Retiring to Disney World

[moonpie85]

I bet so many people share this same idea. My DH is a state trooper and wants to go into Disney security when he retires. Haha...what a step down! But it will be fun I think.

 

[moonpie85]

I would LOVE to work for Disney, but I'm not willing to move! I've lived on the same one-mile country road my whole life, and this is where I want to die. My whole family and my husband's family is here, so we both feel the same way. I'm a teacher and can retire in 12 years at the age of 48. So, I'm starting to look at options. I want to know if there are any jobs working for Disney where you're able to work from home--even if it means you're in another state. I know you can work for a company (not Disney) where you can make Disney dining reservations from your home , but I don't know about anything else. Anyone know?

I'm currently in the process for this. It's with Arise.

 

[harleyquinn]

My dream is to retire and then sit around and people watch at WDW. No more working for me!

I have this vision of me & DH in a rocking chair in front of Country Bears...lol

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm currently in the process for this. It's with Arise.

How does one learn more about this?

 

[Bobo912]

Earlier this year, I met a retired gentleman at Epcot who works at Innoventions answering questions for guests. He told me he and his wife lived and worked in Rhode Island for most of their lives and had retired to Orlando where they both work part time at Epcot. He said if he either of them want to work some extra hours, beyond their regular part-time schedule, they call in and find out where Disney needs people to fill in for absentee workers and, if something appeals to them, they work that day. His children and grandchildren still live in Rhode Island, but he uses his computer and webcam to keep in touch with them and, of course, the kids are always eager to go visit the grandparents. He seemed to really enjoy his work. Looks like a great gig to me! Since speaking to him, I've been thinking about the possiblity of doing the same thing myself someday. Max Rebo, hope you find a way of making your dream work for you. Retirement seems a long way off, but you're wise to plan ahead.

 

[Poohbear123]

This is my dream as well, but before that, I need to retire, and pay off my Credit Cards, and convince DH to move there! GOOD LUCK with that, he HATES WDW! I am hoping to WIN the LOTTERY, so I can get a condo close by, and visit when I want.

 

[saturndb]

some jobs are worth the low pay.... I want to retire to disney as well...

 

[penguins1]

Why wait for retirement? I have been trying to figure out how to make enough at WDW to move there now with the family.... I have interviewed there and can attest that their pay is low even for professional jobs (engineering for example)... depends upon how much of your lifestyle you want to give up for living near the world.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I live in the Daytona Beach area and was recently laid off. My dream always has been to work for the mouse. After high school graduation Disney was where I wanted to work - made application - got interviewed, but didn't get hired because I wasn't the proper "size" to work above ground. (I know this isn't the case anymore.) After 35 years I still dream of working for the mouse, but living 1 1/2 hours away and the cost of gas at $4.10 per gallon just doesn't make working there feasible as much as I'd love to. Plus according to their website the jobs that I'd love to do aren't available either. Maybe I'll just have to keep looking locally for a new job and enjoy my mini-vacations at the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[MNDisneyFan]

I always tell everyone that when I retire - I am going to live in Orlando for half the year, and work the popcorn cart just outside of Cinderella Castle!! Imagine looking down Main Street and at the Castle, seeing the shows and the happy people (well, most of them!) and just sitting there making popcorn. Ahhhh - that would be the life

 

[DisneyHead]

My first visit was last year and I have said since then I want to retire and drive the buses there. This thread was awesome seeing people with the same dreams as me.

 

[Schmeck]

Hubby and I have been doing a bit of planning for this very idea - he's qualified to captain most of the boats on WDW property, and I could easily work at the Living Seas or Land Pavilion. Hubby is just worried that I'd spend my entire paycheck at the parks, LOL! He even says I'd work for Mickey bars!

 

[eliza61]

I would love to do this but I would have to investigate life outside of Disney. As much as I love the world, I'm a city girl. I need other entertainment (theater, museums. live shows, restuarants etc). That's a great thing about the Northeast U.S. tons of variety. We may investigate wintering in Florida and then coming back east rest of the year.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

— A job indoors/out of the hot sun

. . . very possible
. . . with over 65,000 jobs, there are a lot of indoor jobs

— No food service.

