Anyone ever consider part-time work at Disney in retirement?

[trampslady]

Hubby and I LUV our DVC and people always tease us that we should retire and work at Disney. I currently work for an airline and have always been in Customer Relations. I've always laughed off the idea of working at WDW as I have no desire to live in Florida. That said, I recently talked to a snowbirder who lives in Orlando 5 months out of the year and he and his wife both work at WDW part time.

Anyone else consider WDW as a part time gig?

[MaryAnnDVC]

DH and I talk about that too. I think he'd be a perfect boat captain. :) I'd like to be a Princess, but would probably have a better shot at Fairy Godmother. :laughing:

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Have joked about this w/ DW since before we got married. Ideal job would be bus or monorail operator, but would go for a boat captain as well.:wizard:

[trampslady]

Hubby could do just about anything as he's a mechanical engineer by trade and also has a CDL driver's license. He LUVS to chat with folks, so he'd have the perfect disposition for working with people.

[Rock'n Robin]

Oh yeah, we've discussed this. I want to either be Fairy Godmother (I can't retire until I'm 57 and kids are out of college!) or work at the gift shop in Liberty Square. DH could do whatever or just work in home improvement down there.
Of course, it all depend on where my someday grandchildren are.
Robin M.

[jb.brooks]

Yes, I :confused3 :surfweb: have contemplated that hundreds of times in my head and did not how to go about it, did not know what i wanted to do and was not sure i wanted to live in florida unless i lived right in orlando. i live in the north east around baltimore in the country love the quiet but am only 35 min to balt, 25 to 30 min to phila. i know what to expect as far as critters out here but to live in the florida country side would be unsettling. i thought about monorail driver, i talked to a driver once and he told me the safety issues are real intense and if did work for disney i would want it to fun not stressful.

[lovinthemouse]

I absolutely would love to work at WDW. It would suit me just fine to sell mickey mouse stuff in a gift shop. :goodvibes :goodvibes

[PutnamDS]

I've thought about it. Last time I was at WDW, I rode the boat with a nice lady who told me that's exactly what she does. Actually both she and her DH work there and they just love it. It seems like an awfully nice way to live during retirement.

Deb

[psu4glory]

this topic of discussion ABSOLUTELY comes up at least once during every one of our WDW vacations...i always say that i'd LOVE to be an engineer for one of MK's steam engines when i retire...not exactly sure what DW's dream disney-retirement job would be, but with 60,000+ to pick from, i'm sure there's something that would suit us both!

[dianeschlicht]

YES! We talk about it every trip. DH wants to drive a Disney bus and I can do just about anything that involves interaction with others! It would be a GREAT winter snow bird get away! Of course, we'd want to tack on a couple of weeks stay at DVC as a vacation before we headed home too!

[CarolA]

I do plan to do this.

Women in my family tradionally live a LONG time (well into thier 90s) So I could have a long retirement and I like to be busy. I have quizzed Disney retiree workers on this several times LOL!

My "Dream" job would be the Safari driver. I met a retiree who lived in Haines City and did this. I quizzed her a LOT!

My other choice would be the "special" events. There are lots of part time retirees at things like Food & Wine, escorting "desert parties" etc....

[DVC Mike]

Yes, when I retire I want to work in Epcot outside the France pavilion where I'll be one of the performers who build a tower out of chairs and balance on top.

:smooth:

[DVC-Don]

Paramedic I used to work with retired and both her and her husband worked three winter seasons at WDW. They loved it. She said they worked 3 days a week mostly selling popcorn at the Studios.

[PIERCEDRN]

My wife and I were kicking this idea around for a few minutes last week. We are both nurses and would love to "retire" to a job in Disney. I just don't know what options are available on-site, so I will have to look into it. I did see a medical building for the cast members, so that may be an option.
My wife wants to try to retire to DVC... now that will take some serious points!

[Horace Horsecollar]

Living part of the year in Central Florida after retirement and working part-time for WDW is an appealing idea.

