Wages of Safari Guides at AK

[cherrynegra]

I just read a letter at Jim Hill Media from a cast member who works as a safari guide for DAK's Kilimanjaro Safari attraction. He listed in vivid detail all of the travails involved when working as a safari guide. The few times I rode the ride, I paid very close attention to the guides and realized just how difficult this job could be. I personally think these guys work harder than most CMs.

I had heard that they weren't paid a higher wage and couldn't believe it. Now this letter confirms it. In the writer's words, "The starting hourly pay rate for Kilimanjaro Safari's for full time cast members is $6.70. To put this in perspective, Characters start at $7.15 an hour. Security and Transportation are at over $8.00 an hour."

I'm totally flabbergasted. I can't believe how low these guys are being paid. I thought for sure these guys would start out at $12.00 an hour. How on Earth does one survive on $6.70 an hour? I mean I know the cost of living in Florida might be low, but $6.70?? Okay, is it because I live in San Francisco with it's relative high starting wages that I'm so amazed??

I think these guys need a raise. I think all the CMs do. Oi, putting up with millions of people every year and having to do it with a smile? My cap is off to you guys. I always respected you CMs out there, but now I appreciate the hard work you guys do even more!!

Please take a look at the article. It's very interesting reading.

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/main/index.htm

 

[Pixie Duster]

I won't go into the details of how much I get paid and such but that's the average pay rate for most positions at WDW. The safari guides to work very hard. I would love to work there just for a short while. There is a term a lot of us use, it's "Disney pay" and "Disney prices". You don't work for Disney because of the money.

 

[DisneySaint]

"You don't work for Disney because of the money."

Best quote ever.

 

[mkt]

welcome to the lovely world of no state income tax and unionized wages.

 

[cherrynegra]

Well, you may not work for Disney for the money, but that doesn't mean one's enthusiasm is going to pay your bills. I know it may be considered a "liberal" or "progressive" idea, but I still believe that the Disney CMs should be paid a living wage. And don't tell me you can live on $6.70 an hour. Ford was a believer in paying his employees a wage where they would be able to purchase the cars they manufactured. And you don't need to be a scientist to know that well paid employees are more productive. I believe a CM once posted, "It's hard to be in the Disney spirit when you're barely making a living."

 

[mkt]

which is why I would never return to Disney full time. It's not worth having to be professional and courteous, when I don't even make enough to cover the cost of gas to work (seriously... at my old home, when I had my Jeep, the round trip from home to work and back cost me almost $10 a day)... especially when they'd schedule me a 4 hour shift.

It wasn't worth it... I'd love to return, but with a purpose, with a reason for being there.

At the end of the day, the magic only got me so far.

 

[Pixie Duster]

Trust me I know it is not enough to get by, I do work for Disney and I get paid less than the safari guides. I just got offered a FT position with Saratoga Springs and my pay rate went up a little bit, but at least now I can actually buy groceries. The only way I am able to live comfortably is my fiance.

Thank you for your concern for the well being of the hard working cast members <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_1_125.gif' border=0></a>

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Pixie Duster
I just got offered a FT position with Saratoga Springs

I remember your mentioning the impending interview. Congratulations!

 

[AndyP]

I'm 16 and live in the UK, i work for TESCO, an international supermarket chain. I started on £4.53 an hour, around $8.00 an hour. at 18 i get a raise to £5.49 an hour! I know living in the US is cheaper than in the UK (relative prices of food and petrol/gas anyway). Being someone who is considering going to work for Disney for a year or so, i really think they need to raise the wages!