Does anyone here work in Merchandise? What's that like? What's the atmosphere like? How are the people? How are the hours? Thanks.
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Merchandise
- Thread starter MerHearted
- Start date
Do you work in just one area or do they switch you around? I'm curious about the Main Street shops.
Captain Hank
Well-Known Member
You're assigned to a particular area, and after a bit, you'll be given the opportunity to assign yourself to a particular shop in that area. You have the opportunity to pick up shifts outside of your area via the Extra Hours Hotline.
As for Main Street, you'll be assigned to either West (Emporium, Main Street Athletic Club) or East (Confectionary, Uptown Jewelers, Exposition Hall, Fire House). I'm not sure if the Cinema is still in the East general deployment group, since it is now an Art of Disney store.
I got a chance to work at Main Street East this past summer, though Extra Hours Hotline, and was very, very impressed with the managers there. Some of the best that I've dealt with. The Confectionary was a little scary to be dropped into without training in that locaiton, but other than that, it was great.
As for Main Street, you'll be assigned to either West (Emporium, Main Street Athletic Club) or East (Confectionary, Uptown Jewelers, Exposition Hall, Fire House). I'm not sure if the Cinema is still in the East general deployment group, since it is now an Art of Disney store.
I got a chance to work at Main Street East this past summer, though Extra Hours Hotline, and was very, very impressed with the managers there. Some of the best that I've dealt with. The Confectionary was a little scary to be dropped into without training in that locaiton, but other than that, it was great.
What are hours like? I've heard that you sometimes stay till the early morning.
Captain Hank
Well-Known Member
Yeah, especially at MK. It does vary based on park hours and your location in the park (Main Street closes last). My main area this past summer was at Epcot's equivalent to most of Main Street, Future World North, and we were always the last to leave every night. On regular nights, when the park closed at 9:00, we'd get off at 11:30. On EMH nights, we'd leave at 1:30 a.m. You get used to it. I know that full-timers are given the option of bidding on schedules of (mostly) their choice, based on seniority, though I'm not too sure of the process.
Bug715
Member
I'm working merch at MSE right now. I was told before my program that I didn't want to work in Magic Kingdom because of the late nights so I was really worried when I got my assignment. But I love it! For the most part the managers are great. The coordinators are good too(andy is the best!!). Main street does stay open an hour after park close but its usually packed so time goes by fast. MSE still includes the Gallery (formerly cinema) but you have to be trained to work in there. The latest any of us CPs have had to work has been 5am. I'm not a late night person so it was hard to get use to working until 2am almost every day but I've gotten use to it and sorta miss it when I get off early because I can't go to IHop or give friends a ride home. PM me if you have any more questions.
PrincessTink
New Member
I am applying for Careerstart Fall 2008. I would really like to do Merchandise so I could really interact in with guests. My question is, if you are working till like 1:30 AM, do the busses still come get you and take you back to the apartments, because I won't be able to bring my car down there.
Thanks
Thanks
wedway71
Well-Known Member
Im very curious about Merchandise...
Spent the last 22 years in Retail Mgt now Human Resources Director for a Retail Company now.
Some questions....
What is a typical staff setup for lets just Emporium.
Number of Salaried Mgt verses Leads.
When is stock done-is there CMS assigned to stock during the day?
Who does the Merchandise Presentation for windows etc?
Is clearance ever in stores or taken out right away to go to outlet stores?
back rooms kept neat and tidy?
Spent the last 22 years in Retail Mgt now Human Resources Director for a Retail Company now.
Some questions....
What is a typical staff setup for lets just Emporium.
Number of Salaried Mgt verses Leads.
When is stock done-is there CMS assigned to stock during the day?
Who does the Merchandise Presentation for windows etc?
Is clearance ever in stores or taken out right away to go to outlet stores?
back rooms kept neat and tidy?
Captain Hank
Well-Known Member
How do you mean?
In my department, it was running roughly 1:1, though I doubt that's standard.
Most stock is done early in the morning, prior to park opening and in the first few hours of operation by specific stock CM's. The floor is filled by regular merch CM's throughout the day and after close.
There's a specific Merchandise Presentation team that does both window displays and in-store merchandise placement and presentation.
There is often a small selection of clearance available in-store, prior to it being shipped off to Property Control or the outlets. Damages are sent directly to Property Control.
Yup. "Show-ready."
joanna71985
Well-Known Member
It depends. When I did merchandise during my CP I mostly worked in Fantasyland (gotta love the green shorts). But I was sent to Adventureland and Liberty Square for 2 weeks each, and got sent to Main Street East for one day.
That also depends. Since I was on the CP I just about always closed, which meant usually working from about 4-5 pm til close. Main Street is always late hours. The stores don't even close til almost an hour after the park.
Don't worry. The buses run pretty late.
wdwdude423
New Member
This thread is really helpful 
I'll be in merchandise for my CP in January so it's always nice to hear some feedback of what it's like.
I'll be in merchandise for my CP in January so it's always nice to hear some feedback of what it's like.
tinkerbell88
New Member
I am a careerstart cast member working in merchandise right now so if you have any like really specific questions just ask i would be happy to help!!
mickeymouse2818
New Member
This is a great thread! I'm going to be in merchandise this spring and this is helping with alot of the questions I had, but I do have a few questions.
After Traditions, how long do they usually train you for the position?
We all know that the Main Street shops usually run about an hour past close, is this true for the other shops in the park or do all the shops close at the same time?
Also, what about the merchandise carts that sell pins and all the other little stuff, how are those run?
Thanks for anyone who can help me out!
After Traditions, how long do they usually train you for the position?
We all know that the Main Street shops usually run about an hour past close, is this true for the other shops in the park or do all the shops close at the same time?
Also, what about the merchandise carts that sell pins and all the other little stuff, how are those run?
Thanks for anyone who can help me out!
wdwdude423
New Member
I hope I get to work one of these stands
I guess the worst part about it is the weather, but I would much rather be out in the park than stuck in a shop. I don't mind either way, I just prefer to be "out in the action". We'll see what happens 
Captain Hank
Well-Known Member
After Traditions, you'll have one day of Merchantainment, also at Disney University. It's a day-long class that covers merchandise policies, cash handling, guest service and the ever-so-magical MATRA register system.
After that, if you're in a park, you'll have one day of park orientation.
Next, you'll begin several days of on-the-job training with an area trainer. The length of time spent with your trainer may vary somewhat, depending on how many stores are in your area and how specialized they are.
Store closings are staggared throughout the park. For example, on a standard night in Epcot all World Showcase shops (with the exception of the Towers and World Traveler) close promptly at 9:00 with the start of Illuminations. The same goes for most Future World shops that aren't already closed at 7:00. Mousegear stays open until 10:00 and ECV return, Camera Center, Gateway Gifts and Gift Stop/Package Pickup stay open until 10:45. Other parks operate similarly.
Merchandise carts are run by regular merchandise cast members in that area. They're actually a lot of fun, which surprised me. Working at an outdoor cart was one of the things I was dreading about working merch, but it ended up being one of my favorite parts--lots of guest interaction.
joanna71985
Well-Known Member
When I did merchandise in Fantasyland, there were 3 carts and 1 outdoor shop that we could be working at during the day. I had days where I worked at all of them in 1 day. And the only speciality shop we had was King's Gallery (now closed).
wdwdude423
New Member
Yea, this is the reason I would love to work at a cart. I want to be able to interact with people, because not only does it make work more fun but it makes time go a lot faster. Of course, it depends on the customers too. sometimes they can be mean :lookaroun