Eve), Disney After Hours Boo Bash, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
From Fantasyland attractions, I transferred in August 2022 to Disney's Hollywood Studios beginning with the attraction The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I also was selected to work on the theatre attraction re-opening team for Fantasmic! Later, I would be trained for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Sunset Showcase then Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has been my favorite attraction to work for its sophisticated and creative ride design. Many guests have asked to get their pictures taken with me in the bellhop costume, making me feel somewhat like a minor character celebrity. Incidentally, my bellhop trench coat came from the former ride at Disneyland - Disney California Adventure.
August 1, 2023 - Toured Fantasmic! backstage operation including control booth (show, fireworks, light and laser operation), "the island" (every tier of staged performances), barges, steamboat, costuming, green room and technical workshop.
I celebrated the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company on October 16, 2023 by viewing Once Upon A Studio on Disney+ then making magic for guests while working a shift at Walt Disney World.
I had also previously submitted some of my original photographs for the Disney100 Employee Experience Photo Gallery curated by National Geographic Image Collection.
I created the Sunset Blvd 94 initiative and designed this logo celebrating the 30 years of Sunset Boulevard (1994-2024) at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This ongoing collaborative effort documents the history, celebrates the people and tells the stories of Disney's third theme park in Orlando.
List of part-time work experience
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