Originally Posted By HRM GLAD YOU'RE STILL ON THIS THREAD PASTKNIGHT!! No, It's never too late (or too early, you still have a long and fruitful life ahead of you - you're only 30+!) to chase your dream. You have life experiences now that will help prepare you for the challenges of chasing your dream (i.e. finances, etc); just make sure to be prepared. You have succeeded in the past, and there is no reason to think you can't live your dream - just remember a little of the reality of day-to-day life. And never forget, WHY working at DL for the Mouse is your DREAM in the first place! Just my Opinion. )
Originally Posted By PastKnight thank you for all your advise and help HRM in less than three weeks i will be knocking on TDA's door
Originally Posted By disneynafrica Never! I started as a CM in college, did it again after we were married...and went back two years ago to do it all over again! And when we get back to the states, Im headed straight back to Casting at DL! I LOVED it... and I can't wait to go back - and Im hitting my mid 30's this year!
Originally Posted By disneynafrica "never" as in never too late, that is. and may I add that I am soooo jealous of you right now, Pastknight!
Originally Posted By TheBellCaptain To PastKnight, I wish you all the best. You will do great as a cast member! Please let us know how it goes. To iluvdisneyland, you hit the nail right on the head about how it feels to be a cast member. I love your posts on this thread and look forward to reading your full article. I'm a little jealous of all you current cast members, too! =) I have wonderful memories of working at the Disney Studios for a year, followed by a two-year stint as a cast member for the Disney Store in its heyday. I had hoped to make it a triple crown by working for the Disneyland Resort, but one thing led to another to another which landed me in my current job. But all this great talk has me seriously thinking about finishing up that triple crown after all. Thanks!
Originally Posted By PastKnight TheBellCaptain, thanx for the words of encouragement i just hope and pray casting agrees with you!! iluvdisneyland let us know when and where you publish that article, what i read put me in tears!! thank you all for your support
Originally Posted By HRM PastKnight... you have a lot of support @ LP, just remember... DAY-TO-DAY REALITIES... If you become a front line CM, your paycheck mite become a hinderance to you fullfilling your dream; I mean a paycheck under $400 every two weeks can emphasize the realities of the real world very fast. You might want to look also at your core skills. I'm sure your past work experience provide you with opportunities to explore at other levels @ DL while you perform front line duties in the beginning. Keep your options open, and your head held high. Look over this Topic thread, and a few others as many CMs offer insight into the pluses and challenges of working for the Mouse. Make sure you know your values, goals and expectations; and what you are willing to do to get what you want. Back in Post #1, you stated "I will do anything including scooping horse stuff on Main Street USA". Just remember "horse stuff" doesn't pay the bills, especially the car insurance, or the car itself when you need new brakes or a new radiator (btwn $500 & $750). You stated "i need full-[time]"; can you cover COBRA or other insurance until you get seniority for full-time? Can you set aside 12-16 months of $$$ to cover insurance and expenses... Many of these questions are recommended for good financial planning anyway, but most people don't have the resources and have to live paycheck-to-paycheck. CAN YOU? Myself, been there and done that - twice. And trying to set the financial stage to do it again so I can follow my dream to work for the MOUSE also. I encourage and support your efforts; and also ask that you keep in touch. Good Luck! ) ºoº
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland "If you become a front line CM, your paycheck mite become a hinderance to you fullfilling your dream; I mean a paycheck under $400 every two weeks can emphasize the realities of the real world very fast." We're payed every Thursday.
Originally Posted By HRM Does Disney have a Credit Union? Besides the benefits of most Credit Unions, does Disney's Credit Union have other benefits? (besides the Dinsey checks?) ) ºoº
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland LOL! So right, imadisneygal! :-D I look forward to every Wednesday night... HRM, your paycheck is based on a lot of factors: hours actually worked, union dues, taxes, your rate (or perhaps rates), etc. When I am doing a straight 40 hours a week, I can bring in around $350 a week, but I've been with the Resort over two years now, so my rate is different than that of a new hire.
Originally Posted By HRM After two years, 40 hours.... ok, I can hang with that.. Take home, or before deductions? How likely is it for CM's to get OT.... (ok stop laughing, I'm serious) ;o)
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland That's take home, HRM. OT is really dependent on your business unit, is it peak season or slow season, and business needs. Sometimes there is plenty of OT to go around, and sometimes there isn't. It's always changing.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo OT is also based on seniority. Meaning if OT is availible, the CMs with the highest seniority have dibs. Now, Most seasoned CMs usually don't want it and the newer CMs get it. Just a union thing.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Yes, Disney has a credit union. Partners Federal...It's really not much different from any other credit union other than, like you said, the cool checks. I still have a book from my old account there. I love those checks!
Originally Posted By HRM >>Just to let you know (Jungle Cruise) is a new hire attraction and you dont have to be any better then any other CM to work there.<< posted by AKLodger @ "Jungle Cruise w/out Jokes" Topic Thread Question: Are some of the DL attractions for New Hire CMs, and other attractions are for more skilled and seasoned CM's? Are other Departments @ DL structured in this manner?
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland Attractions Operations is divided into different business units, such as Adventureland Attractions, Critter Country Attractions, Tomorrowland Attractions, and (I believe) Fantasyland Attractions. A new hire can hire-in to one of several "new hire attractions," but it takes time to gain a second attraction. For example, a new hire in Adventureland Attractions can hire-in to the Main Street Opera House and after a certain period of time and experience, be trained on, say Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which, from my understanding, is an extremely selective attraction,) BTMRR is not a new hire attraction. The same sort of goes for Outdoor Vending, although ODV is not divided into different business units, rather it is a business unit of the Resort Food and Beverage Division. A new hire is a vendor. You cannot hire-in as a Steward or a Tugger, but after a certain amount of time and experience on carts learning the operation, etc, you can turn in a Cross Training Interest Form for a different role in Outdoor Vending. If you are approved for this, you will be trained in a new role but that does not necessarily mean you will never be a vendor again.
