Breaks/CDS?

[BabyPiglet]

So I've heard that sometimes the CPers don't get their required breaks? Is that true? I mean, I understand having to postpone my break because it's really busy, but it'd be hard to work for 8 hours and not have any breaks!

Secondly, I heard somebody mention something called CDS? Like it's where they got assigned their different positions? Can somebody explain for me, please.

 

[piratechick]

So I've heard that sometimes the CPers don't get their required breaks? Is that true? I mean, I understand having to postpone my break because it's really busy, but it'd be hard to work for 8 hours and not have any breaks!

Secondly, I heard somebody mention something called CDS? Like it's where they got assigned their different positions? Can somebody explain for me, please.

Hmm, the only reason why you won't get your required break is if they forgot about you or if they hardly have any breakers (people who cover you while you are on break) and a lot of CMs working that day. If you haven't had your break yet you are supposed to call your manager/supervisor and remind them because they are supposed to give everyone at least a 15 minute-1 hour and 15 minute (depends on the hours) break. Its part of Florida State Law.

CDS (sorry forgot what it stands for, I know C stands for Cast) is a computer system where you clock in with your cast number and it prints out where you are stationed for the day and how long you are there, and it also prints out your break time in some roles. It also can show your schedule for you as well. You can only access it backstage on the Disney computers, you can't access it at home on your computer.

 

[BabyPiglet]

it prints out where you are stationed for the day and how long you are there

So it tells you what position you'll be in, and that you'll be in it for like an hour? And then after the hour is up, does someone come to take over your position..or how does that work?

 

[piratechick]

So it tells you what position you'll be in, and that you'll be in it for like an hour? And then after the hour is up, does someone come to take over your position..or how does that work?

Yes, once your hour is up someone will show up and take over while they hand you a piece of paper with where you have to go next, which could be another position or a break. Attractions and QSFB counter service are two of the main roles who does this everyday. There are some roles where you stay in the required position for the whole shift, like in QSFB Outdoor Food.

 

[dkmulder]

Yes, once your hour is up someone will show up and take over while they hand you a piece of paper with where you have to go next, which could be another position or a break. Attractions and QSFB counter service are two of the main roles who does this everyday. There are some roles where you stay in the required position for the whole shift, like in QSFB Outdoor Food.

cds - cast deployment system? If I remember right, I think that was it.

I always really liked using the cds, it is very different from a regular job. I worked merch on Main Street East (loved it), and I really enjoyed getting a slip that would tell me to go to point a, have person 1 return to the cds, continue on to point b for 30 minutes, then move to point c. By the time I'd get to c, someone was bringing me the slip to return to the cds Certainly kept things interesting!

And I always got my breaks

 

[piratechick]

cds - cast deployment system? If I remember right, I think that was it.

I always really liked using the cds, it is very different from a regular job. I worked merch on Main Street East (loved it), and I really enjoyed getting a slip that would tell me to go to point a, have person 1 return to the cds, continue on to point b for 30 minutes, then move to point c. By the time I'd get to c, someone was bringing me the slip to return to the cds Certainly kept things interesting!

And I always got my breaks

Yes, that's it! Its been almost two years since I worked with Disney, so I always forget about some things. I was thinking Cast Deployment System, but I didn't know if it was right. Yes, cds is interesting and original, though I was in Outdoor Food, so the only time I got a slip was to go to break, since I had to stay in my required position the whole shift. I'm in Merch this time, so its going to be interesting to get a slip every half hour or so instead of just break.

 

[DisneyLover0526]

cds - cast deployment system? If I remember right, I think that was it.

I always really liked using the cds, it is very different from a regular job. I worked merch on Main Street East (loved it), and I really enjoyed getting a slip that would tell me to go to point a, have person 1 return to the cds, continue on to point b for 30 minutes, then move to point c. By the time I'd get to c, someone was bringing me the slip to return to the cds Certainly kept things interesting!

And I always got my breaks

Ok. That does sound intersting...now I'm wondering...would the same go for me? I'm going to be a Character Performer for Fall Advantage. Would I have to go to the CDS as well?

 

[dkmulder]

Ok. That does sound intersting...now I'm wondering...would the same go for me? I'm going to be a Character Performer for Fall Advantage. Would I have to go to the CDS as well?

