Hospitality: Resort Placement

[MarinaAndCharlie]

If you've done Hospitality in the CP, where were you placed and how did you like it? Pros? Cons?

I'm trying to decide what to request.

Thanks!!

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Oh and what were your costumes like? Thanks!

 

[Lukas87]

I am waiting for a decision. Hospitality was my first choice and I really really hope I get it. I would love to work for any of the resorts.

 

[einahpets126]

Hi! I work hospitality at the front desk of Pop Century. Although it could be stressful at times it was a lot of fun. In hospitality you'll most likely end up working at the front desk although I know people who were assigned to bell services/dispatch as well. If you're going to be doing the Fall or Spring Advantage program there's also a good chance you'll get trained as a runner of concierge as well.

For me the guests I dealt with were both a pro and con! I met a lot of really nice people and the guest ineraction is a lot of fun, but guests can also expect a lot from you. As you can imagine people sometimes forget that there are only so many rooms that face the pool are on the 4th floor and connect to you travel parties room

It really all depends on the day- when the hotel is close to full occupancy, there is a lot less flexibilty for what you can give the guests with regards to rooms. We also tended to get large arrivals coming in on the Magical Express, so things would get pretty busy when the buses arrive.

Another pro was definitely my coworkers-especially the other CPs and ICPs!!
To be honest, I was a little disappointed when I ended up a Pop, but I ended up loving it!! Every day at 6pm the cast members at the front desk do the hustle, and sometimes on quieter days they'll have a dj in the lobby and we got to go out and do different dances and play games with the kids.

Our costumes were okay- for the females at the front desk and concierge you get to wear a skirt or a skort and then a jacket like top. The top was a little weird- but not too bad. I don't think any of the costumes are that flattering, but it's definitely better to wear a skirt because you don't have the mom pants look going on!


I know I'm rambling but I really had a great experience!! Let me know if you have any other questions- I did know some people who worked at other resorts!!

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Thanks! We stayed at Pop on our first trip a couple of years ago and we came to check in right when the CMs were doing the hustle and I was amazed! haha. It looked like so much fun. I think Pop is one of the coolest resorts, its just so well themed and really fun. It sounds like a blast to work there!

What kind of hours did you get?

Also, Where did your friends work?

Thanks

 

[einahpets126]

For the majority of the program I worked between 30 and 32 hours per week, which meant I had 3 days off each week. Towards the end of my program (which was December-around Christmas time) I worked 40 hours.

At the beginning of my program I always complained that I had 3 days off because it felt like too much free time, but at the end I was wishing I had more time off because there was so much I wanted to do! So my biggest advice is if you end up having a lot of time off- take advantage of it!!

Carribean Beach is Pop's sister resort so I know quite a few people from there. I also had friends at the Contemporary, Port Orleans, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.

 

[joepic]

For the majority of the program I worked between 30 and 32 hours per week, which meant I had 3 days off each week. Towards the end of my program (which was December-around Christmas time) I worked 40 hours.

At the beginning of my program I always complained that I had 3 days off because it felt like too much free time, but at the end I was wishing I had more time off because there was so much I wanted to do! So my biggest advice is if you end up having a lot of time off- take advantage of it!!

Carribean Beach is Pop's sister resort so I know quite a few people from there. I also had friends at the Contemporary, Port Orleans, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.

Wow that sounds like so much fun! Hospitality will be my first choice when I apply, so I was wondering how your chances were to get the role - did you have any former experience, were you studying hospitality in school?

Also, what questions were you asked on the interview?

 

[YesIStillLoveDisney]

I was wondering what a typical Hospitality shift is? I actually wouldn't mind working nights but is that a possibility or a probability for CP CM?

 

[joepic]

I was wondering what a typical Hospitality shift is? I actually wouldn't mind working nights but is that a possibility or a probability for CP CM?

During my last trip I spoke to a CP Cast Member who was doing Hospitality at the CR, and he said that his shifts were early in the morning, from like 6-2. He said it was nice because he had the rest of the day off.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

I'm currently doing hospitality in the spring advantage program and I had emailed my recruiter requesting Saratoga Springs and Old Key West and I was placed in both!!

