“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”

Walt Disney said himself "it takes people to make the dream a reality". These people are the cast members putting on a show throughout each of the Disney Parks every day. These cast members create the magic and memories guests may carry with them throughout their lives. They are remembering the first time they saw Cinderella's Castle up close, or maybe the time where Pluto spotted you from across the street and ran over to give you a hug. Whichever memory you have of Disney it is made possible because of people; cast members.

Maybe you have a dream of working for Disney, or maybe you are just curious about the different roles Disney has for cast members, or maybe you're wondering if being a cast member is all its cracked up to be. Regardless of the specific reason you are here, you want to educate yourself on the lives of Disney cast members. This blog will look at the various roles cast members take part in, what their responsibilities include, how they feel about working for Disney, "Magical Moments" they've experienced, and of course some insight for those of you who are you wanting to become a part of the Disney Company.

Whatever you do, do it well. Do it well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again. –Walt Disney

Walt Disney World entertains thousands of guests every day. All cast members are putting on a show, specifically the role of Entertainment where these cast members put on the stage shows, and do meet and greets for the visitors. Is this a role you would be interested in? When speaking to an entertainment cast member she was asked what made her want to work for Walt Disney World, she responded "Ever since my first visit when I was 11, I knew I wanted to be part of the magic. It’s a feeling you get when you immerse yourself in the parks. You feel like a kid again!" This is a statement that you will hear many times when speaking with a cast member. Many of them have started with the dream as a child and pursued that dream to get to the position they are in now. Also being in entertainment the "Magical Moments" that they get to be a part of, make for a career people will never want to leave. We asked the same cast member again of her favorite “Magical Moment” and she gave us this, “At the end of the night at CSPOT, the last guest gets a magical moment where all the characters take a picture together. On this particular night, our last guest was a grandmother, a mother and a child with Down syndrome.  Although the child didn't speak that much, her eyes light up with happiness as each character showered her with kisses and hugs. Goofy was able to make her giggle, which was the cutest thing. The grandmother and mother broke down in tears because they were overcome with joy. Apparently the child had a difficult time with other characters and this was the first interaction that enjoyed them. Mickey made sure to give grandmother and mom extra hugs and kisses too. It was a great way to end the night.” Its moments like those that these entertainment cast members live for.

If you would like to learn more about being an Entertainment Cast Member please visit:Disney Careers

To read the whole interview click here:Entertainment Interview

Fairy tales can come true. You gotta make them happen, it all depends on you. –Tiana

The Guest Relations role is one of the most sought out positions for those looking to be involved with all the magic. This role consists of assisting the guests, along with advising them so they can get the most out of their vacation. They do a lot of service recovery and are always working to improve the guest' experience. Cast members in this role have high guest interactions and work hands on with each guest assisting them with their needs in the best way possible. When speaking to a Guest Relations host, he was very enthusiastic about his role and was very eager to let people know that he enjoys it a great amount. He says how great of an environment it is to work in and even though he is on a temporary assignment, he enjoys it so much he is hoping to be status there for full time employment. The cast member also gave some advice for those of you wanting to become a Guest Relations host; he says if you want to make the magic, help the guests, and just be in an all-around magical environment this would be the company for you!

To learn more about the Guest Relation role click here : Disney Careers

To see the whole interview click here: Guest Relations Interview

If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. –Cheshire Cat

So you want to move up in the company? Climb the ladder, and make your way to a higher position, the first step up is a coordinator position. A coordinator in any role and location is the eyes and ears for the leaders (who are the managers). They make sure the cast members are in the necessary assignments to keep the operation running smoothly. They resolve guest issues, and keep the area safe. We spoke with a merchandise coordinator who has firsthand experience on beginning his climb in the company. He started on the Disney College Program, loved the company so much that he decided he wanted to stay and continue to be a part of the magic. Though when we did ask him how he felt Disney treated their cast members he said " The company itself is very invested in treating it's cast members well, however there are internal cast members who treat others like crap. This is the case with any job though." This is giving the reality that even if the company treats you well, you may encounter other cast members who may not be as nice. Though this should never discourage anyone from working for the company because later on in the interview the coordinator states “there certainly is plenty of fun to be had and games to be played. If you wish to join the Disney team don't hold yourself back and always have a smile to give.”

