Question For Full Time Cast Members

[Scar Junior]

/\ /\ CPs.

On another note though, I must say that unless you have an MBA or Law Degree... a job at WDW almost always requires several months in a frontline position first. This goes back to Walt's ideals.

I know people who are very high up, some who work under Meg, and when they left their jobs and moved to Orlando they had to start out in hourly CM jobs making about $9 and supporting a family.

The most important thing to know about Disney World as far as planning a career goes is this: Disney World is the largest single-site employer in the US. It works on a very nepotistic system... or as Disney and other corporations say "networking."

While the term "nepotism" is primarily used to describe the biased promotion of family, used loosely it works here to include friends. It's all about who you know and who they know. A large share of people who are promoted either know the decision makers or know people who know the decision makers.

Many people will say it's all about tenure... well, some things like schedule preference is. But for most backstage or salary employees, tenure has very little to do with decision making.

I just want some of you to know this because there is a huge misconception that if you work for Disney you will be screwed out of pay and promotions... well, not if you play your cards right, or "play the game" that most everyone else does. Some of you know this. This nepotisic system is not only at Disney, most companies - from Fortune 100 companies to Mom and Pop shops - operate this way. It's not news, but for some reason people think Disney is different because... well, it's Disney.

EDIT: To be completely honest, I should say that I - and other members of these forums - have benefitted from this system. And while it is not the most "fair," it is the way it is. It is a way for people to know they are promoting people they can trust.

 

[mkt]

On another note though, I must say that unless you have an MBA or Law Degree... a job at WDW almost always requires several months in a frontline position first. This goes back to Walt's ideals.

I know 2 people in the character department with their JD (law degree), so something is inherently flawed with the system. They want to work only for Disney, but can't seem to get a job in the legal department.

As far as Walt's ideals, starting at the bottom and working your way up wasn't one them... that's just basic at any large, service industry employer. He believed in hiring the right person and keeping them around. He put up with people whom would have probably been fired in the current, post-Eisner, Disney, because he knew they were the correct talent.

 

[mkt]

*note* I'm not sure that I agree with the statement that salaried leaders make less than their counterparts outside of Disney. Back in the day when I was an F&B Manager, I made About 8k more per year than my sister did managing an Olive Garden in New York. My roomate at the time was an operations manager for one of the attraction areas in EPCOT and made about 3k more than me. I would say that our pay rates were very competitive. It is also true of many of the backstage roles, such as HR, Labor Operations, and Finance. All are paid well for the effort each role requires. Also, in my years of F&B, my raises ranged between 6 and 8% per year. Not bad at all.

How many years ago was that? I know that presently, I'm earning about $6-8k more a year than my WDW counterparts (not an official number, but just what I've gathered from discussions with them)

 

[typhoonguy]

How many years ago was that? I know that presently, I'm earning about $6-8k more a year than my WDW counterparts (not an official number, but just what I've gathered from discussions with them)

Almost 4 years ago. Got promoted in January '04

 

[mkt]

Almost 4 years ago. Got promoted in January '04

Perhaps it was different since you were promoted, instead of hired straight into management

 

[Scar Junior]

As far as Walt's ideals, starting at the bottom and working your way up wasn't one them... that's just basic at any large, service industry employer. He believed in hiring the right person and keeping them around. He put up with people whom would have probably been fired in the current, post-Eisner, Disney, because he knew they were the correct talent.

Well, maybe I wasn't clear in what I meant. With Disneyland he wanted all employees to have a few months of frontline experience. But yes, he also wanted good people who were trainable. People have generally been hired on personality and demeanor and then trained for the position, rather than hiring for skill and teaching people how to have a 'Disney' personality. But like you said, there's many exceptions to this rule during the Eisner era and some of the Eisner-ites who still hold influetial positions.

There's a great article from a few years ago about disney selling their business and HR models to corporations and they talk a little about this. It's too early in the morning to go look for it, but I'll post it either today or tomorrow... unless nobody cares. But personally, I think its a good read.

 

[wedway71]

This brought up a question. Does WDW still make Execs once a year do front line roles for a day like they used too to feel the pulse of the entrenched hourly CMS??

