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Gregmh48
04-06-2004, 02:11 PM
I'm thinking of getting a job at Disneyland and was thinking about which attraction I should express a preference towards working. If I am remembering correctly, training was reorganized a few months ago so that CMs are trained at sveral attractions that are all in the same area and not at attractions that are across the park. Is anyone aware of what attractions CMs are trained at together? (meaning that if you are training at one, you have a chance at working another in the group) For example, I would assume that a CM at Mansion would also be able to work Pirates because they are near each other. Is this true, and what other groupings are there?

blubayou33
04-06-2004, 10:12 PM
’ve been out of the loop for a few months, but as far as I know attractions are still land locked. Meaning that once you are trained in that part of the park you only get cross trained in that particular section. Tomorrowland and Main Street are locked with in themselfs, Fantasyland and Toontown are grouped, as well as Critter/NOS and Frontier/Adventureland. But I'm pretty sure that new hires still only get trained at one attraction at a time. Depending on the need it could take 6 months to over a year to get trained on another attraction. Some attraction are grouped together as one because of their size. For example Classics East (Snow, Pin, Casey, etc..) and Classics West (Pan, Toad, Alice, etc.) are grouped as such. But try not to get your hopes up about working a particular ride. Trust me, operating an attraction is totally different from riding it. Keep your mind open!

Durliin
04-06-2004, 10:29 PM
Mainstreet is acually part of Adventure/Frontierland now has been for 2 years

Morrigoon
04-06-2004, 10:34 PM
Go for Adv/Frnt/Main group if you can. If you like chatting it up with the guests, you might request steam trains, if you like high paced stuff, consider Indy or Thunder. Jungle is in high demand, but you can always ask.

If you go with NOS/critter you *could* get pirates or mansion, but are MUCH more likely to get Pooh.

Tomorrowland has hideously high turnover in Autopia, and Space ain't openin' for a while...

Fantasyland deals with the kiddos, if that's your thing (on the bright side, those consoles have a seat!)

Gregmh48
04-11-2004, 07:02 PM
I interviewed on Wednesday to be a Seasonal CM and at the end the interviewer told me that they had just received the available positions for the summe rthe day before and did not know how many they had to offer yet. She said she would call me within the next two weeks to inform me whether or not I would be hired. In other reports, I have heard that if the person being interviewede is not asked to stay, it means that they were not hired. Do you think this is true in my case, or that she honestly did not know of the availability of jobs? She did ask me if I had any questions regarding employment after telling me this which would make me think that I was fairly qualified. What do you think? Is there anything I can do within the next month to ensure that I have a chance?

Ohana33
04-11-2004, 08:05 PM
I've been a CT for over 2 years now (i only work summer and winter) at DCA- I personally prefer working there because of the shorter night hours and less crowds.
Anywho, your question- There are three groups in DCA- Hollywood, Paradise Pier, and Golden State (where i work). Hollywood includes Bug's Life area... but i must say, golden state is the best, it includes soarin' and grizzly. You're orginally trained on a easier ride in your area (for hollywood, usually muppets or bug's life; for pier, orange stinger; for golden state, golden dreams or challenge trail). overtime, based on their need, they will gradually train you in more attractions in that area. goodluck with your new job!

SweetAurora
04-11-2004, 10:52 PM
I interviewed on Wednesday to be a Seasonal CM and at the end the interviewer told me that they had just received the available positions for the summe rthe day before and did not know how many they had to offer yet. She said she would call me within the next two weeks to inform me whether or not I would be hired. In other reports, I have heard that if the person being interviewede is not asked to stay, it means that they were not hired. Do you think this is true in my case, or that she honestly did not know of the availability of jobs? She did ask me if I had any questions regarding employment after telling me this which would make me think that I was fairly qualified. What do you think? Is there anything I can do within the next month to ensure that I have a chance?

Did you make sure you said you had "full availability" for the summer months? Many times, someone won't be hired because of this. They like you to be fully available...it all depends on how the interview went. I'm not sure. It might be too early, as they are focusing on Spring Break at this very moment, too. So she could be honest about it...

