Store Host/Hostess

[Sparkles109]

Hello Everyone. I wanted to ask a few questions for people who have done the program and who had "retail" as their roll. First, how did you like it? Where did you work in the park? Can your request a store you'd like to work in? And any other adivce you might have.

Thanks Everyone!

 

[Elenadc]

I did Merchandise last year and I'm going back down this summer to do it again. I worked Backlands at DHS and we had a lot of variety in our locations. We had a bunch of stores and carts and even a coffee shop. We also did special event Merch for Star Wars Weekends. You could be working in one big store like the Emporium on Main Street or a bunch of smaller locations like I did. I had a ton of fun, and I loved my location. You can definitely request a specific location, which is what I did, I really wanted to work in the Star Wars store I just didn't know that I'd be working in 13 other places too...

 

[Dreamstuff]

Omg I was in the Backlot too, but for QSFB, and I kind of did love it there, it's like the forgotten side of the park, lol.

For the OP, I'd hope against the Emporium, my friend worked there and didn't like it very much. He said there were so many people and so many shifts he had trouble making friends and then around holidays the hours were ridiculous.

 

[Elenadc]

Omg I was in the Backlot too, but for QSFB, and I kind of did love it there, it's like the forgotten side of the park, lol.

Especially back by Studio Catering! We were a little busier over by Indy and Star Tours, but back there all we really had was the Backlot Tour and that's never been a big draw.

 

[NayNayMarie]

I have a fear that where ever I end up for merch that it will be a slower spot with less hours than somewhere else... I'm paranoid my bills won't be paid

 

[Dreamstuff]

I have a fear that where ever I end up for merch that it will be a slower spot with less hours than somewhere else... I'm paranoid my bills won't be paid

Hahah, I NEVER had work, I swear, I was way under hours, every week. Not by choice but just because that's how my location was. There were always extra hours available somewhere if I needed it though so you should be fine should you get a low-hour location.

 

[Sparkles109]

I did Merchandise last year and I'm going back down this summer to do it again. I worked Backlands at DHS and we had a lot of variety in our locations. We had a bunch of stores and carts and even a coffee shop. We also did special event Merch for Star Wars Weekends. You could be working in one big store like the Emporium on Main Street or a bunch of smaller locations like I did. I had a ton of fun, and I loved my location. You can definitely request a specific location, which is what I did, I really wanted to work in the Star Wars store I just didn't know that I'd be working in 13 other places too...

This makes me feel alot better. I got accepted yesterday for merchandise, and I was a little nervous about where I might be working. I know some stores are crazy busy, and others are really slow, which isn't good if you need more hours. lol So how do I go about requesting a specific store? Do I tell them when I get there? Or before?

 

[jlg263]

I did merch on my last CP and LOVED it! I worked the stores on the left as you enter Hollywood Studios. It included 2 big stores, 3 carts, and 2 smaller stores. It was a lot of fun to have so much variety and I had a good mix of fast-paced and slow stores. (no one EVER buys anything in the autograph store, haha). I probably enjoyed the fast paced stores more though because when it was slow time would just drag on forever. Because of this, I'm requesting the Emporium when I go back this summer! One of my friends worked there and loved it so I think it'd be a good step up from where I worked before. Besides, the costume is kinda cute.

I requested by emailing wdw.college.recruiting@disney.com. Of course they gave me the typical response saying that they couldn't guarantee anything but would note it on my file. It's worth a shot anyway!

But if you're trying to think of where to request I would DEFINITELY recommend my old merch location. It's known as "Disney's Hollywood Studios Left Block Merch". It included Mickey's of Hollywood (big store for DHS), Keystone (clothing and jewelry), Sid's (the autograph shop), Movieland (the shop half inside and half outside the park), Main Entrance Cart (the cart before you enter the park), and Hub Carts (the carts on the left and right of the hat). I loved the whole crew there and it was just a great place to work. I'm hoping to pick up some shifts there when I come back The only reason I don't want to work there again is because I just want a change.

 

[mickeyonasticky]

I'm in The Emporium on Main Street right now, and I absolutely love it there.

There are definitely a ton of people who work here, but I didn't find it hard to make friends. I love it because it's such a big, busy location.. The time (usually) goes really quickly.

Also, hearing/watching the parades go by every day and hearing Wishes at night is amazing.

 

[Practically.Perfect]

I also worked in the Emporium. I loved it because it was crazy busy and there were so many people working there. The emporium also works baby care, which was always a nice break and you got to watch movies. My biggest worry about going back this summer is that I'll end up somewhere slow, but anywhere will probally feel slow to me after the emporium.

As far as costumes go it really isn't bad, you just have to have the top button on your shirt button and there's the tie.

For merchandise once your trained on register you can pretty much pick up shifts at any merchandise location, which can be kinda fun.