[Dawn S]

OK, time to break the news...

I turned down the job at WDW. I ran into an old friend yesterday & we had a long chat about employment around here. Turns out, he moved here quite a while ago (small world LOL) & had lots of info to share. I took that info, info from others & a judgement on what I had already seen from the Disney company, I felt that it was financial suicide to take this job at this point in my life, simply because I think the place is fun. Not smart for someone who has bills to pay & mouths to feed. I mean, I'd be lucky to be making $150/week (which is almost a 200% decrease from what I've had for 4 years) & they refuse to be flexible in their scheduling, so I don't see how I can get by. I can't drive myself homeless & neglect responsibilities over it, especially when I have many other options. So, I have a few interviews lined up...I actually have an audition for a radio show next week, among other things. Either way, I'm still a local & will be at ALL of the Orlando parks regularly, so I'm still willing to field all questions & help out on area info.

Thanks guys, for listening to me throughout this crazy, confusing, lengthy mess. LOL

[mickey]

Dawn, good luck on whatever you decide to do. Maybe a full time WDW job will come up in the future, and you can get the best of both worlds.

[Goofette]

Dawn, I think you made a very good choice considering the situation. I've always thought I would love to work at Disney, but I wonder if once I started working there if the Magic would be lost. I think I would rather just be a visitor every so often. I wish I could vacation there longer and more often than I do though. I'll be thinking about you and hope something opens up that will be just perfect for you. :)

[craziebabie1]

Does WDW pay less than DL?? I thought they payed the same. I am PT at DL and still make twice that every week. If that's the case though I agree totally with what your saying. Keep me posted on what's going on.

[Dawn S]

Originally posted by craziebabie1
Does WDW pay less than DL?? I thought they payed the same. I am PT at DL and still make twice that every week. If that's the case though I agree totally with what your saying. Keep me posted on what's going on.

Well, the pay was $6.35/hour. He said that the max he could give me would be 30 hours a week, most likely 20 & in order to give me a schedule that would accommodate the much needed second job, he wouldn't even be able to offer me that much. SO, going off the info he provided, I had the option of working ONLY WDW, part-time $ making about $180 pre-taxes OR getting a second job & then having about a $95 paycheck to make room for that second job. With a brand new car, full coverage insurance, 2 kids, monthly rent/utilities, medical insurance, groceries, tons of annual passes, 3 birthdays coming soon, saving to buy a house & just the fact that I've gotten used to living with some financial flexibility, well, my pay would cover those things for one month after about 4 months of work...absolutely no good at all. For years now, I've been making a whole heck of a lot more than either of their offers & I don't think I could go back to a Ramen Noodles only diet while sleeping in my car. Chele, you know just what I'm referring to because you were there. Then, I didn't care because I was just out for fun. Although I'm still working on a lot in my life, since having the kids I've come to realize that my decisions have to be based on more than what's fun. Man, being an adult really stinks. Can't we just go back to "Young's Motel" & do tequila shots all night? :laugh

[Mr. Mermaid]

{{{{{{DAWN}}}}}}

[DisneyHog6]

Well Dawn, congrats on your decision. I know it was a tough one, but keeping your priorities staright is a good thing. I know what you are saying about the pay is true though. That's why I've decided to wait until I retire from the Air Force before I move down there. Then, I will be able to work teaching during the school year, and work for WDW during the summer...at least that's my master plan. My Air Force retirement will cover the mortgage, so everything else is bonus. Besides, just living there so you can go whenever you want...that is pretty darn cool if you ask me.

[Goofette]

The pay was worse than I thought. Just 6.35??? That isn't too good for that area is it? I thought living around Orlando was pretty expensive also, so it would be tough to make it on that.

As for the growing up part, I don't think I ever want to grow up :D I wanna be Peter Pan forever (hey, he was played by girls ya know) :) Just think Dawn, as soon as you find a good paying job you'll be able to go to Disney quite a bit with being so close. Things will work out. I may have asked this before, but how did you end up in Florida?

[LRTJS]

You made the only decision you could. Being a Mom has to come first. I am sorry though, that your dream is not working out now. Maybe later. I am also sorry that you won't be working there when I come in 3 weeks! Yeah-I can't wait.
Oh is the Young's Motel you were referring to on a beach by any chance?

[Dawn S]

Goofette: I ended up in this miserable state thanks to my parents who talked me into moving here from Texas a year after they came. I can't really complain because I do like Central FL. South FL was just a miserable place to be though.

LRTJS - Yes, Young's Motel is on a beach...Hollywood (FL) Beach, to be exact. DOn't tell me you've heard of it???

[LRTJS]

There is a Young's Motel on the beach in Gulf Shores, Al. It has been there forever and even though it has been improved it .....well, it has been there forever!
Oh and I have been wondering about your signature..."the dolls are evil" are you talking about the dolls in SW in MK?

[Dawn S]

Why yes, those are the dolls I'm referring to. :D

Our Young's Motel was interesting. I think there were about 10 rooms that were like hotel rooms & then there were a couple of rooms that were like studio apartments. That place was cool. Except for the fact that there was never anywhere to park...hence my parking ticket for creative parking.

[craziebabie1]

Originally posted by Dawn S
Why yes, those are the dolls I'm referring to. :D

Our Young's Motel was interesting. I think there were about 10 rooms that were like hotel rooms & then there were a couple of rooms that were like studio apartments. That place was cool. Except for the fact that there was never anywhere to park...hence my parking ticket for creative parking.

Creative is an understatement. I got a few Parking Tickets there.

I'm suprised WDW doesn't pay more. The starting pay at DL is a lot more than that. See I told you you should have moved here. :love:
The kids definately come first. If that was all I was making with DL I wouldn't be able to support La either. Keep me posted on what's new.

[Cinderellafifi]

Dawn: Sorry to know that things aren't working the way you wanted to right now. But that rate of pay is just awful! Good luck on finding the "right" job for "right" now.

And a bit of useless Florida knowledge: Palm Beach County is the most expensive in Florida! The surrounding Disney area to us is much more inexpensive. Homes and land, especially. When we go to Disney, gas alone is ALWAYS 20 to 30 cents cheaper! When gas was reasonable about 3/4 years ago - my hubby, then fiance', and I used to make a game out of who could find the lowest gas price. (He won; 83 cents a gallon there when we were paying $1.24).

[lopo]

Holy cow! $6.35 per hour? That is inconceivable to me. I think that the minimum wage here in Massachusetts is more than that. I have read that the cost of living in Florida is a lot less than many other parts (especially the Northeast and California) of the country, although I think that the Orlando area tends to be on the high side due to the large tourist crowd.

On my last visit to WDW, I was the only passenger on one of the boats traveling from the Swan to Epcot and, while chatting with the captain, I learned that WDW is notorious for low wages (to newbies especially.) In fact, the capt. told me that many of the CMs are retired, but they work part time at WDW to either supplement their incomes or to keep busy (or both!) He told me that he'd never be able to survive on what he earned there. Although he didn't provide actual dollar amounts, I certainly can understand clearly what he said now that I know what you were offered, Dawn. I sure hope that the wages are a lot better for some of the CMs. (I am thinking about the person wearing one of those character costumes in the park on a day that the temperature is 100 degrees; can you imagine the temp. inside the suit?!)