Any Advice On How To Work Your Way Up At WDW/DL

[TheBeatles]

Are there any tips/suggestions out there about what you should do to work your way up at Disney. I'm mainly referring to the theme parks.

Since I'm not sure how the chain of commands works within the parks, I'll leave this thread up to what you have to offer. The only question I do have is whether or not there are certain departments/positions that help you get promoted. I've been told that guest services is a good place to start.

 

[Captain Hank]

Actually, Guest Relations is very hard, if not nearly impossible to apply directly into without prior experience in the parks. As far as "moving up," it all depends on what your ultimate goal is. Attractions and Merchandise are both departments with lots of room to move upward. Entertainment, too, to a certain extent. Also, once you have some experience in the parks, you can try for Guest Relations, though it can be very, very competitive, even among those with experience.

Really, in the long run, any department will get you started. The current V.P. of Epcot was an opening-day CM in Epcot's parking lot. John Lasseter started as a Jungle Cruise skipper. It all depends on how well you network, and what you gain from your first role.

 

[TheBeatles]

The current V.P. of Epcot was an opening-day CM in Epcot's parking lot.

Do you know anything about his journey to V.P. of EPCOT?

 

[Captain Hank]

Do you know anything about his journey to V.P. of EPCOT?

Unfortunately, I don't. I just recall a comment being made to that effect during the Epcot 25th re-dedication.

 

[sum41914]

Hmm I was a Parking Lot CM at Magic Kingdom, thats it clear the way I am so the VP for MK now! j/k I know my managers when I was down there have moved on from their first roles into Management. One of my favorites actually was promoted while I was there into event planning for MK. He went from Jungle Cruise skipper, to Manager of AD Lib attractions, to Main Street Merchandise Manager, to MK Guest Relations, to Parking Operation Manager and now has an office above Main Street, been there a few times he's great! There is plenty of room for movement at Disney Theme Parks its all bout who you know and who knows you.

Now Guest Relations is a whole nother pond. The competitive nature to get one those positions is cut throat and not many are even given a second interview. Many times getting a GR position is based on attendance, reprimands (I can't imagine many get it with more than one reprimand) and note from previous Disney Managers. Going into GR without any Theme Park experience can be tough and mostly unsuccessful, not impossible but realistically unsuccessful.

As they say at Disney,
Have a Magical Day!

-Sum

 

[TheBeatles]

Sum-

Thanks for that response. Great info.

 

[echoscot]

Hi,

There are many, many ways to move up at WDW. Once you are hired in any department...network, network,network. There are 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, umpteen resort hotels, a campground, DTD, etc. You get my point.

I worked there for 25 years in entertainment and did my own moving and am still networking, but have watched others move forward. Jason Surrell is a friend of mine from years ago in Characters. He networked his way into a senior show producer for WDI. Bob Lamb was the VP of the Studios when it opened and moved to become the opening VP of Animal Kingdom. He started in MK parking as a summer CT position, moved into attractions at the MK and worked with WDI on the development of Space Mountain. He finished college and continued to network his way to the top of the chain.

Michael O'Grattan who is an Entertainment VP, started in characters at Disneyland, became a supervisor, was moved to WDW to become a Character Manager at the Magic Kingdom and has networked and moved his way up and through the company.

It is very difficult to come into Disney at a high level position. Disney primarily promotes from within, so it is better to pick a spot and start networking. But as someone else mentioned, the competition is rough and can be very cutthroat, so have some thick skin and dive into the fray if you want to move up.

 

[TheBeatles]

Great info, Echo.

I plan on going down to WDW for a job and I'm going to find out as much as possible before I leave.

 

[nanna]

Michael O'Grattan who is an Entertainment VP, started in characters at Disneyland, became a supervisor, was moved to WDW to become a Character Manager at the Magic Kingdom and has networked and moved his way up and through the company.

Isn't Michael the VP of the studios?

 

[echoscot]

Isn't Michael the VP of the studios?

He may very well be. I have been in Texas for about 2 years finishing my Bachelor's Degree, and things keep changing there.

Scot

 

[mkt]

my advice, the same as anywhere else is...

network, network, network, sell yourself, and kiss bootie. Especially at Disney, since many times it's not about who you know or how qualified you are, but who likes you.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

But...where do you start? What does someone with a business/finance degree (or even masters) come in to do? Where in the theme parks can you work that you utilize your educational background yet still work in the parks and work up?

 

[cm1988]

Sure thing

I do not believe that any of the persons who "worked their way up" actually had a plan for that. I was with the company for a long time and knew several managers who are now VP's. In each case, they were people who knew finance and business, and just did an excellent job - year after year.

For each of those persons and their well-deserved fortune, I know of hundreds who did excellent work, loved the company, networked, sacrificed, hung on and just never got that far.

