Last updated 20Nov13 – Fun in 2013.

The information I wrote in previous years was correct when I wrote it. Currently the previous 4 quarters are reviewed in Jan., Apr., Jul., and Oct. to verify every seasonal/casual temporary (CT) employee has worked 150 hours. Therefore, I am trying to work at least 40 hours every quarter. The web site Walt Disney World (D) set up for CTs to enter their availability is orientated toward working a week at a time, but a day or two a week is best for my schedule. My current availability is Sundays only.

I work in Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK) Dinoland Boneyard. When I first applied there were no CT openings in park operations (then called attractions), but I requested it anyway. So it is still worth filling out an application – you never know what jobs will be available next week. Read my 2008 story to see how my career started. http://wdw.disneycareers.com is the web site to apply for D jobs. Review my comment on D employment at the bottom of this page.

I started working at Disney in 2008 and worked 14 days – see how it all started - Dave in Disney 2008.

I worked 15 days in 2009 - Dave in Disney 2009.

I worked 24 days in 2010 - Dave in Disney 2010

I worked 21 days in 2011 and started counting hours - Dave in Disney 2011

I worked 27 days in 2012 - Dave in Disney 2012

I worked 27 days in 2013 – Total days worked in 5 years and 6 months – 128 total.

I work at D for the fun of it. It is really great fun helping people who are having fun, have fun. I have received many 50% and 40% discounts on rooms (see Week 26 additional comment below), many discounts of 35% on merchandise, many 20% discounts on meals; have received special considerations at reservation time, provided friends and family free admission to D, and a million fun times. I even received a 15% discount of a 2 hour Segway tour of Fort Wilderness – a tour you should try. I should also point out that since I am working away from home, all my expenses – tolls, auto mileage, motel room, meals (I take the meal per diem rate of $56/day), costume cleaning, etc. – are an employee income tax deduction. Since I also work for a major tax preparation firm, I use every deduction I can find to help me and my income tax clients get the largest legal refund.

I am only trained to work in DAK Dinoland Boneyard which features a playground area with 9 slides for kids and a dig site where kids can dig for dinosaur bones. If I can continue to work at least 40 hours a quarter, I see no reason to request training or work in other areas.

Week 02 – 12/30/12 – Sun, Dec 30, 12 – 9.0 hrs.

(A D week is a Sunday through Saturday work week. The week number is based on the pay day date - Thursday after the week end)

My schedule for this quarter’s availability is Sunday only. Due to a computer problem, the schedule I had said I was to start at 6:45am and when I arrived the computer said 9:45am. D put me to work immediately on the schedule I thought had. The day started out at a very cold windy 30 degrees and only warmed up to 65 during the day. During this holiday season DAK opens early (7am today) and closed late (9pm today). I worked every one of the 8 positions and a couple minor tasks, such as straightening strollers. Since I had worked the previous 2 days (which count for last quarter), this is the first time I’ve worked 3 days in a row since I started in 2008.

Observation: My favorite task is to find a VIP family. I ended up talking with a family from Canada suggesting several activities they should not miss in the other D parks. I also suggested when they left DAK (we closed at 9pm) they head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studies and take advantage to the Extra Magic Hours (early openings and late closings available to guests staying at a D resort). I also listened for several minutes while another cast member expounded on while the Boneyard was the best place at D to work. He had worked for 6 years in other D parks before he transferred to the Boneyard 10 years ago.

Week 03 – 06Jan13 - Sun, Jan06 – 10.25 hrs. - 19.25hrs this qtr

This was the longest day I’ve been scheduled to work that I can remember.

Observation: There were many families from Canada again today. One guest says she visits the same time every year and it is nice to get out of the cold. Although it started a little cold at about 50 degrees today, it quickly warmed up.

Week 04 – 13Jan13 - Sun, Jan13 – 8.25 hrs. - 27.50hrs this qtr

Today was another variable temperature day. The best position to work is the entrance where cast members can assist the guests.

Observation: I sort of wonder how many times a child has to be told not to crawl up a slide. I try to explain to the since the slides twist and turn there could easily be someone coming down who may hit them. It is just as unsafe as not wearing shoes in the dig site where I’ve found trading pins in the sand.

