Working at Disney??!! Am I CRAZY??!!!

[Princess_Nikki]

~sigh~

Well, let me just say, it has NOT been a magical experience looking for a job at Walt Disney World.

Do you all think it is really worth it??? The job I really wanted was at a spa, but that is looking grim, and they do not have part time availability, only full time. I'm currently a SAHM with two very small little boys, and am not so sure I want to work full time. The goal was to get a part time job to help out DH with paying off some lingering debt. We are in Fort Walton Beach now, but thought Orlando might have some better opportunities.

I'm discovering Disney can be a real tough place to work out a job!! They seem to require some strange hours, and they seem to be very inconsistent.

Any suggestions or advice??

TIA!!
Nikki

 

[suzannews]

I thought all of the spas were managed by an outside company, used to be Nikki Bryant or something like that. Very few places at Disney can you tell them when you want to work and what hours. Usually its when you are needed for what ever hours you are needed.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

as I stated on another thread, I was told from someone within the company,( I am a CM) that there was a hiring freeze on. Now I am not sure how long it has been on or how long it will be. Just an Idea as to why?

oh, and it took me almost 20 years to get with the company, but I am now there and love every minute of it!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Yes, it is an outside company that runs the spas, so the employees are only considered partial Disney Cast Members. I admit I was a bit disappointed by that!

Well, I figure I will keep my hopes up and see what happens. Glad to hear you love working there!! That lifts my spirits!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm discovering Disney can be a real tough place to work out a job!! They seem to require some strange hours, and they seem to be very inconsistent.

There are times in the year, especially between Christmas and New Year's, when Parks may open as early as 7:00am for Morning EMH and may close as late as 3:00am for Evening EMH. Plus Special Events.

And in the Resorts there are certain positions which have to be staffed 24/7.

And there are some administrative and other jobs at all hours of the day or night.

And for a lot of positions the scheduling is done by a computer. For example, this week on Wednesday I am working 1:30pm to 7:30pm and on Thursday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

There are times in the year, especially between Christmas and New Year's, when Parks may open as early as 7:00am for Morning EMH and may close as late as 3:00am for Evening EMH. Plus Special Events.

And in the Resorts there are certain positions which have to be staffed 24/7.

And there are some administrative and other jobs at all hours of the day or night.

And for a lot of positions the scheduling is done by a computer. For example, this week on Wednesday I am working 1:30pm to 7:30pm and on Thursday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

Aha, I see!! I was hoping to find a part time job at Disney with more regular hours, but that's not too bad. I guess I should keep my hopes up and see what they even have available!

 

[tinkerfan1]

I would LOVE to work for Disney!! I guess they don't offer any work from home, though, as I don't live in Florida...or California...or any of the other places in which I have ever found postings!!! Good luck!

 

[Poohbear123]

A co-worker of mine said his Cousin, recently got a Job at Disney...she waited 5 years for it, and she is thrilled.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Tinkerfan1!

Poohbear123 do you know what kind of job the person got? That's so awesome for her!

 

[Feralpeg]

When I hired on at WDW, I had to give two days of 24 hour availability. They could have scheduled me for any eight hour time period during those two 24 hour periods. Now, they have changed it to three days of 24 hour availability. Sadly, a lot of people hire on and think they will get the hours they want. When Disney says they want 24 hour availability, they mean it. My sister trains new CMs and she is always hearing them complain because they don't want to work the shifts that they are assigned. Unfortunately, it is not up to the CM. You must work when Disney needs you. So, OP, unless you can work any shift during your three days of 24 hour availability, Disney may not be the place for you. Remember, the full time CMs with seniority get first pick of shifts. After their picks, part time CMs are assigned what is left.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I believe it is worth it. You may work some crazy hours, but I have never loved a job or a company more. I am counting the days until I move back to Florida. Have you thought about another line of work that might go with your skills since spas are run by an Operating Partner and not by the company itself. I don't know exactly what you do, but would you be able to do soemthing like the Bibbiddy Bobbidy Boutique?

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I believe it is worth it. You may work some crazy hours, but I have never loved a job or a company more. I am counting the days until I move back to Florida. Have you thought about another line of work that might go with your skills since spas are run by an Operating Partner and not by the company itself. I don't know exactly what you do, but would you be able to do soemthing like the Bibbiddy Bobbidy Boutique?

YES! That's what I applied for! The Bibbiddy Bobbidy Boutique! Haha! I would love that!