I realize that the pay would be comparable to other hourly service jobs (in other words, low) and that having to work in one place on a set schedule is not the same as being a WDW guest.

One big "plus" would be to get Cast Member discounts, such CM rates on Disney cruises, CM merchandise sales, and CM park admission. Such benefits might be difficult to use if you're a young CM trying to make ends meet. But a retiree with a pension and savings could really enjoy them.

[ksoehrlein]

One big "plus" would be to get Cast Member discounts, such CM rates on Disney cruises, CM merchandise sales, and CM park admission. Such benefits might be difficult to use if you're a young CM trying to make ends meet. But a retiree with a pension and savings could really enjoy them.
ITA. I was a Merchandise CM right out of college and I grew quite accustomed to those perks. They were really hard to give up!

We're hoping to move to Central FL in our retirement years, if not earlier. DH is in the medical field, so PIERCEDRN, I'm right with you in keeping an eye out for that CM medical center to start hiring!

[wintergreen]

Darn tootin!

[dismorgh]

DW and I talk about it a lot. We would both LOVE to work at Disney. Once our youngest graduates from HS in 2 years, we will be pushing to move there right away. We have both lived in FL before (I actually lived in Orlando for years growing up), so the weather and all doesn't bother us. She can work for them right away, and I can later on.

[ScottOKW2K]

My wife and I were talking about this last night ! In fact, over the weekend I was doing through the bills and got to the mortgage and 401K papers that needed to be filed. Ran some numbers and before the weekend was out increased the mortgage payment so the house will be paid off when I reach Rule of 85 at age 55. With a ddecent pension, paid off house and a decent amount in savings retiring to the Mouse doesn't look too bad.

My dream job - probably something at the AK park. We just LOVE watching Illuminations, and the AK almost always closes 2~4 hours before Epcot. Enough time to finish up, change, and head to Epcot for the show !

[DoOverDreams]

Wow, would we love to do this! We've actually talked about it a lot. Be "snow birds". Come down and work in the winter, come back to PA in the summer.

I've been trying to get a hold of a Disney Security jacket for years now. For some reason I just love that jacket! Turquoise, purple, blue...lovely. No luck yet though. I'll keep trying....:rolleyes1

The security guards always tell me the only way I'll get one is to come work for Disney. So, some day when we retire I just might get that lovely jacket. Oh dear, I hope they don't change the design.

Now, can you live at a DVC resort AND work for Disney? Wonder how many points we would need....:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

[hellerjw]

Funny you ask. I threaten to quit my job and go to work at Disney selling turkey legs in Frontierland about twice a month, especially when things get really stressfull.

Of course, I could just move there now and start my Disney career but I wouldn't want to ruin my "retirement job" :)

[Tarheel Tink]

I'm a veterinary technician and spoke with one of the technicians at AK. I saw a radiograph of a snake with a golf ball in it- she told me it was a rattlesnake from one of the golf courses and that they surgically removed the golf ball and released the snake. :scared1: Venomous snake; uh, well, I don't think so but I feel sure I could get in a non-reptile position!
DH is one of the many I read that wants to be a boat captain!

[dunbarfamily]

Funny...my husband and I talk about this frequently. He goes back and forth between wanting to change lightbulbs on Main Street USA (he is a strange, strange man!) and being a boat captain. I'd like to be more behind the scenes, like telling the parade people when to start or something...

hmmmm....only about 22 years longer.....

[cpdwiz]

Hubby and I LUV our DVC and people always tease us that we should retire and work at Disney. I currently work for an airline and have always been in Customer Relations. I've always laughed off the idea of working at WDW as I have no desire to live in Florida. That said, I recently talked to a snowbirder who lives in Orlando 5 months out of the year and he and his wife both work at WDW part time.

Anyone else consider WDW as a part time gig?

Jessica and I have said, when the kids are old enough to take care of themselves, we are going south and work part-time. Me, probably security, her? Jungle Boat Captain or Ride Operator at Great Movie Ride. She would be awesome at both!!

[dairyqueenmom]

Disney is our retirement plans. I am a teacher/Corp. trainer and my DH is a Corp. Accountant, so I have no idea what we would do but would love to work there in retirement.

