Do you think CM's are underpaid?

[jarrdisney]

I got the idea for a poll based on the other thread. Obviously, not everyone knows how much upper management makes at WDW. But we have a pretty good idea that most CM's start out around $8/hr. What do you think?

 

[soupy11]

I voted no. Based on the benefits that come with the job it is much better then the competition, ie retail, wal-mart, etc.

 

[mbanks21]

$8/hour is the base pay if you have no prior experience or if youre in InMarketDine. Grand Gathering and Travel Trade CM's get quite a bit more then that.

 

[futreWDI]

Now I voted no, but I have been a CM and will again be a CM in the Fall on the CP program. (We get paid even less.)

Disney is a business and a theme park at that. They already pay well over the average minimum wage and they do increase the hourly rate when the average goes up.

Cedar-Paramount Parks start their theme park pay at lowest rate they can. My brother was getting paid $6.25 for merchandise.

Disney also has some of the best benefits in the world, not limited to health and wellness. Disney also loves to hire within, so if you work hard enough and make the right connections, their is room for growth.

 

[WDSearcher]

I voted no because, in general, they aren't. At least, no one that I know working in the company considers themselves "underpaid." Would they all like to be making more money? Sure. But "underpaid"? No.

Personally, the only CM group who I think is underpaid are the characters. They deserve much MUCH more an hour for what they do and for what they represent. But, like teachers, the people who have the hardest jobs don't always make the most money.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

$8.00 is not base pay.

I'm not sure of the current starting pay, but in the category "Attractions Host/Hostess" (for example, a Turnstile Greeter) during third year of employment the pay rate is $7.69 per hour. But if working as a cashier (ticket sales) it jumps all the way to $7.99 per hour.

 

[bradk]

i'd have to look the numbers up at home but i'm pretty sure characters are paid better than most (none quite as well as wishes tink though).

i know a trainer/supervisor told me he gets around $10/hr.

it's not an excuse (not that i think slightly above minimum wage is bad although it wouldn't work for me) but a lot of CMs are students and retirees and even those in between, many are there because they love what they do and not the pay. when you love your job, pay is almost secondary (unless of course you have to go home to a refrigerator box).

 

[OKW Lover]

Underpaid is in the eye of the beholder.

While I wouldn't want to work for minimum wage, clearly there are lots of people who do.

 

[Bill From PA]

i'd have to look the numbers up at home but i'm pretty sure characters are paid better than most (none quite as well as wishes tink though).

i know a trainer/supervisor told me he gets around $10/hr.

I bought an Orlando Sentinal to read on the flight home on March 2007. Disney had several pages of job postings, mostly beause they were preparing to staff-up for the Yak & Yeti opening, but they had other jobs too. The one that stuck in my mind was for 'Face Characters', those folks who resemble a character and don't use a full head mask, think Cinderella. The starting pay? $11.00 per hour or $22,000 a year assuming 40 hr weeks. That's a heck of a lot less than I would have guessed. I suppose when I'm thinking about the overpaid/underpaid issue for any job or industry I tend to price the salary out and ask myself, "What would my life be like if I had to live on this amount?"

Bill From PA

 

[Aimbier31]

hmm for all the silly questions they get asked they are underpaid there but i would work in disney for free if i could the magic makes up for it i think

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I voted YES ... because I WILL be one some day and I NEED more money!!! heehee!!

 

[jrt1176]

Many are college students and they take classes, get room and board, etc.

It looks good on their resume...

My friend and I were going to do it in college when Disney came to my university. We thought we would work and party all summer!

Then by the time they took out room and board there wasnt much left to party with...plus we had to go to class!

I dated a girl who worked there, she didnt seem to enjoy her experience that much. I guess she liked it, but she told me about one day where she was sick and they basically just told her to go in the back and no one checked on her. Finally a guy who was getting off work was nice and took her to the hospital.

Her roommate was Mickey Mouse.

