Is Attractions an over-hyped role?

[Pure_Imagination]

Attractions seems to be the most popular of the roles and everyone goes crazy about it. I'm a little skeptical. It seems to me the awesomeness of the role would really depend on what ride you got, and there's a lot of weird rides you're risking landing in. Even on the really cool rides, has anyone gotten there and it just wasn't as fantastic as they expected?

Of course, with anything with the CP the role will naturally be as good as you make it. I'm just wondering if anyone has any first-hand experience that can ease my worries. I'm thinking I might not put attractions on the top of my list until I can think of very specific rides/park to ask for.

[FatMan2k3]

The guy who wrote one of the CP blogs did attractions - Everest and Safaris. He actually quit halfway through because of being burnt out. It's a pretty short read, but a good one none the less - its wdwcpblog . blogspot . com

[PrincessJordynx]

I wouldn't want to do attractions unless I was at the HM - no smiling hahah! and obviously you have like a very small chance of being placed there. Dealing with all those people 24/7 is not something I'd like to do at all. Especially if you have a popular ride with long lines..ppl get *****y.

[kelly_1220]

Well, I got attractions, and while I am not down there yet, I am so excited to do it. I'll probably update my blog, and you can see how my time doing attractions is going. :)

[Lukas87]

Attractions is absolutely over-rated. You are right though, it is totally what you make of it. But just make sure that you are aware that its a lot of physical work in uncomfortable conditions, and extremely repetitive.

[GreatWideSomewhere]

Attractions is absolutely over-rated. You are right though, it is totally what you make of it. But just make sure that you are aware that its a lot of physical work in uncomfortable conditions, and extremely repetitive.

I totally agree with this. I was in attractions for my program and while I absolutely loved the experience, I'm pretty sure I got placed in the one of the lowest attractions there is. Nevertheless, the people made it.

I had many friends in other lines of work that had much better jobs. But if you're determined to make it a good experience, then where ever you end up, it will be.

[BoardWalkBelle]

Princess JordonX, all the front line roles as a CM require heavt guest contact 24/7. If thatis not what you like, you may reconsider the cp program becasue that is what disney is, heavt guest contact.

[jewjubean]

Princess JordonX, all the front line roles as a CM require heavt guest contact 24/7. If thatis not what you like, you may reconsider the cp program becasue that is what disney is, heavt guest contact.

Yeah I've never worked for Disney before but I have been a Hostess/Trainer/Corporate trainer and you have one of the largest guest interaction they have. You will have to put up with people who are hungry and hot and want to eat now. I have been chewed up and down by people who really dont care. You should maybe think about doing the program if you have a problem smiling.

JMO

[Joanna71985]

I'm looking forward to doing Attractions. I think it will be fun.

[PrincessJordynx]

Yeah I've never worked for Disney before but I have been a Hostess/Trainer/Corporate trainer and you have one of the largest guest interaction they have. You will have to put up with people who are hungry and hot and want to eat now. I have been chewed up and down by people who really dont care. You should maybe think about doing the program if you have a problem smiling.

JMO

Princess JordonX, all the front line roles as a CM require heavt guest contact 24/7. If thatis not what you like, you may reconsider the cp program becasue that is what disney is, heavt guest contact.

uhm..I've been a host for 3 years, and I'm currently the host trainer at P.F. Chang's. I know all about guest interaction and how to handle guest thanks. It's a stage, all you have to do is perform. So thanks for the advice..but I don't need it =]

[Korey_87]

Not all jobs on the college program are smiling all the time. I was a lifeguard and was there for guest safety, not guest interaction. Some days it was nice not worrying about smiling and keeping upbeat and other days I wish I could have more guest interaction. They did allow lifeguards to voluntarily participate in pool activities with the guests. This allowed for guest interaction and we were required to be upbeat and happy, but who wouldn't be when playing with hula hoops or dancing! :banana:

[Salukfan]

I don't know, I've had 3 seperate CP roles and Attractions was the only one I really loved. I think it all has to do with work location, just as it is with every other role. I worked Discovery Island/Camp Minnie Mickey attractions: no fastpass, no height requirements, no evacuations, etc. It was a pretty easy job with awesome people and a great shows to watch. I loved it. :thumbsup2

[ckrisie]

I'm here now doing Attractions I am at The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush, in Epcot. Not exactly the top of the list for awesomest rides I'm sure. And I wasn't to sure about it in the beginning but I really love it I work with great people and the ride is pretty cute. I don't have Fast Passes so no one gets mad at me when you run out and I don't have a merge point. So I would say go for attractions but don't count on having a super popular ride.

