What if you were a CM at WDW?

[DONALD38]

DW and I always thought about this, the only thing is there is a big difference between pay and the cost of living in the Orlando or surrounding areas.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I suppose that if you worked there, you'd have to live reasonably close. And I've heard from several CM's (in chatting with servers at the various restaurants over the years) that traffic is simply horrible and really nice places to live near WDW are not cheap nor readily available.
But on a part-time retirement basis, I guess I'd like to be a CM at Disney. I'd be the guy at the Poly who walks along the beach early in the AM, with one of those stick things that picks up stray scraps of paper.
OR the fellow in the MK who walks up with a clipboard and says--"What Zip-Code are you from"
Uncleromulus could handle both (tho Mrs. U thinks I'd be challanged by the paper thing)

 

[LibertyBelle]

I have to agree with the former CM's that posted... I am a "current" CM and I LOVE my job but... some days you go in happy and a guest who is going on their 18th day of vacation is in your face 5 minutes after you arrive because...well he doesn't even know why, but he is. It is upsetting because you just got yelled at for something you probably had no control over, but you don't let it ruin your day. And sure you are going to have situations where you don't think the management or corporate knows what they are doing, but doesn't that happen everywhere?

I may not be the norm here, but I have been with WDW for 8+ years (hubby has been working for the mouse for 4 years) and we still vacation with the mouse. We may not like to hang out at our theme parks (our days off are taken far from the "World"), however, just like everyone else we LOVE Disney. Our vacations tend to revolve around Disney... We have been on the Disney Cruise 5 times, we have been to Disneyland California 4 times and we have been to Disneyland Paris once...

As for the question about living near by, there are lots of place that are near by that are affordable and are off of Back roads (so no tourists traffic)...you just have to know where to look. Hubby and I are about 10 minutes from MK that is all twisting and turning backroads, no traffic lights, and pretty much all Disney CM's...we live in a well populated area on the other side town, just have the secret backroads to guide us

I think there are days when you think why do I do this, but that is something I believe happens in any job out there. If you truly have a passion for Disney, the company and all that Walt stood for, the job will be rewarding. If you are coming to Disney because they are one of the biggest employers in Central Florida and you need a job, you probably won't get the same out of it.

I say go for it, for those that are looking to retire to Disney, I don't think it will taint you, if it is something that you truly want to do it is very rewarding...for those that are looking to work there out of High School or during college, it is not a career path, it is a crossroads, Disney is a great opportunity and looks great on a resume for those that are using it as a stepping stone...

 

[Goofmeister]

I believe in Disney.

I'd also like to work in an engineering capacity as opposed to primarily being an onstage CM.

I do thing your perception would change. It's kind of like knowing how a magician performs a trick. It isn't the same after you know how its done, but you can still admire his skill.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by KathyFP
I have dreams of being a CM as a retirment job. Doesn't pay enough to live on.

Like anything else, it depends on where you're working. I've been at WDW for 16 years and have plenty to live on!