For those of you lucky folks who are reviewers for travel guides-I am sooo jealous!!!

[Xtine76]

Just for the record-y'all have the coolest job on earth-getting to research and review Walt Disney World!!!!!!!! How do you get started doing something like that?

 

[Micca]

At least one of our Dis group is a researcher for the Unofficial Guide. Lentesta are you out there?

 

[lentesta]

Thanks Micca! Hey Xtine76. Thanks for writing.

Ah yes, working for the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Along with test-tasting for Godiva Chocolates, is there a better part-time job anywhere?

How does one get started? As you might imagine, we get lots of volunteer requests (the e-mail address for the Guide is UnofficialGuides@MenashaRidge.com).

Bob Sehlinger does all of the screening. From what I can see, the ones that get immediate attention seem to be from folks who have a specific skill that we can apply to the Guide. For example, we got our professional statistician last year when he wrote in to volunteer in helping with the data analysis for the touring plans. So if you've got formal training or job experience in say, the travel, restaurant, hotel or theme park industry, that's a good start.

Keep in mind that Disney World encompasses virtually every field of study and occupation one might think of, including art, architecture, psychology, sociology, math and the sciences. And we've got an entire chapter on shopping! I'd think that most people have some skill that's applicable.

Other folks that are in the Guide are really devoted fans of Disney, and they've typically specialized in one area. Mary Waring from Mousesavers.com is a great example. She doesn't work for the Guide, but she wrote an extensive piece in the 2003 and 2004 editions on how to obtain hotel discounts.

A third set of volunteers are those who simply want to help out in any way possible. This has involved everything from fast food tasting and menu gathering, to gathering travel times between WDW and off-site hotels, to riding Disney transportation for days on end to see how efficient it works. If you can't think of anything specific you'd like to do, we can always (and I mean always) use folks like this.

Hope this helps, Micca. Drop me a line if you have further questions: testa@ncat.edu.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[kevind65]

Lentesta:
I see you work at North Carolina A&T....maybe a silly question; but, what does the A&T stand for? Is it agriculture & technology? just curious...I've never really known....thanks in advance..BTW, just love the unofficial guide..

 

[lentesta]

Hey Kevind65,

Yes, it is Agricultural & Technical. Thanks for reading the Guide!

Len