Saratoga Springs and Old Key West are related resorts, thus the reason for being placed in both. I love them!!!

Working at a DVC resort in AWESOME!!!

Pros: I have wonderful managers, everyone is there to help and the people who trained me were nothing but outstanding!!! A lot of the guests are really fun to talk to as well Hours are decent, too... normally im around a 10-6 or 11-7 shift, but i have had 2 of the 2am shifts and a couple 6am shifts as well...

COns: Being DVC, you always have the guests who demand perfection and will let you know when they don't get it. HOWEVER... you will have those guests everywhere, I'm sure. No matter what role you have. People come to Disney with very high expectations and as long as you role with the punches, so to speak, you'll be ok. On my first day one of my trainers told me that working front desk, you will hear a lot of complaints and will see a lot of angry guests, but to know that even if they are yelling at me and saying everything is my fault, to know that 99% of the time, it's really nothing to do with me, and that the managers are here to help

The costumes aren't that bad. I actually really like my saratoga springs one. I'm not too fond of old key west COLORS but the clothes are pretty comfortable and I get to wear sneakers at old key west which is great! Something to keep in mind about costumes: they all have their pros and cons... and everyone at your work locations looks JUST like you I wouldn't pick a location based on the costume!!

Another thing to keep in mind with hospitality: Be prepared for a LOT of training!!!

My schedule went something like this:

day 1: move in
day 2: find out work location
day 3: traditions
day 4: first impressions day 1 of 4
day 5: first impressions day 2 of 4
day 6: first impressions day 3 of 4
day 7: first impressions day 4 of 4
day 8: On the job training (OTJ) day 1
day 9: off
day 10: OTJ day 2 (and you have 7 days...)

and then in there somewhere i also had a disney vacation club class and a "welcome home" class.

then after i finished my front desk training, they trained me as a resort runner which they told me is required of front desk workers with a valid license...

and they may/maynot be training me as concierge, too..

lots and lots and lots of training... but the good part: You know exactly what you're doing it by the time your managers watch you do your final check in

 

[YesIStillLoveDisney]

Thanks, I am thinking that I would like hospitality but I know it is pretty competitive. I spent last summer working in admissions at Cedar Point. Even though I wasn't technically guest services, my location was the last building before the parking lot so a lot of guests who walked right past guest services would stop and ask us questions. I love being able to answer and help them since I know as a guest myself I hate being constantly sent from one spot to the next because "it is not in my job description" as some of my coworkers insisted. We got a lot of ticketing (which was our job) and hotel questions and a lot of the angry guests who wanted to complain and take their frustration on on someone, usually us. Do you think this experience or how much I generally like to help guests would be enough to help me get a hospitality role? What tips do you have for the interview?

Also, I am kind of hesitant to ask for hospitality since I am worried I won't enjoy being so far out of the parks. Has anyone else noticed that resort workers like/dislike their job more being away from the parks? I guess I am just worried it won't be as "Disney" of an experience.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Thanks, I am thinking that I would like hospitality but I know it is pretty competitive. I spent last summer working in admissions at Cedar Point. Even though I wasn't technically guest services, my location was the last building before the parking lot so a lot of guests who walked right past guest services would stop and ask us questions. I love being able to answer and help them since I know as a guest myself I hate being constantly sent from one spot to the next because "it is not in my job description" as some of my coworkers insisted. We got a lot of ticketing (which was our job) and hotel questions and a lot of the angry guests who wanted to complain and take their frustration on on someone, usually us. Do you think this experience or how much I generally like to help guests would be enough to help me get a hospitality role? What tips do you have for the interview?

Also, I am kind of hesitant to ask for hospitality since I am worried I won't enjoy being so far out of the parks. Has anyone else noticed that resort workers like/dislike their job more being away from the parks? I guess I am just worried it won't be as "Disney" of an experience.

