Seasonal Employment at WDW

[Traveliz]

I read somewhere this summer when I was semi looking into this that you have to be able to being able to committ to being available for one month up front for Traditions, training and then two more weeks right away to work hours.

That would be for seasonal employment.

Liz

 

[Feralpeg]

I read somewhere this summer when I was semi looking into this that you have to be able to being able to committ to being available for one month up front for Traditions, training and then two more weeks right away to work hours.

That would be for seasonal employment.

Liz

That is correct, but that isn't very much time when they've just invested a large amount of hours to train you. My sister is a core trainer. She recently spent several days training an older couple who told her up front that they would only be there for the minimum hours required to qualify as a seasonal employee.

 

[sugahappy]

If they ever figure out how to keep the number of part time and full time employees up (I agree higher pay would help), they will very likely do away with the seasonal employee thing.

It seems like a better approach would be to improve the benefits, wages, perks, conditions, etc of being part time, rather than doing away with the perks of being seasonal, or getting rid of seasonal altogether. If Disney made it more attractive to be part time, more people might opt to go part time rather than seasonal. But at least there'd still be the option of being seasonal for people who could only do that.

That'd make a lot more sense than just getting rid of seasonal altogether. They would be getting rid of some much needed CMs!

 

[Feralpeg]

It seems like a better approach would be to improve the benefits, wages, perks, conditions, etc of being part time, rather than doing away with the perks of being seasonal, or getting rid of seasonal altogether. If Disney made it more attractive to be part time, more people might opt to go part time rather than seasonal. But at least there'd still be the option of being seasonal for people who could only do that.

That'd make a lot more sense than just getting rid of seasonal altogether. They would be getting rid of some much needed CMs!

I agree.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I don't think most seasonal CMs have chosen to be seasonal because they are trying to get free passes or get into the parks for free. Like a few people said above, it's nice for post-retirement, health reasons . . .

1) I work semi-retirement at WDW because I like the other CM's and the guests.
2) Fortunately, I am in a position that other CM's don't enjoy.
3) If I don't like the managers or their decisions, I can simply ignore them.
4) Other CM's REALLY need the job and are not that lucky.
5) For them, sometimes the job can be awful.
6) If you get a good manager, the job can be quite a bit of fun.
7) But, the manager has no control over work schedules.
8) This is done remotely, and without much input from local managers.
9) This is often a big source of CM complaints.


NOTE: You know the wages and benefits when you apply, so complaining or quitting over low wages is only fair if there is a next job that pays better. The big problem is managers. They are so young and inexperienced, they frequently make terrible decisions and treat employees badly. Unfortunately, WDW stopped a lot of manager training along with other training (like reducing "Traditions" for new CM's to a partial day from two full days). Basically, the only training managers get is general procedures and union contract. I even gave two SENIOR managers a copy of "The Disney Way", which I used in my plants. It didn't do any good in turning their methods or attitudes.

NOTE2: I had a meeting with a WDW president - kind of a requested "president-to-president" conversation. At one point in the talk, the president took of the Disney name badge and turned it upside-down on the table, signifying an off-the-record comment. The president said the young managers have gotten away from the president, and had such critical mass that they can't be turned or re-trained. It was the SINGLE disappointment in the president's job.

 

[WDW4ever]

My husband semi-jokes when we retire he wants to move to FL and work for Disney. I'm pretty certain the heat and humidity of FL summers would get to me and said no way.. he replied I was crushing his dream LOL

 

[rapriebe]

We will be coming down at the end of next year and hope to work at Disney for 6 months. We can't wait and have been planning this adventure for years.

 

[Joanna71985]

I am currently seasonal and a campus rep. But I am not in a position to really enjoy the benefits (due to being in school, and 1800 miles away). However, once I graduate I am planning on going FT. And I probably will go down this summer to work as well.

 

[Deb loves Disney]

I don't think that it's fair, or accurate, to assume that all Seasonal CM's just want the free "perks" that come with the job.
I am currently seasonal but I didn't start out that way. For 8 months I was working 7 days a week, 5 at my day job, and both weekend days for Disney. I was burnt out but didn't want to give up the Magic that I had when I was working in the parks. My managers allowed me to go seasonal so that I could keep my regular "day job" but not work myself into the ground.

I never use my ID to get into the parks by myself. I have only used my maingate a few times to get my children in but we always spend loads of money on food, gifts...etc.

I will say that it is hard work for very low pay, and I earned every one of those maingate entrances. However, the magic that we CM's experience making guest's days special, is well worth the hard work!!!!!

Don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.....not every Seasonal CM is out for freebies, as can be verified from so many previous posters

 

[WDW4ever]

Don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.....not every Seasonal CM is out for freebies, as can be verified from so many previous posters

I must not be understanding something correctly. Why is it a bad thing to want to work for benefits? To me it makes sense. Of course people will want to work for places that provides perks people would be interested in.

 

[DisGal520]

I am coming to Disney in a few days. I wanted to drop off my resume at Casting but am not sure of the building's address. The online site does not have it. Nor does it have the jobs posted yet for the new Disney Employee Health Center to be built sometime in 2008. My background is in health information and so I wanted to leave my resume with Human Resources for consideration when the staffing starts for the Center.

Can anyone share the address? thanks!


DisGal

 

[sugahappy]

I don't know the address but it is located across the street from downtown disney... I believe the marketplace end. You can't miss it, it's a big building that says "Casting" on it! Good luck!!

 

[One Year Pin]

1515 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-1000

The Casting Center building hours are 8am to 6pm M-F

Casting Office hours are 8am-5pm M-F (with the last appointment scheduled no later than 4pm).

Casting Office hours on Saturdays are 8am-2pm (Unless there is a job fair then it`s 8am-5pm).

The Casting Center building is closed on Sundays and all company holidays. Please verify all hours prior to arrival by calling the Casting Center.


Phone 407-828-1000
Fax 407-934-8884

 

[DisGal520]

One Year Pin -


thanks a bunch! Luv ya for this!

DisGal

 

[One Year Pin]

One Year Pin -


thanks a bunch! Luv ya for this!

DisGal

My pleasure. I'd recommend that you call and make an appointment a couple of days before you go. The stand-by queue can be quite long sometimes. Think of it as a telephonic FastPass.