Originally Posted By StmbtWilliam311 Is anyone here at LP a Disneyland employee? I want to/plan on working at Disneyland in a couple years. I just wanted to hear any employees experiences working there. Any info you can give me. What's it like?, How did you get the job?, what do you do?, Positives and negatives about the job. Anything! I'd love as much information as I can get on being a Disneyland employee. Thanks!!
Originally Posted By imadisneygal There are several Cast Members, both current and former, who frequent LaughingPlace.com. I am a former Guest Relations and Main Entrance Guest Services Cast Member, a former Area Tour Representative with the Disney University, and a former Disneyland Ambassador. Employees at the Resort are called Cast Members to help remind us of the culture of the Disney Show and that we're all an integral part of the show. I loved every minute of working at the Resort. I applied at the Disneyland Casting office and was granted an interview. The first interview was a group interview and was with two other prospective Cast Members. The secondary interview was a one on one interview with a Casting Cast Member and then my third interview was with the managers of Guest Relations at the time. Some areas still do secondary interviews but many areas will be filled directly by the Casting office based on operational needs. There were many parts to the role of Guest Relations Hostess and they included Lost and Found, Baby Center, Lost Children, Guest Information Board, City Hall, Guided Tours, Guest Relations Window, Information Phones, and VIP Tours. Once in management I worked in Guest Relations, Parking, Main Street Attractions, and Main Entrance/Annual Passport program. The positives about the role were numerous. I mean, I got to go to Disneyland every day! I liked the benefit of the Main Entrance pass to allow friends and family to enter the Park when they were in town. I also liked being able to participate in many of the events open to Cast Members and their Guests such as the 5K fundraisers (held on attractions - it's a small world, Pirate of the Caribbean and Fantasyland attractions stick out in my mind) and Minnie's Moonlight Madness which is a super fun, super elaborate scavenger hunt held around the Park. Cast Members and their Guests participate while tethered together in groups of 4. FUN! I loved working on holidays and that was a positive for me back when I was single with no children. Now that would be a negative, but at the time it was fantastic. I also really enjoyed wearing the costumes we got to wear. I felt like it really added to the idea that we're all a part of the show. I know the costume procedures are different now and that many unique costumes have gone away but that was one of my favorite things about going to work. I could show up in sweats and still be show-ready in a few minutes! I still remember getting my very first nametag on the day of my orientation. I have it in a shadow box on my wall with other nametags I amassed over the course of my time at the Resort. As far as negatives, there were a few. Working in City Hall was sometimes challenging. Every Cast Member deals with difficult Guests but I think City Hall sees the lion's share of them. I had a pen thrown at me once. And I was yelled at quite a bit. Mostly over either crowds or weather. In general the positives far outweigh the negatives. Being single with roommates and without children at the time I did not have any problem with the wages I was getting paid. I do know, however, that the cost of living in OC is very high and that some CM's find it challenging if not impossible to live on their own. That can be a factor in considering a job anywhere... Long story short, it's great and I'll never regret one day of my time at the Resort. Even the pen throwing. Disneyland occupies a very special place in my heart and I am proud to have been a part of bringing the show to life for several years.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl I worked at Disneyland for a while as a 2nd job and my best friend currently works there. I worked Main Street Merchandise. I enjoyed the job itself a lot. I did not like working until 2am when I had to get up for my real job at 5am. I'm not sure how old you are or if you're planning on having Disneyland be your only job but I can tell you that you can't really make enough as a regular Cast Member to live on your own. So plan on having LOTS of roommates. It's been awhile since I worked there but I hear about a lot of what goes on. Its a job. It can be a fun job but its not a job you'll make a lot of money doing. If you have more specific questions I'd be happy to try to answer them. There are other people on the boards who are CURRENT CM's so they'll probably chime in too. ~Beth
Originally Posted By Mickeyfan1 Like tiggirl Disneyland was a second job for me. Also on Main Street in the Emporium. I would not trade the experience for anything. In fact I am looking at retirement in about 17 months and my plan is to return to Disneyland for a part-time role to fill my idle time. As for hints, just be yourself. Be up for the interview, and show them the magic you can create for others. My best experience was the day I was received the Spirit of Disneyland award. Wow, talk about emotions. This is an award that was given to people based on nominations from fellow cast members. It was one of the highlights of my days at Disneyland. Good luck, and please let us know if you land a role in the Disneyland Show!
