Retire at Disney

[Cheshire Figment]

Disney does have a health care plan that covers regular part time, but the coverage is quite minimal. I retired from the Federal Government and have both Medicare as well as coverage as a retirement benefit, so I don't worry about the Disney Health Plan.

I work at WDW no more than two days a week and probably spend more money there in a month than I earn there. But I also understand that new regular part time have to have three days of availability per week, rather than the two which is my requirement.

But it does help to keep me out of expensive trouble.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think the issues are different for retired people who already have a retirement income and/or benefits and don't need to rely on Disney to live, just for some extra income. Your attitude can also be significantly different if you're able to walk away anytime you get tired of it.

Totally agree.

My parents worked 2 days a week at Dollywood for several years. It was for fun (well, fun for mom, not so much for dad, lol) and they seemed to enjoy it and when it wasn't fun anymore, they were able to walk away.

Of course, my mom thinks any work is fun.

She's always talking to CMs at WDW and picking out where she wants to work there. She'll be 73 in Dec. So, I'll carry on her dream.

DH and I plan to do FL during the winter in the yrs to come. I'm hoping to do WDW and he might too. He used to do Dollywood for fun (medical) and I could see him doing that in FL also.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I have friends that spend every winter in Florida. They are husband and wife, and Disney takes them back every year for the months they are in Florida. They love it. They work the same days and the same shifts.

 

[MarilIncredible]

I am really surprised that so many people want to work at minimum wage jobs in their older age, even if those jobs are at Disney. I don't mean that to sound judgmental, I am just genuinely surprised. You'd still have to deal with a lot of jerk-head guests and whatnot. I hope to leave that kind of frustration behind once I retire.

 

[princesspiglet]

I am really surprised that so many people want to work at minimum wage jobs in their older age, even if those jobs are at Disney. I don't mean that to sound judgmental, I am just genuinely surprised. You'd still have to deal with a lot of jerk-head guests and whatnot. I hope to leave that kind of frustration behind once I retire.

I think that most of us with this dream just want to work in our "happy place" and do not care what we make and what we have to put up with.

All DH and I know is that we are happiest when we are at Disney World and want to be part of the magic everyday. Yes, there are going to be some jerk-head guests, but the majority of them are happy to be there and if someone is being a jerk the best feeling in the world is turining that attitude around and bringing a little joy to their life. Granted, that will not happen every time, but the possibility of it happening is there, which is what motivates us.

And yes, we know it is still a job, but it is a job at the Happiest Place on Earth! I don't think they ever have problems fining people who want to work there, so they must be doing something right.

 

[WDW*Dreamer]

I think that most of us with this dream just want to work in our "happy place" and do not care what we make and what we have to put up with.

All DH and I know is that we are happiest when we are at Disney World and want to be part of the magic everyday. Yes, there are going to be some jerk-head guests, but the majority of them are happy to be there and if someone is being a jerk the best feeling in the world is turining that attitude around and bringing a little joy to their life. Granted, that will not happen every time, but the possibility of it happening is there, which is what motivates us.

And yes, we know it is still a job, but it is a job at the Happiest Place on Earth! I don't think they ever have problems fining people who want to work there, so they must be doing something right.

Well Said ......Thank You!

 

[tinkerbell615]

I think that most of us with this dream just want to work in our "happy place" and do not care what we make and what we have to put up with.

All DH and I know is that we are happiest when we are at Disney World and want to be part of the magic everyday. Yes, there are going to be some jerk-head guests, but the majority of them are happy to be there and if someone is being a jerk the best feeling in the world is turining that attitude around and bringing a little joy to their life. Granted, that will not happen every time, but the possibility of it happening is there, which is what motivates us.

And yes, we know it is still a job, but it is a job at the Happiest Place on Earth! I don't think they ever have problems fining people who want to work there, so they must be doing something right.

"Ditto". princesspiglet;37495005... You just took the words right out of my mouth!!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

I talk to CMs who seem near my age often when I'm there...the overriding answers I get to my questions are:

1. It is much better to become a CM when you already have a retirement income. CMs who are trying to raise a family on WDW pay REALLY struggle.

2. WDW LOVES RETIREES! There are soooo many working there BY CHOICE for the same reasons so many of us want to work there....and $$$ is obviously not the deciding factor. If you NEED a certain income, WDW may not be your best choice!

3. Like Mr. Disney said, "IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT!!" I've met several who planned to become CMs in retirement MANY yrs in advance & now they are LIVING THE DREAM!

A funny: One woman was whistling a happy tune at her food court register despite a line out the door & MANY grumbling guests ahead of me. When I was finally up to the register I commented on how well she handled the sometimes rude guests & that it was refreshing to see so many CMs HAPPY at work every day. She said, "We don't come to work, we come to play. This is the best job in the World!" Then she said (QUICKLY) that her DH started to resist actually moving to FLA when they retired. She told him she was going anyway. He said, "Well, go ahead." Then she told him she was taking his truck with her & he started packing!!