Week 05 – 20Jan13 – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 06 – 27Jan13 – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 07 – 03Feb – Sun, Feb02 – 10.25 hrs. - 37.75hrs this qtr

Another normal day in the Boneyard. Today one of my assignments was to pick up lost and found from a couple of places in Dinoland. Turns out someone lost a I phone and the rule is to take it immediately to guest services. Nice break in the normal day.

Observation: One of the Canadians I talked to had driven down through the upper peninsula of Michigan and had not hit snow until the got further south. Someplace in KY or TN the north bound lane of I75 was closed due to the snow but luckily they were able to continue south. Another couple with 2 sons in the Boneyard and 2 older daughters in EPCOT were here for a week. Since they were staying on D property they were taking advantage of the extra magic hours where they could get in earlier and stay later in the parks. Later I had a discussion with a lady from New York who had 8 kids and 5 grandkids. She thought young girls were a lot easier to raise than young boys.

Week 08 – 10Feb – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 09 – 17Feb – I was available but not scheduled to work today. I sent a request to scheduling asking if there was a way to schedule only long shifts since I live 150 miles away and world rather work 6 shifts of 8 hour rather than 8 shifts of 6 hours. The answer was no.

Week 10 – 24Feb – I was available but not scheduled to work today. Since I knew I was not working next week (03Mar), I asked for extra hours by working on 18Mar so I could get over 40 hours this quarter. Extra hours have to be requested more than 2 weeks ahead.

Week 11 – 03Mar – I was available but not scheduled to work today. I found out I was working on 10Mar so did not ask for any extra hours the week of 24 Mar. I would have more than 40 hour this quarter after I worked 10Mar. The week or 24Mar is the last week to get extra hours this quarter

Week 12 – 10Mar - Sun, Mar10 – 7.5 hrs. – 45.25hrs this qtr.

I decided to drive up in the morning since I started work at 11:15. It was a normal Boneyard rotation day with no special tasks or assignments. The guest load in the Boneyard seems to lighten up at lunch time and at parade time.

Observation: My wife joined me on this trip so I switched from my normal Motel 6 to a Travelodge where wi-fi and breakfast is included. It turn out I picked the wrong Travelodge but ended up in one where the former manager at Motel 6 was the manager. Margie remembered me immediately and gave us great service letting us check-in about 9:30 although we could not pick up the key for another hour. While in the Boneyard I think I convinced a guy from Chicago who was going to retire in a year and another from Jacksonville Beach who was now working only 1 day a week, they both should apply for jobs at D. While in the Digsite a lady asked me if we still kept the shovels used to cover the bones at night in the bin near the entrance. I suggest that never took place and she informed me she has worked in the Boneyard during a college quarter in the spring of 1999 and she knew better. She was down from PA having graduated from IUP with her two sons and was going to spend some time with the roommate she stayed with while they were both here in 99. The roommate now works at D.

Week 13 – 17Mar - Mon, Mar18 – 8.0 hrs. – 53.25hrs this qtr.

Today was normal Boneyard day with the exception that it rained most of the day. The slides are closed in the rain because they get very slick.

Observation: I was available on both the 17^th and 18^th (I requested extra hours on 02Mar) and am scheduled to work the 18^th but not on the 17^th. Since scheduling is done about 3 weeks in advance I now have more than enough hours.

Week 14 – 24Mar – Sun, Mar24 – 11.75 hrs. – 65.00hrs this qtr.

We opened and closed the slides three times today due to the rain. I posted my shift but no other cast member signed up to take it.

Observation: By the time the Boneyard closed I was working with four other cast members. These young ladies were from England, New Zealand, Australia, and Utah, It is interesting to learn the background and career plans for other cast members. The lady from England is returning home this summer and after spending a year in the US at D hopes she can get back into the student routine so she can finish her degree.

Week 15 – 31Mar – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 16 – 07Apr – I requested no availability this week. It is a busy week at my regular job preparing taxes.

Week 17 – 14Apr – I requested no availability this week. It is a busy week at my regular job preparing taxes.

Week 18 – 21Apr – Sun, Apr21 – 6.0 hrs. – 6.00hrs this qtr.

