Tell me about working at a Disney Store

[canwegosoon]

Was thinking about PT(1-2 days or nights during the week and a weekend day/night) so like 12-20 hours a week...is the pay good, are they flexible, do you like the work? Is it boring, do they hire people for 4 hour shifts or 8 hour? TIA Terri

 

[amwhitaker]

I have always wondered about those questions too. If it's good, maybe I'll give up my office job.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I worked PT at TDS over the last holiday season. My days were typically 3-4 hour shifts, until the mall was open extended hours - then I worked longer. I was usually on the schedule 2-3 days a week as a seasonal "CM". The pay is low, I got $6/hour (PA min. wage is currently $5.15/hr), which was fun to supplement my FT pay for Christmas/Vacation. During my time there I was also eligible for a store discount.

 

[Mickey&Donald]

I work for Disney Store, and I love it. I'm a manager there, so I'm not sure what the pay is like for regular CMs. Also, the pay scale is different depending on state. You'd have to visit your local store to find out the hard facts. Regarding hours, each store is going to be different in how many they are looking to fill. You may not always get 20 hours a week. It could be anywhere from 6 to 20, if there's a full cast.

The bonuses are being around Disney stuff all the time, and the 30% store discount doesn't hurt either (as a Disney Store CM, you also get 30% at The Children's Place).

 

[MAGGIED]

do you also get 30% off park passess??????

 

[We4mickey]

No discounts on passes. You do get 3 free tickets a year, but you have to go to DW or DL to pick them up. There are no discounts at Disney itself.

 

[I-4WDW]

I worked PT at TDS over the last holiday season. My days were typically 3-4 hour shifts, until the mall was open extended hours - then I worked longer. I was usually on the schedule 2-3 days a week as a seasonal "CM". The pay is low, I got $6/hour (PA min. wage is currently $5.15/hr), which was fun to supplement my FT pay for Christmas/Vacation. During my time there I was also eligible for a store discount.

Did you work at the Berkshire Mall Disney Store by any chance? Just wondering because I visited that store a few times last holiday season, and may have seen you there and didnt even know it

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Did you work at the Berkshire Mall Disney Store by any chance? Just wondering because I visited that store a few times last holiday season, and may have seen you there and didnt even know it

Yes I did!

 

[merekc]

Tell us more about the free tickets. Do you have to work there a certain amount of time, 6 months etc? Do you have to work a certain amount of hours, FT vs. PT? Is this 3 one-day passes? I assume you still have to be employed at the time of your trip?

We are taking a trip to WDW in October and I had wondered if this would be worth looking into.

 

[AngieWin]

Tell us more about the free tickets. Do you have to work there a certain amount of time, 6 months etc? Do you have to work a certain amount of hours, FT vs. PT? Is this 3 one-day passes? I assume you still have to be employed at the time of your trip?

We are taking a trip to WDW in October and I had wondered if this would be worth looking into.

There is an awesome new store opening at Zona Rosa and I am tempted to work there just for the discount!

 

[msmickminn]

[/QUOTE]Tell us more about the free tickets.

They are 1 day hoppers that you must pick up in person at guest relations at either WDW or DL.
You must be employed at the time you pick up your tix...you have to show your store ID, and I believe that you are eligable as soon as your hired.
One thing about casual or temp status during the holidays though...There is NO time off granted during that season. Usually Oct, Nov and Dec.
So a temp position would not benefit you solely for tickets because you would not be able to utilize that particluar benefit.

 

[NancyIL]

I worked at my local Disney Store for almost 2.5 years, until the store closed in January. I had no other job and was available to work almost any time. There were weeks when I had only "call-in" shifts - and I wasn't needed at all. Those got to be really irritating - especially if they were on a weekend, because you wouldn't know until 2 hours before your shift started whether or not they needed you. So - I probably averaged 10 hours a week, when factoring in the weeks I worked zero hours and around holiday times when I would work 20+ hours. If you want to work there because you need the income, look elsewhere - they can't guarantee you the hours, and the pay is minimum wage.

I wanted to work there because it was Disney, but now Disney doesn't own the stores. The 3 one-day park hoppers are the only theme-park perks left, and seasonal cast members don't get those. The people I worked with were great, and I miss them, but I DON'T miss working retail!!!