 

[GeorgeG]

Just to add a little from the retired folks...

I have a lot of friends who are retired and financially well off, but choose to work part time just to have something to do. Some like the perks that may come with a particular job (free admission, discounts on golf, etc.) and others just want to stay active.

For me, my "day job" no longer gets in the way of being a musician and I get to choose what, where, and when I to play. Sometimes it pays well, sometimes not, but I'm doing what I like to do while I still can. I've also been fortunate to hook up with a lot of really great musicians.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Just to add a little from the retired folks...

I have a lot of friends who are retired and financially well off, but choose to work part time just to have something to do. Some like the perks that may come with a particular job (free admission, discounts on golf, etc.) and others just want to stay active.

For me, my "day job" no longer gets in the way of being a musician and I get to choose what, where, and when I to play. Sometimes it pays well, sometimes not, but I'm doing what I like to do while I still can. I've also been fortunate to hook up with a lot of really great musicians.

Exactly! And you've earned it! PLAY ON!

 

[CouchTater]

Count me in as well. I hope to retire within the next year or so and relocate to the central Fl. area.Will be living on a modest cop's pension and will probably have to work at least part time. Having lived in the same place my whole life I'm a little nervous but the kids have moved away and I've always wanted to live near the Mouse. Would love to hear from others that have relocated as to the pros and cons.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Last year my Disney income was 4.16% of my total income. If it stops being fun I can quit (after buying a discounted AP).

 

[Acklander]

I am really surprised that so many people want to work at minimum wage jobs in their older age, even if those jobs are at Disney. I don't mean that to sound judgmental, I am just genuinely surprised. You'd still have to deal with a lot of jerk-head guests and whatnot. I hope to leave that kind of frustration behind once I retire.

Why surprised? by the time you retire you get to work at the jobs YOU want to do, not the jobs you HAVE to do. It's usually not about the money at all, but about staying active and socializing. Plus, with social security there are limits on how much you can earn. So at Disney, you have a great job, that's not too demanding, and includes the perks of theme park tickets and discounts. It sounds like more fun than working as a greeter at Wal-mart.

 

[mickeymedic]

I'm still at least 30 years away from retirement. But DH and I have already decided that we would like to work at Disney in our retirement. If you like your job, going to work can be fun. If you LOVE your job, going to work doesn't even seem like work.

I am fortunate to have 2 jobs right now...one that I like and one that I LOVE. I'm sure that I could find something to do at Disney that I would at least like. And if I'm lucky enough to find one that I LOVE, well...that would be an added bonus.

 

[Buckalew11]

I work with the public. I like working with "jerk head guests and whatnot". lol

 

[mickeymedic]

I work with the public. I like working with "jerk head guests and whatnot". lol

 

[ilovefh]

Just to add a little from the retired folks...

I have a lot of friends who are retired and financially well off, but choose to work part time just to have something to do. Some like the perks that may come with a particular job (free admission, discounts on golf, etc.) and others just want to stay active.

You just explained my mom perfectly. She is a retired teacher and works in a shoe store. They get to buy their shoes at a ridiculously low price, hence why she works there! She would go insane if she didn't have something to do during the day.

That is actually one of the reasons they are thinking of renting in Central FL next winter. They wintered on the west coast of FL for the past two years, but my mom found it boring during the day. They have always said they wanted to try to work for Disney in the winter.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I plan on doing that as well! But, considering I'm a junior in college and haven't even stepped foot into a full-time career, I have a looooong way to go!

But, I'm going to become a teacher, and I want to move to Florida to teach, so I also plan on working in the parks (if I can find a job that's close enough to Disney, that is) during the summer to pull in some extra money. So if that all works out, I only have 2-3 more years!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

I plan on doing that as well! But, considering I'm a junior in college and haven't even stepped foot into a full-time career, I have a looooong way to go!

But, I'm going to become a teacher, and I want to move to Florida to teach, so I also plan on working in the parks (if I can find a job that's close enough to Disney, that is) during the summer to pull in some extra money. So if that all works out, I only have 2-3 more years!

Hi! You should check out the FLA DEPT of ED online. They have TONS of info about reciprocal certifications, etc. & other requirements that maybe you could take now to ease your relocation later. Keep in mind that teacher salaries in FLA average MUCH less than in Joisey! But good luck & believe me....the time goes by in a heartbeat!

 

[lustergirl]

I have friends that spend every winter in Florida. They are husband and wife, and Disney takes them back every year for the months they are in Florida. They love it. They work the same days and the same shifts.

this would be ideal for me as I would love to buy a condo in orlando when i retire but would only live there from october through april- too hot for me in the summer months/