FROM: Amber Earns Her Ears Published Mondays

Amber Learns Where Things Go

In the excitement of starting work at Disney World as a Cast Member, it's common to overlook the duller points of the job, such as where to pick up your costume and where to find the Cast cafeteria. Amber Sewell learned it all and now fills us in.

- Amber Sewell, May 2, 2011

"Hey, do you work at the Sunset Ranch?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Oh, I'm deployed, and was wondering where I go to get everything."

And This Goes... Where?

Something that made me and some of my friends anxious during our first few days at Disney World, and then again when we were deployed, was where to find what we needed. Where would we put our bags? Where did we pick up costumes? Did we have to bring our lunch to work, or was there something like a cafeteria or a restaurant for Cast Members?

For your workplace, obviously, you'll receive training. Part of your orientation in your assigned Park is taking a tour of the Cast Member building. All the Parks have one, and if you ride the Disney bus to work from the apartments, that's where it will drop you off.

Once inside, Cast Members are usually more than happy to point you toward the costuming or bathroom/changing rooms. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but everything is set up so well that it's fairly easy to navigate.

There are security guards at the entrance to these buildings, and they check your ID and bag before they let you enter. One security guard, Tom, was usually on duty when I left for the night, and he was one of the happiest guys there. Every night, I would say goodnight to him on the way out, and he would answer likewise.

One night, I had taken off my work shirt and put it down the overnight costume collection before heading toward the exit. I was pleasantly surprised when Tom remembered my name, even without my nametag. This man must see hundreds of Cast Members every night, and yet he remembered my name; it goes to show that the magic doesn't happen only onstage. The Cast Members backstage are just as special, even if they don't always get the appreciation those onstage receive.

I took my picture with him one of my last nights there.

Cast Member Cafeterias

For meals, Cast Members often use the cafeterias in the Parks set aside for them. I've only been to two of these cafeterias, but the food was quite good. I was a big fan of the grill area in EPCOT's cafeteria. You won't be shown the Cast cafeterias during your tour of the Parks, but any co-worker or leader will be happy to give directions.

My leaders always tried their best to be aware of who had brought their lunches and who needed to eat at the cafeteria. They wanted to make sure everyone made it to the cafeteria before it closed. When I was deployed, the leaders at my other position weren't quite so accommodating, but it just depends upon your situation. Every workplace is different, and people with all sorts of personalities will serve as your leaders.

Prices at the Cast cafeterias are what you would typically expect. Aside from the chains, like Subway, that also operate in the Parks, the grills and other stations all have a price range between $5.00-$9.00. Lots of snacks - bagels, muffins, candy bars, popsicles - are available, too.

That being said, I know a lot of Cast Members, especially those in the CareerStart and College Programs, who opted to bring their own lunches. I was a fan of making a huge batch of pasta and putting it in Tupperware. I learned that vegetables like spinach weren't great for reheating, and the ratatouille penne that I learned to make was definitely the most revolting leftover that I have ever eaten. But baked chicken with brown rice and some kind of vegetable like broccoli? The best thing ever, and really easy to cook the night before work and stick in the fridge.

Theme Park Thieves

Where you kept your lunch depended upon where you worked. At one of the locations where I was deployed, there was very little space, and I was warned that it wasn't the safest place, either - despite the fact that it was right beside the managers' offices! There was a small fridge that I used to keep my pasta cold, but I had to carry my iPod and cell phone in my pockets to be safe. Apparently, a few people had had their stuff stolen, but luckily the girl I had met on the bus warned me before starting my shift.

I worked mostly at the Electric Umbrella in EPCOT, and its break room was much safer. You could store your bag in the manager's office, or if you brought your own lock, there were small lockers just outside that you could use. I never went through the effort of doing either; our break room had some shelves, and I would just toss my bag on one of them, store my food in a fridge, and head out.

My co-workers at the Electric Umbrella were really great people, and though they weren't the only ones who used that break room, I never heard of anybody having a problem with theft. That's not to say that I would leave my iPod or anything lying in plain view, but I never felt wary about leaving my bag shoved behind someone else's stuff for the day.

If you're cautious about leaving your possessions in the open, there are lockers in the Cast Member building that you're assigned when you get your first set of Costumes. Sometimes the building is a long walk from your location, though.

My advice as far as storing your belongings is to use the manager's office on your first day there, especially if you have things that you'd like to use during break. I used the manager's office for the first week or so until I made friends with some people who assured me that it was more than safe to leave my bag in the break room. Doing this allows you to get to know your fellow Cast Members a little more, and it also gives you a chance to check for lockers near the break room, or to find out whether a Cast Member building is within walking distance.

Bringing your own food will definitely save you some money, but it's no big deal if you forget to make your lunch or dinner before you leave the apartment. It might be a good idea to find out the hours of the cafeteria before you start to rely on them, however; when I was deployed, I was sent on break after the cafeteria had closed. Sure, I had brought my food, but I hadn't brought any utensils. Eating pasta with your fingers is not a pleasant way to wrap up a frustrating day.

Circumstances really just depend on your work location. But rest assured, none of it is complicated, and Cast Members are always more than happy to help you out!

More: AMBER EARNS HER EARS