What to do...

[Sorahana]

Ok so I'm down here on the CP now and I am incredibly unhappy. I realized this after I went home last weekend to visit.

I did try talking to a manager but it felt like they really don't care. I asked about being able to go to a different area such as one of the shows and they said no (we're understaffed at mine). I just feel like I am getting nothing out of the position I'm in and I want to cry on a daily basis because I am miserable.
Also, the scheduling is bad and next week we're all pulling 60 hr weeks.

I am planning for auditioning for character at the end of the month, but if I get it I won't be able to move to that until this program is up correct? (Because if I get it, I'd extend until August I'm told). I don't want to audition then and then get it and be stuck in a role I an very unhappy with waiting for that. I am incredibly stressed out and can't deal with how we're treated as CPs, and the fact that no one seems to care that we're burning out.

 

[Berlioz70]

Ok so I'm down here on the CP now and I am incredibly unhappy. I realized this after I went home last weekend to visit.

I did try talking to a manager but it felt like they really don't care. I asked about being able to go to a different area such as one of the shows and they said no (we're understaffed at mine). I just feel like I am getting nothing out of the position I'm in and I want to cry on a daily basis because I am miserable.
Also, the scheduling is bad and next week we're all pulling 60 hr weeks.

I am planning for auditioning for character at the end of the month, but if I get it I won't be able to move to that until this program is up correct? (Because if I get it, I'd extend until August I'm told). I don't want to audition then and then get it and be stuck in a role I an very unhappy with waiting for that. I am incredibly stressed out and can't deal with how we're treated as CPs, and the fact that no one seems to care that we're burning out.

I've never done the CP before so unfortunately I don't have any great words of wisdom... I'm so sorry about your unhappiness though - that is no fun!

I believe you are right about the audition, you wouldn't be able to move until after your program is completed. However, keep in mind that if you quit now you may never be able to go back. I know of someone else who self-termed and reapplied for fall, but was denied. Maybe try giving away some hours (as if no one else was working) or try mixing things up with the people you talk to and interact with...

Spring Break season should be done in a month... I hope...

 

[Katy0708]

Ok so I'm down here on the CP now and I am incredibly unhappy. I realized this after I went home last weekend to visit.

I did try talking to a manager but it felt like they really don't care. I asked about being able to go to a different area such as one of the shows and they said no (we're understaffed at mine). I just feel like I am getting nothing out of the position I'm in and I want to cry on a daily basis because I am miserable.
Also, the scheduling is bad and next week we're all pulling 60 hr weeks.

I am planning for auditioning for character at the end of the month, but if I get it I won't be able to move to that until this program is up correct? (Because if I get it, I'd extend until August I'm told). I don't want to audition then and then get it and be stuck in a role I an very unhappy with waiting for that. I am incredibly stressed out and can't deal with how we're treated as CPs, and the fact that no one seems to care that we're burning out.

Hey!
I'm so sorry about your situation
I kinda know how you feel. i was in QSFB during the Spring 2007 program. We were understaffed also, and that posed a lot of problems at our location. I know that my managers counted on me and another CP to take longer shifts, or fill in for someone else (often working a double shift). We were overworked, and unhappy. But that is the beauty of being a CP. They know that we are going to be there for only a select amount of months, and they use that to THEIR advantage, not really caring what we think. We are there to do the work that no one else wants to do. But, honey, stick with it!!! Just look forward to auditioning, and have fun on your days off... My days off were my savior during my CP. I took a lot of my friends, and went out, and didn't even think about my job until the next day. You can make it through!!

 

[Carlos_in_Wonderland]

Ok so I'm down here on the CP now and I am incredibly unhappy. I realized this after I went home last weekend to visit.

Do you think that maybe you are a little home sick aswell?
I hope in a couple of days things get better for you.

 

[Joanna71985]

Ok so I'm down here on the CP now and I am incredibly unhappy. I realized this after I went home last weekend to visit.

I did try talking to a manager but it felt like they really don't care. I asked about being able to go to a different area such as one of the shows and they said no (we're understaffed at mine). I just feel like I am getting nothing out of the position I'm in and I want to cry on a daily basis because I am miserable.
Also, the scheduling is bad and next week we're all pulling 60 hr weeks.

