Packing to work in Disney
by Jennifer Kelly on Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:41
I have just got a job working for DCL in 2009 and was wandering what everyone thinks I will need? As well as anything that you forgot to take or didnt think of and wished you had? I would Appreicate any ideas and thoughts
Thanks Jenny
Jenny, Hello and welcome to the community!
DCL is a big part of the company, do you know where you'll be working and what you'll be doing? this will affect the answers you'll need from us.
Tim
They haven't confirmed which DCL I will be working on but I will be working as a Youth Counsellor with children between 3-12. I its not all about packing for the job its the other little things that I know we old tend to forget about. Hope you can help, and thankyou for the welcome!
Firstly you are a most welcome member of the community, no thanks needed!
Speaking as a fello Brit who did his packing many moons ago there are a couple of things you need to know about working for the company.
You are going to be working in a different culture. You really need to understand the “Disney Magic” thing and more importantly how to make it happen.
On the whole Disney Cast Members are a hard working, industrias, quality driven group. Why, because that’s what the customer – the Guest in Disney Parlance- demands. Guests have very high expectations of Disney Cast Members especially if you’ll be working with their children.
To keep that Disney Magic happening Disney have a much higher expectation of their employees. Add to that the extra rules governing living and working afloat.
I must say I never worked for DCL (and am more than willing to be corrected) but I understand from friends who have that the ‘morality clause’ is much more onerouse. Drinking is already viewed more dimly by America as a whole, take that up a level for Disney Cast Members. And as for anything more illegal well just don’t. A colleuge of mine was living in Vista Way (Cast Member accomodation for WDW) and was, sacked, evicted and effectivly deported when Disney security called at the door. Someone had reported smelling weed. It turned out to be one of her flatmates but…
Next, the American thing. As Oscar wilde put it when talking about our American friends “Two great countries divided by a common language.” In other words, we talk the same way we they don’t think the same way… Let me say before I get mail from my American friends, this post is written from one brit to another.
The American work ethic is more driven, more target oriented than many other cultures but the 'social' benefits you may be used to are not the same. Two weeks paid annual leave is not unusual in the US. There is not the same level of social cover or workers rights as you’ll be used to at home and as a final point on this if Disney suggests a minimum level of medical insurance cover for working in the US treat it as just that a MINIMUM level of extra cover. You do not want to see an American medical bill!
Lastly after all this doom and gloom… go with an open mind and enjoy yourself. I can honestly say my time working with Disney was the time of my life.
Right, back to my sickbed – Man Flu!
thank you for all the informtaion...keep it coming though! :-)
It wasn't till after I completed the DLRCP that they added housing, so I'm going out on a bit of a limb here... how about an ice breaker of a sorts for when you're amonst your fellow CMs? I go to UC Santa Barbara and our mascot is a gaucho. Luckily enough, Mother's cookies makes a Peanut Butter Gaucho cookie which I've been known to share around where I'm living and sporting events. It's not a whole lot, but it helps begin the get to know you process.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
Hi Jenny welcome to the community!!!
How exciting, I am envious of you starting out..it seems like forever ago at this stage I packed for the first time.
You dont say where you will be living but I have lived in two Disney residences, the one in Paris- La Boiserie and the one in Orlando - Vista Way.
Every thing can be bought when you get there if you forget anything , so I am not sure what answers you are looking for, but any way here is my lis tthat you may find usefull.
* Bring some smart clothes for induction days
* Comfortable smart shoes for the same
* Not sure what you uniform is but you will probably need tights? So bring loads to keep you going
* Photos from home, a good Ice Breaker in residences
* Address Books with numbers written down in case you loose mobile phone.
* A medical kit with plasters, bandages, paracetamol, diareahea tablets, motilium etc etc
* A lockable metal box can be handy for valuables as if you are in residences, there may be friends of friends around you do not know.
* A back pack for toting stuff around the place day to day
* A wallet type thing for your I.D and cards.
I cannot think of any thing else at the moment
Best of Luck x