Employees (called cast members at Disney) say that the image of the Happiest Place on Earth is a bit of a fa?ade. "Disney is a big company and it comes replete with the problems of a big bureaucracy. It has all those problems plaguing massive companies that you hear about." Comments one cast member, the image is "fairly deceiving. They are a big company and they act like one. The culture is very bureaucratic and straitlaced, and they make very few decisions on the fly." Most sources simply advise prospective employees to understand that there is more to the company than just cuddly characters and exciting attractions. Says one, "it is important not to lose sight of the fact that it is a huge company which is in business for the sake of our stockholders --owners who want to make money by growing the company's value. Often, new cast members are disillusioned because they envision The Walt Disney Company as a Magic Kingdom kind of place which is a fairy tale land devoid of bureaucracy, politics, and other unsavory things like financial analysis. No such place exists and often new cast members who come to us with unrealistic expectations leave unhappy."

Though some say that they "are noticeably turned off" by the discrepancy between the perception and the reality, others see "a company Disney's size, with its diversity of holdings as a wealth of opportunity." Some employees complain about the networking needed to advance a Disney career. Many others, however, say that Disney is unique because it offers "an unlimited number of careers without ever leaving the company. Growth in the Walt Disney Company is only limited to each individuals goals, ambitions, and personal marketing skills." But try to contain your enthusiasm, says one employee: "Using the phrase ?supercalifragilistic' at any time is grounds for being beaten."

But for some cast members, "Disney is very fast-paced and positive." How positive? "Well, it may sound funny at first, but people do really sit around and discuss Winnie the Pooh and other characters," one recent hire comments. "You'll find it well worth your time to learn how to mimic at least one character's voice during your first year," she adds. "There's also a distinct lack of structure around here," another insider comments about Disney life. "At first it's unsettling," she adds, "but soon, you'll learn to use that to your advantage. Working on projects at your own speed can be a great way to advance." To top it off, for the most part, management "makes all employees feel very appreciated."

The Disney way

Sometimes, though, Disney can get ugly. "Upper management can be distant," one employee says. "Middle management is too concerned with the almighty dollar. They pressure lower management to keep costs low. This makes it that much harder to get the job done. Sometimes they cut the funding to important projects." For a number of employees, Disney is "a way of life, not just a job," which can mean "feeling like you are working 24 hours a day --every day." Everyone "starts out here very enthusiastic. For some it remains a good experience," comments one Disney cast member, "but it's a shame when someone ends up burning out."

Get the magic for free

"Travel and relocation" head the list of perks at Disney. "I've seen people follow their jobs to nearly every corner of the world --and they love it," a longtime employee says. Of course, working at Disney means "lots of Disney-styled perks." According to one, "There's a great Christmas party at Disneyland and a summer employee picnic." Cast members receive "35 percent off merchandise and 20 percent off of food" within the Disney sphere of influence. Besides "all the mouse ears you could handle," Disney offers "cultural and sporting events tickets and free theme park admittance" as well as "posters and crap." Cast members are also "the guinea pigs for new openings" including movies, even the maiden voyage of the Disney Cruise Line. In sum, there is "more stuff than you could ever imagine." "You think Hercules had it good?" asks one employee. "At this company, you're literally treated like a god." Some of the advantages of working at Disney "are simply day-to-day niceties. There are great supervisors, lots of parties for the workers, great co-workers, an emphasis on teamwork, and good training." The ultimate perk? "Being able to ?make the magic' for our guests," says a Disney World employee. "People come from all over, and save for years sometimes, and the trip to Walt Disney World is often the pinnacle of a lifelong dream," he adds. "We get to make the memories for these people."

Everybody loves Disney