Hello everyone!
Although it feels like I JUST STARTED my Guest Relations PI, it is already time to apply for the next season of internships! Applications have gone out for Professional Internships, Animal Programs, and Mangement Internships, and very soon for Spring/Spring Advantage College Programs. I have several posts that can help you with applying, interviewing, and then waiting to hear back!
Please check out my "Informational Posts" on the Right hand side of the blog for information about the process!
I myself am planning on applying for Management Internships in Lodging and Theme Park Operations. I have not decided if I will apply for others yet. Although I have been through this process before I still am nervous and anxious about the outcome. Good luck to everyone who applies!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Writing a Disney Resume
Now I am no expert, but with the next round of PI and MI applications quickly approaching I thought I would share some insight on preparing your resume. Having a solid resume is really the first step in getting an offer!
The most important thing to remember is that Disney uses a computer to weed out potential candidates. So you could get eliminated before a real person ever looks at your resume! To avoid this you should tailor your resume to each individual position you apply for. If you are applying for Alumni Only make sure it has relevant information to the jobs you are selecting. You will have the chance to upload a different resume for each position. Make sure your experience is relevant (This is something I particularly struggle with, because I spent most of my time in college doing everything I possibly could and feel that all those experiences have given me skills and knowledge)
The best way to do this is to look at the job description and qualifications. If it says "Proficient in Adobe Photoshop", make sure you use that same language instead of "Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite". Try to outline all the qualifications and make sure they are included in your resume.
Also if you have former Disney experience make sure you are using proper names of roles, locations and attractions. So use Attractions Host/Hostess instead of "Ride Operator" and use Disney Words like "Guest Service" instead of "Customer Service."
It is always best for you to have multiple people look over your resume. If you are currently on a College Program, I know they offer resume classes, and you can always ask your leaders to help you out as well. If you are at school visit your career services center or ask professors for input.
The most important thing to remember is that Disney uses a computer to weed out potential candidates. So you could get eliminated before a real person ever looks at your resume! To avoid this you should tailor your resume to each individual position you apply for. If you are applying for Alumni Only make sure it has relevant information to the jobs you are selecting. You will have the chance to upload a different resume for each position. Make sure your experience is relevant (This is something I particularly struggle with, because I spent most of my time in college doing everything I possibly could and feel that all those experiences have given me skills and knowledge)
The best way to do this is to look at the job description and qualifications. If it says "Proficient in Adobe Photoshop", make sure you use that same language instead of "Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite". Try to outline all the qualifications and make sure they are included in your resume.
Also if you have former Disney experience make sure you are using proper names of roles, locations and attractions. So use Attractions Host/Hostess instead of "Ride Operator" and use Disney Words like "Guest Service" instead of "Customer Service."
It is always best for you to have multiple people look over your resume. If you are currently on a College Program, I know they offer resume classes, and you can always ask your leaders to help you out as well. If you are at school visit your career services center or ask professors for input.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Product Knowledge!
Animal Kingdom has some great tours available for guests to book. Recently I got to go on one of the best tours for FREE. The Wild Africa Trek. Guest Relations at Animal Kingdom were invited to take the tour in order to have a better understanding of the experience and communicate this when booking the tour for guests.
The tour is 3 hours, and offers a unique look at the Safari, includes a small meal and a private safari ride. The cost is $189 per person, but until October if you book a tour that starts after 11am you get $50 off per person. A cast discount is available as well. I know this seems like a lot of money but everyone should try it at least once.
The first step of the tour is signing a waiver, putting your personal belongings in a locker and getting your safety harness on. You are given a cool water bottle and a name tag as well. Once everyone is situated its time to begin.
The tour starts in the Pangani Forest trail. You don't spend much time there as this area can be viewed for free. You take a secret entrance near the hippo pool and the real fun begins. First there is an area where they will hook up your harness and you can walk right out the the edge of the embankment and view the hippos. Of course your tour guides are there to educate you about these animals and their habitat. Next you get to walk across the plank bridge above the Hippos and then above the Crocodiles!
Now what I found to be interesting is that all the crocodiles here are male, and all 27 of them came together from another zoo. Because they have been together for so long the guide explained that they would not add any additional crocs to the group, because it could interfere with their hierarchy. Again you get to walk right out to the ledge and get a closer look.
After the crocodiles it was time to take off the harness. It didn't feel that heavy when I was wearing it but I could really tell the difference when I took it off! Next we boarded our private safari truck. As you can see from the picture this truck is not like the ones from the ride at all. The truck is smaller and because of this they are allowed to pull over and stop so we can take longer looks at the animals. After driving around for a while we were taken to a private platform in the savannah.
During the normal tour, this is when you would have your food. We didn't get to have the food but while were were there they did have a book with pictures of the offerings. They have breakfast items for the earlier tours and then lunch items for the later ones. The views from this platform were amazing! You could see out over the whole grassland area, the elephants and their was an area to view the lions!
