The Walt Disney Company: Work Experience and Insights

Working at The Walt Disney Company can be a unique and dynamic experience that is often described as both rewarding and challenging. Here are some key aspects of working at the company, drawing from my own experience as a former food and beverage employee at Hurricane Hanna’s, a resort within the Yacht and Beach Club at Walt Disney World.

Company Culture

Disney fosters a culture of creativity and innovation. Employees are encouraged to think outside the box and contribute ideas. However, my experience at Hurricane Hanna’s was a different story. The corporate culture there was cynical and soulless. One explicit example was the decision to refrain from saying 'My pleasure' in response to 'Thanks', as this was deemed to be Chick-fil-A’s thing. Such micro-managing behaviors can demotivate and frustrate employees, undermining the spirit of creativity and innovation that the company aims to promote.

Career Development and Networking

The company offers various training programs, mentorship opportunities, and pathways for career advancement, which can be instrumental for employees’ growth within the organization. Additionally, as part of a globally recognized brand, employees have extensive networking opportunities across different sectors of the entertainment industry. However, at Hurricane Hanna’s, the leadership lacked consistency, with different answers being given on what day of the week it was by different leaders. Furthermore, the leadership focused on numbers and revenue, treating employees more like numbers rather than valuable contributors. This approach can be demotivating and does not foster a positive work environment.

Work-Life Balance

Depending on the role and location, work-life balance can vary. Some positions, especially in theme parks or productions, may require irregular hours, while corporate roles might offer more standard hours. My role at Hurricane Hanna’s was an hourly position, requiring me to commute a considerable distance, and the morning traffic on I-4 was notorious for causing stress. Additionally, the company took steps that could further disrupt work-life balance, such as requiring chefs to weigh fries sold as a side for inventory accuracy. The lack of work-life balance contributed to dissatisfaction with the job.

Employee Benefits and Job Satisfaction

Disney provides a range of benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and employee discounts, which can contribute to overall job satisfaction. However, at Hurricane Hanna’s, the benefits were overshadowed by the management’s disregard for the union and its contract. For example, a union contract mandates that employees cannot be force-extended beyond 2 hours past their original out-time. However, when a bad leader extended a coworker for 3 hours past, she said, 'It doesn’t matter what the union says.' This inconsistency and the lack of support from leadership further eroded trust and job satisfaction.

Conclusion

Overall, working at The Walt Disney Company can be a fulfilling experience for those passionate about entertainment and storytelling with opportunities for growth and creativity. However, the experience can also come with challenges, especially in a large organization. While the company emphasizes diversity and inclusion, my experience at Hurricane Hanna’s was marred by cynicism and soullessness in corporate culture. For the job to be truly fulfilling, the company needs to address these issues and truly embrace a culture that values its employees.

Keywords: Walt Disney Company, Corporate Culture, Work-Life Balance