We retire in 18 years. I want to be a SNOW BIRD and work at WDW! Tips pls?

[SandraC]

Hi All ~ We have been socking away a few RSP's for retirement, yet still need loads more $$$$$.

DH will be 65 in 18 years, I'd like to buy a trailer or condo near Disney.

As a Canadian, how do I get a part-time job at Disney while snow-birding in Florida?

THANKS! Sandra

 

[sean-1966]

We're thinking the same thing. Timing is about the same to. 18 years and a few months. We bought into DVC to start an investment south of the border. We'd love to buy a house down there now but just can't afford it right now. With the dollar where it is now and with the real estate bubble burst in Orlando now is the time to buy a property. But...... The one thing I've been told about working at Disney is that you apply and if hired they take care of the work permit. Also they are real touchy about tatoos.

 

[SandraC]

Thanks! No tats on me! I am extremely creative and would love to work for Disney's art dept. I was thinking about seeking contract work now. Thing is my kids are 7 and 13 and they are my priority.

I would love to live in Florida part of the year. S

 

[iluveeyore]

We want to do the same thing - would do it now if possible (five more years till no kids at home). Saw a lot of Canadians down there working, most of them seniors - one at Olivia's at OKW was from St. Catharines, and said there are tons of non-U.S citizens working at Disney. Wish I could have talked to her more to find out how you can work there - I was under the impression you had to be sponsored by a US citizen that's a relative or have a green card to work there.

 

[SandraC]

Depending on finances, I'd like to buy a nice trailer or a condo for dh and I upon retirement [or sooner]. DH is 47 right now, he'll have to work until 65. I'll be 60. I'd love to work at Disney. Especially if I can be FAIRY GODMOTHER! Anything at MK would be a hoot!

We have a permanent trailer in a campground in Acton, Ont now. Lots of folks have trailers in Florida for the winter and trailers in Canada for the summer. One of our trailer neighbours had a Florida trailer for 17 years! They are about 80 years old now and health issues keep them in Canada.

I would love at least 10 years in Florida, from age 60-70 before heading into a great retirement villa in Ontario.

Blessings, Sandra

 

[minnie56]

We have been talking about this too lately..would LOVE to buy something now. We are heading down in 2 weeks and the 'plan' is to look around and see what's there of interest. Would like a Condo that would require little of us until we are ready for it!! Our dream too to be able to work at Disney. Me, anywhere...a shop on Main St would suit...hubby would love anything in Communications-Satellite etc...to dabble in later years. We are about 10 years ( well DH is!!) from really getting there.

 

[Rpsemont]

We're with ya'all!!

Do you think that those that do this don't visit the disboards anymore

 

[SaraMc]

We're thinking the same thing. Timing is about the same to. 18 years and a few months. We bought into DVC to start an investment south of the border. We'd love to buy a house down there now but just can't afford it right now. With the dollar where it is now and with the real estate bubble burst in Orlando now is the time to buy a property. But...... The one thing I've been told about working at Disney is that you apply and if hired they take care of the work permit. Also they are real touchy about tatoos.

Its no "visible" tattoo's. So if your costume covers it up your ok. I worked for Disney for 7 years and I have a tatoo on my leg, I wore pants with my costume and you couldnt see it. But that was the Disney store in Canada when it was still owned by Disney.. but the same rules apply for the parks.
As for working there, talk to US customs, they have a lottery every year for green cards.

Its worth a shot

 

[SandraC]

Any seasonal jobs for Canadians? S

 

[CanadianGuy]

Canadians haven't been eligible in the lottery for YEARS.

The lottery is meant to create diversity in the immigration process. Way more than enough Canadians are admitted under other policies so they do not permit Canadians to apply using the diversity lottery.

That's one path that won't help.

Knox

 

[surfer_ed]

I retire in about 18 years as well. Want to work Part-Time doing something low managment envolvement like a ride operator, trash collector etc. As long as I am in the parks.

 

[SandraC]

DH retires in 17 years....he'll be 65 and I'll be 60. I'd like to buy an RV and live in it for 6 months in Florida and 6 months in Ontario. We'll rent out our house to keep the equity for a nursing home when the time comes. My guess is that we will be able to keep that up until I'm 75 years old. DH will be 80 years old.

We have a permanent site trailer in Acton right now and love the "glamping" life so RV living will be great for us....we already do it in the summer.

I'd like to get a job at Disney during retirement. I don't really care what I do as long as it's at MK.