[paults]

Ok where do I find out what jobs are available now, we retire this year.:goodvibes

[BamaEd1]

We are loosely planning on doing just that. I want to drive trains around MK and DW wants to do about 50 different jobs! Just have to get the kids in college....16 1/2 years left for the last one.....sigh.

[roadtripper]

I want to wear a white Mickey hand and wave goodbye to everyone as they leave the park at the end of the day.

DH wants to be the mayor of Main St USA.

We saw a retired HS principal from our area working on Buzz Lightyear a few years ago. Boy, did he look happy!

[JimMIA]

i know what to expect as far as critters out here but to live in the florida country side would be unsettling. With the exception of alligators (who won't bother you if you don't bother them), it's the same cast of characters that you'd find just about anywhere -- whitetail deer, racoons, possums, coyote, foxes, squirrels, a few snakes (mostly non-venomous), occasional black bear, rare Florida Panther, assorted bugs, lizzards, frogs, LOTS of birds. No different than living in any other rural area, except for the incredible variety of bird life.

We worry a lot more about the humans...especially behind the wheel of a car!

[DeeCee735]

We talk about it all the time. Although I think we'd have to rent here in the NE for the summer months, I don't see us owning two homes or condo's.

Anyway, DH wants to be a boat captain or bus driver - I want to sell DVC, or man one of the DVC kiosk's and talk to people about it and set up their tours. Got two kids in college now, and am still 15 years or more away from retiring, but it makes for nice dreams!

[Simba's Mom]

OMG-DH and I have a funny "agreement" about that. I'd love to work at WDW part time in retirement, but he wouldn't (his dream is to work on a golf course in Alabama). He knows that if anything happens to him, I'm packed and at WDW on the next flight out.

[LisaS]

My retirement job would be working in AK answering questions about the animals along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. I always joke with my DH that someday I'll be the CM who tells guests all about the naked mole rats. Unfortunately it gets really hot in that building so maybe I will apply for a job up in the Conservation Station where it's air conditioned.

[disneymom8589]

DH would move down there tomorrow if I agreed!! :lmao: He works for a worldwide company that has Disney as one of its accounts. My dream job would be to coordinate Disney weddings, although working in a gift shop would also be fun. DH and I met a family from our hometown during our recent visit after they overheard us talking about DVC. We talked to them about it and suggested they visit the Preview Center. We ran into them at California Grill the next night and they bought 200 points at SSR. I guess DH and I could work for DVC since we already made one sale!! ;)

[Swan]

We have bben talking about since our hoenymoon in 1990. At that time we wanted to work as Paramedics but that has changed with age. Now I think I would love to work at AK. It is so pretty I love the plants and would enjoy looking at them every day. My hubby wants to work on the momorail. I would not mind working the wine seninars either.

[TSMIII]

Yeah, a boat captain or a monorail pilot - afterall, I can spread disinformation about mysterious crescent shape buildings just as well as the next guy!:teeth:

[deej696]

I have often said that when it comes time for me to retire, that I would like to work part time at one of the Disney golf courses. My concern though, is that working at Disney may make me start to not like it, even if it is just part time. I used to dream about working in the hotel business, but being married to a hotel for a career made me hate them for a while, till I changed careers that is. Perhaps one of the golf courses would be different because its secluded from the parks and resorts.....

Of course, the ultimate job may make me change my mind.....MONORAIL PILOT!:thumbsup2

[jpeka65844]

I'm a musician: piano player/music director by trade. DH jokes that we're retiring to Orlando and I'm working for Disney doing shows.

I auditioned for Busch Gardens once and while they said that couldn't use me, they DID say I'd be a good fit for Disney!!!

[tink4ever]

I would just love to work in one of the shops on Main Street. I don't know what my DH would do but it is something that I would do part time. Have a condo in Florida and a condo back in CT sounds perfect!!! Dare to dream!!!:cheer2:

[Caskbill]

I'm a geek and like computers. And WDW runs on computers. I'm also an Engineer, and the behind the scenes stuff is fascinating. Don't know how my dad put up with me as I was always taking things apart to see how they worked. WDW has some really, really, really NEAT stuff.