Although I don't know for sure, I highly doubt it. It wouldn't look good for Goofy to be out signing autographs and then get a slip from another goofy to go take a break. From what I understand, although again, I was not a performer so I'm not certain, characters have a block of time that they are in a certain spot, then, with their attendant, they go backstage and another character takes their spot if the meet and greets are still taking place.

 

[DisneyLover0526]

Although I don't know for sure, I highly doubt it. It wouldn't look good for Goofy to be out signing autographs and then get a slip from another goofy to go take a break. From what I understand, although again, I was not a performer so I'm not certain, characters have a block of time that they are in a certain spot, then, with their attendant, they go backstage and another character takes their spot if the meet and greets are still taking place.

ok, I understand now. Thanks!

 

[piratechick]

Ok. That does sound intersting...now I'm wondering...would the same go for me? I'm going to be a Character Performer for Fall Advantage. Would I have to go to the CDS as well?

No, you don't. Since you are a character performance, you are going to work in all the parks and resorts, so you will clock in by swiping your CM ID card through a regular Swipe Machine(is that what they call?) at your assign location for the day. You can use the cds if you want to know your schedule and what time is your break. To know where you would be working that day, your schedule will tell you what park and character you will be working. Every park have a character base to report to where the swipe machine would be at. Its the same if you were picked as a character attendant. Characters are only onstage 20 minutes at a time, then you go backstage.

 

[DisneyLover0526]

No, you don't. Since you are a character performance, you are going to work in all the parks and resorts, so you will clock in by swiping your CM ID card through a regular Swipe Machine at your assign location for the day (is that what they call?). You can use the cds if you want to know your schedule and what time is your break. To know where you would be working that day, your schedule will tell you what park and character you will be working. Every park have a character base to report to where the swipe machine would be at. Its the same if you were picked as a character attendant. Characters are only onstage 20 minutes at a time, then you go backstage.

Ok, that makes sense. But one more thing, what about when I have to move around? Would I know where to go from my schedule, or would the Character Attendant tell me?

 

[piratechick]

Ok, that makes sense. But one more thing, what about when I have to move around? Would I know where to go from my schedule, or would the Character Attendant tell me?

The character attendants would tell you because they are the ones who are handed a sheet with the work locations for the day (two of my roommates were character performers, actually they are still there just working full-time now, explained all of this to me).

 

[DisneyLover0526]

The character attendants would tell you because they are the ones who are handed a sheet with the work locations for the day (two of my roommates were character performers, actually they are still there just working full-time now, explained all of this to me).

Nice! So you definately know what you're talking about!!! LOL! Thank you so much for clearing all of this up for me! You and dkmulder have been a great help to me!

 

[piratechick]

Nice! So you definately know what you're talking about!!! LOL! Thank you so much for clearing all of this up for me! You and dkmulder have been a great help to me!

You are welcome! I hope you have a great time! I heard being a character performer is one of the funnest and greatest job you can have at Disney. Good luck!

 

[dkmulder]

Ok, that makes sense. But one more thing, what about when I have to move around? Would I know where to go from my schedule, or would the Character Attendant tell me?

You'll know. Try not to worry (I know, impossible, right?) When you take traditions, everything will be answered and they will make certain you understand. You will have traditions at Disney University with everyone else, then groups will break up and you will begin to be trained by role, so the training is more specific. I'm not sure about characters, but after I had my merch class, I also had a day where I toured MK with all the other MK cp's, not just the Merch cp's. Then, I met specifically with leaders who showed me my work area, how to clock in, all about the cds, the offices, groups, mousketeria, locker rooms, costumes - everything I would need to know. By this point, I had gone from a group of one hundred or so from day 1 of traditions, down to four with two leaders and then assigned one trainer at my work location for the first week. They really take care of you when you are earning your ears, and make sure you know what you need to know.

You're character attendant is really in the same boat as you- especially if they are another cp, they are kind of like your body guard/ communicator.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Wow, I love the sound of this CDS. The worst part of my 'real life' job was asking my manager what I should do for the day and them looking at me like I was stupid, so I just wandered around aimlessly for a while. And of course, them being erratic with the times of my breaks.

I feel really secure that Disney knows what they are doing, and they have figured out a very efficient way to handle all of us college kids!

