Can you make a living working for Disney?

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  • TDLFAN
    Banned User
    • Feb 2005
    • 14940

    #81
    Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

    Originally posted by ti2gr View Post
    if I transferred to France to work at The Disneyland Paris Resort I would make an effort to learn French and do my best to speak it fluently. The problem in this country these days is that it's not politically correct to expect someone to know the language.
    Let's face it. You won't get hired anywhere in France, or DLP in particular, if you are not french-fluent. Period.

    I used to work for a major retailer and was asked 20-30 times a day if I spoke spanish. I answered one guest no, in plain English he said "Why Not?". My answer was simply, it's not the language of my country, nor my heritage and if I was to learn a second language, it would be that of my heritage therefore it would be German or Swedish.
    ..and who is to be blamed for that? Certainly there is nowhere in the USA constitution that english is the "official" languge of our country. Not until that little mishap gets fixed, it will be open season for the eradication of english as a spoken language in this country. Similarly, the other side of the coin is how smug Americans can be when they travel abroad, expecting every one to cater to them in English when in fact, many tourists who come to this country do not get the same treatment by the Americans expecting them to be english fluent. Double standard? I think so.
    But I do agree with you. I came to the USA 25 yrs ago and immediately immersed myself inthe english language and sores me to death that many other fellow latinos have this sense of entitlement in regards to spanish in our parts of town here in Orlando and the rest of FL. If I wanted to continue speaking and breathing spanish language and culture day in and day out in my life, I would have stayed in Latin America!

    Comment

    • flynnibus
      MiceChatter
      • Jun 2006
      • 15844

      #82
      Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

      socialist and nationalist have some advantages The reality is we americans really are just behind in the curve in that the vast majority only speak english. Most other countries on our level speak 2-3 almost across the board.

      The latino influence on some areas of this country is amazing. No more 'chinatown' or anything.. entire cities/townships are primarily spanish.. and cable lineups are 30% spanish-only channels, etc.
      Check out my blog - Coreplex: Rambling from inside the Grid


      Am I evil? yes, I am
      Am I evil? I am man, yes, I am

      Originally posted by sleepyjeff
      Disneyland was meant to be sipped not chug-a-lugged

      Comment

      • ti2gr
        Member
        • Jan 2005
        • 685

        #83
        Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

        [quote=TDLFAN;1187147]Let's face it. You won't get hired anywhere in France, or DLP in particular, if you are not french-fluent. Period.


        Since I already work for Disney, the opportunity is there to be transferred to France, with or without already being fluent in the language. Same holds true for Japan, and Hong Kong.

        My point was that I would make it a point to learn as much of the language as I could, just as you did when you moved here 25 years ago.

        Comment

        • fkurucz
          Member
          • Feb 2005
          • 1034

          #84
          Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

          Originally posted by flynnibus View Post
          So move to a socalist country where everyone is subsidized. There are plenty in the world.. take your pick.
          Attacks, attacks...

          And why is it OK for me to subsidize big corporations who underpay their employees? Everytime one of them collects public assistance or goes to the emergency room and doesn't pay, my taxes pay for that.

          Comment

          • flynnibus
            MiceChatter
            • Jun 2006
            • 15844

            #85
            Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

            Originally posted by fkurucz View Post
            Attacks, attacks...

            And why is it OK for me to subsidize big corporations who underpay their employees? Everytime one of them collects public assistance or goes to the emergency room and doesn't pay, my taxes pay for that.
            Its not an attack.. its a fact. If you want to live in a society that believes everyone should have a minimum income go live in a socialist state. There, everyone is entitled to a minimum income, even if they do not work. The pan handler on the street is getting steady 'livable' income from the government. Everyone is entitled to health care, and education, etc. The US does not operate under this assumption. Don't fault an individual for what is the norm in the country. Don't like it? Change it or go somewhere where that is the norm. The US is not a socialist country.