I am planning for auditioning for character at the end of the month, but if I get it I won't be able to move to that until this program is up correct? (Because if I get it, I'd extend until August I'm told). I don't want to audition then and then get it and be stuck in a role I an very unhappy with waiting for that. I am incredibly stressed out and can't deal with how we're treated as CPs, and the fact that no one seems to care that we're burning out.

Yes, that is correct. If you pass the extension audition you would not switch until your current program is done. Also, when does your program end? If it ends in May, you would be staying until Jan.

 

[graygables]

Is there anything at all positive you can focus on? 60 hours is a pretty big paycheck, is there a way you want to 'reward' yourself (nice dinner, massage)? How are your roommates, are they supportive? I don't know where you're working, but can you find something there that you can find joy in? My oldest DD worked at the Confectionary for her CP and hated the cotton candy booth. BUT, she learned to watch the faces of the children who were fascinated by what she was doing and realized that she was making memories, not just cotton candy.

I've always told myself, I can do anything for a year. One year, I had to commute 240 miles a day to teach in a very bad situation knowing that my supervising teacher hated me and was constantly undermining me to the administration. Talk about low morale and hating a job! 2 hour drive dreading going to work, 2 hour drive home in tears. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that I had a contract ($ for my family) and knowing that contract had an expiration date.

I hope you are feeling less stressed soon!

 

[shastatikipunch]

I get down on my job alot for alot of the same reasons. I used to stress about it alot, but now I just do whatever I can to amuse myself while I'm working. I crack alot of jokes with customers and get them laughing, it makes me feel good cause they walk out of there feeling they dealt with somebody nice, friendly, and personable. And that in turn makes me happy with it. Even though management can get on my nerves sometimes, along with the angry customer who blame their mistakes on us.

 

[fred333]

I think you just got to make the best of life in hard times. Remember there will be good times and bad.

 

[Carlos_in_Wonderland]

I think you just got to make the best of life in hard times. Remember there will be good times and bad.

True.
Even though I'm positive about starting the program I know it won't be easy at all.

 

[CelebrationNM]

Lee Cockerell, (click for a link to his blog...great leadership tips) the former VP of Operations at WDW wrote this a number of years ago for his WDW newsletter "The Main Street Diary". I think it speaks powerfully to why "we do what we do" at WDW Resort.

Why we do what we do:

• We do it for the children of all ages from around the world.

• We do it because we believe in family, fantasy, and magic; and we love to make people happy.

• We do it because Disney is the only place in the world where people can come together to have fun without worrying about the real world.

We do it most of all for them...

• For the young brother and sister so excited they can't sleep the night before going to Disney.

• For the family who just adopted two children and the first place they took them to celebrate is Disney.

• For the single Mom from up north who is working two jobs so she can take her children to the Walt Disney World Resort.

• For the young family who is selected to be the Grand Marshals in the 3 o'clock parade.

• For the CEO of a famous American company that slips out of his own meeting to go ride Buzz Lightyear with his grandson.

• For the Mom and Dad who show their children where they first saw Mickey Mouse when they were little.

• For our good friend Henry that taught us a few things because of a broken monorail train.

• For the 85-year-old woman whose dream was to go to Africa on Safari and then to Asia to see tigers.

• For the young boy whose dream was to play on the same field as the Atlanta Braves.

• For the young girl who can't stop laughing because a giant dog sneezed a "real sneeze" all over her glasses; and the next day, bugs were after her in the The Tree of Life.

• For the teenagers who are having the time of their lives riding our coaster through the freeways of Los Angeles over and over and over after just falling 13 stories in an elevator at a nearby hotel.

• For the war veteran who takes off his hat and puts his hand over his heart and cries at the flag raising ceremony in the Magic Kingdom Park which was in his honor and arranged by his daughter as a surprise.

• For the grandparents who show their grandchildren the bench they sat on while their grandchildren's parents rode Space Mountain 25 years ago.

• For the children whose last wish is to go to Walt Disney World Resort and to meet Mickey Mouse.

• For our Guests from the United Kingdom who are burned to a crisp from the sun and still in the pool on a 40-degree day, and they are happy.

• For our Guests who are in AWE of their themed resort and the wonderful Cast that welcomes them home.

• For the family who just visited the Pooh store and World of Disney at Downtown Disney and finished the day with the magic of Cirque du Soleil and can't wait to go back and see it all again.

• For the Japanese couple who met at Tokyo Disneyland and got married at the Walt Disney World Wedding Pavilion and rode in Cinderella's coach to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

• For the young boy who went to Disneyland in 1955 and could not wait to grow up so he could work for Disney.

