4. It’s a carefully crafted experience

Of course, like everything else at Disney, Traditions pulls out all the stops to push just the right emotional buttons, enhance learning and retention, and indoctrinate new cast members into the Disney way of life. From the perfectly sharpened pencils sitting at every place to the carefully chosen trainer who effortlessly embodies the Disney Look, no element of the experience is left to random chance. Breaks are taken at precisely the right moment, the walking tour is peppered with just the right number of rides, and every lesson is accompanied by the perfect on the job story to reflect its importance. If you happen to be interested in social engineering, try to pull back a little during Traditions to marvel at its effectiveness.

5. You will learn a LOT

Traditions is what it is because it works. The time tested, proven formula results in a tremendous amount of learning taking place in a remarkably short period of time. One of the best things about Traditions is that there are no tests, and you are not responsible for remembering the material in any usual manner. With the pressure off, you are free to bask in your experience moment by moment which, in turn, actually leads to most people retaining more of the information.

My first Traditions was 20 years ago, and I still remember quite a bit of the day and the specifics that we covered. It might seem a little overwhelming in the moment, but take time to reflect in the coming days and you will be astonished by how much you remember. 

6. It’s only the beginning

Disney training takes a top down approach. Everyone, from custodial staff to upper management, goes through Traditions. This creates a unity and harmony that is difficult for other big companies to match. From there, Cast Members are split off according to work location for an overall orientation to their park or resort, and then again according to general job classification. Only after all this top level training will you learn the specifics of your particular assignment, such as Fantasyland attractions or Main Street Emporium. The idea is that in order to understand how you fit into the show, you first need to understand the show in a big picture way.

If you love your Traditions class, you will be in awe of your further orientation and training sessions. Learning the secrets of your park or resort, understanding the purpose and positioning of your general job title, and then finally exploring the day to day tasks of your unique job creates a sense of wonder, excitement, and responsibility that is difficult to explain.

Have you been through Traditions? What were your overall impressions of the class? Did I miss any highlights, or gloss over anything you didn’t like? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!