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Brought to you by...
John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
NOTE: News sources remove their articles rather quickly. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message, search the source's archives for the story. I am now posting the URL in its entirety to make it easier to track down the original article and avoid dead links. Be sure to copy and paste the entire URL in your web browser's address window. Certain news organizations require a free registration to view their articles online.
A member writes: "Your book was extremely useful for the last trip my family made to Florida. It was our second trip, and we saved a lot of money compared to our first. We have decided that we will be moving to Orlando next year. Our teenagers want to get a job at one of the parks (of course)! Any advice on getting a job, or which park to apply to? Also, do you know if park employees get special ticket prices, etc?" Employees get a 50% discount on hotels and free theme park admission. For more insider tips, see our book, "Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation."
Thanks to an internship program at Oregon Coast Community College,
aquarium science students are working at The Sea with Nemo and
Friends.
Beth, our travel agent, writes about the travel agent business: "About once a month someone tells me they've been thinking about becoming a travel agent. My response is always the same: Why? Don't get me wrong. I love my job, and the fact that I specialize in cruising, Disney, and luxury properties - products that rarely produce unhappy customers - makes it even better. I've been in the industry for 23 years now (with just brief breaks from time to time), and I wouldn't still be doing it if I didn't find it both enjoyable AND profitable enough to put food on the table. As a divorced mom, I also find that being self-employed allows me the flexibility I need to get everything done. I'm a lucky woman! Being a travel agent does not, however, provide one with the glamorous and exciting life that many people seem to envision. At least 75% of the people that tell me they are considering being a travel agent do so after hearing about YTB. They are enticed by the prospect of not only earning money by selling friends and family travel, but also getting very low priced - or even free - travel opportunities for themselves. They all seem to have visions of putting in a few hours a week and, in return, earning some extra pocket money AND taking their family on a super-cheap cruise vacation next summer. What's not to love??!! But lets look at YTB a little more closely. According to their website, 99.65% of their representatives earned an average of less than $1900 per year. 80.92% earned nothing at all. The average annual income of all reps was $299.95, and the median income was $97. Now, you need to earn at least $5000 a year and work a verifiable 20 hours a week to get an IATAN card, considered the industry's leading type of identification identification and the ONLY way to qualify for many of the low-cost agent trips (called 'fam' trips, short for 'familiarization'). Under half a percent of all YTB reps earned that card - and every single one of them worked an average of 40 hours a week or more. Hmmmm.... Not exactly the picture that your neighbor was painting for you when trying to sign you up, huh? I'm only using YTB because it's the organization I hear the most about from clients, but there are several of them out there and the story is always the same. Folks, it's a great job to have, but it's a job like any other. To be successful it takes years to build the business, and a LOT of hard work. I usually put in seven days a week and average about 60-70 hours. It's commissioned sales and you don't get paid until the clients travel and the agency receives the check (and takes their cut off the top) so I never know from one month to the next how much I'm going to make until I submit a commission request. About 25% of every check is immediately set aside for the IRS. (You get to be VERY good at money management!) And as for all those great travel opportunities, the last discount on airfare I got was in 1992. I do get plenty of hotel discounts, but the rate is typically half off the full rack rate. Sometimes the AAA or promotional rate is better. I had a shot at a free week for two in Tuscany last summer with Adventures by Disney... but it didn't include the airfare (over $3000), and gratuities and spending money were also additional. Just as well since I couldn't take a week off anyway. In fact, I pretty much never go anywhere that doesn't have internet access, and my laptop is the first piece of luggage I pack. Walking away from email access for a week or more is the kiss of death in this business! Like I said, please don't misunderstand. I have dabbled in other industries and I always come back to travel. It's what I love, and I'm going to keep doing it. I'm good at it, I know my products, and I'm confident that I can help people plan great vacations. Maybe you can be good at it, too.
