Disney Panda
World Showcase Luvah!
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Thanks to the cast members for the interesting tidbits on working for Disney.
working for Disney
- Thread starter LoveAnn
- Start date
WDSearcher
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I suppose "their worst nightmare" was probably a bit over-dramatic, but I've had so many instances where someone has come in for an internship or a PA job, and they say, "I'm not sure what I want, but I have all this talent and I really want to work in this department." So, I sit with them and start giving examples of things I need them to be able to do. Can they handle themselves in an executive retreat? Can they speak in front of groups? Can they work independently? Can they do Internet research? Can they do PowerPoint? Do they enjoy brainstorming meetings, or do they feel intimidated by them? Can they write? We go through all of this and it takes maybe an hour or more, and in the end, I'm no further into knowing what this person wants because THEY don't know what they want. And then I have to turn them down, because I need someone who has a focus and a direction, and I need that direction to be in the same general vicinity as my department!
Now, give me another person -- same age, same basic talents and resume. They walk in and say, "Well ... I have a lot of talents, but what I'm hoping for is a job where I can work as part of a creative team developing presentations, although I'd really rather work behind the scenes as opposed to getting out and actually presenting the info." THAT's someone I know where to place.
So many people walk into WDW and say they'll do anything to work here, and then they get put where Disney most needs people. And that's generally NOT where the person in question wanted to be when they walked in. So, they get disillusioned and they get discouraged and they don't like their job and then they end up blaming it on Disney because Disney "stuck" them with this loser job.
I have no doubt that there is a perfect place for you at WDW -- in some creative, administrative or organizational area. But you're right -- you're leaving total autonomy as a self-employed guy and moving into the land of "let me tell you how they do it in California." So you have to be okay with that, and realize that regardless of how much experience you have everywhere else, you don't have any at Disney. (Being a frequent guest gets you points, since you know the product. Although being TOO frequent a guest -- read, "fanatic" -- can be a downside.) Thankfully, you "get" the trust thing. A lot of people don't, and then that causes a whole other set of problems.
Now, give me another person -- same age, same basic talents and resume. They walk in and say, "Well ... I have a lot of talents, but what I'm hoping for is a job where I can work as part of a creative team developing presentations, although I'd really rather work behind the scenes as opposed to getting out and actually presenting the info." THAT's someone I know where to place.
So many people walk into WDW and say they'll do anything to work here, and then they get put where Disney most needs people. And that's generally NOT where the person in question wanted to be when they walked in. So, they get disillusioned and they get discouraged and they don't like their job and then they end up blaming it on Disney because Disney "stuck" them with this loser job.
I have no doubt that there is a perfect place for you at WDW -- in some creative, administrative or organizational area. But you're right -- you're leaving total autonomy as a self-employed guy and moving into the land of "let me tell you how they do it in California." So you have to be okay with that, and realize that regardless of how much experience you have everywhere else, you don't have any at Disney. (Being a frequent guest gets you points, since you know the product. Although being TOO frequent a guest -- read, "fanatic" -- can be a downside.) Thankfully, you "get" the trust thing. A lot of people don't, and then that causes a whole other set of problems.
PamNC
DIS Veteran
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For a brief while, I worked at WDW Advertising. The way I got in was I knew someone there and they recommended me. So, my resume by-passed casting and the normal process. I loved working there and I left not because I didn't like the job, quite the contrary, it just wasn't the right time for my and my husband to move for a number of reasons. Sometimes I really miss it, but our life here in NC is wonderful.
Getting past the normal red tape is the key.
PamNC
Getting past the normal red tape is the key.
PamNC
WDSearcher
DIS Legend
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skfulkers -- Imagineering is an odd duck. Once upon a time, they did indeed hire "Imagineers." You were part of the overall Imagineering team and you worked on Project A and then went off and worked on Project B. Now, I think, the company is much more likely to hire in a team on contract for a specific project and then when the project is up, they maybe keep one or two of them and everyone else goes away. I attribute this to the fact that technology changes so quickly that someone who was the "combustion expert" on Project A may not have the combustion knowledge they need for upcoming Project B.
