Disney World on list of lowest-paying jobs

[Maistre Gracey]

There seems to be an assumption that all the people earning low wages at Disney are cleaning bathrooms, when that's definitely not the case. I know people who had jobs at WDW that required advanced degrees and had to leave because the pay was so low and there were few opportunities to earn more.

That's true, but the referenced article appears to be referring to the non skilled jobs.

On a re-read of the article, it mentions Disney in a generic way, but the category is theme park employees, not Disney employees.

MG

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And that's a good point. You may start at $5.00 an hour, but YOU don't need to be satisfied with that. I know there are many stories of successful WDW employees who started at the bottom and were willing and able to work their way up in the Company.

in many cases there are no places to go....hourlies are "topped out" within 7 years....managers are low paid by industry standards and almost always have to leave TWDC for others because there is a logjam in management and too few opportunities for advancement.

As a former disney employee who left on amicable terms and has since increased my wages there by 500-600%...there are still many days when i miss working there.

And i would if they provided a reasonable level of compensation for stewardship of such as RIDICULOUSLY lucrative frontline business enterprise.

Pay me 40 K to manage, troubleshoot, collect ridiculous amounts of money, and uphold a core part of the company's strength in its public image...and i would still do it.

but they don't think this way....increase prices while squeezing water from the rocks...

That is the cost of all the other ridiculous things Disney does and needs the funds for....like Nick Cage movies...ill advised parks in china

 

[nytimez]

That's true, but the referenced article appears to be referring to the non skilled jobs.

On a re-read of the article, it mentions Disney in a generic way, but the category is theme park employees, not Disney employees.

MG

No, I know Disney theme park employees who need specialized skills and/or degrees and still earn very low salaries. Horticulture, pest control and animal keepers at Disney's Animal Kingdom all fall into that category. Some of these folks aren't earning a whole more more than that $8.90 an hour.

 

[jlwhitney]

In regards to Tipped positions..you can't entirely blame Disney on those paychecks because people in general are tipping less and less then they use to...there is a reason why once you have a party of 6 or more at TS meal the tip is forced on you to pay...they are worried they won't get it....

or that housekeeper who cleans up after you for a week and gets nothing....that is not cool.....

Tips used to make people work harder to go above and beyond..but now they fight for very little...

I have known people to go to Disney and on the cruises to not tip a single cent saying they could barely afford to go in the first place...though tips should be factored into ones total cost of the vacation....

The bottom line really comes down to is Money does not buy happiness...it is an attitude thing...People can have a happy, fulfilling life if that is what they want...complaining just tears everyone down and keeps the sour mood alive...

Having a loving family and friends to come home to at the end of the day brings far more satidfcation than bringing home a big pay check.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

In regards to Tipped positions..you can't entirely blame Disney on those paychecks because people in general are tipping less and less then they use to...there is a reason why once you have a party of 6 or more at TS meal the tip is forced on you to pay...they are worried they won't get it....

or that housekeeper who cleans up after you for a week and gets nothing....that is not cool.....

Tips used to make people work harder to go above and beyond..but now they fight for very little...

I have known people to go to Disney and on the cruises to not tip a single cent saying they could barely afford to go in the first place...though tips should be factored into ones total cost of the vacation....

The bottom line really comes down to is Money does not buy happiness...it is an attitude thing...People can have a happy, fulfilling life if that is what they want...complaining just tears everyone down and keeps the sour mood alive...

Having a loving family and friends to come home to at the end of the day brings far more satidfcation than bringing home a big pay check.

i agree with your sentiments...

however - while money doesn't buy "happiness"...the stress of having to fret over where the funds are coming from for basic costs that never go away (lodging, utilities, clothing, transportation, education) on a dialy, weekly, or monthly cycle is an incredibly draining process that does deduct from a person's potential happiness.

so those that struggle my simply be looking for a little bit of mental rest and security...not necessarily money to buy happiness

 

[WDSearcher]

No, I know Disney theme park employees who need specialized skills and/or degrees and still earn very low salaries. Horticulture, pest control and animal keepers at Disney's Animal Kingdom all fall into that category. Some of these folks aren't earning a whole more more than that $8.90 an hour.

Yes, but clearly these skilled, degreed people see a future at Disney or have a significant reason for wanting to work at Disney. Otherwise, they could easily take their skills and experience and work elsewhere for more. It's that "difference" -- whatever it is to each person -- that keeps them at Disney, and Disney knows this. Every single employer in the world -- from Bob's Pick-Your-Own Orchard to Google -- pays the least they can to get the best they can. It's how it works.

When someone takes a job at Disney, they do so KNOWING how much money they'll be making. A simple bit of math will tell them if that's enough to support themselves or their family. If it's not, and they take the job anyway, then they know going in that they will need OT or a second job or a roommate or whatever in order to make that work. It's not like you take the job and then have to wait for your first paycheck to find out how much you'll be making.