• For the family of four generations who take their first cruise on the Disney Magic and their second one on the Disney Wonder to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary.

• For the couple who took their children to the Spaceship Earth icon to show them where Mom and Dad met while waiting in line 12 years ago.

• For the man who met his best friend from grade school at The Tree of Life.

• For the young boy who will one day meet his mate for life under the Sorcerer's Hat icon by chance.

• For the mother who cries the first time she shows her 4-year-old daughter Cinderella Castle and then cries again when they meet Cinderella.

• And for the lifelong memories we create for our welcomed Guests and cherished friends from all around the world...that is WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.

 

[Katy0708]

That is amazing!
Thank you for finding that. It really shows what castmembers are all about!

 

[uptown_girl44]

Lee Cockerell, (click for a link to his blog...great leadership tips) the former VP of Operations at WDW wrote this a number of years ago for his WDW newsletter "The Main Street Diary". I think it speaks powerfully to why "we do what we do" at WDW Resort.

Why we do what we do:

• We do it for the children of all ages from around the world.

• We do it because we believe in family, fantasy, and magic; and we love to make people happy.

• We do it because Disney is the only place in the world where people can come together to have fun without worrying about the real world.

We do it most of all for them...

• For the young brother and sister so excited they can't sleep the night before going to Disney.

• For the family who just adopted two children and the first place they took them to celebrate is Disney.

• For the single Mom from up north who is working two jobs so she can take her children to the Walt Disney World Resort.

• For the young family who is selected to be the Grand Marshals in the 3 o'clock parade.

• For the CEO of a famous American company that slips out of his own meeting to go ride Buzz Lightyear with his grandson.

• For the Mom and Dad who show their children where they first saw Mickey Mouse when they were little.

• For our good friend Henry that taught us a few things because of a broken monorail train.

• For the 85-year-old woman whose dream was to go to Africa on Safari and then to Asia to see tigers.

• For the young boy whose dream was to play on the same field as the Atlanta Braves.

• For the young girl who can't stop laughing because a giant dog sneezed a "real sneeze" all over her glasses; and the next day, bugs were after her in the The Tree of Life.

• For the teenagers who are having the time of their lives riding our coaster through the freeways of Los Angeles over and over and over after just falling 13 stories in an elevator at a nearby hotel.

• For the war veteran who takes off his hat and puts his hand over his heart and cries at the flag raising ceremony in the Magic Kingdom Park which was in his honor and arranged by his daughter as a surprise.

• For the grandparents who show their grandchildren the bench they sat on while their grandchildren's parents rode Space Mountain 25 years ago.

• For the children whose last wish is to go to Walt Disney World Resort and to meet Mickey Mouse.

• For our Guests from the United Kingdom who are burned to a crisp from the sun and still in the pool on a 40-degree day, and they are happy.

• For our Guests who are in AWE of their themed resort and the wonderful Cast that welcomes them home.

• For the family who just visited the Pooh store and World of Disney at Downtown Disney and finished the day with the magic of Cirque du Soleil and can't wait to go back and see it all again.

• For the Japanese couple who met at Tokyo Disneyland and got married at the Walt Disney World Wedding Pavilion and rode in Cinderella's coach to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

• For the young boy who went to Disneyland in 1955 and could not wait to grow up so he could work for Disney.

• For the family of four generations who take their first cruise on the Disney Magic and their second one on the Disney Wonder to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary.

• For the couple who took their children to the Spaceship Earth icon to show them where Mom and Dad met while waiting in line 12 years ago.

• For the man who met his best friend from grade school at The Tree of Life.

• For the young boy who will one day meet his mate for life under the Sorcerer's Hat icon by chance.

• For the mother who cries the first time she shows her 4-year-old daughter Cinderella Castle and then cries again when they meet Cinderella.

• And for the lifelong memories we create for our welcomed Guests and cherished friends from all around the world...that is WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.

I totally agree about this article. This helped me make it through my CP. I was in the same position you were, crying everynight after work, my managers didn't care, everything like that. Try talking to someone else about it. I beleive her name is Kelly Prezioso, her office is in the clubhouse at vista. As long as you have a clean record card or atleast don't have any repremands she can help you transfer either roles or locations. If you're looking for something a little slower try to transfer to one of the resorts, they tend to be slower than the parks.