Also, I hooked up with a girl in college that was Cinderella at WDW!!! The next year they said she couldnt be Cinderella, because she became TOO busty...

 

[Bill From PA]

Also, I hooked up with a girl in college that was Cinderella at WDW!!! The next year they said she couldnt be Cinderella, because she became TOO busty...

You wouldn't happen to have her e-mail address by any chance, would you?

Bill From PA

 

[moonpie85]

Aren't we all underpaid??

 

[Tink888]

Many of the jobs are entry-level and unskilled which equates to minimum wage.

Then again, Disney sets the standard for theme parks, both in the experience and customer service. The expectations of a family visiting Disney are higher than if they were visiting say, Six Flags, so maybe the employees should receive higher than standard compensation.

And of course, sometimes there is no amount of money worth the compensation for what some CM's have to put up with in terms of obnoxious and "I'm alive, therefore I'm entitled" guests.

I do know that if I had the chance to work at Disney, even at a low-wage, even for just a few months, I'd jump on it. For all the low points, I can't imagine a better job than being at Disney, trying to bring a little magic and happiness to people.

I think that minimum wage overall is too low. Even when it's not used as a means to support yourself, by the time taxes and benefits are deducted and the gas tank is filled up, I can't imagine there being much left for anything else. But that's another debate.

 

[selina4disney]

hmm for all the silly questions they get asked they are underpaid there but i would work in disney for free if i could the magic makes up for it i think

Magic doesn't pay the rent, though. I think if you couldn't feed your family on what you make the magic might wane a bit So while I certainly can see considering benefits before taking a job, they would have to be pretty fantastic to make up for the low wages.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I voted no. Based on the benefits that come with the job it is much better then the competition, ie retail, wal-mart, etc.

Disney is well known to be one of the WORSE employers for wages and benefits. We have 3 former WDW castmembers at my little company and they ALL left for higher wages and better work environments at Universal before moving to Maryland.

Housekeepers begin at $7 p/hour --- that's $14,280 p/year.

Disney's secret - part-time labor -- equals NO benefits at all. That is their first choice.

High-level management is a completely different story.

Beach Club manager used wages as an excuse for not having enough Mousekeepers (last time we stayed there they were still cleaning rooms after 5 pm when we returned for a break).

Bottom line - Disney knows people will come to work for Disney because they WANT to work for Disney....and there are plenty in line for the job when castmembers no longer want them.

 

[tazdev3225]

I don't know if they are underpaid or not. I would have to say it depends on what the benefits are, is this the only job they have and under what circumstances - going to school or supplementing an income. My son was laid off and the only job he could find was at 8.70 an hour with no benefits for over 6 months. This was with a major meat packing firm in Philadelphia. He has to support a family on this salary and pay support for his oldest child. In today's economy I think having a job is something to be thankful for.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

$8.00 is not base pay.

I'm not sure of the current starting pay, but in the category "Attractions Host/Hostess" (for example, a Turnstile Greeter) during third year of employment the pay rate is $7.69 per hour. But if working as a cashier (ticket sales) it jumps all the way to $7.99 per hour.

$8 p/hour equals $ 16,320 annual salary

$7.69 p/hour equals $ 15,567.60 annual salary


Perhaps my lifesyle is different than others but I do not consider that a living wage even WITH benefits.

By the way.....an interesting part of the Disney Health Insurance program....it's affordable for the castmember - twice the cost to add a spouse and then SKYROCKET'S when you add children. That always seemed a little odd to me for Disney.....after all.....what is more "family" than Disney.

ALL of the castmembers in my husband's department use their spouse's insurance plan to cover their children.

Yes, our insurance is comprehensive and better than anything I have ever had......I paid $10 for $567 prescription glasses last year....and I can get a new pair each year, for example. We are very lucky. If you are a full-time staff employee you DO have very good benefits....but how on earth could you AFFORD the payroll deduction if you are making $16,320 annual salary.

 

[TIGGERGUY]

I believe WDW entry level staff are paid less than the ones at Universal and Sea World.