Record profit for Disney

[Buried20KLeague]

I guess what I am saying is that they are probably aware of the companies, but perhaps not the guides. I am not overly familiar with these companies, but if Michael isn't out there touring himself, Disney might have no idea. Lou's tours feature Lou, who has made himself quite known to Disney. If Lou was just offering Tours as a company, then he hired me to give them...Disney wouldn't have a clue.

But if Disney were aware of the company and what they were doing (as they surely must be), then a well-placed cease and desist letter or even a TRO would quickly put it all to a stop.

The fact that this hasn't happened tells me certain people are allowed to do certain things, while others aren't.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

But if Disney were aware of the company and what they were doing (as they surely must be), then a well-placed cease and desist letter or even a TRO would quickly put it all to a stop.

The fact that this hasn't happened tells me certain people are allowed to do certain things, while others aren't.

And, I don't at all disagree. As I said earlier...if Lou can get away with it, then obviously Disney is ok with it. He is too well known amongst some of their people to go unnoticed.

 

[Monty]

Since Jim Hill isn't allowed to at DL and Lou Mongello is allowed at WDW, maybe the two parks that are operated independently have different policies? :shrug:

Just a thought.

 

[COProgressFan]

Since Jim Hill isn't allowed to at DL and Lou Mongello is allowed at WDW, maybe the two parks that are operated independently have different policies? :shrug:

Just a thought.

Certainly possible, on some level. If you set up a cart on Main Street and try to sell things, they will obviously throw you out. But the tour thing is more ambiguous, and there may be different interpretations of how to handle it (or whether to do anything at all).

And since when has Disney ever been consistent will enforcing or not enforcing any policy!? :ROFLOL:

 

[ScoutN]

Nope. Rate increased due to change of contract. It's still lower than full-time, however. Pay IS based on roles, so yes, it is conceivable that a lifeguard CP will make that much but lifeguard CPs are the highest-paid of all CPs and still make less than full-time life guards. There are even higher-paid entry-level positions for full-timers, like bus drivers, that CP's do not have access to.

The point is, that no matter WHAT role a CP performs, they will ALWAYS be paid lower than the base starting rate for a full-time, part-time, or seasonal cast member in the same role.

For the record, I was a CP three times, and I am now full-time with Disney, so don't think I'm knocking the program. I'm just correcting you on how woefully misinformed on the overall pay differential between full-time Cast Members and CP Cast Members you are.



Yes, this is because they are either paid hourly and live in the same housing complexes as the CP's (usually in a block that's reserved for the PI's) but pay significantly more on a weekly basis for rent to compensate, so their percentage of disposable income is pretty much the same. For the salaried professional internships (e.g., management), which I myself have done, housing is not provided and you are paid lower than the full-time salaried cast members, even ones that are only on temporary assignments.

The college program and professional internship programs are a great way to getting your foot in the door with Disney, but anyone who goes into it or is an outsider saying they pay a decent wage is deluding themselves. Hell, even front-line full-time pay at Disney is hardly glamorous. You don't start making a decent living wage until you get into an entertainment tech role, a non-union hourly role or leadership.

I am still missing how I am misinformed when I have seen the numbers I stated myself. I am trying to wrap my head around why you feel it is low pay when they are making average part time job pay. It is not a degreed job or a NASA internship, they aren't going to be making $23/hour over the summer. The fact you think they are underpaid is laughable. To stand and direct guests, push buttons on a ride (I know what ops does, that's the sum im giving), operate a fryer, or run a cash register is hardly even $6. I'm still lost as to why you feel that it is so bad they are paid a lower wage. If anything, this ridiculous minimum wage law needs to hit the can. $8/hour to take my order at a restaurant, that is bogus.

And as far as me being misinformed, as I stated I have seen what they made and what they paid for housing. I am well aware of the numbers that I have seen. Did I ever state they made more? Negative, I sure didn't. My point is they make an AVERAGE wage with what the majority of other employers would pay. So how that was misinterpreted is, who knows.

Don't feel as if I am attempting to discredit you, I am just saying that some are paid higher than others. All of my family who has partaken in it has had considerable experience and impeccable references. The numbers I have seen just so happen to be different than what you have. That is the case with any part time job in any company.

 

[COProgressFan]

I am still missing how I am misinformed when I have seen the numbers I stated myself. I am trying to wrap my head around why you feel it is low pay when they are making average part time job pay. It is not a degreed job or a NASA internship, they aren't going to be making $23/hour over the summer. The fact you think they are underpaid is laughable. To stand and direct guests, push buttons on a ride (I know what ops does, that's the sum im giving), operate a fryer, or run a cash register is hardly even $6. I'm still lost as to why you feel that it is so bad they are paid a lower wage. If anything, this ridiculous minimum wage law needs to hit the can. $8/hour to take my order at a restaurant, that is bogus.

Wow, that's harsh.

