SEASONAL CM's???

[StaceyDarling!]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum section, I couldn't find another one that I thought suited it as well! Feel free to swap it over if necessary!

But anyways, I have just applied for a seasonal position at WDW. I have done a CS program before. And I know that a lot of CS/CP participants go seasonal afterwards. I just have a few questions!!

1. I live far away, in PA, sooo, how do you other traveling seasonal's handle the travel and where do you stay once you get down there? Do you split with other seasonal CMs?

2. How exactly does scheduling work? Do they tell you when to come and how long to come for? Or do you put in a request and see if it gets accepted or denied?

3. If you have already worked for the company, do you still use the same pay card for your pay or do you receive a new one?

I think those are really all my concerns right now. Ofcourse, my biggest one being the housing aspect. If anyone can clear anything up for my, I'd realllllly appreciate it!!

 

[Berlioz70]

Not 100% positive, so other responses will be able to help out too...

1) Some stay with friends and others stay on property. If you have other friends traveling at the same time, you could always arrange dates with them.

2) Are you already trained in the location? If not, then you have to supply 8 full weeks of availability for training. After that, then you provide the dates you have available via the Hub.

3) I believe the pay card is just for CS/CP/ICP? Not positive though. You would get a paycheck as a CT (Seasonal).

 

[StaceyDarling!]

Not 100% positive, so other responses will be able to help out too...

1) Some stay with friends and others stay on property. If you have other friends traveling at the same time, you could always arrange dates with them.

2) Are you already trained in the location? If not, then you have to supply 8 full weeks of availability for training. After that, then you provide the dates you have available via the Hub.

3) I believe the pay card is just for CS/CP/ICP? Not positive though. You would get a paycheck as a CT (Seasonal).

Thanks!

Also, Seasonal gets 50% off hotels too, just like FT/PT CMs?

And I've been trained and worked in Merchandise, but I also applied for 2 other positions, as well.

Okay, thanks so much for responding!

 

[MissRiss89]

Seasonal gets 50% off hotels (unless it's during a peak time and the rooms are not available at the discounted price.) I know that a lot of seasonal CM's do come down with friends the same week and usually split the cost of a hotel room so it's pretty cheap. I'm not sure exactly how it would work for you, since I automatically went seasonal at the end of my CP. But normally, you put in your availability on The Hub for when you are able to work, and scheduling will hopefully give you some shifts for whenever you said you were available. However, sometimes you can put in for an entire week of availability and end up with nothing, it just depends on the timing, and in that case I would ask friends for shifts you can pick up from them if possible.

 

[SportsChick]

I stayed seasonal after my program and already went back up to work for a weekend. I knew my dates and just put my availability into the HUB. Because I was trained at two positions (Auto Plaza and Turnstiles) I requested to be scheduled at both to keep my proficiencies in line with each other. I had 4 days of availability and was scheduled 3 of them, one day at turnstiles and two at AP.

I stayed with a friend while I was up there and I've booked a hotel for my fiance and I for ESPN the Weekend in a couple weeks at 50% off.

 

[StaceyDarling!]

Thanks everyone! You guys definitely helped out a lot! Now just too wait! haha.

 

[disneymegs]

I live in Orlando, but I put no availability so that I'm not automatically scheduled. I just pick up shifts when I want them. I still my paycheck on the visa paychek card. You can enroll in direct deposit or physically pick up a paycheck.

 

[DeeCee735]

My son is currently a CP, he finishes in May. I'm interested in finding out more about what seasonal actually is? When can he apply for seasonal? Does he actually have to apply? When is seasonal? During summer months, or when he's home from college for Christmas break or Spring break? How many days of work does he have to complete to be a seasonal? I guess I'm just asking what seasonal is all about, and I appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks!

 

[MissRiss89]

My son is currently a CP, he finishes in May. I'm interested in finding out more about what seasonal actually is? When can he apply for seasonal? Does he actually have to apply? When is seasonal? During summer months, or when he's home from college for Christmas break or Spring break? How many days of work does he have to complete to be a seasonal? I guess I'm just asking what seasonal is all about, and I appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks!

Going seasonal usually isn't too difficult (it's especially easy if he's in entertainment, we automatically go seasonal after our CP ends!) He'll need to talk to a manager about it a few weeks before the end of his program. If his record card is good (I believe under 5 points) I believe that a manager will be able to help him out. The term "seasonal" does not truly apply to any time of the year, he can put in for hours online at any time he is able to come back (so summer OR any of his breaks are fine as long as they permit him to be here!) He needs to work at least 40 hours a year in order to keep his status with the company. However, many roles require that you work at least once every 6 months in order to keep your proficiencies (such as working at an attraction.)

