Can I become a DVC guide? Is it for someone like me?

[Maribel]

Guys, I need your expert opinion on this. I was wondering if anyone in this board knows something about the DVC Guide job.

Here is the thing:

I'm a computer engineer with a MBA. I have always worked on sales (software), but when my first daughter was born (four years ago) things got complicated as my line of job requires extensive traveling. I managed, hardly. And I have to say I was doing a very poor job since I was limiting myself on the traveling so that I could take care of my child. But when I got pregnant the second time, I decided to stop working altogether and get the girls the attention they needed from their mother. That was two years ago.
I would like to get back to work, but I know I can't come back to what I was doing before. I started thinking, what else can I do?

Since I love Disney, and live in Florida, I started looking what type of jobs are available for someone like me, with sales experience, Disney lover.

I came across the DVC Guide position. It seems to be something I would most definitely love to do, not exactly my area of expertise, but I can get my FL Real Estate license with no problem, and with the right training into the messages, the positioning of the product, etc, I can see myself selling DVC points in no time.

But, is it something that a mom can do in a schedule that fits their family routine? I mean, is it a 9 to 5 kind of job? Maybe something that can be done from home (at least part of it)? Would it take considerably time from weekends and holidays? Do you have to live in Orlando? I never met my guide, we did everything over the phone and mail, so I guess the work can be done from anywhere, but I'm close enought to Orlando that I can be there if needed.

Hopefully you guys know something about this work and can give me a hand in deciding if I should apply or not.

Thanks in advance

 

[Starr W.]

I know my guide was working Thanksgiving day, because that's when we met with him at 8am. I think he was working to 2-3pm that day.

 

[acejka]

My guide is in the office a lot of nights until 9pm. I'm not sure if that is the same for all guides or if it matters to you or not but I thought I would throw it out there because for some people that is good since they wouldn't go in the office until the afternoon or evening.

 

[moredisneyplease]

sounds like a fun job if you ask me! I think I'd make a good sales person for DVC because I really believe in the "product" and am happy to be an owner. Wish I lived closer to DL so I could do that job! Shoot, i would do lots of jobs at DL if i lived closer!!!!

 

[PamOKW]

I'm not positive but I'm guessing the guides are licensed realtors. I also think you've got to be putting in a lot of time to make the sales. I don't see this as a job they let you do from home. I think they want the guides on site chasing prospects.

 

[sean-1966]

We were told the training is gruelling. Disnsy is very praticular about the way things are presented and done.

 

[disneynutz]

If you love Disney, don't work there.

The view from backstage is quite different. Disney is a tough company to work for. Most CMs are underpaid, part time employees who take on two jobs to make ends meet. The DVD employees have it a little better, but there is a lot of pressure to sell. Position and pay are based on performance. The Guides who work face to face with the public are paid the least and spend more time on each sale. I sense a lot of frustration due to personal and constant policy changes. I have heard that employees get upset because the Guests know more about what's going on then they do.

 

[jk8]

Our guide had to go on Disney Cruises quiet a few times a year. A great perk but it is still travel away from family.

 

[VacationKicks]

Our guide only works 3 days a week so it is possible to work part time.

 

[manning]

You may need a real estate license.

 

[Maribel]

Thank you guys for your opinions. The real estate license is not really a problem. I don't have it yet, but getting one isn't really that hard.
As per pressure to sale, well, that it's all I being doing from the time I finish college. The difference is that I was selling to corporations and not individuals and families.
I have worked for big companies like IBM that are very, very, VERY particular at the way they do business, are quite burocratic, having to report to two or more people what you are doing. That simply doesn't scared me.
I think I can manage a business trip once or twice a year (if it is a cruise, well even better). That is quite different that the at least twice-per-quarter that I was doing before.
I'm not thinking of moving to Orlando, so I was thinking more of something that can be done over the phone, which it looks that it's possible.

 

[disneynutz]

Thank you guys for your opinions. The real estate license is not really a problem. I don't have it yet, but getting one isn't really that hard.
As per pressure to sale, well, that it's all I being doing from the time I finish college. The difference is that I was selling to corporations and not individuals and families.
I have worked for big companies like IBM that are very, very, VERY particular at the way they do business, are quite burocratic, having to report to two or more people what you are doing. That simply doesn't scared me.
I think I can manage a business trip once or twice a year (if it is a cruise, well even better). That is quite different that the at least twice-per-quarter that I was doing before.
I'm not thinking of moving to Orlando, so I was thinking more of something that can be done over the phone, which it looks that it's possible.

The work from home over the phone Guides are Senior Guides with several years selling DVC. There is a long waiting list for that position.

 

[Maribel]

The work from home over the phone Guides are Senior Guides with several years selling DVC. There is a long waiting list for that position.

Thank you for letting me know. This is the type of information I'm looking for that I think some members in this boards know.
I wouldn't want to apply for a position when I know I can't take it because of the schedule .

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Working at WDW would have to take away some of the magic for me.

My son is 10 and I'd like to see him get a summer job there when he got older. I think that it would be pretty fun.

 

[las3888]

One of my dearest friends is not a guide, but he is one of the people who stands at the DVC booths in parks, hotels, and DTD and gets people signed up to go on the tours. He is a former salesperson to me in the world of IT and one of the most outgoing, friendliest, and best salespeople that I know. He has done the DVC thing for a number of years now and has considered doing the DVC sales. In fact, I believe he interviewed at least once for a position. He tells me it's not for him--he is very happy where he is at instead. He says there is a lot of nepotism and politics (I suppose that's everywhere though). Just my 2 cents from a sort of 'inside' view....