Roles/jobs with highest guest interaction

[madgirl_15]

I'm still thinking of entering the Disney Program sometime soon but I've got a few concerns as to what role/job to choose. I'm a Secondary Education on Teaching of English to Spanish speakers major and currently learning French (I'm doing a minor on it) and possibly a fourth language soon enough (I also know Spanish). What really has me interested in the program is the chance to be able to use the knowledge I have in all these languages as well as develop my people skills (definitely will be a big help in the classroom, from my perspective anyway) and just get to interact lots of different people from all over the country and the world.

So I'm basically looking for a role that will definitely get me to interact a lot with other guests and always have something to do (I worked as a 'greeter' this past summer at a local cellphone store and was utterly bored when the store was empty; I mostly enjoyed myself when the store was packed with people).

From what I've read in the job descriptions, Custodial, Attractions, Character Attendant, and Full-Service Food and Beverage seem to be the jobs with most guest interaction. (Please DO correct me if I'm wrong.) The one I'm not so crazy about is Custodial since I'm not too hyped on the cleaning aspect of it and the Attractions one seems to be way open-ended and I may end up working somewhere with little guest interaction. The other two (Character Attendant, Full-Service Food and Beverage) seem to be the ones I like most but aren't these roles/jobs really sought out for and might be difficult to get into? Then again, I could also consider the Merchandise role given my previous experience in a "store" setting but then I'd have the same experience of getting really bored if I work at a place where there's not a lot of people.

Can anyone give me some opinions on this? What has been your experience in any of the roles I mentioned before, especially in terms of guest interaction? I've rarely heard any responses from others in the Custodial role and would like to know others experiences on this job.

And what about other roles I may have not considered? Is there a role out there that might be more appropriate for me as an Education and Language major that I haven't considered?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[CelebrationNM]

You’re right when you say custodial would be good in terms of interaction if you could get beyond the idea of cleaning toilets, which would be difficult for me as well. My friend really enjoyed her Parks custodial job because she liked interacting with the guests. She would tell me stories about the interesting people she met in the bathrooms or wherever. The ability to work at your own direction is also good. And, I hear you get over cleaning bathrooms eventually.

You might also consider Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Hostess. You would get the more intimate interaction with kids and families (although your major is Secondary, so maybe you don’t like that age group?), although you would not have the same “volume” of potential contacts.

I'm sure others will have more insight, but there's a starting place. Your language abilities will make you standout, I think. Best of luck!
Nick

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Every role requires high guest interaction, except costuming. They say custodial is the role with the most guest interaction, but I totally feel you on the yucky aspect of the job. Custodial is usually the information kiosk for guests because you can easily be interrupted. You'll be the one to direct people to rides, attractions, when the parade is, nearest bathroom, etc. Quick Service Food and Beverage is a very high guest interaction role as well and very easy to get into. It is also very handy to know other languages, especially Spanish, for this role. I have a lot of good memories of speaking to guests while working QSFB.

 

[porterella]

I would have to say that a Character Attendant has the most guest interaction! I am a fellow attendant, and I absoltely LOVE IT. I have so many people come up to me and ask me several questions in many different languages. I am not fortunate enough to understand what they are saying, but luckily, I usually have someone around me that does understand!

If you love to talk, then I would say that you should definately take a look into being a character attendant. You have your rough days, but the better ones keep you going!

Good luck in your journey to the CP. If you ever want to know anything else, feel free to ask!

 

[madgirl_15]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far.

About being a Character Attendant, what is your day really like? About how many hours a week do you usually get? Do you usually work at only one park, one area or does it vary? Is it a role that's hard to get into?

That's actually the role that is most appealing to me at the moment. Keep telling me about other roles though, since I suppose I will have to have a few options and be able "settle" into any one of them.

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far.

About being a Character Attendant, what is your day really like? About how many hours a week do you usually get? Do you usually work at only one park, one area or does it vary? Is it a role that's hard to get into?

That's actually the role that is most appealing to me at the moment. Keep telling me about other roles though, since I suppose I will have to have a few options and be able "settle" into any one of them.

Character attendant is a great role! I have done it twice now (and am still seasonal). Hours will vary, but you are supposed to get at least 35 per week. You can be scheduled to work at all 4 parks, which is nice. I worked in all 4 back in 2006, but last summer I just worked at MK and DHS (plus Ft. Wilderness).

 

[mickeyfan85]

I thought I would go ahead and chime in I think that hospitality actually has one of the highest degrees of guest interaction. You are able to start guests on their vacations and will see them throughout their stay. This is in contrast to parks where you may meet someone maybe once or twice in a day because people usually visit a park once during their trip.

The hospitality role is very demanding in the sense that guests come to you with issues from all parts of property. You really do develop some great people skills and learn how to think on your feet to solve guest impact issues. Plus, you are given a great deal of responsibility in making decisions to resolve issues that arise.


And did I mention that it's air conditioned?! But in all seriousness, if you're looking for a role where you can really connect with guests, then hospitality is for you!

 

[cowza]

I think for the kind of interaction you want operations would be the worst. Most of the time you're just moving guests through the attraction and you don't get much opportunity to have a real conversation with them. You're just repeating things 'This way please...'... 'You can't use your fastpass yet sir' haha.

I'd have to agree with hospitality for interaction... or guest relations... or merchandise!

 

[americangeiko]

BBB does have really indepth customer interaction and there's times where you're expect to interact with a child that doesn't even speak a language that anyone in the Boutique knows.

During my CP I had a girl who I think was from Norway (and I think spoke Farsi?), a girl from Japan who spoke Japanese (and thought I was funny), numerous Spanish and Portugese speaking girls, 1 from the Middle East and I have no clue what her native language was, and 2 from Canada that spoke French.

I actually learned some Spanish just so that I could interact more with the girls who came in. I had one girl who I introduced myself to in Spanish, thought I spoke Spanish, and even when I spoke English to her, continued to speak Spanish to me. (It made all the other Spanish-speaking FGITs crack up.)