 

[DeeCee735]

Going seasonal usually isn't too difficult (it's especially easy if he's in entertainment, we automatically go seasonal after our CP ends!) He'll need to talk to a manager about it a few weeks before the end of his program. If his record card is good (I believe under 5 points) I believe that a manager will be able to help him out. The term "seasonal" does not truly apply to any time of the year, he can put in for hours online at any time he is able to come back (so summer OR any of his breaks are fine as long as they permit him to be here!) He needs to work at least 40 hours a year in order to keep his status with the company. However, many roles require that you work at least once every 6 months in order to keep your proficiencies (such as working at an attraction.)

Thank you so much. He's in bell services dispatch. So, the first step is to talk to his manager about a month before leaving. Once his manager gets him started, then he has to put in for hours online, is that through the Hub?

As far as coming back, I'm pretty sure we could work that out as we are DVC members and have the opportunity to book trips a couple of times a year. If not, could he use his room discount to stay while working? Is his room discount still available to him as a seasonal employee?

Thank you again for all the great info.

 

[TinkStitch]

Thank you so much. He's in bell services dispatch. So, the first step is to talk to his manager about a month before leaving. Once his manager gets him started, then he has to put in for hours online, is that through the Hub?

As far as coming back, I'm pretty sure we could work that out as we are DVC members and have the opportunity to book trips a couple of times a year. If not, could he use his room discount to stay while working? Is his room discount still available to him as a seasonal employee?

Thank you again for all the great info.

Yes, he would put in his availability on the Hub.

You still get the room discount when your seasonal. I'm going down in May to work as seasonal for a week & I'm staying at All Stars.

If he's not going to have a car & not stay at the same resort he's working at, he should keep in mind what times of day he puts in for his availability. I work at Epcot & Studios, so I say I'm not available until half an hour after the park opens so I have plenty of time to get there & I'm available until half an hour after the park closes so I know I can still catch a Disney bus back to the hotel.

 

[wdwscout]

This is good information- and timely!
My son is also finishing his CP in May and wants to stay. Permanently!
He's in Entertainment right now (character attendant) but has also worked QSFB and Lifeguard- so he's has been trained in 3 areas. I hope that helps him pick up hours going forward.
Is there any possibility of going full time? Or is the only hope Seasonal?
How would you be able to guarantee rent, etc. if you aren't sure if you'll have enough hours? It sounds so scary to me.

 

[Joanna71985]

This is good information- and timely!
My son is also finishing his CP in May and wants to stay. Permanently!
He's in Entertainment right now (character attendant) but has also worked QSFB and Lifeguard- so he's has been trained in 3 areas. I hope that helps him pick up hours going forward.
Is there any possibility of going full time? Or is the only hope Seasonal?
How would you be able to guarantee rent, etc. if you aren't sure if you'll have enough hours? It sounds so scary to me.

It is possible going FT. I was able to get FT in my location after my last CP ended. As a CP, you go to Casting 4-6 weeks before the end of the program to apply. As FT, you are guaranteed 32 hours a week. And it is possible to get overtime (either by extending shifts, getting hours from co-workers, or getting shifts from the HUB).

 

[wdwscout]

It is possible going FT. I was able to get FT in my location after my last CP ended. As a CP, you go to Casting 4-6 weeks before the end of the program to apply. As FT, you are guaranteed 32 hours a week. And it is possible to get overtime (either by extending shifts, getting hours from co-workers, or getting shifts from the HUB).

Thank you! That sure is hopeful news!
There is no place he'd rather be than where he is right now. I sure hope he gets to stay.

 

[Joanna71985]

I hope so too

 

[Disneymusicgirl]

While on the topic, I have a question for all of you that are currently seasonal:

I went seasonal after I finished my college program in January, and just booked a trip to go back in a couple of weeks during my spring break. I know you're supposed to submit your availability on the Hub, but under what section is it exactly? I submitted availability under "Sign-up for additional hours," but now I'm worried that I didn't do the right thing...

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

While on the topic, I have a question for all of you that are currently seasonal:

I went seasonal after I finished my college program in January, and just booked a trip to go back in a couple of weeks during my spring break. I know you're supposed to submit your availability on the Hub, but under what section is it exactly? I submitted availability under "Sign-up for additional hours," but now I'm worried that I didn't do the right thing...

It should still get to the right person eventually! I sometimes just submit it under a general request because sometimes it gets there more quickly. It should be fine though!

 

[kmg148]

Under requests there is a spot for part-time/seasonal one time or ongoing availability.