I was homeless while working in the Walt Disney world
- Jessica Cody worked as a member of the Walt Disney team in the world in 2010.
- The insecurity faced housing while working in Disney and slept in the employee’s position.
- A second job in the Universal Orlando resort helped her at the end.
This article, who works on a conversation with Jessica Cody, is 36 -year -old from the center of Florida. From 2010 to 2014, Cody worked as a member of the Walt Disney global team, where Lady Trimin, Pluto, and other characters appeared. She also worked as an actor and dancer at the Universal Orlando Resort from 2010 to 2013. The following has been released for length and clarity.
I was working Full -time hours in the Walt Disney world after the big stock market collapsed in 2008.
I was about 70 hours, and at first it was good. I managed to rent a room. But in the end Disney crowned the number of hours you can work.
At this stage, I can no longer pay the rent. So I lived in my 2005 Chevy Malibu, who was standing at the western hour, Magic Kingdom Cast Member. I slept there and wiped in the cabinet rooms every day for several months, trying to get more hours.
I was not the only member of the homeless
Frankly, there were many people sleeping in their cars in this car park.
It is not supposed to sleep on property, but the company turned a blind eye. When I was living in my car, I was one of dozens of others – it’s not just. Security knew that we were doing this, and they knew that we had no other place to go to.
Although it was a recreational garden that put me in this position, it was also an entertainment park that helped me get out of it. She got an employment as an actor and dancer in Univers in November 2010. The first league was there for “Grinchmas”, a cabinet event. Universal paid me $ 15 per hour, which helped me rent an apartment with two other people and allowed me to basic needs.
Jessica Cody.
Jessica Cody
I will not trade my time in Disney on anything. I learned more about the entertainment industry more than ever in the college or the testing circle in New York City. I think it is absurd that people should choose between financial security and the job they meet.
I no longer work in Disney or Universal. In Disney, you went to seasonal, and when you are seasonal, you should work on a certain amount of hours per year to keep your condition. I just didn’t work enough.
With Universal, I had my son almost at the time, so I turned into a different section. I was in the call center during the last six months of my time in Universal.
I am now a dance teacher and a dance designer.
The members of the team need wages suitable for living
Disney has made some positive changes in recent years with programs to help members of the team. They also raised the minimum amount they paid to people. However, in my opinion, it is still not a living regarding Orlando.
You can love Disney and still expect them to do better. There is no reason for any member of the team on food stamps or unable to withstand the costs of basic necessities. So that there are no shelter members or live on public assistance, we are not there yet.
This place will not be open if it is not for people who are dedicated and amazing people who work there to break their backs to bring joy to families.
These are the people responsible for the success of the theme park.
Editor’s note: Walt Disney World set the minimum wage for team members in 2021 and increased to $ 18 in 2023. The company offers employees packages with advantages. In 2022, Walt Disney World Resort announced that it would develop affordable housing with more than 1,000 apartments available to members of the actors and the largest community in Orange County, Florida.
Do you have a story to share about work in Disney? Call this reporter in Lidmonds@busINESSINSIDER.COM.