I would like to know the best way to go about working at wdw in retail management. I have worked for disney for 4 years and would like to start at wdw. I have a place in orlando so i can be local at anytime. Any tips. Do they do interviews at casting everyday?
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retail job
- Thread starter cruiseman
- Start date
cm1988
Active Member
WDW Merchandise Division
Since you've worked for Disney, do you know anyone who could make a call to Florida on your behalf?
Check the Orlando Sentinal and web employment boards like Monster.com for Merchandise Guest Service Manager positions. As you probably know, many GSM positions are internal promotions. It can take a year or more to be selected for a Management Training program. Other GSM's come in from the College Program and subsequent internships, so stepping into Management right through the door - even with WDC experience - could require patience, letters and phone calls, and luck.
If you can start as hourly, there should be many opportunities (maybe not immediate, but depending on seasons and the current economy) for a person with Company experience and retail experience. You might want to think about where you would prefer to work... Theme Parks, Resorts, or Sports & Recreation (includes Water Parks). Next time you're in town, you might want to scout a few of those locations... the Cast Members in the shop may not know if that particular location is hiring... but you'll be able to see if you like the pace of work there (which almost certainly varies by time of day), the themeing, the merchandise and the teamwork you see going on.
Casting does walk-in interviews at least five days a week. I know sometimes they're open on Saturday as well; have never seen them open on Sundays. When you interview, you could say which type of location most interests you... and why... but also let the interviewer know you're open to other areas as well (each has its special advantages, after all).
Any further questions, please post again and/or give the JobLine a call at (407) 828-1000, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST. They can give your the current Casting Center hours and you can talk 'live' with a Casting Rep.
Okay! As a first step, click here for general information.
Since you've worked for Disney, do you know anyone who could make a call to Florida on your behalf?
Check the Orlando Sentinal and web employment boards like Monster.com for Merchandise Guest Service Manager positions. As you probably know, many GSM positions are internal promotions. It can take a year or more to be selected for a Management Training program. Other GSM's come in from the College Program and subsequent internships, so stepping into Management right through the door - even with WDC experience - could require patience, letters and phone calls, and luck.
If you can start as hourly, there should be many opportunities (maybe not immediate, but depending on seasons and the current economy) for a person with Company experience and retail experience. You might want to think about where you would prefer to work... Theme Parks, Resorts, or Sports & Recreation (includes Water Parks). Next time you're in town, you might want to scout a few of those locations... the Cast Members in the shop may not know if that particular location is hiring... but you'll be able to see if you like the pace of work there (which almost certainly varies by time of day), the themeing, the merchandise and the teamwork you see going on.
Casting does walk-in interviews at least five days a week. I know sometimes they're open on Saturday as well; have never seen them open on Sundays. When you interview, you could say which type of location most interests you... and why... but also let the interviewer know you're open to other areas as well (each has its special advantages, after all).
Any further questions, please post again and/or give the JobLine a call at (407) 828-1000, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST. They can give your the current Casting Center hours and you can talk 'live' with a Casting Rep.
i thought i was the only one in here who wanted a position with disney in merchandise-lol.im at a point now where i think my 12 years in merchandise management/marketing will maybe get an interview with disney.my problem is that i know disney and merchanidse is where i want to be but which area?? with my backround im hoping for mid level mgt within the merchandise arena but not sure where i want to be-
cant decide between
a-wdw-plenty of merchandise growth
b-dl/ca-same
c-disney store
d-consumer products
decisions,decisions-AAHHHHHHHH:hammer: :hammer: :hammer:
cm1988
Active Member
Another route to Mdse. Management
If you don't want to start as Host/Hostess at WDW, another route to Management is through the Disney Stores. Is that where you worked for four years? Were you in mgt. there?
If not, that's a next step to consider.
I would expect that a person promoted into Management at a Disney Store (ok, that isn't easy) would have a much better chance of landing a WDW Management role... transferring in rather than hiring in.
It would seem less of a risk than relocating across country (as I did. 'Course, back then, there were no Disney Stores)
If you don't want to start as Host/Hostess at WDW, another route to Management is through the Disney Stores. Is that where you worked for four years? Were you in mgt. there?
If not, that's a next step to consider.
I would expect that a person promoted into Management at a Disney Store (ok, that isn't easy) would have a much better chance of landing a WDW Management role... transferring in rather than hiring in.
It would seem less of a risk than relocating across country (as I did. 'Course, back then, there were no Disney Stores)