[Loves Disney]

I just ended my CP this week. I came down for the Spring Advantage program for '09. I worked in attractions and one of the more popular rides -- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.

Regardless of where you work, and as you already know, it is exactly what you make of it. No attraction is any more or less "extravagant". Working in attractions, you work repetitive routines. The way I see it, is that your luck on location depends on who you are working with. It won't be the ride itself that makes your CP amazing, it's how you interact with those you spend the majority of your time with. Because in attractions, you work and work and work. I know as a cast member in the MK, I worked crazy hours! Not as bad as Merchandise (who would find themselves there till sometimes 5am...on the clock, not counting time spent waiting for a bus), but I did have shifts going as late (or early) as 3:45am.

My work was thrilling and challenging at first. I was learning a new attraction and experiencing the rotation - and it was exciting. It didn't take long, however, before I got very used to what I was doing. The positions became almost boring and, like any on-stage position, the guest complications didn't help. However, I made friends with nearly everyone I worked with and getting to work alongside them at the attraction was so much fun! In attractions, you are required to work together in order to operate the ride. You have to understand the methods of other cast members in order to provide a smooth and fun experience for the guests and it's fun if you allow yourself to enjoy that experience.

Working at BTM, I did have to deal with height restrictions, fastpasses, wheelchair accommodations, ride breakdowns, and the responsibility of making sure the attraction ran safely. It's tiring work and sometimes frustrating, but it's a test of tolerance and certainly a strengthening experience. I LOVED my CP and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't believe any role is overrated. Attractions is a lot of work, but a rewarding one, I think.

I should mention a part of working in attractions that I didn't care for. Fastpasses. If you work a FP attraction, you will quickly find that it feels like 90% of people don't understand FPs. Also, 90% of people use a FP as if it is their VIP ticket to get on at exactly the moment they want to be on. You have to watch the clock and accept FPs at the appropriate time and lots of guests want to arrive 30+ minutes too early. Also, if there is ever a wait with FPs (even if it is a 5 minute wait) that is deemed unacceptable. Regulating this operation is frustrating. The stories I have from dealing with these passes are crazy!

If you feel like you can handle this type of role, I would definitely recommend it. I had a good experience with it -- and not because of the attraction I worked at but because of how I let myself enjoy it.

[krisTXyn]

I just ended my CP this week. I came down for the Spring Advantage program for '09. I worked in attractions and one of the more popular rides -- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.

Regardless of where you work, and as you already know, it is exactly what you make of it. No attraction is any more or less "extravagant". Working in attractions, you work repetitive routines. The way I see it, is that your luck on location depends on who you are working with. It won't be the ride itself that makes your CP amazing, it's how you interact with those you spend the majority of your time with. Because in attractions, you work and work and work. I know as a cast member in the MK, I worked crazy hours! Not as bad as Merchandise (who would find themselves there till sometimes 5am...on the clock, not counting time spent waiting for a bus), but I did have shifts going as late (or early) as 3:45am.

My work was thrilling and challenging at first. I was learning a new attraction and experiencing the rotation - and it was exciting. It didn't take long, however, before I got very used to what I was doing. The positions became almost boring and, like any on-stage position, the guest complications didn't help. However, I made friends with nearly everyone I worked with and getting to work alongside them at the attraction was so much fun! In attractions, you are required to work together in order to operate the ride. You have to understand the methods of other cast members in order to provide a smooth and fun experience for the guests and it's fun if you allow yourself to enjoy that experience.

Working at BTM, I did have to deal with height restrictions, fastpasses, wheelchair accommodations, ride breakdowns, and the responsibility of making sure the attraction ran safely. It's tiring work and sometimes frustrating, but it's a test of tolerance and certainly a strengthening experience. I LOVED my CP and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't believe any role is overrated. Attractions is a lot of work, but a rewarding one, I think.