I would strongly caution against a game plan which involves working ones way up to a high level. I would say, play at WDW, enjoy WDW, and if you want to work there, work there. Don't expect anything magical, career-wise.

It is exactly this simple: Don't buy lottery tickets unless you can afford to loose the money. Don't expect to win.

 

[TheBeatles]

I do not believe that any of the persons who "worked their way up" actually had a plan for that. I was with the company for a long time and knew several managers who are now VP's. In each case, they were people who knew finance and business, and just did an excellent job - year after year.

For each of those persons and their well-deserved fortune, I know of hundreds who did excellent work, loved the company, networked, sacrificed, hung on and just never got that far.

I would strongly caution against a game plan which involves working ones way up to a high level. I would say, play at WDW, enjoy WDW, and if you want to work there, work there. Don't expect anything magical, career-wise.

It is exactly this simple: Don't buy lottery tickets unless you can afford to loose the money. Don't expect to win.

A lot of people I have talked to said they were promoted to positions they thoroughly enjoy. So I hold hope that Disney can offer me an enjoyable career.

Still... I understand and respect your point.

 

[AndrewRnR]

What about working in concierge or something similar... seems like moving from that to Guest Relations wouldn't be too hard (not easy but not as hard as going from attractions to Guest Relations). Maybe work in attractions or such, get feet wet in with actual park experience then head over to concierge to build up the guest service end then try for Guest Relations.

 

[Tigggrl]

I went in on the ground floor, and was working my way up. I started working as many hours as I could, calling and asking for more, signing up to work 6 days, offering to stay laye and to work inventory. I worked hard, but loved my job! In every areas chances come up to apply for more things, like when I went to work in visual, I originally wanted to try GR, but I decided to go another route, and was working my way into full time visual, and then moving to manager and then to the overal Merch. Visual for the entire resort staff. But Alas...things didnt work out...for reasons I cant state on the board. I LOVED my job, and miss it every day.
Put yourself out there, and just do the best job, no matter what they ask of you! and good luck!

 

[echoscot]

I went in on the ground floor, and was working my way up. I started working as many hours as I could, calling and asking for more, signing up to work 6 days, offering to stay laye and to work inventory. I worked hard, but loved my job! In every areas chances come up to apply for more things, like when I went to work in visual, I originally wanted to try GR, but I decided to go another route, and was working my way into full time visual, and then moving to manager and then to the overal Merch. Visual for the entire resort staff. But Alas...things didnt work out...for reasons I cant state on the board. I LOVED my job, and miss it every day.
Put yourself out there, and just do the best job, no matter what they ask of you! and good luck!

I was wondering what "visual" was. I saw that you are in CA, did you work at Disneyland or was all this at WDW?

And, I'm so sorry your plans didn't work out, that can be very...frustrating (trying to find a family friendly description:animwink

 

[Tigggrl]

Visual soooo ROCKED!
Every day new Merch arrives. I worked at WOD at Disneyland. I did work sales floor too, and I loved interacting with all the guests. They always appreciate when someone took the time to help them find something special.
Visual I would go in at 4 Am, start at 5 and work till 1:30. I was responsible for product placement, visual displays and there is a specific way to fold shirts, place the princesses/ characters in a specific order and work color schemes. Mannequins will be the death of me....I had to steam new shirts before placement, work major area moves and it sure helped to get to know what Merch we carried and where it was. I also worked every inventory.
I was also one of those elves that come in in the middle of the night and change out holiday displays. Ya know, when you go in one day and its normal, and the next day its all holiday? That was me
Like I said, I LOVED my job. I was 2nd place in a pre sales contest for BEauty and the BEast on dvd, only 2nd cuz I had to go see my manager about the visual job! They were really great about rewarding you for top sales and stuff. Like going on company time to ride NBC....LOL!

 

[ImaYoyo]

Showing interest, being passionate (but not psycho, it's a fine line), remembering that Perception is Reality. Take an interest, further yourself by taking classes like The Journey. Use the Development Connection on the Hub.

Have one-on-ones with your leaders. Ask them for the names of 3 other leaders that might be willing to meet with you and send those people an email asking for 15 minutes of their time. Get your name out there.

Be creative, find new and exciting ways to provide Guest Service. No matter what position you work in, there are always ways to create new changes that change not only yourself, but your immediate area, and sometimes the company as a whole for the better!

 

[TheBeatles]

What about working in concierge or something similar... seems like moving from that to Guest Relations wouldn't be too hard (not easy but not as hard as going from attractions to Guest Relations). Maybe work in attractions or such, get feet wet in with actual park experience then head over to concierge to build up the guest service end then try for Guest Relations.

GR is not my ultimate goal, I just heard it was a good job to get. Thanks for the advice though.