Or maybe I could get a job working on an on-line DVC reservations system.....:rolleyes1

[nzdisneymom]

We're not quite yet at retirement age (although DH gets his 30 yrs in with his job on the 24th of this month and he COULD retire), but we have talked about this as well. I even called Casting to find out about requirements for becoming a seasonal employee. You have to work a certain length of time as at least a part-time CM before you could go "seasonal." Seems like it was 3 months.

We considered letting me take a LOA from my current job for three months, bank and borrow enough DVC points to live in a studio for three months while we each worked at WDW and then go seasonal.

I heard a DVC sales rep say that CMs get discounts on purchasing DVC (not sure how much or if it's just a promotional thing)... we would certainly add on more points if we could get a good discount (I just learned on the Wonder that you can own up to 2,000 points at any one property and up to 5,000 points in all of DVC). We'd use the discount for cruising, too, probably more than anything else.

Dreamin' dreamin' dreamin'.... when I should be working working working........

[RCharnay]

We talk about it every trip. As long as the job was guest-related and not food-related, I think I'd love it. Maybe giving backstage tours or working with groups. DH would be great working backstage on the live shows or hosting a ride. As long as we can see people laughing and hear kids squeeling with joy.
You can check out jobs online. Something like disney.go.careers.com?:surfweb:

[CarolA]

Yeah, a boat captain or a monorail pilot - afterall, I can spread disinformation about mysterious crescent shape buildings just as well as the next guy!:teeth:


:rotfl2: :lmao:

[berly1657]

My husband and I both said we will be working part time at Dis for the winter months when we retire - what fun. I would pick working in air conditioning - concierge, front desk at a hotel etc...he would do whatever, maintenance etc. We joke that he could play in one of the bands that roam the streets.

In the summer we will be traveling on motorcylces. I am not sold on this yet, but that looked very appealing to him last summer on our trip out west. I thought trailering them and taking short runs would be fine. I guess we would first have to get cycles....

We have 20 years yet...

[a Really Bad Egg]

I'm going to drive the DVC van.
:thumbsup2

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Funny you ask. I threaten to quit my job and go to work at Disney selling turkey legs in Frontierland about twice a month, especially when things get really stressfull.

Of course, I could just move there now and start my Disney career but I wouldn't want to ruin my "retirement job" :)

I couldn't do this...eating the profits is too harmful to business from what I understand!! Turkey legs, beware!!!:tiptoe:

[ZekeKelso]

Step 1: Get job as monorail pilot

Step 2: Get Caskbill to put his computer/engineering skills to work overriding any speed regulators or safety switches

Step 3: Crank that baby up to 100 mph

[CarolA]

Step 1: Get job as monorail pilot

Step 2: Get Caskbill to put his computer/engineering skills to work overriding any speed regulators or safety switches

Step 3: Crank that baby up to 100 mph

Step 4: Unemployment, but it was fun while it lasted!:lmao:

[bnlbebes]

I'd love to retire and work for Disney - in Anaheim though, love the Southern California weather! :cool2:

However...

I'm wondering how realistic a goal this is for most folks. From what I understand Disney jobs don't pay all that much. True? :confused:

And the last time she was down at WDW, my DM who is a school bus driver talked with one of the resort bus drivers. He said that Disney tends NOT to hire drivers with experience. They like to train their own from the start and pay them at entry level rates.

[bobbiwoz]

DH would do something in transportation, probably most likely the train....or he has also thought about working on the shore doing cruise line check-ins. On our MC in '05 we met a lovely couple who have jobs driving DVC vans. That does interest me....as does being the helper on a Friendship boat.

It's living in Florida that's stopping us. We also are thinking about Tennessee. We have also begun looking into retirement opportunities in Dollywood. It closes for the winter months. It's great having options!!!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[trampslady]

I know that we would not necessarily be working for the $$ at all if we end up spending 3-4 months of the year working for Disney. The pay is very low; however, we don't have children and hope to retire rather early (I can retire with free air travel at 47). We will definitely need something to keep us busy.