So while the tour is expensive, it definitely is a cool experience if you have the time and money to do it!
The tour is 3 hours, and offers a unique look at the Safari, includes a small meal and a private safari ride. The cost is $189 per person, but until October if you book a tour that starts after 11am you get $50 off per person. A cast discount is available as well. I know this seems like a lot of money but everyone should try it at least once.
Now what I found to be interesting is that all the crocodiles here are male, and all 27 of them came together from another zoo. Because they have been together for so long the guide explained that they would not add any additional crocs to the group, because it could interfere with their hierarchy. Again you get to walk right out to the ledge and get a closer look.
After the crocodiles it was time to take off the harness. It didn't feel that heavy when I was wearing it but I could really tell the difference when I took it off! Next we boarded our private safari truck. As you can see from the picture this truck is not like the ones from the ride at all. The truck is smaller and because of this they are allowed to pull over and stop so we can take longer looks at the animals. After driving around for a while we were taken to a private platform in the savannah.
During the normal tour, this is when you would have your food. We didn't get to have the food but while were were there they did have a book with pictures of the offerings. They have breakfast items for the earlier tours and then lunch items for the later ones. The views from this platform were amazing! You could see out over the whole grassland area, the elephants and their was an area to view the lions!
So while the tour is expensive, it definitely is a cool experience if you have the time and money to do it!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
My Magic+ Guest Testing!
Hello everyone! Sorry I have been MIA lately, I have a few posts to share once I get some free time about some awesome opportunities I have had since I've last updated. But for right now I'll give an update about what I've been doing at work.
So as I've mentioned before the role of Guest Relations is really changing. One of the big changes involves the new MyMagic+ and the Magicbands. So in the near future guests will be able to do almost everything with a wristband known as a Magicband. This will function as their room key, park ticket, charging to their credit card and most importantly FastPasses. Guests will be able to book Fastpasses 60 days in advance of their stay. You can make changes by using an App on your smartphone or tablet, at your hotel front desk, Guest Relations or at kiosks throughout the park.
So in addition to working in the Lobby we now have what is called "Regional Guest Relations" At DAK they are located at the Fastpass attractions and by the tip board. We have two iPads, one is for guests to use to change their itinerary on their own, the other is for us to use if we need to do something for the guest. Right now we are doing at test with guests staying at certain resorts.
The first two days have been challenging to say the least. Mainly because many of us do not have much experience using the program and dealing with issues. You have to sort of learn as you go along. Second is there still are not many guests needing assistance (Which is good I suppose) so I seem to be standing around doing nothing related to Magicbands. In fact that is one of my only complaints. I sort of feel like while standing at the attraction I am doing everything but working with the Magicbands. There are lots of questions to be answered, directions to be given and descriptions of the attractions. I don't mind answering questions but it is difficult to stand around for hours and not really have a purpose.
So far the guests I have encountered have not had any serious problems and they were understanding if I was unsure of how to do something because just like them I am learning too. I also feel bad for my coordinators because it was very difficult for them to try to work with a rotation so we could spend sometime inside and not have to be outside all day. I think it will take a little bit to get all the kinks worked out, but will settle down soon.
So as I've mentioned before the role of Guest Relations is really changing. One of the big changes involves the new MyMagic+ and the Magicbands. So in the near future guests will be able to do almost everything with a wristband known as a Magicband. This will function as their room key, park ticket, charging to their credit card and most importantly FastPasses. Guests will be able to book Fastpasses 60 days in advance of their stay. You can make changes by using an App on your smartphone or tablet, at your hotel front desk, Guest Relations or at kiosks throughout the park.
So in addition to working in the Lobby we now have what is called "Regional Guest Relations" At DAK they are located at the Fastpass attractions and by the tip board. We have two iPads, one is for guests to use to change their itinerary on their own, the other is for us to use if we need to do something for the guest. Right now we are doing at test with guests staying at certain resorts.
The first two days have been challenging to say the least. Mainly because many of us do not have much experience using the program and dealing with issues. You have to sort of learn as you go along. Second is there still are not many guests needing assistance (Which is good I suppose) so I seem to be standing around doing nothing related to Magicbands. In fact that is one of my only complaints. I sort of feel like while standing at the attraction I am doing everything but working with the Magicbands. There are lots of questions to be answered, directions to be given and descriptions of the attractions. I don't mind answering questions but it is difficult to stand around for hours and not really have a purpose.
So far the guests I have encountered have not had any serious problems and they were understanding if I was unsure of how to do something because just like them I am learning too. I also feel bad for my coordinators because it was very difficult for them to try to work with a rotation so we could spend sometime inside and not have to be outside all day. I think it will take a little bit to get all the kinks worked out, but will settle down soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)