Disney Store employee question

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I applied to my local Disney store and I have an interview tomorrow. I was just wondering if any of you work(ed) at a Disney store. Is it a pretty fun environment? I'd think it is, but you never know. Any tips anyone can give me for the interview? And I have to admit, I am wondering if this will give me any Disney discounts as well, anyone know?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

It has been YEARS since I worked there, but I was a DS cast member all through college. Back then we got free tickets twice a year (summer and the holidays) - 2 tickets if you were single, but if you had kids you got 2+ however many kids you had. We also had Disney IDs that we could use for discounts at the parks and we got hotel discounts.

This was all before Disney sold the stores to the Children's Place though so maybe everything has changed?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

This was all before Disney sold the stores to the Children's Place though so maybe everything has changed?

And of course only current employees would know the perks offered now considering Disney bought the stores back.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

It has been YEARS since I worked there, but I was a DS cast member all through college. Back then we got free tickets twice a year (summer and the holidays) - 2 tickets if you were single, but if you had kids you got 2+ however many kids you had. We also had Disney IDs that we could use for discounts at the parks and we got hotel discounts.

This was all before Disney sold the stores to the Children's Place though so maybe everything has changed?

Did you have fun working there? Or was it really just an everyday job?

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Did you have fun working there? Or was it really just an everyday job?

I absolutely loved it! We were like a family and I also loved the constant Disney music and movies playing. People are happy when they shop there too - it was really, really fun. It was a great college job!

For your interview just remember to be a true Cast Member - be happy and smile a lot. Be very Disney - that's what they looked for when I worked there.

One of my former co-workers is actually now a big-wig at WDW. He won a Cast Member award this past year. I believe he is now a global ambassador for WDW or something along those lines.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I absolutely loved it! We were like a family and I also loved the constant Disney music and movies playing. People are happy when they shop there too - it was really, really fun. It was a great college job!

For your interview just remember to be a true Cast Member - be happy and smile a lot. Be very Disney - that's what they looked for when I worked there.

One of my former co-workers is actually now a big-wig at WDW. He won a Cast Member award this past year. I believe he is now a global ambassador for WDW or something along those lines.

I think that would be my absolute dream job, get a really high up position in WDW.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I think that would be my absolute dream job, get a really high up position in WDW.

Yeah I am so happy for him. It was his dream too and I saw the article about him in Orlando Attractions magazine and I also saw him on a Travel Channel Disney special - very cool! The Disney Store is a great way to start if you don't live near one of the parks since you are considered a "Cast Member" and you can start getting experience with the company. Good luck tomorrow!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Yeah I am so happy for him. It was his dream too and I saw the article about him in Orlando Attractions magazine and I also saw him on a Travel Channel Disney special - very cool! The Disney Store is a great way to start if you don't live near one of the parks since you are considered a "Cast Member" and you can start getting experience with the company. Good luck tomorrow!

Thank you

 

[Fire14]

Thank you

LMK if you get in I'm ion the store ALL THE TIME

 

[CaptMarge]

Let all of us know if you got the job. I'm thinking of working there for the "perks". So if you get your foot in the door, fill us in on the perks!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

LMK if you get in I'm ion the store ALL THE TIME

The Polaris one, right? I think thats the only one even remotely close to me.

 

[pilotwife_02]

I thought about applying to one also, but the Polaris Mall one is the closest one and that's a 30 minute drive for me. But it sounds like fun!

Good luck!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

It was not that fun. It didn't feel like I worked for Disney/ It did not have the Disney "feeling" for me. I worked there way back in 1993-1995 when we wore the ugly blue sweaters and gray pleated skirts. I was also 21, in my last year of college and planning a wedding, at the time. I spent many hours at the front of the store, greeting guests as they came in, even the "grumpy" guests who didn't say hello back. I also got yelled at on Halloween when the store only gave out an advertisement for an upcoming movie to kids for Halloween and not candy. Believe me, guests who shop there do not give you the feeling that they are enjoying a vacation in Disney either. You are working in a store with Disney product and that's it.

I loved the people I worked with, but it was all about making money ( it is a business) and pressure to pre sell movies. There was alot of pressure put on us. We actually had competitions between the other Disney stores to pre sell movies. Our store (Taunton , Ma) came in first place for the pre sale of Fox and the Hound and we finished in the top 10 for the presale of Return of Jafar. Back then, the stores that finished in the top 10 won Disney leather/wool jackets. That was awesome. We also did get tickets at Christmas time. We also received 10% in the store.