Being a home-based travel agent might be the answer to your prayers. You
need to approach it as a real job, though. Set aside a dedicated part of
your home as office space. Be prepared to put in 20+ hours a week if you're
serious about it, and don't expect to make more than a few hundred dollars
the first six months. Sign up for every industry publication and read them
cover to cover religiously. Take every online training course you can, and
then choose just a few things to specialize in. (No travel agent can be really
good at selling the whole world.) Join industry organizations that give you
lots of support and the chance to meet and learn from others in the business.
Avoid joining groups that want you to recruit others as agents. And then
go for it. I, for one, think there's always room for another awesome travel
agent! Also read this article: |
Resources
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A college professor writes:
Here is the email address which I found under a science job posting:
wdw.epcot.science.internship@disney.com. The job was posted at:
"The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF)... has filed
a class action suit against the Walt Disney World Company on behalf
of Sukhbir Singh Channa" because he would not be able to wear his religiously
required turban if hired by Disney.
"Woman says Disney fired her after taking time to grieve husband's
death."
Disney castmembers need warmer clothing: "They say their required
uniforms are designed for hot weather and when it gets cold the company won't
allow them to add layers to stay warm."
"From costumes to concessions, ISU students shared their experiences as the
Disney College Program recruited students for the experience to live
and work in Orlando, Fla." Visit http://www.disneycollegeprogram.com for
more information.
"Part-time Walt Disney World employees have been granted the same
pay scales as their full-time colleagues under a new labor contract that
was recently negotiated." "The dress code for Disney theme parks and resorts is among the most explicit and conservative: no visible tattoos, and the only permissible piercings are one per earlobe. Earrings must be 'a simple matched pair in gold, silver or a color that blends with the costume,' company spokesman Donn Walker said. Hoops can't be bigger than a dime." (Source: latimes.com, 07/05/07) "Unions representing about one-third of Walt Disney World's work force approved a three-year contract late Wednesday... Still, the large number of votes against the contract shows many workers remain unhappy." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 06/07/07) "Walt Disney World matched money from a new federal grant program Friday to help Lynx expand its bus service for Disney employees who work some late shifts." Buses #300 to 304 on the Disney World route now run until 12:30 a.m. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/28/07) "Working at Disney is less than a dream come true, according to a Web site launched Tuesday by five unions representing Walt Disney World workers in ongoing contract negotiations. The site, WeAreDisney.info, outlines issues that the unions want addressed, including wages, health-care costs, outsourcing and retirement benefits." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/11/07) "As Walt Disney World and its biggest group of labor unions plunge into contract negotiations this month, one of the unions is heralding a new economic study that claims workers have been underpaid and Central Florida's economy has suffered as a result." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/20/07) "Nearly 200 current and former Walt Disney World custodians will receive payments averaging almost $650 apiece after Disney and a union settled a complaint about how the resort eliminated some jobs in 2005." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/02/07) Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY is the only community college to offer 12 credits in the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program to students from across the USA. You can register at their website. (Source: syracuse.com, 02/12/07) "Walt Disney World and unions representing 21,000 workers begin new contract negotiations today hoping to avoid the long battle they waged last time -- yet knowing a new dispute may have emerged involving how the company transfers jobs to outside contractors." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/22/07)
