To be honest, being backstage doesn't ruin the magic at all. If ANYTHING ruins the magic, it's rude guests who yell and scream at me for things beyond my control...that just completely kills the magic for me. I normally regain the magic after a few days off work, or visiting as a guest.
I cannot agree enough. You'll also have to remember no one never has a problem at their job (with a manager, or a coworker, or the hours - that kind of thing), and you may get angry at Disney for it (a little displacement). But honestly? Walking the Utilitor everyday didn't hurt the magic for me at all - I got to be part of the magic, and that made it all even better. But yeah, after a rude guest spits at you, you might need a few days off (which happened to me). But while the CP treats you maybe not as well, and I'd probably recommend moving down there and getting a position for a few months for the same experience (find a roommate or two), working for Disney is an overall positive experience.
I dunno how much I recommend the WDWCP specifically as an avenue to work for Disney. For me, they piled on extra hours due to the fact that as a CP, you can't get overtime. I had a very intense work experience at BTM involving being direly understaffed. It was very difficult, and I was working 65+ hours for 9 straight weeks (when I applied and interviewed they'd said it'd only be that intense for 3 weeks, most likely and we would probably only work six days a week for those 3 weeks, instead of from the beginning of March through the week we left in May), and my entire area burned out to where we couldn't lift out heads. And the system of senority for CPs was bizarre - because I was certified last on the same day as everyone else I recieved the latest, worst hours weeks longer than anyone else I started with. More insultingly, everyone else on the attraction, including the managers, some of the coordinators, and all the full timers went back down to 5, but knowing we were all (but one) leaving, they decided to burn us out because we weren't long time prospects. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: From my friends still there, nothing is like this anymore - they are better staffed and completely under more control.
My boyfriend however, usually stayed around 50 something hours, even during crazy times, went back to 2 days off a week, had better days on the whole, and never got spit on. I had an incredible, amazing, unforgettable, life changing experience despite what happened to me, but he had no despite - his was just awesome all around.
The part/full timers usually got better hours, got more flexibility with requesting time off, full timers get some kind of benefits including vacation time (I believe). I'm not trying to dissuade you - like I said, my boyfriend (the wonderful amazing incredible Kevin) rarely if ever had a bad day, and certainly never had a problem with scheduling or rough managers or exceptionally rude guests (and you'd think he would working in Quick Service Food and Beverage - hungry people are crazy!!!!), although he would get extended sometimes, but it was never bad. We both made amazing friends at our jobs that we keep in touch with from home (one of whom is meeting us in Disney for our vacation in May) and talk about how incredible a time we had all the time.
The WDWCP does offer bussing, convenient living quarters (we shared a 2 person apartment (the minimum possible) and it was huge and we loved it), and classes that can count for college credit (not at my school, unfortunately). So it's really up to you. Despite everything I said negative, if I could, I'd work for Disney again in a heartbeat - nothing compares to helping make the magic for people - it's a life changing experience and I miss it all the time.
-Nicholas
PS: I would like to everyone to know this isn't an attack on the WDWCP - I'm just trying to give a fair, real, representation of what my CP was like, that the don't really tell you during the interview process - and I even say how well Kevin's went. Just my opnion on whether or not it affects the magic, and a bit on the WDWCP itself.