I don't want to jump into your argument, but I think the issue with Disney pay is that working for Disney, at comparable wages to elsewhere, is more difficult than working for others. For minimum wage Disney expects a lot from their employees in terms of levels of service, wearing costumes, parking and taking shuttles in, no tattoos or excessive jewelry, etc. And in the case of ops, while some of the job is pushing buttons, etc. as you say, the actions of those CMs directly affect the safety of others. Compare this with being paid minimum wage, say, at Taco Bell where you show up to work and get to park right outside, wear sloppy clothes, and treat your customers like crap.

I don't think anyone thinks CMs in the parks should be paid $23/hr (I don't know where you got that number from), but certainly whether their work is commensurate is a debatable point. Adjusted for inflation, pay has decreased for CMs over the years.

 

[jakeman]

Wow, that's harsh.

I don't want to jump into your argument, but I think the issue with Disney pay is that working for Disney, at comparable wages to elsewhere, is more difficult than working for others. For minimum wage Disney expects a lot from their employees in terms of levels of service, wearing costumes, parking and taking shuttles in, no tattoos or excessive jewelry, etc. And in the case of ops, while some of the job is pushing buttons, etc. as you say, the actions of those CMs directly affect the safety of others. Compare this with being paid minimum wage, say, at Taco Bell where you show up to work and get to park right outside, wear sloppy clothes, and treat your customers like crap.

I don't think anyone thinks CMs in the parks should be paid $23/hr (I don't know where you got that number from), but certainly whether their work is commensurate is a debatable point. Adjusted for inflation, pay has decreased for CMs over the years.

Ah...yeah...I'm going to have to disagree here.

Working at Disney was a cake walk for me. It was by far the easiest job I ever had. I got paid about the same there as I did being a pharmacy tech in college (a little less per hour, but it was a wash with state taxes) and there was much less stress and critical thinking.

Of course, everyone's experience is different, but compared to every other single job I've ever had, Disney was the least stressful, and least demanding job I've had.

 

[Hakunamatata]

And to further muddle this discussion of wages, when I retire from my current employer I plan to work for Disney seasonally. Here is the kicker, I would do it for the free admission to the parks and employee discounts if any. And I bet I'm not the only one that would do this either....

 

[ScoutN]

Wow, that's harsh.

I don't want to jump into your argument, but I think the issue with Disney pay is that working for Disney, at comparable wages to elsewhere, is more difficult than working for others. For minimum wage Disney expects a lot from their employees in terms of levels of service, wearing costumes, parking and taking shuttles in, no tattoos or excessive jewelry, etc. And in the case of ops, while some of the job is pushing buttons, etc. as you say, the actions of those CMs directly affect the safety of others. Compare this with being paid minimum wage, say, at Taco Bell where you show up to work and get to park right outside, wear sloppy clothes, and treat your customers like crap.

I don't think anyone thinks CMs in the parks should be paid $23/hr (I don't know where you got that number from), but certainly whether their work is commensurate is a debatable point. Adjusted for inflation, pay has decreased for CMs over the years.

Harsh? Hardly, several jobs warrant nowhere near the pay that the government requires. Take a minimum wage Disney employee and throw them in a retail minimum wage position. I wonder which of the two that they would pick. Hmm. I think I have an inkling.

Take careful note of how I worded "push buttons." Working Ops at Disney is no different than Ops at another park when it comes to safety, other parks that start their Ops employees directly at minimum wage. Their requirements are not harsh either. Several companies are outlining their employee's dress policy directly after Disney; other theme parks, YMCAs, etc.

$23/hour is around what NASA, NNSB, and other big name groups usually pays for internships that require 70+ completed credit hours, credit hours that are degree specific and relate to the position interning for.

 

[ScoutN]

And to further muddle this discussion of wages, when I retire from my current employer I plan to work for Disney seasonally. Here is the kicker, I would do it for the free admission to the parks and employee discounts if any. And I bet I'm not the only one that would do this either....

That's the perk. That warrants it all. Ask a CM if they would rather have A$2/3 higher/hour and no Main Gate. I wonder which of the two they would summon.

Before someone says you can work elsewhere and maintain a discount, you can't. Take ANY employer's discount and weigh it next to what Disney discounts. It does not even compare in a far off world (maybe SWP&E is close but still not the same.)

 

[COProgressFan]

Ah...yeah...I'm going to have to disagree here.

Working at Disney was a cake walk for me. It was by far the easiest job I ever had. I got paid about the same there as I did being a pharmacy tech in college (a little less per hour, but it was a wash with state taxes) and there was much less stress and critical thinking.

Of course, everyone's experience is different, but compared to every other single job I've ever had, Disney was the least stressful, and least demanding job I've had.

I know there are plenty of cakewalk jobs at Disney. And I see tons of CMs all the time, just kind of hanging around not doing anything, or interacting with guests (hardly work). Still, I also know that is not the case in every position. I know some who worked in food and beverage and had to work very hard all day (even if there wasn't much critical thinking involved).