From an Engineering standpoint -- flat out engineering -- you'd get a job at Disney the way you get a job anywhere else. You apply. If you send a resume in cold -- one that does not match a specific posted job -- you stand as much of a chance of getting a job at WDW as you do anywhere else where you send in an unsolicited resume. But if you see an engineering job posted on the careers website, or you hear about an opening from someone, then you have as much of a chance of being considered as everyone else sending in resumes for that job. There's really no magic to it all. Disney does like to promote from within, but there are times -- particularly with new technologies -- where they simply have to hire from the outside. And, sometimes, they'll do that just to keep the rest of the team fresh. So, keep an eye on the job listings and apply for things that interest you.
From an Imagineering standpoint -- that requires a little more research. Look at the things Disney is exploring and working on and see if you have talents specific to that. New animation technologies are hot now -- if you excel in that area, that's probably something someone will look at. If you're a specialist in some fairly obscure field, that can be helpful too. Or, maybe you just have a great track record as a project manager, and you have partners, clients and bosses who are willing to back you up on that claim. If so, then you can go the unsolicited route and have a chance. But realize that you may not hear anything back for years, only to get a phone call one day that starts with, "Hi -- I'm calling from Walt Disney Imagineering. We're doing this new project, and I've come across your resume ... " Imagineering will hang onto resumes and remember specific skill sets when they need them.
Does that help at all?
From an Engineering standpoint -- flat out engineering -- you'd get a job at Disney the way you get a job anywhere else. You apply. If you send a resume in cold -- one that does not match a specific posted job -- you stand as much of a chance of getting a job at WDW as you do anywhere else where you send in an unsolicited resume. But if you see an engineering job posted on the careers website, or you hear about an opening from someone, then you have as much of a chance of being considered as everyone else sending in resumes for that job. There's really no magic to it all. Disney does like to promote from within, but there are times -- particularly with new technologies -- where they simply have to hire from the outside. And, sometimes, they'll do that just to keep the rest of the team fresh. So, keep an eye on the job listings and apply for things that interest you.
From an Imagineering standpoint -- that requires a little more research. Look at the things Disney is exploring and working on and see if you have talents specific to that. New animation technologies are hot now -- if you excel in that area, that's probably something someone will look at. If you're a specialist in some fairly obscure field, that can be helpful too. Or, maybe you just have a great track record as a project manager, and you have partners, clients and bosses who are willing to back you up on that claim. If so, then you can go the unsolicited route and have a chance. But realize that you may not hear anything back for years, only to get a phone call one day that starts with, "Hi -- I'm calling from Walt Disney Imagineering. We're doing this new project, and I've come across your resume ... " Imagineering will hang onto resumes and remember specific skill sets when they need them.
Does that help at all?
For PneumaticTransit & WDSearcher:
I can't thank either of you enough for your insight and time to share and suggest. In reviewing your respective inputs, a couple of things have come to light. One item I had hoped to avoid reared its ugly head. One thing I didn't want to happen was to be perceived as smug, riding up on my white horse to save Disney from ruin, quite the opposite. I had hoped to lay my skills at their door, then pray they felt I suited their needs adequately. The other was that I wasn't willing to pay my dues, and jump right into an executive office. Although neither of you suggested outright that I had those feelings, the warning was there. Fortunately, very fortunately, the exact opposites of those concepts have been in my thinking since my initial approach to Disney. As an employer myself, I take insult at the idea that someone can walk through my door and insinuate they can do what I've been doing in a heartbeat, maybe even suggest they can do it better. I wouldn't expect Disney to feel any differently. Also, I've started fresh ... meaning literally from scratch ... more than once. The difference with pursuing a course with Disney, unlike being on my own, is that I wouldn't be on my own. As long as I was perpetuating the very necessary exchange of providing my employer with what they needed and they providing me with a living, it would be incumbent on me to understand and work with the system I'd agreed to become a part of. Although there's little difference in Disney's approach to corporate structure, staffing and the accomplishment of its goals than that of other companies, its standards and expectations are what attracts me. That, and the fact that the end result of anything I did would be intended to "entertain" at its quintessential, child-like core ... in other words, make people happy. That would make ME happy. So, knowing my "skill set" and having acquired a sense of which wheels are turning in the Disney machine, I'll have to examine and research to balance what I know with what they need and choose my cog. If either of you have access to the data base and want a lunchtime chuckle or a morning coffee giggle, do a keyword search for "Optimus Pram" for one read, or "Amgraf Corporation" for the Reader's Digest version. And for WD Searcher: We'll have to chat more about that "total autonomy" thing sometime. It's a rather subjective phrase. Also, and this is a quote - "Yes, I could handle myself well at an executive retreat, Yes, I can speak in front of groups, Yes, I can work independently, Yes, I can do internet (and telephone) research, I love brainstorming meetings, and I've been writing on several levels for many years. Oh, and I'd have a course in PowerPoint under my belt (or simply buy it) before I walked into an interview." Thanks again for your time. Hope to chat again soon.
