Originally Posted By mousegeezer I know that a lot of you are or have been CM's. It seems to be a dream for many. But, What is the reality? I only have a second hand knowledege of a former CM that was in management and was often asked to work multiple shifts and felt pretty abused before leaving Disney's employment. So what is the reality?
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost What is the reality in any work environment. If it was supposed to be perfect it would be call paradise, instead it is indeed called WORK. It's full of politics, misunderstandings, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, being in the right place at the right time, being athletic looking (in some cases), having a full head of hair (in other cases) and making a good first impression. It is the same anyplace...we are all indeed humans. Disney is not able to force human frailties to stay outside the property.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper If you absolutely LOVE Disney then it may not be a good idea to go work for them because a little of the pixie dust might get worn off. I enjoyed working there (particularly the benefits of park access) but the job had it's ups and downs like any other.
Originally Posted By CMDad I don't work there, but for the last 9 years my daughter has. She works in IT at Team Disney, and the job - is a job. But she still enjoys going to the parks after work to walk for exercise, or have a meal with friends. Her job is work - but the parks are still fun.
Originally Posted By Tink34 I was just wondering the same as of recently. I've always wanted to be a CM and it could be a reality soon. I'm a HUGE WDW fan but I understand that the pixie dust is for the guests. Is it really worth it tho? I know some of the perks and those sweeten the deal. I have loads of questions, any CM's out there willing to help answer them?? It would be greatly appreciated!!!
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Really, listen to the people that are saying the job is a job. Best of both worlds would be to work behind the scenes like CMdads daughter and enjoy the parks on your own time. The pixie dust will still be there. If you work in the parks there is a real chance that you could become disenchanted with the way things are run and just how moronic the "guests" can be. Even after that statement though, some of my fondest memories come from the time I was in attractions at Dland. Wouldn't trade those ten years for anything.
Originally Posted By mousegeezer I guess the question is, when you walk out after a days work, did you enjoy what you did and did a guest have a better time because you were there? I can't think of a job that doesn't have its' drawbacks. If you deal with the public you are getting both the good and the bad.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 I think it is hard not to fall into the - it's a job thing when you work at Disney. I have seen hundreds of bright eyed people come in the doors at Disney only to be gone within a couple of years very disillusioned. I could tell you that the pay is low (starting attractions hosts make $7.35 to $7.85 to start and in 5 years you would still be under $9 and hour), I could tell you how Disney is a business and is run like one...there is no magic when someone works in a "line of business". I could tell you how guests can be unreasonable and demanding and how I have seen guests make even the most hardened CM cry. I could tell you about the long days, working holidays, working weekends, working when friends are going out. Needing to work 50-60 hours a week to pay the bills, which sucks the life out of the biggest Disney fan. And still people come to be a part of the magic. On the plus side you get to go into the parks for free and with your Main Gate Pass you can get your family and friends in too. Disney looks great on a resume if you leave Florida (its not that helpful in FL). They offer good benefits such as health care as well as dental. Right now CM's can get into the water parks for free with their id. You work with people from all over the world which is cool and throughout the years I have met some really wonderful guests. And on occasion you get to make someone elses day magical. So there are some nice things about being a CM. I always suggest to College students that if they really want to work at Disney they should try the College Program. It is a great way to work with a start and end time and see what working for Disney is like. Then you can decide if you want to return and do something more permanent. Working for Disney can be a great experience but it can also destroy the Pixie Dust for some. I enjoyed my Disney time but it was many years before I could return to the MK and enjoy it after I left that park and moved to another location. Just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted By -em I'm with ^ and most of what I would say he already said. Or in my words: <a href="http://hyphenem365.blogspot.com/2009/06/8.html" target="_blank">http://hyphenem365.blogspot.co...6/8.html</a> -em
Originally Posted By Tink34 And you're all talking about CM's in positions out in the parks right? Is it easier to be "backstage" like CMDad's daughter? I don't want to give up on this but I am starting to question it.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 Yes, in the parks. My sister works in a backstage area and it just like working in an office anywhere else. Same benefits but no magic.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 Being a Disney CM or even a local AP holder is just like anything else. After awhile the things that were exciting aren't as much anymore. When you first get cast you get your ID and you visit the parks and you experience the magic and you smile because you get to do it for free and your apart of it all. After awhile the novelty wears off and you dont go out as often because you've seen everything or the parks are crowded or you just need to be away from people. For most CM's going to the parks on their day off would be like working in a McDonalds then going there for lunch on their day off. That is not to say that you cant enjoy it. We were at the Food and Wine festival this weekend and it was fun. There are still places on property that I go to and think how wonderful WDW is. I always caution people when they ask me about working at WDW that it is nothing like you think it will be both good and bad and once the magic loses its luster it is hard to regain it. Some people are better off not working at WDW and just vacation here to continue to enjoy it.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 One more point. The effects of the recent manager layoffs is still rippling thru the various divisions and it is affecting the CM's. The feeling is that there are still more layoffs coming to the management ranks. Because of this managers are taking one of two stances. The first is doing nothing and keeping a low profile so they can fly under the radar. The second is stampeding into the void to show that they are indispensible. Neither postion is doing much for CM moral. Recently at an attraction I know a manager decided that hitting capacity all day was the way to go. It also made him look good. He encouraged people to speed loading up and he really rode the crew hard. Hitting capacity every hour is really next to impossible because you are dealing with guests. Because the CM's feel pressured they are taking short cuts to meet the demands put on them. This has led to reprimands left and right. Very demoralizing to the CM's. They feel pulled in all directions.
Originally Posted By CMDad << And you're all talking about CM's in positions out in the parks right? Is it easier to be "backstage" like CMDad's daughter?>> I have generally stayed out of this conversation, having not been a CM myself. But I would say that the answer to your question really also depends on the person. My daughter started in the parks (Conservation Station) and then spent some time at the front desk at CBR before moving backstage at CBR - and then eventually moving to IT. I was able to see different attitudes towards working at WDW in each of those locations. Today, as you might realize, her job is pretty much the same job as if she worked for any other corporation - except that the systems she works on are WDW systems. Oh, and yes, it comes with a Silver Pass and good discount. But as mentioned, not working in the parks have kept her love for WDW pretty much intact. To this day I will get a text or phone call from her that starts, "Guess where I am ..."
Originally Posted By alexbook >>I don't want to give up on this but I am starting to question it.<< Please don't give up. Lots of CMs love their jobs. Just try to be realistic about it.
Originally Posted By mousegeezer Thanks -em. It sounds like your perspective is on the money. I hope you continue to make the magic happen.
Originally Posted By GalDisney I am a CM and I LOVE it! I have been a CM for exactly one year. true, as other people have said it does just become a "job" like anyother. But alot of it is your attitude about the job. I enjoy working at WDW and interacting with guests. I love being able to share my WDW knowledge with guests by asnswering their questions. Has the Pixie Dust worn off for me?? I can honestly say it has not.If working for Disney is something you would like to do, i say go go for it! If you dont like it, you can always leave and say you did try it.
Originally Posted By Tink34 GalDisney and mousermerf, can I ask what the two of you do for the company?