"Union officials are concerned about the number of jobs being outsourced at Disney. In the past year, Walt Disney World has outsourced nearly 600 jobs to private contractors, and unions that represent nearly half of Disney's workers complain the cuts are unfair and are hurting morale... The Service Trades Council Union, a coalition of six labor organizations at Disney World, [held a rally last Friday to] protest Disney's decisions to give custodial, valet, bellhop, baggage handler, rigger and video tech jobs to private contractors." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12/08/06) "Walt Disney World Co. violated labor laws when it displaced hotel custodial employees last year, a complaint filed by the federal board that oversees labor issues between unions and companies claims... The complaint claims Disney changed working conditions without proper notice and failed to bargain with an employee union last year when 185 custodial workers were displaced." (Source: wftv.com, 12/10/06) "Disney World plans to turn over at least 167 bell, valet and baggage service jobs to an outside company in January. The jobs will go to Baggage Airlines Guest Service (BAGS), the company that already runs Disney's Magical Express, the service that transports Disney's visitors to and from Orlando International Airport... The change begins with the Grand Floridian Resort on Jan. 7. Other hotels where Disney intends to contract out the baggage services include the All-Star Resort and the Pop Century Resort." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/18/06) "Combined, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld are looking to hire more than 8,000 summer and permanent workers this month and next. Most of the jobs are entry-level positions paying $6.90 to $7.50 an hour." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 05/15/06) "Ever wonder what it would be like to work at Disney World, one of the happiest places on Earth? Students have the opportunity through the Walt Disney College Program. Like other internships, the Walt Disney College Program has negative and positive benefits." (Source: chicago flame.com, 11/06/06) "Running away to join the circus isn't what it used to be. Now it's by invitation only to the kinds of acrobats, gymnasts, martial artists, dancers and other entertainers who have mostly trained their whole lives for such a chance. And even they must still attend circus school before they might get offered a dream job as a clown, a trapeze artist or an aerial ballerina. At least that's the way it's done at Cirque du Soleil." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 11/05/06) "Walt Disney World is planning to cut 125 cleaning positions and turn those jobs over to contractors, but the current workers might not give up without a fight. The jobs include kitchen cleaning, carpet cleaning, roadway cleaning and deep cleaning work. Many are in Walt Disney World theme parks, though some are in other public areas, such as Downtown Disney. The company is promising all the affected workers that they'll be offered other jobs at comparable pay and hours." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/29/06) "Walt Disney Co. landed the No. 1 spot on BusinessWeek's inaugural "Best Places to Launch a Career" ranking. Disney's strong on-campus recruiting, solid benefits, and collaborative culture helped put the entertainment giant at the head of the BusinessWeek ranking, which identifies top employers for new college graduates." (Source: Yahoo! Finance, 09/07/06) Housekeeping & Full-time Lifeguards at WDW to receive a $1000 Hiring Bonus: "To be eligible for the $1000 bonus, the housekeeper/houseperson or full-time lifeguard must start employment at the Walt Disney World® Resort between June 18, 2006 and September 30, 2006. $500 of bonus will be paid after 30 days of employment in a Walt Disney World® housekeeper/ houseperson or full-time lifeguard role. The remaining $500 of bonus will be paid if a Cast Member has been continually employed in the same role after 60 days." See Disney's official site for more information. "Twenty business administration students majoring in tourism management at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) will be at the theme park from next week until Jan 12. It is the first time the Walt Disney World College Programme has been offered to Singaporeans." (Source: the star.com, 08/27/06) "Gilbert Fernando knows some secrets about Disney World. It's not easy being the happiest place on Earth, he said. Fernando, 30, of Orland Park, is a former performer at the Orlando, Fla., theme park. Performers are "retired" at 25 so the park maintains its youthful appearance." (Source: SuburbanChicagoNews.com, 04/04/06) "Central Florida's booming economy has left few professional positions unfilled -- but the tourism sector has openings aplenty, though pay is low... Shanle's Holiday Inn, near Walt Disney World, is in the midst of a major hiring push as it gears up for the busy summer travel season... SeaWorld Orlando already has raised its starting wage by 20 cents to $7 an hour as summer approaches." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/26/06) Walt Disney World is looking for seasonal workers for Epcot's upcoming 10th annual Food & Wine Festival. Those interested can check wdwcareers.com, call the Walt Disney World job line at 407-828-1000, or visit the Casting Center, 1515 Buena Vista Drive, across from the Downtown Disney Marketplace. The festival will be held from Sept. 30 to Nov. 13." