Stupid Guest Tricks

Hi,

I work in Main Street Merchandise at the Magic Kingdom. I am coming up on six months and am very seriously considering putting in for a transfer. I work in the Confectionery and really love it, but the plain fact is that I am having a hard time getting by on $7.30 an hour. I quit a job that paid $17 when overtime is factored in to come here (because I think losing $10/hr was a good trade for losing a potential heart attack). I have almost made the adjustment to the lower pay rate, but the fact is I need about an extra $70-100/week.

My initial thought was to put in for a transfer to security, because that is where most of my training, certifications, and experience lie. I have talked to several CMs who work in security and they thought it would be a good idea for me. It starts at over $9/hr, so it would just about cover the extra money I need.

However, lately I have been thinking about Bell Services. Of course, looking at the contract they only make $3.80/hr; but I figure that if I can average $6/hr in tips that would make up the difference in pay. So the question the becomes, can I average $6/hr in tips. So I would like some advice from someone who knows on how much tips Bell Services actually bring in. Also, since I imagine the resort you are staying at has a big effect on your tips, I would like to know how your resort is determined.

I'm also interested in any information anyone has on the amount of overtime available in either department, as well as if FT CMs are able to get 40 hours in either department right now (we are getting 37-39 hrs at the moment on Main Street). I hoping my MATRA training will help me pick up overtime shifts, although right now (being the slow season and all) the EHH is pretty much empty no matter what training you have.

In addition, if anyone can suggest any other departments I would appreciate it. Someone suggested looking at becoming a bartender, but I've never had a drink, and I can't believe that someone who has never had a drink would be very good at making them. Plus, I think of the scandalized looks that people give me in the Confectionery when I tell them I don't like chocolate, and I can only think that look would be multiplied if someone asked me what drink is best and I told them I've never had a drink.

Of course, the whole question is made irrelevant if I am unable to get into one or either department.

-Harry

At Bell Services you would probably start in 3rd Shift at one of the Value Resorts. Disney World works scheduling based on Seniority, and you effectively have none.

I have seen a couple of Bellmen (I think finally retired now) a few years go who had special "Opening Team" ears on their nametags at the Contemporary! They worked weekdays during the day.

Are the bellman outsourced now? I know they outsourced the valets to an outside company and I thought they talked about doing the same with the bellmen.

Theme Park Where wrote:Are the bellman outsourced now? I know they outsourced the valets to an outside company and I thought they talked about doing the same with the bellmen.

It's still on the transfer list and one of the ads in the Sentinel listed it as a wanted position not too long ago, so I think they are still Disney.

-Harry

Cheshire Figment wrote:At Bell Services you would probably start in 3rd Shift at one of the Value Resorts. Disney World works scheduling based on Seniority, and you effectively have none.

I have seen a couple of Bellmen (I think finally retired now) a few years go who had special "Opening Team" ears on their nametags at the Contemporary! They worked weekdays during the day.

But the important question is how much would you make in tips on that schedule. Also, are the schedules bid per resort or for the property? I know in Merchandise we just bid for our location, but I know security bids for the whole property. If the bellman schedules are bid per resort then you may end up going into whatever resort needs a bellman rather than starting at a value resort and working your way up to a deluxe. I prefer nights (although I haven't been getting many with the park closing at 8, I start at 13:15 today :( ) but I don't know what nights would do for tips.

One of the ladies in MSE recently had a daughter start in Bell Services at one of the All Stars resorts; she said her daughter was doing OK but didn't know the specifics. From what I've heard the All Stars have the lowest tips, so if she was doing OK there then I guess it could be OK; but I am looking for more specific information if anyone has it. Having worked in tipped jobs before I know tips can vary a lot from day to day, but I am looking for a very rough average.

My sister worked housekeeping at the Contemporary, and she wasn't too impressed with it for a Deluxe resort.

-Harry

Bell Services are still Disney cast, but Valet has been outsourced, which leads to problems at the front door. Guests get pretty upset when they learn that they are expected to tip twice for a service that's unified at any decently run hotel.

As others have stated, your tips can vary all over the lot based on location and the luck of the draw. It may be a higher wage or not, but it won't be consistent, which is a feature *my* bills all seem to have.

There's also rumors of outsourcing Bell Services to the same outfit that runs Valet, so I think that could become a bad choice for reasons beyond your control. There's also a good chance of injury in that role, thanks to overpacked bags. Not so common in Security.

You might also want to look into Concierge. It takes an encyclopedic knowledge of the property, especially restaurants, but it's indoor work with no heavy lifting, plus it's labor grade 10!

Just an idea....

Concierge is not tipped, right? Just curious...

Big Wallaby wrote:Concierge is not tipped, right? Just curious...

Concierge-tipping? Is that like cow-tipping?

BRWombat wrote:Concierge-tipping? Is that like cow-tipping?

hobie16 wrote:

That HAS to be a Southpark COW!!