To learn more about the Coordinator role click here: Disney Careers

To read the full interview click here: Coordinator

In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The job's a game. –Mary Poppins

When you're in sunny warm Florida, guests always want to go swimming whether it is at a resort pool, or at a water park. To keep them safe Walt Disney World has a role for lifeguards. Lifeguards watch all different types of pools to keep the guests safe. A number one priority is safety and Disney does a great job with ensuring this with their guests. Lifeguards go through training, and have to pass a number of tests before they are able to guard any of the water. They are all CPR and First aid certified too. Not only do they supervise and guard the water, they also get to make "Magical Moments" for guests and interact with them. Though for the lifeguard we spoke to, his job is means to end while he is getting his college degree, he is learning valuable lessons of working with thousands of people. He has learned to have thick skin, and to have patience when it comes to working with the guests at the pool. His advice for those wanting to work in this role states "Your kinds of experience with guests depends on where you work and time of year. You'll find some of the nicest people during the slow season but the most stressed out (and irritable) during summer and the holidays. If you need anything at Disney it'll be a good attitude, patience, and thick skin. You need that for all of life really."

To learn more about the Lifeguard role click here: Disney Careers

To read the full interview click here: Lifeguard Interview

Have confidence in your ability to do it right, and work hard to do the best possible job. –Walt Disney

Disney restaurants are all original and unique. The environment and the service is just the same. Disney prides itself on their guest service keeping their guests happy and that is just what they do in the their restaurants. No matter the position you want to work in within the restaurant you have an important job and are necessary to the execution. We caught up with a cast member whose role was a hostess position. When asked what her job consisted of she stated "I'm either assigning tables and am in charge of keeping wait times low, or am in charge of all the money." If you have ever been to a busy restaurant, you know that having this job and doing it correctly is quite important. She seems to be very comfortable with her job and states that she is treated very well. Disney keeps their restaurant cast members as happy as their guests it seems. We also asked our hostess if she had any advice for anyone wanting to work in the restaurants with the company, she offered this advice "From my perspective, it's as magical as it seems like it would be. Everyone just has such a radiant personality and seems to enjoy being at work rather than dreading it like most other places. If you're looking to become a part of the company, it's the largest single site employer in the US so just go for it." Nothing short of a positive response!

To learn more about the role in Full Service Food and Beverage click here: Disney Careers

To read the full interview click here: Full Service Food and Beverage Interview

Take a little different view. Try a little something new. That's a little simple trick to having fun. –Tigger

Merchandise is a part of the tangible memories Disney offers for their guests. To provide assistance with the merchandise there are hosts and hostesses that are there to help. Their roles includes interacting with the guests, ringing up purchases, stocking the shelves, and answering all guests concerns making sure they can find the merchandise they desire. This role involves high interaction and is very meaningful to the guests because it helps them hold on to their memories even once they leave their vacation. Speaking with a merchandise host, we asked why he chose to work for Disney he responded "After working at a negative job for almost 30 years I wanted something fun and positive. Some of my most treasured memories were at WDW and I wanted to not only have that feeling again but share it with others." This reason is somewhat consistent with the older cast member's feelings for why they decided to work for the company. You keep hearing how it keeps you young, and the interaction makes your days more enjoyable. Another great example of this was when asked about "Magical Moments", this was the response received "I have several personal Magical Moments a day since I internalize all the good things I see and hear. I am an observer and commentator on the human condition (not a complainer as my wife believes). I do try to make some special moments for guests but in our area it is difficult because of the volume. But I can laugh freely and act as nutty as I want with the guests even if people don't always "get me" or the moment I am making for them. On the good days I am grateful and can't believe I am actually here and doing this. On the bad days, they are still better than what most people have." The positivity that seems to be throughout the merchandise role is contagious, so if you are looking for an enjoyable role that has high guest interaction, this may be the one for you.


To learn more about the Merchandise role click here:Disney Careers
To read the full interview click here: Merchandise Interview