On layoffs, very bad attendance, and Iger's legacy being one of disgrace

[donaldtoo]

I came to this thread for the news on the near term (and longer term) effects that the shutdown and Iger's managerial decisions have had on TWDC, but instead have had my burgeoning dreams of a post-retirement career at WDW in some "fun" capacity dashed as - based on these postings - many of us would rather not see how the Happiest Sausage on Earth is really and truly made.

Also, learned that this is a great network to tap into next time I have to buy a car.

I’ve never worked in the Parks/Resorts, but, I did work for our local mall Disney Store (closed for a few years now) from 08/16/09-10/17/13, during the last recession. I was a Lead Manager for over a year of that time, so I got to see that side of it too.
I was laid off from the architectural firm I worked for, but, fortunately, have been back with them for over 7 years now.
I would never work for TWDC in any capacity ever again. I wish I’d taken notes to write a book...!!!!!
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t horrible, but, along with my DS job, I worked as many as 2 other retail jobs at a time (Batteries+, Kay Jewelers, a local men’s clothing store, a seasonal Go! Calendars, Toys & Games store), and there was never the amount of “fun” as there was at DS...paint chipping off product as we were processing it during shipment (recalled and destroyed in the crusher out back), children’s beach-type chairs that were collapsing and pinching kiddos (recalled and destroyed in the crusher out back), etc., etc., etc.
Crazy metrics, CM drama, Guest misbehavior, on and on.
At one point, My SM asked me if I wanted to move up to an open ASM position. When we got to the part about pay regarding the added responsibility, if I hadn’t been such good friends with her, I woulda’ laughed in her face. Not her fault, but, Pathetic.
Regardless, I worked my tail off doin’ the best job I could while I was there. Used to hafta’ regularly monitor my time as not to go over 40 hrs. because I took other CMs shifts when I could, makin’ sure I always had a “Magical” attitude On Stage, makin’ sure the Guests were well taken care of, etc. No Guest ever got even the tiniest bit of snark from me.
A lot of stuff I can’t/won’t post about.
Definitely a learning experience, and one I wouldn’t trade for anything, but, never again.
Have been plenty happy experiencing Disney as only a Guest since...!!!

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Orange County unemployment rate 29.6% ( Orlando )
Osceola County unemployment rate 39.6% ( Kissimmee )
It's not good

Just think of the rate if the furloughed cast members get laid off??

 

[eliza61nyc]

If you got it as a gift - then you could sell it and pay your bills.. instead of complaining how I can't afford my bills.

Oh wow, never thought about that. , Yeah, that 200 will make a dent.
I get your point though as simplistic as it is. I'm sure there are 1000s of folks who lost their jobs due to covid that are hoping their cellphones will keep them from losing their homes

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The "non-profit" sector as defined by section 501(c). They can make money, or lose it, just like any other business, they don't distribute profits to shareholders or owners.

Ahhh...but that’s not a non-profit in the true sense.

8 figure executives isn’t exactly the Salvation Army (actually it is...but that’s another story)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just think of the rate if the furloughed cast members get laid off??

Somewhere around 10/1...would be my guess

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Is there any chatter on what the plan for Disneyland is?

 

[flynnibus]

Oh wow, never thought about that. , Yeah, that 200 will make a dent.
I get your point though as simplistic as it is. I'm sure there are 1000s of folks who lost their jobs due to covid that are hoping their cellphones will keep them from losing their homes

That's probably 1/4 a security deposit needed to secure a new place... But no... I can't afford to do anything but sit in place... *tears*

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Just think of the rate if the furloughed cast members get laid off??

I think that rate includes furloughed cast as if they were already laid off, since they were receiving unemployment benefits.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

BRB. Gonna eat some avocado toast and complain how I've been priced out of the housing market in Miami.

poor life decisions

 

[eliza61nyc]

That's probably 1/4 a security deposit needed to secure a new place... But no... I can't afford to do anything but sit in place... *tears*

??? Not meaning to be sarcastic but "and"??
So real life scenario. Here in Philly we had an eviction moratorium that expires in two weeks.
Bunch of folks are in deep you know what because they lost their jobs. Average rent here is 1700 bucks. My son's just got a new apartment needed 1st, last and 1 month security deposit. Let's see 1700 times 3 is what 5K and you really are going to throw the asinine argument that selling a used apple watch will solve the problem . OMG. You are clueless

 

[Heppenheimer]

This thread is interesting because it really sheds light on a decision I made over 25 years ago. Like most here, I grew up in awe of Disney World. Our family trips every few years from the 70s through to the early 90s are some of my happiest memories growing up. The last trip we took together as a family was after my freshman year at university. I enjoyed this trip just as much as the others, but being 19, lets just say I was now noticing some of the prettier young female cast members much more than on prior visits. After striking up a conversation with a monorail attendant whose university was in the same state as mine, I learned about the Disney college program. I thought that would be a really fun way to spend the summer with a huge cohort around my same age and make some money for the following school year.

My first inkling that maybe this wouldn't be a great choice was that my university did not participate in the program. When I received the application in the mail, I then realized that I would need to miss a significant amount of school, the salary was really low, and I would lose a significant portion of my salary on lodging, since my home state was Pennsylvania. There was a good chance that I might barely break even. All for a summer job that provided no relevant experience for my desired career. So, the Disney dream died very quickly and definitively for me that day. The application went into the garbage, I didn't miss any school, and I took a decent-paying summer job close to home. 25 years later and I'm doing very well in my desired profession.

I kind of wonder... is that how it starts for most cast members? If I had filled out that application, and attended the Disney seminar at a nearby university, would I have been one of those sitting in a shared Orlando apartment, dreading a phone call from HR that my services were no longer necessary?