 

[Scar Junior]

This brought up a question. Does WDW still make Execs once a year do front line roles for a day like they used too to feel the pulse of the entrenched hourly CMS??

According to the article (written in 2004 i think), yes. But who knows how true that is. I've heard both yes and no. It depends on various factors who and how many white collars don a costume - but I don't know who decides it and how. However, there is still other work to do beyond tending to guests so it's not like they empty the board rooms and offices just so Ma and Pa Kettle get their popcorn a little bit faster.

I just like it from a psychological standpoint. It's beneficial for the regular CMs see powerful people working beside them and sharing the burden of the holiday season. Also it helps the white collars remember just how tough it can be to be working the frontline positions. Additionally, it looks good to any guests that may learn that the person helping them is a decision-maker.

* I'll post the article I'm referring to soon.

 

[dflye]

Having done the white-collar gig at WDW about a decade ago, my POV may be a bit dated. At the time, I was lured into a project at the Team Disney building across from DTD doing software development for a project that included the pricing/booking of trips on future (at the time) Disney Cruise Line ships.

Since this project started prior to the dot-bomb and was using bleeding-edge technology, I was hired at a premium over the salary I was making at the major telco where I was working, which was already rapidly approaching 6 figures, even before performance bonuses. Disney went a decent amount above that (for which I was certainly thankful when negotiating salary at my next job! :lol: )

Having worked a salaried position for several years prior to coming to Disney, I was already used to working anywhere from 60 on average to the infrequent 80 plus hours per week (with the very infrequent 100 plus hours per week), all at the same paycheck per month. My time at Disney wasn't a whole lot different than my prior job as far as being worked to death, but the benefits were great, and the people I worked with were for the most part decent and in some cases became lifelong friends to this day.

As to the white-collar folk getting sent out to the parks to discover how the parks really operate, I was sent to the parks on two different occasions in the year that I was with Disney. At the time, we were simply sent out to the park in our usual business attire (i.e., slacks, dress shirt and tie at the bare minimum) with a smock thrown over the top.

For the more memorable visit of the two, I spent the day buttering roasted corn over a broiling hot grill near the Tower of Terror in the heat of the summer, which really made me appreciate what the poor folks in the parks suffer through on a daily basis. I also learned from the CM running the stand what types of sunglasses were best used for ogling the babes. :drevil:

So now I'm ten years after Disney, in the post-dot-bomb era, struggling to make what I made per salaried year at Disney, and that is while working an hourly contract gig now! So, while the salaried rates for my particular project were well above market rate 10 years ago, I cannot speak for the average salary rate they pay now for a similar position.

 

[mikesoccer40]

Thanks for all the information

I thank all who have some knowledge about the working, management and hiring AT WDW. It gives me far more to think of and pursue as my 20 years approaches with the military.

My only additional question would be what area to attempt to wiggle into or pursue. My jobs have included: combat arms, logistics and recruiting and curently I am the Commander (as an NCO) of a unit with approximately 300 soliders. What, if any advise can anyone give me concerning the job description and / or career path I might be able to follow at WDW. Additionally how do you contact the right offices to pursue a salaried or white color job at WDW?

 

[wedway71]

I thank all who have some knowledge about the working, management and hiring AT WDW. It gives me far more to think of and pursue as my 20 years approaches with the military.

My only additional question would be what area to attempt to wiggle into or pursue. My jobs have included: combat arms, logistics and recruiting and curently I am the Commander (as an NCO) of a unit with approximately 300 soliders. What, if any advise can anyone give me concerning the job description and / or career path I might be able to follow at WDW. Additionally how do you contact the right offices to pursue a salaried or white color job at WDW?

Hey Indiana!
I would say with 20 years in a combat related field id suggest maybe Security management.Security Director or manager or investigator.
If I made a career in the USAF(was in for 4) id probably try that career myself.

 

[mikesoccer40]

Thanks for the ideas WEDWAY. And glad to see another Indiana gentleman on the boards and as much of a nut for anything Disney as my whole family is.
Also glad to see another military man who shares the same interest.

GO COLTS !!!!!!!