Disney University

[PhilosophyMagic]

I know the Cast Member training, part of Disney University, is not as intense as it originally was... the "orientation," including the supposed Disney "brainwashing" in which CM's-to-be were taught to appriciate Disney, as well as learning how "special" they were to be chosen, and that they must uphold the quality, etc. was initially, I think, several days long. According to MousePlanet.com, it was scaled down little by little to half a day! Anyone know what is is now? What do they DO now, anyway?

 

[mkt]

first time I took it, it was 2 full days of Traditions, plus a third day which began at DU, but ended in your home location.

the LAST time I took it, I came in just after breakfast and left in time for lunch.

And no way in hell was what I learned the first time covered the last. I knew more about Disney than the traditions facilitator... that's pretty effing sad.

 

[disneydata]

I was a CP last fall ... just about one year ago I had Traditions. Mine was only 5 hours long. I did wish that so much more was covered. Most of the stuff I learned was from co-workers and my trainer (Bob at Pop Century). I basically considered Traditions as a 5 hour (paid) lecture since I didn't get much out of it.

And yes, I also knew more about Disney than the facilitators.

 

[meanmice]

that's so sad, no wonder some cm's and ceo's don't remember what it's all about.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Traditions, when I took it, consisted of a 8 hour day. The first half of the day was the Disney tradition lecture, including mission, Disney Look, Guest Service Guiidelines, and the required talk from a company lawyer. The afternoon consisted of a backstage tour of the Magic Kingdom.

Now instead of the tour of the Magic Kingdom the class ends after the morning session and cast receive a tour of their own location instead of the MK. I think this makes sense.

My Training for Merchandise included:

Traditions - 8 hours

On With The Show - Studios Introduction - 6 hours

Merchantainment - 8 hours

On the Job Training - 3 days


For Sports and Rec Guest Services

Sports and Recreation - 6 hours

Automated Ticketing System - 6 hours

Park Greeter On the Job - 1 day

Ticketing On the Job - 1 day

Guest Services on the Job - 2 days

 

[Villain_70]

I am new here but I have been going down to WDW since 1976 and was a store castmember from 94 to 97. The "Disney" way has changed. It seems they are cutting corners not just on looks but also training. Not to offend any castmembers, but some attitudes just are horrible. They need to bring back more customer service training.

We just came back July 10th. We stayed at the Contempory and Wilderness Lodge. The Contempory was a disgrace! For being the first hotel on the monorail system they should be ashamed. The castmembers were not friendly. I will not go into the all the details but all the times I have stayed on property bellhops NEVER waited for tips.

It is like everyone forgot about WALT DISNEY'S IDEA and it is all about Eisner World. I know Walt was not the greatest businessman or boss, but he did think of his employees and the guests. It was not all $$$.

Unfortunately, I am a Disney person and I will always go down. My kids and wife love it too.

 

[remingtonsteele]

Just finished Traditions today. It was not in any way "intense", it was actually a fun day. Took all of 8 hrs. The rest of my schedule includes 1 full day in Merchatainment(I'll be in Mercahndise) and a 4 hour day which is the tour of MK called " Once upon a time...is now"

 

[JoeyJoe]

I took tradition over a year ago when training before charater training. It was just plain silly. The handed you handouts that were just short of being coloring books. They showed a few videos, one on sexual harrassment that was hilarious. And they gave very general facts. Anyone on these boards would find it completely uninteresting because you all probably know more. I went with such excitement that I would further my knowledge, but it was all so general. I honestly could have taught the class. It was a disappointment, almost as disappointing as the pay to be there.

The next day we toured the Magic Kingdom with the "once upon a time...is now" Even that was so general, as if we never been there. "This is City Hall. Also known as Guest Relations!" "Notice the names on Main Street." "These building were made using something called Forced Perspective. Has anyone ever heard of that??"

All you need is to your the Magic Kingdom once or twice, and you can teach Traditions!!!! :hammer:

 

[bgraham34]

Yeah I know it was cut back. Its a shame. when I worked in the Disney stores 10 years back i wish i could have had more of that.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I know personally that I went through Traditions 3 times (Once at TDS and twice at WDW). I knew most of the information covered. I also had to go through Character Greeting training twice and TDS training twice. Overall, I was paid by Disney for a full 40 hour week of training that I had already had at least once before! Oh well...

I think that if you want to learn more about Disney, CMs especially, the resources are out there for you to get. If you think of it as just a 'job' then you probably wouldn't want to learn them anyway. Oh well...to each his own!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[Captain Hank]

You did traditions for TDS? All I did was watch two training videos. One was a general guest service/loss prevention video. That one was actually pretty decent, it looked like Disney put some effort into it with cuts to work-related cartoons and relatively good acting. The other was about theme park ticket sales which included some of the most horreniously awful acting I have ever seen. It was really scary.

Perky Guest: (seeing a CM holding a plush Mickey) Oh, I LOVE Mickey!

The Perkiest CM you've ever seen: And Mickey LOVES you. Here, give him a hug!

:hurl: :lookaroun

Worse, it started out as an advertisment for M:S!

 

[Villain_70]

I think that if you want to learn more about Disney, CMs especially, the resources are out there for you to get. If you think of it as just a 'job' then you probably wouldn't want to learn them anyway. Oh well...to each his own!

I know about Disney and the CMs. I worked for the stores for 3 years and know many current and ex-park cm. I am not trying to offend anyone, but I have been nicknamed "Walt" at work because of my knowledge of the company. Someone who works for Disney needs enjoy what the original ideas were and needs to be a kid at heart. It is just shows when they begin to hire to fill jobs. Those who think of it as a job are really not the 'Disney" cm. It is fun, I never missed a day at work because it was a joy to go...it was FUN.