Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Glad it all worked out. Yes, do the research, check out where you're going, but also -- gotta go with your gut too. Enjoy Florida!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Haven't read through the whole thread yet, but I think moving to Orlando can be a mixed bag. My brother (since deceased) LOVED living there, loved the hot weather, loved going to the beaches. My sister-in-law hated it and really missed her family back home. Both worked as Disney CM for a while before becoming rather disillusioned. Apparently, for some at least, the Magic disappears when you are working for the Mouse. They did enjoy the free admission and discounted hotel rates though. They moved back to Minnesota shortly before my brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer... primarily because of their bad financial situation in Florida. My late wife and I strongly considered moving to Central Florida when retiring but decided against it because of the hot and humid summer weather. I'd also noticed how my brother had become bored with the parks and didn't want that to ever happen to me. I think Southern California would be a much more pleasant place to live if you had a ton of money to spend on housing. But since you already live in Arizona you are only a 5-1/2 hour drive from DL if you live in the Phoenix area... I guess if I were you and had a home and job I liked there I wouldn't consider moving ANYWHERE.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Hmmm.. that's what happens when you post before reading the entire thread. My post is obviously way out of date! I really hope things work out for you. I know many people wouldn't like SW Missouri (where I ended up moving for retirement) but I love it here. Different strokes...
Originally Posted By Donny Yeah I was able to get a job in government and my wife is thinking about working for the mouse.We go to meets all the time and we find new ways to explore the parks all the time.
Originally Posted By tashajilek I have always wanted to mnove close to DL, but as RT said the thought of being sick of the park is scary LOL.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>>Yeah I was able to get a job in government<<<<< The government you think should be smaller, and that you fight against?????
Originally Posted By dshyates The next couple of months will be a great time to be in Cent. FL. Food & Wine, MNSSHP, And MVMCP are fun. Also Sea World has a great Holiday Celebration. This year they will be doing a live nativity. And Universal has Macy's Parade, Christmas Concerts with Manheim Steamroller and Grinchmas. And The Gaylord Palm has Ice!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb >>>I have always wanted to move close to DL, but as RT said the thought of being sick of the park is scary LOL.<<< There is so much more than just the mouse in a 50 mile radius of DL! If you expand that to 100 or 150 mile radius (even taking into account a whole lot of ocean, lol) your non-Disney options expand to more than enough to keep you occupied for a lifetime.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA For me, I thought I knew enough of the behind-the-scenes of Disney to not be disillusioned when I started working there in 1986. And for the most part, that was true. My early Jungle Cruise experience was the one time when I thought -- wow, this really does look more fun when you're a guest. Rotting away in the Jungle, 9-5, Mon-Fri for 6 months just about did me in. I really did almost quit. Through my years with WDW and especially The Disney University, I saw many cast members who became disillusioned or even bitter, based on their comparison of having been a guest in the parks and that of working at Walt Disney World. At Disney University, we even had a 'refresher' class for cast members who has been with the company for 5 years (or 10, 15 and so on). With the clunky and outdated title 'You've Come a Long Way, Mickey' -- it was a short, half-day class which was designed to sort of allow cast members to think about their first days at WDW, and compare that to the 'reality' of working for the company. In class, if not handled skillfully, the tone could easily careen off the runway and turn into a massive gripe session. It was always interesting, and ended in a company paid lunch at one of the hotel restaurants -- usually at the top of the Contemporary. When I was there in 1987-89, there were many, many cast member who had been there since 1971. And with the newish management team of Eisner and Wells, and the construction of new parks and hotels and the influx of so many new people, these cast members who had been at WDW since Day One -- they were having trouble adjusting. One cast member in one of my 'Long Way' classes became so upset about Michael Eisner and his compensation package he was receiving, that she started to cry, telling us all that 'he needed to learn how to share.' As a Trainer at Disney University, hundreds of new hires knew me as 'Jim, my Traditions Instructor' and, while walking through the parks, I would run into cast members all the time who would recognize me as their new hire instructor and say hello. One afternoon, I ran into one former 'student / new hire' in the parks, and his comment to me was 'You lied to me.' We went on to explain that he was working at Disney-MGM Studios in a fast food location. Basically, he was stuck in the back kitchen, flipping burgers and cooking up french fries, and he wondered where the magic was. I have to admit, I was a bit stumped. But we chatted some more about his options, and what he thought he might want to do moving forward with the company. I don't know if he hung on or not, but it really had an impact on me, and still remember it 25 years later. So, it is tricky...