Another tip... summer is crazy if you're having trouble keeping up now I wouldn't reccomend extending, unless you get a new role you are comfortable with.

 

[Joanna71985]

Lee Cockerell, (click for a link to his blog...great leadership tips) the former VP of Operations at WDW wrote this a number of years ago for his WDW newsletter "The Main Street Diary". I think it speaks powerfully to why "we do what we do" at WDW Resort.

Why we do what we do:

• We do it for the children of all ages from around the world.

• We do it because we believe in family, fantasy, and magic; and we love to make people happy.

• We do it because Disney is the only place in the world where people can come together to have fun without worrying about the real world.

We do it most of all for them...

• For the young brother and sister so excited they can't sleep the night before going to Disney.

• For the family who just adopted two children and the first place they took them to celebrate is Disney.

• For the single Mom from up north who is working two jobs so she can take her children to the Walt Disney World Resort.

• For the young family who is selected to be the Grand Marshals in the 3 o'clock parade.

• For the CEO of a famous American company that slips out of his own meeting to go ride Buzz Lightyear with his grandson.

• For the Mom and Dad who show their children where they first saw Mickey Mouse when they were little.

• For our good friend Henry that taught us a few things because of a broken monorail train.

• For the 85-year-old woman whose dream was to go to Africa on Safari and then to Asia to see tigers.

• For the young boy whose dream was to play on the same field as the Atlanta Braves.

• For the young girl who can't stop laughing because a giant dog sneezed a "real sneeze" all over her glasses; and the next day, bugs were after her in the The Tree of Life.

• For the teenagers who are having the time of their lives riding our coaster through the freeways of Los Angeles over and over and over after just falling 13 stories in an elevator at a nearby hotel.

• For the war veteran who takes off his hat and puts his hand over his heart and cries at the flag raising ceremony in the Magic Kingdom Park which was in his honor and arranged by his daughter as a surprise.

• For the grandparents who show their grandchildren the bench they sat on while their grandchildren's parents rode Space Mountain 25 years ago.

• For the children whose last wish is to go to Walt Disney World Resort and to meet Mickey Mouse.

• For our Guests from the United Kingdom who are burned to a crisp from the sun and still in the pool on a 40-degree day, and they are happy.

• For our Guests who are in AWE of their themed resort and the wonderful Cast that welcomes them home.

• For the family who just visited the Pooh store and World of Disney at Downtown Disney and finished the day with the magic of Cirque du Soleil and can't wait to go back and see it all again.

• For the Japanese couple who met at Tokyo Disneyland and got married at the Walt Disney World Wedding Pavilion and rode in Cinderella's coach to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

• For the young boy who went to Disneyland in 1955 and could not wait to grow up so he could work for Disney.

• For the family of four generations who take their first cruise on the Disney Magic and their second one on the Disney Wonder to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary.

• For the couple who took their children to the Spaceship Earth icon to show them where Mom and Dad met while waiting in line 12 years ago.

• For the man who met his best friend from grade school at The Tree of Life.

• For the young boy who will one day meet his mate for life under the Sorcerer's Hat icon by chance.

• For the mother who cries the first time she shows her 4-year-old daughter Cinderella Castle and then cries again when they meet Cinderella.

• And for the lifelong memories we create for our welcomed Guests and cherished friends from all around the world...that is WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.

I love that article!!

 

[kishijoten]

I completely understand where you're coming from, Sorahana. Both my roommate/best friend and I are miserable at the CP, too. The worst part is that we have completely opposite schedule and never see each other, which means we have no support system here! Like you, I tried talking to a manager, and wasn't given a lot of support. They SAY they're here to do whatever it takes to help you be successful, but then they don't follow through. My manager at least tried a little bit to make my current job more tolerable, but she says she couldn't do anything about my scheduled hours (there are lots of CPs who don't work until 2 am ALL the time) and she refused to try to have me recast. Worse still, she gave me a speech about how the CP builds character and makes you strong if you stick with it. I disagree. I've been homeless in a major city, I've watched two of the people I loved and admired most in the world waste away before my eyes, and I've taken on responsibilities that the rest of my family found excuses to avoid. THOSE things made me stronger and built my character. I feel that staying in a lose-lose situaton like I'm in at WDW will not mean I'm strong, it'll only mean I'm too stupid to know when to cut and run!

