Best CP Positions?

[JesseDisney]

Nope. Character attendants are global, which means that they (we) get to work at all 4 parks. It is great, because I loved getting to move around. I had weeks where I worked at least all 4 parks. In fact, I had days where I worked at more then 1 park.

And you can work with any or every character, from regular meets to shows (like Dream Along with Mickey) to dining.

Cool I def think that would be so fun, Who chooses what characters you work with and where you work?? (meets, rest, show)? you or disney? Thanks

 

[Joanna71985]

Cool I def think that would be so fun, Who chooses what characters you work with and where you work?? (meets, rest, show)? you or disney? Thanks

You are scheduled where you work each week. Although, you can pick up shifts if you like.

 

[ahoy kristen]

do a lot of CPs get actual character roles or no? & if you do get a character role, you're more than one character, or do you stay one character through the program?

 

[Joanna71985]

do a lot of CPs get actual character roles or no? & if you do get a character role, you're more than one character, or do you stay one character through the program?

It depends on what they are looking for. There is a good number of CP performers though.

Also, you will be helping out a number of characters.

 

[jeff318]

I personally think Vacation Planner is the best role.

 

[Sorahana]

I currently work Attractions and I do like my job, just not the hours. I don't like being told a couple days in advance that I'll be working until 1am, making me have three 10-11 hr shifts next week but thats probably because we are short-staffed at my location. I feel burnout coming on.

I'm sure other Attractions areas aren't that bad, it just depends on your location.

 

[Joanna71985]

I currently work Attractions and I do like my job, just not the hours. I don't like being told a couple days in advance that I'll be working until 1am, making me have three 10-11 hr shifts next week but thats probably because we are short-staffed at my location. I feel burnout coming on.

I'm sure other Attractions areas aren't that bad, it just depends on your location.

Which attraction do you work at?

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I personally think Vacation Planner is the best role.

That sounds interesting but I haven't heard much about this role... what do you all do?

I think being a character attendant would be AWESOME. Do you have to audition?!? *May be a stupid question*

And.... can someone tell me more about the hospitality role? I work front desk at a hotel now, so i've got the expierence... but im sure working for a disney hotel would be better than the one i work at now

 

[Joanna71985]

That sounds interesting but I haven't heard much about this role... what do you all do?

I think being a character attendant would be AWESOME. Do you have to audition?!? *May be a stupid question*

And.... can someone tell me more about the hospitality role? I work front desk at a hotel now, so i've got the expierence... but im sure working for a disney hotel would be better than the one i work at now

I did character attendant. You don't have to audition for that role. It is a lot of fun.

 

[tinyt396]

That sounds interesting but I haven't heard much about this role... what do you all do?

I think being a character attendant would be AWESOME. Do you have to audition?!? *May be a stupid question*

And.... can someone tell me more about the hospitality role? I work front desk at a hotel now, so i've got the expierence... but im sure working for a disney hotel would be better than the one i work at now

I can't tell you about the hospitality role but I do know that it is hard to get cast in it as a college programer. When I did my program I was getting my degree in hotel management so hospitality was number 1 on my list but I got cast in merchandise.

Let me tell you that I had a blast in merchandise. For 95% of my program I worked in Toontown and it was the best place I worked the entire time. The management was awesome the land is awesome and it is just a great place to work. Characters are there all the time so its always busy so no matter what your shift goes by fast.

 

[disneychickforever]

If you want hospitality, it is often recommended to do the Advantage program, being there longer gives you a better shot.

I'm applying for Character Performer, Attractions, Hospitality, and debating about Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique. I think I'd like Hospitality because I don't want to get sick of the parks....

I had Quick Service last time, and I didn't like it. But understand that my reason is a special circumstance, and if it wasn't for that, I would have been fine. Right before Disney, I had a stroke due to an eating disorder, and by the time I got to Disney, the eating disorder wasn't treated yet, so working around food ALL DAY gave me a really bad anxiety. It made me sick to my stomach being around fast food all day, and I slipped back into my disorder for a spell. If it wasn't for my own personal issue, I think I would have enjoyed it. My managers were real nice and were trying to switch me out of my role due to my special issue, but it's really hard to do. You have to wait a couple months and everything. I ended up self-terming (for a different reason though, I hurt my knee and had to get it treated at home). This is the only reason why I wouldn't do quick service again, for me it was too stressful. The exact thing I am telling my interviewer also to make sure I don't get it again.

Now keep in mind, if you use an ED as a reason not to get QSFB, and you don't have one, and Disney finds out, you could get in trouble. My rep told me to bring a note from my doctor about the ED to prove I had it, so don't fake it lol.