Originally Posted By alexbook Depending on what sort of job you're looking for, you may want to check out some of the "operating participants"--those are companies other than Disney that operate within the Disneyland Resort. I work for Books, Inc., which operates Compass Books in Downtown Disney. I spent about a year and a half working in our DTD store, and mostly enjoyed it.
Originally Posted By Shiva imadisneygal, I loved your post, it just reinforces my personal feelings that the CM's are the true magic of DL.
Originally Posted By StmbtWilliam311 Wow. Thank you all for the comments, and please please keep them coming. Disneygal, I can't tell you how inspiring your comment is to me in pursuing my dream of working for Disney. Again, please keep the comments coming. I can't wait to hear from all you lucky CM's who get to work at the Happiest place on earth everyday.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss My niece is an entertainment CM. She loves it! They're good about her hours, since she is in school. I've never been a DL CM, but I did work at The Disney Store back when it was the real Disney Store. Hard work; put in a lot of hours for a second job, but I loved it too. It was an honor to bring Magic to guests.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Thank you, Shiva and William. I'm coated in pixie dust, that's for sure! The Disneyland Resort is a part of who I am and I love sharing it with people. I'm 36 now and have two kids of my own. I love seeing the Resort through their eyes. In true Disney form my first son was born the day Disney's California Adventure opened. I tried to call my friends who were still at the Resort to tell them about his birth but I couldn't reach any of them. They were all busy opening a new Park! I can't wait to hear more stories from current and former Cast Members. It's like one big family!
Originally Posted By friendofdd Imadisneygal, I've been aware of your work at DL, but didn't realize you had been an Ambassador. VERY IMPRESSIVE.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Thanks, Friendofdd. It was a true honor and one for which I am very grateful. It's been 11 years now since I was selected to be an Ambassador and I am fortunate enough to get to particpate in the yearly ceremonies when the new Ambassadors are selected. I met DlandDug at the 2003 Ambassador selection ceremony and many Ambassadors are familiar with Doug, Doobie and Rebekah through their excellent coverage of events at the Resort. I feel like LaughingPlace.com is my Disneyland Resort home away from home!
Originally Posted By juicer Some of my best times in my life were the summers I was a seasonal CM at Disneyland - I remember my first day after training on the bear show or as it was officially called: The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown - Making those announcements were a trip! Like "Please exit to your right under Max, Buff and Melvin and have a great day at the happiest place on earth!" I still have some great friends still from those summers - although none of them still work at DL If they paid decient - I would work there again in a heartbeat
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I saw Max, Buff and Melvin yesterday! I looked up and said hello to them all three times that I rode Winnie the Pooh (all in a row without exiting first...it was raining something fierce and no one was in line!) I miss the Country Bears...
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer >> I feel like LaughingPlace.com is my Disneyland Resort home away from home!<< It goes the other way too. I'm obviously not a CM but have been going to DL for 40 years. Even though we are not local, Tinkeroon and I have developed close friendships with a few CM's over the years. (the CM's make it really easy) and to us they are family in *every* sense of the word. We had known Roger on TSI since the mid 80's. He knew us as a young couple, watched our kids grow to adulthood and us into our 50'somethings. It was really hard for us when he finally retired in December. I don't know how I'm going to cope with Oscar's upcoming retirement in March. He's threatened to so many times, I keep hoping this is a false alarm too. Other CM's will call, write or e-mail us about new and exciting things that are happening in the park and want to know the next time we'll be down. The fact that they are still excited about DL even after so may years of working there just adds to the magic. DL may be "The Happiest Place On Earth" but the CM's go a long way towards making it that way. >>I saw Max, Buff and Melvin yesterday!<< I saw them last month! I really miss the Country Bears too. I still get warm fuzzies every time I'm on Pooh and "look up".