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/05/05) "Walt Disney World employees who volunteer their time to help nonprofit groups also benefit the groups of their choice through cash donations... The money is divided among the groups based on the wishes of Disney's volunteers, known by the company as voluntEARS." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 08/01/05) "On Monday, as part of the 50th anniversary of the theme parks, the company saluted its Orlando employees with a special "tribute" window. The glass, unveiled by local Prez Al Weiss, was inscribed with Walt's words, "It takes people to make the dream a reality." It'll be hung in a shop on Main Street." At the same time, Disney fired 230 Orlando tech workers whose jobs are being outsourced to IBM. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/20/05) Walt Disney World College Program: "Each year, 8,000 students come to Disney World to work as six-month college interns in one of the largest internship programs in the country... But aside from giving interns valuable experience, the program is a relatively cheap source of labor for Disney... Most of the college interns earn $6.25 an hour, well below the more than $11 an hour pay for a veteran employee performing the same tasks. Interns also don't receive any pension or health care benefits like regular workers." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 07/04/05) "Central Florida's drum-tight labor market prompted SeaWorld Orlando to raise entry-level pay to $7 an hour, a 20-cent increase, as the region's third-largest attraction prepares to add staff for the spring and summer tourist season." Other attractions offer: Universal: $6.75 an hour + flexible hours and health insurance; Disney World: job premiums and bonuses; Gatorland: $7 an hour + commissions. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/08/06) "Saturday Night Live's John Belushi. The man in black, Johnny Cash. JFK. Screen heartthrob Johnny Depp. Monty Python's John Cleese. Focusing on celebrities named John may seem an unconventional way to begin a weekly Bible study based on the New Testament's Book of John. And 9:20 p.m. on a Wednesday may seem an equally strange time for worship. But both appear to work for about 25 college students -- most of them Disney interns -- who have come for the weekly gathering of "The Vista" at Lake Buena Vista Baptist Church." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 01/09/06) For those interested in working for Disney or other companies in Florida... "Florida's minimum wage will increase to $6.40 an hour in 2006, a 25 cent an hour increase to match inflation as required by an initiative passed last year... For workers whose tips are counted as part of their wage, the minimum will go from the current $3.13 an hour to $3.38 an hour Jan. 1, plus the worker's tips." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 09/30/05) "Employees of SeaWorld, which is owned by Anheuser-Busch, get some perks that employees at the other parks do not. In addition to getting as many as 12 park passes a year, workers age 21 and older also receive two cases of beer -- each month." (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Stan writes: "I ran across your website on a Google Search and thought I'd ask a question. I used to be a Cast Member for WDW at their Central Reservations Office (CRO) a number of years ago - a job I really enjoyed. I was influenced by a spouse to leave the Orlando area at that time. That influence is now gone and I am in the process of returning to the Orlando area. I would like nothing more than to return to the CRO. Here's my question: I would imagine the CRO is continually hiring for Reservation Sales Agents. Do you have any suggestions as to the best way I can achieve my desire to return to the CRO?" To get a job at WDW, fill out an application in person at Walt Disney World's Casting Center (located near I-4 and the Downtown Disney exit). You can also call the jobline at 407/828-1000 or visit the Disney Careers website.
Dave writes: I am disabled and wish to relocate to Florida. Any tips on houses, condo's pricing; taxes; jobs for disabled at Disney World (Safety, Fire, Security experience for 24 years). I have a 16 yr. old son. 1 dog. Thanking you in advance for your input.... To get a job at WDW, fill out an application in person at Walt Disney World's Casting Center (located near I-4 and the Downtown Disney exit). You can also call the jobline at 407/828-1000 or visit the Disney Careers website, click here. Disney Careers lists careers currently available at Walt Disney World and other locations all over the world. It also provides information on auditions and Disney college student and internship programs.
For housing in Florida, click
here.
