I want to work at Tower!

[Skovdaddy]

Hey Everyone! I've posted a few times on this thread about my experiences at Shrek over the last year. While Shrek is still fun on occasion, I have become more and more interested in getting a job at Disney. I have met a few people that work at Tower (In Orlando), and they tell me how great of a place it is to work. I have an appointment at Casting on Wednesday, and I'm debating asking for a seasonal or part time job. I would really enjoy working at the Tower of Terror. I do have a few questions about getting a job at Disney, and I would be greatful if any of the CMs here could answer some of them.

How much choice does Disney give new hires on which attraction they get to work at?

If I worked seasonally, would Disney be okay with me just picking up shifts now and then to fit my schedule?

Since I work at Shrek at Universal(which is considered an attraction even though its just a 3d movie), would there be conflict if I were to work in attractions at Disney?

Does Disney like hiring Universal Employees? Or do they frown on us for working for their competition? (I have my last year's evaluation to prove that I'm not a reject employee, I'm a trainer and the safety rep at my attraction.)

I heard that Seasonals can now get a main gate now for only working one hour (instead of 300.) Do seasonal new hires get their main gate after 90 days, or 2 weeks like full and part timers do?

Thanks in advance for anyone that can answer these questions! I am very excited about working for Disney! Hopefully they will let me work at my favorite themed attraction, the Tower of Terror!

[IndyandMarion]

First off. Tower is not a walk in the park. It is extremely technical and there is a good amount of walking involved while opening the building (Which you would do during your training). It will take about two weeks to get completely trained (total).

As long as there is an open slot for seasonal or part time positions at Tower, you might get in. Otherwise they might send you to Fantasmic! until a spot becomes available.

It would be better to go part time, you get benefits and a main gate (Though I don't think it's right, but thats another story), from only working two or three days a week.

They will be willing to work around your schedule. You'd be surprised at how many Disversal people there are (Term for people who work both Disney World and Universal).

Honestly, and this is not coming from me as a CM at Rock n Roller Coaster, I would suggest trying to get a spot at Coaster, do the training then after the 90 days go to Tower. Simply because we are a less complicated ride, it's fun as hell to work and, pending you did go to Tower from Coaster, you'd have a better understand of the technical ideas going into it. But that is completely up to you. Just remember, if you go straight to tower and they don't have an opening, you run the chance of being sent to Fantasmic! over Coaster. . .

Last thing: Costumes. Heed this warning. While the Coats at Tower and jackets at coaster are optional. . . Tower, DOES NOT have a shorts option. They are trousers, period. Coaster, option of trousers or shorts.

[Anna]

I know 3 Universal employees that work at Tower, two work at rides at Universal and the other person in a non-ride postion at Universal.

[xtinkerbell84x]

Tower is a lot of fun to work, and I can't wait to go back in July. Honestly, the most complicated thing about it is securing the building in the morning. It's a lot to remember, but most people just do it during their training and then never do it again. The openers are pretty much a set group of people. Like Indy said, however, it is rather hard to get into Tower, I spent a year at Fantasmic before I went to Tower (but in that year, I became a trainer at 2 attractions: Fantasmic and B&B) But on the other hand, it was worth the wait.

[Zazu]

I have an appointment at Casting on Wednesday, and I'm debating asking for a seasonal or part time job. ... I do have a few questions about getting a job at Disney, and I would be greatful if any of the CMs here could answer some of them.

How much choice does Disney give new hires on which attraction they get to work at?

You can get hired directly into any open position. Is there a position open at your chosen attraction? Check the jobs hotline every Monday morning and see.

Get to your interview and find your chosen position isn't available, and you aren't willing to compromise for a few months? Ask to be put on a waiting list for that attraction. There's no guarantee you'll get a callback, but you don't get stuck at Fantasmic! for a year.

If I worked seasonally, would Disney be okay with me just picking up shifts now and then to fit my schedule?

Seasonal won't work unless you leave your other job. Seasonal staff generally have to offer 5 days/week availability during their "on" season. During your "off" season, you don't have valid ID so cannot pick up shifts.

