Hmmm..can I ask a salary question???

[TracyIdaho]

We also just returned on Sunday from 10 days at WDW. DH and I were amazed at the number of (what appeared to be) retired men and women working as ride attendants, working at counter service (taking money and putting together orders), driving trams, etc. Maybe it's to get the grandkids into the parks at a discount and something fun to do other than be a greeter at WalMart. Anyway, it was interesting to us.

 

[rykdad]

I wonder how well the "Imagineers" who design/develop the attractions are treated. Are they Disney employees or outside contractors?

 

[w8ting4pooh]

I would think that the entertainers are governed by the AGVA scale. I can't imagine that their salaries would be only slightly above minimum wage. My daughter is 12 and her salary is negotiated by the same union that theme park performers must join. She makes a whole lot more than minimum wage when she is working.

If I were a Florida retiree, I'd volunteer to work at Disney. They probably don't pay the CMs much because they don't have to. Who wouldn't want to work there? What a happy way to spend your retirement!! JMO

 

[pintrader]

how do you think Disney defines or determmines "entertainer"?

I was led to believe that it was only the people like the mayor of MainStreet USA, or the main street newpaper reporter or the folks that have me rolling in the aisles as you come into The Studios.

I can't imagine EVERY person who works at Disney qualifying to be in an actors guild.

 

[julieannbabe]

when i went a month ago i was on my own - so i would ask the CM if they could take a picture of me and the characters - i always thanked them a make a point a calling them by their first name - they seemed to like this.

They are very helpful and polite.

(that sounds very British doesn't it?! LOL).

 

[JessiMommy]

I always thought it would be fun to work for Disney in some capacity but at the same time worried that knowing to much inside "dirt" might take away the magic for me. I get so excited when it's planning time for a Disney trip. I think working there would destroy all of that.

Last visit we had in May DH & I found some CM's paystub in the parking lot at All Star Movies. It doesn't say what his position is but it looks like he is paid $11.74 an hour. (If I'm reading it correctly). I did always think it would be neat to get a Mickey paycheck! LOL! Sure enough the back of this paystub is covered in little mickey's!!! So if you are out there & missing one of your Disney paystubs... it was one of my souviners last May! ha ha!!

 

[doombuggy]

A couple of things to keep in mind. The cost of living in the Orlando area is less than some places. For example, i live in the Phila., PA area, and to keep up with my "lifestyle" in Orlando (if I moved there), i could be paid about $5k less than I currently make at my full time job. The apartments & homes there cost less than they do here.

As a CM for a different division, I can say yes, I get paid a bit less than a comparable job at another store, but there are perks that come along with this job, that I could not get woeking at another retail store (even a department store, which I have done). BTW, I wasn't getting all of the "perks" when I was hired in 1996 - they have added some since.

Like any job, it has it's ups and downs. If I had to tell you which job I liked better - the office or the Disney Store, I'd say DS in a heartbeat!!!!!!

 

[Mjasp]

Do the CM's in the parks also go under different names like the phone CM's?

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by Mjasp
Do the CM's in the parks also go under different names like the phone CM's?

Not all the time! My two name tags had my name on them. But if you forgot your tag, you had to wear one of the extras. One of our extras was Shamiqua - picture a little white blonde with that name tag! Most people didn't believe it. I was Amy one day, though, and entertained a family in a thunderstorm (I was at BB). The next day I bumped into them at MK and had to remember I was still "Amy"!

 

[Mjasp]

I was Amy one day, though, and entertained a family in a thunderstorm (I was at BB). The next day I bumped into them at MK and had to remember I was still "Amy"! [/B][/QUOTE]


ROTFL

I know the phone people have different names.


I always tell my DH, when I retire I am moving to FL. and changing my name. He knows what I mean by that. (working for Disney).

 

[JetMom]

I tell people all the time that when I retire I am moving to Florida and getting a job loading the boats at It's A Small World! Look for me in about 30 years!

 

[Dznefreek]

Salary isn't everything. What are the benefits?

1) Free admission for CM whenever they want to go to the park.

