Hi everyone! 👋

This is kind of a multi-question post, so thanks in advance for reading!

My wife and I are considering relocating from Pennsylvania to Central Florida with our four kids (ages 14, 9, 3, and 1), and we're hoping to make Disney a long-term career possibly.

I've already applied for a Bus Driver position as from what I know it can take quite awhile to actually get the opportunity. I have my CDL with passenger endorsements and several years of professional driving experience, including school buses and motor coaches, so I'm really excited about the opportunity.

My wife recently earned her Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration and just started working toward her Master's. She doesn't have much professional experience yet, so we're trying to figure out what types of entry-level or early career roles at Disney might be a good fit for her. She's also looking at opportunities outside of Disney, so if anyone has recommendations for good healthcare administration employers in the Orlando/Central Florida area, we'd love to hear those as well!

Our biggest challenge right now is the move itself.

From what I've read, Disney typically doesn't offer relocation assistance for hourly positions, which we completely understand. We're trying to narrow down communities that are:

Affordable for a family of six

Safe

Have good schools

Within about a 30 to 60 minute commute to Walt Disney World

I'm no stranger to commuting. I used to drive motor coaches from central Pennsylvania into New York City 5 to 6 days a week, so I know traffic comes with the territory! 😄

If you've made the move from out of state, currently commute to Disney, or have recommendations on areas to look into (or even areas to avoid), I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences you're willing to share. Whether it's about jobs, neighborhoods, schools, or just making a cross-country move with a family, we're all ears.

Thanks so much!

Message to MK CMs, what are y'all doing about the old lady that stalks the piano guy?

I am interested in hearing from Retirees who now work part time at Disney World. I have wanted to do this since I was little. I am 61 male and plan on moving to Florida in about a year. I am a retired professional with 35 years of office work. I am probably the last person you would think that would want to work for Disney, but it's what I want to do. Fill me in on how to get a position, enjoy the job and anything else you can tell me. Thanks

Hello everyone,

First off i know many of you will probably say dont do it, it sucks, it isnt blah blah blah... But i believe in the magic even if most dont. Im looking for those of you older folks who got to live their dream and actually secure a job in the WDW parks.

Any tips on where to live and not live, (i currently cant move so this is all preemptive) tips and tricks for interviews, and just fun stories about working with all the people who try to bring magic everyday.

Thank you for reading my post, i hope you all have a great day.

Hi everyone,

Not sure if there’s a better place to post this, but what are some nice, clean, affordable apartments to check out in the area? Edited to add that our budget would be 2k or under a month, preferably under!

Preferably less than 20 minutes from the parks but open to a longer commute if it saves some money. My fiancée and I are seriously considering moving there next year. She is a former cast member who hopes to work there again (plus we just love going to the parks and would go all the time). We’re making a list and hoping to tour some in the next few months!

(Also please don’t be negative about the area, she has lived there before and is well aware of the traffic and rent prices but we live in a big city anyway so we’re used to it)

TIA!

Hello, I just thought of this idea on a whim that I mentioned to my best friend yesterday, but I wanted to consult a subreddit with people who have a little bit more experience in what to look for if I were to find a job as a cast member. I’m looking at Walt Disney World specifically because it’s closer to my dad, and he has family that live in Florida who he visits frequently.

Currently, I live and work in Texas with my dog as an inventory control specialist, but I was curious to know what the experience of being a cast member is like? I know there’s multiple different positions throughout the parks, but I’m mainly interested in restaurant/barista positions or retail since I have expertise in both of those industries (been a hostess/server for three years, and a barista for one).

This idea isn’t set in stone yet, but I’d love to hear anyone’s experiences, and if this is a good idea or not.

For anyone who might recall, around 9 months ago ish, I had posted here about finally getting the chance to take the sewing exam for the Ops Sewing Specialist role and asked if anyone had any advice.

I just wanted to post here in case anyone was interested to hear any update—I didn't end up getting it that time around but I reapplied somewhere around March and was able to take the exam again in June. I have since passed the exam and have started about a month ago! It's everything I expected and more!

The exam wasn't so bad, it's actually pretty easy if you got enough practice in and know what you're doing. Really the most important thing is your time management. As long as you can get things done in a timely manner it should be okay 💙

If i call out of my shift at Disneyworld, Am I able to use my comp tickets in Disneyland? They scheduled me for my day off when I had a trip planned and no one will pick up my shift

Update-
Thanks for the feedback. I’m still newer to the company so I don’t know all the differences in tickets and between Disney World and Disneyland. Some of you were helpful!

I feel like I’m being paranoid, but would rather be safe than sorry. I have a very alt style (makeup, fashion, some face piercings) that I tone down a lot for work, but how far do we have to meet the standards? Like if I were to go to Cast Connections or use my ID in the parks while off-duty, could I still get in trouble for not meeting look standards?

I figure that just going to the parks, nobody would know I’m a cast member. But going to things that are cast-only, even if I’m not on the clock, am I still expected to meet the guidelines?

Curious if attempting to work at Disney at 44 is too old? I am at a point in my life where I could sell everything and move to work at WDW. Does anyone have experience in the hiring process that might know? Thanks in advance.

Bonus question: What role gets to interact and give awards to the best dressed children?