 

[mkt]

poor life decisions

Plot twist.

I rent a house for less than what a mortgage + HOA + insurance + property taxes costs in this neighborhood, and I've got a fully grown fruit-bearing avocado tree in the backyard.... and a telescoping fruit basket in my shed. Also got a mango tree, but those aren't really for toast. Those are for snacks and delicious smoothies.

 

[flynnibus]

??? Not meaning to be sarcastic but "and"??
So real life scenario. Here in Philly we had an eviction moratorium that expires in two weeks. Average rent here is 1700 bucks. My son's just got a new apartment needed 1st, last and 1 month security deposit. Let's see 1700 times 3 is what 5K and you really are going to throw the asinine argument that selling a used apple watch will solve the problem . OMG. You are clueless

Sorry to hear about your son's covid predicament - but the short term crunch over unemployment was not what the discussion was about.

Why is this so challenging for people to get? If you can't afford to save money - STOP SPENDING UNNECESSARY MONEY - then eventually you will have more money. Need money? SELL @$% YOU DON'T NEED.

This isn't rocket science. Prioritize.

$200 won't pay his rent... but an apple watch isn't going to feed, house, or pay any bills on its own either.

 

[tirian]

This thread is interesting because it really sheds light on a decision I made over 25 years ago. Like most here, I grew up in awe of Disney World. Our family trips every few years from the 70s through to the early 90s are some of my happiest memories growing up. The last trip we took together as a family was after my freshman year at university. I enjoyed this trip just as much as the others, but being 19, lets just say I was now noticing some of the prettier young female cast members much more than on prior visits. After striking up a conversation with a monorail attendant whose university was in the same state as mine, I learned about the Disney college program. I thought that would be a really fun way to spend the summer with a huge cohort around my same age and make some money for the following school year.

My first inkling that maybe this wouldn't be a great choice was that my university did not participate in the program. When I received the application in the mail, I then realized that I would need to miss a significant amount of school, the salary was really low, and I would lose a significant portion of my salary on lodging, since my home state was Pennsylvania. There was a good chance that I might barely break even. All for a summer job that provided no relevant experience for my desired career. So, the Disney dream died very quickly and definitively for me that day. The application went into the garbage, I didn't miss any school, and I took a decent-paying summer job close to home. 25 years later and I'm doing very well in my desired profession.

I kind of wonder... is that how it starts for most cast members? If I had filled out that application, and attended the Disney seminar at a nearby university, would I have been one of those sitting in a shared Orlando apartment, dreading a phone call from HR that my services were no longer necessary?

Sadly, that’s exactly how it goes for many CMs. Most stay amazing, some get cocky and obnoxious, and others grow bitter. But all are in danger because at the end of the day, this is the hospitality industry and pays as such, even though Disney can afford to pay everyone better than they do. They wouldn’t have to jack up prices to cover it, either. Working in a theme park is not a professional career, but the company could easily pay a living wage before Covid. And they didn’t. Now it may be too late for several years.

I say the same thing to everyone who asks me about the CP for their kids: “They should do it to broaden their horizons, but they must return to college after.”

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Sadly, that’s exactly how it goes for many CMs. Most stay amazing, some get cocky and obnoxious, and others grow bitter. But all are in danger because at the end of the day, this is the hospitality industry and pays as such, even though Disney can afford to pay everyone better than they do. They wouldn’t have to jack up prices to cover it, either. Working in a theme park is not a professional career, but the company could easily pay a living wage before Covid. And they didn’t. Now it may be too late for several years.

I say the same thing to everyone who asks me about the CP for their kids: “They should do it to broaden their horizons, but they must return to college after.”

...boy...you ain’t kidding


(That’s all I got)

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Plot twist.

I rent a house for less than what a mortgage + HOA + insurance + property taxes costs in this neighborhood, and I've got a fully grown fruit-bearing avocado tree in the backyard.... and a telescoping fruit basket in my shed. Also got a mango tree, but those aren't really for toast. Those are for snacks and delicious smoothies.

This made me laugh out loud.... by far the best post since the thread derailment!

 

[Archie123]

Hmmm, mango toast!!

 

[Tom Morrow]

“Blah blah blah, bootstraps, BOOTSTRAPS!!! It applied to my generation and my experience, therefore it applies to millennials too!!”

-out of touch boomers with insufferable outdated rhetoric

 

[Lilofan]

??? Not meaning to be sarcastic but "and"??
So real life scenario. Here in Philly we had an eviction moratorium that expires in two weeks.
Bunch of folks are in deep you know what because they lost their jobs. Average rent here is 1700 bucks. My son's just got a new apartment needed 1st, last and 1 month security deposit. Let's see 1700 times 3 is what 5K and you really are going to throw the asinine argument that selling a used apple watch will solve the problem . OMG. You are clueless

Like its so easy to earn $200 per day as a waiter just like that..

 

[Lilofan]

Sadly, that’s exactly how it goes for many CMs. Most stay amazing, some get cocky and obnoxious, and others grow bitter. But all are in danger because at the end of the day, this is the hospitality industry and pays as such, even though Disney can afford to pay everyone better than they do. They wouldn’t have to jack up prices to cover it, either. Working in a theme park is not a professional career, but the company could easily pay a living wage before Covid. And they didn’t. Now it may be too late for several years.

I say the same thing to everyone who asks me about the CP for their kids: “They should do it to broaden their horizons, but they must return to college after.”

Hospitality companies don't pay more sadly because being a transient state, individuals and families move to Florida every week so there are always people looking for work.