2) Maingate pass for your family (ie I can take up to 3 other people 12 times a year and they will be given 1 day park hoppers). There are black out dates but then they give you comp. tix. Picture what looks like a 3x5 card with a bar code on it.

3) Free parking

4) Free stroller rental

5) 50% off water parks.

6) 50-75% off of hotels.

7) 20% discount on food and shopping, 35% after 3 years.

8) Riding attractions before they open.

9 Getting to stay at resorts or go for dinner on the "Mouse" before they open to the general public. (Only certain CM's from certain area can do this.)

There are others but where I work (pt) this is what is available to me.

We are also fed a barbecue once a month. A menu is passed out and it is majority rule. Free coffe, tea and hot chocolate since we talk for a living.

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by JetMom
I tell people all the time that when I retire I am moving to Florida and getting a job loading the boats at It's A Small World! Look for me in about 30 years!

I'll be there before you, so when you get there look for me, I'll be the one who doesn't know my real name LOL

If by chance my DH is still a FL. holdout, I will scout you out in It's a small world, but are you sure you can hear that song ALL day long.

 

[KEANE]

My friend worked at Disney-MGM- and loved his job. I asked him once if he was paid well and he said Disney is a resume builder.
All of his is friends lived together in cramped apartments to save money. Guess what ? Today he is one of the stars of MAD TV. He
has also been on many network shows as extras, characters and lead roles. You have to dream !!!

 

[dsneygirl]

When I was a CM I made $5.95 a hour. When I went into service in Le Cellier I made $2.50 an hour + tips.

Entertainers and costumed characters are on a different scale. And I would say the mayor of Main St and pre-show performers are entertainment.

 

[WDWAurora]

Referring to the comment about the performers and entertainers pay rates being governed by a union: Last I heard FL was a non-union state, so it probably doesn't matter. Just something to throw into the mix...

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by WDWAurora
Referring to the comment about the performers and entertainers pay rates being governed by a union: Last I heard FL was a non-union state, so it probably doesn't matter. Just something to throw into the mix...

Florida is a non union state, but we still have a union ( a really good one) if you choose to be in it.

As for the question that W8ting4pooh asked about Entertainment. We do have "Equity" performers (under their own contracts and unions) that are completely different than the normal "Disney Entertainment" Equity performers include anyone that sings in a stage show, the mayor of main street, Scoop the news reporter, other CM's of that nature. The other Characters, dancers and performers in the parks and resorts are regular CM's that are paid Disney rates (a little higher than say a ride operator, but not much).

The question that Jessimommy posed can be true but in most cases if you love the company and what Disney stands for already you won't lose it when you work there. Disney has given me such great opportunites, ones that I would have never had elsewhere. We have the opportunity to see the world through our company. I can't even tell you how many times I have been to Disneyland California, I have been on the Disney Cruise 5 times and to Disneyland Paris once. We are planning a trip to Tokyo once Hong Kong opens among other things. Sure I have ot pay for airfare, lodging, food, etc... but for example I would have never gone to Paris if it had not been for Disneyland, I don't speak the language and would have been hesitant to go, but Disney was/is a comfort zone so I was not aprehensive and had a wonderful time. There are something that I have seen or that I know about behind the scenes stuff that takes a little magic away, but not enough to deter me from loving the company the same as everyone else does and planning my vacations around something Disney

 

[JetMom]

Mjasp- I figure the song will weed out the competition! I figure that Small World has to be the ride that nobody else wants to work!

 

[Goofyish]

Originally posted by dsneygirl
When I was a CM I made $5.95 a hour. When I went into service in Le Cellier I made $2.50 an hour + tips.

Out of interest how much did you make on tips in an average day (sorry to be nosey )?

 

[puffkin]

We were told on our Keys to the Kingdom tour that characters make around $6.25/hour. The highest paid performers are face characters that do a character meal, parade, and show (i.e. Cinderella at CRT, Share a Dream come True parade and Surprise Celebration). They top out around $14 an hour. Our guide said people do it because they love it and to build their resume, not for the pay.