exwdwcm
wishes she was Wendy Moira Angela Darling
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 5,046
So one of the questions brought up my time as a cast member......so thought I would share a little more for fun!
CAST MEMBER MEMORIES
So I thought I would take a second to share a few of my favorite stories from my time as a cast member on the college program. While it was back in 1996, almost 14 years ago, the memories are still fresh as ever of the magic!
So enjoy!
I worked at Hollywood and Vine at the 'then' Disney-MGM Studios. The restaurant at the time only served breakfast and lunch- buffet style. It was decorated then, the same as it looks now- the 50's style hollywood diner. And i had to wear that same awful costume- light green and pink, cafeteria lady looking get up- including a hairnet! plus hose, with black shoes (usually tennis type shoes for comfort!).
I loved being part of the magic. I lived in Vista Way, apartments off of 535, just across I-4 basically from the DTD area (behind Vistana Villages). It was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the bottom floor, 6 of us shared it. As a senior in college at the time that had already been living with my boyfriend for a while (3 years), sharing an apt with 5 others and sharing a room with one was quite a change!
Luckily all my roomies were older too, except one that was a freshman. In fact, two of my roomies were doing the college program for the second time around. Both went on to work for Disney after---one in guest relations and later Disney weddings. She dated one of the Disney ambassadors from a few years ago too. She finally moved back home just a few years ago and still works in events. The other one still works at Disney to this day, although her gig just got shut down (the Kodak lab at the exit of the journey into imagination ride- the professor type character in the lab coat doing the little show with the big camera). She was friends with characters for a long time and worked in the parades and Hunchback Show at HS before it shut down.
I fortunately drove my car down so i had a car, but many kids didn't and Disney provided shuttles to and from work (and grocery store etc.). I had to always leave early for work- as I had to park backstage in what is now the Tower of Terror! it used to be cast member parking lot. Then a van would pick us up if we parked far back and take us to the door. Scan your ID, walk in and off to costuming to pick up my costume. Not all cast members get to keep their costumes at home- many/most have to pick it up before each shift and change in locker rooms there. Disney cleans them for you. So you had to have time to get your costume and change. That was a pain!
The job itself was not all roses. I did love 'Traditions', the training every CM goes through. It included some great history, trivia and tours of the parks backstage, including a tour in the utilidors---where there is the barbershop, cafeteria, computer lab and more. It would have been fun to work in the MK and be there all the time! Backstage at HS was okay too- there was also a cafeteria, HR areas etc. I always walked into 'work' by coming through the cast entrance at Starring Rolls bakery, there is a little gate/walk way there for CMs only. It was so fun walking in each morning (very early- remember- breakfast shift!)---the park was freshly sprayed/hosed down, music already playing and totally empty. I would cross the boulevard over to H&V taking it all in.
The job itself was hard. I was usually bussing tables, washing silverware or serving on the line. We served the food as people walked through pointing to what they wanted. Eventually i got to cashier.
So two of my favorite memories from my time there.
#1- Can I have your autograph??? While some tasks at work were not fun or glamorous at all as mentioned (i.e. loading heavy trays of jello cups into a fridge all day).........there were some fun ones. When it was slow- our manager would have one of us assigned as a greeter at the front. One day, i had this job and they gave me an autograph book and pen too. My job was to greet guests and ask any children for THEIR autograph! This was so much fun for me and a big hit with guests. They would come in and i would get down to the child's level and say "hey, Mickey heard you were here and he wanted to get your autograph. He is really busy right now and asked me to do it for him.". The kids' faces would just light up! It was such a fun little gig- and i loved spreading a little magic to make someone's day! It is those special little touches and details that make disney what it is.
#2- Stars, PR and Guest Service!
So I was fortunate enough to work at WDW during the 25th anniversary. Yes, fun, but disappointing as well to see that awful pepto-bismol pink castle every day- you guys remember it?
Anyhow- there was a big press event planned on October 1st for the big party at HS. It was at night and for press/media only. Basically they had some bands come in to play, live entertainment and each restaurant venue was changed to serve something specific.
H&V was designated as a dessert area. So media could come in there to get dessert and champagne. Other venues served appetizers and other food. so the party started and we served guests all night long. I had one female reporter that came in and spilled her champagne all over herself and well it was a little chilly that night- we didn't want her walking around wet all night. Her shirt was soaked. So, my coworker and I kicked into action- utilizing one of the BEST policies I think disney instills in their CMs.......fix the problem. So we did. I loved how disney trusts and empowers its members to make decisions when it affects guest service. We were empowered to run across the street to the store there and grab a nice embroidered 25th anniv sweatshirt. We brought it back over to the restaurant and gave it to her...free of charge. We didn't have to ask a manager or get permission. We were authorized to fix the problem ourselves, which I loved. She was thrilled and the smile on her face said it all. I loved that part of the job. Spreading a little magic, whether it was a free sweatshirt, or replacing an ice cream cone that a little kid dropped (we had a little ice cream station).
here is me and my roomies (and a few neighbors) at our big Grad Ball party, which took place after hours in the Land!