I just love the idea of doing something that we will enjoy, but not for such a long time that we decide we don't enjoy it after all!

[tjhsr]

Driving one of the trams has been a dream job sense my first trip in 71".The kids get a good laugh when i start saying you are parked in the mickey section aisle 38-42. Everyone at work thinks thats where i will end up some day.:banana: :banana:

[eporter66]

We talk about it often, living here in cold upstate NY, retiring to Florida seems like a wonderful way to live. We have often discussed that we would like to work at WDW.

The problem is, it is still work. I am sure we all fantasize at how great it would be, and I must admit that we usually encounter very friendly staff. This leads me to believe that Disney would seem to be a good employer. I would love to be :
1. Monorail Operator
2. Hotel Lobby greeter
3. Starter at one of the golf courses

I would love to read about people who have worked in their retirement for WDW.

[dsquarednz]

YES! We dream of this often. We truly love living in New Zealand, but it would be great to spend half of the year here and half of the year in the other place that we love (WDW) when we retire. We're wondering when we should buy property in Orlando... :lovestruc

The hubby would like to work for DVC, but I don't have anything specific in mind.

[jimmytammy]

DW and I have talked about it. I would love to have a place for winter near WDW and a place here in NC for summer. A part time job would be just right. If I were still able, I would enjoy being a valet at WL, or being a "Ranger" there. That consists of giving tours, raising the flags with the flag family, and being an ambassador for the WL.

Or driving a boat. I grew up around boats, so it would be natural for me.

Sure nice to think about!

[ChickieToo]

I was speaking with an older woman who was doing my DD's hair at BBB. She and her husband relocated to the Orlando area and both work at WDW. He works ride maintenance on the 3rd shift. Although they both love it and the lifestyle, after several years they are both still striving to at least have the same days off, let alone the same daytime shifts. She said it makes it hard when here grandkids come, and they have to arrange for days off, etc.

Now, back to the fantasy part ... DH and I have a boat here at home, and we talk about how great it would be if he were the captain of one of the frienship boats, and I were his crew--just like at home.

[mello]

We talk about it every trip. As long as the job was guest-related and not food-related, I think I'd love it. Maybe giving backstage tours or working with groups. DH would be great working backstage on the live shows or hosting a ride. As long as we can see people laughing and hear kids squeeling with joy.
You can check out jobs online. Something like disney.go.careers.com?:surfweb:

He's still got 6 years to go before he's eligible for retirement, but he talks about it all the time. On our first trip to WDW we met a nice bus driver who was retired, and told us how he & his dw had moved to Florida from up north and how much he enjoyed working for Disney part time now. DH has dreamed of it ever since! He will retire at a fairly young age, and will still want to do something to keep busy, and the benefits of working for Disney are attractive, even if the pay is not (as a pp pointed out, a retiree doesn't necessarily need to work for the $ as much as for the bennies). He'd probably be best suited for security, but he'd love to be a monorail operator. I would love to either be a tour guide or wedding planner.

This has been a fun thread to read - it's interesting to see what people's "dream jobs" are.

[Jaaron2]

Everytime I visit the World I am looking for the perfect retirement job!

[iluveeyore]

You are all so lucky - DH and I 'dream' of this every year when we go to WDW, but we are Canadian :eek: and don't have a snowball's chance in Florida of getting employment in the US. But I sure love reading everyone else's dreams (DH moves rails cars around at the plant where he works, so he wants to drive the train at MK, and I'm in real estate, so would love to sell DVC). Hope all your dreams come true!

[2xcited2sleep]

I think about it a lot although unfortunately I'm more than a few years from retirement (unless I win the lottery!!). Haven't been able to pick what job yet though...

[minnie1]

My dh and I have absolutely decided to go back and work at Disney when we retire. Even though it is many years away, Disney is how we started our life together and we want to go back.