 

[Merriweather86]

I agree, EVERY job has its ups and downs...I have done merchandise and hospitality...and I loved both of them...merchandise was a blast, I worked with tons of other CP's, and it was easy work...hospitality was a lot different, because there were only a couple of us, and work could be a little bit stressful at times...but at the end of the day, you knew that you really helped somebody's vacation be magical! Just keep an open mind, because some of the roles that don't seem that desirable at first glance can sometimes be the best ones!

 

[SnowWhite1985]

well i can tell you that qsfb kinda sucked a lot. but i made the best friends ever..in all honesty, there is hardly anyone that truly loves their job down there. you're still gonna have fun, so it doesn't matter all that much. a lot of people don't want custodial, but i heard it was one of the best positions. you get to walk around and interact with guests all day. i didn't have that chance..my days consisted of heres your chicken have a nice day but hey..i'm going back so it couldn't have been that bad

 

[ahoy kristen]

what exactly is attractions? i know it's like being guides for rides & stuff, but what else?

 

[Joanna71985]

what exactly is attractions? i know it's like being guides for rides & stuff, but what else?

Attractions is working the shows/rides. You assist with fastpasses, work the queue lines, move strollers (if need to), work the actual ride, load the ride, if you work a show (like Indiana Jones or Fantasmic) help with seating. These are just a few.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I was wondering what 'vacation planner' is? It sounds fun.... as I basically help plan peoples Disney Vacations now anyway...

I really want to go for Hospitality and I am considering doing the advantage program... but maybe vacation planner could be my 2nd choice?!? I guess it all depends on what it is

Any insight?

 

[Joanna71985]

I was wondering what 'vacation planner' is? It sounds fun.... as I basically help plan peoples Disney Vacations now anyway...

I really want to go for Hospitality and I am considering doing the advantage program... but maybe vacation planner could be my 2nd choice?!? I guess it all depends on what it is

Any insight?

Vacation planners are the people who sell the park tickets and other stuff like that.

 

[jeff318]

That sounds interesting but I haven't heard much about this role... what do you all do?

I think being a character attendant would be AWESOME. Do you have to audition?!? *May be a stupid question*

And.... can someone tell me more about the hospitality role? I work front desk at a hotel now, so i've got the expierence... but im sure working for a disney hotel would be better than the one i work at now

Vacation Planning is more or less the disneyified term for selling tickets. It's called planning because there's a lot more to it than getting people to buy tickets - it also involves helping them get the correct tickets.

 

[lollidrop]

It depends on what you like and want out of your program.

I had a few roommates who hated that they didn't work with any other CPs... one was a character attendant, one was a vacation planner. If that's not a big deal to you (or you think you'll be friends with your roommates) then go for it. Vacation Planning has some of the more "normal" hours... but it doesn't matter much for a CP because no one else's hours will be normal. Just as a warning with hospitality you may get bad hours since they have to staff 24 hours a day.

Personally, I worked at a large attraction and I loved it. There were tons of CPs so it was great having people my age around.

 

[csaribay]

And.... can someone tell me more about the hospitality role? I work front desk at a hotel now, so i've got the expierence... but im sure working for a disney hotel would be better than the one i work at now

Hospitality is probably the most difficult role to score on the college program. Prior guest service experience and a pretty good phone interview are necessities for this role- since you already work a hotel front desk, that certainly helps. Because of the significant investment Disney makes in training these cast members, it would be advantageous to sign-up for an advantage program.

As far as the role goes, it can vary from resort to resort. At most resorts, this involves at least three sub-roles (of which you'll perform them all), Cashier (Front Desk H/H), Lobby Concierge and Runner. The former is pretty much just like any other hotel cashier in the formal sense- they check you in to your "Disney Vacation" and get you established at the resort. However, the level of detail and explanation required is often a much higher expectation from anywhere else you'd work. You're not just checking people in to a hotel, you're setting up their vacation!

Lobby concierge, as you can probably deduce, assists guests in a resort lobby, typically adjacent to the front desk to organize dining reservations, excursions and other activities, and sell tickets. This sub-role is a lot like a glorified vacation planner at one of the parks. The runners do exactly that- run items per guest requests. Other resorts have additional sub-roles that you may or may not be selected to perform. This includes Club Concierge (Disney desk experience is required for this, and is located at deluxe resorts only), Lounge Attendant and Bell services.

Somethings to keep in mind is that resorts operate 24/7/365. There is a great potential for you to be given "funky" shifts, because they must always be staffed. These roles can be a lot of fun, but are a lot of stress as well.

Hopefully that answers some questions!