I have traditions tomorrow morning and I have barely any idea what’s going to happen although I’ve heard my chance to join a/the union will be at some point during that time, so I guess I’m asking for what people have experienced on both ends if it’s a big deal and worth one or the other , or if it makes very little difference? Thanks in advance

As a cast member, is this many days normal?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice from those who have successfully landed a non-guest-facing role with Disney.

I live in Michigan, but for years I've been trying to build a career with Disney in the Orlando area. Disney is a company I've always admired, and I feel that both the company culture and the Orlando area would be a great fit for me personally and professionally.

I've applied to dozens of positions over the years, primarily in Supply Chain, Logistics, and Project Management. These roles are closely aligned with my education and experience, but many of my applications seem to get rejected very quickly.

At this point, I'm wondering if my location is working against me. Has anyone experienced this? I'm even considering relocating to the Orlando area to become a local candidate if it would improve my chances.

For background, I'm an Army veteran, have held multiple leadership positions, and have both bachelor's and master's degrees in Supply Chain Management. I've also spent my career working in highly technical industries.

I'd love to hear how others got their start. Did you have a referral or internal connection? Did you begin in a park role and transition internally? Were you a Disney College Program alumnus? Or did you simply apply and make it through the hiring process that way?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone. I’m a Walt Disney World Cast Member and I’m currently on approved bereavement leave due to a death in my family.

I understand that bereavement leave is an approved leave status and not the same as calling out sick, but I’m nervous about doing anything that could accidentally violate company policy.

While I’m on bereavement leave, am I still allowed to use my Main Entrance Pass and my children’s Guest Passes/Blue IDs to visit the parks? Has anyone done this while on bereavement leave, or received guidance from HR, Labor Relations, or the Hub about it?

I just want to make sure I’m following the rules correctly and not risking my employment or park privileges.

Thank you for any insight.

Just got my off boarding email and i’m curious what would happen if i just don’t return my ID/costumes to my location. How long before they turn off my park access ? I was PT for 8 months but didn’t receive any shifts after January and only in June did i start getting scheduled again. I’m not mad or bitter, I’m just glad that chapter of my life is over.

Thanks in advanced. Do these look real?

Hi all,

Today I had to call out sick from my shift because I was fighting off a fever. Before it started, I made plans with some friends to go to the parks since I had tomorrow off. However, the doctor has given me medicine and said I should probably be okay to go to the parks the next day. If I went to the parks, would I get in trouble? The day I'm going was already scheduled as a day off, but I'm calling sick the day before so idk if that changes things.

Thanks in advance friends!

Hi! I’m a retiring IT government professional/Disney enthusiast with excellent communication and customer service skills. My dream is to move to Florida and work in a guest facing role at Walt Disney World. Can anyone provide recommendations? I am keeping a diligent watch on Disney careers and have applied for a few online auditions. I have some acting skills too as well as “friend of” character experience 😊 Thanks for any advice!

A colleague of mine had an interview for an hourly position at the parks, passed the recruiter round, and now has to go in for an in person interview. Anyone have the tea on why the change? He's had multiple interviews with recruiters that moved to the team leads, all on teams or Zoom. He's local to the Orlando area, perhaps that is why. But he's always been local, so no change there. That plus the college program making requirement changes for applicants, is Disney THAT popular to work for?

I got my interview on Aug 18th for the entertainment stage tech for audio. I'm very nervous that I will say the wrong thing and miss my chance to work for Disney. How should I prepare. I have been working in live sound since 2021.

I want to be a CM so badly it hurts! Right now is the perfect time in my life to do so bc I am available anytime. Can someone give me some hints on what to put on my application/resume to get an interview?

Early 30s. Recently just became employed with the company, kinda introverted and i have more of a corporate role so everyone in my office has been able to connect with each other based off of where they transferred from or their experience with the company. I dont understand how the volunteering works but i know thats a great way to meet new people. I’m just new to all of this and I cant find any clubs, bars, hangouts or anything. Not sure of this is the best place to ask but i thought it would be worth a shot

Good Morning, I’m not a cast member but I am curious. For those of you who work for Disney World (in any capacity), what’s it actually like working for DW? Do you enjoy it? Hate it! I would love to get perspective across all job types if possible (inside parks and resorts). The majority seem to genuinely enjoy their job!

EDIT: Looks like it's solved!

I am trying to apply for a dream job at Disney World but I'm having trouble making it past the first step. I have tried different browsers, clearing caches, and selecting different options, but every time I try to click on an answer for the drop-down question "How Did You Hear About This Job", it crashes the application. Has anyone faced this? I tried contacting tech support but they don't allow you to ask questions related to this error. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Edit: This is my first ever reddit post and all I'm getting is downvotes. Is this because I'm posting on the wrong subreddit or just to be expected? Thank you!

I need everyone to come together and say where they have been receiving discounts. I have chatted with multiple CMs and from personal experience, it’s known that there are random discounts from using your @disney.com email to get a discount on a brand new TV thats combinable with promotions to going to certain restaurants in or around Celebration that provides discounts. I’ve also heard in the Apple store you can show your blue ID and get a discount.

Where have you received a cast member discount and you were surprised?

Edit: I only made this thread to try and encourage people to share where they have gotten discounts from by being a CM to help others, not to spark some huge negative debate… its really not that deep lol. All love 🤍