Attractions, merchandise or custodial?

[BethEJo]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to ask everybody here a quick question...

I'm going to be applying for the ICP next summer, but will appreciate answers from anybody who's done ICP, CP or any other type of program at Disney.

I spoke to a friend who did the ICP last summer and she said that you have three options from which to work in: attractions, custodial and merchandise.

And here is what she said:

"I'd recommend attractions as that means you can work in one of the parks. If you choose merchandise or custodial, then you might end up working at one of the resorts, which are a bit out of the way and not as interactive"

So I was just wondering, what do you guys think? Do you agree with what my friend said? What are your ideas?

Looking forward to reading some replies...

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

She was right by saying that in Merch/Custodial you could possibly work outside of a park. But I think you have an extremely high chance of working in a park with any of these 3 roles. If you work Attractions though you could be stuck working a ride like Small World having to hear that song all day everyday or working the Safari at AK driving the vehicles/reciting script for the ride. So it's all about what you want to do. I wouldn't let the possiblilty of working out side of the parks stop me from doing Merch or Custodial if you want to do those.

 

[jewjubean]

During my program I worked in both Attractions and Merchandise. For my merchandise location I worked at World of Disney in Downtown Disney. It was by far one of the BEST locations to work. ALthough we did have late/early shifts we usually had the best hours out of the 6 other roommates I lived with. Also DTD is way more relaxed about their CM's than the parks are. As a merchandise CM you had opportunities to work in other locations. You could pick up shifts in merchandise in all of the parks/resorts as long as they didnt have special training.
As a Attractions CM I worked at the Stitch Complex in T-land and had a awesome time too! I think it all comes down to your co-workers and how you approach the job. Sure working at IASW might not be at the top of the list..neither is Stitch! But we had a awesome time while working.

Two of my roomies were Custodial and they worked at MK. Both had the most Guest interaction. So if thats something your looking for, go ahead and as for Custodial.
HTH. There are alot of blogs/vlogs about the different roles and positions. I am a firm believer that it's mostly how you handle your situtations, and making the best of them. Good luck!!!!
BTW I'm applying for the program again in August for the Spring 11' program!! Maybe see ya real soon!

 

[DisneySpike]

I thought there was also life guarding and food and bev. available as possible positions. Or are they just parts of others?
I had a friend last year who was food and bev. at a resort and a friend this year who is doing housekeeping.
Both seem to love it.
I think working at Disney if you love it enough no matter what job you'll get you'll love.
I also highly recommend looking at blogs (that's what I'm doing right now too)
and I'm keeping track of everything through a blog of my own. It's a great way to see the differences in positions and how the attitudes towards a job differs based on the person.

 

[BethEJo]

Yeah I totally agree with you guys the job is definitely what you make of it.

I've said previously that I wouldnt be bothered with what I ended up doing, but I would like to have some guest interaction.

Thanks for your opinions, I value them all

 

[ilovediznee]

I had an employee several years ago who did lifeguarding at Blizzard Beach. She LOVED it. You had set hours and if it rained and the park closed, there was still plenty to do to get your hours in. She was off every night about 7pm so she felt she had a much normal life than a lot of her peers who had to work in the parks until 1am and THEN still had to go home.

I also heard that working in one of the gift shops in the hotel is good too. While they don't close until 10 or 11pm, you are in air conditioning and really get a good feel for the resort.

Good Luck!

 

[Disney_Lover06]

I haven't done the program but I agree that you make the job whatever you want it to be. All positions have negatives and postives things.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

Yeah I totally agree with you guys the job is definitely what you make of it.

I've said previously that I wouldnt be bothered with what I ended up doing, but I would like to have some guest interaction.

Thanks for your opinions, I value them all

All 3 of these jobs would be massively based around guest interaction.

 

[sneekypeeks]

I did merchandise at Fort Wilderness (camp ground) and I loved it. While I did miss out on the park stuff that my roommates were getting to do, I also didn't have crazy hours, like having to work until 4 am at MK, which they did. My hours were pretty straight, and I was still able to pick up extra hours in the parks if I needed them.

The other thing I loved about the resort, was I didn't get lost in the crowd. I applied for some professional/management internships and the support of my leaders was crucial. Working in a resort was a way for them to see me and get to know me on a level that isn't usually available in the parks. I liked the camaraderie that was available with working with a smaller crew of people.

As far as guest interaction, while you may get more in a park, is it necessarily better? Working at a resort, I see the same people over and over for weeks. I build relationships with them and am able to talk to them for more than the rushed 3 minutes that they are in the line at a ride. I have had guests bring me dinner on multiple occasions and I am still in contact with a couple of guests through email. Guest interaction is quality vs quantity when considering parks vs resorts.

Hope it helps

 

[Joanna71985]

I've done all 3 roles (and am currently in attractions). All 3 are fun, but I would go with attractions

 

[AliSW]

I have some random questions about custodial..
Well the first one is just about being outside all day. Do you get used to the heat all day? I'm afraid I'll get miserable being out in the hot sun all day.
And about the different things you do, is it one day you sweep, another day you clean bathrooms, another day you bus, or do some people only do one thing all the time?

 

[Joanna71985]

I have some random questions about custodial..
Well the first one is just about being outside all day. Do you get used to the heat all day? I'm afraid I'll get miserable being out in the hot sun all day.
And about the different things you do, is it one day you sweep, another day you clean bathrooms, another day you bus, or do some people only do one thing all the time?

1. I would say after awhile, you do get more used to the heat. But always make sure to drink lots of water (and if you can, wear a hat. It helped me a lot).

2. That's how it was for me. I switched back and forth between Streets and Restrooms (with a speciality shift thrown in every once in awhile- at WS that was the Sounds like Summer concerts, events like ENCORE, bussing the QS place in Germany, and so on).