I should mention a part of working in attractions that I didn't care for. Fastpasses. If you work a FP attraction, you will quickly find that it feels like 90% of people don't understand FPs. Also, 90% of people use a FP as if it is their VIP ticket to get on at exactly the moment they want to be on. You have to watch the clock and accept FPs at the appropriate time and lots of guests want to arrive 30+ minutes too early. Also, if there is ever a wait with FPs (even if it is a 5 minute wait) that is deemed unacceptable. Regulating this operation is frustrating. The stories I have from dealing with these passes are crazy!

If you feel like you can handle this type of role, I would definitely recommend it. I had a good experience with it -- and not because of the attraction I worked at but because of how I let myself enjoy it.

so i have a question, in spring advantage, do you stay at the same apt that you stayed during the reg spring, like when everyone else (who's just doing spring) leaves, do you stay in the same apt? and does your rent go up?

sorry for all the questions, i'm thinkking of doing spring advantage, and my mom is freaking out because she doesn't want me to not have enough money to pay for everything :/
i keep telling her it'll be fine, but she doesn't believe me, :/

[Disney_Lover06]

When working in Attractions are there alot of opportunities to make magical moments for guest?

Also how easy is it to be cross-trained to be able to work a few attractions? I have heard of people working in Adventureland got cross-trained to work rides in Fanstyland, so they add a different routine and not become quite as bored

[GreatWideSomewhere]

If you are on a college program, then probably not. However, you could end up in a "complex" in one of the lands, that would require you to know more than one attraction. Most of the time they consist of two or three attractions that are all fairly easy to run. With each shift your rotation might include positions at each attraction. For example It's a Small World and Peter Pan's Flight are one complex. But as far as getting cross-trained, they really leave that for full time or part time cast members.

[MKandy]

I should mention a part of working in attractions that I didn't care for. Fastpasses. If you work a FP attraction, you will quickly find that it feels like 90% of people don't understand FPs. Also, 90% of people use a FP as if it is their VIP ticket to get on at exactly the moment they want to be on. You have to watch the clock and accept FPs at the appropriate time and lots of guests want to arrive 30+ minutes too early. Also, if there is ever a wait with FPs (even if it is a 5 minute wait) that is deemed unacceptable. Regulating this operation is frustrating. The stories I have from dealing with these passes are crazy!

I couldn't agree with you more. I did my CP over at Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom and had the same experience with guests and FP. Also, our FP machines always broke which can be frustrating.

I, however, loved attractions more than anything in the world. I personally think it is a great role to have and is soo much fun. I love guest interaction and it never got boring or old to me during my CP.

[razzery]

IMO, attractions is the best position to have. You are the one who really has an impact on the guest experience. No other position is like it. We have so much fun I can't even begin to describe it in words. I had roommates in quick service and merch who absolutely hated their jobs where I loved mine. I was at ToT for my CP and couldn't have asked for anything better. I just can't imagine being able to do what we do in like a merch, food, or custodial role.

Then again, it is a lottery. I had friends who were stuck at like Fantasmic or Playhouse Disney the entire semester.

[MKandy]

When working in Attractions are there alot of opportunities to make magical moments for guest?

Also how easy is it to be cross-trained to be able to work a few attractions? I have heard of people working in Adventureland got cross-trained to work rides in Fanstyland, so they add a different routine and not become quite as bored

Pretty much the entire time is spent making magic. As far as magical moments go, you do make plenty of them. It kinda depends on your position. If your at a safety-critical position then your focus should be on safety. However, if your at, for example, greeter, then you have plenty of chances to make magical moments.

It is not very easy to be cross-trained. In fact, I don't know of anyone who did that sort of thing in Attractions. I would not count on that.

[Toffy]

I was at ToT for my CP and couldn't have asked for anything better.

Ahhhhh you lucky duck!!!!:goodvibes If I get attractions that's where I hope and dream being located haha...

Then again, it is a lottery. I had friends who were stuck at like Fantasmic or Playhouse Disney the entire semester.

I didn't know Fantasmic! counts as an attraction!!! It's not like parade crowd control where attraction CMs are cycled through crowd control duty???

