Disney Employment?

[Periadoc]

Hi, I know this is more focused on the College Program and such, but I have no idea where else to ask about Disney Employment.

If anyone has worked at Disney World, how was/is the experience? I am seriously considering applying, but am worried about the pay and if employment there will "ruin the magic" (since I ADORE Disney I don't want to hate or resent it)

Thank You!!

 

[Woodskeeper]

Are you looking into professional work with Disney or something more like an hourly role?

I work seasonally with Outdoor Foods at Hollywood Studios and I absolutely love it. I, too, am a huge fan of Disney, so for me working for them has more or less enhanced the magic. I think part of that is appreciating how hard the CMs work to make your day magical.

It's really however you choose to look at it though. If you go to work every day with a positive attitude, hoping to make someone else's day magical, than I feel the Disney experience will become more magical for you.

I guess it's not for everyone though...

 

[DisneyGirlie]

Personally, I can't understand why everyone has a negative view towards working there if you love it beforehand. I tell people I love it and want to/am going to work there and every single person has gasped and told me it'd ruin things. They also said "Oh, it'll be a lot different being on the other side and having to do things for people versus them doing it for you."

Duh. Obviously I'm choosing to work there because I *want* to be on the other side and be part of creating the magic that I've had created for me through the years. I think just go into it with a positive attitude and you'll be fine.

 

[Periadoc]

"Are you looking into professional work with Disney or something more like an hourly role?"

I guess I'm just looking into an hourly role since, if I do apply, I only plan on spending a year or so down there. I'm from out of state (Boston, MA) so I have a lot to think about with employment in Florida.

I'm just so sick of settling for jobs that I am completely apathetic about and would really love to do something I actually love for once.

How do interviews work, especially for those out of state? Do they have phone interviews first or do they just request an in-person one right away?

Thank you very much for answering!

 

[rg2383]

Personally, I can't understand why everyone has a negative view towards working there if you love it beforehand. I tell people I love it and want to/am going to work there and every single person has gasped and told me it'd ruin things. They also said "Oh, it'll be a lot different being on the other side and having to do things for people versus them doing it for you."

Duh. Obviously I'm choosing to work there because I *want* to be on the other side and be part of creating the magic that I've had created for me through the years. I think just go into it with a positive attitude and you'll be fine.

I feel like people who don't love Disney get really excited to show the "reality" to those people who do. For instance, I'm writing my senior thesis on Disney films, and every professor will bring up something like "Well you know what an evil man he was..." I know that's not true. I know Walt was not evil, but it's like, people feel the need to rip down something or someone so genuinely good. Nobody is content with not seeing the evil side. So I just smile and nod and change the subject.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

I feel like people who don't love Disney get really excited to show the "reality" to those people who do. For instance, I'm writing my senior thesis on Disney films, and every professor will bring up something like "Well you know what an evil man he was..." I know that's not true. I know Walt was not evil, but it's like, people feel the need to rip down something or someone so genuinely good. Nobody is content with not seeing the evil side. So I just smile and nod and change the subject.

Exactly. A lot of my classes, especially my gender one, paints Disney in such a negative light just because of how they portray women. Excuse them for believing in happiness, romance, and men being chivalrous every once in awhile.
Anyway, more back on topic about working there, even Cast Members I've talked to have "warned" me about working there and such. It's funny because ironically I can tell they're the Cast Members that are just there for a job and not because they love it anyway.

 

[Periadoc]

I feel like people who don't love Disney get really excited to show the "reality" to those people who do. For instance, I'm writing my senior thesis on Disney films, and every professor will bring up something like "Well you know what an evil man he was..." I know that's not true. I know Walt was not evil, but it's like, people feel the need to rip down something or someone so genuinely good. Nobody is content with not seeing the evil side. So I just smile and nod and change the subject.

I know! I have people tell me all the time how much of an "evil" corporation Disney is. I don't believe a word of it, but I still don't want to hear it. There is so much nasty stuff in the world, please let me have Disney World.

