The Disney Job/Career Thread

[blackcauldron85]

I used the search button and read some information on various older threads, but the information wasn't really relevant to what I was looking for.

I'm graduating in May, and I figure that I'll try and get a job with Disney. Since I live near WDW, that's where I'll more than likely start.

I worked as a Tomorrowland Merchandise Hostess back in 2004, but I left (like I've left a few other jobs) because I have stomach problems, and nothing is worse than having 5 more hours to go when your tummy hurts. I always feel bad about having to go home sick sometimes, so I have quit jobs in the past because of this. I have had my tummy checked out before, but the doctor really never got back to me. I probably should ask my current doctor, but that's another story.

So, my major is Organizatonal/Interpersonal Communications, and my minor is Cinema Studies. I'll have had retail, volunteering experience, and internship experience when I graduate. If I do work for Disney, my goal will be to get as high a position as possible. The theme parks don't interest me as much as the movies do, so BVHE or the studios or something would probably be more interesting to me than the theme parks, but since I live near WDW, I should start there, I figure.

Here are a few questions I have, and I'm sure I'll have more as time goes on. Any help helps!

1. I went to Casting twice (once when I got hired, and once when I thought I wanted to go back to work there, but I didn't end up going to the rehearsal...). Those 2 times, I got the same Recruiter- is that just a coincedence, or do they choose which Recruiter you see based on your last name or something? She's not mean or anything, but I'd probably feel more confident if I saw another Recruiter the next time (that is, if I need to go to Casting at all next time). (Even if it is based on last name, my last name has since changed, so that may not be an issue...)

2. When I did work at WDW, there was a woman there, performing the same role I was, who had been there for 11 years or something. Could she have moved up in the company if she had wanted to (hypothetically speaking, of course, since we don't know her)? I will want to move up in the company if and when I work there. How easy/difficult is it to move up in the company, especially if you never were in the College Program? (If I hadn't moved to FL, I may have joined the College Program, but since I live here, I don't see the point, except to get a Professional Internship, but, when I graduate, I'll probably want a "real" job and not an internship)

3. Yesterday I thought that maybe I'd enjoy being a tour guide at WDW. I don't know much about the role, though. Do you get that role at Casting or at DisneyCareers.com? What does that entail? Do you make the same amount as Attractions or Merchandise Hosts?

4. Is it frowned upon to apply for more than one job on DisneyCareers.com or at Casting? I know that for some roles at Casting you can choose up to 3... Especially for the jobs on DisneyCareers.com (since those are more professional jobs), would they rather see that you're passionate about one job in particular than see that you've applied for 2 or 3?

That's it for now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions. Any advice is helpful...I really don't know exactly what I want to do with my life (at all), so I need all the help I can get!

[UncleEd]

Anyone know what the starting wage is at Disney World as a cast member? My parents have thought about retiring there.


Blackcauldron - I know what you're going through to a degree. In high school I'd have these chest pains where I couldn't breathe but the doctor couldn't figure out what those were. I have stomach cramps sometimes at work but not daily. You could have anything from an ulcer to a bacteria living in your stomach. I've known people with both conditions. You should research stomach conditions and go in armed with that informaton and see if you can get your condition cured.

[blackcauldron85]

I think that it partly depends on what role you get. I was a Merchandise Hostess, but I had prior years' worth of cashiering experience, so I started at 50 cents (or something like that) higher than the average new Merchandise Host or Hostess. Attractions, Merchandise, Counter Service restaurants, custodial, etc., roles, start pretty low, either minimum wage or not much more. But, as I said, if you have experience in that field, you can make a little more to start with.

As for any other types of roles at WDW, I have no idea, but I know that managers are salaried and work a lot of "overtime" without any "overtime" pay.