Don
I can't thank either of you enough for your insight and time to share and suggest. In reviewing your respective inputs, a couple of things have come to light. One item I had hoped to avoid reared its ugly head. One thing I didn't want to happen was to be perceived as smug, riding up on my white horse to save Disney from ruin, quite the opposite. I had hoped to lay my skills at their door, then pray they felt I suited their needs adequately. The other was that I wasn't willing to pay my dues, and jump right into an executive office. Although neither of you suggested outright that I had those feelings, the warning was there. Fortunately, very fortunately, the exact opposites of those concepts have been in my thinking since my initial approach to Disney. As an employer myself, I take insult at the idea that someone can walk through my door and insinuate they can do what I've been doing in a heartbeat, maybe even suggest they can do it better. I wouldn't expect Disney to feel any differently. Also, I've started fresh ... meaning literally from scratch ... more than once. The difference with pursuing a course with Disney, unlike being on my own, is that I wouldn't be on my own. As long as I was perpetuating the very necessary exchange of providing my employer with what they needed and they providing me with a living, it would be incumbent on me to understand and work with the system I'd agreed to become a part of. Although there's little difference in Disney's approach to corporate structure, staffing and the accomplishment of its goals than that of other companies, its standards and expectations are what attracts me. That, and the fact that the end result of anything I did would be intended to "entertain" at its quintessential, child-like core ... in other words, make people happy. That would make ME happy. So, knowing my "skill set" and having acquired a sense of which wheels are turning in the Disney machine, I'll have to examine and research to balance what I know with what they need and choose my cog. If either of you have access to the data base and want a lunchtime chuckle or a morning coffee giggle, do a keyword search for "Optimus Pram" for one read, or "Amgraf Corporation" for the Reader's Digest version. And for WD Searcher: We'll have to chat more about that "total autonomy" thing sometime. It's a rather subjective phrase. Also, and this is a quote - "Yes, I could handle myself well at an executive retreat, Yes, I can speak in front of groups, Yes, I can work independently, Yes, I can do internet (and telephone) research, I love brainstorming meetings, and I've been writing on several levels for many years. Oh, and I'd have a course in PowerPoint under my belt (or simply buy it) before I walked into an interview." Thanks again for your time. Hope to chat again soon.
Don
PneumaticTransit
Are you the Key Master?
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I didn't mean to downplay your knowledge or experience in anyway, and I didn't mean to insinuate that you were asking for more than you can get without "paying your dues". Since this is a public board and a lot of people seem to be reading this thread I just wanted to stress that Casting is different for every department and level. In most cases, managers don't get to be managers unless they've been hourly Cast Members. And supervisors don't get to be supervisors unless they've been managers first. If I mention I'm a Disney CM when I'm outside the state of Florida, I always get asked how to get a job. Most people want great jobs to start with. Same thing with college program interns. A lot of them don't see WHY they are selling popcorn at Fantasmic and they are wasting their time. Later on in life, they will realize the skills they learned doing the 'little' jobs will help them greatly when they finally reach the level they want to be at.
You originally asked about Imagineering (as have others on this thread) which I don't know much about since they seem to be part of an elite group at Disney. I had the chance to talk to an animator back when I was in art school. He was brutally honest with me, the best way to get into animation was to have an existing animator take you under their wing. Job postings are very broad on what they are looking for, you need to know someone on the inside to see what they are REALLY looking for. Imagineering is always working on the future Disney, so who knows what kind of stuff they are doing right now? An Imagineer once told me the best way to know the future is to invent it.
I would recommend taking advantage of the 'Dine with an Imagineer' program they have at MGM (Call 407-W-DINE). It's about $60 for lunch and $100 for dinner. It's at least an opportunity to get a glimpse on what they do, and how they got to where they are.