[DisneyAngie]

I read this thread hoping it would answer some of the questions I have about attractions, and it did - but I now have a couple more! :upsidedow

Someone mentioned that there is a lot of physical work involved. I realize every attraction is different, but in general, what does this mean? I know just about every attractions role will involve standing for long periods of time, but is that about the extent of it? Or should we be prepared to lift heavy things and such? I have a history of back problems and am considering the CP, so this could be a deal breaker for me with attractions.

Also, some have talked about how whether or not you enjoy your role depends on how you make of it. At the same time, others have mentioned that some attraction roles are much less enjoyable than others. I know when you interview, you can request a role (no guarantees I know, but I've heard they at least take it into consideration). So, which are the "best" roles? Which are not so hot? I know some of it depends on the person (for example, someone who hates the IASW song would probably not enjoy working in Fantasyland, whereas someone else might really enjoy it), so in general, which roles are most universally liked? Or, if that's too vague, is it better to request a ride that does not use FPs, since that's what most CMs here seem to dislike? Just wondering :)

Thanks!

[Lukas87]

Someone mentioned that there is a lot of physical work involved. I realize every attraction is different, but in general, what does this mean? I know just about every attractions role will involve standing for long periods of time, but is that about the extent of it? Or should we be prepared to lift heavy things and such? I have a history of back problems and am considering the CP, so this could be a deal breaker for me with attractions.


If you have back problems, I would not recommend attractions. The majority of attractions will require frequent bending and pulling on lap bars to check that they are properly secured.

I know lots of people with perfectly fine backs who experienced soreness just from the constant bending over to check the restraints.

[Toffy]

On the flip side of that though, if you talk about it with your recruiter, they probably can put you on an attraction that doesn't have lap bars... If you think about it, there are MANY attractions that don't have lap bars, or any restraint nessesary period for that matter. Depending on how serious your back problems have been, I'm sure Disney would totally be willing to accomidate your need of no lap bars

[GreatWideSomewhere]

But, even if you don't have lap bars, most attractions do require lifting or pushing of some sort. I work an attraction with no lap bars, and yet we have lots of physical labor.

I am trying to think of an attraction that really wouldn't require something that would cause back pain and I'm having a hard time! Of course always let your recruiter know, because he or she can help with things like that.

Oh and just for another note, all rides and shows are attractions. You could be placed in the Boneyard at Animal Kingdom, the Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom or the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot. There are many, many possibilities (even Disney Quest) when it comes to attractions. The most popular and talked about ones are usually the rarer ones. And some of them are not all they are cracked up to be, trust me!

I absolutely love working in attractions, but it is by no means a perfect role. There were many, many days that I wished I had the benefit of working in a cozy air conditioned shop like my roommate...heck, I would have even been happy with an break room that had air conditioning! Lol

If you’re determined to make the best of your program, your role is not going to matter that much. It may be hard to believe now, but it really is true. Good luck all! :goodvibes

[tinkerbelluk]

I didn't know Fantasmic! counts as an attraction!!! It's not like parade crowd control where attraction CMs are cycled through crowd control duty???

I was actually a Fantasmic Attractions CM whilst on my ICP and loved both the job and the people i worked with (i actually met my husbaand there as well. Fantasmic CM work Parade control and high school musical as well, and many CP's and ICP's are cross trained also at Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and Beauty and the Beast.) Fantamic was great to work on as it had a very high amount of guest interaction, and there were times when all we did was supergreet (eg we would be assigned an area, and if someone looked puzzled looking with a map we would interact with them, or be running atmosphiric activities such as blowing bubbles, hula hoops, jump rope, doing the limbo.) I also struck lucky as i was on the closing team for stars and motorcars and opening team for block party bash! (its rare for CP's to be on opening teams.)

[DOasDREAMERSdo]

I think I'm going to put Attractions as my first choice!
Everyone's stories make me so excited to maybe work an attraction!
I'd love to do one with a spiel...I was on my speech team in high school, and I think it would be a good fit and really fun!!