And, thanls for the advice, UncleEd- I do need to do some research (I've had the problem for over 7 years, though...a few years ago, I went to a doctor who put a camera in there, and I was unconscious, but he told Bobby something about my intestine...Bobby doesn't know what, and the doctor never got back to me...I mean, I should have called, but what a way to treat someone...find something and not tell them... )

[blackcauldron85]

Anyone know what the starting wage is at Disney World as a cast member? My parents have thought about retiring there.

I just found this website- it's for Disneyland, but it shouldn't be too different at WDW:

http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/disn ... urly2.html

And, I just called Casting- I asked how to become a tour guide, and the cast member said "Like a VIP tour guide?" and I said "Yes"- she said that you must first get your foot in the door with the company, and then something about Guest Relations, and you must have the backing of your manager...So I won't be starting as that...!

I've been looking on DisneyCareers.com throughout the day, and I found 6 roles that I probably could do and 3 that I don't know if I'm fully qualified for, but maybe. There doesn't seem to be an option on the site to inquire about a job, so I could just apply to them. Should I submit my resume for all 6 (or even all 9) jobs? Or will that make them think that I'm too desperate and don't care what I get? Chances are that they'll need someone for these roles before May (but, you never know)...

[Jeffel]

I'd love to be one of the guys who dresses up as a character and walks around signing autographs and stuff. Fanatastic job.

[Escapay]

I'm graduating in May

Congratulations!

1. I went to Casting twice (once when I got hired, and once when I thought I wanted to go back to work there, but I didn't end up going to the rehearsal...). Those 2 times, I got the same Recruiter- is that just a coincedence, or do they choose which Recruiter you see based on your last name or something? She's not mean or anything, but I'd probably feel more confident if I saw another Recruiter the next time (that is, if I need to go to Casting at all next time). (Even if it is based on last name, my last name has since changed, so that may not be an issue...)

They still have your records from when you worked in 2004 (even if you changed your last name), so they likely assigned you to the same recruiter when you need to ask questions.

2. When I did work at WDW, there was a woman there, performing the same role I was, who had been there for 11 years or something. Could she have moved up in the company if she had wanted to (hypothetically speaking, of course, since we don't know her)?

Yes. I know a stocker in ODF who's been nothing but a stocker for 21 years because it's her part-time job and she has no interest in moving up. Also, many retired people who work the parks choose to stay in the same position for as long as they stay in the job.

How easy/difficult is it to move up in the company,

Fairly easy if you have a spotless (or near spotless) record. Usually they post notices saying that certain positions (like Coordinators) are available, and any castmember interested should apply if they fit the requirements (usually 6-12 months of work without missing a day/calling in sick, a recommendation by their manager, etc.). Also, it's usually easy to move up within your specific department, as opposed to moving up between departments.

especially if you never were in the College Program?

The program is a good foot in the door, but not the only one. There's also the CareerStart Program, and Professional Internships. And the internship is pretty much a "real" job, especially if you do good enough that they decide to hire you on full-time afterwards in the same capacity but with the full-time pay.

3. Yesterday I thought that maybe I'd enjoy being a tour guide at WDW. I don't know much about the role, though. Do you get that role at Casting or at DisneyCareers.com? What does that entail? Do you make the same amount as Attractions or Merchandise Hosts?

Tour Guides are part of Guest Relations, so you'd start in the very basic Guest Relations role (park greeting, I think), and over time if you build up a good rapport with your managers and get a glowing recommendation, you can eventually move up to other things, and apply for a role as Tour Guide. My managers once recommended me to apply as a Tour Guide (without starting at the bottom of the GR level), and were willing to give me a recommendation, but I was content at ODF (stupid Al!) and chose not to apply.

Scaps

[Jack Skellington]

Amy your perfect for Ariel, take my advice and try an audition for her at WDW.

[blackcauldron85]

When Bobby came home yesterday, he was curious as to what roles I looked at on the website. One of the roles wasn't even there at night...it must've been filled! I just don't know how long some of these jobs have been up for...

