Living & Working in WDW ruin the magic?

[ishmael0316]

Well, I did just get a job in Orlando and moved here last week. I just spent 5 days at Disney and had a blast. I will say that I was worried when I was driving to Port Orleans Riverside and not getting emotional. Usually as soon as I land at MCO, the tears start. I was relieved when I saw my first purple sign with Mickey ears and the tears began to flow. I cannot ever see it losing the magic, as Disney World just means way too much to me. Now I get the opportunity to go to all of the holiday events that I have always dreamed about, the maratahons I could never justify paying for, and the occasional D23 event that might accidentally get scheduled in Orlando instead of California. I am so excited at all of the possibilities!

 

[ishmael0316]

Thanks for all the responses. I understand that working for WDW is completely different than going there on vacation, and I understand it could lose some of the "magic". I would take any job pretty much and work my way up, money really isn't an issue (thankfully for once in my life) and I've worked in customer service for 11 years so I understand rude customers and I know not to take it personally. My boyfriend and I plan on selling both of our houses up here and with him being a doctor he has enough money saved up for us to live on down there if we don't find jobs right away. I have looked at stats regarding housing prices and property taxes and they are both significantly less than what we are paying up here.

Hope to see you soon equally new neighbor!

 

[CP_alum08]

I am a former College Program-y too and I have since moved to FL (not for Disney). Doing the CP was an amazing experience as people have already said. It made my love for Disney into what it is today. Like others have said too, it is still a job. The happiest people I met down there were the retirees who just worked a few days a week for some fresh air and human interaction.

Since moving to FL it has definitely changed the way to 'vacation' to WDW. We are about 90 minutes away and make several day or weekend trips a year. It's great being close enough to say "What do you want to do today?...I don't know lets go to Disney for the afternoon." But on the other hand I REALLY miss that vacation aspect. I used to absolutely love the days leading up to a big trip, planning, packing, etc. Getting off the plane and knowing you were almost there! Now that feeling is gone, well not completely gone, I still get anxious like a little kid when the monorail exits the Contemporary and you know you're just a few minutes away. But you know what I mean, it feels more like just another thing to do on a Saturday than a dream vacation.

 

[ginadee]

DO IT, DO IT. A lifetime down the road this will seem like such a small part of your life and if you dont do it you will always regret it. Especially since money is not an issue. Moving to FL and working at Disney is my dream as well. However unless I get married I dont think it will happen. Im 45 and have to make a living. Cant afford to move or live in an apt until I buy...etc...etc...etc. I really do think I'll live in FL one day tho. It may be when Im retired. Then I can work at Disney.

 

[Tim_4]

Not sure if this is the correct spot for this post but oh well. My boyfriend knows how much I love Disney and how I've always wanted to move to Florida and work for WDW, and the other day he made me the offer to move from Philadelphia to Florida so I could finally do what I wanted to do. I've been thinking about this offer for the past couple of days and of course there are more pro's than con's on my list, and I was just wondering for those of you who either live in Florida and get to go to WDW often, or those of you who are CM, do either of these things ruin the magic? We are going to WDW in october, this will be my 13th visit, it will be his first, and I'm afraid that if we move to Florida or I get a job at WDW, it will no longer be, as he calls it, my happy place. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

A more practical consideration than the approach that a lot of people have taken... What is your professional field? Front line roles in attractions/food and bev/merchandise are fairly easy to come by but I HIGHLY advise against moving without a job offer firmly in hand if you plan on pursuing a professional or leadership position. Another option is to move to the area, get a job with any ol' company, and get an annual pass.

 

[jmb2676]

I don't think it ruined the magic as you say, but you do have to keep in mind that it is a job and will always have good days and bad days. Everyone else is there for vacation and fun and you are working (for not a ton of money).

 

[Gojira ゴジラ]

Try InsideTheMagic latest podcast (Show 384).. there is an interview with a former cast member. It's probably after the half hour mark where the interview begins.. but it doesnt hurt to listen to some interesting news as well

 

[tracyandalex]

My sister is currently a CM (ride operator, I have not idea if that is the official term) so here is her/my opinion - she likes, not loves her job. The hours are sometimes too long and sometimes too short, the pay is not great, and guests can definitely be rude. She loves working at WDW, she's just not loving her current job. From what I can gather it is a little bit of a challenge to move around. It definitely does have all the regular job issues/hassles. I think if you go into it knowing that it will be a job and not playing in the park you will be ok. I say do it!! As for the ruining the magic aspect, I would say my sister enjoys it more now than she did before. I can tell how excited she gets when she tells us some special CM thing! Also, and this may just be her, but she is still just as clueless about the working of most of the rest of the world, so all has been destroyed. DSis complains, but in all these years I have never seen her looking for another job!

 

[joanna71985]

What attraction does she work at (if you don't mind my asking)?