I'm a Florida licensed massage therapist and nail technician. So, if I took the job at Saratoga Springs I would just be a partial CM. BUTTTT....it's hard to beat the pay!! It pays very well, but I would have to work full time there. They do not have part time shifts at the spas.

Feralpeg, thank you for explaining that!
No one mentioned how the hours work or anything like that. And the only reason I would like to work only part time is because I have two very small children, a 3 year old and a 7 month old. I've been a SAHM for 3 years, but this lousy economy and a suffering restaurant my DH was involved in is bringing me to go back to work.

I supposed the hours wouldn't really matter, as long as I could work part-time at Disney.

Last time I look, I don't think the BBBoutique was listed as available, but I'll keep trying!!

 

[Disneyfan71]

Glad I found this thread. I applied for the culinary position and thought I removed it but when I went back to my profile it was there. My question is...is there any housing available? I live in North Carolina and can't really move per se but could work there and stay somewhere. I guess I have to really see if it's worth it or not. Also...if it says part time, is it strictly part time? Or can you work in different areas to get full time? Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Glad I found this thread. I applied for the culinary position and thought I removed it but when I went back to my profile it was there. My question is...is there any housing available? I live in North Carolina and can't really move per se but could work there and stay somewhere. I guess I have to really see if it's worth it or not. Also...if it says part time, is it strictly part time? Or can you work in different areas to get full time? Thanks a bunch!!!

The only housing I know about is that for the college program kids. Many CMs live in nearby apartments. A lot of them share an apartment.

For the most part, you can only hire in as part time. After awhile, if a full time position opens, you can apply for it. Keep in mind that the majority of positions at WDW are part time. If you work part time, you don't get benefits such as health care. You don't accrue sick time or vacation.

 

[Disneyfan71]

The only housing I know about is that for the college program kids. Many CMs live in nearby apartments. A lot of them share an apartment.

For the most part, you can only hire in as part time. After awhile, if a full time position opens, you can apply for it. Keep in mind that the majority of positions at WDW are part time. If you work part time, you don't get benefits such as health care. You don't accrue sick time or vacation.

Well as long as I have a place to stay I guess. With part time can you work more hours? Sorry for the questions---just wanted to be sure what I am getting myself into! At this point I need a job and can't find anything around here

 

[Disneyfan71]

Well the idea of working for Disney is out!!! I have to have a "Florida" address which I personally think is a bit biased. Here I am looking for a job and can't get one because of where I live. Oh well!! I'm none too happy about that.

 

[Lady V]

Couldn't you just get an apartment there? Or do you have to already have the apartment before you apply? I am sure there is a way to get hired from out of state. Maybe someone will have some advice. good luck!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

...

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Like any job, working for Disney is a JOB. I always say how cool it would be to work there, but my brother reminds me that it's like any other job and has it's pros and cons. He reminds me it's not like going on vacation everyday.

Good luck to you!

Thank you for our well wishes!!

And I would have to agree with your brother!! My DH and I were discussing it today, and I don't know how I would feel about being there WORKING all the time. We live in a very tropical, very touristy area of Florida, and a lot of people tell us it must be so nice to live in a beautiful area and be on vacation everyday. Yeah, ok!! Trust me, we still work too! LOL!

I think it would be awesome to get all of the Disney park pass perks and to be able to shop at the Disney Cast Member store, but maybe I could just find a good CM friend and buy the annual Florida resident pass.

Although, I wouldn't turn down the chance to be a Disney Princess!

 

[ChristmasElf]

~sigh~

Well, let me just say, it has NOT been a magical experience looking for a job at Walt Disney World.

Do you all think it is really worth it??? The job I really wanted was at a spa, but that is looking grim, and they do not have part time availability, only full time. I'm currently a SAHM with two very small little boys, and am not so sure I want to work full time. The goal was to get a part time job to help out DH with paying off some lingering debt. We are in Fort Walton Beach now, but thought Orlando might have some better opportunities.

I'm discovering Disney can be a real tough place to work out a job!! They seem to require some strange hours, and they seem to be very inconsistent.

Any suggestions or advice??

TIA!!
Nikki

If you were to take the full time cast member, you would most likely work 5 days a week with 2 days off. The two days off are usually back to back-like Monday, Tuesday and you would work Wed thru Sunday. It's very difficult to have your 2 days off over a weekend, which stinks if your DH works M-F.
There is daycare on property that some cm's use. I believe the cost is according to what you earn.