. . . no problem

— I would want time off throughout the year

. . . if part-time, no problem
. . . if full-time, big problem

— Affordable housing

. . . not very
. . . sure, some exist
. . . but, Orlando is known for high price homes
. . . of course, this is all relative to what you have experienced "up North"

— Free/reduced admission to the parks for me and/or family

. . . there are some blacked-out dates, but only a few
. . . employees have unlimited admission
. . . family have 6-free per year for part-time
. . . family have 12-free for full-time

NOTE: Health insurance benefits for full-time employees is VERY good. There are limited health insurance benefits for part-time employees. There is no insurance for Seasonal employees.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Each and everytime we're in WDW we say "I can do this when we retire". So DH and I have our "ideal" job all planned for when the times comes.

I'm going to work in one of the shops happily greeting and helping people and DH will either drive one of the boats back and forth fromt the BW/BC area to the Epcot and the Studios or drive a bus!!

See...we have it all figured out.

Seriously now for just a minute, I have spoken to several "more mature" CMs in WDW and each and every one of them raves about working there. I don't know if the op will have all of his requirements met, but I do know they get park passes (limited days I believe one said) and benefits. It has been the topic of discussion many times in our household. But we'll see. We have a few years to really make up our minds.

But for now....we can dream!!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I know DH and I are young, but in the military, retirement is much closer than in other jobs. If DH stayed in 24-28 years, we could retire in our 50's and then work at WDW. With his retirement package, we would have benefits, and we are working already at socking away the savings.

DH wants to drive the safari truck, and well, me, I'm not too sure yet. I love, love, love event planning and community relations. I don't think I could handling the brides working in the wedding pavillion, but perhaps a guest relations position...?

We shall see! It keeps my hopes up on crummy days at work that's for sure!

 

[Endeavour105]

Hubby and I have been doing a bit of planning for this very idea - he's qualified to captain most of the boats on WDW property, and I could easily work at the Living Seas or Land Pavilion. Hubby is just worried that I'd spend my entire paycheck at the parks, LOL! He even says I'd work for Mickey bars!

Are you saying he has the past experience elsewhere to pilot WDW boats?

No matter what his previous boating experience is, he must get hired first and then go through the mandatory training programs for the specific boats and pass the checkout out before he can operate a specific boat.

I've seen several CMs with "so-called" prior boating experience who leave a lot to be desired when piloting watercraft.

Piloting a 190 T 120' ferry boat at the MK is a lot different than buzzing around in a Boston Whaler.

 

[Harambe]

This is what I'd love to do also, but I know DH would never come with me! I loved the comment about not having to shovel sunshine!!!

My ideal retirement job? Greeting guests as they come into AK, holding a little box with some kind of small animal - well, maybe not that tarantula.

I think retirees would be more likely to enjoy working for Disney, because at that stage of their lives, they aren't looking to make a zillion dollars, and they aren't looking to move up the corporate ladder.

And as far as calling in to see where they needed help every day, I hope they have some kind of database that shows a picture of the uniform involved. I would flat-out refuse to wear some on them! LOL!

 

[dsanner106]

My stepmother is doing this on a seasonal basis and considering a full time move. She loves it and all the things the OP is looking for are possible, just not all the time. You can schedule yourself... to some extent and can plan for time off. You do get the passes, and there is a network of employees that work together on shared housing. You can find roommates or rentals sometimes that way

good luck
Drew

 

[MollyMoo]

I think I beat all of you "dreamers" out there! Hubby will retire in less than 6 months, I will be done in about 5 years ... we will have a reasonable pension and medical insurance. After our last trip my daughter and I decided that we should retire and work for the mouse ... Hubs could drive a bus (despite his managerial position with major airline (ouch!) he has kept his bus and truck drivers licensing current) and the in-laws are looking to rid themselves of their home in Orlando as they are tired of trying to keep up with the expense of maintaining two households. I would be happy doing just about anything. What are we waiting for? Oh yeah, hubs hates the Florida heat.