Guest Relations Transfer Question

[vixen101485]

LOL...I live in Podunkville and we dont even have a super wally world just the old small one that dont have jack. (pun intended) I have to buy a dozen of them and that is getting a little pricey. Maybe if I cant score some free ones I could just get some fabric and cut it and hem it, That would probably be a lot cheaper then 12$ for that many.

Meghyn is going to be 5 so the munchkins are all the same age. Oh and it is going to be a Pirate Girl party , just PoTC themed. So pirates with pink thrown in here and there. LOL

[Zazu]

I have recently decided to make the move to Guest Relations at WDW. Last week I attended an orientation session for the role. Obviously, many things are different on the two coasts, but here's how it works in the East:

Twice a year, a call will go out for transfer applications. These need to be accompanied with a resume (both company and outside jobs).

These are reviewed and winnowed. Those surviving have their current supervision contacted. This is a critical point -- if your supervision isn't enthusiastic about you and your ability to step up to the GR role, the process will end here, so be sure you have your management team on board.

A group interview comes next, this can be pretty stressful, being interviewed 5-on-1. Seeing how you react to stress and conflict is part of the audition. You'll also be tested on your knowledge of all aspects of the resort operation, including retail, restaurants, hotels, participants, attractions, and even such things as the Disney Cruise Line and DVC. (And yes, you deal with both on the west coast now.)

If you survive all that, your name goes into the Pool to wait for an opening.

GR isn't a union role at WDW, so getting pulled from the Pool isn't a matter of seniority. Somebody at GR has to think you're a good fit for their team and situation. You also get no choice on who calls you. I could get a call for any of the four theme parks or Downtown Disney. While I hope my 7 years at the Magic Kingdom will help me get in there, there are no guarantees.

Also, since it's not a union role, salary is determined by management, and raises are based on merit. Don't know about holiday pay, vacation, and the like since I'm CR and plan to stay that way, but if it matters, ask early in the process.

I wish you good luck in your quest, but I would caution that your short time with the Company may work against you. The only GR cast I recall seeing without at least a 5-year pin were on the International Program.

And if anyone wants to wish me luck in my pursuit, I'll be happy to take it!

[SRT_GB]

Zazu - Good luck to you!

glendalais - Seems some of the other folks on this discussion have made the case for FD. If I hadn't gotten my job with my current company that paid for my move to Seattle, I would definitely have taken that interview at FD and taken the job if offered. The Casting people simply had bad timing. I was ready to put up with graveyard shifts, snobby people, Showstoppers, etc. to do some of the kinds of things for the guests that other people have mentioned here. I'm not sure if DLR GR is union or not, but I'm almost positive DLR FD is union - not sure if that matters to you or not. Whatever you decide to do, good luck to you!

[vixen101485]

Great info Zazu. I was curious too about the answer to the OP's question, and wondered if you had to have a quite a bit of experience under your belt for that position or not. I would have thot you would, since you are in one of the most stressful roles as a CM when working at a GS spot in the parks. See I have common sense sometimes...LOL I love all the little info I learn on here about the company. Now if I could just get Donnie to transfer to Florida I would love to put it to use. :D:

Is Break a Leg an appropriate wish since technically y'all are "on stage" when at work? IF not good luck.

OH...and I almost fainted from shock when I actually saw a post this far into the thread actually pertaining to the thread...LMAO

[DisneyMom]

Good Luck Zazu, if you can handle us, you can handle anyone! :p:

[Big Wallaby]

Good luck, Zazu. That would be an awesome role for you. Oh, the stories you would come back here with. I certainly hope that's not would, but will!

[glendalais]

I have recently decided to make the move to Guest Relations at WDW. Last week I attended an orientation session for the role. Obviously, many things are different on the two coasts, but here's how it works in the East:

Twice a year, a call will go out for transfer applications. These need to be accompanied with a resume (both company and outside jobs).

These are reviewed and winnowed. Those surviving have their current supervision contacted. This is a critical point -- if your supervision isn't enthusiastic about you and your ability to step up to the GR role, the process will end here, so be sure you have your management team on board.

A group interview comes next, this can be pretty stressful, being interviewed 5-on-1. Seeing how you react to stress and conflict is part of the audition. You'll also be tested on your knowledge of all aspects of the resort operation, including retail, restaurants, hotels, participants, attractions, and even such things as the Disney Cruise Line and DVC. (And yes, you deal with both on the west coast now.)

If you survive all that, your name goes into the Pool to wait for an opening.

GR isn't a union role at WDW, so getting pulled from the Pool isn't a matter of seniority. Somebody at GR has to think you're a good fit for their team and situation. You also get no choice on who calls you. I could get a call for any of the four theme parks or Downtown Disney. While I hope my 7 years at the Magic Kingdom will help me get in there, there are no guarantees.

Also, since it's not a union role, salary is determined by management, and raises are based on merit. Don't know about holiday pay, vacation, and the like since I'm CR and plan to stay that way, but if it matters, ask early in the process.

I wish you good luck in your quest, but I would caution that your short time with the Company may work against you. The only GR cast I recall seeing without at least a 5-year pin were on the International Program.

And if anyone wants to wish me luck in my pursuit, I'll be happy to take it!

Thanks for the advice, Zazu. Congratulations on getting in!

I think WDW is probably a bit more strict than the DLR when it comes to the hiring process though. GR here is something that we do hire people "off-the-street" for (the person who suggested I think about transferring was hired in that way), partly because turnover is such a big issue. However, it is still much harder to get in there than say, Attractions/Foods/Stores/etc..

With regards to benefits, it's basically the same here - they're non-union, with all the benefits (higher pay if you're good) and drawbacks (easier to fire) that accompany it. Vacation and Health Care are still for FT only, of course.

However, yea, I'm going to go talk to my mangers about it in the future. I probably will wait until we get closer to January, no use saying something now and then having them forget over Christmas, IMO.

Does anyone have any ideas about how I should approach them? I do like where I am, and I certainly don't want to convey the opposite. Should I wait for my next performance review in December or approach them sometime else, later or earlier?

In the mean time, I'm studying everything I can about the company, even if I don't make it, all this information will have to be good for something in the future, even if it's only for winning a round of Trivial Pursuit, lol.

[Cranbiz]

Best of luck to you Zazu.

If they don't pick you, they would be making a huge mistake. (not that making management making mistakes is that uncommon at WDW)

[Big Wallaby]

When you talk to your managers, tell them it's about you and growing in your role at Disney. You feel it's the next step in growing your career. That part is tough to argue.

[mechurchlady]

congratulations Zazu