Originally Posted By ssturgeo MickeyFan1...I dream of working at DL l when I retire...glad to hear a former CM voice the same desire!! I so envy you who have had the privilege to be part of the magic!! Have been going to DL since the summer it opened, now, because I no longer live in Calif., only get to go a couple of times a year, but it truly is my "Laughing Place". Thanks to everyone here who contributes to this board and helps to make all of our trips more magical, and who help keep me sane and connected to DL between trips!! Sharon Next Trip March 1-9 then Nov. 16-21
Originally Posted By Mickeyfan1 I just have to chime in once again about my experience working at Disneyland. Yes, let's be honest it is work, and hard work at time, but it's different if you know what I mean. Many evenings during the summer I would arrive at Disneyland after putting in 8 hours at my regular job only to wish I didn't have to work tonight because I was exausted. I headed up to my locker (no taking home you costume when I worked there) and then headed out to the Emporium to get ready for an evening of guest control on Main Street. Well, I would walk out on-stage and literally my entire attitude was instantly refreshed. Here were people having fun, children, young and young at heart running up to Mickey asking for a hug, a picture or an autograph. Smiles everywhere, and I would think to myself I must be the luckest person in the world because I get to "work" here. Some of my best memories are arriving for work at 5:30 a.m. and walking down Main Street with no one else around. Sometimes I would take a longer walk around the hub past the castle and just marvel at this wonderful place where the problems of the outside world could be forgotten for a few hours. Having the opportunity to meet so many different people and just interact is also a highlight of your role. I remember one night a little boy, about 8 I would say, came up to me and said he had lost his parents and could I help him. Well I knelt down and talked with him and had him stick with me for a few minutes. Called Lost Children to report his name and told them I would bring him over shortly, but would try and see if we could find his parents first. I was doing guest control so we walked up and down Main Street and then he helped me keep the crosswalk between the Clock shop and Market House moving....I let him use the magical flashlight I carried. Finally after about 20 minutes we headed over to Lost Children and just as we arrived his parents arrived also. A happy ending. We all spoke for a few minutes, but Michael could not stop taling about how he helped me at the cross walk. The parents thanked me for taking care of the son....a happy ending. The next day as I walked out onstage I suddenly heard my name being called out. Looking around there I saw Michael on top of his dad's shoulder. They had returned for a second day at Disneyland and Michael spotted me. His dad told me he talked about our experience all night and wanted to see me again to say hello. It's things like this you simply can't find on any other job. Again, the work can be hard at times, but the expereicne and rewards ares so great. A lot has changed at Disney within management and the "Disney Way" I have heard, but still if you go in with the attitude that you can create magic it is a very special place to work. Go for it, and I hope when you are cast in your role you will continue to create the magic that Disney is known for.
Originally Posted By out numbered mom Like Trekkeruss, I also worked at the Disney Store. I was at the origianl Disney Store #301 or was it #311, I can't remember now, its been so many years ago. Anyways, I loved loved loved my time there. We had the most amazing cast members and some of them became my best friends. It was really magical. I believe any chance to work with Disney and add a little magic into their lives is well worth it. Good luck
Originally Posted By StmbtWilliam311 Again, I'm amazed by the amount of input I have already gotten on this. Mind you, I'd still love more. I love reading about those moments that you CM's really made a difference in a kids life. That's why I really want to work with Disney, so that I can create a little magic for them, just like I had when I was a kid (Still am at heart). So what are some of the options for being a Disneyland CM? Any positions that are better or worse than others? What are shifts generally like? How do I get my foot in the door if I don't live in CA?-- Sorry I have so many questions, but this is a very important topic for my future. And thank you all again, and in advance for all the info!
Originally Posted By Shiva I agree with StmbtWilliam311, this is something we don't hear about very often. I would love to see a thread where just CM's and ex-CM's have a chance to tell about their stories and experiences.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl My favotite CM experience was when I met a Family from France. The parents both spoke english but the little boy (about 4) did not. I helped them find some clothing for the little boy and to help them figure out what size would be best for him since our sizeing charts are different here. As I was ringing them up the little boy said something to me in French. His parents laughed and said he just told me he'd like me to come home with him. I thanked him but told him I had to work. He said something else and his parens translated "If you come home with me you'll never have to work again." LOL! I melted. The French must train their young men to make women swoon early. ) ~Beth