Another perk I loved there was working during the holidays. I started my program in late August 1996 and was done on January 2nd. It was about 4 months and a few weeks. Of course being low on the totem pole meant working over thanksgiving and Christmas, but it was fun. A LOT of hours though. I think I probably worked like 60 hours Christmas week and it was SO BUSY!! One day, I never saw the end of the line. I was cashiering on Christmas day and the line just went out the door for our cafeteria. I dont think I saw it ever end until closing- it was literally that crowded! We managed to try and find time to do a nice holiday meal together with our roomies and neighbors, but sometimes it was at midnight or crazy times! Lol But we had fun with our newly created family. One perk of working during the holidays was the cast member discount. I was given I think 4 free passes (one day tickets) I could give to friends or family. Plus we were given this ticket that allowed us 50% off merchandise for an ENTIRE day!!
There was like a two week period within which we had to use that discount/ticket. When we decided to use it, the store we first went to would put a hole punch in it of some kind and a stamp to identify that this was our shopping day and we couldnt use it after that day. You could go to DTD, resort stores, park stores- anything owned by Disney. I went nuts, to say the least. I bought dishes, glasses, toys, clothes, ornaments you name it, I bought it. All on credit and I was still paying it off years later, since Disney didnt pay us much while working there (basically they took your rent and utilities out of your check, so very little was leftover). Anyhow- it was amazing to shop with that discount! The funny thing is- I had gotten VERY ill with the flu. They had sent me home from work, I was coughing so bad. I went to the Disney med center and got meds and did have the flu. I was miserable for a week and missed a week of work. Finally, I was feeling a little better, but time was running out for me to use my shopping day/discount. So I called in sick one more time, even though I was feeling better, so I could use my shopping day. I know- bad bad!! But I was still not 100%. Anyhow- while at World of Disney, who do I run into- yep, one of my managers. OOPSS!!! He was super cool about it. I still didnt look that great, so he knew I still wasnt up to par and needed to use my shopping day too. I was so thankful he was nice about it.
So there are some of my memories that were special to my time there, and I think really showcase the disney magic.........so what if i was sharing a 3 bedroom apartment (and my room itself) with 5 other strangers (who quickly became my friends!).....or if i had to bus tables while others were on vacation having a ball? or if I got paid minimum wage and barely had enough to live on??? it was all worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat and i only regret i didn't take more advantage of my time there by doing more or applying for an advanced internship (very hard to get). BUT..........at least my love for all things disney parks can live on now with our DVC purchase!!!
CAST MEMBER MEMORIES
So I thought I would take a second to share a few of my favorite stories from my time as a cast member on the college program. While it was back in 1996, almost 14 years ago, the memories are still fresh as ever of the magic!
So enjoy!
I worked at Hollywood and Vine at the 'then' Disney-MGM Studios. The restaurant at the time only served breakfast and lunch- buffet style. It was decorated then, the same as it looks now- the 50's style hollywood diner. And i had to wear that same awful costume- light green and pink, cafeteria lady looking get up- including a hairnet! plus hose, with black shoes (usually tennis type shoes for comfort!).
I loved being part of the magic. I lived in Vista Way, apartments off of 535, just across I-4 basically from the DTD area (behind Vistana Villages). It was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the bottom floor, 6 of us shared it. As a senior in college at the time that had already been living with my boyfriend for a while (3 years), sharing an apt with 5 others and sharing a room with one was quite a change!
Luckily all my roomies were older too, except one that was a freshman. In fact, two of my roomies were doing the college program for the second time around. Both went on to work for Disney after---one in guest relations and later Disney weddings. She dated one of the Disney ambassadors from a few years ago too. She finally moved back home just a few years ago and still works in events. The other one still works at Disney to this day, although her gig just got shut down (the Kodak lab at the exit of the journey into imagination ride- the professor type character in the lab coat doing the little show with the big camera). She was friends with characters for a long time and worked in the parades and Hunchback Show at HS before it shut down.
I fortunately drove my car down so i had a car, but many kids didn't and Disney provided shuttles to and from work (and grocery store etc.). I had to always leave early for work- as I had to park backstage in what is now the Tower of Terror! it used to be cast member parking lot. Then a van would pick us up if we parked far back and take us to the door. Scan your ID, walk in and off to costuming to pick up my costume. Not all cast members get to keep their costumes at home- many/most have to pick it up before each shift and change in locker rooms there. Disney cleans them for you. So you had to have time to get your costume and change. That was a pain!
The job itself was not all roses. I did love 'Traditions', the training every CM goes through. It included some great history, trivia and tours of the parks backstage, including a tour in the utilidors---where there is the barbershop, cafeteria, computer lab and more. It would have been fun to work in the MK and be there all the time! Backstage at HS was okay too- there was also a cafeteria, HR areas etc. I always walked into 'work' by coming through the cast entrance at Starring Rolls bakery, there is a little gate/walk way there for CMs only. It was so fun walking in each morning (very early- remember- breakfast shift!)---the park was freshly sprayed/hosed down, music already playing and totally empty. I would cross the boulevard over to H&V taking it all in.
