Housekeeping or Attractions, which would you pick?

[maleficent rules]

I'm in the process of trying to decide what type of position I want to start out with in Disney. I've always loved Disney, so working here would be wonderful. I'm realistic and I know that the pay is not the best, but I have so much fun there, I just want to share it with others. Sounds sappy, but hey, that's me. I'm not worried about it ruining the Disney magic for me.
Anyway, looking on the website right now the 2 options I am interested in are housekeeping and attractions (retail would be great, but not listed right now). Both are part-time.
So, my questions are: How easy is it to pick up shifts with either of these? How easy is it to go full-time? If you had a preference, which job would you pick and why? With the housekeeping, is it common to get tips? It looks like the harder of the 2 jobs physically. Is it hard to transfer hotels? Are you able to work the parades, etc?
With attractions, how often are the rotations during the shift? I know that you are not in the same position throughout the day. Other than working the different rides you are trained on in your area (from what I understand from other posts anyway), what are the chances of training on other rides so that you can expand your knowledge and ability to pick up shifts in different areas?
Until I can get on full-time, I would like to be able to pick up as many shifts as possible. I'm thinking I prefer attractions over housekeeping just because I like interacting with people and experiencing their Disney happiness with them, but I'm wondering which position would get me to full-time quicker and provide me with more opportunities to train at different roles. Housekeeping may keep me out of the weather, but I'm betting you still break a sweat hurrying through all the rooms you are assigned.
Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dasnowz]

housekeeping has the gross factor. and unless you have a very strong stomach don't do it. it is really disgusting. not sure on full time opportunities right now. If you are hired pt as soon as you start request ft and they will let you know how long the waits are. you cannot cross train for awhile. ie. if you are housekeeping you usually cannot work anyplace else. The way most people are cross trained is they work in one area for a min 6 months then transfer to someplace else. This allows you to work in your main and pick up shifts in the other. hth

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Here's my best attempt...

How easy is it to pick up shifts with either of these?

All depends on the area you are in. Attractions would probably afford you more opportunities to pick up shifts (usually a younger crowd that looks to give shifts away), but it all depends on the area. Some attraction areas have people who are far more senior and like to work their schedules.

How easy is it to go full-time?

Also depends. However, you will not have to become full time in the area you start in. You can go to casting (after having spent some time in your role) and request to go on lists for FT. You can choose to get on a list in an area that is completely different from your own, but union seniority will determine how quick that could happen.

With the housekeeping, is it common to get tips? It looks like the harder of the 2 jobs physically.

You will get tips, but it isn't going to be a fortune. You should base the job solely on your hourly wage, and then think of the tips as fun money on top. In most cases, it will be the more physically demanding job, but it could also keep you out of the elements. Some people would take cleaning and making beds to standing outside any day of the week.

Is it hard to transfer hotels?

Transferring locations is just like switching roles. If it is a lateral move (part time to part time), you can look for transfer opportunities after 6 months. It will be based entirely on availability, and once again, seniority.

Are you able to work the parades, etc?

Most parades and crowd control shifts are untrained and can be picked up by anyone who is free. If you wanted to pick up a parade shift on a day off, you could check and see if extra hours are available.

With attractions, how often are the rotations during the shift?

Depends on the attraction and how staffing looks that day. Ordinarily, you would be in a spot for 45min-1 Hour. However, depending on how the computer throws out breaks, it could sometimes be shorter or longer.

Other than working the different rides you are trained on in your area (from what I understand from other posts anyway), what are the chances of training on other rides so that you can expand your knowledge and ability to pick up shifts in different areas?

That will all depend on the area you end up in, and how you perform as a cast member. My advice is to just work hard for the first 6 months and don't mention cross training at all. After that point, if you have good rapport with your management team, you can ask about learning the other areas within your location.

Until I can get on full-time, I would like to be able to pick up as many shifts as possible.

See above. No guarantees with either Line of Business.

I'm thinking I prefer attractions over housekeeping just because I like interacting with people and experiencing their Disney happiness with them, but I'm wondering which position would get me to full-time quicker and provide me with more opportunities to train at different roles. Housekeeping may keep me out of the weather, but I'm betting you still break a sweat hurrying through all the rooms you are assigned.

Attractions does not always equal magical guest interaction, especially if you find yourself at a headliner. Let's say you find yourself at Space Mountain, your average interaction with each guest will be less than 10 seconds. You're going to be checking heights, fastpasses, grouping them in to rows, and pressing the button to make them go. And, unfortunately, there could be a lot of extended guest situations that aren't pleasant. There are a few areas that break this mold (the Animal trails at DAK, Safari, etc), but most attractions are go-go-go. If you are looking for high levels of guest interaction within the park operations area, then I strongly suggest custodial. You can interact and speak with guests ALL DAY if you choose to do so. Housekeeping will be hard work, but don't think that attractions would exactly be a work in the park either if you found yourself in something high paced during the summer months.

 

[Kobe!!]

Attractions.

 

[joanna71985]

I did attractions in 2 areas- TSM, and GMR and MuppetVision. I found it was typical for rotations to start aprox every 20 min (but it can be longer, depending on the attraction). Some areas you are trained for multiple attractions (for example- in Adventureland you learn Tiki Room, Treehouse, and Carpets. And you rotate between all 3), while other areas you only learn 1 attraction, but it is possible to cross-train (I did this in my last area. I started out at GMR, but eventually learned MuppetVision). Just know- while you can cross-train inside your own area, it is not possible to be trained at attractions in other areas.

