Can you give me an opinion?

[fantazmickey]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, or hell, even the right message board, but I've been lurking and I feel your pain so well! I was wondering if I could ask all of you CM's a couple of things about working at WDW. I've recently been thinking about applying for a full time job there. I work for Bed Bath and Beyond, and if you've ever been there you might know how high their customer service standards go. It's basically the same ethics as Disney with our 'never say no policy' and the 'pass the buck' policy. We also put our employees through extensive training (classes, ect..)

So anyway last night I was thinking about my last vacation there, and how i went into Guest Relations and felt that I could absolutely do the job, and I'd probably like it too. Am I wrong? Am I underestimating the stress involved? I mean, I deal with some pretty bad SCT (stupid customer tricks, ha ha) every day, with a smile on my face. I love Disney World, can't get enough of it. So what should I do? Should I look into a career there further, or should I just stick with boring old retail hell instead? I'd be looking for a full time position as well, so I don't know if that's even available. I definitely couldn't start off as a part time employee.

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Big Wallaby]

I don't have the patience for retail. It's just too... something. I can't fully put my finger on it. But I love being a Cast Member.

Your question is a good one, but requires more definition, in my opinion. Best way to get more info is to ask in a place like this, and for a good time call 407-828-1000 and press 1 when you hear the automated spiel start.

It's different from retail, unless you work Merchandise.

So, what do you think you might like to do at Disney World?

Most importantly, though, to from and :wallaby: ! Hope we can help you (unless you're like most of us and beyond help).

[fantazmickey]

well at Bed Bath and Beyond I do customer service like getting people what they need, special orders, i register bridal couples and things like that. I'd like to do something in Guest Relations. I'm not really into food service or merchandising. I think I'd like to work in the actual guest relations department or having something to do with customer service. I also work in operations as well...I do payroll an things like that but I doubt they hire people off the street for things like that.

Thanks for your input, and the welcome :p:

[TowerTimmy]

Well, being in Guest Relations, you would be the last location in the SG's plan. When the Cast Members and Managers out in the park can't solve a problem, they direct them to Guest Relations. Also, remember that when people visit WDW, they have INCREDIBLY high expectations.

[CelebrationNM]

Also, remember that when people visit WDW, they have INCREDIBLY high expectations.

People tend to namedrop Walt Disney like he is their uncle. "Why, if Walt were here this would never happen..."

[Theme Park Where]

Also remember that enjoying the park as a guest and enjoying the park as a CM are two different things. When you are a guest the "magic" is there - you see it from the front and generally don't see the hard work that goes into making it. As a CM, you start to see the seams. It's like being on a grand ship. As a passenger, you see the ballroom. As a sailor, you see the boiler room. Most CMs make that adjustment without losing the magic, but I have trained a few who couldn't get past the difficult guests, long hours, and difficult jobs that WE all put up with every day.

That being said, I came to Disney World on vacation in 1992 and never went home. Then, when my parents retired, my Dad decided he liked my job better than his, so he and my Mom came down, took jobs, and stayed. My brother got jealous, but being out in California, he had to settle for working for Disney online out there. Together we have an eternity in maingate pass days left!

[Princess Susi]

Also remember that enjoying the park as a guest and enjoying the park as a CM are two different things. When you are a guest the "magic" is there - you see it from the front and generally don't see the hard work that goes into making it. As a CM, you start to see the seams. It's like being on a grand ship. As a passenger, you see the ballroom. As a sailor, you see the boiler room. Most CMs make that adjustment without losing the magic, but I have trained a few who couldn't get past the difficult guests, long hours, and difficult jobs that WE all put up with every day.

That being said, I came to Disney World on vacation in 1992 and never went home. Then, when my parents retired, my Dad decided he liked my job better than his, so he and my Mom came down, took jobs, and stayed. My brother got jealous, but being out in California, he had to settle for working for Disney online out there. Together we have an eternity in maingate pass days left!

The family that plays together... :D:

I worked in retail for many, many years and had enough SCs to last a lifetime. I want to work at WDW as well, but for me, I would want a behind-the-scenes role such as working with the beasts at DAK (I have Veterinary Tech training for that) or something else that does not put one in constant contact with SGs. Cooking in a foods location, maybe?

I have done so many things in life, I could go a LOT of places. I have been a cook for 5 years, a radio announcer for 17 years, fast food and retail was scattered throughout my lifetime between *careers*.

My other dream job with WDW is to be a Plaid. I would absolutely love to share Disney history and facts with others. That would be a dream come true!

Those are my two dream jobs. Vet Tech at DAK or Plaid.
Having worked retail for many years and having so much experience there, I would be real good at efficiency, but terrible at being *nice* to the SGs. I had to quit retail when I started making snide over the head remarks to SCs.
Or when they were talking on their cellphones WHILE they also tried to talk to me about a product. I would walk away. (with the blessing of the Store Manager!)

OR, especially when I worked in a pet supply warehouse and a customer tried to tell me what a particular ingredient was in a package of high end dog food and that it was dangerous and causing disease in dog. I had studied animal nutrition and politely told the customer what the ingredient was (a B vitamin derivative) and he started yelling at me that I did not know what I was talking about, they had seen on the news that THAT ingredient was causing illness and on and on and on. :mad: I politely told them I had a degree in Veterinary Technology and nutrition was a huge part of our course work and that the ingredient he was talking about was NOT the same one. If it was, we would have pulled the food! It was a chemical sounding word, easy to mistake, but he would NOT listen to me and kept going on and on about how he KNEW it was the same. I finally told him, then don't buy the food, or go home and look it up in a dictionary or online, I am NOT going to argue with you anymore. I turned around and walked back to the store room. I gave notice that day. That was my last job in retail. I just knew my head would eventually explode. :twisted:

I have plenty more retail horror stories having worked at various times in several Hallmark Card Shops, Waldenbooks, A New Age crystal shop , a Pet store, an old fashioned candy shoppe ;) (THAT is where I put on 30 lbs immediately!:eek :) , a stationary/office supply store, an upscale clothing boutique, and many, many stints at the counter in fast food! There are hundreds of retail nightmares in those years.

My bet is that Disney, seeing my extensive retail background would probably put me right into stores. I would have to politely decline! :p:

I say if you have a dream of working there, go for it! You have retail experience and what better place to use that? You don't sound jaded like me! You could start in stores and make a move to something else. CMs, how easy it to move to attractions or something else from stores, once you have some time in?
If you go for it, Break a Leg!!!!! :)
sues

[Doctor McKey]

Ill make this short and sweet....

This is not a job for just anyone. Disney has/had a large washout rate for cast. If you want to work for the mouse you will have to do something a Basics instructor told me recently...

It begins with you... you are part of history, something being written everyday. even though you put up with less then ideal managers, crabby guests, and scheduals that work you from early to late... It begins with you...


A qoute from Walt himself....

"They will be the people who give, who like to bring delight to other people, and therefore gain the pleasure and satisfaction for themselves."

Walt said this in reguards to the CM's that carry his tourch and live his dream...

[Big Wallaby]

I wasn't going to quote Walt on that (because I hadn't heard that quote), but McKey took all my thunder.

You will never enjoy Disney parks in the same way again. It will always be different after you work here. Of course, I like it more now than ever, but that may not be the case for you.

[Cranbiz]

In my case, I'm finding myself being very picky about show quality (or lack of it) when I go to the parks. Lack of repairs, peeling paint, broken concrete, etc.

I still love going, but please don't hand me the BS line about caring about show quality. You don't, because if you did, I would not see these things when I visit as a guest.