Future Cast Member questions

[JamieLynn]

I'm new here, and I was wondering how you all got started working at WDW. I absolutely love it there, and I'd like to go to the University of Central Florida (majoring in French, I'm a junior in high school now) and work part-time in one of the parks or hotels. Have you heard anything about UCF as to what type of college it is? I'm not sure if I'll be able to visit, being that I don't have much money on my own and my parents have kinda been getting sick of Florida in the past couple years I've dragged them down there! And, more importantly to me, how difficult was it to get a job in the world? I was interested in entertainment, but I'm not sure if I try out that I'll get a job. Do they take past jobs into account? Because my past job experience is... zero. Also, do you still enjoy the little things about WDW that you used to before you started working there, or do you find that as time goes by, you start not to like the atmosphere as much?

Any response would be greatly appreciated!

[Titand19]

Disney will hire anyone, no need to worry, they don't even drug test you.

I loved Disney as a kid, but since i got here (been here for 3 months), all my expectations have been shattered. I really expected Disney to be a great company to work for. I have heard they have really been holding out the employees.

It's hard to come down here from NY, where I'm from and will be going back soon. If you are ambitious and want to go somewhere in life, work somwhere else. If you think that making 10 bucks and hour is chump change, don't come here either. Disney is great if you don't mind making squat and enjoy a laid back atmosphere.

UCF is a good school. The hospitality program is good, that's my major and I would stay down here for the remainder of my college and work for Disney, but they don't pay you $#!&.

Goodluck

[Zazu]

As Titan says, the pay is squat, some of the managers take cluelessness to new levels, and wearing multiple layers of polyester in the Summer heat stinks ... often literally.

OTOH, if you don't live for money, are willing to outlast or transfer away from the biggest pinheads, and don't mind the heat, it's one of the few jobs in the world where you actually get to help manufacture magic!

Hiring is easy right now, with big job fairs this month. Prior work experience doesn't matter, so long as you can smile and stand up at the same time. Oh, and show up for work on time no matter when they schedule you.

Like most things in life, working for the Mouse is what you make of it. Frankly, I've found it easier to make it a happy experience here than most other places I've worked -- and I *do* have a fat resume.

UCF isn't a bad school at all for some topics. Check with your high school guidance office for information, and write the university for their catalog to see if it fits you. It is a good hour's drive from campus to WDW, so be sure you have a realiable car before you come.

Mixing work -- even part-time work -- with university is a major challenge. (Trust me on this one!) You might want to consider organizing your class schedule to take five or six years to finish your bachelor's as a result.

Worst case, you move down here and find that UCF isn't a good match to your interests and working at Disney isn't a good lifetime career for you. Valuable data both, if true, and no permanent blot on your record if you end up leaving on unfriendly terms. (Resume's must be the truth, but not always *all* of the truth, right?)

My advice, not knowing you, is to come down and give it a try. You may regret it for decades if you don't.

[JamieLynn]

Thank you both so much! I will have to think it through, especially coming all the way from the city and having to think about travel expenses to visit the parents and suchthings. Also, just curious, what exactly does "Main Street Ops" entail?

[Zazu]

... what exactly does "Main Street Ops" entail?

That's short for "Main Street Operations". Cast members in this department:
:locomotiv operate the WDW Railroad,
:auto: drive Main Street Vehicles (other than horse cars),
:turn: staff the park entrance turnstiles,
support Stroller Patrol, and

provide PAC -- Parade Audience Control.

There's also a couple of weird jobs like mine. :turtlerid

[JamieLynn]

hehe, thanks so much! Is turtle-riding a popular choice for a job there on Main Street? (there really is a smiley for everything!)

[MEng85]

Wow, things are different over there...I've never seen that many happy people in a crowd over on this side.

Our crowds look more like:
:mad: :2fingers: :( :stooges: :mad:

:dope: <==== ya forgot that one too hahaha....

[Main Streeter]

Wow, things are different over there...I've never seen that many happy people in a crowd over on this side.

Our crowds look more like:
:mad: :2fingers: :( :stooges: :mad:

You nailed ALL my guests @ The Emporium Polar. We need a Dumb Blonde Smilie Zazu. OOPPSS, guess that'd be me

[Main Streeter]

:dope: <==== ya forgot that one too hahaha....

MEng, you are just too on top of everything :D: Alcatraz must not keep you dog tired :) ]

[Zazu]

We need a Dumb Blonde Smilie Zazu.

Perhaps you missed this one: :janet:

OOPPSS, guess that'd be me

Yup!