And really ... when you say "living wage", that's different for everyone. For some people, if they can't afford a flat screen, condo and weekend scuba, they don't consider it a living wage. For others, it's much more bare bones. Disney does now, and always has, paid me a living wage. Even when I was a lowly hourly. There were years where I had three roommates and drove a battle-trap of a car, but I managed to feed, clothe and shelter myself as well as put away money for retirement and pay off my student loans. All on a measely $7.45/hr. Plus ... I could get my family into WDW for free and I had a better benefits package than pretty much anyone I knew.

 

[polineedyan]

What would you think of a CM who made 5.50 plus tips after over 18 years with Disney? I met one..

 

[zulemara]

And what about the boat pilots, monorail pilots, and bus drivers? While the bus drivers have CDLs and are paid better than the rest, boat pilots transport thousands of guests in a day and are directly responsible for the safety of those guests for a wage that is barely above the minimum. Boat drivers in the rest of the country are paid higher than we are.

Now I'm not just talking about myself here, more about what I see with other pilots. Disney is my 2nd job, not primary(thank god) and I work there because if someone doesn't try and keep Walt's dream alive, then it will keep dying a slow terrible death.

The philosophy used to be "take care of the cast and they'll take care of the guest." Now it's more "raise the prices, squeeze the pennies from the guests, and we're the biggest employer in central Florida, so screw the cast"

The way the economy is around here, if you don't work at Disney, you can't afford to go there. I do applaud them for the monthly payment thing, but it's still crazy expensive for a family. So what happens? Anyone who wants to be able to enjoy the parks once in a while have to work there. That really is the best bennefit.

 

[Oglet]

As a current Cast Member I'll be the first one to admit that Disney workers in general are well underpaid. I love working for Disney, the benefits and perks are good however benefits and perks don't pay the bills.

I think what we are forgetting here is that Disney can only get away with what they are allowed to get away with. The majority of hourly jobs at WDW are union jobs and without getting into the whole debate about if unions are good or bad those with non union job roles typically have better paying jobs.

Disney is a business and is going to do whatever it can to maximize profits, I understand that and if I were a share holder I would expect nothing less however the unions have been the ones to let the workers down by not negotiating higher pay rates when contract negotiations come around.

 

[Donut23]

It looks like many CMs, not in positions that are allowed to accept tips, don't make much (any?) more then housekeeping. I often wondered why some posters think it's important to tip housekeeping (even though it's not a "tipped" position) when CMs in similar jobs (at similar pay) aren't tipped. Does the CM who cleans the restrooms in the theme parks have a better job then the CM who cleans our room?

Cash used for gratuities is an essential part of our travel budget - and we tip well. We do not limit our gratuitites to housekeeping, though I have ALWAYS tipped my housekeeper - business and leisure travel.

By the way, on our last trip I DID put a $5 in the hand of the housekeeper cleaning the lobby bathroom at the Beach Club...she almost cried as she thanked me. Talk about sharing some Pixie Dust!

Specifically housekeepers. Ever walk down a hallway and see a door open to a room with a few teenagers?

We NOW tip at disney hotels because we like to have our room cleaned early in the day. With the cutbacks in mousekeeping, we are seeing the carts still out in the hallways after 5 pm as they struggle to complete their quota of rooms. We always go out of our way to meet our housekeeper .... they know when we leave the room and poof - it's done next.

My DH says it even better......if our daily tip means that mother can buy and extra gallon of milk for her children....or maybe even take them to a movie at the end of the week, the tips are well worth it. After all, NONE of us traveling to WDW are paid entry level disney wages!

We tip generously and often - and we are proud to do so.

 

[Lewisc]

or that housekeeper who cleans up after you for a week and gets nothing....that is not cool.....

Waiters, bellhops get paid less then minimum wage. They are considered "tipped workers".Their tips are part of their compensation.

Disney doesn't consider housekeeping a "tipped" position. Their salary is high enough so tipping isn't expected. I've read housekeepers are suppose to refuse a tip if offered. Completely different with CMs who are waiters, bellhops, bartenders etc.

It's not cool to comment about guests who rely on Disney, and not posters on an internet board, in deciding which employees should be tipped.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Lewis C I am proud to be an internet buddy of yours! Donut, your attitude and actions are totally admirable. You are a man among men (unless you are a female, of course).

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What would you think of a CM who made 5.50 plus tips after over 18 years with Disney? I met one..

So have I... They are waiters at the Yachtsman Steakhouse and pull in $100/hour in tips.
My point is, that without clarifying your statement it means very little.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

And what about the boat pilots, monorail pilots, and bus drivers? While the bus drivers have CDLs and are paid better than the rest, boat pilots transport thousands of guests in a day and are directly responsible for the safety of those guests for a wage that is barely above the minimum. Boat drivers in the rest of the country are paid higher than we are.

Now I'm not just talking about myself here, more about what I see with other pilots. Disney is my 2nd job, not primary(thank god) and I work there because if someone doesn't try and keep Walt's dream alive, then it will keep dying a slow terrible death.