Blessings, Sandra

 

[calliemom]

I know it sounds like a dream to live in sunny Florida and work at Disney but have a look at this before you decide that this is the right move to work towards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIcPtfvgptA&feature=related

 

[bababear_50]

I know it sounds like a dream to live in sunny Florida and work at Disney but have a look at this before you decide that this is the right move to work towards:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIcPtfvgptA&feature=related

Thanks for posting calliemom,,,

I'd like the opportunity to live in Florida for a 2-4 month time period when I retire but I've watched what has happened to my dad in south Texas and it has made me very cautious of buying real estate in another country. Sure he enjoys a great life style but it does have a price and in recent years that price tag has increased 100%. I was going to sell cottage property here in Canada and invest it in Florida real estate but now I'm going to hold onto the property and probably rent a few extra weeks added onto my DVC timeshare = about 6 weeks away each year.It's a long term goal but a happy one.
Working in Disney would just be icing on a Giant Cake..

Hugs Mel

 

[SandraC]

Thanks for the link calliesmom....but I don't intend to buy Florida property. Since the RV I buy isn't a permanent structure, I won't have to pay land taxes. I'm looking for nice, clean, quiet campgrounds to park the RV. I don't need something permanent for the 6 months while in Florida. I'll probably stay at Fort Wilderness for a while and move to the ocean. I'll work something out so I can work at Disney seasonally. We have a trailer in Acton that is permanent and I really like the campground, so I'm happy rooting there for 6 months while we aren't in Florida. S

 

[calliemom]

Thanks for the link calliesmom....but I don't intend to buy Florida property. Since the RV I buy isn't a permanent structure, I won't have to pay land taxes. I'm looking for nice, clean, quiet campgrounds to park the RV. I don't need something permanent for the 6 months while in Florida. I'll probably stay at Fort Wilderness for a while and move to the ocean. I'll work something out so I can work at Disney seasonally. We have a trailer in Acton that is permanent and I really like the campground, so I'm happy rooting there for 6 months while we aren't in Florida. S

Have friends looking at investing in a retirement/winter home and they are the ones who told us about the incredibly high property taxes in Florida. They've actually decided on Pheonix as an alternative because of this issue.

Sounds like a perfect retirement to me. Just curious about that campground in Acton SandraC. Wondering if you could pm the name of it to me. Our family has never been camping before and since it is so close to where we live (Mississauga) thought it might be a nice idea for a weekend summer retreat!

 

[OntFamily]

As mentioned earlier, your largest issue will be to get a visa to legally work in the USA. Disney employs about 60,000 people in central Florida, so they're always hiring. However, you'll need a US social security number.

 

[Newcastle]

I always tell my husband that I want to move to Florida and work at Disney (I've even secretly looked up job postings!). Having said that, I'm wondering if it loses it's luster once you get your foot in the door. I mean, thinking about working at Disney gives me the warm fuzzies but I really wonder whether it would be all that magical if I had to regularly sweep up trash, serve food, operate rides, etc. I have seen some cast members who are working in some of the more monotonous jobs and they look less than thrilled to say the least. I'm wondering if it lives up to the expectations...

 

[NancyK]

I always tell my husband that I want to move to Florida and work at Disney (I've even secretly looked up job postings!). Having said that, I'm wondering if it loses it's luster once you get your foot in the door. I mean, thinking about working at Disney gives me the warm fuzzies but I really wonder whether it would be all that magical if I had to regularly sweep up trash, serve food, operate rides, etc. I have seen some cast members who are working in some of the more monotonous jobs and they look less than thrilled to say the least. I'm wondering if it lives up to the expectations...

My DS, 24 is down there working in Le Cellier on the cultural program. He has 9 more weeks to go and I can tell you that he is definitely ready to leave Disney behind. Like anything, you lose the "magic" when you're immersed in it all the time. I don't know about working at Disney after retirement, but I definitely would like to be in Florida during the worst months of winter.

 

[SandraC]

The campground in Acton is called Nor-Halton. It's on 25th Sideroad, 2.3 km off Highway 25. I live in Meadowvale part of Mississauga and it take 30 minutes to drive there. The drive is AWESOME because of the escarpment.

Nor-Halton is under new management. A lovely young family own it now. There is a pool....it's cold and will need replacing in about 3-4 years. There are 125 electrical sites and 25 non-electrical. About 70 permanent trailers right now....mostly older quiet folks. There are fields, forest & trails...the Bruce Trail runs along it someplace. There isn't any natural water to boat it....there is a small pond...but not useful....just pretty. But Rockwood, Guelph Lake and Kelso are near by. Mohawk Raceway & Casino is about 10 minutes drive. We have made friends with some lovely people. We enjoy campfires and roasting wienies. Our trailer is older, 1985-ish. But it has a beautiful Florida room with loads of windows. Sometimes we just go up for the day, but mostly I like staying over. I'd love to stay there all summer! We went up on Boxing Day to go for a hike. I lite a little campfire....the smell was awesome! I miss it!

I think nightly camping is about $30.00.

Blessings, Sandra