 

[Periadoc]

Anyway, more back on topic about working there, even Cast Members I've talked to have "warned" me about working there and such. It's funny because ironically I can tell they're the Cast Members that are just there for a job and not because they love it anyway.

I definitely want to work at Disney World because I genuinely and truly love it. I can't think of anything better than to work at the Happiest Place on Earth. I have never had a bad experience there (simply because I REFUSE to let ANYTHING ruin MY Disney vacation) Clearly I would not be working there for the money because its something I really want to do.

 

[glendalais]

How do interviews work, especially for those out of state? Do they have phone interviews first or do they just request an in-person one right away?

Applicants for general employment with the Walt Disney World Resort are generally required to attend a In-Person Interview at the Casting Centre in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.. As a rule of thumb, particularly with the current unemployment levels in this area, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Florida-Site Casting Services will generally prefer/require/obligate that you be resident in the Central Florida region before applying for employment.

For more information or to lodge an application, visit http://www.waltdisneyworld.jobs/. You can also ring the Florida-Site Casting Services team on 407 828-1000.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

I know! I have people tell me all the time how much of an "evil" corporation Disney is. I don't believe a word of it, but I still don't want to hear it. There is so much nasty stuff in the world, please let me have Disney World.

Disney isn't evil people who sit around all day and try to rip on one of the most successful companies in the world are evil. Theme Parks, Movies, Sports, Merchandise, Charity among other thing...seriously what does Disney not do? They even have a phone out in Asia (or coming out) so add electronics to that list! People think it's evil because of our current day liberal views on Walt and the fact that they make stupid amounts of money a year. Success breeds hatred.

 

[Krystal87]

People talk a lot about how the "magic is ruined," but in my experience, you just see things in a different light. Having worked there for 8 months, I still love Disney just as much as I did before. Sure, I know more about what goes on behind the scenes, sure I've had surreal breaks in the MK cafeteria next to princesses and fairies, but now when I return as a regular guest and not a cast member, I miss being on the other side and making the magic. It's just like any other job, in that it is what you make it. Sure, there are people there who are disgruntled and see it as just a job, but if your heart is in the right place to begin with, you will be fine.

 

[Frizzbird]

I feel like people who don't love Disney get really excited to show the "reality" to those people who do. For instance, I'm writing my senior thesis on Disney films, and every professor will bring up something like "Well you know what an evil man he was..." I know that's not true. I know Walt was not evil, but it's like, people feel the need to rip down something or someone so genuinely good. Nobody is content with not seeing the evil side. So I just smile and nod and change the subject.

I know! I have people tell me all the time how much of an "evil" corporation Disney is. I don't believe a word of it, but I still don't want to hear it. There is so much nasty stuff in the world, please let me have Disney World.

The one thing I feel like a lot of people (on both sides) sometimes forget is that the Walt Disney Company is just that a company. It is a business. Its not pure happiness and cotton candy fluff but on the other hand its not all doom and gloom. Disney brings a lot of happiness to a ton of people and many CMs love their roles and enjoy going to work. Disney isn't perfect though. It doesn't necessarily treat its employees the best. I have personally seen times where people are over looked for promotions becuase someone else is friends with a leader. Disney isn't evil and it isn't perfect, it just is. It takes a certain type of person to be happy working for Disney. Its definitely not for everyone and even if you LOVE Disney and the parks, it still might not be a good fit for you. I sometimes feel like people (not necessarily anyone here) forget to be realistic when looking at Disney.

 

[slp1650]

I've had people ask why I wanted to work for companies like Disney World or Sea World. I actually have had a lot of questions about Sea World considering how controversial marine mammal parks are, but I feel as long as you know it's what you want and you like what you do, that's all the matters.

I agree that Disney is a corporation, and a big one. Not everyone is going to be happy with they work, but that's also just life.

I know this is an expensive option, but Disney does offer backstage tours. The Keys to the Kingdom, Backstage Safari, and the Backstage Epcot tours all show you the behind the scenes magic, most of which is from a cast member's point of view. Maybe you could try one of those on a trip and that could help you. I know I've done all of them and they've actually made me more excited to become a cast member.