The philosophy used to be "take care of the cast and they'll take care of the guest." Now it's more "raise the prices, squeeze the pennies from the guests, and we're the biggest employer in central Florida, so screw the cast"

The way the economy is around here, if you don't work at Disney, you can't afford to go there. I do applaud them for the monthly payment thing, but it's still crazy expensive for a family. So what happens? Anyone who wants to be able to enjoy the parks once in a while have to work there. That really is the best bennefit.

zulemara, I have nothing but the utmost respect for you as a poster, and Cast Member.
I freely admit that I know nothing about being a boat pilot. I don't think I understand all the risks involved, nor do I understand the training you may go through.

That said, I am also a pilot (not a boat pilot), and I am well aware of the years of training I went through. I also am well aware of the years of VERY low pay I received when I was working in the lower levels of my field.
I'm not saying you are in the lower levels (trust me, I have total respect for what you do), but my point is that you could move on if you wanted..??

MG

 

[skiingfast]

As far as tipping housekeeping, on another board a poster linked an article where this was virtually non existent 20 years ago. Also it noted that in interviews not all the people suggested it was nessecary and that only 1 to 3 dollars was nessecary if any despite the price of the hotel. It is not standard and up to an individual guest to decide if they want to tip.

I didn't say it was a positive, only that it is a fact that Walmart's low paid employees are eligible for governement assitance regarding insurance. You can learn all about this in the anti Walmart documentary "Walmart the High Cost of Low Price".

Also the unskilled young CM's at WDW are by far part of the CP, that is they are college students. Also the foreign workers are most likely on student visas. I only guess this because a J1 visa is cheaper for the employer. To get this type of Visa they have to be in college. In the college program many don't like it and don't return. Many like it and return at their low wage positions.

 

[Blairtony]

Hai Mate

Acoording to me a company should take care of all his employees irrespective of their job
designations. It is the employees who build a company .It's a collective team work that makes the company grow in the market.And all employees should be paid acoording to the prescribed norms or laws. So naturally everyone leave the company if they are not paid proper wages. isn't it?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The eight lowest paid occupations...---

1. Food preparation and serving workers, including fast food
2. Dishwashers
3. Cashiers
4. Hosts and hostesses
5. Amusement park attendants
6. Movie theater ushers, ticket takers
7. Farm workers
8. Personal and home care aides

Thank you Mr. Einstein. I never would have guessed...

More stimulus dollars at work??

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Cash used for gratuities is an essential part of our travel budget - and we tip well. We do not limit our gratuitites to housekeeping, though I have ALWAYS tipped my housekeeper - business and leisure travel.

By the way, on our last trip I DID put a $5 in the hand of the housekeeper cleaning the lobby bathroom at the Beach Club...she almost cried as she thanked me. Talk about sharing some Pixie Dust!

Specifically housekeepers. Ever walk down a hallway and see a door open to a room with a few teenagers?

We NOW tip at disney hotels because we like to have our room cleaned early in the day. With the cutbacks in mousekeeping, we are seeing the carts still out in the hallways after 5 pm as they struggle to complete their quota of rooms. We always go out of our way to meet our housekeeper .... they know when we leave the room and poof - it's done next.

My DH says it even better......if our daily tip means that mother can buy and extra gallon of milk for her children....or maybe even take them to a movie at the end of the week, the tips are well worth it. After all, NONE of us traveling to WDW are paid entry level disney wages!

We tip generously and often - and we are proud to do so.

The housekeepers do a lousy job.
Sorry, but that's been my consistent experience.

MG

 

[skiingfast]

Hai Mate

Acoording to me a company should take care of all his employees irrespective of their job
designations. It is the employees who build a company .It's a collective team work that makes the company grow in the market.And all employees should be paid acoording to the prescribed norms or laws. So naturally everyone leave the company if they are not paid proper wages. isn't it?

The problem with this is companies look like a pyramid with the owner/president at the top, and the lowest paid employees at the bottom.

With a public comany like Disney(DIS) It is like a pyramid with CP's at the bottom and Iger at the top. Holding another pyramid on top of that, built of shareholders, bond holders and the other holding the liabilty of the company.

This is in fact why low level wages don't keep up with inflation. Those people are at the bottom.

 

[Donut23]

Waiters, bellhops get paid less then minimum wage. They are considered "tipped workers".Their tips are part of their compensation.

Disney doesn't consider housekeeping a "tipped" position. Their salary is high enough so tipping isn't expected. I've read housekeepers are suppose to refuse a tip if offered. Completely different with CMs who are waiters, bellhops, bartenders etc.

It's not cool to comment about guests who rely on Disney, and not posters on an internet board, in deciding which employees should be tipped.

It's possible there may be some her who are not familiar with Emily Post - undenied queen of etiquette - first guideline published in 1922. Here are tipping guidelines for Travel from the Emily Post website - longtime industry standards. I have seen this posted on the DIS before - thought it might be worth repeating.

Guess what? I guarantee Disney is well aware of these guidelines since they are industry standards for a long time.


TRAVEL

Skycap at airport: $1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter.

Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab

Hotel bellhop: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag)

Hotel housekeeper: $2 to $5* per night

Hotel concierge: $5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions.

Cruise: Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities.


Source: Emily Post Institute
* Additional source: Tipping.org