Working At The Park?

[ReptileGuy]

So this summer is my last year "working" at camp as a CIT (counselor in training), and starting next summer I could work as a regular counselor. Here is my question, is a job at the park a good first job? I would want to work somewhere that has to do with people, such as games. I have a very fun and personable personalty, so i feel like a job in an area such as games would be a lot of fun and a great experience. So here is my question, if you had to choose between these two as a first job, which would you pick? And why?

 

A) Camp Counselor for a Day Camp

 

Some Job at Six Flags

 

Also share any experiences/tips on landing a job at the park, and what your job(s) at the park were like. Based off of what people who I know at the park say, its an amazing job.

 

 

[Matt Kaiser]

Disclaimer: I have never worked for Six Flags or any theme park. However, I have a lot of friends that work at Great Adventure, and I experience first-hand a lot of what they go through. Sub-disclaimer: Most of those friends work in Rides, which seems to be one of the toughest departments.

 

Working at the park is basically what you make of it. Not many people have the endurance to truly enjoy the job, but some still do. They will work you hard, so you have to be ready for it. If you can look past the negatives and keep your sights set on the positives, then you'll have at least a decent to amazing time working at the park.

Edited June 9, 2015 by Matt Kaiser

[gasmspiritblue]

I did games last year and i found it fun and enjoyable, the best part was seeing peoples reactions to things. Talking on mic and annoying people was fun also haha.

 

If you did do games try to get into the square section, that's the section with 3 point (best game to work)

 

you just have to be on your A game with handling change, and quickly, after a while it's a piece of cake as long as you stay even

 

hope this helps!

[jdc12192]

I have worked at the park and will post a full on reply later on or tomorrow.

[ReptileGuy]

hmmm i feel like games would be the best place for me to work. i would be a natural at being on the mic calling people over and getting them excited.

[jdc12192]

Disclaimer- all are my own thoughts, or some thoughts I have shared with my friends that also work/ed at the park

 

 

I have worked in entertainment, some time in sponsorships(AKA cooperate alliance) and safari. Started in entertainment while working for fright fest. FF is fun but gets exhausting, after a few years of doing it though, i have lost some interest in it, but still do it. After that fall of 2011, i decided to continue working for entreatment the next coming season for an all summer job. I was hired in as a 'greeter' which basically worked at show venues helping guest,seating them, controlling crowds during shows,watching for animal(if an animal venue) and their safety during shows, and cleaning the venues.

 

That kind of job is easy at times, but also hard at times. When you have to tell guest 'no' or that they can't do something, some are OK with things and understanding, some fight back and makes your job that much harder. That also applies elsewhere too, a guest can either make your day, or at times break your day.

 

Although i was hired in as a greeter, i was still thrown all over the place where needed to character escort and concerts as well.

 

Along with that I have helped sponsorhips for a few years during the summer when i could for extra $ and hours since it paid pretty well. These jobs were easy as most of the time were just handing out samples to promote a product.

 

Safar is kind of the same as ENT, with easy at times, hard at others. Talk a lot and work long hours(on a busy/normal summer day...it could be a 10 hour work day on avg.)

 

 

In summary, it is a good place to work. You make great friends. My friends and I have said multiple times we would like to find other jobs, but its hard to since you had a fun time working with all your friends and don't want to leave them if they are all planning on returning. Another reason why it is hard to leave the job is because as long as you don't do something to get no 'rehire status', the job is always there for you year after year and are basically guaranteed that job if you get there on time. On average pay is not too high in any department, hours can vary drastically from my experience, and days can be short-with just a few hours, or long- have worked 14+ at times.

 

But like Matt said, it is what you make of it,even if a bad situation occurs, if you can look at the good side, or make a joke out of it, you'll be fun. I know people who've worked there and hated it, and people who have worked there multiple years who love it, and theres some people with a love/hate relationship.

 

I would say just consider the pay of the camp job, and SF job,hours etc and weigh all your options.

[batmanrobinchiller]

I worked at the park for 3 years from 2011-2013. It is a great first job for the experience (working with others/dealing with the public). I was in foods for 1 year and rides for 2. I've always wanted to work roller coasters, so rides was the best place for me. I worked Green Lantern in 2012 as a team member, and in the following year I was promoted to unit supervisor of Superman: Ultimate Flight. I was going to return in 2014, but I decided not to come back. Overall, I had an amazing experience working at the park. If you plan to go corporate someday, it is a great place to learn how companies work. I was a minor and one of the youngest (17 years old) individuals on the management team. That will surely go on my resume!

