A few questions (about roles)

[Time Traveler]

I'm looking to apply for the Fall 2013 college program, and while I've done a lot of research about the various roles, I still have a few more questions that I'm hoping someone can answer.

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First, some general questions:

Do any roles rotate around or do you stay in the same location for the entire program?

Will I have a hard time getting accepted if I put "no interest" for QSFB (I have nut allergies, so I wouldn't be comfortable working in a kitchen), custodial, costuming, and housekeeping? From what I've read, QSFB and custodial are two of the most common positions, so I'd imagine it could hurt my chances.

What are my chances of getting concierge or hospitality without being a hospitality major? I'm definitely going into business, though for now I'm just taking general classes at a community college.

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A few role specific questions:

Merchandise - What are the chances of getting placed at a merchandise cart as opposed to in a store? It wouldn't be the end of the world by any means, though I'd much rather be working with other people.

FSFB - This role is only for a host in a restaurant, correct? I'm pretty sure that I read that all tipped positions (including server, obviously) are reserved for non-CP employees.

Transportation - Where are most of the positions for this? I'm assuming that most of them are in the parking lots directing traffic, and if that's true then I'd probably mark that as "no interest".

Front Entrance Operations - Can anyone provide a bit of info about this? I know that most of your time is most likely spent at the front entrance, though I've read that you get moved around a lot as well (especially later in the day when less people are entering the parks).

Recreation - Any general info on this would be appreciated; I can't find too much about it. It seems as if most of the positions are at marinas or golf courses, though I could be wrong.

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Any info that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[leeg229]

Do any roles rotate around or do you stay in the same location for the entire program?

The only role that rotates is the "hopper" role. If you get placed into hopper you switch between QSFB and two other roles which I can't think of at the moment. You can always extend your program and when you do you may have the possibility to change roles.

Will I have a hard time getting accepted if I put "no interest" for QSFB (I have nut allergies, so I wouldn't be comfortable working in a kitchen), custodial, costuming, and housekeeping? From what I've read, these (especially QSFB) are some of the most common positions, so I'd imagine it could hurt my chances.

The interviewer usually asks you if you have any interest in QSFB or custodial even if you mark no interest on the application. The reason being they are two high turnover positions and are always in demand. Having said that, generally, no you will not have a harder time getting your top 3 positions. I personally marked no interest for all of those positions as well and I got my first choice.

What are my chances of getting concierge or hospitality without being a hospitality major? I'm definitely going into business, though for now I'm just taking general classes at a community college.

This I can only speculate on, but from what I hear they prefer hospitality majors for those roles but it is not a requirement. The important thing when interviewing is having a strong knowledge of what a guest would expect from someone working those roles.


A few role specific questions:

Merchandise - What are the chances of getting placed at a merchandise cart as opposed to in a store? It wouldn't be the end of the world by any means, though I'd much rather be working with other people.

I'm confused by what you mean by cart... If you mean the glow carts at night, then there is a chance you can be trained to do that. If you mean an outdoors location in general, then there is a really good chance that whatever area you're placed in has at least one outdoor location. Usually if you do get an outdoor location you're put on a rotation so you're usually brought into the shade/AC every 20 minutes or so. (Keep in mind that's my own personal experience and varies by area) Also, some outdoor locations remain open in light to moderate rain so you'd need to check the forecast to see if a rain coat is necessary.

FSFB - This role is only for a host in a restaurant, correct? I'm pretty sure that I read that all tipped positions (including server, obviously) are reserved for non-CP employees.

Admittedly I know absolutely nothing about FSFB. Sorry!

Transportation - Where are most of the positions for this? I'm assuming that most of them are in the parking lots directing traffic, and if that's true then I'd probably mark that as "no interest".

I'm pretty sure parking falls under main entrance operations. Transportation covers operating the resort boats on bay lake/seven seas lagoon. Beyond that I don't know.

Front Entrance Operations - Can anyone provide a bit of info about this? I know that most of your time is most likely spent at the front entrance, though I've read that you get moved around a lot as well (especially later in the day when less people are entering the parks).

