Disneyland Full Time students?

kirbaay · Post by **kirbaay** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 5:50 pm

As i said in a previous topic about how i am going to (hopefully) move to cali and go to school while working at Disneyland. I was just wondering if you college students work full time at disneyland (which seems really hard) or is it just part-time. Cause if i were to move down i need to figure out finacial... things. If it is mostly part time, how many hours do you work on average? and i know many people hate to answer this question but, how much would a cast member get paid starting out? this info would help a lot to figure out what to do with my life, and to persuade my parents that I can live on my own. Thanks for the answers in advance!

SRT_GB · Post by **SRT_GB** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 6:08 pm

If you do get a job at the park and you'll be a full-time student you can do what I did and maintain CR (Casual Regular) status. During the school year you'd be required to be available to work Friday nights, all day Saturday and Sunday, and any weekday after-hours private parties including Grad Nites. Unfortunately you would have to be fully available to work during the peak seasons: summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and spring break.

During the school year I would on average work from 12-25 hours a week and during breaks I'd pull anywhere from 25-40. I wasn't making great pay during the school year, but it was paying most of my bills and after I turned 21 it was supporting my drinking habit :) . Of course if your school schedule allows you can work more than just the weekends. I have no idea what new hires make nowadays, but I know it's more than I made as a new hire ($6).

Good luck!

lovethefuzzies · Post by **lovethefuzzies** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 12:25 am

I am a full time student and in my department some do manage to work full time for Disney (40+ hours per week). A lot manage 30+ hours. It's possible to do.

abc · Post by **abc** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:47 am

I can usually manage 24 hours when in school. This involves pulling odd shifts like 7:30-12:30 at night the days before i have off from school, late friday nights, and weekend of course. Don't think I could manage working 40 hours. Sometimes its a struggle to pick up 3rd, 4th, and 5th days too.

Jessica Rabbit · Post by **Jessica Rabbit** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:54 am

Dont do it, I just had to quit because my old dept. (stores) never gave me the time I needed for classes. And always tried to make me work when I had class. The park's needs come before your education, that it the mind set of the park. I loved working at Disneyland more than any place I have ever worked at and prb. ever will work at, but it just blows that they cant work with you.

abc · Post by **abc** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:58 am

wow, that sucks that they couldn't work around you. My dept is really really good on letting you off work on time and giving ados and letting you be completely off mon-thursday and getting off early sunday and stuff. then they were awful if you want to er.

SRT_GB · Post by **SRT_GB** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 2:12 am

I was in stores too and I NEVER worked Monday-Thursday when school was in from the fall of 2001 until the time I quit. And even though we were required to be available after 5pm on Fridays they always gave me after 8pm shifts if I had late classes. I got those kinds of shifts simply by putting in a preference sheet, not by talking to anybody. Closing on Sundays was hell sometimes but I dredged through it.

I'm one of the fortunate ones, though. I've never taken summer school in college, and I know that people who take summer school get screwed over like no other.

Stduck · Post by **Stduck** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 2:19 am

I work attractions and I have been pulling 20-25 hours a week at Mansion and Pooh. I also am studying art so it makes things tough. But it is possible. Anyone know if they will be understanding in the spring over spring break if I am not available 5 days during one of the two weeks?

Grumpy · Post by **Grumpy** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 3:19 am

I don't know how I made it possible, but at one time, I was working at Knott's (in cash control, maybe that's how I survived). I was making about 8.50 an hour, and I wasn't living with my parents, I was going to school full time, and I am a single mom.

As for now? Well, I'm only at DLR on weekends (started off at 7.25/hr), I took a year off school, (but will be going back full time next sem), and I work the swing shift Monday thru Friday in armored transportation. I am still getting my bills paid, and my son's needs (and soon to be some wants) are being met.

The basic mentality that's kept me strong, is. . .don't think; just go.

If you do stop and think about how busy your life is, because you're doing something that will benefit you later (school), and you're doing what you can to satisfy that future benefit (work to pay necessary bills); you will start to feel more drained.

To tell you the truth; I do work 7 nights a week. I have no night life at all; I don't get to put my little boy to bed, let alone do any nitetime rituals. But I really don't think about "when my last day off was." If I do that, I'll start calling in all the time, and GIVING myself days off (done that already; accumulated LOTS of points).

If you REALLY want to be out here in CA to go to school (or just work at DL and go to school), it is possible. Sometimes scheduling can be very accomodating (like in SRT_GB's case),other times they may not give a flying rat's ass (like in Jessica Rabbit's case).

Wish you luck in whatever you decide to do.
(hint: FINANCIAL AID really helps)

aliceindisguse · Post by **aliceindisguse** » Mon Nov 08, 2004 5:06 am

I'm a full time student and work attractions. I gave my schedulers very specific preferences and they've always followed them. I average about 25-30 hours a week but that's because I am a CR-25 (required to get 25 hours 3 weeks out of each month) which comes with benefits! But because I'm CR-25 I have to have 5-day avalibility so I've actually had to mold my class schedule around my work schedule. It can be tough at times but it can be done.

And depending on department new hires make just a little under $8 /hour <but with cost of living increases that will be higher soon>