You originally asked about Imagineering (as have others on this thread) which I don't know much about since they seem to be part of an elite group at Disney. I had the chance to talk to an animator back when I was in art school. He was brutally honest with me, the best way to get into animation was to have an existing animator take you under their wing. Job postings are very broad on what they are looking for, you need to know someone on the inside to see what they are REALLY looking for. Imagineering is always working on the future Disney, so who knows what kind of stuff they are doing right now? An Imagineer once told me the best way to know the future is to invent it.
I would recommend taking advantage of the 'Dine with an Imagineer' program they have at MGM (Call 407-W-DINE). It's about $60 for lunch and $100 for dinner. It's at least an opportunity to get a glimpse on what they do, and how they got to where they are.
WDSearcher
DIS Legend
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For those of us who have never been self-employed (by choice, anyway ... there were a few years there where I used "free lance" because it sounded better than "unemployed"), working for yourself implies autonomy and we who have never had it have dreams of standing at the top of the pyramid, touching the clouds, and saying, "Yes, move forward!" in huge God-like voices while really great motivational music plays in the background.
(When, in reality, it takes a committee to make a decision on what color the event tablecloths are going to be, after which seventeen pieces of paperwork need to be done in order to solidify it. And there's generally no music, which is disappointing.)I think that the Disney organization of old (that is, the Disney organization in Walt's day, before multi-media conglomerates and such) would have loved for you to "lay my skills at their door, then pray they felt I suited their needs adequately." But now the Company is just too big, too spread out, and has too many things going on simultaneously to have that luxury. However, it's still tops on my list of best places to work, so if you do end up pursuing further, you'll have made a really good choice.
WDSearcher: It appears "chat again soon" is gonna be sooner rather than later *smile* Even though I have things I need to get done here, I've stolen a little time out of my day to start a list of jobs I'd be happy doing. I've tried to anticipate what Disney may need based on my exposure to the Disney Careers site (I cite specific postings). I've considered not just what I'd be willing to do, but what I'd enjoy doing. If you care to, I'd be happy to complete this list and provide it to you by whatever method you require. Thanks again. Don
WDSearcher
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Hey Don ... I'd love to see your musings and lists, so feel free to IM me with them. I'll have limited access to the Internet and the DISboards for the next couple of weeks, so if you don't have an instant response, please be patient!
BohemianToo
Earning My Ears
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WDSearcher --
You have a new IM from LoveAnn's boyfriend
You have a new IM from LoveAnn's boyfriend
Carrieberry
<font color=9999CC>Has to post on the right thread
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So I have a question. My DH and I would love to both work for Disney. We would both happily start on the ground floor with him looking for full time. He is the exact example listed by WDSearcher-powerpoint, loves speaking in public, loves brainstorming meetings,etc. I am looking for something part time that will lead to full time as our kid's get older.All of my experience is in retail and customer service. I love working with people and feel I would be best suited for either a front desk or hotel position or retail where there is a lot of customer interaction. We live in Arizona but I grew up in Orange County CA and at DL. We would love to move to FL, but where do we have a better chance of getting jobs with Disney? There are more jobs listed on the site in CA than in FL, but since it is so expensive to live in CA we were hoping to head to the east coast. Like I said, we have no problem paying dues and would happily start anywhere! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
PneumaticTransit
Are you the Key Master?
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I worked front desk for 2 years. As long as you're not picky about which hotel you work at, it's fairly easy to get a job. It depends if that's what they are hiring for at the moment. You sound qualified enough, although, honestly - they are not really picky if they are short of people. After you move, you can schedule an interview with Casting. They will probably try to place in a value resort since they tend to have the highest turn-around and aren't highly sought after positions. You have the option of taking the first available thing, or you can put your name on a waiting list if you really really really want to work at a specific hotel. When openings become available for that hotel, they go down the list - current cast members seeking transfers get chosen first based on seniority, they it goes down the line to new hires. Your wait time will vary depending how many people are on the list and how many people they are looking to hire of course. Could be 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years... you get my point. You can always take the first available thing and transfer later on. And after awhile, you will be eligible to interview for a management position. Front Desks usually interviews a bunch of people, chooses the ones that would be good managers, puts there names in a pool, and then draws from that pool when they need another manager for whatever resort. I have never worked in merchandise, but it pretty much works the same way.
Entry levels jobs such as front desk or merchandise are not posted on web-sites because they are hiring for them almost all of the time. Call (407)828-1000 and it will tell you what they are hiring for at the moment. It changes day to day.
