Originally Posted By Tink34 Hi all! My fiance and I are looking for some advice about becoming CM's with moving and such. Here's our situation: I graduate from college in December, getting hitched in January. We want to move right away but only if we have jobs lined up. So here are my questions...how soon should we be applying? We live in PA is that going to deter them? if so how to help that? And any other help advice!!! This has been my life long dream and it's on the footsteps of coming true and help would be awesome!! Thanks from both of us!! Nick & Kellyn
Originally Posted By WDW Imagineer Apply for the college program and then attend all the networking events
Originally Posted By -em This is may come out harsh but it's sadly reality down here.. 1) What kind of jobs are you looking for? If its just a basic theme park job- they are still pretty scarce (part time and seasonal is getting easier) but florida unemployment rate is still about 10% if you arn't picky you may be fine. If you are looking for something a bit more specialized good luck. Pickings are still VERY slim. 2) Can you live on bottom of the barrel wages? Reality is you'll prob be making less than 8 dollars an hour. Which doesn't go far. Rent in the "not so good" parts of town start about 540 for Studios and go up. Closer to Disney prices go up- 3) Can you have completely open availability (close some days,open the next etc), often work hours completely opposite your spouse and depending on location work outside rain or shine, until 4-5 am in the morning, or doing often very menial tasks for the entire day? Yes there are good things about working here but the reality is- most days its a job and some days its a very low paying non rewarding job. Do your research fully before relocating because I've seen soo many people come with the dream only to run screaming from the state because reality soon took over.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Yea. What -em said. I was trying to find the nicest words possible to put the post in, but -em did a much better job than I could have done.
Originally Posted By leobloom Gosh, -em, you made me want to apply for a job. Think I can get bathroom duty? >> Do your research fully before relocating because I've seen soo many people come with the dream only to run screaming from the state because reality soon took over. << I guess some people can't handle the reality that Florida isn't Disney?
Originally Posted By Tink34 We've done our research and realize Florida is having it's problems we have family in Lakeland. I'm looking for a Disney job don't really care what it is, but I'm willing to wait. Fiance wants to look in and out of the property. And the rent in PA is almost twice that for a studio apartment. The cost of living here is outrageous. But I'm starting to think that's everywhere. How can I do the college program if I'm graduating? Would it be smart to come down at Christmas time and get a seasonal job and then go to casting? Any resume advice?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Any resume advice?>> They don't look at resumes, in all honesty. For the most part they just look for bodies to fill positions. Just curious, what are you guys graduating with degrees in?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Any dream has it's downside. If you truly love what you are doing you will figure out a way to make money at it. Start out aware of the facts and realize that you will begin your career with a very low standard of living. But that is just where you start. Where you end is up to you.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I hate to crush dreams. Really ... epecially since I've had so many of my own crushed. But you need to look at the reality. And Disney pays nothing, treats its workers like nothing more than bodies, and 98% of today's workforce can't expect to move up even one level let alone have a real career. WDW may be a nice place to visit. But it largely sucks to work there UNLESS you don't actually need the paycheck to live ... like if you have a trust fund, a parent(s), ex-husbands/wives, legal settlement, government disability check etc to live off of ... than go work for the Mouse and take that $123.48 weekly paycheck and use it to buy pins, plush and vinyl with your new CM discount. But if you NEED that $$$, you are high on pixie dust if you believe WDW is a sane option for employment. Sorry, the truth hurts (maybe not as much as jumping on your bike only to discover someone removed the seat, but it hurts nonetheless!)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Spirit... you know I love ya, but if I thought like you I would be alone, dead, or broke right now. Hold on to your dreams. Even when it seems that all is lost, if you don't give up hope wonderful things can happen.
Originally Posted By Mr X I did the very same thing as you are considering, thirteen years ago. I went to Orlando with no car, no home, no job, and a mere $1,000 to my name. When I was departing and when I got there, tons of people told me I was insane and there was nothing for me and I would fail miserably. Within a few weeks I landed a job (a temp gig at Disney...something to keep in mind as that might be a good way to get "in"), got a place and a car, and found a second job playing drums at Universal Studios a few months after that. After a WONDERFUL year in Florida, I landed a dream job in Tokyo (Disney, in fact...via my Florida contacts) making triple the money I was pulling in in Florida (which wasn't all that bad, at the time). So, I just thought I'd throw that out there as a counterweight to some of the more pessimistic stuff we've seen here so far. I was bold, I was flexible, and I was willing to explore whatever options I needed to in order to succeed. Sure, luck played a role as well. But if it's your dream, why not go for it? Oh, and by the way I DID apply for an official Disney job when I got there (practically as soon as I arrived). I got as far as a phone interview and was (who knows why, since I'm so darned likable ) roundly rejected. Going through the temp agency, I ended up working at DisneyWorld anyway, making a good deal MORE money than if I'd gotten a "regular" Disney job, and was able to make contacts and improve my living situation very quickly. Dreams CAN come true. But they don't always happen the way you plan. GOOD LUCK!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***But it largely sucks to work there UNLESS you don't actually need the paycheck to live ...*** I know plenty of people who work there today who make decent money and are very happy with their jobs. Are you only speaking to the minimum wage, entry level sort of stuff? It's definitely not out of the realm of possibility for a couple of college graduates to find something better, even working for "the Rat".
Originally Posted By MPierce To dream ... the impossible dream ... To fight ... the unbeatable foe ... To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ... To run ... where the brave dare not go ... To right ... the unrightable wrong ... To love ... pure and chaste from afar ... To try ... when your arms are too weary ... To reach ... the unreachable star ... This is my quest, to follow that star ... No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... To fight for the right, without question or pause ... To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest, That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm, when I'm laid to my rest ... And the world will be better for this: That one man, scorned and covered with scars, Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, To reach ... the unreachable star ...
Originally Posted By magnet ...you do realize he was delusional, right? But that was very inspiring, Pierce! Did you write that from memory?
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "This has been my life long dream and it's on the footsteps of coming true " Uh oh. First I'd suggest reading David Koenig's book about the goins on behind the scenes. It aint all fairy floss and Fantasyland.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ...you do realize he was delusional, right? << Just because you attack windmills doesn't necessarily make you delusional. >> But that was very inspiring, Pierce! Did you write that from memory? << No, I just remebered the song title. I let google do the hard work.
Originally Posted By disney pete good luck to you both let us know how you get on,MrX glad everything worked out great for you.
