A new study has shed light on the most and least desirable jobs at The Walt Disney Company, revealing a mix of surprising insights into employee satisfaction across various roles. The analysis, conducted by Disney travel planning experts MagicGuides, drew from Glassdoor reviews to assess job satisfaction at Disney based on several key factors.
Top-Rated Roles
Internships at Disney have emerged as the most highly rated job, scoring an impressive 74.38 out of 100. The role of an intern not only received high marks for overall job satisfaction but also excelled in recommendations and CEO approval. Interns reported a positive experience with an average rating of 4.37 out of 5, and their enthusiasm extends to recommending Disney as an employer to others. This high satisfaction rate is underpinned by Disney’s comprehensive internship programme, which offers valuable experience and insight into the company’s operations.
Following closely is the role within procurement, scoring 65.73 out of 100. Employees in this sector, which involves buying and sourcing materials, reported strong job satisfaction and positive views of Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger. Procurement staff were notably likely to recommend working at Disney, reflecting their generally positive experiences.
Senior management also rated highly, with a score of 65.38 out of 100. Senior managers benefit from competitive salaries and a relatively high level of job satisfaction, though their ratings suggest that their experiences, while positive, are not without challenges.
Architects, who design and oversee the construction of Disney’s iconic structures, also received favourable reviews. They scored 64.64 out of 100, reflecting their approval of the company’s leadership and long-term business outlook. However, despite their high approval ratings, architects are not as likely to recommend Disney to friends compared to interns.
The top 10 best jobs in Disney
| Rank | Job role or sector | Score out of 100 |
| 1 | Intern | 74.38 |
| 2 | Procurement | 65.73 |
| 3 | Senior management | 65.38 |
| 4 | Architect | 64.64 |
| 5 | Legal | 61.28 |
| 6 | Account management | 60.71 |
| 7 | Research | 59.98 |
| 8 | Working with animals | 59.40 |
| 9 | Director | 57.49 |
| 10 | Finance | 56.98 |
The Less Favoured Roles
At the other end of the spectrum, mechanics emerged as the least satisfied employees, with a dismal score of 23.79 out of 100. This role involves maintaining and repairing rides, which can be physically demanding and hazardous. Mechanics rated their job satisfaction at just 3.76 out of 5, indicating significant dissatisfaction and challenges in their daily tasks.
The costume department also ranked poorly, with a score of 23.91 out of 100. Employees in this role, which involves creating and managing costumes for Disney’s characters, reported the lowest approval of Disney’s CEO and overall job satisfaction.
Construction workers, tasked with building and maintaining Disney’s physical infrastructure, scored 28.67 out of 100. This role was marked by a low mean business outlook, suggesting that many construction workers are considering leaving the company.
Guest-facing roles, including those in food services and guest services, also struggled in the rankings. These positions, which involve direct interaction with Disney’s visitors, scored in the lower half of the list, reflecting a disconnect between the desire to create memorable experiences for guests and personal job satisfaction.
The top 10 worst jobs in Disney
| Rank | Job role or sector | Score out of 100 |
| 1 | Mechanic | 23.79 |
| 2 | Costume | 23.91 |
| 3 | Construction | 28.67 |
| 4 | Transport | 29.64 |
| 5 | Guest service | 32.57 |
| 6 | Executive assistant | 33.62 |
| 7 | Security | 36.09 |
| 8 | Food | 36.83 |
| 9 | Logistics | 37.25 |
| 10 | Admin | 38.18 |
Broader Implications and Insights
The findings highlight a significant variance in job satisfaction across Disney’s diverse range of roles. While positions such as internships and procurement offer high levels of satisfaction and positive perceptions of company leadership, other roles face challenges related to job demands and overall workplace conditions.
MagicGuides’ spokesperson commented on the broad range of opportunities at Disney, noting the company’s extensive global workforce of approximately 225,000. With such a large and varied team, there is a role for nearly every skill set and interest, whether it’s on the front lines or behind the scenes.
For those interested in working with Disney but not directly employed by the company, alternative options such as becoming a Disney-focused travel agent offer attractive opportunities. Travel agents who specialise in Disney vacations can earn substantial commissions and enjoy perks like flexible working hours and free park tickets.
Overall, the study provides a valuable perspective on Disney’s workplace culture, offering insights into which roles offer the best experiences and which ones may present more significant challenges. As Disney continues to evolve, understanding employee satisfaction across various roles will be crucial for maintaining a positive work environment and ensuring the company remains an attractive place to work.
