Where can I research roles?

[MainStMainSqueeze]

Hello, I'm fairly new poster but I was wondering if anyone could guide me to a specific blog or guide about the various roles? I have my phone interview on Wednesday and am not sure what role I want. The videos on the disney website don't give you the inside scoop.

Everyone asks for attractions but I get the feeling its more button pushing and not much guest interaction. I really want to interact with guests, answer their questions and maybe give them a fun fact or "secret" they wouldn't realize like that at HM there are chess pieces on top, except for the knight, because he is inside (or its always (k)night inside!)

Also what role works crowd control? The most I've ever talked to CM's at DL were when we lined up for World of Color and got to meet an awesome CM. I'm more of a night owl anyway, so holding those flashlight cones while Wishes! played would be pretty awesome.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

The crowd control is known as a PAC shift (at least at WDW). It stands for Parade Audience Control. You can pick up PAC shifts in addition to your regular shifts, so anyone can pretty much work PAC.

As far as researching the roles, have you read the descriptions on the college program website? They are a bit vague, but I think they will give you the best idea of what to expect.

Also, when I think of interacting with guests, my opinion is that individual cast members almost decide that for themselves. Everyone will say one role has more interaction than another, but it is an individual decision. Some attractions cast members don't really talk to anyone, others talk to tons of people.

 

[bopnopper9]

I wrote a lot about roles on my DCP documenter blog. It's in my signature. Hope that helps!

If you want a role with heavy guest interaction I'd recommend Merchandise, too. I found a lot of opportunity when I worked Merch to talk to guests about random facts and such. PAC is also a good one, but you'd have to make sure you got Main Entrance in MK in order to work PAC. None of the other ME Ops roles do PAC much. Also, custodial would be good for a lot of guest interaction. Custodial isn't as bad as it sounds. You should at least look into it. Like you said, I would not recommend Attractions of F&B. Just my opinion, though. Some may disagree... I never actually worked F&B or Custodial so I may be wrong.

 

[uttom300]

I worked PAC on my program. Yes you do have to get Main Entrance Operations and besides doing PAC you also will probably have to do some Park Greeter and Town Square Theater. PAC is great if you like guest interactions as you will be playing and talking with guests about an 1.5 hours before each parade. It is true that you can sign up for a PAC shift even if you don't work it normally, but be warned that you need to understand your position before leaving the meeting. PAC is a machine and one failure could cause the whole machine to fail. You also must be firm but polite, because you will be telling a lot of guests that they can not stand where they want to. If you can handle becoming the cast member that "ruins their whole vacation", then please apply for Main Entrance Ops or just sign up for PAC shifts. They are usually in need of a few more PAC people. PS: I loved every minute of it.

 

[uttom300]

One more quick note about PAC: they do not give out light wands to all of the positions like they used to. They lost about 100 lights because people would put them in their lockers to use on another night instead of returning them. As such, only a few important positions like escort and crosswalks get to use light wands. It is tougher, but if you have a good voice, then you don't need a light wand.

 

[HyperionDreamer]

Here's what I did to research roles... worked like a charm! There's so much information right on this sight and here's a really easy way to find it.

Just paste the boldened text into Google:

"college board" ____________ site:disboards.com

The blank should be whatever role you're looking up. Usually I just looked at the first 10 or so threads that popped up, and people's responses were usually all the answers I needed.

Hope this helps!