Disney recruiting Cast Members for the Cultural Representative Program to work at Epcot's World Showcase

Jun 04, 2020 in "Mexico (Pavilion)"

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Posted: Thursday June 4, 2020 1:35pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has begun recruiting Cast Members for the Cultural Representative Program in Epcot's World Showcase.

The program is now accepting applications for positions in the Mexico pavilion that could start between January and June 2021, with an application deadline of June 12 2020.

According to Cast Member Union representatives, Epcot will reopen on July 15 without any Cultural Representative Cast Members, due to their contracts being terminated when COVID-19 forced the closure of the parks in mid-March 2020. The Union suggests that Disney will use existing local Cast Members to operate the pavilions during the reopening period.

Here is the full posting:

Job Summary:
The Cultural Representative Program is a twelve-month work experience located at Walt Disney World® Resort, near Orlando, Florida. Participants have the opportunity to share the unique culture and customs of their country with Guests, while working different front line, guest facing roles. Participants must authentically represent one of the countries or regions we have recreated in look and feel at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Countries and regions represented are: Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Southeast Asia (India, Indonesia, Thailand), Sub-Saharan Africa (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), and United Kingdom.

Within the World Showcase at Epcot, there are eight independent participant companies that have contracts with Disney. These companies (Operating Participants) were selected for the unique contributions in cuisine or merchandise they offer from their home countries. Cultural Representatives working in these areas are employees of the Operating Participant company, but still part of Disney International Programs.

Accepting applications for positions that could start between January and June 2021.

Application deadline is June 12th, 2020.

Discuss on the Forums

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RainemanJun 19, 2020

Hmmmm...are you describing China, or TWDC? Emperor @realBobChapek , anyone? :D On a more serious note, if I were going to Epcot this summer, I would really miss going to our first stop in WS, the Canada pavilion, and being able to speak to some CMs that are Canucks as well. Any time we see a CM working there that is from our area, we always mention where we are from, and almost every time they will tell us that they used to live there, they have friends there, etc. It's like we are getting a little piece of home while we are far from home, and I'm sure it is nice for the CMs as well, especially since they are gone from home for extended periods while working at WDW.

The Empress LillyJun 19, 2020

Travel a bit, see the world. :) Most people would love to swap and live in the good ol' US of A, mankinds' all-time greatest succes story. ♡

ObobruJun 18, 2020

I totally agree

LilofanJun 10, 2020

Many I know and myself like Chinese food so we could be going to China for lunch or dinner.

MainahmanJun 09, 2020

More room for me! I love love love China! the Soldiers <3

Horizons '83Jun 08, 2020

Its no disrespect to you, WDW862 is simply asking you to move the COVID conversation to the proper thread. Back on topic, I think as long as their intentions are to hire back international cast members in January to retain World Showcase's authenticity, I think this is the next best option in order for Epcot to open.

WDW862Jun 08, 2020

No, you're being off-topic.

MinthorneJun 08, 2020

I think the Epcot versions of international attire already have the bad taste angle covered before anyone puts them on.

LilofanJun 08, 2020

American CMs wearing those cute kimonos and wooden sandles shoes the Japan cast wear will be different.

DVCakaCarlFJun 08, 2020

It would be in bad taste for CMs to wear international attire of the respective countries...hopefully, they coordinate it in a way to staff each country with CMs with either knowledge or heritage related to each country.

WDW862Jun 07, 2020

You can't say anything for certain. This is also the wrong thread to be talking about this.

castlecake2.0Jun 06, 2020

Usually that’s the rule, that if you are not from the host country you can’t wear the national costume, but from what I’ve heard, that rule won’t apply for the time being

aladdin2007Jun 06, 2020

I dont think they are going to try to even fake it, I doubt the temp cast will be wearing the pavilion costumes. But instead will just be working in the standard world showcase white pants/shorts world flags shirts. I mean I dont know that for sure, just a hunch that's the route they will take until the actual hosts are able to work here again.

The Empress LillyJun 05, 2020

I see, thanks. I was wondering why Americans who staff the pavilion should be worried. China is astonishing, but also a tyrannical dictatorship bent on global domination. No need to mince words about that. ;)