Yet More Questions For CMs

[CMGUY89]

I don't anticipate ever working for Disney, but if there's one thing that I've learned in my life, it's "never say never." Since I know--unlike some--that Disney doesn't bus you in and you don't have housing hidden in the park's hedges

Actually Disney provides transportation to work and local shopping complexes (like Walmart or LBV Outlets). And the housing is not that far, just across I-4 from DTD. I actually live very close to both Vista Way and Chatham/Commons. Really it is a great deal for what you pay.

[TdcOgre]

4) How do ride attendants and guides do the same spiel over and over without going mad?.

Who says we don't?

Seriously, it's much like working in a play where you have the same lines every night -- only this show runs a lot more frequently. Plus, a lot of what we have to say is safety-related, and since I don't want any of my guests to stupid-out and get hurt, I *want* to give the same warnings to everyone.

Some good questions there.

Going??? I thought ya'd already been there and got the T-shirt. :)

When SWMBO and I fly I find myself pointing at the exits and oxygen masks in unison with the flight attendants. Boy, do I get some strange looks and not just from my wife.

[albino_pygmy]

Hello--

I've been lurking on your board recently. I was registered at one point under a different screen name, but it's been so long that I figured that I might as well reregister.

From one former lurker to another, hello :)

but if there's one thing that I've learned in my life, it's "never say never."

You can say that again. I said I'd never work for a rodent, and somehow I got dragged to a job fair kicking and screaming and was tossed in the jungle with an itchy khaki outfit.

Since I know--unlike some--that Disney doesn't bus you in and you don't have housing hidden in the park's hedges , I have a few questions:

Yeah, nobody knows about my little shack in the bushes of the jungle, hehehe :)

1) How close do you live to the parks? How long is your commute?

When I worked there, I used to live about 20 minutes away and I took the back roads to get there which helped a lot! Where I am now would probably take me about an hour to get there, and I just didn't see that happening for me to drive all the way out there to work for a min wage job, drive back and do it again the next day with very little time to rest in between.

2) How do you afford to live in (or near) Orlando on what they pay you, particularly if you don't live with a working spouse or significant other? Roommates?

It's called moving back with the parents because I can't afford being on my own anymore. I probably should have just worked their seasonally and focused on getting a real job on the side to help with my expenses.

3) Does Disney ever provide housing for seasonal employees? People from abroad? I'm pretty sure they do for interns.

The only housing they provide is for the College Program, I highly doubt they do anything for seasonals, although I could be wrong.

On an unrelated note, I noticed on the listing of jobs on their official website that they didn't seem to have a listing for janitorial work, just skilled maintenance positions. I found this curious. Someone's gotta keep the park clean, right? I'm working as a Sweep this summer because I want to be able to move about the park and not to the same spiel over and over.

I think it's a fancy way of saying "you're the trash man." They love to come up with fancy ways to say thing, and at first it was really confusing hearing all the Disneyease being spoken all throughout. They don't have employees, they have "cast members," they don't wear uniforms, they wear "costumes," and they consider their workplace to be a giant stage and your work is an act for all to enjoy, but you're still ending up working there sweeping up garbage in a uniform :P

Which reminds me of another question:

4) How do ride attendants and guides do the same spiel over and over without going mad?

I guess you just get used to repetition in your spiel, and the fact that you get a new set of people to bore for the next 10 minutes of their lives, haha. The Jungle Cruise attraction is made by the spiel of the skipper, and yes it does get boring sometimes depending if the guests on the boat don't laugh or look like they're having a good time. But in order to keep ourselves entertained there, we change things up for each and every cruise. We're able to go at our own pace (within reason) and say just about anything we want (within reason and hoping that nobody's hiding in the bushes to find out we used the "water on your backside" line) Even though any 2 given cruise aren't the same, there will always be the repetitive "please remain seated, don't cross the crates, watch your step and head when you exit, if you don't watch your head, watch your language, this is a family attraction, please slide all the down filling every available space, have a seat on my magic square right there" etc.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

In this day and age..It is "recycling technician" to show that the company you work for is "green"

[mechurchlady]

spieling a ride is not different from other jobs.

Paper or plastic
Do you want your balance?
Pink or blue
Type of bread.
Is that debit or credit.

Not sure how anyone can repeat themselves 100 times aday.

[albino_pygmy]

spieling a ride is not different from other jobs.

Paper or plastic
Do you want your balance?
Pink or blue
Type of bread.
Is that debit or credit.

Not sure how anyone can repeat themselves 100 times aday.

You just get used to it, and you find yourself saying the same things over and over in the middle of your sleep, while you're driving to work, accidentally blurt it out at the wrong times (ie: Is that debit or credit? when you're just started ringing them up and ment to ask paper or plastic) Sometimes it is kinda nice to go on "autopilot" and take a little breather while doing the same repetious spiels over and over again and then come back and really put some effort into the spiels. When I was in the jungle and put myself on autopilot for a short while, I was in the hippo pool and I caught myself starting to spiel about how we discovered the secret bathing pool of the Indian Elephants, and then I snap out of it and realize that we're in the hippo pool, and they're attacking now, whoops!

