Moving to the world

[grimb]

My wife and I would like to retire in a few years from our teaching profession, move to Disney area and work for the mouse. We would like to live in an area with in a 15 to 20 minute drive to work, live in a condo (we have 10 acres, horses, etc now and want to be able not to shovel poop every day). Where should we look at for nice homes. Not interested in moving next to tiger woods but don't want to live in an area where I can not go out for a run without packing "heat"

 

[kytiam]

My wife and I would like to retire in a few years from our teaching profession, move to Disney area and work for the mouse. We would like to live in an area with in a 15 to 20 minute drive to work, live in a condo (we have 10 acres, horses, etc now and want to be able not to shovel poop every day). Where should we look at for nice homes. Not interested in moving next to tiger woods but don't want to live in an area where I can not go out for a run without packing "heat"

I have no advice for you but we are seriously considering the exact same thing so I have the same questions! Hope someone here will have some good answers. We have to wait at least 3 more years--maybe as many as 4 or 5, but I'm already excited about the possibility!

 

[ohiogoofyman]

We have rented an all star vacation home before minutes away from animal kingdom. This is where I am looking first but am open to other ideas

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I live in Solivita, which is a 55+ community. We currently have, as one of our clubs, one for Disney Cast Members which has about 70 members.

It is not a condo system. Almost all of the homes are single-family homes with 2+ car garages. Some of the smallest are two homes in one building, but the homes are on street corners with each home's entrance on a different street.

The Homeowners Association does all landscape maintenance and irrigation, including lawn mowing. There is a brand new hospital opening up this month across from the main entrance, and a new connector road is under construction to speed up access to WDW.

Check out www.solivita.com for more info.

 

[DVC-Don]

I second Cheshire Figment. That new road is going to make the ride to WDW a breeze.

 

[kimsuenew]

I live in Solivita, which is a 55+ community. We currently have, as one of our clubs, one for Disney Cast Members which has about 70 members.

It is not a condo system. Almost all of the homes are single-family homes with 2+ car garages. Some of the smallest are two homes in one building, but the homes are on street corners with each home's entrance on a different street.

The Homeowners Association does all landscape maintenance and irrigation, including lawn mowing. There is a brand new hospital opening up this month across from the main entrance, and a new connector road is under construction to speed up access to WDW.

Check out www.solivita.com for more info.

Great information! I am printing it and putting into my "retirement folder" for future reference! Thank you!

 

[WDW_Diane]

I second Cheshire Figment. That new road is going to make the ride to WDW a breeze.

Nice that A lot of residents work at WDW and the is a club!
I'm also a teacher who wants to work at the Mouse during my winters. It won't be for several years, and probably not full time. Lots of time to consider everything.....

 

[carebee21]

We just moved a month ago from Vegas to the world. We live in the four corners area and love it so far. We're only 8 miles from the welcome gates, but it takes about 20 mins to get there, with traffic and traffic lights. There are tons of small communities, single family homes, condos, town homes and apartments to pick from. I feel plenty safe in our area, and I did a lot of research as my husband travels for work, so I'm often alone with our son, so a safe area is very important to us. I know some people don't like the "tourist area" but we love having publix, wal mart, target and a ton of restaurants literally just a few miles from our home which isn't the case in some of the less touristy areas.

 

[sammielynn]

I just purchased a condo in Conway(up near the airport) for my retirement. I may be a little far out for your taste, but my complex (Sienna Place) is quite and comfortable. When I really get ready to retire I hope to be able to work for the mouse.

 

[KodakFigment]

We moved here 3 years ago. Best advice is rent for a year and figure out the area. We found we didn't like the "tourist" feel because we weren't on vacation; we wanted to be a part of a neighborhood and a community.

That said, the fastest growing permanent resident neighborhoods are just north of the MK, sandwiched between Rt 535 and Rt 429. (Generally referred to as Horizon West). We live 3 miles from the cast member entrance to MK. It takes us no more than 15 minutes to the lots at any park.

PM me if you'd like any specific info.

 

[WDW_Diane]

We moved here 3 years ago. Best advice is rent for a year and figure out the area. We found we didn't like the "tourist" feel because we weren't on vacation; we wanted to be a part of a neighborhood and a community.

That said, the fastest growing permanent resident neighborhoods are just north of the MK, sandwiched between Rt 535 and Rt 429. (Generally referred to as Horizon West). We live 3 miles from the cast member entrance to MK. It takes us no more than 15 minutes to the lots at any park.

PM me if you'd like any specific info.

Very sound advice, about renting first.

