Calling All Disney CMs!

Originally Posted By ophellia

OOPs,hit send somehow!
anyway 8 years since I hired in and Ursula's about covered everything...
mine was a group interview with 3 of us and went Fast...
they asked me my fave attraction and how I'd handle an unruly guest...they seemed to like my answer of using humor...
GoodLuck!!!

 

Originally Posted By HRM

Ophellia, are you still a CM at DL? In attractions?

 

Originally Posted By lesmisfan

and remember there is also a computer based questions as well. Just answer them as if you were the perfect cast member.

 

Originally Posted By HRM

^^^computer question^^^
plz xplain

 

Originally Posted By piratebrittany

Who is your favorite Villain?

My favorite villain is Captain Hook, for no reasons other than Peter Pan is my favorite Disney film and he is just so whimsical.

Is there a role you wouldn't like to do, can't do, or even prefer not doing at DL?

I am confident that I can tackle any role given to me. But I prefer not to do custodial. The sweeping and trash duties would be fine, but I couldn't clean up a guests human waste.
not to copy you Cassidy, but it's true for me as well)

What would you do if a fellow Cast Member, someone who has been nice and helpful to you, did something against protocol and asked you not to say anything? Or a similar question, have you ever been in a situation where a co-worker did something against the rules and asked you not to say anything?

If it were something small that could be easily remedied I probably wouldn't say anything. But if it compromised the safety or integrity of a cast member or guest I would have to say something to my lead or manager.


Do you have any outside obligations or interests that limit your availability to work at DL? ie school, job, upcoming trip?

I'm taking a short break from school for the time being and won't go back until Feb of next year, but I do have a day job with a very flexible boss. I do have three concerts within the first two weeks of September as well.

<<and remember there is also a computer based questions as well. Just answer them as if you were the perfect cast member.>>

What type of computer based question Cassidy?

Thank you all for your help. I'm both more terrified and more confident at the same time. Haha.

 

Originally Posted By piratebrittany

Would it be best to NOT mention the concerts verbally, but rather give the interviewer a list of the three or four days I have limied or no availability? Or is it best to not mention the concerts/weekend trip at all and just hope I can get the right shift or eat the tickets?

I've given a very short list of days with limited availability to employers previously and it worked well. But my employers have been extremely flexible with me and Disney seems like a whole new ball park.

 

Originally Posted By lesmisfan

i wouldn't mention the concerts because you can always ask for those days off. and the computer based questions if i remember correctly are questions that you feel out like on online application, I like guest interaction, disagree, heartily disagree, agree, etc.

some will also be based on Disney guest interaction as well and your character.

just answer them as if you are being the perfect CM.

 

Originally Posted By pixar_fan

<<Better than any commercial, are those magical moments created by CM's for something as simple as waiting in line to a special blown kiss from a character in a parade. >>

Well said, HRM. I had a very similar experience when my son was 2. I was sitting in the shade on a bench on main street, with my son sleeping in his stroller. Pluto went by on his way offstage (lingo I picked up on LP!) and as he walked by, with no one watching but me, he blew a kiss to my sleeping son. I will never forget it.

THANK YOU to whoever played Pluto that day, you solidified my love for Disneyland and demonstrated what makes an excellent Disney employee. You exceeded the expectations of a guest who was already having a wonderful day.

Good luck, piratebritney, I hope you get to make an unbelievable memory the way Pluto made mine! I'm anxious to hear how it goes for you!

 

Originally Posted By piratebrittany

<<just answer them as if you are being the perfect CM.>>

That's not hard at all. *faints*

LOL. I'm sure I'll be fine.

 

Originally Posted By Ursula

For the trip in September, you can tell them in advance so they know you have a prior commitment; just mention it is a family trip. Employers don't mind hearing of one or two, so I'd stick to the weekend trip and then try to arrange it such that you work day shifts on the days you have concerts to attend.

 

Originally Posted By chipndale16

I don't really have any advice, but just wanted to wish you good luck! I hope the "casting call" goes great for you!

 

Originally Posted By smedley

As with others I don't have anything to add, but wanted to wish you much luck at the interview

 

Originally Posted By Khiori

No advice, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck! Ok, one little bit of advice, HAVE FUN!

 

Originally Posted By ophellia

HRM...havent checked this thread...sorry...I was 'Terminated' after 9/11...I worked at Rancho del Zocalo at first as a front of the house greeter mostly...but transferred to bussing when politics and union issue became an issue inside...we bussers were a great hard working crew more concerned with SCSE than it seemed in in house crew was(for the most part)...and the bussing part was easy..it was mostly guest relations without the title and the joy of being Outside at DL...hearing The MarkTwain all day and seeing Fantasmic and the Fireworks over and over...worked there almost a year...a friend gave me his year pin when I left...OH I miss DL!
yes have Fun with interview, they notice!

 

Originally Posted By wonderingalice

Just want to wish you ALL the best, PB... You're sweet and awesome and I know you're going to make a great impression on your interviewers!

I'm SO envious and anxious to hear how it goes!

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

I wanted to comment on one of your answers:

-Tell me about a weakness of yours.
When presented with a new task I take it a little slow at first to know that I'm doing the best job I possibly can.

I'm not sure this is the best approach to take. It's admirable that you want to settle in before going full steam, but most employers want someone who can hit the ground running. You might want to rework that answer a bit. I like the concept given earlier that is something of a shortcoming but is really a benefit to your employer. Something like I always have to get to work 15 minutes early. I just can't stand it if I don't have that cushion of time before clocking in.

Good luck!