A. E., brought a group with her from Canada to WDW. She is a former cast member and I asked her to talk about the perks she received while working for WDW: "I worked [at WDW] as a lifeguard in all three waterparks...FYI I was a cast member from sept99-sept00. These were the perks we were given. I don't mind telling you at all. Since I was an international cast member I was paid as a regular full time employee along with the benefits. The college program staff did most of the same work as me and got paid much less. The student's wages were also subsidized by the government I believe. Benefits - All cast members can get into the main 4 theme parks for free. As for the waterparks..there was a discounted rate...or if you worked at that waterpark you could play for free. Recreation staff got a letter 3-4 times a year to allow them to take 3 guests to the waterparks for free. Purchase discounts were 20% off...I believe even if the item was on sale. There is a section at the Marketplace at Downtown Disney that was mostly all sale items. Staff that have been there at least 3 years (I believe) receive a discount of 35% off purchases. Xmas was the best time because Disney gave everyone 40% off for staff. I sent a lot of stuff home to Canada! Cast members could get into Pleasure Island for free on Thursday nights....they added Monday to that promo too, attendance must have been low. Thursdays is the night to go party at PI. Also at other clubs on Disney property such as Jellyrolls (at Boardwalk & a favorite of mine) cast members hung out there on tuesday nights...but I believe it was free to go anytime. We also got discounts on rooms...& specials throughout the year during slow periods. I only paid $30 for a king room at all stars in Jan 2000. It was a great promotion. ... we also got a pass that we could use 12 times. Each visit we could take up to 3 friends & family for free. We also got special free tickets during special occasions during the year. Now I am not sure what the benefits are at the moment....I would guess that they have cut back on some since the 9/11 tragedy. I could talk about Disney all day. I miss it very much....so the ideal solution was to take canadians down to orlando to share my knowledge with them. I love Disney. I might even open a branch in Orlando to draw more Americans up to Canada. The $ will take you so much further up here!" Thanks again, A. E., for all the interesting details!
Lisa writes about the Disney College program: "my best advice....just do it!! i was on the college program back in spring of 1991. i landed a position at the studios doing shows on the backstage studio tour. my job was a primo job, not all are like that, however, i feel the program was worth it. memories for a lifetime, not to mention the friendships i made as well. i recently returned for the wedding of my roommate who never left disney world. i only wish disney did a better job of recruiting former college program students after college. anyway, good luck. i encourage everyone to apply in hopes of a great experience and position like i had."
A. E. from Canada writes: "I am actually a former Disney cast member from Canada. The reason I bought the book is because I am going to organize a couple of motorcoach groups for spring break and march break for Atlantic Canada. I still have contacts at Disney, but not all this information...it is definitely worth the $60+ I spent Canadian."
To get a job at WDW, fill out an application in person at Walt Disney World's Casting Center (located near I-4 and the Downtown Disney exit). Call the jobline at 407/828-1000 or visit the Disney Careers website, click here. Disney Careers lists careers currently available at Walt Disney World and other locations all over the world. It also provides information on auditions and Disney college student and internship programs.
PJ writes: "I know this isn't your dept. but I'm a Assoc. Degree Reg. Nurse and wanting a job @ Disney world. Could you send me a phone number or email address I could write." Marianne writes: Nursing jobs at Disney can be found through professional staffing. The department is called Health Services/Guest First Aid. They have nurses for the guest areas and for the cast members. (Call WDW information at 407/824-4321 and ask for Health Services)
"Hi, my name Is Tina Ihle and I`m a 18 year old girl from Norway. I have been trying to find a site were I could get some information about jobs at the Epcot Center at the Norwegian pavilion, but I can't find it." Call 407/939-4636 and Disney will refer you to the right number.
Kevin Richardson writes:
Scotty writes: "Have you any good hints about locating a home near WDW? ... how is the job market in the Orlando area? ... What is the city really like?" For answers to questions about Orlando, please see Orlando's Official Web Site.
Employees point out, though, that Disney doesn't often pay as well as other companies in the industry. Insiders also report that new employees are quickly disillusioned because they expect a fairytale workplace without bureaucracy. Workers agree that if you keep your expectations realistic, working for Disney can be very rewarding.
All new Disney employees are subject to criminal checks.
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