First, the chick-lette with the talking points was not explaining anything but (once again) TALKING AT us on the bus.
Second, The Company does not pay me to ride the bus into MK. The Company REQUIRES that MK cast take that bus.
Third, the days of meritocracy in the Disney Company are pretty much over. Being better prepared, more knowledgeable, or creative cast member no longer earns you reward. The Company has become bloated with those managers who are intimidated by any one else knowing more than them or out performing them. If your immediate manager is one of those, you have no forward progression. A cast members ability to thrive, flourish, and/or progress within the Company is directly linked to your immediate manager's endorsement.
Finally, for those who want to enter management at WDW, I say get yourself into the College Program. Forget your age, background, and experience. Get a College Program Internship, become as politically correct as possible, and never make a decision in writing. Soon your Internship will be converted to a TA manager. From there, you will get converted to a statused manager position in no time.
After that, well just keep your head down and soon the committees full of those who did exactly the same thing will move you along the management trail.
Am I bitter? A bit. Time and time again, I have seen too many front line cast work their way into a Coordinator role to be passed over and have their well deserved ... well earned...promotions into management given away to a CP Intern.
Oh, and you also need to realize that WDW has one of the most educated pool of candidates in the regular, full time, front line cast. Our front line cast at WDW possess at least one college degree, (many with more than one), with many years of experience outside of Disney. In my opinion, our front line cast represent the best of the best, bar none. If we can tap that energy and knowledge, there is no stopping what they can contribute to our Company.
However, you must also realize that this organization (loosely applied term) has become so large that we can rarely treat each cast member as an individual. If you are late one minute, you are late -- here is your half point for the attendance matrix. Everything is a matrix, everything is black and white, everything is scripted to leave no room for negotiation.
Now we have management literally saying "No one says you HAVE to work at Disney" when you try to change some of the injustices that front line cast are subjected on a daily basis. THAT is when you find your "Give a DAMN is BROKE".
What I say to those management types,
I am the reason millions of tourists come to Disney World.
I am the heart and soul of this Company.
I may be broken.
I may be flawed.
I am human.
I am a Cast Member.