[CoasterKrazy]

Hey guys so I have a question about working at the park. This past fall I did fright fest as a ghoul. I was only able to work half the season because I had a few things to fix with the military after recently getting out. I'm trying to go back for the season as a ride operator. The only problem is that they put me on no rehire status. I did leave messages and everything else before I left mid season but no one got back to me and they considered me no call no show. I talked to someone who deals with employees during the off season and they said that I'll have to go to the employee center febraury 1st when they open and they should handle it and sign off on my no rehire status. Does anyone know if this is worth the trip to get it handled or will they still tell me no?

Edited January 26, 2016 by CoasterKrazy

[scott]

I have never worked at the park but I would say it cant hurt to go. You would have nothing to lose. If you have any papers to show the what was going on it may help.

[jdc12192]

Definitely go! If it was all a misscommunication they will figure and sort things out and if it takes them a bit to figure things out, it'll be done before the public can go in and get jobs.

 

Where were you for FF?I was there as well.

[Matt Kaiser]

Hey guys so I have a question about working at the park. This past fall I did fright fest as a ghoul. I was only able to work half the season because I had a few things to fix with the military after recently getting out. I'm trying to go back for the season as a ride operator. The only problem is that they put me on no rehire status. I did leave messages and everything else before I left mid season but no one got back to me and they considered me no call no show. I talked to someone who deals with employees during the off season and they said that I'll have to go to the employee center febraury 1st when they open and they should handle it and sign off on my no rehire status. Does anyone know if this is worth the trip to get it handled or will they still tell me no?

 

I've heard of plenty people who were given no-rehire status (for much more serious things), then eventually rehired again. To me, this sounds like something that can be sorted out by going whenever they open. (There's also a Job Fair coming up)

[Nitro1118]

I got a question I've always wondered about-Where do employees go on their break? Is there a building where employees can hang out/eat at on their breaks? I am sure if there is it would be in a lication too far to walk to on a 30min break, so what other options are there?

 

I don't often see employees simply walkibg around for their break, so I've been xurious where they do go.

[jdc12192]

I got a question I've always wondered about-Where do employees go on their break? Is there a building where employees can hang out/eat at on their breaks? I am sure if there is it would be in a lication too far to walk to on a 30min break, so what other options are there?

 

I don't often see employees simply walkibg around for their break, so I've been xurious where they do go.

There is a backstage dinning area (located in the boardwalk area),theres break areas wherever they are sometimes, by the offices theres a little store and tables to eat, or even though they're not 'supposed' to do this, they can change to normal clothes and go into the park and eat.

[CoasterKrazy]

I've heard of plenty people who were given no-rehire status (for much more serious things), then eventually rehired again. To me, this sounds like something that can be sorted out by going whenever they open. (There's also a Job Fair coming up)

Okay cool, yeah I had no problems when it came to working at Six Flags but the military surprised me and made me go through all this stuff and I couldn't tell them no or wait. I definitely don't wanna burn that bridge with them especially because I wanna come back this year. I'll be at the job fair but I'll go up there before then to handle the situation. Thanks for your help.

Edited January 26, 2016 by CoasterKrazy
fixed quote

[CoasterKrazy]

Definitely go! If it was all a misscommunication they will figure and sort things out and if it takes them a bit to figure things out, it'll be done before the public can go in and get jobs.

 

Where were you for FF?I was there as well.

I was in Wasteland, what about you?

[jdc12192]

I was in Wasteland, what about you?

I was there too but i honestly don't remember anyone leaving

[CoasterKrazy]

I was there too but i honestly don't remember anyone leaving

Maybe we'll be able to remember by costume haha. What were you?

[CoasterKrazy]

I got denied to be rehired.

[jdc12192]

Aw bummer! Did they give a reason why?

[CoasterKrazy]

I explained my self and everything and all I got was a no.

[3cstodisney]

I've got a question perhaps this is correct place to ask it. My daughter is working for the first time this summer in GA. From what I understand she gets a season pass for herself and one other season pass for a friend/family member? So...my questions are:

 

- when do they issue these passes to her? during training or once she is out working in her department?