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I agree with Jim. Sometimes it is best to remain as a guest and not as a CM. I know many many CM's who cannot see the magic of working for Disney anymore. Many times the magic is really not knowing what garbage is going on behind the scenes. I always tell people to think carefully about working at Disney. Long hours, working holidays, grabby guests, low pay can quickly make the experience less then special. There are many people who have been at Disney a long time and love it. God bless them, but it isnt for everyone.
Originally Posted By MamaTinkAz I think we are one of those families that it is going to work for. It isn't all about the mouse for us, even though it is the majority. But as we have been here, we have made many new friends and enjoy the area. We are excited to be able to explore not just what is in Orlando but in other area's of Florida. We have been blessed with my husband getting a great job, the kids are in a wonderful school and I love being able to call our friends and go hang out with them. Everything has fallen into place and we really feel in our hearts that this was the right decision for our family. As many have said, it may not be for everyone but for this family, it is for us.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo May I wish you and your family the very best of luck, and hope it continues to work for you.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>>Sometimes it is best to remain as a guest and not as a CM. I know many many CM's who cannot see the magic of working for Disney anymore. Many times the magic is really not knowing what garbage is going on behind the scenes. I always tell people to think carefully about working at Disney. Long hours, working holidays, grabby guests, low pay can quickly make the experience less then special.<<< Agreed agreed. Came to Orlando over 30 years ago just to live closer to WDW and study..and while I enjoyed my time there as a CM in the early 80sm, it was far from being the best company to work for. While I knew (and delivered "on stage") what was expected from me, this is far from what I see the WDW cast do now for me as a guest, which is why I am so critical of their operation. There is no genuine effort to be special. It's become all forced and fake. Same for Orlando.. I don't feel like I live in the USA anymore. The town used to be very nice and greenery was everywhere.. you could leave your car parks with windows opened while you shop. Now? traffic jams, billboards you can't read because they are not in english, crime and suicides everywhere and outdated laws that allow things like smoking indoors or drivers to text while speeding at 70 mph.. etc. Just not the most enjoyable place to live anymore. Florida's slogan should be "The Save-a-Dollar State". It's synonimous with affordable. I have been looking at the posibility of moving out of here.. maybe AZ or CA or even Hawaii.. as far away as I can get from this town. I have just grown to dislike it a lot. Not what I was hoping Orlando (and WDW for that matter) would turn out to be in the long run. But for those of you who feel the need to move here for whatever reason.. best of luck to you. Wish you find it to be what you were hoping for and more.
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk So what did you decide donnyaz? I just moved back to AZ from FL because I could not find a job. I lived on the Gulf side of FL and absolutely loved it. Just a 1.5 hour drive to WDW. I will retire in FL someday. So much to do there. Beach, amusement parks and pirates!
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk Nvm, I see that donnyaz changed to Donny and moved to FL. Hope it is going well for you and the family.
Originally Posted By Donny I has been the greatest adventure my family and I have ever had.My wife and I were both able to get great jobs and if you watch LP Live we are at the park alot.These memories can't be purchased
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk congratulations. And finding a job in the highest unemployment rate of the nation is HUGE! I certainly enjoyed my 3 years there. I wish I could have stayed. Hey, you need a nanny??
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub So happy to hear you are living your dream! I just kept an article from the Sunday paper(New York Times) about WinterPark: A sophisticated Alternative to Disney; pedestrian friendly near WDW. Does sophisticated mean expensive? I know somebody thinking about making the move in the future ( early2013).
Originally Posted By dshyates Yes, Winter Park is expensive. Very eclectic. Chocked full of sidewalk cafes, art galleries, and high end shopping.
