Disney has a position for any person with practically any disability. They're very accommodating when it comes to this.
1. Are CMs able to park near their place of employment? I once worked at a place where we parked off site and had to be shuttled in. It added at least 30 minutes to the commute. I will be living 30 minutes from the AK side of the resort. DTD is probably 45 minutes or more. I am just trying to figure out commute times.
I always left at least 1hr prior to my shift, if not more. No matter where you work. MK is by far the worst because the parking is way behind the park and you have to be bussed in, then you've got to get to your base location. It's not about just making it into the park. And your department can limit the amount of CDS (cast deployment system) computers you can use for clocking in/getting assignments. Which generally include the CDS computers right at the entrance, and a few sneaky ones try to clock in at costuming. Plus they can check where you clock in at, and that can get you into trouble too. So give yourself at least a 1/2 hr after drive time to get to your location.
Even DAK can be a pain if you work in the back of the park. I was lucky in photopass that our base was at the Main Entrance, and if I ran I could make it in 10mins to clock in, but I had to find a parking spot in that little lot first. And don't forget bag check.
Clocking in is very important too. You can not clock in a minute late without getting a 1/2 point. Managers can knock it off, but not always a guarantee (like if your there a 1/2hr early and wind up talking to them and forget to clock in). You can clock in up to 15 mins prior to your shift starting, and 15 mins after your shift ending. You are not paid for this time allowance.
2. When you fill out the online application it states you cannot apply again for 6 months. During my practice sessions it appears that one can only apply for jobs that have current openings. What if the job I really, really want suddenly gets posted 2 weeks later? Am I out of luck?
Later in the application, it will ask for two alternative positions you would like. And those do not have to be open positions. But in order to fill out the application, you must select an open position. And you are able to go back into your application, which you can then make a different alternative selection.
3. Do I understand correctly that WDW only accepts applications online? There is no way to apply at Central Casting in person?
No applying at the Casting Building. Sad but true. Even their "job fairs" seem to be held online now. Who knows how long before they'll hold another job fair at Casting. It's a really beautiful building inside too.
4. I am open to any position as I just want to get my foot in the door. Which type of employment provides the best chance of getting hired: full-time, part-time, or seasonal?
I'd go for full or part time. Seasonal positions get filled by CPs at the end of their program.
5. Any other hints or suggestions?
If you do get an appointment. Let them know which position you're really looking at doing. Especially if you want to do something generic like attractions or merchandise. Know which area you want to work in. There's a hundred attractions to work in, and they like it when you tell them where you feel you'd fit in best. Merchandise, do you want to work in the parks, resorts, or DTD?? And for the most part most positions don't require much previous experience.
And talk to several cast members and learn what their role/position is. There's some more of the obscure positions, that would be fun to work in, but you don't know what role it is. And don't go for guest relations, there's a wait list a mile long.
And I do believe it's 6 months prior to asking for a transfer to a new department, as well as applying for cross training, coordinator, or trainer position. And you must meet transfer guidelines. Although you can speak with your manager if you really feel you don't fit in that department, but most of those transfers don't go through.
There's not too much harm in transferring to different departments. But if you go from a union to a non union and back to a union, you loose your seniority for one year. And seniority is EVERYTHING at Disney, especially full time. And be prepared for working on EVERY holiday. If you're full time, try to bid for the days off that the holiday falls on. Like if Christmas is Tuesday. Bid, Tuesday/Wednesday off, Wed being your 6th day. Then you're pretty much guaranteed Tuesdays off. But don't be surprised if your shift on Monday runs until 3-4am Christmas day. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun if you let it be. But some people seem to get offended when they're scheduled a holiday or find out they can't request that holiday off because they're new.
