Disney University Company department created in 1962 at Disneyland to prepare new cast members for their roles by communicating a basic understanding of the Disney traditions and philosophies, to provide advanced training classes, and to handle cast communications and cast activities. The University evolved out of a training department, which had been established in the Spring of 1955 by Van France, and a cast activities group known as the Disneyland Recreation Club started that same year. It was originally known as the University of Disneyland, but when Walt Disney World needed a similar department in 1971, the name Disney University was chosen. A third Disney University was established at the Disney Studio in Burbank in 1977. Additional branches later opened at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
