As for my work experience, I worked at Disney's Ft. wilderness Resort and Campground. It was a unique experience to say the least. The people there are amazing. My managers, leaders, and fellow Cast Members were always willing to help me out.
The hours seemed pretty crazy at first, but after a few weeks I settled into a routine. I was scheduled about 30-35 hours per week; usually 4 days per week, each shift was about 7.5-8.5 hours. Most days I started work between 8 and 10am and finished between 4 and 6pm. And one day a week I worked late, usually starting between 2 and 4pm and ending between 10pm and 12am. I had 2 breaks each shift of 30 minutes each. The first break usually under 3 hours after I started and the second break about 2 hours before I banked out.
I was only trained as Front Desk Cashier, but many of my fellow CPs were also trained in luggage, and phones. Some things Luggage does are sorting and delivering Disney's Magical Express luggage, driving guests without cars to their cabin or site after check-in, running errands across WDW, making deliveries to guests, and checking the status of a cabin or campsite.
Cast Members who work a phones shift sit in the phones room and answer guest calls. Whenever a guest calls the front desk, instead of a person on the desk in the lobby picking up, someone in the back office answers the call.
I was a Front Desk Cashier. For my role, I assisted guests with check-in, lost keys, discrepancies in their guest pay folio, directions in and around WDW and local areas, guest messages and mail, faxes, etc. I also assisted Cast Members from other work areas and departments. I accepted deliveries as well as gave information.
Each day I arrived at work and clocked in. I got keys to a bank from the keywatch and took my bank to the bankout room to count the money to make sure it was all there. Then I went to my FSA (Frontline Service Advisor) and asked where to go. He would tell me if I was relieving someone for break or bankout, or if I was opening a new station. I would then go set up and lock my bank up. I logged into the computer and made sure my work area was "show ready" and when I was ready I would begin assisting guests. At the end of the day, usually 30 minutes before I clocked out, I would leave the front desk and bankout. I counted my bank and if I had taken any cash, checks, travelers checks or foreign currency that day, I would set it aside. I would sign out of the computer system and print all of my paperwork. If I had taken cash, checks, travelers checks, or foreign currency I would place it in a deposit bag and drop it in the safe. Then I would lock my bank up and wait for my clock out time.
Training was pretty long, but it gave me the necessary skills to perform my role with confidence. All new Cast Members attend Disney's orientation program called Traditions. For me it was 2 days after I arrived at Disney. It was 4 hour session where you learn the history and scope of the Company and other important topics relevant to all roles (safety, conduct, purpose, sexual harassment, etc.). This is also where you will get your WDW nametag and your White ID (ID card for clocking in and out at work, and most importantly, your admission to the parks!!!). (Don't forget to bring an outfit (business casual) to wear to Traditions which meets the Disney Look guidelines. You will need socks or pantyhose if you wear pants and pantyhose if you wear a skirt. Also, for shoes, if the toe is open, the back must be closed, or if the back is open, the toe must be closed. They wont let you on the bus to Traditions if you dont meet these guidelines.)
The day after Traditions, I began what is called First Impressions. It is the classroom training program for Front Desk Cast Members. It started with me going to my work location and getting my costume. I put it one and went to the Front Desk of my resort and shadowed a cashier for about 3 hours. (You will want to invest in a comfortable pair of flats because you will be standing a great deal as a front desk cashier.) After I shadowed, I went to Disney University (located behind the Magic Kingdom where Traditions is held) where I met with the rest of my First Impressions class. We had introductions, watched a few training videos about dealing with difficult guests, the importance of great guest service, etc., and practiced introducing ourselves to guests (Howdy! Welcome to Ft. Wilderness. My name is Kelly. How may I assist you?).
The next 5 days were spent in a classroom learning how to use the Disney Property Management System (DPMS). We learned how to locate a reservation, modify a reservation, check in a reservation, take payment on a reservation, cut keys for a reservation, and check out a reservation. We also learned the proper way to handle money and the backout process. As we learned new techniques, we put them into practice in a practice lab set up like a resort front desk.
After the formal training at Disney University, I began my On the Job training (*every location is slightly different). Mine began with a complete tour (comp tour) of my resort. This was a day long. A front desk Cast Member took me and another CP in a golf cart and showed us the entire campground.
After my comp tour I began my training with my trainer. This was done one-on-one. It lasted 5 days. The first day I watched him do one check-in and I jumped right in and started my first check-in. (But a lot of people just watched for a day or so. It all depends on your comfort level.) I didnt remember too much from my Disney University training so my trainer mostly talked me through my first couple of check-ins. But I slowly began to get the hang of things. Occasionally, there were situations that I couldnt handle and my trainer stepped in and took over. Throughout the week he and I sat down and went over areas that I still needed to work on. But by the end of the week, I felt like a semi-pro.
On my first day without my trainer, I began my shift with 4 hours of online training, and ended the shift all by myself on the desk.
I know that was a lot of information to absorb, and I hope I didnt scare you too much. Just remember, youre working at Disney. If you have any questions or concerns your leaders and managers are there to help you. And they WANT to help you.