The job itself was hard. I was usually bussing tables, washing silverware or serving on the line. We served the food as people walked through pointing to what they wanted. Eventually i got to cashier.
So two of my favorite memories from my time there.
#1- Can I have your autograph??? While some tasks at work were not fun or glamorous at all as mentioned (i.e. loading heavy trays of jello cups into a fridge all day).........there were some fun ones. When it was slow- our manager would have one of us assigned as a greeter at the front. One day, i had this job and they gave me an autograph book and pen too. My job was to greet guests and ask any children for THEIR autograph! This was so much fun for me and a big hit with guests. They would come in and i would get down to the child's level and say "hey, Mickey heard you were here and he wanted to get your autograph. He is really busy right now and asked me to do it for him.". The kids' faces would just light up! It was such a fun little gig- and i loved spreading a little magic to make someone's day! It is those special little touches and details that make disney what it is.
#2- Stars, PR and Guest Service!
So I was fortunate enough to work at WDW during the 25th anniversary. Yes, fun, but disappointing as well to see that awful pepto-bismol pink castle every day- you guys remember it?
Anyhow- there was a big press event planned on October 1st for the big party at HS. It was at night and for press/media only. Basically they had some bands come in to play, live entertainment and each restaurant venue was changed to serve something specific.
H&V was designated as a dessert area. So media could come in there to get dessert and champagne. Other venues served appetizers and other food. so the party started and we served guests all night long. I had one female reporter that came in and spilled her champagne all over herself and well it was a little chilly that night- we didn't want her walking around wet all night. Her shirt was soaked. So, my coworker and I kicked into action- utilizing one of the BEST policies I think disney instills in their CMs.......fix the problem. So we did. I loved how disney trusts and empowers its members to make decisions when it affects guest service. We were empowered to run across the street to the store there and grab a nice embroidered 25th anniv sweatshirt. We brought it back over to the restaurant and gave it to her...free of charge. We didn't have to ask a manager or get permission. We were authorized to fix the problem ourselves, which I loved. She was thrilled and the smile on her face said it all. I loved that part of the job. Spreading a little magic, whether it was a free sweatshirt, or replacing an ice cream cone that a little kid dropped (we had a little ice cream station).
here is me and my roomies (and a few neighbors) at our big Grad Ball party, which took place after hours in the Land!
Another perk I loved there was working during the holidays. I started my program in late August 1996 and was done on January 2nd. It was about 4 months and a few weeks. Of course being low on the totem pole meant working over thanksgiving and Christmas, but it was fun. A LOT of hours though. I think I probably worked like 60 hours Christmas week and it was SO BUSY!! One day, I never saw the end of the line. I was cashiering on Christmas day and the line just went out the door for our cafeteria. I dont think I saw it ever end until closing- it was literally that crowded! We managed to try and find time to do a nice holiday meal together with our roomies and neighbors, but sometimes it was at midnight or crazy times! Lol But we had fun with our newly created family. One perk of working during the holidays was the cast member discount. I was given I think 4 free passes (one day tickets) I could give to friends or family. Plus we were given this ticket that allowed us 50% off merchandise for an ENTIRE day!!
So there are some of my memories that were special to my time there, and I think really showcase the disney magic.........so what if i was sharing a 3 bedroom apartment (and my room itself) with 5 other strangers (who quickly became my friends!).....or if i had to bus tables while others were on vacation having a ball? or if I got paid minimum wage and barely had enough to live on??? it was all worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat and i only regret i didn't take more advantage of my time there by doing more or applying for an advanced internship (very hard to get). BUT..........at least my love for all things disney parks can live on now with our DVC purchase!!!
Yep, i had 'planned' not to take Will until he was say 4 or 5. but NOPE, ain't happening. So what if he doesn't remember last December (he was 2), I remember. And he remembers some of it and loves looking through the photo album- in fact, he points out everyone in our pics and even makes the same poses as he does in the pics, so even if he doesn't remember, we do and it is still a great memory! you will have that too, whether you go when your son is a baby or older! 
I especially loved this one. Are all CMs still trained to "fix the problem?" We had an experience at Epcot our first trip. We had purchased a funnel cake and were walking & eating through America. My DD was behind me and suddenly I see a lady coming towards me gesturing wildly and pointing....DD was behind me winding up for the scream (you know it...the silent scream before the LOUD scream) because a seagull had swooped down and taken her funnel cake out of her hand and bit her finger! 
We all surrounded her to make sure she was ok. A CM came running over from the DVC kiosk and took my husband back to the funnel cake shop and got him a new one. As he was walking back to where we were waiting for him, ANOTHER seagull (or the same blasted one!) swooped down and took the ENTIRE funnel cake off the plate and took off with it! (dropped it of course) Sooooo....the kind CM took DH back to the funnel cake shop AGAIN and got him ANOTHER funnel cake! He covered it with a plate and and guarded it with his life! 
It made an impression on us that the CM was so kind to our family. 