[felinefan]

Okay, I know I asked this before but I can't find the thread. If things get bad enough, I might consider working for Disney, at DLR. I was at the Disney careers site, and I need information on Costuming and Graveyard Custodial, or any other hourly roles that have as little guest contact as possible. If you could come up with what hours to expect, so I can take advantage of public transportation, that would be very useful. I already have a line on the pay.

I understand--clarify as needed--that Disney has a rideshare/commuter computer system in place, and I think they offer discounted bus/train passes.

Details like amount of lifting in pounds required, etc., all the details. Thanks.

[glendalais]

Okay, I know I asked this before but I can't find the thread. If things get bad enough, I might consider working for Disney, at DLR. I was at the Disney careers site, and I need information on Costuming and Graveyard Custodial, or any other hourly roles that have as little guest contact as possible. If you could come up with what hours to expect, so I can take advantage of public transportation, that would be very useful. I already have a line on the pay.

I understand--clarify as needed--that Disney has a rideshare/commuter computer system in place, and I think they offer discounted bus/train passes.

Details like amount of lifting in pounds required, etc., all the details. Thanks.

Costuming - Not so sure about the hours. But Costuming locations, or at least H5, are generally open, I believe, 1 hour before Disneyland Park opens till 2 hours after it closes, so there are a fairly good number of hours.

There is Guest Contact in this role in that you have to interact with CMs from other Departments. Costuming isn't exactly known for having the best service ever, though. Heavy lifting of clothes. Use of computers, washing machines, etc. A fairly good memory (for remembering the various costumes) is an asset.

3rd Shift Custodial - From 1 hour after Disneyland Park closes to around 7-8 am, depending on when the park opens. They're fairly well known for having oodless and oodles of hours - even during slow times, they'll never turn down requests to extend.

No Guest Contact at all in this role with the main exception of Grad Nite (I have quite the SCMT tale that involves 3rd Shift leads and managers trying to explain to their CMs the Guest SERVICE Model from last week, but that's another thread).

Heavy lifting depends on what you're doing, for example, if you're cleaning the kitchens, you have to drag around those heavy black mats (we in Foods try to help out by putting them all together at the end of the night). You might be using heavy machinery, might not, and you will be working far from supervision in many cases (though they'll still be watching, somehow ;) )

Commuting - Disney Commuter Assistance provides CMs with:

• Fully subsidized OCTA Bus Passes
• Carpool Parking
• Clean Air Car Loan Subsidies
• Pre-Tax Metrolink Pass Purchase (50% Subsidy)
• Vanpooling Assistance

And each day you commute, the company pays you $1, which you can redeem in your paycheque (after 50% tax :rolleyes :) , or in Giftcards.

[felinefan]

The last time I did a lift test as part of a pre-employment exam, I could just lift 50 lbs. to shoulder height. I'm not certified for forklift. I know how to lift safely. I have learned how to use a fire extinguisher. I've used home and laundromat washers and dryers; I'm good at figuring stuff out, though I appreciate help. Last time I asked about this, someone said climbing ladders was required in Wardrobe. When I say guest contact, I mean park guests, not CMs. So it looks like Costuming would be a better fit.

I figure the fastest way to get there from where I am now is a bus at each end of a train. --bus, train, bus. All short trips, but I think the latest I could stay is 6 p.m., weekdays. The one bus I'd have to take doesn't run on weekends. Since I don't drive, mom and I would have to move closer to the park.
I'll keep this info in mind, in case I don't get into Ralphs or Trader Joe's. Though I have a hard time believing my local Sears store is hiring when it's practically empty everytime I go by there.

[Big Wallaby]

Can't believe I missed this thread...

To answer the question about the script, I've had about five different SGT members and/or their significant others on my trucks, and with exception of two members who were aboard at the same time, no two SGTers have heard the same script. I have a whole litany of facts I can use, and sometimes I will not say a single fact that I normally use, just for variety. Of course, that's on my fifth or sixth round, where if I use the normal script I will go out of my gourd.

Look for the things that are different about this group from the last, or things that happen differently. No two groups are ever the same, and no day goes without something interesting happening that you can add to your spiel. You just have to look for it.

My spiels actually lives or dies based on the way people interact when I invite them to do so. I want them to be part of the safari, not just observers. So when they have fun, I make it more so. If they make it obvious that not one person is listening to me, I've been known to go almost monotone. That's because I am now saving myself and my energy for the next group that might appreciate the work I am doing for them.

Actually, I am constantly improving and working on my (semi-)normal script. Over the months it has changed quite drastically. Some things stay the same, but overall, I am in a pattern of constantly improving my spiel. I am willing to say that I am one of the best (with a current group of fellow cast that provides some awesome competition for that title), simply because of the way I take and use feedback and criticism, and how I really do work at making my safari the best it can be. I also ride other peoples' safaris and steal material, and they are welcome to do the same with me. If you get a spieling position, find ways to, while saying the things that need be said, say them in a completely differently. Never let your spiel get old and crusty, and you'll have a blast. Take it from one of the guys here who has a 22-page, 17-minute spiel and usually starts it every 20 minutes.