As far as wanting to be in the parks goes, I was a little dissapointed when i first found out i got hospitality because I wanted to be in the parks SO badly. However, being on the CP, you get free park admission everyday of your program and you will quickly come to find that you spend a LOT of time there anyway

I'm perfectly fine working front desk now. I've come to find that you don't get to do as many of the "cast member" type things as you do in the parks as often (ie: take pictures for guests, etc) but I find myself doing that on my days off... for instance, a couple days ago i went to the studios and offered to take a picture for a couple people... they were like WOW, that was SO nice of you to offer... My friends were like "that was such a cast member thing to do!!" haha

 

[fathomsbelow]

epfootballcutie04, thanks so much for your information. I'm doing the FA 09 in Hospitality (I arrive May 20th). I had a few questions:

1) Do people that do not have licenses not get trained as runners? Are they primarily front desk?
2) Do you know what other resorts are related? I requested the Polynesian.
3) Have you done any Bell Services/Dispatch work yet? How likely is it to be placed in one of those locations or be there often?

 

[CelebrationNM]

Also, I am kind of hesitant to ask for hospitality since I am worried I won't enjoy being so far out of the parks. Has anyone else noticed that resort workers like/dislike their job more being away from the parks? I guess I am just worried it won't be as "Disney" of an experience.

I'll add that it's nice to check somebody in and then see them throughout their stay, whether to answer questions or just say hello to them as they pass by. Kids tend to walk around pretty independently within the "safety" of a resort, so you can get to know them, mess around with them a little, and that's always fun. At Front Desk, you're one of the first Cast Members that Guests have an interaction with during their vacation and people definitely remember you. (As in, "Mom, that's the lady that checked us in and gave us our keys!")

Guests spend a lot of time around their resort and you have a chance to be a memorable part of their experience. Because of that, to a lot of Guests, you really are Disney.

It's fun to be out in the park with tens of thousands of people, and that has its own rewarding things, but being around a resort is equally good.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

epfootballcutie04, thanks so much for your information. I'm doing the FA 09 in Hospitality (I arrive May 20th). I had a few questions:

1) Do people that do not have licenses not get trained as runners? Are they primarily front desk?
2) Do you know what other resorts are related? I requested the Polynesian.
3) Have you done any Bell Services/Dispatch work yet? How likely is it to be placed in one of those locations or be there often?

You're welcome!

1. In Saratoga/Old Key West, you only get trained as a runner if you have a license as you have to drive a little bit... in my experience, if you don't have a license, you'll get trained as concierge, too

2. I know that each resort seems to be related to another, im not sure if they all are, but i know you will always have the chance to be deployed to another. Chances are, if you get placed in one, you will eventually work in another from what i've heard. For me: It's just between Saratoga/Old Key West.

3. I have not, nor do I think I will, do bell services work. The only bell services work I would do is if i was a runner and bell services was all backed up and someone needed me to move them rooms asap. I'm not 100% sure on that yet, it's just what i've heard.

Congrats on hospitality It's a fun role!! I requested saratoga/old key west/ poly... and got 2 of my 3 choices!!! Good luck getting the poly!! It's a beautiful resort!!

 

[fall08CP]

epfootballcutie04, thanks so much for your information. I'm doing the FA 09 in Hospitality (I arrive May 20th). I had a few questions:

1) Do people that do not have licenses not get trained as runners? Are they primarily front desk?
2) Do you know what other resorts are related? I requested the Polynesian.
3) Have you done any Bell Services/Dispatch work yet? How likely is it to be placed in one of those locations or be there often?

None of the ICP's were trained runner at my location b/c they did not have an American liscense, so I think it is a necessity. We were required to bring our liscense to work that day if we were runner, otherwise we could not drive the company car. Runner was by far my favorite position!

Sister hotels: OKW/SSR, Port Orleans, All Stars, Pop/cbr (sort of?), Yacht + Beach

Some resorts have one check-in for two seperate resorts: for example, BC + BCV, BWI + BWV, WL + WLV, AKL + AKV.. maybe more? I worked at one of those and we had to always two screens up (one for each resort) and it was hard to keep switching b/w them! It also made looking up reservations confusing.