Main Entrance Operations includes park greeters at the turnstiles, parking, and, I think, the booths where you pay for parking. I'm not sure where you would get moved around to. I do know that later in the day as more and more guests leave one of the park greeter's responsibilities is to stop any of the rented strollers from getting out into the lot.

Recreation - Any general info on this would be appreciated; I can't find too much on it. It seems as if most of the positions are at marinas or golf courses, though I could be wrong.

My roommate was recreation and he loved it. He was put into marinas. He was responsible for maintaining the boats, making sure they were clean and show ready. He was arcade trained as well as cabana trained. He was eventually trained to do Wishes Cruises towards the end of our program which he said was awesome and saw two proposals. Golf is another aspect of recreation along with Children's activities. Children's activities has you entertaining kids by the pool of certain resorts by playing simon says, hula hoop competitions, dace offs etc..


If I was wrong about an aspect of any of the roles I invite anyone to correct me

 

[Berlioz70]

Do any roles rotate around or do you stay in the same location for the entire program?

Depends on what you mean by location.

A lot of locations are part of rotations within their own operation. For example - there are a group of attractions Cast Members in Adventurelad that move between Tiki Room, Aladdin & Swiss Family in one shift (it's one costume). This is the same other Attractions areas as well.

Staying on Adventureland... if you are trained in Merchandise then you could work in 3 different costumes depending on your role for the day. Agrabah has a Costume, Pirates has a Costume, and Glow Cart has a Costume. CPs would be expected to know all of these areas and have all of those costumes. High Performing Adventureland CPs could potentially be trained at The Pirates League as well (yet another costume). That's common among Merchandise Roles - especially DTD.

Then there's roles that cross-train, such as Costuming. All Costuming CPs are trained in at least 2 locations. So one day you may be working Operational Costuming at Epcot and the next day your at Nemo. High Performing CPs (on longer programs or programs over the holidays) can be trained in more than 2 - we recently trained one of our CPs in up to 4 locations (which is rare).

Since you mentioned hospitality - let's say you get front desk at a Deluxe Resort - that includes the actual front desk, the runner, and curbside concierge (again - 3 different costumes).

But - you could also get something like World of Disney merchandise - that's one place your entire program.

The hopper role referenced above is designed to move you through different lines of business - so that's a huge shift and requires a start of training when you're moved.

What are my chances of getting concierge or hospitality without being a hospitality major? I'm definitely going into business, though for now I'm just taking general classes at a community college.

How well do you know Disney? Can you list all of the different resort categories and understand their differences, can you list Signature dining and what makes them Signature? Do you know most of the parks attractions, can you navigate the area well and provide directions?

If yes - then emphasize your knowledge during your interview. A lot of Concierge CPs are on a second program, because they spent their first program learning all of those details. But if you're an AP or a frequent Guest then you may already have the info you need to be a great concierge hostess.

Merchandise - What are the chances of getting placed at a merchandise cart as opposed to in a store? It wouldn't be the end of the world by any means, though I'd much rather be working with other people.

Carts are extensions of stores - working at a Cart would be part of your daily rotation.

FSFB - This role is only for a host in a restaurant, correct? I'm pretty sure that I read that all tipped positions (including server, obviously) are reserved for non-CP employees.

Correct - most CPs are seaters, no tips.

 

[Time Traveler]

How well do you know Disney? Can you list all of the different resort categories and understand their differences, can you list Signature dining and what makes them Signature? Do you know most of the parks attractions, can you navigate the area well and provide directions?.

If yes - then emphasize your knowledge during your interview. A lot of Concierge CPs are on a second program, because they spent their first program learning all of those details. But if you're an AP or a frequent Guest then you may already have the info you need to be a great concierge hostess.

I know far too much about Disney (I grew up an hour away and visited frequently) and could probably answer anything thrown at me. I'll be sure mention it during the interview, though I don't want to come off as arrogant.

 

[AliSW]

If you have merchandise you won't be stuck at a cart as your only area. you'll be at a store and then somedays you will be at the cart. At least I'm pretty sure that's how it is!

