Anyone work for Disney? (or know someone)

[dcibrando]

I might be interested in one day moving to Orlando and working for Disney. Right now I'm in the IT Department of a large chemical company using some of the same software Disney does today... but would like to find out what working for Disney is like, and what the surrounding Orlando area is like, not to mention where are good housing communities, etc..

 

[cleo]

bump

 

[CapeCodTenor]

*bump*

ETA: I just wanted to add that all of what I've heard about working for Disney is that just getting in the door is the key, and then transfering from there. A friend of mine works for Disney as an Imagineer in the construction area. She's working as an estimator, not something she wanted, but she took it in hopes of one day being able to transfer to the actual construction side of the job. This is something that you may take into consideration when applying for a job with Disney. You have experience working on many of the same software that Disney does, but you may want to take a lower position in order to get in the door. Or maybe a position that is slightly different from what you do now. This may or may not have been what you were looking for, but I hope this has helped. And as for living in the area, well, I do know that sometimes Disney employee's can get a discount on housing and other things. Hopefully someone else can help you out with the different areas in which to live.

TTFN

 

[dcibrando]

I think we need to see if disboard can create a new forum for Working for WDW, Living near WDW, housing, etc... this might be a good one!

 

[Feralpeg]

Look under career opportunities on Disney.com. Most professional positions with Disney are listed on that site by location. It will let you put together a resume which you can submit for consideration.

I have many neighbors who work for Disney in professional positions such as marketing, event production, etc. They seem to like working for Disney although I don't think it is all pixie dust and sunshine.

Good luck!

 

[ducklite]

I've worked for two (very different) divisions of the Disney Company in the past fifteen or so years--one as an employee, one as an operating participant.

They are not an easy company to work for. Very corporate, very stringent, very demanding. That said, there are some wonderful rewards as well. They are very, very big on teamwork, yet very competitive.

I left the company for the second time a little over a year ago, and thought about returning when I moved to the greater Orlando area seven months ago. I've decided that for now, I'm not interested.

In certain skill areas (primarily the "professions", the pay is on par with similar emplyment at any large corporation. In other areas, it's below average. Of course there are perks, which may or may not be useful to you.

That said, Disney has outsourced a lot of their I/T functions--I can't remember who got a huge contract with them a couple years ago, either ACS or IBM I"m pretty sure--either way, there are not as many I/T jobs to be had at WDW as you might think.

As far as the area, it's booming. Housing prices are still climbing, although possibly leveling a bit. Due to the hurricanes as well as a huge number of apartment to condo conversioins, there is a shortage of reasonably priced rentals.

I'm in Clermont, others on these boards are in Davenport and WIndemere. We all love the areas we live in for various reasons. FeralPeg is in WIndmere where the schools are excellent. I'm in the rolling hills of Clermont, perched high enough atop a hill to have a vista view of WDW and the nightly fireworks. SafetyMom is in Davenport, and likes that it's still rather rural. (I think that's what she likes about it anyhow...)

Let me know if there's anything more you'd like to know.

Anne