            While it all sounds nice and utopian.. they get it through incredible taxes. Which is why the US has some of the lowest taxes around when it comes to developed countries.

            And why is it OK for me to subsidize big corporations who underpay their employees?
            You can give your business to anyone you please.. but don't go and pick on company A because of a predisposition about its wages, and then completely ignore that company B is doing the same exact thing! It's like snubbing Disney, while eating a big mac from McDonalds.. birds of a feather!

            The reason walmart continually comes up in the mass media discussions around wages is because WalMart started the bigbox trend of moving into Food and Pharmacy.. not just retail. This threatened traditional, well established union-america companies who are tied to much higher costs because they have union workers. Its got nothing to do with how much a walmart stock clerk makes.. it has to do with WalMart starting encroaching on union vs non-union and of course the scale at which WalMart does things. The union companies cried foul saying they can't compete. Walmart later exasperated the situation with their scandels over illegals, etc.

            Its the same arguement in the Auto industry. The Detriot companies are so burdened down with supporting the union wage and pensions they can barely breathe. They cried foul when other companies start selling product for cheaper because they don't have the same contractual burdens.
            Last edited by flynnibus; 12-11-2006, 03:49 PM. Reason: gram. fixes
            Check out my blog - Coreplex: Rambling from inside the Grid


            Am I evil? yes, I am
            Am I evil? I am man, yes, I am

            Originally posted by sleepyjeff
            Disneyland was meant to be sipped not chug-a-lugged

            Comment

            • Disneyland Daddy
              ...is fading out....
              • Jul 2006
              • 13448

              #86
              Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

              Not if you get your costume stolen because you left it in the car.

              Comment

              • savanasue
                New Member
                • Aug 2005
                • 23

                #87
                Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                <<You are kidding, right? I know several personal friends and family members with College degrees in various careers who made the move to Central FL hoping >>
                I see plenty of jobs listed on the WDW web site calling for B.A. degree's for professional positions in Accounting, Finance ,Computer, management, HR etc etc.

                Comment

                • Jeronius
                  88 mph
                  • Nov 2006
                  • 808

                  #88
                  Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                  Whoah this thread is getting a little heated.

                  Overall I think its safe to say that living off a starting wage of Disney in Florida can be considered a living only if you want to live off driving old/used cars, pay the necessities to live and thats it. But we can safely say that it is just way too difficult to support a family with a job like that in Disney? Since, it's pretty tough to go up the Disney ladder? Anyone agree?


                  "Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary... Impossible is nothing."
                  -Adidas
                  Originally posted by KISSman
                  In the grand scope of life, there's nothing actually cool about being knowledgeable about an amusement park.

                  Comment

                  • savanasue
                    New Member
                    • Aug 2005
                    • 23

                    #89
                    Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                    <<Overall I think its safe to say that living off a starting wage of Disney in Florida can be considered a living >>
                    No, you cant even pay rent with $7.00 per hour. Believe me, i have tried

                    Comment

                    • wedway71
                      New MiceChatter
                      • Dec 2006
                      • 48

                      #90
                      Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                      Everyday I go on DisneyCareers.com and DCPCareers.com and see alot of salaried/mgt roles open.My buddy went straight into midlevel mgt with Consumer Products.Wont disclose his salary package but its pretty damn good.I do hear of people with college degrees that are bus drivers and entry level but I dont think this is a Disney issue.Im a Hardlines Exec at Target and you know how many applicants I have interviewed many with Degrees wanting any job they can get. We only have certain number of salaried jobs at Target and will give them to the best applicants and tell the others to start entry level and show their stuff.In my store I have 7 team members that have 4 year degrees in non mgt roles but they had the choice not to take the job and go elsewhere and use their Degrees if they wish.
                      I myself have had the choice of starting entry level with WDW or coming back with a better resume.I applied about 10 years ago for a salaried role and got turned down and was told I could start off full time entry level.I decided to wait untill I had more to offer Disney than work for peanuts with a family.10 years later with an MBA and 15 years or MGT experience I feel I have a better chance of a salaried role with Disney.

