Advanced degrees/certifications: hinderance or help?

[JohnByers]

I am staring down early retirement and a move to the Orlando area in a few years. I am curious if getting on PT at one of the parks or resorts is it possible in Disney's eyes to be over qualified?

I am planning on retiring with 25 years in NC as an agriculture teacher and my wife and I moving down to our fav place in the world. I am not one that enjoys sitting around and the idea of a PT job at Disney is very appealing to me as I have a class B CDL with P&S endorsements as well as many in my field of agriculture.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Are you looking for a basic front-line role? If you can tie your shoes and string two sentences together in English (or Spanish or Haitian Creole), you'll be just fine.

 

[JohnByers]

I would love to be able to interact with guests in some capacity. It seems like I see several retiree age people that work there so I am hopeful

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I would love to be able to interact with guests in some capacity. It seems like I see several retiree age people that work there so I am hopeful

Part-time, guest-facing roles are usually quite easy to get into, especially if you have no hesitation about working evenings and/or weekends. Given the choice, take merchandise over food and beverage, and a resort over a park. Resort merchandise roles are a great pace and allow for leisurely conversation with guests.

 

[JohnByers]

Always wondered what the dream job to have on property is, that could be almost entirely impossible to answer given how different we all are but operating a monorail has to be pretty dang cool.

 

[JohnByers]

Wilmington, Love it here but they aren't taking care of teachers in this state and once my youngest graduates HS I will work one more year and then its moving time!

 

[rucifee]

I don't think a degree would make much of a difference if you're just looking for part time work as a CM post retirement. It seems like a really great way to spend your days working, but not working hard and enjoying life.

 

[JohnByers]

That's the hope!

 

[JohnByers]

I'd love to move back and teach, but its not worth all the headache

I hate to admit it but I tell students that want to teach to plan to move also...

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

I wish you all the best with this. I'm not really even close to retirement, but I definitely hope to retire in the area and would be interested in getting a part time job at the parks. I think that is great advice with going for a resort over the park and merch over food/drink.

With such an agricultural background, maybe Epcot could use some type of help/insight/etc. But I have to believe an education and somewhat of a personality would be great down there...

I'm holding out hope for a Boat operator - that would be a huge win for retirement... One can dream...

 

[Domosuke]

I don't consider that overqualified. If anything that could raise your chances as I saw the word teacher, so that means you have great experience with working with others in a social setting.

In addition, your age might work in support of that. Amusement Parks are always hiring older individuals as they seem to have a large amount of free time, which is what someone who is willing to work a entry level customer service role is going to need anyways.

Best of luck.