Almost Retired - Almost 60 - I would like to Work At Disney

[barbaraann]

On my recent trips to Walt Disney World, I have especially noticed the cast members. They are not all just 20 years old. They come in every shape and size, every age, lot's of variety there. I have had some wonderful conversations with cast members of all ages. I tell my husband "when you retire, we can move to Florida. I will get a job at WDW, and you can drive me to work every day. He thinks I am kidding. I really think it would be "cool' to work there. Anyone else have the same idea?

 

[all4fun]

Yes!! Dh and I have talked about this for quite a while. DH would like to be a Friendship boat driver. I think that would be cool too. Unfortunately they only make something like $8/hr so we couldn't afford to do that right now, but who knows, maybe when we retire we'll move to Florida and get ourselves our "dream jobs" at Disney!

OK dh just read this and his response was "Maybe?!"

 

[live4christp1]

Our cousin does this, he is retired but works at Disney driving a bus from the resorts to the parks and makes $10 an hour. Also has great perks like getting us in free when we visit.

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

Actually, we are planning to put our house on the market next spring and move to Kissimmee . My husband is hoping to find a job at WDW - we'll see.

 

[ducklite]

Once you get there and get settled, go to Central Casting. You don't need an appointment for hourly roles. It's the building that looks like a castle over near DTD.

There are very few f/t positions, and depending on any experience you have, often you need to start at DTD with late hours.

You need to give three days a week availability, two of which must be full days (but you will not be scheduled for the entire day--you just must be available to be scheduled anytime during that day.)

Except for a very few roles (bus drivers for example) starting pay is only a bit above minimum wage.

Disney has strict grooming guidelines, conservative hair styles with natural color, conservative makeup, no visable tatoos, on men facial hair is limited to a well groomed moustache which can not extend past the end of the upper lip, etc.

Anne

 

[JenetixK]

I'm only 25, but I've been looking forward to retirement since college. I actually mentioned the exact same idea to my boyfriend (DB?) a few days ago!

 

[ksoehrlein]

I was a CM right out of college, and it's my dream to come full circle and work there again after DH and I retire. He may even become a CM himself, who knows? We figure the future grandchildren will absolutely LOVE coming to visit!

 

[stauncie]

DH tells me that when he retires from work, he wants to move to Disney and become a tram driver.
Of course, my Momma is no help.
She took early retirement from KMart (after 18 years) and moved to South of Kissimmee and now works full time at TL. On the up side, we go visit her EVERY year
As Momma says, what you lack in pay, you make up for in sunshine!

 

[Schmeck]

Hubby has a captain's license, and I'm a spec.ed. tutor. We want to retire to WDW too! He can pilot whatever Disney has in their fleet, (he could be a large ferry captain, or an engineer) and I want to be the fairy godmother! I'm only 5'3", and I'm going premature grey, so I think I'm on the right track. I just need to fill out a bit

 

[stemikger]

I love Disney. It is my favoriate place in the world. However, I don't think I want to see the other side of it. Meaning if you work there, you are now forced to see the reality side of it.

Last year I talked to a few CMs. One in particular stood out. He actually approached me. A CM in his mid twenties heard me talk and asked me if I was from New York. I told him I was and he said man I miss New York so much. I said why you work in the greatest place in the world and his statement to me was man it's great to vacation but terrible to work here. He said that the fun wears off real soon. So that sticks in my head and I think he might be right. I rather keep Disney as my fantasy vacation and not want to see the real life side of it.

Sorry to be such a naysayer, but that is how I feel.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I hope to make WDW my second career. Not only are there many "mature" CM's, but they also (as a group) seem to have the best customer service demeanor - my best conversations have been with older cashiers and attraction guides (?). I haven't yet found that "perfect" place to work where everything is positive - of course, there are pros and cons to every employer - and as long as people realistically anticipate the difference between working there and relaxing on vacation, they should do fine.

 

[Colinsmom]

My ILs have friends who retired and now work at Disney. They don't make a lot of money, but at least get health insurance, so they don't have to pay for that out of pocket!!