That said, only you know the reasons for and the extent of your discontent. Only you know whether you really can stick it out. If there is another manager you can go to (or go over the manager's head to THEIR manager), you might try that. I know the desire to make it through to the end of your program is strong, but if you do decide that the best option for you is to self-term do not let ANYONE make you feel bad for or guilty about doing so! Only you know what is right for you.

 

[Wishing0nStars88]

Lee Cockerell, (click for a link to his blog...great leadership tips) the former VP of Operations at WDW wrote this a number of years ago for his WDW newsletter "The Main Street Diary". I think it speaks powerfully to why "we do what we do" at WDW Resort.

Why we do what we do:

• We do it for the children of all ages from around the world.

• We do it because we believe in family, fantasy, and magic; and we love to make people happy.

• We do it because Disney is the only place in the world where people can come together to have fun without worrying about the real world.

We do it most of all for them...

• For the young brother and sister so excited they can't sleep the night before going to Disney.

• For the family who just adopted two children and the first place they took them to celebrate is Disney.

• For the single Mom from up north who is working two jobs so she can take her children to the Walt Disney World Resort.

• For the young family who is selected to be the Grand Marshals in the 3 o'clock parade.

• For the CEO of a famous American company that slips out of his own meeting to go ride Buzz Lightyear with his grandson.

• For the Mom and Dad who show their children where they first saw Mickey Mouse when they were little.

• For our good friend Henry that taught us a few things because of a broken monorail train.

• For the 85-year-old woman whose dream was to go to Africa on Safari and then to Asia to see tigers.

• For the young boy whose dream was to play on the same field as the Atlanta Braves.

• For the young girl who can't stop laughing because a giant dog sneezed a "real sneeze" all over her glasses; and the next day, bugs were after her in the The Tree of Life.

• For the teenagers who are having the time of their lives riding our coaster through the freeways of Los Angeles over and over and over after just falling 13 stories in an elevator at a nearby hotel.

• For the war veteran who takes off his hat and puts his hand over his heart and cries at the flag raising ceremony in the Magic Kingdom Park which was in his honor and arranged by his daughter as a surprise.

• For the grandparents who show their grandchildren the bench they sat on while their grandchildren's parents rode Space Mountain 25 years ago.

• For the children whose last wish is to go to Walt Disney World Resort and to meet Mickey Mouse.

• For our Guests from the United Kingdom who are burned to a crisp from the sun and still in the pool on a 40-degree day, and they are happy.

• For our Guests who are in AWE of their themed resort and the wonderful Cast that welcomes them home.

• For the family who just visited the Pooh store and World of Disney at Downtown Disney and finished the day with the magic of Cirque du Soleil and can't wait to go back and see it all again.

• For the Japanese couple who met at Tokyo Disneyland and got married at the Walt Disney World Wedding Pavilion and rode in Cinderella's coach to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

• For the young boy who went to Disneyland in 1955 and could not wait to grow up so he could work for Disney.

• For the family of four generations who take their first cruise on the Disney Magic and their second one on the Disney Wonder to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary.

• For the couple who took their children to the Spaceship Earth icon to show them where Mom and Dad met while waiting in line 12 years ago.

• For the man who met his best friend from grade school at The Tree of Life.

• For the young boy who will one day meet his mate for life under the Sorcerer's Hat icon by chance.

• For the mother who cries the first time she shows her 4-year-old daughter Cinderella Castle and then cries again when they meet Cinderella.

• And for the lifelong memories we create for our welcomed Guests and cherished friends from all around the world...that is WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.

Aww I miss reading this everyday
Before every work shift I would always read this in the news letters we got. It gave me a good start to the day. Reminded me what I was there to do ... I was there to make magic and make people happy.

But you arent working 60 hours next week cause the schedulers are bad (but yeah, they can be sometimes) ... but all CM's (atleast where I worked) during spring break get put on mandatory 6 day weeks. Not just the CP's.
Spring break + Easter is crazyness!
I was working the mandatory 6 days with each day being 10-12 hours.

And like uptown_girl44 said, you should speak to Kelly Prezioso at the Vista clubhouse.
I met her in a class I was taking at Disney and se seemed really nice. One of my roommates even spoke to her a few times.
She is there to help the CP's when they need it because alot of them feel the way you do.

 

[namara87]

Try talking to someone else about it. I beleive her name is Kelly Prezioso, her office is in the clubhouse at vista.

Definitely talk to Kelly. She did magical things for one of my roommates who was having problems.