 

Originally Posted By believe

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My experiences were more along the lines of Ursula's.
I hired in at the end of 1983, and it was pretty tough to get a job at Disneyland at that time too.
It wasn't like the economy was bad necessarily. They were just very particular.
In some ways I think they were almost looking more for a look and a personality, knowing that you would be trained in your given role.
And I didn't have much work experience at the time as I had just turned 18.
Apparently that didn't hurt my chance at getting hired though.
I interviewed with two other people. I remember being asked something about schedule flexibility and reliable transportation.
We were then told about the process of being cast into a role, and we were asked where we could see ourselves working in the park.
I really don't remember any specific, technical, or job-related questions (one of those "how would you handle" questions). We must have had something along those lines, but I don't remember it being a major component of the interview.
Of course that was over 25 years ago now.
I basically said I was willing to work wherever they felt I would be an asset to the show. I told the interviewer that I just wanted to work at Disneyland, and always had wanted to do so. I told her it really didn't matter where I started my journey with the park. I just wanted to work there.
Now I know some interviewers might want a more definitive answer (and that might be more prevalent now), but apparently my response was okay with my interviewer.
I was placed in Tomorrowland Attractions.
For the interview, I wore business attire, including slacks, sport coat and tie.
And I smiled and presented with an easy-going demeanor.
I don't think I came off as phony or contrived. When I talked about always wanting to work at the park, I wasn't gushy or over the top. I was just myself, and spoke from the heart.
And I think my sincerity came through in an honest way.
Just be yourself.
Good luck <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

That's exactly like my story. Same time and place and setting.
Yes, it was tough, However, I thought they were relaxing their standards.
I tried out 2 times before and didn't make it (what can I say, I get tongue tied in interviews). Each time was one-on-one interview, but my third time (is the charm) was 3 on 1 interview.

The reason they relaxed their standards was because of the 1984 Olympics. They expected big crowds (which never showed up), so they had to beef up the staffing. I remember getting only 4 hour closing shifts at the Emporium and strollers.

Good times!

 

Originally Posted By piratebrittany

>>I'm not sure this is the best approach to take. It's admirable that you want to settle in before going full steam, but most employers want someone who can hit the ground running. You might want to rework that answer a bit. I like the concept given earlier that is something of a shortcoming but is really a benefit to your employer. Something like I always have to get to work 15 minutes early. I just can't stand it if I don't have that cushion of time before clocking in.<<

Thank you for that suggestion. I was thinking on a tangent as I answered that question. I am actually a pretty quick learner, but I didn't know how to make it a downfall. I'm afraid to sound like a loser, but I also don't want to sound arrogant.

I could go with a time themed answer though, as I do get worried when I think I'm going to be late and miss something or get reprimanded.

 

Originally Posted By TINK-MOBILE

Dear PB...Wear your smile well, you do have the magic that fills the hearts of Disney's guests , I do remember the first time we met you and your family, you went out of your way to spend a most enjoyable evening with our family , creating a lasting memory that will be for ever entwined in our hearts for ever and a day. I believe that Disneyland really wants to know you well, they want to know if we placed you in this area and some thing came up that needed quick handling, how would you perform Disneys reputation as the most Happiest place on earth, there will always be situations that shall be out of your realms of solution, this is why you are so keen to learn how to handle things in the way that Disney has designed you to, so that you can make that right decision with out compromising the Happiness of the day....all of your friends who are cms were chosen for their own seperate reasons , perhaps there are some who are interviewers them selves, I tell you the truth...be Pirate Britttany...be that gal that made such a impression on our Family along with your mom and Mr. PB,
you are going to be a wonderful assest to the park, don't forget I am thinking
that these interviewers have been trained well , they will be able to read body language , they know that you are excited, very nervous, they will also be able to recognize straight away your personna, keep your smile and heart tuned to the magic.....in front of you,
there are some pretty tough jobs at disney , some jobs that are not as favourable as some, your goal is to achieve entry inside this wonderful new world to be apart of a place that has filled your dreams with memories ever since you can remember, you will be filled with your moms personna of the haunted mansion, your self the pirate ship, Mr Pb the Captain...let your magic out, if you feel the magic so will they,
they too shall be judged on who they reccomend to be part of this Magical Place...more than likely they already know of you, you may already have sparked some ones interest, be totally honest, integerity is something very valuable, the laws of Disney shall become your Bible....they shall be
expecting you to keep them respected ,
knowing what to do sometimes in certain scenarios is certainally an asset , peforming the deed takes experience, sometimes it is always good to know how to reach help as quick as posible if you do not know what to do, learning from that experience will just enhance you even more, a first aid ticket is always a good thing to have, you never know if you may be needed immediately, level one is a great start, level one first aiders can save lives , they are instrumental in that regard...one day courses may be available thru your employers that you have now, or you can take one your self, they are worth more than any silver or gold, disney may like this assest , good luck kiddo.....

just go in and be who you are, Disneys
next Newest cast member.....why because they love you...M EYE SEE KAY EEE WHY..
M O U S E....doo da dooo .THATS WHY...
good luck kiddo...hugs from the t-m...ox
hope to meet you guys again...jytte-marie and will and noah wish you the best
Cindy sends you her happiness from Denmark....

 

Originally Posted By piratebrittany

This is it! I'm in the final leg of the race! My interview is tomorrow morning at 9. I'm ready.

What have I learned?

-Be myself!
-SMILE SMILE SMILE!
-Have a "downfall" that's really a good thing disguised as a downfall.
-Don't wear lots of makeup.
-Be careful when explaining the type of manager I would like.
-They're called guests and cast members, not customers and workers.
-Always let a mother get out of line to pee then demand a front of the line pass (tehe).
-Replace lost balloons if possible.
-Know computers.

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL
(drom-roll please)

-Mention Ursula is my Aunt!

lol. Thank you all for your help. This should be really fun!