                      Comment

                      • Cmash95
                        Banned User
                        • Jul 2005
                        • 2624

                        #91
                        Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                        people do it but it's not easy. they share apartments and expenses, drive used cars, and pinch pennies wherever possible. They also are a two income family. Is it possible? yes but not by yourself. Would I do it? not unless the other wage in the family was much higher than mine.

                        Comment

                        • Stimpy215
                          Member
                          • Dec 2005
                          • 204

                          #92
                          Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                          Isn't it kind of sad that ther can be such a pay discrepancy in cm's that have on stage vs off stage roles? One would think the front line cast members who do the grunt work and work w/ all the guests and actually make all the magic would get paid at least closer to those who work behind the scenes in offices w/ cushy salary packages...not to say they don't work hard because i'm sure many do..just doesn't seem quite fair..oh well thats life right? I'd love to work for Disney and make a living..but honestly I'd want to do something in the parks working w/ guests like on an attraction..but no matter how good you are at it or whatever its not easy to make a living off of it at all...

                          Comment

                          • flynnibus
                            MiceChatter
                            • Jun 2006
                            • 15844

                            #93
                            Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                            One would think the front line cast members who do the grunt work and work w/ all the guests and actually make all the magic would get paid at least closer to those who work behind the scenes in offices w/ cushy salary packages...not to say they don't work hard because i'm sure many do..just doesn't seem quite fair
                            Fact of life.. if you work in a position where nearly anyone can replace you.. you will get paid less. Work in a position where you are more unique.. you make more.

                            Is the guy who makes sure the ride actually work when the 'grunt' pushes the button any less valuable because he is not in front of the guests?

                            Construction workers work their tail off.. but if you are a laborer you can be replaced in 10 minutes. That's why they don't get paid as much as the foreman. Fair? Who knows.. Reality? Yes. Unique to Disney? No
                            Check out my blog - Coreplex: Rambling from inside the Grid


                            Am I evil? yes, I am
                            Am I evil? I am man, yes, I am

                            Originally posted by sleepyjeff
                            Disneyland was meant to be sipped not chug-a-lugged

                            Comment

                            • SummerInFL
                              Relax
                              • Sep 2005
                              • 12575

                              #94
                              Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                              This is kind of on topic..

                              Does anyone know how much the travel reservationists make per hour?

                              Comment

                              • wedway71
                                New MiceChatter
                                • Dec 2006
                                • 48

                                #95
                                Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                                The low entry level pay and high Exec salaries is not a Disney thing its corporate America.The THINKERS get paid alot while the DOERS do not.I do think however Disney expecting a world class work force should pay more than other entrey level positions in the job market.I have worked for Albertsons Supermarkets(3rd largest Gorcery chain in USA),Coca Cola,and presently Target.The management gets paid well and most with bonus potential while the entry level staff got lower pay so it is not Disney issue at all.
                                To give an example Albertsons Store Director salaries when I left were base salary of $75,000 plus about a $25,000-$30,000 per year bonus so they were good for about $110,000 + per year while baggers and cashiers were making 6-10 dollars per hour.

                                Comment

                                • breadlymoore
                                  New MiceChatter
                                  • Nov 2006
                                  • 7

                                  #96
                                  Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                                  This thread has been honest and depressing.

                                  Comment

                                  • fkurucz
                                    Member
                                    • Feb 2005
                                    • 1034

                                    #97
                                    Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                                    Originally posted by breadlymoore View Post
                                    This thread has been honest and depressing.
                                    I agree. The ongoing transformation of our great nation into a 3rd world state is indeed depressing. Especially when one is called a commie for pointing such things out.

                                    Comment

                                    • Brad Tracy
                                      A Festivus Miracle!
                                      • Apr 2006
                                      • 8

                                      #98
                                      Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                                      Originally posted by Y more J View Post
                                      Whoah this thread is getting a little heated.