[DisneyAngie]

I was actually a Fantasmic Attractions CM whilst on my ICP and loved both the job and the people i worked with (i actually met my husbaand there as well. Fantasmic CM work Parade control and high school musical as well, and many CP's and ICP's are cross trained also at Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and Beauty and the Beast.) Fantamic was great to work on as it had a very high amount of guest interaction, and there were times when all we did was supergreet (eg we would be assigned an area, and if someone looked puzzled looking with a map we would interact with them, or be running atmosphiric activities such as blowing bubbles, hula hoops, jump rope, doing the limbo.) I also struck lucky as i was on the closing team for stars and motorcars and opening team for block party bash! (its rare for CP's to be on opening teams.)

That sounds like an awesome role! Supergreeting sounds really fun. :yay: You said a lot of CMs are cross trained with ToT, RnR, and Beauty and the Beast - were you referring to all HS CMs or just Fantasmic CMs? I really like the idea of being cross trained with another role, so that hopefully it would seem a little less monotonous, but I had read that it was really rare for CPs to be cross trained. Were CMs automatically selected to cross train, or is that something you can request?

Thank you to the people who answered regarding back problems. I hadn't even thought about the lap bars. Bending over generally isn't a problem (although I've never done that as much as I would if I worked, say, EE) it's mainly just repeated or heavy lifting. I was thinking that ToT (just for example; I know better than to pin all my plans on getting a specific attraction) might not be terrible on my back. ToT, if I remember correctly, they just have people pull up on the yellow tabs. Plus, as was mentioned, the shows would work well.

If I know going in I need to be placed in a role that is easier on my back, do I need to have documentation from a doctor?

[tinkerbelluk]

That sounds like an awesome role! Supergreeting sounds really fun. :yay: You said a lot of CMs are cross trained with ToT, RnR, and Beauty and the Beast - were you referring to all HS CMs or just Fantasmic CMs? I really like the idea of being cross trained with another role, so that hopefully it would seem a little less monotonous, but I had read that it was really rare for CPs to be cross trained. Were CMs automatically selected to cross train, or is that something you can request?

Thank you to the people who answered regarding back problems. I hadn't even thought about the lap bars. Bending over generally isn't a problem (although I've never done that as much as I would if I worked, say, EE) it's mainly just repeated or heavy lifting. I was thinking that ToT (just for example; I know better than to pin all my plans on getting a specific attraction) might not be terrible on my back. ToT, if I remember correctly, they just have people pull up on the yellow tabs. Plus, as was mentioned, the shows would work well.

If I know going in I need to be placed in a role that is easier on my back, do I need to have documentation from a doctor?

Its kind of hit and miss if your cross trained at fantasmic (its actually classed as sunset area attractions, rather than just one ride, unlike some other areas.) In my case i purely did Fantamic/HSM and PAC, except when fantasmic was in rehab, then i ended up working a limited no. of positions at rock n roller coaster, and then i random ended up being thrown into working beauty and the beast in my last week, without even being trained.

With regard to your back injury mention it at the interview, they have special forms that have to be completed by a doc, but they should give you them to have completed if they hire you. I will say fantasmic is a good area to work in with a back injury, so if you really want to work it say so at the interview, you are more likely to get it if you ask for it. (I was actually transfered there from food and beverage because of a back injury. (between being hired and getting there i was the victim of a car accident.)

[razzery]

That sounds like an awesome role! Supergreeting sounds really fun. :yay: You said a lot of CMs are cross trained with ToT, RnR, and Beauty and the Beast - were you referring to all HS CMs or just Fantasmic CMs? I really like the idea of being cross trained with another role, so that hopefully it would seem a little less monotonous, but I had read that it was really rare for CPs to be cross trained. Were CMs automatically selected to cross train, or is that something you can request?

Thank you to the people who answered regarding back problems. I hadn't even thought about the lap bars. Bending over generally isn't a problem (although I've never done that as much as I would if I worked, say, EE) it's mainly just repeated or heavy lifting. I was thinking that ToT (just for example; I know better than to pin all my plans on getting a specific attraction) might not be terrible on my back. ToT, if I remember correctly, they just have people pull up on the yellow tabs. Plus, as was mentioned, the shows would work well.

If I know going in I need to be placed in a role that is easier on my back, do I need to have documentation from a doctor?