 

[MGMBoy]

I would say Attractions as well with the caveat that, depending on where you end up, you may be working until 2-3am depending on which park you're at. Housekeeping would possibly offer more EHH (Extra Hour Hotline) shifts but, since standards are likely different at different locations, the availability may be limited. Like others have said, in attractions you can only pick up shifts that you are qualified for and general crowd controls but, as you get more and more training, you can possibly pick up shifts from other cast members. Mickey is good about making sure none of their PT CMs work so many hours that they are flirting with FT status. Also make sure to let any managers/coordinators know that oyu are interested in full time. Can't hurt when an opening comes up.

 

[Caitlin Clark]

I absolutely love working in Attractions. I work in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. In my area it is extremely easy to pick up shifts, you are also able to trade with other cast members if you want to trade an early for late shift and vice versa.

Working in such a big location, it is not too difficult to train in other rides, we have 7 different complexes that you can be trained in, and many people are cross trained between them. I myself am trained in 2 different complexes.

I have always been able to get pretty good guest interaction in Fantasyland, because we are also trained for Wishes crowd control. Some of my favorite memories from my college program there involve guest interactions and their stories. Another great way to get good guest interaction is to work opening or closing shifts, that way the rides tend to be slower so you can actually talk to guests.

 

[maleficent rules]

Thanks for all the great info. I had my interview today and actually ended up in merchandise, which is really what I wanted. They did offer me full-time working in the Grand Floridian with Room Service, but I really wanted to be more hands on with guests. I love to see all the excitement that most guests have being in the park. I'll be in Magic Kingdom (also where I really wanted to be) working on Main Street and have Traditions on 11/19. Super excited. And the added plus of experiencing Disney during the holidays is an added plus (as crazy as some of the days may get). Thanks again to all of you that responded.

 

[awoogala]

attractions. people are way too disgusting.

 

[Brandon Bowman]

Thanks for all the great info. I had my interview today and actually ended up in merchandise, which is really what I wanted. They did offer me full-time working in the Grand Floridian with Room Service, but I really wanted to be more hands on with guests. I love to see all the excitement that most guests have being in the park. I'll be in Magic Kingdom (also where I really wanted to be) working on Main Street and have Traditions on 11/19. Super excited. And the added plus of experiencing Disney during the holidays is an added plus (as crazy as some of the days may get). Thanks again to all of you that responded.

I am working in Merchandising too in the Spring! I was never told the specifics of where I would be working though :/

 

[maleficent rules]

I am working in Merchandising too in the Spring! I was never told the specifics of where I would be working though :/

I'm guessing that your doing the collage program? From what I understand on that, you don't know your specific role until later. I live locally and during my interview they offered me the full-time position in the Grand Floridian, but I really wanted more guest interaction and to be in the parks. So my interviewer found 2 part-time merchandise positions that I could do. One was in Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney, which would have been ok except that I really wanted to be in the parks. The other was on Main Street in The Magic Kingdom (huge bonus points for me on that one). So I accepted the MK position. AS soon as orientation is over, I'll put in for full-time. I know it may take awhile to get it, but I'm ok with that.
Good luck on your role. Hopefully you get in where you want.

 

[disney4life2008]

I hate to say this but anyone who does the CP and works in cleaning toilets or housekeeping should not accept the position. My frat brother was placed cleaning toilets in the MK and he was a engineering degree - he hated the experience.

 

[joanna71985]

Thanks for all the great info. I had my interview today and actually ended up in merchandise, which is really what I wanted. They did offer me full-time working in the Grand Floridian with Room Service, but I really wanted to be more hands on with guests. I love to see all the excitement that most guests have being in the park. I'll be in Magic Kingdom (also where I really wanted to be) working on Main Street and have Traditions on 11/19. Super excited. And the added plus of experiencing Disney during the holidays is an added plus (as crazy as some of the days may get). Thanks again to all of you that responded.

Congrats!

I hate to say this but anyone who does the CP and works in cleaning toilets or housekeeping should not accept the position. My frat brother was placed cleaning toilets in the MK and he was a engineering degree - he hated the experience.

I did custodial, and it was not that bad. Plus, I know others who enjoyed custodial

 

[maleficent rules]

I'm not doing CP, but I agree it's what you put into it. I'm going in to it knowing it's really low pay, hard work, and the hours may not be ideal, etc. I'm lucky enough to have a spouse that makes good money and knows how much I love Disney. Our kids are out of high school now and it's my chance to do something I've really wanted to do for years. I know that Disney is a business and this is an amusement park, where realistically, I can be replaced in a heartbeat. Knowing all that, I still wouldn't hesitate to work there. I'm the Disney fan that loves the behind scenes stuff (as mundane as they may be), I love the history, and most of all, I love to see people enjoy the park and have always wanted to be someone that helps them have the best experience possible. I'm someone that, when I'm in the park, likes to just sit on a bench and watch peoples' experiences and see the looks on their face. May sound sappy, but hey, it's me. I'm a pretty positive person that tries to see the good in everything and when the negative rears it's head, well, you deal with that too. But...you absolutely don't let the negative outweigh everything.
My personality will do great in the park, but I have friends, that as much as they love the park, I know would have a negative experience. Doesn't make them bad people, just not meant for Disney.
And I know that some CM that have been there a while may think I'm new and still awestruck, but I'm not unrealistic. I know that there is the "fairytale" that upper management wants you to believe and then there is reality. I worked in government for the last 9 years, I know all about reality vs fairytale. But again, it's what you choose to take from your experiences.