Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland "Disneyland Leadership Development Program (DLDP, now called something else)" It's called the Emerging Leaders Program now, and actually they're looking for interested individuals to begin taking classes again! I'm working on getting some time to respond still!
Originally Posted By SpoonCM Yes, pads do exist...and we've been using a whole bunch of them lately. I too think after the initial shock we'll be seeing CMs coming and going at the rate we see right now. When it all settles and everything stabilizes I believe we'll have a more efficient work force. Don't know when it'll settle, since we are still working out the kinks of presenteeism. Typical movement occurs from various postions in front line, then working lead, to some other kind of lead...used to be known as a General Lead, but ever since that position had been officially canned, a couple departments created a similar position that was like a General Lead. Emerging Leaders produces the next batch of TSAs (Temp. Salary Assitant) which is usually followed by an Asst. Manager position and or a Manager position, depending on any open Managerial spots. That's usually the progression in any department. Once you go TSA, you have the opportunity of switching departments...usually at the whim of whoever decides such things. I've known a couple managers who actually pick up shifts and I've known managers who do a lot of walking and talking with their CMs. I've also known managers who never showed their face but only when it was time to eat lunch and the location was along the path to where ever they were going to eat. Its very up in the air with management.
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland No, I don't... I'm not doing Emerging Leaders yet, but I am going to try for University Leader later this month!
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Hi David, Craig works in Outdoor Vending. I believe he may be over at California Adventure now. He was an Area Tour Representative with me back in the day when there were only 5 University Leaders and 6 Area Tour Reps (1995, the last year of Area Tour Reps.) He was working in the offices there. He was Red team if I remember correctly. I last saw him when I was up there for a trip in 2004. He went on to be a University Leader. He's a great guy! If you get a chance to meet him you should ask him about those interviews - I bet he has some advice that might be helpful. And also ask him about Stu from the Mill and the Pork Wagons.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal OH...and GOOD LUCK with the University Leader interviews. That's a really neat feeling having CM's come up to you years later and say, "You did my orientation! Thanks!" There are still CM's working there now who went through my orientations in '95 and I still keep in touch with a few of them. Neat!
Originally Posted By HRM >>CMs coming and going at the rate we see right now. When it all settles and everything stabilizes I believe we'll have a more efficient work force<< Hopefully that'll be good news for BOTH DL & CM's... However... in "other" work environments that may means either: (1) less # of workers overtaxed w/ the number of tasks to do, or; (2) too many part-time workers cutting the total number of hours available... I guess it'll be important to "get to know the area schedulers" - [see i'm taking notes tigertoo!]
Originally Posted By HRM Is there still such an animal as Disney University where CM's and the public can take courses on Teamwork, Customer Service, etc.?
Originally Posted By imadisneygal The Disney University still exists, but it isn't for the public - only CM's. But now there are MANY University Leaders due to the utter hugeness (is that a word?!) of the Resort now and the demands of training so many new CM's. It's a fun and magical experience to be a part of the Disney University experience!
Originally Posted By HRM I thought there's never enuf experience as far as CMs are concerned Parenting also, I've heard ;-)
Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<Just as an aside, how many admin and corporate people walk the park and talk with the CM's? Do any actually "take a shift?" - (had to be careful there, huh tiggertoo!)>> They do make frequent trips to their attractions (generally anytime a problem occurs your attraction manager will come down to the attraction but at anytime one or more could poke their head around the corner so yeah, you had to keep you eyes open for them. In fact, one day we caught Matt O on the exit stairs of Autopia picking up driver licenses. The lead on duty almost crapped his pants. But he was most sympathetic to the situation and said he could see how quickly the cards could become a problem. I've been a big fan of his ever since. The managers don't generally pick up shifts as they already work full-time at the park as it is. They do sometimes work the attraction (or area, whatever) for a short period however if we were sorely short on CMs and breaks and lunches are WAY behind. One day I was coming in from backbridge area on rotation and caught TL1 (the main TL manager) on track 3, tie and all. At first I thought he was a guest getting out on the wrong side of the vehicle so I ran over (not seeing another CMs in the position). He turned around and then I saw the nametag. After sighing in relief I and a shared laugh, I went to my position. He worked there until we got some help from Monorail.
Originally Posted By HRM I understand that Matt Ouimet, was/is having monthly meetings with CM's from DL to just ask their opinions and get feedback. Have any CMs who are part of LP ever been a part of these discussions? What did Matt seem to emphasize as important?
Originally Posted By HRM >>I am excited every day, and I am proud to put on my costume. How long will those feelings last ?<< mickey 4239/new CM @ WDW Would any CM @ DLR like to respond...
Originally Posted By imadisneygal ^^^^To tell you the truth, it never went away for me. It stayed the whole time I was a Cast Member and still goes on whenever I'm there. There were days that I was happy to see end, but I never woke up and thought, "Man, I HAVE to go to work today!" I always thought, "WOW! I get to go to work today!" Maybe I'm a rare bird, but I truly never lost that feeling.
Originally Posted By HRM ((((((((((((iluvdisneyland))))))))))))) "How does one summarize the experience that is being a Cast Member at the Happiest Place on Earth? How does one describe the wonderful feeling you receive when you brighten another’s day, or better yet, brighten their entire vacation? "And then, of course, there is your fellow Cast Members, and that is a large part of the experience!... Every Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort plays a vital role, whether they buss tables at the French Market, check lap bars at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, wash windows after the park has closed, scan your passport at the Main Gate, rent you a stroller, welcome you into the Star Trader, hands you a freshly made churro, greets hotel Guests at the Grand Californian Hotel, sweeps the queue of Soarin’ Over California, or any of the other thousands of roles the Resort depends on to create an experience like nothing else in the world. "And of course, there is the best perk of them all: bragging rights. Who else can say they work at the Happiest Place on Earth – the original Disney theme park designed and created by Walt Disney himself?" **BUMP** Quite Simply, thank you ILuv! The churros will never be the same, they will only be warmed up and fried dough sticks from now on. ºoº
Originally Posted By HRM iluv... Welcome Back... Does your situation have anything to do with the "Presenteeism" effort going on @ DL? Does being part of the union help in your case? ºoº
Originally Posted By PastKnight so honestly is your mid to late thirties to old to start living your dream as a CM?