 

[Joanna71985]

If you have merchandise you won't be stuck at a cart as your only area. you'll be at a store and then somedays you will be at the cart. At least I'm pretty sure that's how it is!

Not all locations have carts (some are shops only).

 

[Joeywarhorse]

Berlioz,

For costuming, you said, "So one day you may be working Operational Costuming at Epcot and the next day your at Nemo."

What is operational costuming? And what would Nemo consist of? What are some of the other areas that costuming trains and what kind of jobs are they?

Thanks!

 

[Berlioz70]

Operational Costuming is where the park Cast Members come to get their clothes - it's like a giant retail store but everything is free (well, assuming the Cast don't lose or damage it). Costuming Cast keep it organized by locations, sizes, accessories; they work the soiled/laundry area, help Cast check out, and check the garments for repairs/damage.

Operational Costuming is a global skill, so when you're trained you might spend a day at MK, a day at DAK, and a day at Epcot. And then later - get scheduled at Studios. Many resorts also have Operational Costuming. Nearly ALL Costuming CPs are trained in this.

Other locations include: Character Rooms, Atmo Groups (Hoop Dee Doo, Voices of Liberty, or Streetsmosphere), Shows (Nemo, Fantasmic, Dream Along with Mickey) and of course Parades (MJJP, DEP, C2F). Unlike Operations, those skills cannot be shared, each of those locations require seperate training. So that's why CPs are often only trained in 1 Ent location.

 

[Joeywarhorse]

Sorry for asking so many questions about costuming, but I'm trying to figure out if I want to try it when I apply to the CP.

When watching the video for costuming, it shows CMs checking in/out costumes, using the big industrial washer and dryers, and huge racks of costumes that CMs are hanging and searching for costumes.

Are these the main jobs for costuming CPs? If not, what are some other types of typical day to day parts of the job?

Do you know of any costuming CP blogs? I've never found one.

Also, the video makes it look like there aren't many guys that do costuming. Is it majority a female role?

 

[Berlioz70]

Sorry for asking so many questions about costuming, but I'm trying to figure out if I want to try it when I apply to the CP.

When watching the video for costuming, it shows CMs checking in/out costumes, using the big industrial washer and dryers, and huge racks of costumes that CMs are hanging and searching for costumes.

Are these the main jobs for costuming CPs? If not, what are some other types of typical day to day parts of the job?

Do you know of any costuming CP blogs? I've never found one.

Also, the video makes it look like there aren't many guys that do costuming. Is it majority a female role?

The video is of Operational Costuming - they can't show Entertainment Costuming because of character integrity. The main differences are presetting/building talent costumes and helping performers dress.

I'm not up on blogs, so I don't know - sorry.

It's true we get more females than males - but I wouldn't worry about that. Males are just a successful as the females and because of their added strength they are sometimes given additional projects. People underestimate how much a costume can weigh.

 

[cdoles]

Sorry for asking so many questions about costuming, but I'm trying to figure out if I want to try it when I apply to the CP.

When watching the video for costuming, it shows CMs checking in/out costumes, using the big industrial washer and dryers, and huge racks of costumes that CMs are hanging and searching for costumes.

Are these the main jobs for costuming CPs? If not, what are some other types of typical day to day parts of the job?

Do you know of any costuming CP blogs? I've never found one.

Also, the video makes it look like there aren't many guys that do costuming. Is it majority a female role?

i don't know too much about costuming since that wasn't my role during my cp. so the information i have is what i've gathered from going to costuming/reading blogs/talking to other cps.

from just going to costuming (i had to go to a total of four costuming places during my cp) yes, the majority of cms were female. and i only encountered TWO nice costuming ladies. but, i don't know why they were mean, but they were nasty! i worked in the resorts and when i was deployed and had to go get a costume they would just expect you to know exactly what you need. i only saw one icp while getting costumes and that was at DAK costuming.

as far as what is done during costuming, i'm not really sure. they always have someone in the place where you get costumes. sometimes they work at the check outs, but most of them are self service. i can only imagine there is more things to do if you are in costuming of one of the shows or something, but again, i don't know.