Current Youth Activities CM -- Ask me anything!

[joycsk]

Actually the way our contract lengths work out, Ill be halfway through another one by that time!

It would be fab if you could post back here! 1) I'd be fascinated to learn how your time on the Fantasy has been, and 2) Love to learn about your future plans.

My apologies for being so overly interested, I regret my that I sound really creepy, even and especially to my own ears!

 

[SnowWhite2]

My DD is a senior in high school and going on DCL cruise #9 next month. Her goal in life is to work on the ship starting in YA. She is going to college in the fall and will play lacrosse on a full scholarship. Due to that, she will not be able to apply for the college program. She feels that she won't get to be a YA CM without that experience. She also wants to work her way up the ranks and someday wear a white uniform! Being from the US, will she have a chance of working YA?

 

[CMontheseas]

My DD is a senior in high school and going on DCL cruise #9 next month. Her goal in life is to work on the ship starting in YA. She is going to college in the fall and will play lacrosse on a full scholarship. Due to that, she will not be able to apply for the college program. She feels that she won't get to be a YA CM without that experience. She also wants to work her way up the ranks and someday wear a white uniform! Being from the US, will she have a chance of working YA?

Being an American certainly wouldn't hamper her chances, but I do want to make sure you know that we are not affiliated with the Disney College Program. In fact, I have never met anyone I have ever worked with on board who did the CP in the parks! Not to mention she'll need to be 21 first when she applies.

In order to become an officer (wearing whites), most of these all carry college/university degrees. To work up the ranks in DCL is a very hard, lengthy process and to work up from YA, you would need to have firstly an extensive amount of childcare experience, management positions in summer camps are common examples. Though most YA CMs don't necessarily hold degrees related directly to youth and recreation - most upper levels require you to. (Like teaching, Early Childhood Education, etc.).

Finally, to work up in our department requires having done contracts in all spaces from Nursery up to Vibe, on at least 2 ships of the fleet. This is roughly 6 contracts at least (2-3 years). All the while maintaining a pristine record on board. (I know all this because I'm working my way up myself alongside my fellow longtimers and it's frustrating!).

Sadly, the case is YA CMs rarely get that opportunity to move up to wear whites as compared to someone applying directly into a manager role from outside with good connections and credentials. Some of my managers have had to switch to another cruiseline and move up in their youth departments where it's a bit easier, then reapplied to be considered for Disney after.

(Also, make sure you've read this thread so she's prepared for our wages and working hours and living conditions! The reality between what the job looks like cruising as a guest are a very far, unglamorous cry from what it is really like to put in so much work. I try to make it very clear so that future YAs know what they're in for, to prevent the high turnover we get!)

Wish her the best!

 

[erbie]

When celebrities are onboard, do they send their kids to the club/lab? What special treatment, if any, do they receive?

When I was on the first EB Repo in 2005, Joey Fatone was on with his family. His daughter was in the clubs a lot and he was there with her sometimes. It didn't appear she was receiving any special treatment, just having fun with the other kids, doing what they were doing.

 

[candyapple]

Will see you on the Fantasy Feb 1 I guess. I read all 43 pages of your comments. Well worth it. I'll do my best to supply at least some type of thank you.

 

[CMontheseas]

Well, the time has come, I am now waiting at the airport for the flight that will take me to Mexico to meet the ship! I want to thank you for the questions, hopefully I helped you out in some way. This really was a great way to spend my time between contracts and get some very straightforward insight into what goes on while we make our magic (and the things we wish we were allowed to tell you on contract!) I technically board the morning of the 27th, so feel free to ask any last-minute questions I haven't answered yet here cause on Wednesday I'll be in full yellow-clad CM Disney secret-speak.

I wonder if the mighty powers that be here on Disboards can keep this alive to help other future cruisers? There's a lot of useful stuff in this thread that even future CMs could benefit from! Feel free to compile and share my answers (I see already that they're being used on some of your websites online!), and a big thank you to everyone for your kind words.



Who knows, maybe I'll bump into you on board!
Til then, have a Mickey Bar in my honor.


See ya real soon, disboards!

