I Want To Work At Disney!!

[luvgoing2disney]

Call me crazy, but I want to work at Disney. And not just any job---I want to be one of the Dapper Dans on Main Street.

A little background. I love Disney and all that I see when we are down there. One of the highlights to me is finding the Dapper Dans and when they finish a set, asking if I can sing a song with them. I've sung Barbershop music and been in a quartet for about 25 years--since I was a young fella. And I think my ideal job, and I've told the Dans the same thing, would to be paid to sing Barbershop music on Main Street. I don't think it could get much better.

The Dans have always been super nice and acted as though they enjoyed singing a song with me. They've even asked if I could play the organ chimes that they carry.

Of course as with any job, I know there are drawbacks, but as guests we rarely see that at WDW, but as I was driving to work today and thinking of Disney, (not an uncommon practice) I just made up my mind that I really, REALLY wanted to give that a shot someday.

To some of you, I may be an old timer (52 but don't act or look it, if I may be so bold) and it would be 9 years before I would ever try something like that. But my wife and I both love Disney and in slight jest, said we would love to retire and work at WDW.

Do you think I am crazy or not? And any cast members in the music entertainment area at WDW, would it be nuts to try for something like that at 62? I've noticed on Disney Auditions that they are auditioning for some Dans in late March and this year would be impossible to even try, but you gotta have a dream.

 

[Shir Kahn]

I've been wanting to work at WDW for a while now. Recently, DW said she'd be ok with us moving down there, so it might happen! Going to be a serious pay cut though!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Yeah the money thing is a major thing. I think the Dans get paid $12.50/hour so you gotta do it for the love of it.

But if we were retired, I could think of worse ways to make a little money.

 

[steelfish535]

You'd be surprised about how many people we've met who work at Disney who were retirees and moved there and found a job.
I think about getting a job at Disney on a daily basis. I'll take the paycut! Boy, would that be a fulfilling job. There is a girl on the boards here who moved to Disney this winter and got a job. She blogs about her adventures, and boy am I jealous! I love to read about it.
Someday....maybe you can be a Dapper Dan and I'll work in the one of the stores...we can meet up and reminisce about our old lives...LOL!

 

[Shir Kahn]

Oh no, they wouldn't let me sing! At least, not twice!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

You'd be surprised about how many people we've met who work at Disney who were retirees and moved there and found a job.
I think about getting a job at Disney on a daily basis. I'll take the paycut! Boy, would that be a fulfilling job. There is a girl on the boards here who moved to Disney this winter and got a job. She blogs about her adventures, and boy am I jealous! I love to read about it.
Someday....maybe you can be a Dapper Dan and I'll work in the one of the stores...we can meet up and reminisce about our old lives...LOL!

Would we consider our old lives BD? Before Disney?

 

[ireland_nicole]

I think if you have a dream, go for it! You only get one shot, so why not take a chance on something you really want? And no, I don't think it's unrealistic; now if you reeeeaaaallly wanted to be Belle or Jasmine, I think you might want to seek professional help
For what it's worth, I had a chance to perform at Disney and chose to go to University instead. While I know I did the practical thing, part of me has always regretted it. So if you have any chance, please take it!

Nicole

 

[ChrisMouse]

DH and I also dream of retiring someday (we're mid thirties now) and moving down to work at WDW. We both wish we had done the college program (we had a friend who did it and loved it).

I just know someday we will do it. I would love to be the Fairy Godmother someday when I'm old and gray, but I would be willing to sell dole whips or Mickey head balloons.

I like to dream!

 

[steelfish535]

I told my DD (who is only 10) all about the Disney College Program, and she wants to go...
So, if we can't move down there and work there, maybe I can live vicariously through her if she ever decides to do the program.
Or maybe I can go back to college and do the program myself? Hmmm.....

 

[ems_mom]

My DH and I are very close to you in age (but will deny anything in print!) and have the same dilemma about changing careers, etc. But your big advantage is talent! Shoot... if you've got it, go for it! Disney needs enthusiastic people like you

 

[Shmily1]

That's my plan too, but not the part about singing... they wouldn't hire me for that. I just wish the pay was better and I'd do it right away and not wait for retirement. I love kids so I would like to be one of the people that walks around and talks to people and hear their stories. Maybe have a job like Lou that works at the MK parade playing games with the kids. Everybody's got a dream

 

[luvgoing2disney]

My DH and I are very close to you in age (but will deny anything in print!) and have the same dilemma about changing careers, etc. But your big advantage is talent! Shoot... if you've got it, go for it! Disney needs enthusiastic people like you

And the age calendar turns another page next Tuesday! At least it brings me a little closer to trying out for Disney.

 

[christa112]

I would also love to work there! I am in the photography industry so naturally I would love to be a photog there, but I have 3 children and I could almost guarantee I would not survive on what Disney pays, even if DH got a job down there I think the cost of living is less and so is the pay.

So maybe when I retire. LOL

 

[DisGal520]

for all of you seriously considering looking into your dream, as the song says,


"Dreams move on if you wait too long"



DisGal

 

[semo233]

If those over 50 say, were told that they could not or should not persue their dreams, where would we be? You are NEVER too old to try something new!! If you think you can live with the pay, GO FOR IT!!
I've had high paying jobs and low paying jobs....you need to do what you love and you will find a way to make it work.
Good luck!
semo233

 

[Shir Kahn]

I would much rather work at a low paying job that I loved than a high paying job that I hated/disliked/tolerated.

 

[disneyaggie]

If those over 50 say, were told that they could not or should not persue their dreams, where would we be? You are NEVER too old to try something new!! If you think you can live with the pay, GO FOR IT!!
I've had high paying jobs and low paying jobs....you need to do what you love and you will find a way to make it work.

Great advice!

 

[luvgoing2disney]

OK, my wife and I discussed this pipe dream a little more today.

You never know until you try something, so I'm going to check around into taking tap dance lessons--that's part of the audtion process for a Dan--and I'm going to give it a shot.

I won't audition this time since I will not have had any tap lessons or skill, but I'm gong to try for it. I had rather audition once (or twice or three times) and get shot down then to look back later and say "I wonder what would have happened if......."

 

[disneyaggie]

OK, my wife and I discussed this pipe dream a little more today.

You never know until you try something, so I'm going to check around into taking tap dance lessons--that's part of the audtion process for a Dan--and I'm going to give it a shot.

I won't audition this time since I will not have had any tap lessons or skill, but I'm gong to try for it. I had rather audition once (or twice or three times) and get shot down then to look back later and say "I wonder what would have happened if......."

Good for you! I totally agree . . . it is better to say you tried versus looking back saying, "I wish I had tried" . . . you will do great!

 

[Justin M]

OK, my wife and I discussed this pipe dream a little more today.

You never know until you try something, so I'm going to check around into taking tap dance lessons--that's part of the audtion process for a Dan--and I'm going to give it a shot.

I won't audition this time since I will not have had any tap lessons or skill, but I'm gong to try for it. I had rather audition once (or twice or three times) and get shot down then to look back later and say "I wonder what would have happened if......."

Great attitude! I believe not trying is the only actual form of failure in life. So GO FOR IT! And regardless of how it turns out, the experience of auditioning, learning to tap dance a bit, and dreaming your dreams will pay dividends you can't even imagine!