Working at disney...

[Aimster08]

The cost of living is cheaper here in florida than most other states too.

 

[mom2of2]

The cost of living is cheaper here in florida than most other states too.

Not compared to NJ. It also depends on where in FL you live. Living in the tourist area prices are high

 

[ChristineNic]

The cost of living is cheaper here in florida than most other states too.

IMO, that is a myth. Gas and food prices are on par with prices in the Mid-Atlantic states. Insurance rates are astronomical. Sales tax and real estate taxes are high (unless you owned your home prior to the real estate bubble and crash). If it wasn't for the weather, the beaches, and Disney. . .

 

[RalphinSC]

IMO, that is a myth. Gas and food prices are on par with prices in the Mid-Atlantic states. Insurance rates are astronomical. Sales tax and real estate taxes are high (unless you owned your home prior to the real estate bubble and crash). If it wasn't for the weather, the beaches, and Disney. . .

I see how you talked yourself into and back out of moving all within two sentences there! LOL!

 

[pl4bby]

The cost of living is cheaper here in florida than most other states too.

Not true depending where. I Live where living in NY would be cheaper but then I would have snow lol

 

[SamSam]

Here's a link to Disney jobs http://wdw.disneycareers.com/en/default/

All kinds of job opportunities!

 

[WDSearcher]

Everyone seems pretty happy. And the CM I talked to said they get awesome perks. My dad made a good point though... I've been down in January and November only.. I haven't been down in mid July or August.... Maybe I'd feel different then?

It's definitely a whole different place in the summer. Oppressive heat -- 90+ degrees with 80+% humidity. Many jobs are outside (foods, custodial, merchandise, lots of the entertainment jobs, etc) rain or shine. And it's not just July and August. Hot, humid temps can start as early as March and stick around through November. This year, we even had an unseasonably warm December -- I was still using my A/C in December.

It really depends on what it is you want to do. Driving a bus may sound like fun for a little while, but 40 hrs a week with impatient, excited, noisy, frustrated, hot, tired tourists may wear thin really fast. Then again ... it could be the start of a fabulous career. Only you know.

 

[jacksgirl]

Yikes. I would have thought CMs made more than that. That's really low. But maybe the perks are worth it. Wonder what kind of perks?

 

[mom2of2]

Full timers get good benefits. Perks are main gate passes for family/ guests, there is a limit though as well as black out dates. Discounts on merchandise, food, tickets, rooms and trips.

Some off site vendors offer discounts

 

[WDSearcher]

Yikes. I would have thought CMs made more than that. That's really low. But maybe the perks are worth it. Wonder what kind of perks?

As with any company, what someone makes depends on the job, the responsibilities, the qualifications, etc. Entry-level unskilled jobs at Disney pay pretty much what entry-level unskilled jobs pay everywhere else.

Perks include a good insurance plan (including pet insurance, if you opt in); free park admission for yourself, friends and family; merchandise and other discounts (movies, resorts, restaurants, etc -- lots of local businesses have Disney CM discounts); there's a matching grant program so that if you donate to a charity, Disney will match your donation dollar-for-dollar; there's an extensive volunteer program that also provides grants to CM-chosen charities based on number of volunteer hours; lots of different clubs and groups to join; an education center where you can learn computers, second languages, train for other roles, etc. There are quite a lot of good perks from a personal as well as business standpoint.

The most important thing to remember, though, is that a job at Disney is a job first, and Disney second. A lot of people go to Disney expecting to be out in the parks all day, with pixie dust and smiles every moment. That will happen sometimes, but not all the time, so you have to be okay with seeing the "backside of Disney". It's not for everyone.

 

[sharadoc]

We met a great couple at Biergarten for lunch who were part-time food service cast members. They were retired and came to Florida in the fall through spring (snowbirds, basically). They rented a small home and worked at Disney. They got free admission to theme parks and basically worked about 20 hours a week each, then spent the rest of their time relaxing and visiting the parks for a few hours. They told us food service is very easy to get into - they worked at WWoS, so they didn't have to work a very full schedule. During Pop Warner, they were very busy for instance, then nothing for weeks.

They said you can set up your own schedule online, so it was very easy.

Sounded like a wonderful way to spend a retirement.

 

[DisneyGirl421]

As a CM myself, I can totally relate to everyone saying that you don't work for Disney for the money. You work there because you love what you do.
And for now, this is what I love. I know I can't survive forever on $9/hr, but even after almost 3 years with Disney, I still love coming to work everyday. And that's all that matters.

 

[boreas154]

I have a degree in Env. Science, and have been watching the careers site for quite a while now hoping to find something with Disney in my field. Even with the push on green initiatives and, the nature series, etc... still haven't seen anything really open up. Kinda disappointed.

 

[WDSearcher]

I have a degree in Env. Science, and have been watching the careers site for quite a while now hoping to find something with Disney in my field. Even with the push on green initiatives and, the nature series, etc... still haven't seen anything really open up. Kinda disappointed.

Keep in mind that Disney loves to promote from within, and there are a lot of people in the company already who are going to move into the types of jobs you're probably looking for. A lot of THOSE people started in hourly roles in other departments, waiting for the right job to come along.

 

[Timmy Boy]

<<They're making less than $9 but you can work as many hours as you wish>>
Not true: Disney doesnt like to pay OT if at all possible, so anything over 40 hrs is normally not approved. Except maybe at the busy times, easter Break, Christmas Break, depending on operational need. But normally, no OT is approved.

OT is actually very approved. As a CM myself, I could sign up for OT for my schedule, and for the next 2 weeks I would get 55+ hours a week. Also, if I'm at 40 hours and I need to extend to cover an area, I would, there's over 40 again there. This was last week, not the busy time.

 

[KingofSwing3000]

I've worked for Disney. The wages are hard to live on. Typically you'll make about $8.50hr before taxes. That's it. As a mattress salesman once told me, "If we get someone in here to buy a mattress, and they sign up for our credit and get declined -- it's because they work at Disney."

Best bet -- work at ANYWHERE around Disney in hospitality, get free Passes each year not only to Disney but everything in town, and make the same or more but with 1/2 the stress. Find a gig at Orange Lake, Wyndham, or one of the reputable timeshares. They treat their employees well and have gigs that can pay a lot more.

 

[disneybass]

As a CM myself, I can totally relate to everyone saying that you don't work for Disney for the money. You work there because you love what you do.
And for now, this is what I love. I know I can't survive forever on $9/hr, but even after almost 3 years with Disney, I still love coming to work everyday. And that's all that matters.

Very well said! Have fun!

 

[WDSearcher]

I've worked for Disney. The wages are hard to live on. Typically you'll make about $8.50hr before taxes. That's it. As a mattress salesman once told me, "If we get someone in here to buy a mattress, and they sign up for our credit and get declined -- it's because they work at Disney."

Best bet -- work at ANYWHERE around Disney in hospitality, get free Passes each year not only to Disney but everything in town, and make the same or more but with 1/2 the stress. Find a gig at Orange Lake, Wyndham, or one of the reputable timeshares. They treat their employees well and have gigs that can pay a lot more.

That's one way to do it, but be sure to check what kind of benefits that higher pay gives you. A lot of the hospitality jobs in the area have better base pay but worse benefits. If the level or scope of insurance, pension, 401(k), etc. isn't as important to you, then it can be a great way to earn more. But remember that the time shares don't pay people more because they're being nice. They're saving money somewhere, and it's usually on the benefit packages.