 

[alagille]

Ahhh! I just finished reading last night!
My one thing I didn't find was how big a difference in size were the club and lab (see, you can teach a 40 something new tricks!) as far as number of kids between the Fantasy and the Wonder? We go on the Wonder in early April for a 5 and 4 night b2b and have been on the Fantasy in October and Dream in August. It has seemed crazy busy there and even though it's Spring Break, am now excited about the smaller ship size.

 

[Julz226]

Well, the time has come, I am now waiting at the airport for the flight that will take me to Mexico to meet the ship! I want to thank you for the questions, hopefully I helped you out in some way. This really was a great way to spend my time between contracts and get some very straightforward insight into what goes on while we make our magic (and the things we wish we were allowed to tell you on contract!) I technically board the morning of the 27th, so feel free to ask any last-minute questions I haven't answered yet here cause on Wednesday I'll be in full yellow-clad CM Disney secret-speak.

I wonder if the mighty powers that be here on Disboards can keep this alive to help other future cruisers? There's a lot of useful stuff in this thread that even future CMs could benefit from! Feel free to compile and share my answers (I see already that they're being used on some of your websites online!), and a big thank you to everyone for your kind words.



Who knows, maybe I'll bump into you on board!
Til then, have a Mickey Bar in my honor.


See ya real soon, disboards!

Safe travels and thank you again for all of the answers! I'm sure we won't recognize you but we'll be on the Fantasy on March 8th so I'm sure you'll meet my son (4) in the club. I'll be sure to bring chocolate and magazines.

I'll miss reading your posts! If you keep a blog or anything on the ship (even if you can only upload the actual posts every few months) make sure to check back in and let us know so we can keep up with your adventures at sea.

 

[Shoobie124]

We are boarding the fantasy on the 30th! my step son will be in the kids club and i will be sure to bring things down!!

 

[MNKelly]

I've sat hours reading every page since you initially posted on this thread. (I'm sure my employer would be jealous if they knew just how much time I've devoted to you!) THANK YOU so much for all the information, insight and candor you've shared with us. I certainly hope DCL realizes what an asset and ambassador they have in you.

I'll look for you during our voyage February 22 on the Fantasy. My 11 year old son will split his time between Edge and the Oceaneer spaces so we'll be sure to look for the YA counselor whose favorite character is Rapunzel as I'm sure I won't get him to fist pump FRIENDSHIP ROCKS!

I hope safe travels and calm seas are in your future. (Oh and that not too many magazines clutter up your room, or tummy aches ensue due to chicken fingers, Mickey Bars, bite size candies and/or fruit being delivered now that we're all in the know.)

 

[slzer0]

Probably already asked, but do we tip YA CMs... or just gifts?

 

[Meghatron]

Probably already asked, but do we tip YA CMs... or just gifts?

The only people onboard who can accept money tips are food & beverage servers, stateroom hosts, and concierge hosts.

Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

 

[Disneymomoftwinz]

Well, sending a BIG thank you on behalf of all of us who have read every entry and wish you the very best. I am also going to miss your post. We will be on the Fantasy January 25th and my 11 yr old twins will surely be bouncing back and forth between the Lab and Edge and without a doubt will be trying to detect "if it could be you". Already planning my magazines and bite size candy purchases and since this will be your boat, I am sure you will have already shared with the other CM's the huge influx of gifts. I already can't wait for your return to provide all of us new insights on how we as cruisers can make your life half as good as you make ours during vacation. Safe Travels!

 

[princessmocha]

Thank you for all your insight! You are truly been helpful!

 

[insureman]

Thanks for the insight! Fair winds and following seas!

 

[Shoobie124]

I'm on the fantasy now and can't figure out who she is!its driving me nuts! ( although I guess that's safer for her). My son is having a great time and everyone has been fabulous. Bringing some magazines down today

 

[castlegazer]

she gave a little secret tip to throw your fist in the air and say "friendship rocks!" and I'll bet she turns her head!

And look for the well rested counselor!

But she didn't know which club she'd be going in to so she may be in Edge or Vibe, not the younger clubs.

Have fun trying to figure it out and spoil her silly when you do!!!

 

[cypressmom]

Thank you for sharing with us. I have loved reading this thread.

 

[Jessica Sloan]

We are sailing the Fantasy in Jan, if someone figures out who she is or finds her, we are planning on bringing magazines and candy and would love to personally give some to her. Let me know!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

What is your favorite part about being a youth counselor?

What is your least favorite part?