I loved working at a deluxe. It was relatively quiet so I got to know my co-workers really well. DVC was okay but as said earlier, those guests tend to be very demanding. Also there are so many different room types at DVC that it's hard to accomodate all of the requests.

Your hours will vary greatly. I've done every single shift.. from 5am-1:30, 11am-7:30pm, 6pm-2:30am, and graveyard 10:00pm - 8:30am. You won't have much say in your schedule. I much prefered nights because the rooms were actually clean and ready so the guests were happier! I was never under 40 hours. Most weeks I was at 45-50- those paychecks were pretty good. I also got stuck with a lot of doubles (8am-midnight). Not so fun, but you will get crazy hours b/c front desk never closes!

I truly believe that hospitality is the top role. I am going back as summer alumni but hospitality isn't offered, unfortunately. You will love working indoors and having the guests really get to know you (a blessing and a curse!). The managers are so great and they care so much about their cast. We had all kinds of cast outings to special dinners and shows and my roommates were all so jealous! Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions!

 

[caramelde17]

epfootballcutie04 can i ask u a few questions about the hospitality role?

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Absolutely!!! Feel free to post them here or send me a private message!! I'm happy to help anyway I can

 

[caramelde17]

Hey epic

I can't pm u because it says I don't have enough posts. I need at least 10 and I'm only at 3 now. So I'll just post here.


I need to ask u for some pointers/tips? I have a interview next week and hospitality is one of my top role choices. Do u remember what questions they asked u pertaining to that role? I'm just trying to get a heads up for the questions they're going to ask. I really want that role, but I don't have any experience. My major is hospitality in school right now, and I really want the experience from disney to do this role so it can help me out in the future. I want to gain a lot of experience and knowledge from this internship. All I ever wanted to do since I was a kid, was to work at disney and work in the resorts/hotel. I know u said u worked in hospitality so I figured u could tell me how I can get through this interview and ace it. Can u please help me?

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Hey epic

I can't pm u because it says I don't have enough posts. I need at least 10 and I'm only at 3 now. So I'll just post here.


I need to ask u for some pointers/tips? I have a interview next week and hospitality is one of my top role choices. Do u remember what questions they asked u pertaining to that role? I'm just trying to get a heads up for the questions they're going to ask. I really want that role, but I don't have any experience. My major is hospitality in school right now, and I really want the experience from disney to do this role so it can help me out in the future. I want to gain a lot of experience and knowledge from this internship. All I ever wanted to do since I was a kid, was to work at disney and work in the resorts/hotel. I know u said u worked in hospitality so I figured u could tell me how I can get through this interview and ace it. Can u please help me?

I would love to help you out, but honestly they didn't really ask me many questions on that role. My major was hospitality and I had a ton of experience in the field, so I think that's what ultimately gave me that role. The only question they asked me is how I would make a guest feel welcomed.

an important saying to remember is "welcome home" I worked at 2 Disney Vacation Club Resorts and I said that phrase thousands of times a day.

Another thing to keep in mind is, assuming that the guests doNOT stop at bell services before checking in, you COULD be the first cast member a guest sees as they are starting their vacation and the last cast member a guest sees as they are leaving to go back home. It's really important to create that Disney magic in anyway possible for them

Otherwise, you're majoring in hospitality... You're probably pretty familiar with the Disney Parks, so I would come up with a couple scenerios that could happen while working the front desk and be prepared with how to answer them:

examples:

- requested rooms not available

- it's raining and it ruined their vacation (you'd be surprised how often i got this complaint)

- the pool was closed

- their favorite ride at DHS (or wherever) was closed for refurb and their kids wont stop crying

- they want their room available at the time of their arrival (10 am) and don't understand why they have to wait until 3/4pm for their room to be ready when they don't have any clothes for the pool and aren't going to the parks at all for the day... what will they do?

- their credit card isn't working

etc etc etc.

I hope this helps you!! Good luck on your interview!!
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