Holy smoke, what's the hold up, Mickey?

It's been over 20 days since I mailed my letter (first class, mind you). Still no response.

What's an eager job-seeker to do?

Will let you know something when I know....

My Disney info request letter is in the mail...

Just to prove I know what I'm talking about, I drafted up my own letter yesterday and dropped it in the mailbox today. I sealed my masterpiece with a kiss... it was quite good, I must say.

Now, my letter was very general, and I'm confident that I'll get a response from someone. I don't really care whether I get a standard form letter back, or a personal response. I'm just looking to begin a dialogue and get some initial information.

My letter contained requests for 5 pieces of information.

• How to get an entry-level job at Disney; in other words, how to simply get your foot in the door.
  
• How to get a corporate job at Disney; this is for the older generation who are looking for a longer-term commitment with the Mouse. These are the folks who are past the minimum wage level, and who may have a wife and kids to support... you know, someone like me.
  
  However, if you're serious about a long-term career at Disney, you might want to settle for a part-time gig in an entry-level position while you work full- or part-time elsewhere. You've got to get your foot in the door. Once you're in, and you've passed the "Traditions" test, it's much easier to move around within the company.
  
• How to get an animation job at Disney; I have already done extensive research in this direction about 10 years ago, but perhaps something has changed in the way of internships or portfolio requirements since then. Also, computer animation in Disney feature films was just blooming in 1996, so I'm sure there's a lot more information to be had.
  
• How to get a web design / web programmer job at Disney; I'm really more curious than anything, but I'd certainly enjoy getting the name of someone I could take out to lunch sometime... pick his or her brain.
  
• BONUS question: Now this is the Coup de Gras topic for me. How many man-hours do I need to put in per year for them to consider me an active cast member with all the rights and privileges thereof?
  
  Rumor had it in 1993 when I was working on the monorail stations that you only had to put in 40 hours a year, and you could keep your discounts, passes, free admission, and whatnot. Now that I'm older and a lot wiser in business, I find it hard to believe they would allow this for what would be considered a "seasonal" cast member.
  
  We shall soon see.

My letter is likely on it's way to a USPS BMC, or on a plane bound for Orlando right now. I will hold tight for my response that I'm positive is coming. If my letter doesn't brighten my "target's" day, then they are worse off than I ever imagined down there.

Getting Their Attention -- Information request letter

You might as well face it. You are GOING to get a job at Disney, some way, some how. You should go ahead and begin thinking of the next steps, such as where you will live, and how you'll tie your current life with a bow before you move on to your new "on stage" career.

Don't believe you're destined for employment yet? Then let's do a test.

Contrary to what you might believe, there are hundreds of employees (er, cast members) working right now at Walt Disney corporate offices who are on the verge of sticking a knife in their eye rather than deal with their ordinary day-to-day responsibilities. Yes, for you and me, working at Disney can be a dream come true... but for others, it's a (gulp) JOB... with all the tedium and boredom that comes with a traditional job.

So, let's watch what happens when you change that person's day completely. I want you to write a letter requesting information on getting a spot on the Disney staff. Yes, a letter.

Letters are an ancient form of communication that involves scratching symbols onto a piece of paper with a special tool called a "pen". Those symbols are translated into a message by the recipient of that piece of paper. I say ancient, because letter-writing was a very popular form of communication in the 1980's and earlier.

The reason we are writing a letter is that e-mails are too impersonal and do not properly communicate your commitment and determination. Letters show that you are serious, and provided your letter adequately brightens your "target's" day, they will feel obligated (nay, pleased) to respond in kind. Anyone can send an email. You are not just anyone. You are Disney's next cast member.

(There are a lot more reasons for me choosing letter writing that has to do with the power of direct mail to evoke response and action by the reader... but that's not the topic of this post, so I'll not go into it.)

Also, the purpose of the letter is to get a name and to begin a relationship. As far as you know, the person who responds to your letter is your key to landing your dream job. They are the gatekeeper, and they can make or break you. Behind them may be another gate-keeper, but first things first, okay?

So, open your Word Processing program and draft up a letter requesting information. I know you're determined and eager to get a job, but try not to spend 2 hours here. How about 15 minutes, tops? Here are some tips:

1. Lighten Up - Your "target" likely gets tons of mail from poor schmucks who are kinda-sorta serious about getting employed by the Mouse. Make your letter stand out. Be entertaining. Tell a joke. Be charming. After all, YOU are not a schmuck. Your "target" needs to know that.
   
2. Do not beg. It's pathetic.
   
3. Yes, include humor. Your "target" needs to smile, badly.
   
4. Include a hand-written "P.S." that contains your bottom-line request. Stats show that the eyes naturally move to a diagonal hand-written portion of the letter first. Notes in the margin are also effective.
   
5. Give them an "out" -- a way to respond by email if they choose to. They are the gate-keeper. They can e-mail a response if they want. However, you will not.
   
6. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Make it easy for them to give you what you need.

Ok, all done? Now, just send your masterpiece to:

Walt Disney World Casting
P.O. Box 10,000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Think your letter is really good or even clever? Did it elicit a response as you hoped? I'd LOVE to see it!! Send your masterpiece to me, and I'll post it here and gush about how brilliant you are! My address is PO Box 3473, Burlington, NC 27217.