After the college program, what does it mean to be seasonal?

[ArielinWonderland]

After doing the college program, I have heard of people going back during like winter break or something as a "seasonal cast member." I haven't done the CP yet (still waiting to hear back about Spring 2012) but I was curious how this works? How do you get hired back? How does housing work?

 

[peterpan2011]

IF you are accepted to the College Program and IF you keep a clean work history on your record card with the Company (you can only have so many points or reprimands...i am uncertain of the amount), you may be eligible to convert to a CT (seasonal cast member) after you finish your program. This is usually approved and submitted on your behalf by one of your managers toward the end of your program. Not everyone will become CT's, it depends on your relationship, work history and Company needs. If approved, you will be required to complete 150 hours of work yearly (this is a recent change from past requirements). If it does not happen through your College Program experience, I believe you can apply independently to Casting after your program is completed. I would imagine that you will have to complete a separate interview for this route. I became a CT after my program (last semester) and am traveling soon to complete some of my hours next month. It is gratifying and exciting to stay on with the Company. I wish you the best on getting accepted as a CP and eventually...a CT!!! Oh, and by the way...as a CT you are required to secure your own lodging. Housing is for CP's and PI's only.

 

[PineappleFloat]

How're you doing with the recent 150 hour change? Its not a big issue to me as I live an hour away, but I can imagine it's gotten a lot tougher and less worthwhile for people who are not local now. Fairly pricey to fly down and pay for 150 hours worth of lodging I'd imagine. It's good to see some are able to do it still... I'm hoping it'll become easier to be a Seasonal now for me after my Spring term.

 

[peterpan2011]

How're you doing with the recent 150 hour change? Its not a big issue to me as I live an hour away, but I can imagine it's gotten a lot tougher and less worthwhile for people who are not local now. Fairly pricey to fly down and pay for 150 hours worth of lodging I'd imagine. It's good to see some are able to do it still... I'm hoping it'll become easier to be a Seasonal now for me after my Spring term.

Well, I cannot tell a lie, haha...the 150 hours is going to be challenging for a number of reasons. I am actually driving, but between the gas and the lodging I will certainly spend a few dollars! But then again too...being a Disney cast member is not about making money for a lot of seasonal folks, it is about staying connected and doing something they believe in, at least it feels that way to me! Good luck with your program!

 

[BigDreamer]

The point requirement really depends on where you're working. The whole time I was in the CP, the CP staff really stressed that it was no more than 5 points to meet transfer guidelines. This is true for a majority of the roles, however for entertainment (Performers, Photopass) it's actually 4 points or less, so make sure you check with your manager, I almost missed out!
To do the 150 hours it's going to be tough, but if you lump in the hours all together, you can get a short term rental while you're down there. You will DEFINITELY make friends there who will either stay on for PT work, or who already live down there, and so you can couch surf is you play your cards right! I have several friends who have said I can crash with them when the time comes. It's easier to go seasonal if you have your managers do the paperwork before you leave, rather than wait. And let me just say, it is SOOOO depressing when you leave. You seriously go through Disney with drawls, so just save yourself the pain and do it before you leave
Also, I live in California and to me, it's definitely worth it to stay seasonal for Florida! I LOVED my job and it would be my dream to work there full time

 

[Jayana]

The point requirement really depends on where you're working. The whole time I was in the CP, the CP staff really stressed that it was no more than 5 points to meet transfer guidelines. This is true for a majority of the roles, however for entertainment (Performers, Photopass) it's actually 4 points or less, so make sure you check with your manager, I almost missed out!
To do the 150 hours it's going to be tough, but if you lump in the hours all together, you can get a short term rental while you're down there. You will DEFINITELY make friends there who will either stay on for PT work, or who already live down there, and so you can couch surf is you play your cards right! I have several friends who have said I can crash with them when the time comes. It's easier to go seasonal if you have your managers do the paperwork before you leave, rather than wait. And let me just say, it is SOOOO depressing when you leave. You seriously go through Disney with drawls, so just save yourself the pain and do it before you leave
Also, I live in California and to me, it's definitely worth it to stay seasonal for Florida! I LOVED my job and it would be my dream to work there full time

Really good to know about the points for Photopass, thanks! Was it hard to stay under 4 points, and how long a time frame was that in? Like, if I extend, would I only have 4 points for the whole year? (Not that I plan on missing work...I've only missed 2 days of work in 2 years, but you never know what might happen.)

 

[BigDreamer]

Really good to know about the points for Photopass, thanks! Was it hard to stay under 4 points, and how long a time frame was that in? Like, if I extend, would I only have 4 points for the whole year? (Not that I plan on missing work...I've only missed 2 days of work in 2 years, but you never know what might happen.)