Carrieberry
<font color=9999CC>Has to post on the right thread
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Wow thanks Stacy! That was great info! Now we just have to move to FL!! Can you recommend a nice area to move to? Or where to avoid? We met a coupe last time we were at WDW from Bradenton I think it was? They loved it. Is that far?
PneumaticTransit
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Depends on if you want to live in a house, apartment, condo... how far you are willing to drive to work.
I personally have a house between Kissimmee & Poinciana. I do not like it very much. I live 14 miles away from work but it still takes me about 40-50 minutes. It is a very crowded area, and has a lot of poverty areas. Personally, I have noticed a little bit of racism towards my husband and I. We are white, but it is dominatly Puerto Rican around the area. (Please don't flame me, just my opinion).
I would recommend Davenport, Clermont, or Lake Wales. They are nice areas, but further away. It really depends on what your priorities are.
I personally have a house between Kissimmee & Poinciana. I do not like it very much. I live 14 miles away from work but it still takes me about 40-50 minutes. It is a very crowded area, and has a lot of poverty areas. Personally, I have noticed a little bit of racism towards my husband and I. We are white, but it is dominatly Puerto Rican around the area. (Please don't flame me, just my opinion).
I would recommend Davenport, Clermont, or Lake Wales. They are nice areas, but further away. It really depends on what your priorities are.
PneumaticTransit
Are you the Key Master?
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Depends on if you want to live in a house, apartment, condo... how far you are willing to drive to work.
I personally have a house between Kissimmee & Poinciana. I do not like it very much. I live 14 miles away from work but it still takes me about 40-50 minutes. It is a very crowded area, and has a lot of poverty areas. Personally, I have noticed a little bit of racism towards my husband and I. We are white, but it is dominatly Puerto Rican around the area. (Please don't flame me, just my opinion).
I would recommend Davenport, Clermont, or Lake Wales. They are nice areas, but further away. It really depends on what your priorities are.
I personally have a house between Kissimmee & Poinciana. I do not like it very much. I live 14 miles away from work but it still takes me about 40-50 minutes. It is a very crowded area, and has a lot of poverty areas. Personally, I have noticed a little bit of racism towards my husband and I. We are white, but it is dominatly Puerto Rican around the area. (Please don't flame me, just my opinion).
I would recommend Davenport, Clermont, or Lake Wales. They are nice areas, but further away. It really depends on what your priorities are.
Carrieberry
<font color=9999CC>Has to post on the right thread
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Well my husband drives over an hour to work now and it takes him 1.5 hours to get home. We would be willing to drive to be in a nicer area. We would want a house. Are there nicer areas the further out you go? Thanks!
Not that I'm an expert on central Florida property or the daily commute there, but
I just bought a house in Deltona. There seems to be a lot of affordable housing there with a lot of good neighborhoods.
The upside, Decent housing affordable (Mine was 2 BR 1Ba for 74,000)
The downside, The I4 commute is not good, but if DH is used to a lot of traffic then he can handle it. It's about an hour to Disney if the traffic is good, probably 1 1/2 to 2 hours if bad. You do have the option of 417 there, takes 45 min to an hour but is a toll road, runs about $5.00 each way, but if you by a ezpass you do get a toll discount.
I just bought a house in Deltona. There seems to be a lot of affordable housing there with a lot of good neighborhoods.
The upside, Decent housing affordable (Mine was 2 BR 1Ba for 74,000)
The downside, The I4 commute is not good, but if DH is used to a lot of traffic then he can handle it. It's about an hour to Disney if the traffic is good, probably 1 1/2 to 2 hours if bad. You do have the option of 417 there, takes 45 min to an hour but is a toll road, runs about $5.00 each way, but if you by a ezpass you do get a toll discount.
Carrieberry
<font color=9999CC>Has to post on the right thread
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Or AZ! We bought a 2000 sqft house (4 bedroom, 3 bath plus a loft for the kids) here outside of Phoenix in a brand new master planned community with a gorgeous waterfall entrance (with a bridge we drive over), an elementary school and a golf course for $119,900 2 years ago. It has already gone up to a base price of $169,900(still cheap!)just because they started phase 2 of the community! In CA my friends bought a 900 sf condo (on the bottom floor no less) That was 2 bedroom 1 bath and 20 years old for 270,000 because it was all they could get under $300,000! That is why we moved here!
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