From: Rich_Koster@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Rich Koster)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Subject: Re: Working at Disney, Orlando
Distribution: world
Date: 10 Oct 92 12:42:52 CST
Organization: The Amiga GateWay BBS * New Orleans, La.

Quoting Message-ID: <1992Oct9.170240.657@Cadence.COM> posted by
pvl@Cadence.COM (Pete LaMaster) Fri, 9 Oct 1992 17:02:40 GMT
Subject: Working at Disney, Orlando:
 
>  My former babysitter (how's that for a nebulous connection) just
>got notice that she has been accepted to work at Disney World for
>the first half of 1993.  She will be in ticket sales/admissions.
>  She is looking for tips and information to get herself set
>before she drives down from New Jersey.
>  She has no connection to the net, but I do and I also live
>within easy driving distance to WDW.  I will gladly act as a
>conduit for information and pass her questions back.
>
>  Thanks,  Pete LaMaster  Melbourne, Florida (407)951-2579
 
(From my wife Carol:)
 
Congratulations to your friend :-) !!
 
When Rich and I took the Innovations in Action backstage tour during
the Disneyana Convention, someone asked about how to become a
castmember at WDW (castmember can be anyone from Michael Eisner on
down to part-time seasonal help).
 
Part of the reply that responds immediately to this quoted post is
that new hires go through a program at Disney University called
"Traditions".  It's actually an orientation program prior to starting
on the job, or rather, prior to you being offered the role of ticket
sales/admissions as in your friend's case (everybody is part of the
show, you see).  The Disney way of doing things is presented, including
the dress & appearance code, and if you wish to look elsewhere for a
job you are free to go -- or if you agree to do it the Disney way you
can go further in the application process.  Your friend will go for
about three days of "classes" learning the history of the Walt Disney
Company and what will be expected of her on the job (dress and
appearance code requirements, conduct with guests, little things such
as the lingo [i.e., you are castmembers, not employees or workers; when
a woman is required to be outside on a hot, sticky day she "glows"
instead of perspires or sweats; the job you're assigned to is a "role"
you play today; visitors or tourists are referred to as "guests"; when
you're at work facing the public you are "on stage" and when you get off
work you are "off stage" and when you're in an office or Utilidor away
from the public you are "back stage", what constitutes "good show/bad
show", etc.], internal personnel type orientation as with any company,
as well as specific training for what they'll have you do).  The Disney
Company sounds as if they are very thorough and professional in this
matter, so tell your friend she'll be in good hands once she's down
there and joining as many as 33,000 other castmembers at WDW who went
through the same program.  She should really direct any employment
related questions like this to Central Casting now that she's been
accepted for her "role".  Disney is so strict and particular about
what they expect of their cast that Disney really should be the ones
to provide the straight story to your friend in advance of her
arrival.
 
The weather will be warmer, then hotter and stickier, sooner and for
longer than she is accustomed to in New Jersey, though hard freezes in
Central Florida are not out of the question.  Winters are only a couple
of months long and less intense, and spring and fall are merely quick
transitions into and out of summer.  Her overall wardrobe emphasis for
most of the year will be on warm/hot/humid weather rather than cold
weather.  She might want a layered mix and match type wardrobe to
permit comfort between the "meat locker" chilly air conditioning and
the hot sticky outside world if she's permitted in her job to not wear
a costume or uniform.  Easy care clothes choices:  Washable and easy
to iron when possible, colorfast dyes and fabrics, lightweight,
blouses or dresses or jackets or sweaters.  Her orientation class
will inform her as to dress, hairstyles, make-up, accessories,
jewelry, perfumes or use of perfumed-products, etc.  Short story:
Subtle is better.  Most jobs "on-stage", including ticket takers, are
provided costumes by WDW.
 
WDW castmembers who work same shift/same area sometimes will do
carpooling with each other.  Central Casting might assist with housing
relocation, or try any national real estate firm (ERA, Century 21,
Prudential, etc.) with branches in both New Jersey and Orlando.  You
might know of apartment finder services, in addition to the general
cost of living there (rents, car and renters insurance rates, state
and local taxes, car registration and drivers' license procedures and
fees, sales tax rates, etc.) and the practicalities of living there
(where the good doctors and dentists are, best shopping for food, Rx,
clothes or anything else, "what to do and where to go" after work and
on weekends, which way to the best beaches, good eateries, etc.).
 
Disney is strict about their quality control, that can be hard on cast
members, but IMHO it makes you a better employee and a very desirable
hire-ee no matter where your career path takes you.  The two ladies
leading our tour were very professional, easy-going, adhered well to
the company line but also let their own personalities shine through.
Your friend is going to work for an enviable corporation.  Good luck
to her!
 
--Carol Koster, Rich Koster's wife

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