Life as a CM; working at DL

[B2D]

Hi everyone. I have a questions that's mainly directed at current and ex-CMs. What is it like working at DL? Do you like your job? What are some of the advantages/perks or disadvantages/less than fun stuff?

I'm under the understanding that being a CM generally doesn't pay very much if you're not in management. Additionally, I hear that CMs are held to a very high standard for conduct. What are the possibilities for upward mobility?

I've only ever spoken to two ex-CMs personally, both of whom are friends of mine. One of them said he mainly managed food services/snack carts in the NOS area, and the other one primarily worked in Fantasyland. The NOS cast member talked a lot about what he did but never really talked about how he personally felt about the job. I don't think he was a big fan of the park... it seemed like just a job to him. The Fantasyland CM said only one thing about it. She said, "It was the worst experience of my life. I worked here for 6 months and went home crying every single night. It was a while before I could enjoy the parks like I did before I worked here again." Yikes.

The reason I ask is because I'm at sort of a transitional phase in my life and one of the areas I'd like to change is my job. Currently I work in an office near the El Toro Y. The pay is decent and I have good benefits, but the job is high-stress when busy and boring as heck when it's not, it's sedentary, there's zero upward mobility, and it's in a field of business in which I have no desire whatsoever to start a career in. I hate to say such things but I don't care about my job and morale at the entire company is very low due to a number of different factors I won't get into right now. I'm looking for a change. I've always loved DL and I even like DCA to a point. But I know that doesn't necessarily mean I'd like working there. So I'm looking to get a baseline reading on what working there is like in varying capacities. I wanna hear it all, the good and the bad.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

[Dan - Tasmic!]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

I enjoyed my time in the parks! It didn't feel like going to work every day, for me. I felt I was a part of making the magic and having some fun while I was at it. I met, worked, and interactered with interesting and fun people. My times in the parks are the best times of my life and I enjoyed them. I will never forget the experiences.

Now, far as I heard, times and morale had changed since I last left the park.

[seenoevil]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

It's going to be different for everyone. Maybe you can tolerate some of the negative stuff better than others, maybe not. Everyone's situation is going to be different. It's really something you should try for yourself. I've been there almost 9 years, sure I really like it, but it's not always a bed of roses.

[PLAZAINN1]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

I emjoyed my stints at the park, although it was back in the late 70's and in the 80's. I t was awesome for me back then and will always have fond memories of my time there and especially all the friends you can make there. Again, times have changed and I do see that in the current cast members, the majority seem to be very unfriendly, with the exception of that core of cast members who DO spread the magic. I can honestly compare it to a ghettoish mentality amongst the CM's. The pay is not good either, nor are the benefits, if you are lucky to get them.

[karebear286]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

Everyone is different, there are good and bad days with any job you have. I enjoy it.

[B2D]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

It's going to be different for everyone. Maybe you can tolerate some of the negative stuff better than others, maybe not. Everyone's situation is going to be different. It's really something you should try for yourself. I've been there almost 9 years, sure I really like it, but it's not always a bed of roses.

No job is a total walk in the park all the time. Can you give me an example of common negative points?

The pay is not good either, nor are the benefits, if you are lucky to get them.

Yeah, based on what I've heard I doubt I'd be able to make a living wage there unless I was part of the management.

Everyone is different, there are good and bad days with any job you have. I enjoy it.

Sounds good. What do you do?

[mousemom]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

Hi everyone. I have a questions that's mainly directed at current and ex-CMs. What is it like working at DL? Do you like your job? What are some of the advantages/perks or disadvantages/less than fun stuff?

I'm under the understanding that being a CM generally doesn't pay very much if you're not in management. Additionally, I hear that CMs are held to a very high standard for conduct. What are the possibilities for upward mobility?

I've only ever spoken to two ex-CMs personally, both of whom are friends of mine. One of them said he mainly managed food services/snack carts in the NOS area, and the other one primarily worked in Fantasyland. The NOS cast member talked a lot about what he did but never really talked about how he personally felt about the job. I don't think he was a big fan of the park... it seemed like just a job to him. The Fantasyland CM said only one thing about it. She said, "It was the worst experience of my life. I worked here for 6 months and went home crying every single night. It was a while before I could enjoy the parks like I did before I worked here again." Yikes.

