Originally Posted By DezineWiz Hello Disneyland Cast Members, and Helpful Folks! My name is *****, and this is a sincere cry for help. Without name dropping, I will do my very best to recall my story as I saw it, and what led to my eventual discharge. If T.W.D.C. happens to find this, please rest assured, this is only posted with the very best intentions, and may hopefully serve as a beacon of light for others in a similar position. First off, I have never ever stolen from the company, committed any act of discrimination, sexual harassment, or flat out broke the law. I am now 30, almost 31 and the last time I worked for the company was back in 2001. In and around the summer of 1998/1999 (can’t remember precisely when), I worked in O.D.V. Stupidly (on my part), I got let go for attendance points. I had a rehire status at that time. Later on, in and around the winter season of 2001, I got rehired back into attractions. HOW I MISS SPACE MOUNTAIN! Anyhoo... my attendance during my period at that time was PERFECT! Here’s what happened... During my Making Disney Magic orientation, I met up with a gentleman who works at W.D.I. I kindly asked him if the company was ever looking for creative ideas. He said yes, and to meet him in his office. So, I did. It was an idea for Space Mountain. Yes folks - you know that area that is still unused - the top level of the Starcade? That would have been put to a fantastic, merchandise (hint, hint) oriented use. It involved FedEx even more as a sponsor, and even included Mr. S.I.R. from Alien Encounter in the end. It was going to be a wonderful overlay. In any case, being that your Disney I.D. got you into W.D.I., I thought to myself that I would like to make this as real a project as possible. My W.D.I. contact even knew I was going there. Everyone I encountered there said it was o.k. for me to be there. As well, no one at the company ever got to see the final idea, or really bits and pieces. They don't have any of it. It was still in development on my part when all of this went down. Well, when I got back to my attraction at D.L., the manager of all of T.L. brings me into his office, and decided to place on a two week investigative suspension. When I got back, he termed me for name dropping! I don't have a mind to drop names for personal gain. It isn't within my code of conduct. I was absolutely dumb founded. Unfortunately, it was within my probationary period. I also didn’t know that I could have potentially gotten the union involved. I checked my record, and it mentioned that the official reason why I have the no-rehire is because I have been let go by the company twice. This was many, many years ago. I have had several positions since then that were very, very positive experiences - with management skills to boot. I am in the process of putting together my application for the no-rehire status committee at T.D.A. What I am looking for are some suggestions as to how to best fill that application out, and what is best to put in my statement to the company. I sincerely miss Disney. I am hoping to do my absolute best to be the greatest Cast Member I can be. I happened to have a background in the design arts, and have completed my A.A. degree in digital media at FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising - Honor Roll. In addition, I have a heart for guest relations, and/or resort ambassador. Since I have leadership skills, I feel that my professionalism would lend itself well toward training cast members, and eventually being part of the hiring process. Thank you all for your positive notes in reviewing my call. Magically Always, ***
Originally Posted By fkurucz The only thing I can say is that it will probably be harder to pull this off in a weak job market.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Oh, sure. Just apply to be Ambassador. I'm sure they'll snatch you up, just like that. OK--that was a mean. Sorry for that. But I don't totally understand--you got term'd the first time because you were a slacker; you got term'd the second time for "name dropping?" As in, you were in trouble for doing something wrong, then tried to "name drop" your way out of it? Or is it something else? So, the company had to can you twice. Now, you basically want to rejoin the ranks--as Ambassador, or Casting interviewer, or Disney University instructor. Ummm--my best advice would be to tell how great you are now and how you learned your lesson. Don't, don't, don't, DON'T tell them how you were wronged/duped/the victim/mislead/misunderstood. That's not leadership or professionalism. Their position will be that all those things were reviewed and decided years ago, and you were in the wrong. So accept that and show how you have grown beyond that. Good luck.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Monorailblue, you pretty much summed up my thoughts. DezineWiz, it is not easy to have a "do not rehire" lifted. As for the positions desired, my advice would be to go in with the attitude that you're willing to take any role at all. Since every role is vital to the show and your main goal is to be a part of that again, then you should be happy with any role offered (if they lift your rehire status). At least one of the roles you mentioned requires at least one year at the Resort before applying, so I would work on rebulding your reputation. I am sketchy on the whole WDI thing, however, because any suggestions or creative ideas that are submmitted by Guests or anyone who isn't a current CM with WDI are usually summarily returned without being read. I find it very hard to believe that anyone in that capacity would bring a relatively new Park CM who had been previously terminated into their office and solicit creative ideas for the Resorts from them. In the capacity of Attractions Host you are not allowed to submit "creative ideas" in whole or in part to WDI as they do not accept outside ideas. I have no idea who the WDI CM was, but something was fishy with that whole situation.