Thanks for all the advice, Scaps! So I'd have to see the same recruiter again, forever? What if you get a job on DisneyCareers.com- do you still have to go to Casting? It's not that I don't like her, per se, but I'd rather have someone else! I'm sure that all the Casting Recruiters ask "Tell us about a time when you helped a customer/Guest", but I make up things- I've never really had any extraordinary experiences with a customer or a Guest...

I already don't have a spotless record with the company (darn tummy!), so would I ever have any chance of moving up? Or even of being hired for a decent job? I'd probably have to have an even more extended time of having a spotless record...

So, Scaps, would you recommend I try getting a Professional Internship first, and then see where that goes? Probably about a year ago, I called Disney and asked them if someone can join the College Program after they graduate, and the cast member said yes, you can the semester after you graduate. I asked because I thought that doing that, and then doing a Professional Internship, might be the way to get a good job with the company...but I'd really rather not cashier again, especially not after graduation (and I know that that's the role I'd more than likely get, since I was chosen for that role due to my extensive cashiering career in high school and college... )...

To get in Guest Relations, do you go to Casting? You mean Park Greeting like the people at the ticket turnstiles? That really doesn't interest me, so I probably won't be a tour guide, either...

I'm being so negative, but it's so stressful...I think I'd like to work for Disney, but I don't know what else is in the world...on DisneyCareers.com, there are so many jobs in CA & NY that I probably could do...but I moved to FL...

Amy your perfect for Ariel, take my advice and try an audition for her at WDW.

Aww, thanks! I did do an audition in 2004 for characters, and I passed, but I got put on the waitlist. I do love dancing, so even the audition was a blast, but I don't want to be a furry character (I hate the heat), and I'd probably rather not be an autograph-signing meet-in-the-park type character, either, since I'll be graduated from college and will want a somewhat-more challenging job, I think. But a performing role (like being in the HSM show!) would be really cool, but I'm not qualified enough, and I'll be graduated from college. 2 of my friends that I spoke with about this subject said that I should just do what makes me happy...but many things could make me happy...I'm so stressing, and I still have a semester left...AGGGHHH!!!

[UncleEd]

Hey Blackcauldron, I saw a story on TV this morning that made me scared for your tummy condition. This woman had stomach pains for years but the doctors found nothing wrong then she went in for a simple test and they found out she had terminal cancer in her bowels because it went on treated. You better get that stuff checked NOW! Not that I want to scare you but it would totally stink if that happened to you too.

I hope you get a good position with Disney. I find it funny they you look like Ariel but like Black Cauldron better. Oh, the irony. If only you could be a BC character, ay?

Maybe it would be easier to get into Epcot or MGM since they're like the B list parts compared to the Magic Kingdom? You might be able to get into World Showcase and work up into the other park? Just an idea.

[blackcauldron85]

This woman had stomach pains for years but the doctors found nothing wrong then she went in for a simple test and they found out she had terminal cancer in her bowels because it went on treated.

Did the story say what kind of simple test she had? Maybe I should take that test...

I hope you get a good position with Disney. I find it funny they you look like Ariel but like Black Cauldron better. Oh, the irony. If only you could be a BC character, ay?

If only the TBC characters were in the parks! I do love Ariel- I love all the Disney animated films & characters...!

Maybe it would be easier to get into Epcot or MGM since they're like the B list parts compared to the Magic Kingdom? You might be able to get into World Showcase and work up into the other park? Just an idea.

I don't even know if I'd be working "in" a park- I could be ending up working in an office...Bobby (my hubby) looked at the jobs I found yesterday and said that he can't see me doing any of them. Some were managerial positions, and he said that they wouldn't hire me for those, since I have no experience as a manager, but I figure that if it didn't say that you need to have X number of years of experience, then why not try?

[Escapay]

So I'd have to see the same recruiter again, forever?