I hired in last summer, and the MAJORITY of Attractions CMs didn't get the attraction they were told they would probably get in their intial interview when they hired in. This was SUCH a downer for me, as I'm a fantasy-kinda girl, and my interviewer told me I'd be "PERFECT" for Storybook Boats. HAH! Go figure--at the end of my Attractions training, I had gone from the Boats, to the Jungle Cruise, to Splash Mountain, and finally ended up at a ride that, well, isn't too popular with the teenage set. Hahaha! But it turned out fine--I wouldn't have met some of the people I love so much if I hadn't been switched.

I know a lot of backstage stuff involving East Side (Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Toontown) vs. West Side (NOS, Critter Country, Frontierland, Adventureland, Main Street), but it's probably best that I keep it to myself. In my opinion, I would probably advise asking if anything is available in the latter side of the park. Needs change constantly, however. So unfortunately, it probably won't mean you'll end up with the ride your interviewer may assign you to.
Mansion and Pirates were hiring a LOT of new hires a while ago, but I believe that's dwindled down. Pooh keeps getting new hires, and that's a prime new-hire attraction. Splash is NOT a new-hire attraction--it is only a cross-training one. Indy is fun to work, but is really "loud" for some CMS..and of course there's Jungle Cruise and Thunder and Tiki Room..those are fun. You may even hire in on Canoes/Rafts, as the Canoes especially have a lot of seasonal new hires. The "Big Boats" are really hard to get, because there's a very small number of CMS working on them.

The landlock thing is still in effect, as Maynard has even been locked to Adventureland/Frontierland (that's why you don't see him at Mansion or other places much).


If you need any more help or advice, let me know! :) I've been through it, so I am "all ears".

Not Afraid
04-11-2004, 11:40 PM
SOmetimes you have the option to request an area and sometimes you do not. I have quite a few friends who are CMs and they tend to love Adventureland/Main Street and portions of Tomorrowland (ie: Autopia and Monorail). Honey and Astro are the lowest of the low. Fantasyland "Routes" are pretty repetition - even WITH moving every 20 minutes. Indy is boring but JC is great and sought after, plus it comes with Tiki. and the vehicles and trains are wonderful. Fantasmic can be a LOT of fun. It's very busy and different every night. Spash is a so/so attraction, as is Pooh. but Mansion and Pirates are a lot of fun.

That's just the opinions I've heard from about 8 different CMs who work in different areas of the park.

Gregmh48
04-12-2004, 01:59 PM
I was never asked which specific attraction I would like to work in the interview. Is that a bad sign?

Ohana33
04-12-2004, 03:17 PM
i wasn't asked a specific attraction or even which park i preferred. i think when they are hiring large groups of people, espicially for the summer season, you can't be as picky and they put you where they need you the most.

cstephens
04-12-2004, 03:54 PM
Anyone else reading this thread title as "Attraction Groupies"...?

Niwel
04-12-2004, 03:59 PM
When I worked in Fantasyland attractions in 1998 I was asked to help with Tomorrowland guest control (when Rocket Rods was still around) as well as with parades and Fantasmic!.
This was part of the College Program so it guaranteed me a spot somewhere.
I had asked for attractions (my second choice was Guest Relations) and they were planning to put me at subs -- but the "caster" took one look at me when I walked into the auditorium at the end of Traditions, said I was too short and switched me with someone else (she's been at DL ever since and now works at Mr. Lincoln).

SweetAurora
04-12-2004, 05:04 PM
Hmmm...
I hired in on June 14th of last summer--they were hiring tons of people and the interviewer I had gave me the choice of which park I wanted to work--I had to wait an extra 2 weeks in order to work in Disneyland, but it was fine by me. At the time, Fantasyland/Toontown needed the most people, but after I had finally gone through the Attractions and You training, I ended up somewhere else.
Wherever you go attractions-wise, you will also probably end up helping and/or being scheduled for Fantasmic!/parade and other guest control shifts as well.

Any more questions? Yes, we ARE attractions groupies here...mwahaha.

stitchfan_cm
04-12-2004, 08:21 PM
Also, if you like to get home before midnight, let them know. I told the CM that was interviewing me that I would like to be home before midnight(8 am class the next morning, and an hour drive home) and he said that shouldn't be a problem. I was placed in DCA, because of the hours.