It was a normal and hot day in the Boneyard. There seemed to be a large amount of kids in the dig site today.

Observation: I ended up talking with one group of 6 kids from the same family. Seems they live in Washington State and spend a week or two at D every quarter. They knew D as well as I did. It was fun talking with them. First time I remember seeing a 3 kid stroller with seats all in a row

Week 19 – 28Apr – Sun, Apr28 – 6.0 hrs. – 12.00hrs this qtr.

I was again scheduled for my available day. It rained and the slides were closed for most of the day.

Observation: My shift started at 2:30 PM so I went by cast connections – the place D sells last year’s merchandise and surplus items to cast members. They had a couple of Perry the Platypus pajamas I purchased for the grandkids. Then I went over to Shades of Green (SOG), the resort site at D for military. They have a ticket store (discount tickets for D, Universal, etc.), a small PX, several restaurants, and an excellent technology center where I used the computers. I’ve stayed in SOG before, it is a nice place to stay, but check the website www.shadesofgreen.org because they often have discount deals on room rates. Additionally even vets can get stay there during various months.

Sat, May04 – 8.0 hrs. – 20.00hrs this qtr.

I was not scheduled for work but was able to pick up a shift from a fellow cast member. The day started in very light rain and we closed, opened, closed, and then opened the slides by 11AM. It was a great day with rather high number of guests.

Observation: My favorite assignment is to find a “VIP” family and talk with them. The first couple I talked to was from Pennsylvania and was down for a week with their 3 children. We covered what to see and what to visit at the various D parks. The kids did not want to leave the Boneyard when they had to leave and catch the next Nemo show. The second couple I talked with was from Australia. They had spent 35 days in the US including a couple of days at Disneyland and a D cruise. We discussed other D parks with emphasis on Tokyo Disneyland (TD) since I had been there and they had not. I suggested perhaps they wanted to look into investing the Oriental Land Company (JP:4661) which owns TD since investors receive 2 free passes a year to TD for every 100 shares they own. They had not visited any D parks outside of the US. I may have to invest is Oriental Land Company since my main entrance pass works for all D parks but not TD.

Week 20 – 05May – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 21 – 12May – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 22 – 19May – Sun, May 19 – 6.0 hrs. – 26.00hrs this qtr

I was again scheduled for my available day. It rained and the slides were closed for most of the day but we finally had them open by the end of the day.

Observation: Again I was given the opportunity to find a “VIP” family and talk with them. One of the families was lived about 30 minutes from D. I suggested they get a job at D and review all the benefits. They were just here for the weekend and went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and had a great time. I also pointed out that they may be spoiling their kids because with their annual passes the kids probably think every family had D in their back yard.

Week 23 – 26May – Sun, May 26 – 7.5 hrs. – 33.25hrs this qtr – 65.00hrs l-qtr – 40.00hrs p-qtr - 43.00hrs p-qtr – total 181.25hrs last 4 quarters.

For the first time in 4 trips to D, it did not rain. It was a very busy day.

Observation: D decided to have a “soft” close this evening. I was in the dig site and two minutes before close (8pm) the phone rang and I was told we were going to be open until 8:10. At 8:10 the guests all left and I started covering the bones in the dig site. About 5 minutes later 2 other cast members were finished with their closing and come over and by 8:25 the bones were covered. We went back to the entrance and the cast member there told us of some guests at 8:20 demanded they be let in. Since we were closed, she would not let them in and they were very upset and going to turn the cast member in to guest relations. All of a sudden we noticed a guy walking back from the dig site. He was part of the group who demanded they be allowed to enter and he decided to enter by a closed back exit to see if we were really closed. We were really closed and he left.

Week 24 – 02Jun – I was available but not scheduled to work today.

Week 25 – 09Jun – Sun, Jun 9 – 8.0 hrs. – 41.25hrs this qtr – 65.00hrs l-qtr – 40.00hrs p-qtr - 43.00hrs p-qtr – total 189.25hrs last 4 quarters.

This was a very busy day in the Boneyard. I worked all the positions and it was hot.