- the extra season pass for a friend/family member are there any restrictions on this? does it include free parking? only certain dates? does it include HH? etc

- does the extra season pass have to be assigned in a name and can only be used by that person or is it allowed to be distributed to different people she knows?

 

 

any help much appreciated thanks!

[Matt Kaiser]

I've got a question perhaps this is correct place to ask it. My daughter is working for the first time this summer in GA. From what I understand she gets a season pass for herself and one other season pass for a friend/family member? So...my questions are:

 

- when do they issue these passes to her? during training or once she is out working in her department?

- the extra season pass for a friend/family member are there any restrictions on this? does it include free parking? only certain dates? does it include HH? etc

- does the extra season pass have to be assigned in a name and can only be used by that person or is it allowed to be distributed to different people she knows?

 

 

any help much appreciated thanks!

 

 

Employees don't get free season passes. (Until they work for the company for at least 10 years I've heard?)

 

The employee ID acts like a season pass, so your daughter can use it to park for free and to enter the park. There are certain restrictions around when it can be used. For example, it can't be used to enter the park if she's scheduled to work that day and it's almost time for her to clock-in. (Not sure of the time limit on that)

 

Once your daughter works a certain number of hours, she gets a "buddy pass" which lets her bring 1 friend into the park. She has to be with the friend, and I believe it's once a day. It used to be a sticker they put on your employee ID, idk if it's changed since then.

 

 

 

Side note, she also gets free admission to Hershey, Dorney, and a free pack of tickets at Knoebels.

Edited April 11, 2017 by Matt Kaiser

[jdc12192]

I've got a question perhaps this is correct place to ask it. My daughter is working for the first time this summer in GA. From what I understand she gets a season pass for herself and one other season pass for a friend/family member? So...my questions are:

 

- when do they issue these passes to her? during training or once she is out working in her department?

- the extra season pass for a friend/family member are there any restrictions on this? does it include free parking? only certain dates? does it include HH? etc

- does the extra season pass have to be assigned in a name and can only be used by that person or is it allowed to be distributed to different people she knows?

 

 

any help much appreciated thanks!

 

 

 

 

Employees don't get free season passes. (Until they work for the company for at least 10 years I've heard?)

 

The employee ID acts like a season pass, so your daughter can use it to park for free and to enter the park. There are certain restrictions around when it can be used. For example, it can't be used to enter the park if she's scheduled to work that day and it's almost time for her to clock-in. (Not sure of the time limit on that)

 

Once your daughter works a certain number of hours, she gets a "buddy pass" which lets her bring 1 friend into the park. She has to be with the friend, and I believe it's once a day. It used to be a sticker they put on your employee ID, idk if it's changed since then.

 

 

 

Side note, she also gets free admission to Hershey, Dorney, and a free pack of tickets at Knoebels.

 

As Matt said, as a first year employee she will not be receiving a season pass. Her ID however will be her season pass for when she is not working. On that ID is also a buddy pass, which she can bring in one guest anytime she is going to the park as a guest. Eventhough she does not get a season pass, employees do get complimentary tickets (how many depends on how many years employed) after X amount of hours, think its 40 or 60? Those tickets can be given to whoever.

[dougdrummer]

My daughter's friend, who works at GA, bought us our season's pass at a 25% discount. She could not get us a discount on the meal plan though. She has been working there for a couple years now, in the Human Resources department.

[3cstodisney]

 

 

Employees don't get free season passes. (Until they work for the company for at least 10 years I've heard?)

 

The employee ID acts like a season pass, so your daughter can use it to park for free and to enter the park. There are certain restrictions around when it can be used. For example, it can't be used to enter the park if she's scheduled to work that day and it's almost time for her to clock-in. (Not sure of the time limit on that)

 

Once your daughter works a certain number of hours, she gets a "buddy pass" which lets her bring 1 friend into the park. She has to be with the friend, and I believe it's once a day. It used to be a sticker they put on your employee ID, idk if it's changed since then.

 

 

 

Side note, she also gets free admission to Hershey, Dorney, and a free pack of tickets at Knoebels.

 

thank you so much for this! Okay one other question so if she wanted to go to HH in the morning lets say at 10am and she is scheduled to work over in GA at 3pm she won't be allowed into HH?