Retire at Disney

[Mrs. Charming]

I hope to do this too someday... a long way off, I'm a few months short of 30.

I just have to say though, I love the retirees who work at WDW. They're the ones that have the most pixie dust to share, who love their jobs, and are just a delight to talk to.

 

[Traveliz]

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).

Love that line!

Liz

 

[PaulaSB12]

It may sound strange but I love going to WDW but would never retire there and work at the parks. Why you need to be very people orientated to do that and I am not really that much of a people person (if I started to sing I would probably be fired for doing that) I like being with people but when the number of people gets to much (which is why I don't like group holidays too many people and you don't get away from them) I can find a quiet space and be alone or go back to the hotel room and be alone.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

It may sound strange but I love going to WDW but would never retire there and work at the parks. Why you need to be very people orientated to do that and I am not really that much of a people person (if I started to sing I would probably be fired for doing that) I like being with people but when the number of people gets to much (which is why I don't like group holidays too many people and you don't get away from them) I can find a quiet space and be alone or go back to the hotel room and be alone.

I completely understand! That is why I hope to work only a few days per wk & spend lots of quality time with my nose in a book! Or on the DISboards!

 

[madjohn]

Hello all, came across this great thread and wanted to see if any current retirees could update the information. Please do.

 

[MolonLabe]

I know this info is 5 years old but $9 an hour to stuck in one of those costumes? No. Way. EEK!

I always figured they'd have to pay more than that to get those "lively" folks in those outfits... dang.

I've spent some time at disneycareers.com.....posted my resume, etc.

I know those career type jobs a hard to get. However, If you click "openings">"Walt Disney World Resort" it takes you to a page for the hourly jobs. I just noticed this today. These are the jobs I'm looking for. If you click around it even gives you some pay rates....

"Outdoor Foods ($7.95/hour for full-time, part-time and seasonal roles), Security ($9.74/hour for full-time, part-time and seasonal roles), Bus Driver ($10.55/hour for full-time, part-time and seasonal roles), Character Performer ($9.00/hour for full-time, part-time and seasonal roles), Resort Guest Services ($8.75/hour for full-time roles) and Culinary ($8.80/hour for full-time and part-time roles)."

This next one...

Getting a job is not hard. Getting a job with benefits is hard. The majority of Disney CMs are part time. Disney doesn't want the majority to be full time because they don't want to pay benefits. My sister is a CM. She worked for 3 years before a full time position became available. She had to put in a bid for it.

Part time people can get health benefits, but it is for a very small amount. Both full and part time CMs pay for their health coverage. I think my sister pays something like $32 a pay check for her coverage.

$32 a paycheck.... I remember those days...

Funny what 5 years and "change" will do.


I was thinking of retiring and doing something similar... I'm no sure exactly what position I'd take. With my experience, I think I could work just about anywhere and lead just about whatever "on the ground" team they had, lol.

3 weeks ago I was talking to one of the older guys directing all the "kids" to setup for a parade. Heck of a nice guy and while I didn't ask if it was his retirement job, we got around to talking about this and that.

A couple of things 1- he loved his job, even though he said it was still a job. 2- he was a great guy 3- He, unofficially, agreed the parks are decaying and the sense to maintain the "magic" just isn't there any more. I got that from a lot of older / long time CM's (I know a few and a few you just 'click' with)... things aren't what they were 5 or especially 10+ years ago.

New visitors wouldn't notice. Those of us visiting since we could walk, notice it.

 

[suzimar57]

That has always been my secret dream: to work at WDW in my later years - no, not going to happen, I'll be here in NJ til the end - but admire those who do make this happen for them....

 

[Colleen27]

DH has talked about working at WDW as a retirement job and has gotten to chatting with quite a few CMs who did just that. Personally I can't imagine it. My idea of retirement isn't a minimum wage job in the Florida heat! Disney's pay scale is low even for a low-wage industry because they have an inexhaustible supply of people (esp. seniors and college students) who dream of working for the Mouse, so there's no upward pressure on wages or incentive to maintain an enjoyable work environment, and I know several people who were pretty disillusioned by the experience of working in the parks. Judging by the people we've spoken with, those with particular skills seem to have the best experience (a retired cop who works security, a retired ferry boat captain who now drives one of the Bay Lake boats, etc).

 

[NewRVLady]

Another bumped ZOMBIE thread!

DH has talked about working at WDW as a retirement job and has gotten to chatting with quite a few CMs who did just that.

Personally I can't imagine it. My idea of retirement isn't a minimum wage job in the Florida heat! Disney's pay scale is low even for a low-wage industry because they have an inexhaustible supply of people (esp. seniors and college students) who dream of working for the Mouse, so there's no upward pressure on wages or incentive to maintain an enjoyable work environment,

and I know several people who were pretty disillusioned by the experience of working in the parks. Judging by the people we've spoken with, those with particular skills seem to have the best experience (a retired cop who works security, a retired ferry boat captain who now drives one of the Bay Lake boats, etc).

AMEN!!!! And as someone who is recently retired.....the idea of STANDING all day long is NO FUN!!!
The job I retired from required standing-could not WAIT to end that job

 

[capegirl]

I would not survive standing all day either, but from what I saw when we were there last week, there are plenty of amazing retirees working for Disney who do manage to survive the heat, and physical demands of the job. I don't believe we saw anyone under 60 at the turnstiles the whole time we were there. There were many retirees working crowd control at the parades; a challenging job to be sure. I think I would have to take an inside job in the AC, not to mention those Florida storms can be a little scary!

 

[Eltonian]

I think it sounds like a blast...... in the winter that is!