Observation: I drove up to D in a monsoon on Saturday afternoon to get some help in the Microsoft store with my Windows 8 computer. They answered all my questions and fixed my problem. Everyone in Orlando must go out to the Florida Mall when the monsoons start. The mall and the store were packed. I spent some time talking to a farmer from Lafayette Indiana who was down for a week with his extended family of 17. He had rented a 7 bedroom house after finding out staying at D with that many people for a week would cost in the 5 figures. I tried to convince him he should take a week off each quarter to work at D. Another family from New York was down with their son who was graduating from high school and going to go into architecture. Since he was 17 and soon off to collage I suggested he apply for the D college program and that the parents could work at D also.

Week 26 – 16Jun – Sun, Jun 17 – 8.0 hrs. – 49.25hrs this qtr – 65.00hrs l-qtr – 40.00hrs p-qtr - 43.00hrs p-qtr – total 197.25hrs last 4 quarters.

Today was a slow day in the Boneyard. Due to the assignments, I only worked the tower and the entrance/exit positions. Working in the tower is fun because I get to joke with the kids about their clothes or missing teeth and the number of times they take the slide. I think the princess with the rose colored shoes took the slide 8 times and the boy with the Guy Harvey shirt (I called him Guy) went down 7 times. At the entrance/exit I get to talk to all the parents, suggest various activities at D, discuss how long they are at D, and talk about what they are doing the next day.

Observation: I was talking with a couple of families from England. Jokingly I suggested they take a good look at the sun so they remember it when they get back to England. Seems they did not know that in the US schools are out for most of June, July, and August, They had to take their kids out of school for their two week holiday (English for vacation) in the US. Another nice family of 6 was from Minnesota. They all had “Thing” (1 to 6) shirts on from Cat in the Hat and Universal Studios. I thanked them for coming to D and not going to Universal. Another group of parents from Wisconsin were finishing their beers waiting outside the Boneyard (no open drinks in the Boneyard). I offered to hold their beer so they could come in and play but they all declined.

Week 26 additional comment. Since I am an employee, I was able to rent a cabin at Fort Wilderness (the campground) at D for half price. The cabin holds 6 comfortably (4 adults, 2 kids) and we will be there for 5 days and 4 nights this week. While it cost most of my pay for the first 4 months (or about 11 days) of working at D, at half price I also save about $860. If you have never visited Fort Wilderness you should. My family has camped there almost every Thanksgiving for the last 30 year. At Ft Wilderness the weeks from Thanksgiving through Christmas are elaborately decorated by the campers. Last year I found local companies which will even provide a popup trailer (for a fee) and set it up on your campsite.

A tour of Fort Wilderness can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGfmySredog .

The cabins can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vCO3LMSGW4 , please take a look.

Week 27 – 23Jun – I was not available to work today. I had 49.25hrs this quarter which is enough

Week 28 – 30Jun – Sun, Jun 30 – 6.0 hrs. – 6.0hrs this qtr -- 49.25hrs -1 qtr -- 65.00hrs -2 qtr -- 40.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 160.25hrs last 4 quarters.

I arrived at work at 1:15pm and had minor assignments until I was trained on the new radio. Then normal rotation and the rain started. It rained for most of the day. During the rain the slides are closed and only ground floor and dig site are open

Observation: I was talking with a couple of families from Belfast, Nigeria, Houston, New York and South Carolina. Due to the rain the Boneyard had fewer guests. Before my shift started I went to Shades of Green to use their computers. If you are a active military or retired military check out their website. Military veterans can also stay at select months.

Mon, Jul 01 – 6.0 hrs. – 12.0hrs this qtr -- 49.25hrs -1 qtr -- 65.00hrs -2 qtr -- 40.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 166.25hrs last 4 quarters.

When I arrived at work yesterday, I found I was not working next week but could pick up a shift for today. Since I was in town, I did. The rains arrived at about 2pm and continued for most of the day. When the lightening started the Boneyard was completely closed – to much metal – and the back entrance to the dig site was opened. The dig site is mostly covered.

Observation: With the rain, there was very little activity in the Boneyard. I spent some talking to another cast member from Indianapolis who was getting her degree from Indiana University. She would like to move into one of the professional jobs in marketing at D. Another cast member from Austin and I spent some time talking about various perks D offered employees. A third cast member from Hong Kong indicate she was going to be here for only 2 months since the international college program is much shorter than the US programs. She is majoring in communication and speaks outstanding English. She said English was part of the school curriculum in all Hong Kong school. July 1, 2013, is the 16th anniversary of the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong from the British and seems to be celebrated by pro-democracy rallies.

