How do you become a CM?

[jndmommy]

Dh asked me to post this while he goes off to work... How do you go about becoming a Cast Member at DW?? He says that would be his "dream job." If anyone has any info about the process, pay etc, we would love to hear from you. Thanks so much.

 

[disneymom225]

About 13 years ago, I dropped out of college and moved to FL. I just went right to the Casting building--I know where it is but couldn't explain it-I filled out an application, had a brief interview, then had to wait around for a 2nd one. I was hired but once they found out I have a tattoo on my ankle-couldn't offer me a job. Sad. THe Casting building was amazing and worth going to just look at--murals on the walls, a model of the castle in the waiting area. Oh, I think we had to watch a video too. It's been awhile-I forget all the details!! Good luck!

 

[jndmommy]

Yikes, my dh has two tattoos. One on each shoulder, nothing offensive though. So he'd probably be out too. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[disneymom225]

THe tattoos are only taboo if they are visible-shoulder should be no problem but I am not an expert. If I were a guy, I would have been ok-it's only b/c I could have been costumed in a dress where my tattoo would be visible that it becomes an issue.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The casting building is across the street from DTD.

 

[umaangel00]

I would love to be a CM at WDW but I can't convince DH of moving down there :-(

 

[PatriciaH]

Go into casting or call the job hotline and set up an interview. 407.828.1000 Pay varies- characters, front desk and attractions start around $6.85/hour. Concierge is about 40 cents more an hour. Bus drivers start at about $9 an hour. (You need a totally clean driving reccord/no tickets.) Performers (actors, singers, musicians) make about $500 a week. I think hourly tops out at $13 an hour even if you have been with the company 20 years! Salaried makes pretty good money but competition is feirce A lot of the pay info, benefits, etc.. are on the Disney career web site.

 

[umaangel00]

What is the Disney career website?

 

[laurabelle]

I Googled it: http://corporate.disney.go.com/auditions/disneyworld/index.html It's interesting to read the parts they're casting.

 

[umbluegray]

When we were at WDW in May we were at Epcot one day. We had just checked out the butterfly exhibit (Flower & Garden Festival) and stopped at the play area. While my 5DD was playing I started talking to a cast member.

Come to find out, he was a ride engineer for Dinosaur at AK. I mentioned that I'm a software developer and had imagined that WDW would be a great place to work as a programmer. All those rides are high tech, etc.

Anyway, he gave me a Casting Scout card. It's basically a referral card.

It gives the Walt Disney World Jobline number: 407-828-1000.

Ironically, that night at the resort I was watching the news which reported that WDW was outsourcing quite a large number of programming jobs.

It wasn't until we got home that I remembered the big purple and orange package company that I work for has a data center in Orlando.

Sorry -- tangent. I guess my point was, next time you're at WDW talk to some cast members. I noticed that alot of cast members have family who are also cast members doing other jobs. You can get lots of info that way.

 

[TiggerInLBV]

www.disneycareers.com

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

For CRO Work, You call the casting line, or check at www.disenycareers.com and apply on line. You're called back and invited to audition (As long as you have OPEN availability - basically available any time) You go to your audition, and it takes about 4 hours. First you sit in a room, then you're interviewed by someone, if you pass them, you take a personality profile, and then wait again. You're called in for your 2nd interview, and if you pass that, you're taken to another holding room, where you'll be told they want to offer you a job, then you're taken to HR and offered your position, they give you your pay rate and explain the "Incentive" (at least this was back in 12/03)

Currently I think DRC makes between $8.60 and $10.60 per hour based on experience, The highest I heard of on the floor was an agent with 12 years Call Center experience making $11.89 an hour. I think the floor tops out at $11.60.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I would love to be a CM at WDW but I can't convince DH of moving down there :-(

1) Sure you can.
2) We simply decided to do it.
3) We made a May-2005 trip specifically to buy a house, and bought one
4) Now,
. . . tomorrow the mover loads the truck
. . . we will be moved in by August 8th
. . . we will see about a job after that
5) All it takes is determination, guts and will power.

 

[NJmouse]

Do you have to go through drug testing and/or Physical?

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Nope and No

But you do have to go thru Drug testing if you work for Busch Gardens... Go figure.

 

[ajm1107]

DO CM's at your local disney store get free tickets to the parks also???

 

[umbluegray]

I think they used to before The Child's Place bought the DS. Now, I don't know if they do or not.

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

Disney Store Cast members (not sure if they are still called this since the changeover) no longer get free tickets or discounts to the parks.

 

[taximomfor4]

Disney Store Cast members (not sure if they are still called this since the changeover) no longer get free tickets or discounts to the parks.

I just got hired by Disney Store. Had my orientation yesterday. Since I have a WDW trip planned during my training (8/11-8/19) the manager knows I am going to WDW. She was apologetic, when telling me that if I had been there 30 days before my trip, I would have gotten 3 1-day park tickets. But no WDW merchandise + food + room discounts. In fact, one of the CMs that was working yesterday will be at WDW the same time I will, using her free tickets.

Beth

 

[snowmouse]

What kind of perks are offered to CM's? Resort discounts, Cruise discounts, Merchandise, etc.?