Sounds like there are many who have the dream of working at the World in retirement. Do you feel that they are very receptive to employing this population of workers? It would crush me to discover that I couldn't get a desirable job there.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Disney is very receptive to hiring retired people. Especially for regular part-time positions. They have a high work ethic, do not really need a high level of pay, and tend to have medical insurance from prior employment.

In my case I was 65 when I started working for Disney, and my Disney income is less than 5% of my total income.

 

[WDW_Diane]

Disney is very receptive to hiring retired people. Especially for regular part-time positions. They have a high work ethic, do not really need a high level of pay, and tend to have medical insurance from prior employment.

In my case I was 65 when I started working for Disney, and my Disney income is less than 5% of my total income.

Good to know....I will have teacher retirement. Do you think seasonal part time would be the same story?

 

[WDW_Diane]

Disney is very receptive to hiring retired people. Especially for regular part-time positions. They have a high work ethic, do not really need a high level of pay, and tend to have medical insurance from prior employment.

In my case I was 65 when I started working for Disney, and my Disney income is less than 5% of my total income.

Where do you work at WDW?

 

[Traveliz]

My wife and I would like to retire in a few years from our teaching profession, move to Disney area and work for the mouse. We would like to live in an area with in a 15 to 20 minute drive to work, live in a condo (we have 10 acres, horses, etc now and want to be able not to shovel poop every day). Where should we look at for nice homes. Not interested in moving next to tiger woods but don't want to live in an area where I can not go out for a run without packing "heat"

Lakeside at Lakes of Windermere is at the corner of Reams Rd and 535. It's a very nice condo community about ten minutes behind MK.

Liz

 

[KodakFigment]

It would crush me to discover that I couldn't get a desirable job there. Do you think seasonal part time would be the same story?

Loaded questions Lots of friends who are part time CM's. Their opinion is that seasonal part time is being severely restricted. Not nearly as flexible as it used to be and much harder to get and keep The only jobs I've seen posted as "seasonal" are those that staff kiosks for special events like F & W or F & G at Epcot or sports season at WWoS. Those are pretty easy to get because they are short term.

Part time positions are always available - depending on your definition of desirable. The hardest and weirdest thing is that all initial screening is done through your application online so if you don't use the right buzz words you don't get to the next online step which is a pysch test of sorts. Lot's of folks don't get past this because they answer the questions as though they were doing their current jobs and not going to work at a basic, basic entry level job.

Once you get to a real live person, things are much better. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of really wonderful Disney personality types not be able to break through the computer screening steps. It's sad really.

 

[WDW_Diane]

Loaded questions Lots of friends who are part time CM's. Their opinion is that seasonal part time is being severely restricted. Not nearly as flexible as it used to be and much harder to get and keep The only jobs I've seen posted as "seasonal" are those that staff kiosks for special events like F & W or F & G at Epcot or sports season at WWoS. Those are pretty easy to get because they are short term.

Part time positions are always available - depending on your definition of desirable. The hardest and weirdest thing is that all initial screening is done through your application online so if you don't use the right buzz words you don't get to the next online step which is a pysch test of sorts. Lot's of folks don't get past this because they answer the questions as though they were doing their current jobs and not going to work at a basic, basic entry level job.

Once you get to a real live person, things are much better. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of really wonderful Disney personality types not be able to break through the computer screening steps. It's sad really.

So of course I must ask.... What would you consider to be those important buzz words?

 

[ohiogoofyman]

How about the condos and homes near animal kingdom We stayed one time in an all star vacation home and loved it. Nice gated community

 

[KodakFigment]

First the resume language needs to match the job description's language. For example if the job is merchandise and it says "POS experience" having the resume say "cashier" won't work. It really is that lame, unfortunately. You have to have FULL availability even though the part time job might only require 3 days/week.

Then if you get past the resume your cover letter needs to have the words that particular position is looking for. Sometimes you can guess others times ? A few of the words most everyone mentions are magic, happy and team.

Finally if you get to the questionnaire you need to answer as though you have no work experience. Any question that gives you a choice between thinking or alerting a manager - pick the manager.

I know I sound jaded. It's a shame good people have to play this game to get by the artificial filters put in the computer screening programs. Once you get to the interview let your Disney personality SHINE!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Where do you work at WDW?

Typhoon Lagoon ticketing or Guest Services. Wednesdays and Thursdays only, but not every week.

How about the condos and homes near animal kingdom We stayed one time in an all star vacation home and loved it. Nice gated community

The problems with the vacation homes communities are the very transient nature of the residents; you really do not wan5 one of them for a permanent residence.