Have you worked at Disney World?

Question

I would like to work at Disney World, my goal is to be a dancer but if I don't make it, I would like to work in a store or an office. I would like any information or tips you can give me. Also where do all the employees live that work there?

Answer 1

Here is some information from disneycareers.com.
I hope it helps.

The Walt Disney World® Resort is the most popular vacation spot in the world. Located on 46 square miles near Orlando, FL, this total vacation destination provides an abundance of entertainment experiences.

Today, the Walt Disney World® Resort features many attractions and a variety of live entertainment shows within its four parks: the Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Seventeen Resort hotels offer more than 23,000 rooms of themed accommodations. The Walt Disney World Resort also contains three water parks, a six-acre island nighttime entertainment complex, and a variety of recreational facilities. Complete convention and banquet events are tailored for business and leisure groups, including conferences and weddings. Finally, also located there is Disney's Wide World of Sports™ complex, an international amateur sports complex.

Off-site vacation destinations affiliated with Disney Vacation Club include Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, located in Hilton Head Island, SC, and Disney's Vero Beach Resort, located in Vero Beach, FL

Disney Cruise Line, based in Celebration, FL, is a new kind of Disney magic. Two Disney ships inspired by the glorious ocean liners of the past embark on voyages that carry Guests who are combining land-sea vacation cruises to The Bahamas with stays at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort has positions in a variety of areas, including Casting Services (which recruits entry-level, hourly Cast Members, skilled tradespeople, and administrative support); Executive and Professional Recruiting (which recruits industry professionals); College Recruiting (which recruits undergraduates for full-time working and learning experiences); Entertainment (which recruits parade performers, singers, dancers, musicians, stage technicians, stunt performers, and DJs); and International Recruiting (which recruits international students for working and learning experiences).
Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Cast Member?

One of the first things you'll notice are all the excellent benefits offered. Whether you're part-time, full-time, or seasonal, Cast Members receive competitive pay and the opportunity to work for the world's leading entertainment and hospitality company. But that's just for starters.

All Cast Members at the Walt Disney World® Resort typically receive:

Free Park admission to four of the most famous theme parks in the world
Discounts on theme park tickets and merchandise
Access to a Cast Member-only lake and recreation area with tennis, volleyball, and an Olympic-size swimming pool
Ongoing career and technical training
Discounts with local merchants and attractions
Plus, if you are a full-time Cast Member, you may be eligible for:

Excellent medical benefits plans
Excellent dental and vision benefits plans
Retirement plan
Paid holidays, vacations, and sick days, and much more!
Tangible benefits like excellent medical, dental, and retirement plans aren't the only things you may be eligible for as a full-time Cast Member. The Disney family is always looking for ways to reach out to potential Cast Members who want to make friends, make magic, and make a difference. That's why thousands of people become a part of the Disney family each year.

The WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort is the largest single-site employer in the United States, which means lots of opportunities for you.

Over 3,000 different job classifications
Management opportunities
Because the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort is such a popular vacation destination, many of our Cast Members work 40 hours or more each week throughout the year.
The Disney Difference

Listed here are some of the many programs, services, benefits, and activities offered to Cast Members. You should be aware that the specific details about eligibility, qualifications, and restrictions on all the listed programs, services, benefits, or activities may vary. In addition, the company reserves the right to amend, supplement, rescind, or terminate programs, services, benefits, or activities as it deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion, whether or not in writing. Should you be offered and accept employment with the company, please refer to the appropriate union contract or Employee Policy manual for more specific information, which may be currently applicable to you.

If you or any of your family or friends would like to discover the Disney Difference, just call the Walt Disney World JobLine at [phone] and press "1". You'll hear all about the exciting roles that we have available. You'll also have the opportunity to speak directly with one of our Casting Agents.

So call today. And watch the smiles and benefits add up as you discover the opportunities at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort.