I'm sure you could request a different one (just call and say something like "it's nothing personal, I just want a different recruiter"). Heck, I don't even remember my recruiter's name, I only met him once in November 2004, as my subsequent returns were handled with my department and the general College Program head person.

What if you get a job on DisneyCareers.com- do you still have to go to Casting?

Most likely, as that's where everyone starts (well, they also start at Disney U, but I'm sure non-CPs start at Casting in the Team Disney building).

I already don't have a spotless record with the company (darn tummy!), so would I ever have any chance of moving up? Or even of being hired for a decent job? I'd probably have to have an even more extended time of having a spotless record...

Yes, yes, and yes.

So, Scaps, would you recommend I try getting a Professional Internship first, and then see where that goes?

Yes. The Professional Internships hold more "clout" than the College Program, and there's a better chance of moving up if/when you're accepted full-time.

To get in Guest Relations, do you go to Casting? You mean Park Greeting like the people at the ticket turnstiles? That really doesn't interest me, so I probably won't be a tour guide, either...

Goofystitch is a Park Greeter, he'll likely have more info about it than I would, but from what I've gathered based on some of the GR/PG people I knew, it's also doing parade duties, fireworks duties, etc. A lot of interaction with the guests that isn't limited to taking their ticket.

Amy your perfect for Ariel, take my advice and try an audition for her at WDW.

Aww, thanks! I did do an audition in 2004 for characters, and I passed, but I got put on the waitlist.

Never trust waitlists.

But a performing role (like being in the HSM show!) would be really cool, but I'm not qualified enough, and I'll be graduated from college.

Make sure you request that if/when you audition again. They'll keep that in mind. Also, like every department, there's room to move up, and one of my roommates in my 2005 program moved up from fur character to face character for parades. And if you're really interested in the performing roles, specify working at the Studios, it's got a better amount of shows and performance-based characters than MK and Epcot.

Some were managerial positions, and he said that they wouldn't hire me for those, since I have no experience as a manager, but I figure that if it didn't say that you need to have X number of years of experience, then why not try?

You can definitely give it a try! One of my managers started out as a CP lifeguard, took the Professional Internship, and became a manager...all within about 2 years. Another one was a QSR cashier at El Pirata, went back and finished school, went back to Pirata fulltime and became coordinator, and moved up to manager as well.

And perhaps the quickest lowly-slave-to-manager-story I have is that of Dmitri, a friend of mine from ODF. He arrived in...early August of my 2005 program, and he was pretty much a new hire with no experience at all. When I returned in May 2006 for my second program, he had already moved up to manager at Cosmic Ray's!

Scaps

[blackcauldron85]

I probably will try getting a non-Professional Internship position, and if that doesn't work then I'll try for a PI, I guess...

I'd rather not have to be a Park Greeter (partly due to my tummy, partly because I'd rather have a role that would be more fitting to me, i.e., more fun...it makes sense in my head, at least!

Well, they never called me back to be a character, which was fine (they put me in Merchandise)...so it's not like I waited by the phone for them to call. I'm 5'1", so I'm not the shortest person there, and definitely not the tallest, so they probably just couldn't use me.

If I do apply sometime soon, I can apply for the managerial positions. But, will Disney mind if I apply for many jobs? I'm just worried that if I apply for many, that they'll think I'm "wishy-washy" as my aunt-in-law said when I was telling her about this predicament (she didn't say that I was wishy-washy, but that maybe Disney might think that I was if I applied for many jobs)...

That's really awesome about Dimitri- he must've had an amazingly spotless record...

[BrianG]

Question: What do you do if you have the degrees but come from a different type of work and want full-time employment? I've worked in retail and customer service work mostly in college but my professional work experience is different. Are there special things Disney looks for?

BTW I have my bachelor's and master's degrees (FYI.....).

[BrianG]

Are there many people here who work for Disney?

