I got accepted, but got merchandise. Should I decline?

[DisneyVillian86]

My top choices were:

Character Attendant

Operations

Merchandise

I really wanted one of the fist two, because I can do merchandise anywhere, I don't have to go all the way to Orlando just to work in a store... If I really wanted there is a Disney store at the mall.

Im dissapointed because I stressed "how much I wanted to do a job, only possible at Disney theme parks" meaning something unique and exclusive like working a ride.

I even sent a resume and cover letter, explaining this in a professional yet enthusiastic manner. I just don't know if its worth me going literally across the U.S to just work a cash register. And what if I get stuck at Downtown Disney or something like that. I wouldn't like that at all!

Will I even meet other young people doing this (merch) Are all the "cool" people running the rides? Please, advice.

 

[hopesethigh]

Well, think of the perks....free admission, discounts, etc.

I'm not sure which program you are enrolled in (CareerStart, Internship, etc.), but if you play your cards right and network, while doing your job according to the "Disney Standard"...maybe you could get offered an awesome job after the program is over...

Just my thoughts...

 

[Thinkin_tink08]

If i were you i would still do it. I mean why pass up the Opportunity of a life time..think of how many people apply and dont get in and you just kinda throw it away. I mean if you do this you could "work your way up" and do what you really wanted and still a disney store is nothing like working on Disney property. But this is just what i think and you can do whatever you think is best for you. good luck!

 

[graygables]

Same thing happened to my DD. She accepted and got DTD. She called, very upset, b/c her "costume" was ugly (khakis and button up shirt) and "This is just like it was at Build a Bear, only hotter!". That was January and she just signed her extension. She's my 2nd CP child and I honestly believe it is what YOU make of it. She's gone out and made friends, her roomie is "friends with Mickey" so that opens up more avenues for meeting "cool people" (which, BTW, "cool people" work merchandise, too... ). A "friend of Prince Charming" hangs out at their apartment all the time. One of her best friends is an English international student. Go. Have fun. Surprise yourself.

Mom advice given.

 

[Stew_Mouse]

I agree with graygables, this experience is what you make of it. I think you will be pleasently surprised at how great your experience will be. You should do it! You can always come back.

 

[century3]

The college program is not just a job, it's an experience. It's like nothing you could ever imagine. The best way to describe it is a 5 month long camp where your only responsibility is to show up for work relatively presentable. Transportation is availible to anywhere on Disney property (as well as the grocery store, walmart, the mall and a few shopping centers), and all your housing/utility costs come directly from your paycheck, so you don't even have to worry about bills!

Working anywhere at WDW, you'll be around tons of people your age. About 20%-30% of the people I worked with were CP's. This holds true for many areas. Not to mention that if you stay in Disney housing you'll be around people like you (your age, in the same situation) virtually all the time.

You have to remember that most everyone in the college program arrives not knowing anyone. It's one of the easiest environments I've ever been in to make friends. As for working with "cool" people, know that what job you get is almost completely random, you have just as much chance of working with cool people at "The World of Disney" store as Space Mountain.

If the only reason you are doing it is for actual job experience than it's probably not for you (unless you want to use it as a stepping stone to a professional internship later, where having participated as a CP is often required). If you are doing it for job experience, merch is really the best role for that, because it is often much more involved than the repetitive nature of operations or character assisting. Constantly telling people how to sit down can get old after awhile, believe me.

Definitely don't worry about not having a unique Disney experinece working merchandise. Even if you got your worst case scenario of working at Downtown Disney, you still have access to the backstage areas at the parks, Disney classes, networking workshops and awesome behind the scenes experiences (like riding space mountain or rockin' roller coaster while the lights are on, or watching Cirque Du Soliel from backstage).

The hardest part is a few months after you get back home, Disney withdrawl could almost be a documented mental disease. Nearly everyone I've talked to still goes through the pains of seperation (it's been 4 years since I was a CP).

Whatever job you end up with, it's not going to be rocket science, but having Disney on your resume is great whatever you do. It sticks in people's heads and really helps set you apart when you apply for jobs later on. I've been in a good few interviews since I was at Disney and it's practically all my interviewers want to talk about. Thanks in very large part to me having participated in the college program, I got my absolute dream internship, being an artist with Disney Design Group.