The Walt Disney World JobLine at [phone]† is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

During your interview, the following topics may be discussed:

Compensation: Pay rate is competitive for the Central Florida market. Excellent benefits are generally available based on your work status/tenure.

Appearance: As a Cast Member, you will be expected to comply with specific appearance guidelines.
For men, hair should have a neat, natural look, cut over the ear and off the collar. You must be clean-shaven every day. You may wear one ring per hand and a watch. However, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are not acceptable.
For women, hair must be a natural color, with no streaking or frosting. Make-up and nail polish should be in natural tones, applied as an enhancement to your appearance. Fingernails should be no longer than 1/4 inch beyond the fingertip. You may wear one ring per hand and a watch. Earrings should be post-style, no larger than a quarter. However, bracelets and necklaces are not acceptable.


Scheduling: Most full-time and seasonal roles require full availability including late nights, weekends, and holidays. Part-time roles allow greater flexibility.
Full-Time: Full-time Cast Members generally work 30-40 hours per week.
Part-Time: Part-time Cast Members generally work up to 24 hours per week.
Seasonal: Seasonal and on-call Cast Members generally work from 0-40 hours per week during peak periods such as Christmas, Easter, and summer.


Transportation: Cast Members must have a reliable means of transportation to get to and from work.

Answer 2

Yes, I worked there for 2 years at Fantasmic in MGM, during high school and loved it. The benefits are the best, having that Cast Member ID is "gold" in Central FL area (discounts everywhere). The pay is better then any other job that I've had (only 19 so haven't had many), but definitely not making a living off of good, although Characters, which you would like to be, do start off more then regular positions. They have several auditions throughout the year, and from what I've heard are relatively easy (as long as you know the basics in dance), just remember to do everything "BIG". They are also very strict on height and weight requirements, and are quick to turn you away (at the time) if you're not in the "field" they want, but it doesn't mean give up, because who knows they might need your size next time.
You can't be shy, working here. And you HAVE TOO be able to put up with the guests bullshit, cause trust me you will get it. I've had some spit on me , try and push me down the amphitheaters stairs, raise a hand to me, get in my face and scream, and unfortunately I couldn't do anything about, but take it and cry. But then creating the magic for all those other guests (or even they creating it for you) changes everything, for every one mean guest, there are hundreds of wonderful ones!
WDW cast members live all over the place... For full/part timers though they usually stay in Orlando/Kissimmee/Clermont area, some even right behind property, but some stay as far as Lakeland and Daytona, it all depends on how far you want to drive each day to and from work.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Yes, I worked there as a College Program intern in the fall and winter of 2001. I was cast as a Merchandise Hostess at Disney MGM Studios in the Animation Courtyard.
They hold auditions all the time for people who want to be characters or be in the shows, so definitely try out for it. But if it doesn't work out, simply apply online for any of their other positions. Another person who answered you already listed the Disney Careers site, so click on that and check it out. Non-performing jobs don't pay too well, but the perks are great (free entrance to any Disney park and your Cast Member discount, to name a few)! Cast Members (hint: Disney never refers to their workers as employees) live all over the Lake Buena Vista area, Check out local apartments or homes in the area that aren't too far of a drive. Kissimmee is also an option. Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi Krissy, I work in Disney Entertainment, and we hold open auditions here in Orlando every month, and we tour the country on a regular basis auditioning talented folks.

If you are not selected as one of our dancers you could easily get a job at the Casting building (by Downtown Disney) as a retail hostess.

Good luck, there are a lot of roles to be filled!

College program folks live in a couple dorm style apartments, but there are a lot of apartment complexes around town.

Answer 5

I haven't but I've heard the benefits are great and it's a great job to have. I'm trying to move down there to work there too. If you really want to be a dance I'd check out Universal too. Check out Disney Careers, I listed the site below. Good Luck!

Answer 6

have you considered trying out for universal studios?

Answer 7

no ,but my cuzin does and she was a dancer she made good money good luck:)