Week 29 – 07Jul – Sat, Jul 13 – 6.0 hrs. – 18.0hrs this qtr -- 49.25hrs -1 qtr -- 65.00hrs -2 qtr -- 40.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 172.25hrs last 4 quarters.

I was not scheduled to work, but when I found out I was working 14Jul was able to pick up a 13Jul shift and thus work two days in a row. I try to get 40 hours a quarter. I arrived at work at 1:30pm and was at entrance/exit until my first break at 3:10pm. As I left on my break, the monsoon started and all the slides were closed. Then lightening started and the Boneyard, which has a lot of metal, was closed. The back entrance to the Digsite was opened since it was covered. It rained the rest of the day.

Observation: I spent most of the day in my rain coat providing directions and suggestions to guests. At the end of my shift I was able to spend some time talking with an extended family of 12 from Chile. They really like the U.S. and I of course suggested a job at D.

Week 30 – 14Jul - Sun, Jul 14 – 8.00hrs. – 26.00hrs this qtr -- 49.25hrs -1 qtr -- 65.00hrs -2 qtr -- 40.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 180.25hrs last 4 quarters.

The way the position scheduling went, I never worked the position at the Digsite and spent most of my time at the entrance/exit. It was busy but not as busy as I expected. Dinoland closed half an hour early because there was a convention taking over the Dinoland.

Observation: While working at the second level slides, a guest slowly climbed up the stairs and surprised me by thanking for doing a great job. It seems her children knew how to wait their turn, climb the rope nets one at a time, and were continually run over by those children who do not. If there is more than one child on the nets, there is always a risk that a child climbing the rope nets will slip, fall, and hit another child climbing up. I work to make sure the children are safe and follow the posted rules. What even surprised me more was when she returned to the ground level and sat in her wheel chair. When her group left she smiled and waved. I guess you never know who is watching.

Week 31 – 21Jul – Sun, Jul 21 – 10.75 hrs. – 36.75hrs this qtr -- 49.25hrs -1 qtr -- 65.00hrs -2 qtr -- 40.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 191.00hrs last 4 qtrs.

I was scheduled for a long shift today and worked every position. However the rain came about 5pm so the Boneyard closed and then opened again when the rain stopped but the Digsite remained open the whole time. It was a rather busy day and I was able to talk to several families about there they should go in the other D parks.

Observation: I had the opportunity to spend some time talking to a family from New Jersey who were staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and were so full the previous evening consuming the buffet spread available at the club level lounge they did not even go to dinner. Not something I’ve tried. I was able to spend several minutes at the end of the day talking to a family from Mexico. They were going to spend the next day in EPCOT and I tried to suggest the activities they should not miss. My first suggestion is to immediately go to the Land and get a fast pass for Soarin. That is always a long wait ride.

Week 32 – 28Jul – Sun, Jul 28 – 8.00 hrs. – 44.75hrs this qtr -- 49.25hrs -1 qtr -- 65.00hrs -2 qtr -- 40.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 199.00hrs last 4 qtrs.

I was scheduled for an early shift today and worked every position starting with the wiping everything off and drying out the slides before the Boneyard opened.

Observation: I was working in the Digsite when one of the guests helped me answer questions asked in Spanish by a couple of kids. I went on to discuss other D parks with him. While I was pointing out the food in the Rose & Crown Pub, in England, in Epcot was sort of standard, uninspiring English food but the location was great, the couple next to him identified their home as Yorkshire in England. We all had a good laugh.

Week 33 – 04Aug – I was not available to work today. I had some things to do in Miami.

Week 34 – 11Aug – I was not available to work today. I had some guests in town from up north.

Week 35 – 18Aug – I was not available to work today. I had worked 40+ hours this quarter.

Week 36 – 25Aug – I was not available to work today. I had worked 40+ hours this quarter.

Week 37 – 01Sep – I was not available to work today. I had worked 40+ hours this quarter but did enter my availability for the last quarter of the year.