Don't get your hopes down if you don't get an "E-Ticket" ride. I know some people who get what they wished for, and don't enjoy it. I started working on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. When I first got it, I was upset. I thought to myself, "Here is this 6'4, 300 lbs guy who is gonna be around little kids." But I remembered WWMD (What Would Maynard Do), and have become a great CM(or so people tell me) and the kids are great, and I have a fun time with them.

I do hope to get crossed trained soon, but will I will always enjoy Trail.

Let's just put it this way.



You work at the Disneyland Resort...



There are people who would give their two front teeth to work at the Disneyland Resort...

Don't forget that. :)

ToursbabeC3po
04-12-2004, 11:59 PM
They are going to put you where they need people not where you want to go. You may have a choice of which park if both need people. You will get Trained on ONE attraction. IF you are lucky in 6 months to a year you will be trained on a second. A lot of things have changed since DOSH has come in. Training is more time consuming so it is tough to get cross trained to another attraction. Good luck with your interview!
((((((hugs)))))
Jen

Gregmh48
05-15-2004, 04:56 PM
Ok, I finally got noticed that I was hired. I was allowed to choose between DL and DCA. At DL, I could choose between Critter Country and Adventureland/Frontierland. I took the later. When I go in to sign all the papers, is there anything I should remember to do? Also, how many hours per week do you think I could get as a seasonal cast member? Do I have any chance of getting the full forty hours? I would prefer to work as much as possible because I need money for college at the end of summer.

SweetAurora
05-15-2004, 08:39 PM
Ok, I finally got noticed that I was hired. I was allowed to choose between DL and DCA. At DL, I could choose between Critter Country and Adventureland/Frontierland. I took the later. When I go in to sign all the papers, is there anything I should remember to do? Also, how many hours per week do you think I could get as a seasonal cast member? Do I have any chance of getting the full forty hours? I would prefer to work as much as possible because I need money for college at the end of summer.

Hey there again! Hmm...maybe I'll be seeing ya this summer! :)

Actually, you may not even get into the land of your choice. I fully expected to be on Storybook Boats, if not Fantasyland/Toontown, until the very last day of my attractions training. Then, they put me somewhere entirely different. So you MAY still be in Adventureland/Frontierland, but may not... :eek:
After you are signed off on the attraction you get (pass the knowledge/performance tests) you probably won't be scheduled for 2-3 weeks. During that time, you can pick up shifts by calling your local Scheduling office or take shifts from CMS who don't want them. When I was a new hire last summer, I got TONS of hours this way. You probably won't be scheduled the full 40, as your seniority is low, but this depends on need/areas as well. Just make sure your Cast Scheduler knows on your availability form that you are "willing to work" and just keep calling in for those shifts.

I can't remember how many hours I initially got, since I picked up so many shifts...but YAY--you can ALSO work Fantasmic!, Parade/Fireworks, and other Guest Control shifts BESIDES working on your own ride! :)

Have fun--let us know how you're doing.

dude
05-15-2004, 09:15 PM
I was hired last week for a foods position (sorry it is a bit off topic, but its still regarding DLR jobs) and they asked me if I was 17. I thought they weren't allowed to do this, so in my surprise I said yes when in truth I will be 17 in 6 more months. I filled out my paperwork and since I am a minor I had to get a work permit and my age is on that. Since I told them I was 17, and when they see that my paperwork says I am 6 months off, will this hurt me?

SweetAurora
05-15-2004, 11:23 PM
I was hired last week for a foods position (sorry it is a bit off topic, but its still regarding DLR jobs) and they asked me if I was 17. I thought they weren't allowed to do this, so in my surprise I said yes when in truth I will be 17 in 6 more months. I filled out my paperwork and since I am a minor I had to get a work permit and my age is on that. Since I told them I was 17, and when they see that my paperwork says I am 6 months off, will this hurt me?