I cant imagine Tower being bad on the back except for maybe working distro, walker, and load.
At distro if the machines run out of paper you do have to refill them, which requires a lot of bending and lifting. Also when tickets get stuck you have to be able to pull open the machine.
Walker requires bringing wheelchairs and other random things from load to unload. Depending on what is there, it might be a problem for you.
And usually load wouldn't be too bad on the back, unless you have some guests who have no idea what they're doing. All you really have to do at load is walk up the steps, tell guests to pull on the yellow cords, hands up, and close the gate. About every other elevator though, you do have the difficult guests who don't know their left from their right, can't find the seatbelt, try and hold their seatbelt so that might require you moving around the elevator a bit.

Also, not sure if this would bother you, but opening the building requires walking up TONS of stairs.

Besides all that I HIGHLY recommend tower. I really can't imagine myself working anywhere else. We have way too much fun, I can't believe they pay us to do what we do. Also you can pick up shifts at Fantasmic. It doesn't require any training.

[tinkerbelluk]

Razzy, when did you do your CP, i seem to recognise your profile pic. (which means you either ere there when i was, or you happened to be about when i'd go visit the CM's i knew whom work tower.

[razzery]

Razzy, when did you do your CP, i seem to recognise your profile pic. (which means you either ere there when i was, or you happened to be about when i'd go visit the CM's i knew whom work tower.

Did Spring 09 and went seasonal as a little part time gig while I go to UCF so I've been around a lot.

[DisneyAngie]

From your description, razzery, ToT seems like it would be okay on my back. ToT and Fantasmic both sound really great. I think those two are definitely at the top of my list for attractions!

tinkerbelluk - I hope your back is doing better! One more question, lol. Do you mean that working Fantasmic is referred to as Sunset Area attractions, or are all the attractions near there (ToT, RnR, Beauty and the Beast, etc) referred to as Sunset Area?

[razzery]

From your description, razzery, ToT seems like it would be okay on my back. ToT and Fantasmic both sound really great. I think those two are definitely at the top of my list for attractions!

tinkerbelluk - I hope your back is doing better! One more question, lol. Do you mean that working Fantasmic is referred to as Sunset Area attractions, or are all the attractions near there (ToT, RnR, Beauty and the Beast, etc) referred to as Sunset Area?

Sunset attractions is tower, coaster, beauty and the beast, and fant. From what I've seen if you're main job is fant you will only work crowd control positions the entire day where as if you're trained at coaster or tower you can pick up fant shifts. I haven't heard of anyone's main job being parade control and then being trained at tower or coaster during their cp.

[MKandy]

We have way too much fun, I can't believe they pay us to do what we do.

Totally agree. I did my CP at Kilimanjaro Safaris and couldn't believe they called it "work." It was great.

Attractions has so many advantages; Great guest interaction, fun rides, smiling faces, magical moments, etc. A lot of roles have those things but in Attractions those are all magnified. I did get a chance to pick up a QSFB shift during Spring Break. My one roommate and I worked at Pecos Bills for a couple hours. It was really hectic, but still fun. It was one of the shifts that didn't require any "special" training. That same day we also worked in Adventureland Stroller Parking. :) So I got a taste of somethings other than Attractions and would pick Attractions any day.

[Joanna71985]

I am about to start in Attractions (I will be working at TSM at the Studios). I think it will be fun. I do know it will be busy. Training starts tomorrow, and I can't wait to see how it goes.

[MaryPoppins86]

I am about to start in Attractions (I will be working at TSM at the Studios). I think it will be fun. I do know it will be busy. Training starts tomorrow, and I can't wait to see how it goes.

good luck Jo! and have fun!

[Joanna71985]

good luck Jo! and have fun!

Thank you! :)

So far it's going well. Tomorrow is the assessment, and I really hope I pass (I'm worried about a couple of positions). But I really enjoy working at TSM.

[Pure_Imagination]

What happens if you don't pass the assessment?

[GreatWideSomewhere]

What happens if you don't pass the assessment?

It kind of depends on exactly why you didn't pass, but usually you'll just get a little more practice on whatever position you are having trouble with and take it again. I was so worried I wasn't going to pass at first, but it turns out it was pretty easy. Even grouping and merge. ;) Trust me, you can become a champion grouper in no time. And merge...well it can be fun, every once in a while. :upsidedow

[Joanna71985]

Yeah, I was worried about Grouper. But it's become so much easier now.

As for Merge...I don't think I will ever enjoy it.