Week 38 – 08Sep – I was not available to work today. I had worked 40+ hours this quarter. My wife and I drove up to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort today to see the resort and have lunch. Looks like a great place with a great beach.

Week 39 – 15Sep – I was not available to work today. I had worked 40+ hours this quarter.

Week 40 – 22Sep – I was not available to work today. I had worked 40+ hours this quarter.

Week 41 – 29Sep – I am available to work today, this is the start of the 4^th quarter for counting the 150 hours per year required to remain employed. I will have 159 hours without working the quarter, but I am still trying to work 40 hours per quarter so I do not run into trouble getting 150 hours per year like I did 4^th qtr last year.

Week 42 – 06Oct - Sun, Oct 06 – 9.00 hrs. – 9.00hrs this qtr – 44.75hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 168.00hrs last 4 qtrs

I worked a normal shift working in every position. The Boneyard was a little less crowded than I expected. The forecasted rain never came.

Observation: My wife joined me for the trip to D and when we got to the motel, I discovered I left one of my important bags of supplies at home. A visit to WallMart for shoes and socks, to DAK costuming for a hat, and a name tag from my supervisor and I had all I needed. In talking with a flight attendant with BA who flies to the Caribbean and Florida regularly from London I was asked if the name tag I had “Jo” wasn’t the feminine spelling of Joe. I agreed and explained my real name tag “Dave” was at home. Later talking with a guest from New Zealand who was in construction we discussed the Utilidor (been there done that) which is under the Magic Kingdom.

Week 43 – 13Oct - Sun, Oct 13 – 9.25 hrs. – 18.25hrs this qtr – 44.75hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 177.25hrs last 4 qtrs

I started the day at the entrance/exit the best place to interact with guests. Later I received an assignment to give a guest the VIP treatment. I spend the next 20 minutes discussing the vacation (holiday) they were on with a guest from England. DAK decided to stay open an extra hour so we all worked a longer shift.

Observation: My wife joined me for the trip to D and had a room at the Coronado Springs Resort at D because some family members planned to come also. The family members did not come and even with a 60% cast member discount, the room cost ~$100. The resort, while nice, has no place to sit, relax, watch TV, work on your computer, meet with friends, etc. My wife ended up to going to the Wilderness Lodge which has places you can sit, relax, etc.

Week 44 – 20Oct - Sun, Oct 20 – 8.0 hrs. – 26.25hrs this qtr – 44.75hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 185.25hrs last 4 qtrs

I started the day in the tower position and in an hour rotated to the entrance/exit. Later I received several assignments to give a guest the VIP treatment and had vacation discussions and D park suggestions for several families. I also ended the day shoveling “Texas grit” to cover the mammoth skeleton in the dig site.

Observation: I had the opportunity to talk with a family from Aurora, IL and their flight problems with Southwest Air. They were happy to finally get their luggage. A Georgia family I talked to, take several small trips to D each year, using their Disney Vacation Club points. Probably the most important guest I talked with was an airman finishing his 20 years of service with the US Air Force defending our country. He was on terminal leave having come from his latest assignment in Hawaii to spend time with his family at D before going to Oklahoma to find a job. I of course suggested he talk to D about a job since they have a lot of equipment to maintain and that was his specialty.

Sat, Oct 26 – 8.5 hrs. – 34.75hrs this qtr – 44.75hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 193.75hrs last 4 qtrs

I was not scheduled to work today, but found a posting so requested the shift since I was on the schedule for tomorrow. I started the day the entrance/exit and after an hour was rotated to restocking the first aid kits. Then rotation I started replacing various cast members in the rotation so they could take their break. While in the tower a young guest with the Muppet on his shirt took the long slide 11 times. He later returned and told me he did it 5 more times.

Observation: The shift I picked up was 6 hours and when I signed in; I requested my shift be extended. If I am in town, I might as well work as long as I can. I received a 3 hour extension so ended up with a 9 hour shift. After the shift I checked into the Motel 6 where I was staying, about 2 miles from employee is parking for DAK. Then I drove over to Shades of Green, the military resort at D, and used the computers to do some investing changes to my IRAs.

