Jobs as a CM at disney

[hiddenmickey75]

Hopefully there are some CM's on here or someone else that can answer this? I will be retiring in few years and have always wanted to work at disney world. Either as a character or security or driver or in a shop, I'd do almost anything except food. I was just wondering how easy it is to get a job there and what do some of the jobs pay, I know its probably not much, I don't need the job for the money but would like to know. Also what if any are the benifits you receive... medical, 401k, ect? I appreciate any help you guys have. Thanks

 

[kal1484]

Depends if you are full time or part time for benefits and ect. It's not hard to get a job there, unless you only want a certain role, then it "may" be hard. Try going to the Employment section of this fourm. There is a LOT of info there.

 

[WDWKat26]

You're going to be retiring? I wouldn't suggest Characters, unless you mean a Character Attendant.

 

[hiddenmickey75]

I'm only 46 I think I can handle being a character if need be. I'm not dead yet. Always wanted to be buzz.

 

[WDWlife]

I'd like to retire at 46. Good for you. And what a good place to want to work. I just got a job with Disney World Entertainment and am very much looking forward to it. There are so many places to work at Disney. Your best bet is to transfer your current skills in the job you are leaving to a Disney job that will see your skills as an asset. I personally think your age will help you. All companies look for a diverse work force. And Disney employs a lot of young people.

Health begins on the 1st of the month after a 90 day wait. Fairly standard 90 % coverage with a copay and deductable. They have a 401k and park benefits. (please correct me anyone) After a wait time you get 12 passes for up to 3 people. 50% of resorts and discount on tickets and mechandise. Plus your oown entrance to the parks anytime.

It sounds like you are open to whatever. But I would focus your energy on somthing you can be really excited about.

Good luck!

 

[hiddenmickey75]

Thanks wdwlife that was most helpful so far. I am a police officer so I guess the security job would be most fitting and what I do best but do I really want to do that again after doing it all these years, probably not really. A change a pace in my favorite place would be great.

 

[NASAMan]

I'm an old guy with a full time job that decided to try out something fun, so for the past 5 months I've been assisting several characters at WDW. It is great fun, but the job is not for everyone. With your security background (but not wanting to do security) perhaps you should consider character attendants. The have to protect the characters, monitor the lines, keep track of the set times, and run interference between the characters (mostly non-speaking) and the guests. But they also create many magical moments, by prompting kids how to ask for autographs, chatting with folks in line, answering questions about the character, and, of course, taking pictures so the whole family can be in the shot. The are truly heroes to those of us who sweat and toil to make magic for our guests! (And they sweat and toil too!)

 

[WDWKat26]

You'd get paid more in security than in Characters

 

[pluto77]

Wow, when I first read the title of this thread I thought it was going to be about Steve Jobs being a CM at one of the parks. :hammer: :lol:

Anway, back to the real topic.

 

[Mickeyman819]

There is a Job Fair coming up this week. It will be held at Casting. This was advertised in a cast elevator so im not sure if this is only for cast or for public also. Im gonna be heading to it to look around at some transfer options.

 

[MagliteL13]

I'm not gonna tell ya where I think you should start cause I don't really know you, but I'll say this--if you start off doing something you don't like, you can always transfer.

I can't speak for Entertainment, but Merch can be pretty slow going sometimes and then it can be really hectic other times. I'd compare it to working Merch at a mall, but with a little bit of theming thrown in.

F&B, good choice, don't do it.

Operations--now this is where I think all the fun is. Everyone has their favorite attractions to work and I know a lot of CMs who are retired that work in attractions. Take Adventureland/Liberty Square Ops, for instance. There's physically tiring (Mansion), mentally tiring(Hall of Presidents), and physically and mentally(Jungle Cruise) tiring attractions. Now, imagine being there and eventually being trained at all of them--working one day at Mansion, one at HOP, one at Jungle-- there's sooooo much variety.

The biggest difference between Ops and Entertainment versus Merch and F&B is money. No one's paying any extra to go ride the ride you're working, they already shelled that money out when they walked through the gate.

"Bring me back some dinner, I'm broke. I mean, I don't work. Well, I do, but I'm still broke. I really don't make any sense. I mean, I work here so I don't make any cents, hence why I'm broke."

I hope something made some cents...sense.

 

[kal1484]

F&B, good choice, don't do it.

I have to disagree here. I worked F&B for 2 years, and I loved it. I can't imagine working any other role. The guest interation was wonderful, especially at EPCOT. I worked in Outdoor Food and Bev. (aka ODF) yes, you are outside during rain and extreme heat, but it's still a great role. :sohappy:

 

[MagliteL13]

F&B is the backbone of the MK, ODF makes more revenue then any other department on property...And I have the proof.

If you have never worked in F&B you shouldn't compare it to another role until you have actually experienced it for yourself.

Maybe you should try F&B, you can make a lot more with all the F&B pay premiums then a CM that pushes a button all day on some control panel.

Not really...considdering your mainly wrong about most of it.

I didn't like the way my post read, hence the EDIT.

To cure the post above, I have worked F&B at MK--Pecos. That's where I started out. I did enjoy it, but in all reality, I was mearly supporting the original poster who said "I'd do almost anything except food." Looking back, it may have caught the wrong connotation.

I totally have to agree with wdwprincess03 that the guest interaction is incredible. I can't vouch for standing out in the elements doing F&B, but Jungle Cruise does that to ya.

To throw your post back at ya, if you haven't tried Ops, please don't knock it as button pushing.

 

[PeachPrincess]

There is a job fair this week:
July 19-21 8am-5pm at the casting center

http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyCareers/wdwcareers/hourly/index.html

I'm going up there to check things out and apply.

 

[Blizz]

It seems to me like the guys in Engineering Services like their jobs. I mean if you get to be in attraction engineering you work in a nice large air conditioned building servicing attraction vehicles or in a shop working on the motor pool or you might end up as park maintenence and repair broken items, signs, etc... Everyone of them that I have encountered has not had a bad thing to say about it.