[UncleEd]

I forget what the procedure was but it was something like a prep exam for a hemroid operation or a breast cancer screening. It was a very routine thing. And it caught cancer so serious they had her come back that evening.

[blackcauldron85]

I appreciate you letting me know, UncleEd- my doctor was supposed to call me this week to let me know the results of my mono test (but he didn't), and so whenever I go back in, I can ask him about it.

Thanks!

[blackcauldron85]

I'm back to stressing about what I want to do with my life. I graduate in just over 2 months.

I don't know what kinds of positions are out there, even just with Disney. I periodically look on DisneyCareers.com, but honestly, there isn't much that I'm intersted in or that I'm even eligible for, in Florida. That said, most of the jobs/roles posted on DisneyCareers.com for Florida are for Walt Disney World. I really don't know if there would be anything for me at Walt Disney World. Bobby suggested today, since I'm not at my internship anymore, that maybe I should look into getting a part-time role at WDW, to get my foot in the door with the company. I don't want to be a cashier again. That just does not interest me in the slightest. Beggars can't be choosers, and I understand that. Let's say that I work 2 days a week as a cashier at WDW. How long would it take to get promoted? The next step would be to become an assistant merchandise manager or something of the sort, right? I don't want that.

I've narrowed down my interests to Walt Disney Studios, Hollywood Records, Disney Channel, Radio Disney, and Disney Consumer Products. I still have no idea at all what I'd want to do. I have some marketing experience, so that might help, and I have some film experience, so that might help. I'm at a point where I just have no idea what I want to do. At least I narrowed down where I'd want to work, in terms of working for Disney, at least (I figured that if I don't work for Disney, I'd like to work for a teen magazine). But I don't know what the next step is. I guess networking would be nice. I'd have to relocate, more than likely, since nothing is in Florida except for WDW. I'm not opposed to moving to California (or Texas, in the case of Radio Disney), and Bobby said that if that's something that I really want to do, we can do it (but I'd have to secure a job first), but we can't even move until October, due to our mortgage.

So, I'm going to need to find a job soon. What should I do? How do people know what they want to do? I know what my interests are, but how do my interests turn into a job? I'm interested in Disney films, Disney Channel, and pop music. How in the world do I find a job that would encorporate my interests and my skills sets? And, what should I do when I graduate? Should I try and find a job at WDW? Should I get an hourly role now just to get my foot in the door, even though it may not bring me to where I want to go? Should I try to find jobs at smaller, local companies, so I can build up my strengths, and apply to Disney in a few years?

Any advice would be amazingly helpful, because I've been freaking out about this...

[SleepingBeautyAurora]

Finding a job is not easy..... that's all I can tell you. Even if you find a job it's not guaranteed you'll get the hours you need to support yourself. Times is hard. Sorry to bring you such bad news... I wish you the best of luck ! ! !

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks- I had begun looking, but not too seriously, on DisneyCareers.com for jobs here in Florida- I applied to a few, but I probably wasn't qualified. I just got an email back yesterday, actually, for a job I applied to a month or so ago, saying that they're looking for more qualified candidates...

It's probably even harder finding a job when you don't know what's out there or what you want to do...

*edit*- I meant to have Buena Vista Home Entertainment on my list that I had posted earlier- I'm interested in working there as well!

[MouseHouse55]

I just got an email back yesterday, actually, for a job I applied to a month or so ago, saying that they're looking for more qualified candidates...

Just to give you a little heads up, if you're applying for any "professional" positions outside a Professional Internship, a minimum of three years experience in the field is required to be considered. That is not on many requirement lists you will read, but it is a general rule for the majority of professional positions. If you can live without health and dental care for 6 months, I would apply for the Professional Internships while you are still enrolled in college, as they require practically no experience, but get you the same position! You would then have to reapply near the end of the internship to try for a full time hire, but it is the best way to get a foot in the door. As soon as you graduate, you will no longer be eligible to apply for the Professional Internships. Hope some of that was helpful!