WDWCP Earning: Hi Ho! It's Off To Work You Go!
Working at the Walt Disney World Resort is likely to cause you to experience a plethora (or as I like to put it, a crapload) of emotions. To segway into my description of the Earning component of the WDWCP, I’d like to reference the Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
Whether you’re loading Guests on Space Mountain, sweeping the international streets of the World Showcase or selling stuffed Quasimodos at the World of Disney, you will initially be insanely happy, a little bit dopey and probably very sleepy during your first weeks as a CP. You’re also likely to be sweaty, overworked and underpaid, but those dwarfs didn’t make it into the movie.
The Earning component of the Walt Disney World College Program offers you the chance to work in any of the four theme parks, two water parks, 20+ resort hotels and Downtown Disney shopping areas. Working at Walt Disney World is essentially the heart and soul of the WDWCP and the reason most everybody wants to become at CP. If you’ve ever dreamed of being a Jungle Cruise Skipper or a Bellhop at the Tower of Terror or a greeter at your favorite hotel, the Earning component is your chance to live your dream.
When you fill out your WDWCP application, you have the opportunity to select up to three roles you would be willing to work. Disney casting will place you in the role they think you will be most successful in based on your interview. They will also factor in their own need to fill understaffed roles, so my advice to anyone filling out their top three choices is to really familiarize yourself with the role descriptions. If you know that you will absolutely loathe quick service food or custodial or working in a resort, DO NOT select those as one of your options because it is next to impossible to change your role once you’ve been cast.
If there is a particular role or attraction you really want, stress this to your recruiter. Disney wants happy CPs who are enthusiastic about their roles, so if your dream is to be a gangster in the Great Movie Ride or a host at the Haunted Mansion, tell your recruiter about your passion for the attraction during your interview. Your recruiter will take note and pass your enthusiasm on to the casting center. Because demand is high for some of the most popular attractions, if you don’t get your first choice you might be cast in a similar role. For example, if you stressed that you want a high-spieling attraction and would like to work at the Great Movie Ride, don’t be disappointed if you find yourself working at the Jungle Cruise or Kilimanjaro Safaris. Note: Character Performer roles require a separate audition. Visit the official Disney College Program website for the most up to date information about audition locations.
When you receive your acceptance packet, you will only know the role you’ve been cast (Attractions, Custodial, Lifeguard, etc.). Disney likes to go all Ryan Seacrest on you and make you wait until after you arrive and check in before you are informed specifically about which attraction, resort, food stand, etc. you’ve been placed.
CP wages vary anywhere from $7.25-8.39 per hour and are based on specific role responsibilities. Generally, attractions and merchandise hosts are the lowest paid while Photopass photographers, Lifeguards, Quick Service Foods and Character Performers are among the highest paid roles. It is almost impossible to determine how much a specific role will pay because CPs can earn premiums in addition to their base pay depending on their specific location and job responsibilities. Basically, you won’t know your exact rate of pay until your receive your first paycheck.
You are guaranteed to work at leas 30 hours per week; however, you’ll most likely work between 40-45 hours and as much as 80 hours a week during spring break, peak weeks in the summer, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours generally depend on your role and specific location. The Magic Kingdom is usually open the latest while Animal Kingdom usually closes earliest, so your hours can vary depending on where you are placed.
Working in Walt Disney World can often mean long, weird hours. Disney management knows this and is usually pretty terrific about boosting moral. The Walt Disney Company has an open door policy, so if you are placed in a role that you hate or feel overwhelmed, you are always welcomed to approach your leader anytime you have a question or concern and management will help you find a solution to your problem. It sounds cliché, but working at Walt Disney World really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the few months you’ll spend as a CP will elapse quickly. Soon you’ll find yourself back in the real work where it is actually considered foolish to wear giant mouse ears on one’s head in public. Just remember, your job to make other people happy and most guests are incredibly appreciative about what you do for them.
Whether you’re loading Guests on Space Mountain, sweeping the international streets of the World Showcase or selling stuffed Quasimodos at the World of Disney, you will initially be insanely happy, a little bit dopey and probably very sleepy during your first weeks as a CP. You’re also likely to be sweaty, overworked and underpaid, but those dwarfs didn’t make it into the movie.
The Earning component of the Walt Disney World College Program offers you the chance to work in any of the four theme parks, two water parks, 20+ resort hotels and Downtown Disney shopping areas. Working at Walt Disney World is essentially the heart and soul of the WDWCP and the reason most everybody wants to become at CP. If you’ve ever dreamed of being a Jungle Cruise Skipper or a Bellhop at the Tower of Terror or a greeter at your favorite hotel, the Earning component is your chance to live your dream.
When you fill out your WDWCP application, you have the opportunity to select up to three roles you would be willing to work. Disney casting will place you in the role they think you will be most successful in based on your interview. They will also factor in their own need to fill understaffed roles, so my advice to anyone filling out their top three choices is to really familiarize yourself with the role descriptions. If you know that you will absolutely loathe quick service food or custodial or working in a resort, DO NOT select those as one of your options because it is next to impossible to change your role once you’ve been cast.
If there is a particular role or attraction you really want, stress this to your recruiter. Disney wants happy CPs who are enthusiastic about their roles, so if your dream is to be a gangster in the Great Movie Ride or a host at the Haunted Mansion, tell your recruiter about your passion for the attraction during your interview. Your recruiter will take note and pass your enthusiasm on to the casting center. Because demand is high for some of the most popular attractions, if you don’t get your first choice you might be cast in a similar role. For example, if you stressed that you want a high-spieling attraction and would like to work at the Great Movie Ride, don’t be disappointed if you find yourself working at the Jungle Cruise or Kilimanjaro Safaris. Note: Character Performer roles require a separate audition. Visit the official Disney College Program website for the most up to date information about audition locations.
When you receive your acceptance packet, you will only know the role you’ve been cast (Attractions, Custodial, Lifeguard, etc.). Disney likes to go all Ryan Seacrest on you and make you wait until after you arrive and check in before you are informed specifically about which attraction, resort, food stand, etc. you’ve been placed.
CP wages vary anywhere from $7.25-8.39 per hour and are based on specific role responsibilities. Generally, attractions and merchandise hosts are the lowest paid while Photopass photographers, Lifeguards, Quick Service Foods and Character Performers are among the highest paid roles. It is almost impossible to determine how much a specific role will pay because CPs can earn premiums in addition to their base pay depending on their specific location and job responsibilities. Basically, you won’t know your exact rate of pay until your receive your first paycheck.
You are guaranteed to work at leas 30 hours per week; however, you’ll most likely work between 40-45 hours and as much as 80 hours a week during spring break, peak weeks in the summer, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours generally depend on your role and specific location. The Magic Kingdom is usually open the latest while Animal Kingdom usually closes earliest, so your hours can vary depending on where you are placed.
Working in Walt Disney World can often mean long, weird hours. Disney management knows this and is usually pretty terrific about boosting moral. The Walt Disney Company has an open door policy, so if you are placed in a role that you hate or feel overwhelmed, you are always welcomed to approach your leader anytime you have a question or concern and management will help you find a solution to your problem. It sounds cliché, but working at Walt Disney World really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the few months you’ll spend as a CP will elapse quickly. Soon you’ll find yourself back in the real work where it is actually considered foolish to wear giant mouse ears on one’s head in public. Just remember, your job to make other people happy and most guests are incredibly appreciative about what you do for them.
