3. Cast members can be deployed outside their job title

I actually didn’t know this one until I worked at Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris. I arrived at work one morning only to be deployed, along with a coworker, to Tusker House. We spent the day filling orders, despite never having gone through food service training.

I don’t actually know how often this happens. That one situation was the only time I ever saw or heard of it, but it must not have been a completely isolated incident, because none of the leads or supervisors seemed surprised. When it does happen, however, it can make for a highly interesting day.

At least in Attractions, where I spent my time at the theme parks, many things run in more or less the same way from one location to the next. Food Service coordination is a completely different ballgame. I spent most of the day dazed and confused, feeling like I was constantly one step behind. If a Food Service cast member deployed to Attractions, I would expect that person to feel the same way.

4. Deployment is sometimes miserable

Except for planned deployment, which gives the cast member the opportunity for training, most deployment puts the employee in a low-skill role that does not require more than a few minutes of explanation. While cast members normally rotate through positions, meaning that no one is stuck in a boring role for more than an hour or two at a time, those on deployment can end up in those positions all day long.

For example, I was working at Universal Orlando’s Kongfrontation when I was deployed to the Nickelodeon tour. Some of the positions at Nickelodeon were high-energy, guest-focused, spieling roles. Naturally, those roles required several days of training. Since I was only there for the day, the lead handed me a clicker and had me count guests as they entered the building and cut the line when each show was full. After 12 hours with only a 30-minute lunch break, I never wanted to see another clicker again!

5. Deployment can be a whole lot of fun

Despite the drawbacks, deployment can also be great fun. If you happen to be deployed with a coworker, the built-in camaraderie and the feeling of going through this strange new experience together can create a sort of bonding moment. If you are deployed alone, you might meet a whole new group of cool people who become  new friends.

Even if you get stuck in a position that seems boring, like anything else, ultimately the work is what you make of it. Theme parks are intentionally fun, happy places and it’s in everyone’s best interest for the employees to be fun and happy as well. Making up a silly song, dancing around, and joking with guests are all encouraged at many locations, as long as the needed job tasks are also done. Cast members who find a way to make the best of whatever comes along tend to be the ones remembered by guests and supervisors alike.