You’re in Safe Hands With Disney Lifeguards

Walt Disney World is renowned for its outstanding Guest service, and that doesn’t just mean in the Disney Parks. It encompasses all aspects of Cast Members’ interaction with Guests: from dining experiences to merchandise locations; recreational activities and those involving water too. 

When you consider the number of water activities available for Guests to enjoy in the Walt Disney World Resort, it is no wonder that water safety has to be a priority. Did you know that Walt Disney World has 5 beaches, 10 marinas, and more than 50 Resort pools? That’s before you think about the fun that is available in Disney’s water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. 

The roles available for Cast Members to occupy that ensure the correct operation of the water activities around the Walt Disney World Resort includes:

• Pool Attendant
• Slide Operations
• Marina Operations
• Lifeguard

These roles can also be found onboard Disney Cruise Line and at Disney Castaway Cay. Wherever you see a Disney lifeguard, you’ll find it easy to spot them. They can be identified by the famous white polo shirt and red shorts or pants. In terms of shoes, lifeguards can choose to wear black sandals, Crocs or white trainers. 

The Position of a Disney Lifeguard

The role of a lifeguard is one that Cast Members can be assigned when joining The Walt Disney Company. Lifeguards have a key role in the operating of Disney Resort hotel pools and Disney water parks. They ensure Guests’ well-being by providing assistance and information and also help to keep pool areas clean. In addition to the supervising pool areas, lifeguards are also reliable for cleaning and using towels around the Disney Resort pools, provision life vests to Guests who require them, and dispatching Guests at slide locations.

Disney lifeguards can occupy the regular lifeguard role, known as a shallow water lifeguard. This role allows them to supervise most bodies of water around Walt Disney World. They can also complete additional training and a deep water swim test to become a deep water lifeguard. This role allows them to supervise waters such as the wave pool in Typhoon Lagoon.

A Rigorous Test

To be successful in becoming a Disney lifeguard Cast Member, applicants have to complete a rigorous shallow water swim test, in addition to the regular application process for the role of a Cast Member. The test assesses a person’s competence in the water including; the ability to swim 200 yards continuously; and treat water continuously for 2 minutes with raised arms. Sounds easier than it is!

Extensive Training 

Once a Cast Member has received the role of Lifeguard, they begin their training. It is preferred that Cast Members have a previous lifeguard or swimming instructor experience, but this does not provide them with exemption from training.

Lifeguard training takes place over several days. Previously this has taken place at Mickey’s Retreat; a Cast Member recreational area located at Little Lake Bryan. Training includes time in the pool, learning and practicing rescues, and the safe supervision of a pool area. Cast Members have the opportunity to work in teams as well as individually during this time.

Time spent outside of the pool includes full CPR training and practice time. Lifeguards will practice techniques on one another, using the safety kit that they are provided with during their training. CPR training covers the use of a defibrillator, as well as the CPR that is administered to infants and children.

Cast Members also undertake some theory-based training, in preparation for the written assessment that they will take at the end of their lifeguard training. The theory includes the use of videos where Cast Members identify errors made in rescues shown (that have taken place elsewhere in the world, outside of Walt Disney World). 

Final Assessment

Upon completion of the lifeguard training, Cast Members take an assessment that is split into 3 parts.

The first part takes place in and around the training pool area, where lifeguards work in teams to show their competency in performing different rescues. The second round involves the CPR assessment where Cast Members are required to demonstrate the performance of correct CPR to a model adult, child, and baby doll. If successful in both of the practical elements, lifeguards progress on to the final assessment which is the written assessment. Upon successful completion of all parts, Cast Members officially become Walt Disney World lifeguards. It’s then onto their location, to begin their daily work.

Regular Training on the Job

Have you ever been a little frustrated that you have to wait until at least 9:00 a.m. for the Disney Resort pools to open? Well, there’s a good reason for that. Pool cleaning and lifeguard in-service training take place during the early hours of the day before pool opening hours. 

Lifeguard Cast Members regularly take part in training to ensure their skills are kept fresh so that they can apply them to emergency situations. You can bet that you are in safe hands when at a water area in Lake Buena Vista.

Lifeguards in Action

Next time you’re relaxing by a Disney Resort pool, pay attention to what a lifeguard does when on duty. You’ll see them scanning their water, which they have to do every 30 seconds whilst on duty. Notice how they rotate around every 30 minutes, to allow for breaks, and to also encourage lifeguards to remain vigilant in each position. Before one lifeguard leaves a position, another arrives, scans their water, and gives a hand signal to show that they are ready to take a position. The lifeguard is about to leave the position, then scans the water, before repeating the hand signal and then leaving. 

Whilst they are occupying an incredibly important role, Disney lifeguard hosts can have fun too! You’ll find that they help to run activities inside when there is a storm, and the pool area is cleared to keep Guests safe. If the Cupid Shuffle is played around the pool area, don’t be surprised if lifeguards who are not in a position at the water’s edge will join in too. Lifeguards can also help with Guest needs and answer Guest questions when looking after Resort towels. Be sure to ask a lifeguard Cast Member for help if you need it!