Originally Posted By monorailblue (Now, if I could just get myself back into the Resort---and I have a positive re-hire status . . . . Maybe one day . . . .)
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka I'm curious what you mean by "name dropping"? Why would someone get fired for offering up an idea? There are some things missing from this story.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Assuming the above is all true and complete, I would say that it shows a pretty profound lack of judgement to share this backstage, inner workings stuff as well as your name on a public forum such as this. I can't imagine it makes a very good case that you should be rehired at all. (But I also suspect someone's pulling our leg here -- as imadisneygal pointed out, the likelihood a park cast member would be invited to share ideas at WDI are extraordinarily slim and doesn't pass the smell test. It just isn't how business is conducted at the Walt Disney Company.)
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones I understand why you were fired the first time, but I don't understand why you were fired the second time. What the hell is "name dropping"? Can you please clarify what went on with the WDI contact and what happened at WDI? Also, if you want to be on the creative side of things, why don't you go apply to WDI? If they don't hire you, go back to school and get whatever skills you need. I really don't understand this story at all.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones I think I've heard this story before too, at least part of it. Have you posted this anywhere else? I remember hearing about a guy who worked on Space Mountain and got fired for submitting an idea. I still don't understand it.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Maybe the idea was, "Execs can use the upper level of the Starcade for illegal and promiscuous activities in a highly themed outer space environment." That suggestion might not go over very well.
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech DeZine Wiz, can you clarify something? You said "In any case, being that your Disney I.D. got you into W.D.I., I thought to myself that I would like to make this as real a project as possible. My W.D.I. contact even knew I was going there. Everyone I encountered there said it was o.k. for me to be there." Where were you at WDI? Your Disney ID doesn't give you free roaming ability throughout the building. Your'e really not supposed to be anywhere by yourself except for the Cafeteria and Mickey's of Glendale and the paths in between. Yes, there are exceptions with various appointments etc... but perhaps someone at WDI felt like you were skulking about in places you shouldn't be.
Originally Posted By SIR at X-S Tech And to add to my previous question, what were you at WDI for? Were you going to make your "project real"? Were you going to use reference or materials?
Originally Posted By mountainyup When I was hired-in in 2003, there was some paper I signed about not giving ideas unless asked by the company or at certain times. Any ideas given would be dismissed and disiplinary action taken. Even if it could save the company money or a safety manner, the company doesn't like ideas from CMs unless they ask.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost It totally boggles my mind that any company would impose disciplinary action because someone had an idea that they thought might help. Now it may be a way to prevent an influx of "me" ideas. The kind that are geared solely toward individual CM's and have been dismissed as not workable already. You would be surprised how many "ideas" we get in a week that start out with, "I have an idea. If you have us work 32 hours per week, but pay us for 40, there would be a lot of happier workers, therefore better customer service" "I'll keep checking with you to see what you have done about it." Or...since it is an entertainment venue and there are highly paid "idea" people on the payroll, any off hand suggestions that becomes a reality is subject to possible financial compensation. Even if someone else had the idea before the CM did. In that case I could see that suggestions, especially simple ones, might be thought of as a liability instead of an asset. Therefore, "tell us when we ask", would be logical. Nevermind!...It appears that I just asked and answered my own question. I have an idea...maybe Disney should hire me to interpret the rules and regs. to the common masses. What? Fired? How can you do that to me? I will be seeing my lawyer about this! When I get through with you Disney, there won't be enough left to buy cheese for the Mouse. Trifle with me, will you.
Originally Posted By Mr X You'd be better off moving on...your story (while somewhat sad to read) is a little disturbing and it's obvious that company wants you gone. Given that fact, why would you want to work for them? If it's an obsession with Disney, I would suggest getting an annual pass and enjoy the heck out of the place (just don't try to use that pass to get into places you aren't supposed to be ;p). Find another company to work for, or start your own...someplace more receptive to your creative ideas. That'd be my advice. Once you get on the bad side of a corporation, there's not much of a chance you can jump back in and it's probably not worth it. Good luck!
