Typical first week?

[Luv2Diz]

What is a typical first week like in the CP? My son has applied for the Fall 2009 program and interviews on Monday.

We were wondering about a few things. I've read that check in starts in mid August and is typically on a Monday or Wednesday. What happens at check-in? Is this only to get your apartment assignment?

When is orientation held? Is this when you find out your exact job assignment?

And the "big" question for us.....when do you get your uniforms/costumes? We've read that the CMs are expected to buy their own shoes after they find out what the requirements are for their particular job. My son is 6'7" and wears a size 15 shoe, so I doubt Disney has a uniform just hanging on the rack in his size. And he can't just run to the nearest Penney's or whatever and pick up shoes. (He is applying for Attractions as his 1st choice and would love to get HM). How long do you have to get the shoes required for your specific worksite?

 

[Joanna71985]

What is a typical first week like in the CP? My son has applied for the Fall 2009 program and interviews on Monday.

We were wondering about a few things. I've read that check in starts in mid August and is typically on a Monday or Wednesday. What happens at check-in? Is this only to get your apartment assignment?

When is orientation held? Is this when you find out your exact job assignment?

And the "big" question for us.....when do you get your uniforms/costumes? We've read that the CMs are expected to buy their own shoes after they find out what the requirements are for their particular job. My son is 6'7" and wears a size 15 shoe, so I doubt Disney has a uniform just hanging on the rack in his size. And he can't just run to the nearest Penney's or whatever and pick up shoes. (He is applying for Attractions as his 1st choice and would love to get HM). How long do you have to get the shoes required for your specific worksite?

*Here is what the first week is usually like:
Day 1- Check in at Vista. There is also a housing meeting
Day 2- You find out your work location, and sign up for any classes (if you are taking any)
Day 3- Traditions (you also get your ID, which gets you into the parks for free)
Day 4-6- This is where training starts

*Yes, check-in usually is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Check-in is where you get your apartment, housing ID, and fill out forms.

*You find out your work location on Day 2. Training (and when you find out your exact work area) is anywhere between Day 4-6.

*Costumes are taken care of in Disney. There are costuming areas at work. The only thing you have to provide is shoes. You have to get the shoes for training.

 

[Luv2Diz]

He won't have a car so I am assuming there will be a shuttle bus to the mall a couple of times during the 1st week so that the CMs can get what they need. Although I still don't know how he is going to find size 15 shoes at the mall!

 

[Berlioz70]

He won't have a car so I am assuming there will be a shuttle bus to the mall a couple of times during the 1st week so that the CMs can get what they need. Although I still don't know how he is going to find size 15 shoes at the mall!

They bring shoes to Disney for Cast Members to buy... hopefully they would have some size 15, my brother is a 16 so I know it can be tough to find shoes!

 

[glendalais]

You can also order them ahead of time from the manufacturers website:

http://www.shoesforcrews.com

Attractions, Bell Services, Costuming, Custodial, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Parking Lot, Recreation and Transportation can probably all use the Athletic or Work Styles.

All other roles could probably use the Dress Style.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I can't guarantee it, but you may want to have him email his recruiter. Explain the shoe situation and ask if they can tell you what type of shoes he will need so he can get them in advance. Most areas will require either plain white or black shoes with no logos on them- lace up style. If you want to be safe he could get a pair of each, the chances of him needing something else are pretty slim unless he works Frontierland.

As for the schedule

-Day 1 is check in. You will get your apartment assignment. You can request a specific size and/or place. They will accommodate you if they have it avaialble. You will meet your roommates, move in, and go through an apartment orientation. fo course, now they have roommie matching, so he might know ahead of time if he chooses to.
-Day 2 is when you bring your ID documents and will find out your exact location. He can ask them then about shoes, or he can try going to the park and asking the people in that location.
-Typically Day 3 or 4 is Traditions. A four hour or so training on the history of the Disney company.
-The next work day will be the park training for his home park.
-After that he will start his location training. When I worked attractions my first day of location training was to acquaint me with Fantasyland and then I learned specific rides.

They do give you some time to get shoes and are understanding. In fact, ther was one time I got pulled from entertainment to work my old area (Fantasyland) as they were short staffed. The only shoes I had with me were pink sketchers. The managers joked with me about those, they didn't give me any grief about it whatsoever.

The main thing is to be upfront with them about the issue. Disney is strict, but they are not heartless. I have never had such compassionate and understanding managers and they will realize that there are extenuating circumstances.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

They bring shoes to Disney for Cast Members to buy... hopefully they would have some size 15, my brother is a 16 so I know it can be tough to find shoes!

While they do have a company that comes in and sells shoes, it is really hit or miss. I know that was not an option for me because they were not going to be there in time for me to get them.

 

[Luv2Diz]

You can also order them ahead of time from the manufacturers website:

http://www.shoesforcrews.com

Attractions, Bell Services, Costuming, Custodial, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Parking Lot, Recreation and Transportation can probably all use the Athletic or Work Styles.

All other roles could probably use the Dress Style.

Just checked this website and they only carry sizes to a 14, so that won't work. Once we find out if he is accepted, we'll contact the recruiter to see what he should do. He normally gets his shoes at the Nike Outlet in a nearby mall, but that won't work since the shoes can't have logos. This is a predicament!

 

[razzery]

Just checked this website and they only carry sizes to a 14, so that won't work. Once we find out if he is accepted, we'll contact the recruiter to see what he should do. He normally gets his shoes at the Nike Outlet in a nearby mall, but that won't work since the shoes can't have logos. This is a predicament!

A small logo is no big deal. Just as long as its not completely huge then they don't care. I know my shoes have a grey logo on them and nobody has said a thing. Right next to chatham and patterson there is a nike outlet.

 

[AngelNeedsMAGIC]

Just an FYI. Walmart shoes SUCK!
LOL

 

[graygables]

My first day after Traditions was my "Daklimation", which was in professional attire. At the end of the day, we were taken to costuming where we were fitted and inspected by the trainers to make sure the pants were right, etc. They have a HUGE range of sizes. They are also able to custom-fit people, so your son should be just fine. If they don't have his size right then, they will be able to get it done, that's their job.

As far as shoes go, I have a weird foot and can't buy "off the rack", so the day I found out my location, I called to inquire about shoes (I needed white leather tennis shoes), so I hopped on shoes.com and placed my order. I had one week after my training started to get my shoes. I just wore my regular gray tennis shoes for those first few days in training. I was fine, but on day 5, one of my managers asked if anyone had mentioned what kind of shoes I needed. I told him they were being UPSed and he was fine with that. If you can, I'd suggest buying a pair of black leather and a pair of white leather tennis shoes. Chances are, he'll need one or the other and can always wear the other on days off. Do make sure they are GOOD shoes. I dropped $95 on a pair of Saucony Progrid Stabil LE 4 and am grateful every day that I did!

 

[jewjubean]

Gray, how are you liking living in FL???

 

[graygables]

Gray, how are you liking living in FL???

It's...interesting. The weather has been GREAT, but I keep getting the "knowing look" about Summer... I've been having an adjustment, too, moving back in with my older DDs and helping the younger ones adjust to a new home (they've never moved in their lives, but have travelled a lot). Add in some scheduling issues, a grad school class, and homeschooling and it's a miracle I have a shred of sanity left. I need an 80 degree day off by the pool...

 

[Luv2Diz]

Thanks everyone for the helpful information. He interviewed earlier this week and it sounds like he did fairly well. We'll see in a few weeks when "The Letter" arrives.