To me, it was just a job. Probably the same way many of the CM's in the park feel. That is why I understand when they are not always cheerful. They do have a life outside of "the world".

My advice to you is to be yourself and be very animated. Hopefully you will feel differently than me. Good luck

 

[Fire14]

The Polaris one, right? I think thats the only one even remotely close to me.

YES and far as I know only DS left in STATE !!!!!

 

[aunties]

I've been a part-time CM for many, many years. Is it fun - most of the time. Do we work really hard - all of the time. Like any job, it really depends on the management (our current management is amazing) and the other people you work with (the CMs in my store are my other family). The guest servicing part is a blast, especially dealing with the little guests. For every Grumpy guest, there are usually a 100 Happy guests. However, we are the ones who also clean everything (bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting fixtures - we even do windows), fold t-shirts, take out the trash in the rain, neaten the store constantly, unpack shipment, etc. There are blackout dates for vacations, but that is common in any retail job, and dreaded call-in shifts when you don't know until just before the shift whether or not you will have to work. The perks will be discussed during your interview. We are not supposed to discuss them outside the store. I will say, they seem to be better than other retailers. But where else can you listen to great music, dance when a little one asks you to, bring a smile to a sad face, and give advice to help someone plan their vacation of a life time? I am very honored when my little guests who have grown up bring their new babies into the store so I can meet them. I love it when guests bring in their pictures from their trips and tell me what a great time they had. I melt when little guests come in just to give me a hug.

Be upbeat but professional. Smile and make eye contact. Most important, be yourself. Good luck!

 

[dawson5]

I've been a part-time CM for many, many years. Is it fun - most of the time. Do we work really hard - all of the time. Like any job, it really depends on the management (our current management is amazing) and the other people you work with (the CMs in my store are my other family). The guest servicing part is a blast, especially dealing with the little guests. For every Grumpy guest, there are usually a 100 Happy guests. However, we are the ones who also clean everything (bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting fixtures - we even do windows), fold t-shirts, take out the trash in the rain, neaten the store constantly, unpack shipment, etc. There are blackout dates for vacations, but that is common in any retail job, and dreaded call-in shifts when you don't know until just before the shift whether or not you will have to work. The perks will be discussed during your interview. We are not supposed to discuss them outside the store. I will say, they seem to be better than other retailers. But where else can you listen to great music, dance when a little one asks you to, bring a smile to a sad face, and give advice to help someone plan their vacation of a life time? I am very honored when my little guests who have grown up bring their new babies into the store so I can meet them. I love it when guests bring in their pictures from their trips and tell me what a great time they had. I melt when little guests come in just to give me a hug.

Be upbeat but professional. Smile and make eye contact. Most important, be yourself. Good luck!

You make me want to get a job there!!

 

[LJC1861]

I worked for the Disney Store from 2000-2004, just before they were sold to the Children's Place. I worked at the 5th Ave. DS in NYC in the Gallery and then on the main floor. In 2003 I transferred to the ABC Studio Store Uptown.

It was a great part time job, but it was a retail job with all that that entailed. There were late, late nights and early mornings. Inventory was awful as were Black Friday, the day after Christmas, and other big sale times. Vacation blackouts were common and the call in shifts were just plain H#&**.

It also came with some great perks including theme park admission, hotel and meal discounts.

I was thrilled to be a part of the Disney family and still take pride in the time I spent as a Cast Member. My Disney spirit is now just a part of who I am.

Go for it, be yourself, be "up" and dress the part. I am sure you will be fine!

Let us know how it all turns out.

Linda

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I love working at my store. I was there for several hours today and had a blast! One of my favorite things is when the little kids see the character that line the top of the store. It is truly magical.

I have worked there for almost 11 years (except for the few months when I worked at WDW) and I still feel the magic everytime I work. My fellow CMs are like family to me.

The one thing I will tell you is not to get a job there just for the perks (like the PP stated they will be discussed with you if you are hired) but instead to help create Disney magic in your hometown.

Good luck!

 

[ElliePeters]

I enjoyed it, lots of fun, its retail tho, same rules apply. Great discount!

 

[KristineN]

I despised it....

But this was my first time in a retail environment...I had always worked in the business sector. So for me, being asked to open my purse before going on break was insulting....but not as bad as being asked to vacuum. I think this is the norm in the retail world....just not for me.