Week 45 – 27Oct - Sun, Oct 27 – 7.5 hrs. – 42.75hrs this qtr – 44.25hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 192.25hrs last 4 qtrs

I started the day in the entrance/exit position and in an hour with the rotation returned to the computer to pick up my next assignment. I was to return to entrance/exit position to provide the cast member that a break. I spent the rest of the day rotating to various positions. While in the mid roamer position I hear the tower cast member telling a guest not to go down (the signs point one way up) the rope ladders (rope ladders have a 45 degree slope) but this adult decided to run down the rope ladder anyway almost colliding with 4 young girls starting to climb up.

Observation: I talked for some time with guests from the mountains in Maryland where they said it was 27 degrees. I suggested they retire and take a job at D. Later I talked for sometime with a retiree from Louisiana. He said he was responsible for the government shutdown on 01Oct. Seems he stared getting Medicare on that day and that was the straw which broke the camel’s back. I spent some time trying to convince him he should retire to FL and work at D.

Week 46 – 03Nov - Sun, Nov 03 – 8.0 hrs. – 50.75hrs this qtr – 44.25hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 200.25hrs last 4 qtrs

I started the day in the entrance/exit position and in an hour with the rotation returned to the computer to pick up my next assignment. Just like last Sunday.

The day was warm and uneventful with a lot of the local population coming in the afternoon.

Observation: I asked for an extension of hours since I had been scheduled for only 6. Another cast member asked for an early release so it worked out well. However near the end of the evening when I was at the entrance/exit some fellow cast member, with a blue badge (high management I think), suggested I was leaning too much. I may have been, but had forgotten one of the big rules when I started – NO leaning.

Week 47 – 10Nov - Sun, Nov 10 – 9.0 hrs. – 59.75hrs this qtr – 44.25hrs -1 qtr – 49.25hrs -2 qtr – 65.00hrs -3 qtr -- total 209.25hrs last 4 qtrs

I again started the day at the entrance/exit position. Later assignments included collecting lost and found, restocking first aid supplies, changing hand sanitizer dispenser, and sweeping the Boneyard. During the day, one guest reported a share rivet sticking out on one of the slides. The slide was closed and maintenance was called to repair it.

Observation: I spent some time talking with a family from New York suggesting activities at various D parks. I also had the opportunity to talk to a very nice couple from Kansas City who with 3 kids was visiting D (and other places) with 2 other families. I asked where they were headed Monday, and she pulled out a colored spread sheet laying out the whole two weeks. I suggested after they left DAK, since we closed at 7PM, they could head over to the Magic Kingdom where, since they were staying at a D resort, they could enjoy the extra magic hours until 2AM. Most of the cast members I have been working with for the last month and a half are college students who will be heading back to China, Utah, Ohio, etc. and will not be here in January when I have to work again. They were a great crew to work with.

Week 48 – 17Nov - I was not available to work this week. As soon as I had 50 hours worked or scheduled, I put in a request to be off until the next quarter started is 2014. It was approved. However since it has to be done 2+ weeks in advance I did end up working more than 50 hours this quarter.

Week 49 – 24Nov – I was not available to work this week.

Week 50 – 01Dec – I was not available to work this week.

Week 51 – 08Dec – I was not available to work this week.

Week 52 – 15Dec – I was not available to work this week.

Week 53 – 22Dec – I was not available to work this week.

It seems at D there are 3 types of cast members, full time, part time, and seasonal (also called casual temporary (CT)). If you decide something like this would be fun for you, go to http://wdw.disneycareers.com and apply for a seasonal position. You can also call the Walt Disney World Job line at 1-407-828-1000. As you go through the application, please remember that Dave Flynn DAK 448044 is the cast member who recruited you. Also, as you can read in my 2008 story, things change; seasonal does not mean a season, 6 to 8 weeks is not always 6 to 8 weeks, full availability does not mean 5 days, the hiring procedure this week is not the same as last week, the jobs available this week are not the same as last week, my hiring experience will not be the same as yours, etc. My job category is Operations (was Attractions) and it took me months from the time I first went to casting until a position opened up (Dave in Disney 2008). I accepted the position before I knew what it was; again read about my application process in my 2008 story. Also remember, Dave Flynn DAK 448044 recruited you.