As for holidays - you're not supposed to take vacation time after November 1st. However, the past 2 years I still managed to go to WDW for 3-4 days in early December - just not over a weekend. And - I made my regular week-long trips during October.

 

[momto2inKC]

There is an awesome new store opening at Zona Rosa and I am tempted to work there just for the discount!

We were just at Zona Rosa today! I was sad to see the store hadn't opened yet, but LOVED shopping there! That is one way cool shopping center!!

 

[canwegosoon]

I worked at my local Disney Store for almost 2.5 years, until the store closed in January. I had no other job and was available to work almost any time. There were weeks when I had only "call-in" shifts - and I wasn't needed at all. Those got to be really irritating - especially if they were on a weekend, because you wouldn't know until 2 hours before your shift started whether or not they needed you. So - I probably averaged 10 hours a week, when factoring in the weeks I worked zero hours and around holiday times when I would work 20+ hours. If you want to work there because you need the income, look elsewhere - they can't guarantee you the hours, and the pay is minimum wage.

I wanted to work there because it was Disney, but now Disney doesn't own the stores. The 3 one-day park hoppers are the only theme-park perks left, and seasonal cast members don't get those. The people I worked with were great, and I miss them, but I DON'T miss working retail!!!

As for holidays - you're not supposed to take vacation time after November 1st. However, the past 2 years I still managed to go to WDW for 3-4 days in early December - just not over a weekend. And - I made my regular week-long trips during October.

Nancy....thank you for the information...I totally forgot about the you cant take off after November ...I guess it's not a hassle I need . Thank you

 

[Littlemotherhaywood]

Do you have to use the passes yourself. We're trying to talk my fil and his girlfriend into going with us and she doesn't have any tickets. We still all hve five days left on our passes. We were just going to let her use our one day tickets from the promo, but there would only be four of those (DH's idea, not mine as I think we should just buy her a ten day ticket and give her an excuse to go back again, lol).

 

[msmickminn]

Do you have to use the passes yourself

No, the passes are yours to do with whatever you wish. I used them for my kids on our last trip. But the actual cast member is the only one who can pick them up.
They will expire though so be sure to use them. I believe you have till the end of a calendar year.
Have Fun!

 

[NancyIL]

I know my earlier post sounded somewhat negative about working at The Disney Store. I really did enjoy it most of the time, but my attitude towards the company (Hoop Retail) deteriorated significantly when they decided to close my store! If you don't mind working retail hours, it's a fun place to work, and it's nice to get discounts on the merchandise. But it's not worth it if all you want are the 3 one-day park hoppers per year.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I worked there 13 years ago when it first opened at the Mall inTaunton, MA. I was still in college and i worked maybe 4-8 hours a week with one on call shift, which i did not get paid for. The pay was really low, probably minimum wage. The dress code was very strict. For christmas we did get 2 single day park hopper tickets. I don't think they do that anymore. I liked most of the cast members, but one of the managers, was very rude, but you get that anywhere. The district manager was also horrible. She was nasty and she didn't know anything about Disney. One time she was in the store and a guest asked if we had anything with Bugs Bunny on it. She actually asked another cast member if we had any Bugs merchandise. I couldn't beleive they hired someone to be a district manager that didn't know the difference between WB and Disney characters. I think that things have gotten better in recent years. On Halloween one year I had to stand at the front of the store. Kids were trick or treating at the different stores in the mall and my store had me give out an advertisement fora Disney movie that would be released soon. Do you know how many parents came back screaming at me? They couldn't believe that the Disney store wasn't giving out anything besides an advertisement. It was terrible and my manager didn't even help me out! I was really disappointed that for minimum wage i was expected to still act cheery. Too unrealistic!! Anyway, I ended up leaving about 2 years after i was hired. It is ok for a part time job, but not necessarily a career

 

[merekc]

I have got to get up to Zona Rosa. I've only driven by and it sounds like I'm missing out.
Do you know when they are scheduled to open the new store?

 

[AngieWin]

I have got to get up to Zona Rosa. I've only driven by and it sounds like I'm missing out.
Do you know when they are scheduled to open the new store?

Early summer is all I have seen. My dh works around that area, so I think I will send him by to see how the progress is. The parking in that area isn't ideal, but they have a great selection of stores. It will be even better when the Disney store finally opens!