You know, the 4 points really wasn't that hard for me, and my friend even had 0. The points disappear after 6 months, so right now, even though I left with 4 points on my card, I should only have 1 as the others have expired.
I called out 3 times for Personal Days. Now this is difficult because the managers I had told me it was okay to call a Personal day and go to the park to play, but to NOT call in sick and go play, as I would be termed. This is different from others from different roles who said they were told they couldn't call in either Personal or Sick and go play, or they'd be termed, so check with your managers on that when you get there! (EPCOT is amazing!! Hope you work there! ) That said, TRY not to call out to play, as you never know what could happen down the road, lol. Also, when it came time to try and extend our program, they accepted people with the LEAST amount of points. I'm not sure if this is actually how they do it, but we all noticed that everyone who got accepted, seemed to have 0 - 0.5 points.

 

[ArielinWonderland]

Are points the same for every type of absence? One of my grandmothers is very sick, and I'm nervous that I may need to fly home at some point for a few days. Are they understanding of extenuating circumstances like that? Will you still accumulate points the same way?

 

[jeeesss]

Are points the same for every type of absence? One of my grandmothers is very sick, and I'm nervous that I may need to fly home at some point for a few days. Are they understanding of extenuating circumstances like that? Will you still accumulate points the same way?

In the event something does occur (and i hope not, i wish her well), you can always speak to your area manager about the situation and he/she will typically give you an approved day off/s so you need not call in.

 

[ArielinWonderland]

In the event something does occur (and i hope not, i wish her well), you can always speak to your area manager about the situation and he/she will typically give you an approved day off/s so you need not call in.

Alright, thanks. I figured they would be understanding of situations like that.

 

[elphie101]

Are points the same for every type of absence? One of my grandmothers is very sick, and I'm nervous that I may need to fly home at some point for a few days. Are they understanding of extenuating circumstances like that? Will you still accumulate points the same way?

Depending on your work location, you can always try and give your shifts away to other CMs too, to prevent you from getting points. After a certain time (I believe under 24 hours) it needs to be approved by a manager but given the situation I'm sure you would have a good shot.

 

[LMKerins]

Hey guys! So I did my program last spring and was approved to go seasonal afterwards. I will be going down in a few weeks to complete some of my hours... and here's where my question comes in:

For those of you who are seasonal, what did you do about your id? Obviously the one I had for my program expired when my program ended, but would it still work to clock in? Did you get a new id, and if so, where did you go and how did you get it?

Any help would be soooooooo appreciated!!!

 

[AliSW]

I haven't gone back to work but I know you have to get a new id. My old roommate came back down to work while I was still there and she had to get a new id first. I guess you probably just go to that one place... by where you went for traditions.. don't remember the name. so I guess this wasn't much help haha.
Anyway I am seasonal but I probably wouldn't ever be able to get 150 hours :/ but for now it's ok because I'm going to try to do summer alumni. sad they made it so many more hours though.

 

[saturdaygirl]

Hey guys! So I did my program last spring and was approved to go seasonal afterwards. I will be going down in a few weeks to complete some of my hours... and here's where my question comes in:

For those of you who are seasonal, what did you do about your id? Obviously the one I had for my program expired when my program ended, but would it still work to clock in? Did you get a new id, and if so, where did you go and how did you get it?

Any help would be soooooooo appreciated!!!

i knew nothing about going seasonal when i did my program(spring 2007) and when i went back for vacation in the summer of 2008, i went to go try and ask about this and they took my id and cut it up, i was sad lol. i still have my entrance pass though haha

 

[jeeesss]

Hey guys! So I did my program last spring and was approved to go seasonal afterwards. I will be going down in a few weeks to complete some of my hours... and here's where my question comes in:

For those of you who are seasonal, what did you do about your id? Obviously the one I had for my program expired when my program ended, but would it still work to clock in? Did you get a new id, and if so, where did you go and how did you get it?

Any help would be soooooooo appreciated!!!

You'd have to go to Access Control, which is right outside Disney University (it's an attached office outside the main DU doors). Before you go though, you will need one of your managers to e-mail Access Control about your ID. If you can't get in touch with them, Access will give you a number to call right there in the office. So really, it's not ESSENTIAL, that you ask your manager to e-mail them before you go in, BUT it will save you time (especially if you previously worked in a busy area).

 

[Jayana]

Are points the same for every type of absence? One of my grandmothers is very sick, and I'm nervous that I may need to fly home at some point for a few days. Are they understanding of extenuating circumstances like that? Will you still accumulate points the same way?

Hey, I just noticed, you are going to Disneyland California, not Walt Disney World Florida. I heard the points system is a bit different there, so don't take everything on this thread as the absolute truth when it comes to your CP, be careful!

 

[saturdaygirl]

i just thought of this question. even though i did my program 3 years ago, can i still go seasonal? or would there have been a time limit to apply/ask for it?

 

[luvthephunk]

i just thought of this question. even though i did my program 3 years ago, can i still go seasonal? or would there have been a time limit to apply/ask for it?

You would have to reapply through casting as a new hire and go seasonal that way. Your training in whatever role you were in, lapsed after six months after the completion of your program.