Dh and I met when I worked at "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" and he was working at "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". I know we get sad everytime we walk through that area because both our rides are gone. We loved working there but family and new jobs brought us up north so as soon as can go back we will.

[goofy4tink]

We are heading down there as soon as dd graduates and gets going to college. My dh was just offered a job, with his current company, in the Orlando area. But, it doesn't make sense to uproot dd just as she starts high school in a really wonderful school system.
But, dh would love to captain a boat, while I would be happy just about anywhere.

[kaylie&laurensmom]

I want to move to Celebration when I retire and work as a VIP Tour Guide or maybe a wedding coordinator at Disney!! I can dream can't I?

[squirrlygirl]

I would love to work there! I'll take the cashier job in one of the Christmas shops, or work on the Haunted Mansion ride....
DH has a dream to be the WalMart greeter(:confused3 )...lucky for me there's one in the area so we can both be happy!

[bnlbebes]

But, dh would love to captain a boat, while I would be happy just about anywhere.

What's up with all of the "DH"s wanting to captain a boat?:sail:

Are they already sailors or is it just a retirement fantasy?

[coasterbob]

Like most posters on this thread , I would absolutly LUV to work for the MOUSE part-time when I fully retire....... I would like to be involved with the special events, or a VIP tour guide. I would have to be involved with people because I was in sales/marketing for 33 years! It is a dream of mine. Now all I have to do is convince my bride-and-joy! :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[syeaton01]

My dad should go run the train. I would like to run the monorail when i retire in another 800 years....

Actually I would love to work for DVC. I have a long history in sales and customer service. I think I could do well with it. Where are the DVC office located? In Fl? Hmmm...maybe I will go to the CA DVC office, the humidity of FL really gets me.

[mrsR123]

DH and I are both teachers; we plan to bail in about 10-12 years when DS #3 is part way through college. WDW is the destination of choice right now.

DH's dream job is sitting in a booth and pointing where people should go. I'll take anything indoors that doesn't involve cleaning or serving food.

[FLYNZ4]

I would like one of my daughters to work at WDW... just so that we could get the employee discount on DVC :rotfl2:

[AKV707]

DW and I always talk about it. We have close to 20 years before then, but we think it would be fun. I don't know what we would do. I am a musician, so maybe something with that. DW could do many things. Who knows? But is could be a fun retirement.

[solgent]

I'd like to work at WDW in a shop or as a ride attendant. I'd definitely like to work in the parks rather than at a hotel.

But I wonder if I'd be happy living near Orlando. It seems very built up & commercialized, and I like being surrounded by nature in our home in New England. And I understand it's not cheap either.

[BroganMc]

I think I'd be happiest working guest relations. I'm pretty good at helping people find where they need to go and dealing with grumpy pusses. Plus it helps GR is indoors.

I love meeting all the folks down here and answering questions anyway. The only trouble would be leaving my family at home. But in 10 years time when they're all college bound?

[manning]

Yes, when I retire I want to work in Epcot outside the France pavilion where I'll be one of the performers who build a tower out of chairs and balance on top.

:smooth:

I would pay double to see that, if only to see if you remember the act.:rotfl: :rotfl:

[Inkmahm]

Wow, would we love to do this! We've actually talked about it a lot. Be "snow birds". Come down and work in the winter, come back to PA in the summer.

I've been trying to get a hold of a Disney Security jacket for years now. For some reason I just love that jacket! Turquoise, purple, blue...lovely. No luck yet though. I'll keep trying....:rolleyes1

The security guards always tell me the only way I'll get one is to come work for Disney. So, some day when we retire I just might get that lovely jacket. Oh dear, I hope they don't change the design.

Now, can you live at a DVC resort AND work for Disney? Wonder how many points we would need....:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:Or start looking for one on ebay... you'd be surprised how many items from Disney CM you can buy on ebay...

[DoOverDreams]

Or start looking for one on ebay... you'd be surprised how many items from Disney CM you can buy on ebay...

ooh, do you know something I don't know?? I'm going to eBay now!