                                      Overall I think its safe to say that living off a starting wage of Disney in Florida can be considered a living only if you want to live off driving old/used cars, pay the necessities to live and thats it. But we can safely say that it is just way too difficult to support a family with a job like that in Disney? Since, it's pretty tough to go up the Disney ladder? Anyone agree?
                                      I totally agree. So many egos at play you guys end up not contributing anything... hmm, kinda like politicians do. Ironic, huh!

                                      As far as advancement, yeah... a college degree helps. But you are all forgetting the most important thing. Disney World is the nation's largest single-site employer. The politics reigns supreme. It's like a giant high school. It's all about who knows you (and to a lesser extent, who you know).

                                      Connections for advancement are all over the place but "hard work" alone won't do it. It's a nice ideal, but in reality to sit at the cool kids' table you have to work as much on your appearance and presentation with higher-ups as you do on-stage. Anyone can work at in operations for a given amount of time, but in reality it's not as much about punching the clock as it is leaving an impression on those who matter. In turn, they will let you know about potential hirings, management pools and offer to hand-deliver your resume.

                                      I'm not saying anything groundbreaking. Most of you probably know all this and several of Wedway's comments were on a similar track. It's pretty much the same in any corporate envoirnment, but considering the unique institution that is the Walt Disney Resort, it is especially critical. It's all about playing their game. I can't believe after 8 pages of discussion this hasn't been brought up.

                                      My suggestion, take that frontline position. Find a 'suit' that intrigues you. Become his/her student and soak up of all their experiences that they're willing to share with you. Let them know your goals and strongly consider their suggestions on what to do.
                                      Currently Reading:

                                      Entertainment/Media theorist Neal Gabler's "WALT DISNEY: The Triumph of the American Imagination"

                                      sigpic

                                      Comment

                                      • WDW1974
                                        Senior Member
                                        • Apr 2005
                                        • 4035

                                        #99
                                        Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                                        Originally posted by fkurucz View Post
                                        I agree. The ongoing transformation of our great nation into a 3rd world state is indeed depressing. Especially when one is called a commie for pointing such things out.
                                        Oh yes.

                                        I feel your pain.

                                        But that's what's happening. We are becoming China's bitch. We are (or our politicians) are allowing manufacturing jobs to disappear and white-collar jobs to head to India under the misguided BS 'we must to compete' line ... and health care ... what a joke. We like to think we're the kindest most compassionate country in the world ... maybe that's true when a litter of kitties fall in drainpipe, but when it comes to taking care of our citizens the idea of socialized medicine scares the big, old capitalist economy, the one that makes billion (actually trillions) for drug companies, insurance companies, anyone in health care. It is sickening.

                                        As is the America: Love it or Leave it! mantra thrown out by those on the right.

                                        So scary how our whole-country has been WalMarted and many of the the poorest, most screwed by it, are the ones waving the flags as it happens.

                                        Oh ... and lest someone accuse this of being OT ... you can make a living working for Disney if you're an executive, creative or even manager.

                                        If you're none of the above, you need to have no debt, family support and you might have to live in your car, but even then you can .

                                        Comment

                                        • fkurucz
                                          Member
                                          • Feb 2005
                                          • 1034

                                          Re: Can you make a living working for Disney?

                                          Originally posted by WDW1974 View Post
                                          We like to think we're the kindest most compassionate country in the world ... maybe that's true when a litter of kitties fall in drainpipe, but when it comes to taking care of our citizens the idea of socialized medicine scares the big, old capitalist economy, the one that makes billion (actually trillions) for drug companies, insurance companies, anyone in health care. It is sickening.
                                          I especially love how they use scare tactics to shoot down socialized medicine. Canada is especially used as a negative poster child, yet every Canadian that I have ever met tells me that the horror stories are BS (or aberrations at best). Meanwhile, we pay per capita 2-3 times more for healthcare than the rest of the civilized world.

                                          Comment

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