 

[graygables]

In my location, it has become common knowledge that if we are assigned certain tasks by CDS, however, it's wise to check in with a leader to see where they REALLY want you to go. I have had a few times that my break was checked off when I hadn't gotten it, so it isn't a perfect system and you do sometimes have to stay on top of it. On Thurs, I had 2 half hours breaks (scheduled from 1-9). Didn't get the first one until 445 and had to take the 2nd one before 7pm (park close). It wasn't fun having them that close together, THEN I found out that, for some reason, CDS decided that my 2nd 30 was also unpaid. I left a message for my manager this morning, but it's still showing up that way...it's not a perfect system, but once you get into your location, you'll figure out the quirks.

 

[glendalais]

Wow, I love the sound of this CDS. The worst part of my 'real life' job was asking my manager what I should do for the day and them looking at me like I was stupid, so I just wandered around aimlessly for a while. And of course, them being erratic with the times of my breaks.

I feel really secure that Disney knows what they are doing, and they have figured out a very efficient way to handle all of us college kids!

Oh to be new....I remember when I was like that, lol.

Anyway, the Cast Deployment System, or CDS for short, is a system utilized by the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort to manage Hourly Cast Members in select roles. The nuances of how it works for Cast Members have already been explored, so I won't go into that.

CDS allows for Management to easily control and analyze labour patterns. This permits them to adjust or redeploy Cast Members to respond to changing situations, and permits the company to obtain maximum efficiency and work out of it's labour budget.

From a Cast Perspective, it works...poorly. I've seen CDS do some fairly wacky things in my time, like sending a Cast Member to position and then sending another Cast Member to send the first Cast Member to break 2 minutes later.

When CDS was first brought over to the Disneyland Resort from the Walt Disney World Resort in 2001, MousePlanet ran the following quote from a DLR Cast Member. I think it sums up Cast attitudes on both coasts towards the system quite nicely:

"One of the rumors making its way around the park is that the backlash to CDS's final phase, the installation of the computers, will be so severe that many of the machines will be destroyed by angry cast members. I have heard that management is even preparing for that possibility by requesting a couple extra machines."

Utlization of the system varies from role to role and location to location. Several departments and divisions, including but not limited to: DLR/WDW Entertainment, DLR/WDW Maintenance and DLR Food & Beverage do not use CDS for their Cast Members. Cast Members in these roles clock in and out for their shifts using Wall Time Clocks and obtain assignments and breaks from either their Managers or their Coordinators (WDW) or Working Leads (DLR).

Several other departments and divisions do not use CDS to it's full capacity. For example, here at the DLR, many of our Attractions are self-breaking. Cast Members will clock in and out for their shifts using the system, and will also use the system to request Early Releases (ERs, going home early), but will go off breaksheets or Management/Working Leads for everything else.

As to Breaks and Lunch, per their status, Walt Disney World Resort College Program participants are not subject to the Lunch and Break provisions stipulated for most Regular-status Cast Members in the Services Trade Council Union Labor Agreement. In addition, Floridian Law does not contain provisions requring Employers to provide their Employees with Breaks or Lunches. As such, Disney would be well within their rights to require Participants to work straight through their shifts without any Task-Free Periods.

That being said, I do believe that WDW Management does attempt, within Business Needs, to provide CPers with Breaks and Lunches on the same basis as Regular-status Cast Members. This is comprised of a 15-minute paid Break for every four hours worked, with the break coming as close to the middle of the four hour period as is possible, as well as as a 30-minute unpaid lunch that is positioned as closed to the middle of a Cast Member's overall shift as is possible.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Oh to be new....I remember when I was like that, lol.

.

Haha, I just realized that I do sound very peppy about everything, as I'm sure most of the people who haven't gone yet are.

I've heard accounts from people who love the system, and people who don't. So I guess it's just depends on the person's experience with it.

Personally, if this CDS actually works correctly while I'm there rolleyes then I think I would love it, for reasons I stated previously.

Now, about the breaks, I'm kind of nervous about that part now. I really don't want to work 8-9 hours without a break.

 

[bonbon]

CDS does work well in some locations. I know it can do wacky things (once, i was working at the house of innoventions, cds sent someone to send me to where's the fire, but once i got there, someone else was already there to send me back to the house!), but it did okay. The worst shock CDS ever gave me was I showed up, and it told me to report to Mission: Space Race! O_O (I had two different costumes, depending upon where I was. Normally we knew before hand when we'd be at Space so we'd have the right costume) But overall, it wasn't too bad.