Merchandising

[cbgb72]

Has anyone here had Merchandising before? Can you tell a little bit about what you did and how you liked it?

 

[zulemara]

I was not directly in merch, but was merch trained and picked up several hours at various locations including the world of Disney store.

From what I gathered, you either stock, are a runner, or a cashier. I was generally only a cashier. The biggest thing I had to teach myself was not to get frustrated at a long line. All you can do is take care of one person at a time and be efficient, friendly, and give them your complete attention. Guests LOVE to make small talk with the cashiers so don't be afraid to get to know each person.

As for stocking...boring LOL but I did do it once or twice. It was really intimidating because I didn't know the store and I'd get asked all kinds of questions.

Runner is for the big stores I think. We used walke talkies to call for boxed items and they would bring them to us.

 

[cbgb72]

Do they ask you if you have register skills or anything? Or do they just stick you wherever? I have previous retail experience and I was just wondering if that plays into what you actually do

 

[_frazzle]

Do they ask you if you have register skills or anything? Or do they just stick you wherever? I have previous retail experience and I was just wondering if that plays into what you actually do

I'm Merch too. I heard from a former CP that they teach you as if you've had no retail experience and spend a TON of time training you so yo're completely comfortable, yet you always have people around to help if you need it.

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm Merch too. I heard from a former CP that they teach you as if you've had no retail experience and spend a TON of time training you so yo're completely comfortable, yet you always have people around to help if you need it.

That is correct.

 

[SecondStartotheright]

Do they only place merchandise CPers in the parks, or do they also put them at roles at say oh...the gift shop at All Star Music?

It would be kind of a bummer to not get to work in a park...

 

[Joanna71985]

Do they only place merchandise CPers in the parks, or do they also put them at roles at say oh...the gift shop at All Star Music?

It would be kind of a bummer to not get to work in a park...

CMs in merchandise can work in the 4 parks, DTD, one of the many resorts, and not sure about the water parks and Wide World of Sports.

My first CP, my roomie worked merchandise in the All Star resorts, and my friend was at POR last summer.

 

[graygables]

My DD was a CPer at Once Upon a Toy. She called when she found out, crying because it was "just another store and the costume is, well, it's ordinary!" She wound up having a blast and extending. Her BF was at Coronado and loved it there, too. She actually enjoyed NOT working in a park b/c parking was usually better and there wasn't as much concern over costumes being in the wrong areas.

 

[SecondStartotheright]

Yeah, I can see that there would definitely be an up side to not being in a park. I bet the non-park jobs are preferred for the reasons you stated. But I bet the hours are all over the place. I suppose I wouldn't mind working at a resort or a shop in DTD after all.

 

[cbgb72]

What is the earliest and latest shift for merch?

 

[Joanna71985]

What is the earliest and latest shift for merch?

It can vary, since there are EMHs at the parks (so the parks could be opening as early as 7-8am during the holidays, and could be closing as late as around 4am during the holidays). Then you tack on another hour for closing (stocking, closing the registers, ect), and at least an additional 2 hours for Main Street at the MK (they are open an hour after the park closes). When I was in merchandise, I think the latest I was at the parks was around 3am (for evening EMH), and almost 4am for Grad Nites.

 

[cbgb72]

Thanks Joanna! Looks like I'm in for some late nights..lol. So can you just pick up hours wherever you want? If you worked at DTD, could you just pick up hours for someone in MK?

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks Joanna! Looks like I'm in for some late nights..lol. So can you just pick up hours wherever you want? If you worked at DTD, could you just pick up hours for someone in MK?

Yes. You can pick up merchandise hours anywhere.

 

[Climber656]

Yes. You can pick up merchandise hours anywhere.

I know you can cross-train in merchandise, but what else can you cross-train in? Also, I am attractions. Will I be able to cross train in different "rides?"

 

[Joanna71985]

I know you can cross-train in merchandise, but what else can you cross-train in? Also, I am attractions. Will I be able to cross train in different "rides?"

I don't know what else there really is to "cross-train" in for merchandise (it's the same system everywhere). There could be BBB register, but that's just in DTD and in Fantasyland (and would be for females only). That's the only thing I can think of.

For attractions, CPs don't really get crossed trained that often. Certain areas you get trained in more then 1 attraction (like Fantasyland, for example. The rides are divided into 3 sections, and so you could be trained in up to 7 rides I believe). But other locations you just work 1 ride.

 

[waltripfan5599]

what about cross training for qsfb

 

[cbgb72]

I heard if you're wearing a costume with a dress or skirt you have to wear some kind of shoe with a heel...is that true?

 

[Joanna71985]

I heard if you're wearing a costume with a dress or skirt you have to wear some kind of shoe with a heel...is that true?

Not for all places. I worked in Liberty Square for 2 weeks, and I was allowed to wear my sneakers.

what about cross training for qsfb

I don't think there is for QSFB either. There might be chances for learning FSFB, but that is rare (I knew a few people from Casey's who were trained for the Plaza. But they were FT).

 

[cbgb72]

do you provide your shoes? like would character shoes work? or do they have strict guidlines?

 

[Joanna71985]

do you provide your shoes? like would character shoes work? or do they have strict guidlines?

You have to provide your own shoes. And there are guidelines about what you can wear (and it varies by location).