The work permit is a legal document, therefore getting caught on it might get you into a tiff.
But I'm not too sure what Disneyland's rules are at this very moment on how old you have to be to hire in. Used to be 16, but as of last summer when I hired in, it was "17 and a graduating senior".
I'm not too sure...any help for the dude on this, guys? ;)

Drince88
05-16-2004, 01:26 AM
I was hired last week for a foods position (sorry it is a bit off topic, but its still regarding DLR jobs) and they asked me if I was 17. I thought they weren't allowed to do this, so in my surprise I said yes when in truth I will be 17 in 6 more months. I filled out my paperwork and since I am a minor I had to get a work permit and my age is on that. Since I told them I was 17, and when they see that my paperwork says I am 6 months off, will this hurt me?

In most places (and I don't live in California, and I know a lot of things are "different" there) they are allowed to ask your age if your age would limit your availability or ability to do the job. For instance, if the job you're applying for is to serve alcohol, and you can't legally do that until you're 21, then it would be legal to ask if you were 21. It sounds like that may be the case here - there may be restrictions on work hours, on types of jobs, etc because of your age and so they asked if you were 17 --- the way you worded it is "they asked me if I was 17" - that's not the same as asking your age, so there may be a legal reason why they asked the question - and it may have been a legal question to ask.

Did you fill out an application/any other paperwork that says you were 17? (Or is that the paperwork you brought home with you?) Not that it matters much, because you still lied in a job interview. (Sorry, but that's what you did.)

I would be dis-inclined to hire a person who had lied to my face, and ESPECIALLY if there was a REASON I asked the question. For instance, having a 16 year old work in a position that CalOSHA says must be done by a 17 year old because it impacts guest safety just isn't an option to an employer. Having a 16 year old work past midnight or before 6 am might not be an option, if the labor board says 16 year olds can't work those hours. Having someone who thinks "half-way-there" is "close enough" handling money at an ODV cart wouldn't be something I'd want as an employer. (The first two are illustrative examples only - there may not be actual rules like that, but there could be. I don't know, you don't know, but I bet Disney knows.)

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if they "fire you before you were hired" either because your age NOW limits your ability to do the job they hired you for OR because you lied to them when you were asked the question.

dude
05-16-2004, 06:18 AM
Well okay, but here in CA the labor laws are the same for 16-17 year olds. The application only asked if I was under 18...they decided to have me bussing tables in DCA though, so I just don't know about legal standpoints since someone 16 (or younger) can do that at any restaurant...

But yeah the thing I am most paranoid about is the fact that I told them I was 17. Most people I know have told me not to worry, I am "close enough" but that really doesn't help now does it?

Drince88
05-16-2004, 07:14 AM
Well, I'm glad the labor laws are the same for 16 and 17 year olds -- you mention you were interviewing for bussing tables - which also takes out any CalOSHA (or whoever it is that regulates the attraction safety), because they could have some additional restrictions on ages for people operating attractions.

The only consideration, then is if Disney has some rules that are different for 16 year olds than 17 year olds. Not sure if they do, but if so, I bet their lawyers have checked it out.

Hopefully they won't call you on the 6 months and your worry has been a well learned lesson.

By the way, I'd always thought an appropriate response to a question you felt was bording on illegal (or at least illegal to base a hiring decision on) is "How does that affect my ability to do this job?" (And not in a smart-alecky tone, but in a tone that indicates you really are concerned that the answer might make a difference and you're not sure you totally understand the job if it does.)

Good Luck!

dude
05-16-2004, 07:27 AM
See, I didn't know that because this was my first job interview...ever.

I don't think there are additional rules for 16 years old vs. 17 because my friend hired in when she was 16 doing almost the same thing they want me to do. I go back in mid-June to turn in the paperwork...I guess I'll have to wait and see.

mousey_girl
05-16-2004, 07:44 AM
The age may be a factor because different ages limit the hours that can be worked. It has been a long time, but I remember that my workers who were 16 could not work later than 10pm. This was over 10 years ago, so who knows what has changed since then.

If you lie on a job application it is a legal document. You sign the app to verify that all of the above items are true. At my current job 2 of the new hires got caught lying on their apps and our company Asset Protection came in and escorted them from the building.

dude
05-16-2004, 07:56 AM
The application only asked if I was under 18 and I put "yes". The new hire paper work asked for DOB a lot and one asked for my age and I filled those out truthfully. So there is no faking of legal documents at all.

And right now in CA labor laws state 16-17 year olds can't work past 10pm except they can work until 12:30am on a day not preceeding a school day.