Part time cast can and do pick up shifts on their off days, and as it's online, it's easy and not subject to patronage and favoritism.

Since I work at Shrek at Universal ... would there be conflict if I were to work in attractions at Disney?

Nope. You just have to make sure you know which is your primary job, and tell the secondary job you absolutely cannot work the days your first job needs you. This shouldn't be a problem, as Disney has lots of part-timers who only work the days off their main jobs.

Does Disney like hiring Universal Employees?

Disney couldn't care less what you do on your days off, so long as you show up and do your work when scheduled.

... do they frown on us for working for their competition?

Oh please! We're talking about attraction operators, not creative designers. (And frankly, both companies hire the same creative design companies!)

I have my last year's evaluation to prove that I'm not a reject employee, I'm a trainer and the safety rep at my attraction.

That would be an advantage getting a job anywhere. Disney is no different.

I heard that Seasonals can now get a main gate now for only working one hour (instead of 300.)

Not quite. You generally have to make it through training first. Sometimes the cards get there early, sometimes the managers pocket them until they think you'll make it.

Minimum season is, IIRC, two weeks. However, the shorter your season is, the less likely you'll get scheduled. Remember, seasonal cast are non-union, so there's no seniority.

I am very excited about working for Disney!

Make sure you let them know that at your audition. Enthusiasm counts -- that and sincerity. If you can work up the energy to fake those....

[IndyandMarion]

Seeing how today is Wednesday I doubt you'll read this before you go to your interview.

I am really sorry to say this but according to the coordinator of training in Area 3 (This coming from his mouth), all training for ToTs, Tower and Fantasmic! has been frozen. At this time, all new incoming attractions people will be sent to Coaster. Apparently, the other three attractions have their quota filled in every way. They are trying to cover Coaster because as of right now, when the CPs leave in exactly one month, Coaster will be short. Therefore the reason why this is going down.

[Freak]

You guys arent that short staffed in Florida/WDW are you? Over at my park, were friggin short staffed to hell. I was hired in to my ride (which many people are jealous of, since Xcel doesnt seem to be a new hire ride), and we already have one leaving, and another who was term'd. (and I am very, very, very angry about what happened. Especially since she was pretty much my only friend up there and everything. Our entire rides area says it was BS, but we cant do anything. :mad: :( )

[Skovdaddy]

Good News Everyone!

I got hired to be a Part-Time Cast Member at Sunset!

I am very excited about starting my new role! I should start Traditions the week of May 7th.

Thank you for all of your help and advice, especially Indy and Zazu! I was very nervous about going into Casting as a Universal employee and you made me feel more comfortable going into my interview. Since I did get a spot at Sunset, and I hope to work either Tower or Coaster.

I am really sorry to say this but according to the coordinator of training in Area 3 (This coming from his mouth), all training for ToTs, Tower and Fantasmic! has been frozen. At this time, all new incoming attractions people will be sent to Coaster.

Thats okay Indy, I think I would have a great time working at Coaster as well. It might be better for me anyways since the ride is less complicated to learn. Thanks for checking with the coordinator for me, I really appreciate it! I look forward to meeting you in person and working with you!

Last thing: Costumes. Heed this warning. While the Coats at Tower and jackets at coaster are optional. . . Tower, DOES NOT have a shorts option. They are trousers, period. Coaster, option of trousers or shorts.

I'm okay with either outfit, but I just LOVE the look of the bellhop costume! The costume and theming of Tower is the main reason why I wanted to work Tower at first, but I never thought that the ride system at Coaster would be easier to learn. Oh, and I'm okay with having to wear pants in the hot Florida sun. Look at what they make us wear at Shrek:



We have to wear pants with spats on them! Those spats (fake boots) get so hot when you are standing outside!

[CBeilby]

Our entire rides area says it was BS, but we cant do anything. :mad: :( )

Welcome to Knott's Unbearable Farm.

[CBeilby]

Look at what they make us wear at Shrek:



We have to wear pants with spats on them! Those spats (fake boots) get so hot when you are standing outside!

That damned costume is the one thing I don't miss about working at Shrek 4D. I got fragging sick and tired of being called Shrek, Peter Pan, or Robin Hood.