I just know that working for the same minimum wage, Disney requires far more from their employees than other employers. From the logistics of working there as I mentioned (strict dress codes, not being able to park near your work location, some scheduling inflexibility, etc.) and the "Disney Difference" in terms of service (which we know many CMs don't really care about, but it is still expected) in many cases it is far easier to work for other employers at the same rate. And this is not even considering the current culture of working for WDW, which is often toxic/dysfunctional.

Much like how Disney commands a premium price from their guests due to the "magic", Disney seems to get away with paying their CM's less for being part of the same "magic".

 

[mgf]

Seemed relevant

"Disney acquires mommy blogging site Babble"

 

[Hakunamatata]

I just know that working for the same minimum wage, Disney requires far more from their employees than other employers. From the logistics of working there as I mentioned (strict dress codes, not being able to park near your work location, some scheduling inflexibility, etc.) and the "Disney Difference" in terms of service (which we know many CMs don't really care about, but it is still expected) in many cases it is far easier to work for other employers at the same rate. And this is not even considering the current culture of working for WDW, which is often toxic/dysfunctional.

Much like how Disney commands a premium price from their guests due to the "magic", Disney seems to get away with paying their CM's less for being part of the same "magic".

I think a lot of these points would carry more weight if we lived in a society where you had no choice where to work. But in my opinion is that since you apply to work at Disney for a job that you know what the pay is going in, don't complain that it's not fair.

I constantly tell my kids that fairness is a state of perception and is rarely based on fact.

 

[Alektronic]

I know there are plenty of cakewalk jobs at Disney. And I see tons of CMs all the time, just kind of hanging around not doing anything, or interacting with guests (hardly work). Still, I also know that is not the case in every position. I know some who worked in food and beverage and had to work very hard all day (even if there wasn't much critical thinking involved).

I just know that working for the same minimum wage, Disney requires far more from their employees than other employers. From the logistics of working there as I mentioned (strict dress codes, not being able to park near your work location, some scheduling inflexibility, etc.) and the "Disney Difference" in terms of service (which we know many CMs don't really care about, but it is still expected) in many cases it is far easier to work for other employers at the same rate. And this is not even considering the current culture of working for WDW, which is often toxic/dysfunctional.

Much like how Disney commands a premium price from their guests due to the "magic", Disney seems to get away with paying their CM's less for being part of the same "magic".

Maybe Bob Iger thinks Disney employees make too much money? He has a new program called "Disney Employee Matching Gifts", where you can give away up to $15,000.00 of your pay and Disney will match it if you give it to an educational program or a charitable organization.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Maybe Bob Iger thinks Disney employees make too much money? He has a new program called "Disney Employee Matching Gifts", where you can give away up to $15,000.00 of your pay and Disney will match it if you give it to an educational program or a charitable organization.

A lot of companies do that. There are many philanthropic people in the world who want to donate their money, so if a company is willing to match they are usually pretty happy about that.

 

[COProgressFan]

I think a lot of these points would carry more weight if we lived in a society where you had no choice where to work. But in my opinion is that since you apply to work at Disney for a job that you know what the pay is going in, don't complain that it's not fair.

I constantly tell my kids that fairness is a state of perception and is rarely based on fact.

No, I completely agree with what you're saying. Everyone has a choice where to work.

I will argue, however, that in Disney's case, as the largest private employer in Florida, they have a significant amount of influence in pay not just for their company, but others as well. I think the "if you don't like it, just don't work there" argument is appropriate to some degree, but it is akin to the "if you have criticisms of WDW, don't go there" argument. Things aren't quite that simple.

 

[devoy1701]

this thread is teetering on yet another slippery slope.

 

[Hakunamatata]

No, I completely agree with what you're saying. Everyone has a choice where to work.

I will argue, however, that in Disney's case, as the largest private employer in Florida, they have a significant amount of influence in pay not just for their company, but others as well. I think the "if you don't like it, just don't work there" argument is appropriate to some degree, but it is akin to the "if you have criticisms of WDW, don't go there" argument. Things aren't quite that simple.

It's basically market forces, which is the way it should be.

 

[WDW1974]

It's basically market forces, which is the way it should be.

Ah, so another one of the 99% who believes in defending the 1% ...let's all quote Ayn Rand as some hero and dance around in the streets waving flags ... hope you have your cabin in the mountains well stocked when the rest of the people wake up.

~GFC~

 

[WDW1974]

When someone gets to the point that they publicly profess that they are being "screwed" by Disney, then if they are not willing to put their money where their mouth is and not continue to support the "screwer", then to me they are nothing but a whining agitator. But, thats just my opinion.

I agree.

Yep.

Disney World.

Love it (and its management and the way every aspect of it is today) or leave it so the lines will be shorter for the rest of us addicts!:xmas:

Oh, just my opinion. :drevil:

~GFC~