 

[Captn Jack Sparrow]

I was in the Fall '05 CP and had one of the best times. century3 is right that it is like a 5 month camp.

graygabels is also correct that it is what you make of it. If you accept and think that this is only merch. then your going to hate it, however, if you think I get the chance to work for Walt Disney World and have a blast doing it then it is an awesome time.

All the 'cool' people are not running the attractions, I met several people from other roles that I became friends with. I am a non-traditional student so I was much older then the other CP'ers that were there at the time and I got on well with them, we went to DTD to dance or sit at the AC and laugh our butts off

I just would not get too hung up on the fact that you were offered Merchandise and focus on the fact that you were offered at all. Go have fun and be prepared for that Disney withdrawal that century3 mentioned.

If you are still not sure send a pm with your concerns and i would be happy to talk to you about them.

 

[Joanna71985]

I've done the CP twice. The first time I did the CP (Spring 2005) I got merchandise. I even had the same ones selected as you: character attendant, operations, and merchandise (in that order). I was placed in Fantasyland (which is great, because I was hoping for MK). I ended up extending my CP over the summer because I had so much fun. The CP is a great experience. I learned so much from my programs. I hope to work at Disney full-time once I graduate.

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

Congratulations! You should be very excited! You will be working for Disney! Even in retail there is much to learn.

The Disney Store in the mall is NOT Disney! You cannot even compare the two.

Again, congratulations!

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

In the end this choice is up to you.

Going to work at Disney is an experience in it self. You always have a chance to move up and change jobs. I know people that were on the college program with me that went to a character audition as a CP and their job was changed. So there is the chance that that will happen to you. You also have the chance to "pick up shifts" This is where you can go and work in different parts of the park. Now some need training and some don't. If you would like to try something new then you can find a job that you don't need training for.

If you are planning on staying down at Disney after your program is done and you don't like your job, I think, it will be easier for you to transfer to a different one. You are still in their system and you would only need the on site training not traditions.

Again it is up to you in the end but there are some options out there for you after you get down there.

 

[Hook's Girl]

Keep in mind that merchandise at Walt Disney World isn't just the same as working at JC Pennies. Honestly, it's not something you can do anywhere else. You could be in merchantainment, making magic, I'm not sure where they do that anywhere else, other than Walt Disney World.

There are also so many opportunites in merchandise. You could be in the Tower of Terror gift shop, or selling art at the Art of Disney, or spending everyday on Main Street USA, you could be making Candy apples in Sweet Spells or even riding a Segway and selling glow merchandise at Epcot!! Just remember that even if it is just merchandise, its not like anywhere else in the world

 

[lamagique]

I will echo what everyone else said. I was hesistant to go last summer because the summer program only provided two options: Quick Service Food and Beverage and Custodial. I got put in Custodial. Let me tell you, it wasn't a glamorous job BUT... I made the best friends ever on the program! Honestly, I think it's worth it. I plan on doing the program again and I think merch will be one of my top choices because it seems to be like such a great position. Air conditioning, variety, interaction! I think you should do it! And if you really don't like it, you can talk to someone about switching once you get there. But I say give it a try!

 

[rockstargeisha]

The Disney Store in the mall is NOT Disney! You cannot even compare the two.

Agreed. The Disney store is not even run by Disney but by The Children's Place company.

I would definitely go for it. Though it may not appear to be the most thrilling job ever do keep in mind having Disney on a resume is a fantastic conversation started for employers and looking highly upon. Think about all the fun people you'll get to meet and interact with as well. Also, I think everyone and I mean everyone should work in retail sometime in their life. You will have a greater understanding of people, how to meet particular needs and assist people who are appreciative of your good service. Go for it.

 

[DisneyVillian1986]

Hi its me, I had to re-register because I forgot my password and the email link dosn't work arrr! Anyway, thanks for writing back.

I sent an email to my recruiter, about my interest in visual merchandising and displyas, and she hasn't wrote back. Should I call her?

 

[century3]

That's really more of a question to talk to your area manager when you arrive in florida (although I have to doubt you would be allowed much in the way of decision making, at least on that level, as a cp'er).

There are hundreds/thousands of people in the college program, because there are so many people, the job you get assigned can't really take your hopes and dreams into consideration. It's a base level job, but like everyone else has said, being in the college program is what you make of it.