Working for Disney- input?

[JacksLilWench]

I have what might be a very tacky question, so if this thread gets locked, I completely understand! I was in my Disney Store this afternoon, and I was asking the manager about applying when it's time for holiday training to start. I will start back to school in the fall, and my hours at my current job may be cut back pretty far (I work in an operating room now, and they aren't open on weekends, and there are days that will conflict with my school schedule). I swore I would never work retail again after I got out, but I would make an exception for Disney if the benefits are good enough. But I'm not 100% sure what exactly the benefits are! Is there anyone that can fill me in? Any info would be very much appreciated!! And I really hope this isn't to tacky! TIA!!

 

[SaraMc]

I worked for the Disney Store for 7 years. It was a lot of fun, but there are a few things that you should know.
Call in shifts: Disney will schedule you these shifts and you need to call 2 hours before to see if they actually need you to work that night. Often CM's would have more call in shifts than real shifts and none of them would actually happen.
You really have to like working with kids and around kids. You will see lots of kids tears, tantrums and freak outs because they can't get what they want or its time to leave. We were once told the best applause is a child crying that they have to leave the store. It takes a bit to get used to.

Its not just talking about disney all the time. It can be busy and hectic and people like any other retailer are messy and don't read signs.

The pay is not stellar, but its not commission. But you do get 20% off in the store and discounts in WDW too.

Ive been in retail for 20 years now, what I learned from Disney I use every day. I still point with two fingers. It was a great place to work, the people were friendly ( at the three stores I worked in) but for me I had to leave to grow in my field and now I run a store 8 times the size of a TDS

 

[JacksLilWench]

Thank SaraMc! I appreciate the info. I used to work for American Eagle before I said "no more retail!", and so I do know it's not always easy. We had call-in shifts there too, and they started up really heavy right before I left, but we only had one hour before were we had to call- a two hour window sounds much better to me! I wouldn't necessarily be doing it for the money, but I wasn't making much before anyway. And I would kinda just be doing it for the benefits more than the actual money anyway- a self-serving addiction!

Thank you for your help!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I'm sorry that I don't have anything to add - just a question. What is this call-in shift thing? Do they schedule a few definites and then a list of backups just in case one of the definites doesn't show? Or do they take a look at the store 1 or 2 hours in advance and judge if they need more help based upon that?

I'm intrigued as I work in a winery on weekends and sometimes wish we had a similar policy (mornings are awfully slow in off seasons but we ramp up as the day goes on). Just curious. Thanks!

 

[GAN]

I'm intrigued as I work in a winery on weekends and sometimes wish we had a similar policy (mornings are awfully slow in off seasons but we ramp up as the day goes on). Just curious. Thanks!

Sorry to hijack the thread -but if you don't mind me asking, what region do you work in? I drink a good amount of wine and have been to quite a few regions. The closer I get to retirement, the closer I get to working at a winery .. Pretty sure that's how I'll be spending my spare time.

 

[SaraMc]

I think the call-ins were to cover sick calls if they happened or if business picked up and they needed extra people they were all good.