The reason I ask is because I'm at sort of a transitional phase in my life and one of the areas I'd like to change is my job. Currently I work in an office near the El Toro Y. The pay is decent and I have good benefits, but the job is high-stress when busy and boring as heck when it's not, it's sedentary, there's zero upward mobility, and it's in a field of business in which I have no desire whatsoever to start a career in. I hate to say such things but I don't care about my job and morale at the entire company is very low due to a number of different factors I won't get into right now. I'm looking for a change. I've always loved DL and I even like DCA to a point. But I know that doesn't necessarily mean I'd like working there. So I'm looking to get a baseline reading on what working there is like in varying capacities. I wanna hear it all, the good and the bad.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

A few of the negatives about a Disneyland job are the same as the negatives you mentioned for your current job. I highlighted zero upward mobility because even if you are targeted for lead or trainer status, it's only about 25 cents more an hour, which added to the unlivable wage (for a single earner without roommates) is still unlivable. Add to the negatives variable hours (flip back and forth between 6am start and 2am close); never knowing your schedule until the week beforehand; extreme difficulty getting days off and/or days on depending upon the season; possibility of anywhere from a 4 hour shift to a 12 hour shift; difficult work conditions including heat, cold, and angry guests; fast-moving machinery if you're in attractions; holidays required; insane focus on clocking in/clocking out technicalities; and incredible politics and favoritism as far as who's promoted and/or assigned plum roles.

I'm not saying it's a bad job! It's a great job! That is IF you always wanted to work at Disneyland, if the thought of going to work at the happiest place on earth just tickles you pink, and if the perks of being able to sign your family and friends in and do fun things like the cast previews of attraction openings, etc. are worth everything to you.

But the only way it's possible to survive with an entry-level Disneyland job is if you can live with a bunch of roommates (or your parents), or if you've got another job, or if your spouse is the breadwinner of the family, or you get one of those rare positions with constant overtime availability and you take all of it. It also helps to live close so you don't end up driving an hour each way to a four hour shift.

The nice thing is that it's great on a resume and always a conversation starter with the hiring manager or interviewer for when you move on to your inevitable subsequent job. Which you'll have to when you finally realize that economically you can't make it a career, as much as you'd love to.

[Burnt Toast]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

Lead/Trainer rate is more then .25/hour.

Being someone who transitioned from DLR to WDW, I believe a lot of the "unlivable wage" idea is due to SoCal in general. I'm getting paid less overall here at WDW, but it's definitely livable because the cost of living is MUCH less here (gas, for instance, is $0.60 less a gallon!).

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

Actually, the draft horses who pull the streetcars? Their job is a walk in the park, wouldn't you say?

[CMHusband]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

I think "mousemom" hit the nail on the head. My wife loves working there despite the variable hours, low pay etc. They do hold CM's to a pretty high standard which is why the experience for guests is generally excellent. Most of the CM's are super nice and enjoy being a part of something so remarkable. I would say MY biggest complaint (as the CMHusband) is the sometimes short shifts..by the time you drive to DLR, park, take the shuttle, clock in (at exactly the right time) it can be over an hour commute. I would rather see my wife work a 10 hour shift 3 days a week, instead of drive there 5 or 6 days a week for 5 hours a day...(Think Green Disney!) less driving on Socal Freeways....sorry that is probably for another discussion. Bottom line. She's happy working there and when the wife is happy...everyone is happy!!!

[babyfirefly]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

I really enjoy working at the park. If you can get hired on or convert to Full Time status, the hours are really not that variable unless you want them to be. The pay isn't great, but the benefits are. Ive been there for only two years, but still haven't lost the excitement about working there. The opportunity for transfers and advancement is pretty good if you keep in good standing and prove to your leaders that you are a good CM.

[B2D]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

Everyone, thanks for your input.

I actually got laid off on 10/2/09, so I'm looking for a new job at this point. It probably will not involve Disney, but you never know.

[FI183]

Re: Life as a CM; working at DL

For me, working at Disneyland has been a rollercoaster of emotions! Sometimes I love it and sometimes I come home depressed! But I LOVE every minute of it. I was hired as CT, which to me is being treated like a second rate employee. My hours were horrible! And I barely made enough to support myself. I am lucky in that I live with my boyfriend and his family and pay very very little in rent because they understand out situation. If it weren't for that, I'd probably be homeless.

Soon, I figured out a way to work the system. I networked myself. I made sure all the leads and managers knew who I was! I even made lots of friends in scheduling(trust me, that'll help you out a lot!). All my hard work paid off(for me at least) when I got converted to CR! Now I don't feel like crying when I get home cause I know I can work all year at Disneyland as opposed to on and off during peak seasons! I do and plan on making a career out of Disneyland and I know it won't be easy(it's far from it now), but I am willing to work for it to suceed my dreams!

Oh and I'm only 18....