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I'm a 40something yrold looking to do something crazy and leave my 20yr job and work at Disneyland. I willing to start at bottom and work my way up. Is this possible? I work now in transportation(dispatcher) and have restaurant experiance. I don't mind working graveyard. What are odds something can come of this or am I spinning my wheels?
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Re: Midlife crisis job
I'm 51 and did it 6 years ago. Got out of Silicon Valley before the dot com crash. Was lucky to cash out my stocks and sell my house. Made more than enough to retire. Was welcomed with open arms at Disney. But be aware the whole hiring thing is a pyschological assesment thing. It is now done by a computer kiosk. During the interview they will play you off 2 other applicants. They do some kid of secret scoring of your answers to questions that have no right or wrong answer. I don't know if they still do this. The resort needs a lot of Cast Members and people are not applying. I'd look hard at if you can afford the change. You'll start at $8.20 an hour and there is no assurence that you'll get enough hours to survive. I've seen some new hires just get 4 hour shifts. And after paying the union there is nothing left to their check. I've been here long enough that I'm at the top of the pay scale and have full benefits. But don't kid yourself. Starting out is not easy and it is not The Happiest Place on Earth at times. Also the top of the pay scale is not as high for new hires as it is for old timers. You need to look deep inside of your soul and see if you can give up want you are use to in order to live the dream. I know people for who it became a dream come true and others which ended in broken families and financial ruin. As it says at the exit from the Temple of Doom, "Choose wisely." -
Re: Midlife crisis job
I think if you can afford it( save some money) then do it.I'm not in a mid life crisis ( maybe quarterly one) but made the jump.I moved down here 2 weeks ago and I'm a cast member and have always wanted to work for disneyland.I love it here.As long as your doing it for the right reasons , you should do it.I do agree with Disneyland Dave that is doesn't pay much and you may get wierd or crappy hours at first but if you love it, making the magic memories for families and just being part of the magic then you will love it. Don't let others get you down about working as a CM.There is a lot of disgruntled CM's out there but I don't let get me down and you shouldn't either.Dreams do come true ! If you have any questions pm me.Originally posted by LlamaLoverComment
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Re: Midlife crisis job
I'm almost 40, and after I was layed off from the TV station that I had worked for 10 years. I decided to work for the local ski resort(driving a bus) for less than half the pay I was getting. The budget was tight but do-able. I've been working for the ski resort for 6 years, though now only part time (for the free ski pass). I work at Home Depot now, which is a lot more heavy lifting and a lot less skiing. I still have not recovered the loss in income from my TV days.
If you can afford to work at Disneyland, go for it. Just remember that working there may not be as fun as you may imagine.Comment
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Re: Midlife crisis job
Thanks for the info. I've read enough Al Lutz, internet chat to know what it's going to be like. Also working already in a large corporation I know what I'm going to get at Disney. I have no wife or kids and little debt, I'm sure a small paycheck can be adjusted to. I am ambitious so I would be looking to move up within DL just not sure how possible that is and move up to what??? Lots of decisions to be made, thanks for all the help.Comment
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Re: Midlife crisis job
Disneyland Dave pm me if you'd like me to send you a referal card.Comment
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