Chessy Shop
TS Member
The minimum wage does not stop Legoland from paying its staff a decent wage. I dread to think what Merlin would pay its staff if they were not compelled by law pay a minimum wage.
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Legoland Windsor
- Thread starter Jabberwocky
- Start date
They'd pay them what they need to to attract the staff, the place would be empty if they were paying £4 an hour. There was never a widespread problem with wages before the minimum wage was introduced, people were exploited in the same way they are today, just now they call it self employed contractor instead of a mug.
Doublethink
TS Member
It was interesting being in the states recently - all the Disney staff seemed to be over 25 and were extremely efficant and friendly and a Stark contrast to the 17 year old seasonal lot you get at the merlin parks, especially the London ones. Wounder if it's due to wages diferece or area
themeparkfan
TS Member
The truth is they will pay bottom dollar for staff and operations. However will pay for advertising on TV, Internet and radio without batting an eyelid. If the rides were open and guest experience was high they wouldn't have to worry about advertising. Do Merlin have recruitment issues at the London midways too? Please someone from Denmark come and sort this mess at LLW out!!
On another note I was at Trafford Centre at 2 pm yesterday and son wanted to buy a lego set. LLDC was very quiet as was sealife so the midways seem to be having problems too (after all that diverted investment from theme park division ) poor merlin! However Alton Towers was buzzing midweek with over 30 to 60 minutes wait on most rides
On another note I was at Trafford Centre at 2 pm yesterday and son wanted to buy a lego set. LLDC was very quiet as was sealife so the midways seem to be having problems too (after all that diverted investment from theme park division ) poor merlin! However Alton Towers was buzzing midweek with over 30 to 60 minutes wait on most rides
Chessy Shop
TS Member
Some of the people I worked with at Chessington had worked in the British area at Epcot. Apparently the wages at Epcot were woeful.
Having family members who live in America more north not Florida , they say Florida is great for a holiday but NOT to live , work is hard to come by and mostly very low paid hospitality work and theme park work , apparently it has high levels of unemployment which my account for older ride ops etc
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Tim
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Air / Blue Fire
That's most likely weather related. When the weathers good like it is as the moment the outdoor attractions do well, when it's bad the reverse. My Girlfriend works for Ikea and the number of customers they see also varies wildly based on the weather*.
* I know it's a shop not a tourist attraction but you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. I've seen plenty of people have an Ikea day out
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Benzin
TS Member
A good majority of American parks have much older staff members, it is variable depending on park, location and operator (Six Flags and Cedar Fair have more youngsters around) of course, but there's seemingly more of a career there...
That or the options for other jobs are just dreadful, which is just as likely given the state of the place...
That or the options for other jobs are just dreadful, which is just as likely given the state of the place...
Benjsh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
What is Important to remember too is that working at Disney and Universal means you are guaranteed hours all year round not just seasonal like at Cedar Point or at the Merlin parks over here.
I have a met a good few people who have worked at Merlin parks and then gone and done a ski season in the alps or something random like that to fill in the gaps.
There isn't a career to be had at a Merlin park really. The jobs that last 12 months are almost non existent.
siralgenon
TS Member
Me and a friend were at Legoland yesterday, it was quite a shock when the girl at entrance said there would be 10 attractions closed all day;
The Haunted House was also having many problems throughout the day, we attempted it in the morning, sat on the ride and the restraints wouldn't lower so we had to wait in the pre show for 15 mins. Then we got back on the ride and managed half a cycle before the gondola shook violently and the ride stopped "upside down" and we sat there for 20 mins while it re-sent. We were given priority passes but it was closed for most of the afternoon although we did eventually get on it later in the day.
- The Hill Train
- Raft Racers
- Legoland Express
- Desert Chase
- Laser Raiders
- Skyrider
- Drench Towers
- Scarab Bouncers
- Mia's Riding Adventure
- Knights Quest
The Haunted House was also having many problems throughout the day, we attempted it in the morning, sat on the ride and the restraints wouldn't lower so we had to wait in the pre show for 15 mins. Then we got back on the ride and managed half a cycle before the gondola shook violently and the ride stopped "upside down" and we sat there for 20 mins while it re-sent. We were given priority passes but it was closed for most of the afternoon although we did eventually get on it later in the day.
WickerManiac
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Colossus
LEGOLAND Windsor is a dump.
Islander
TS Member
Are we even sure that Legoland are paying the minimum wage, and not slightly above it? Perhaps unemployment in that area is just too low...
I'm not sure that's true now though, at least not at Legoland - they've been shouting a lot recently about their new 'permanent variable' contracts, which sound like hourly paid permanent contracts, i.e. year-round.
So ultra-constructive...
siralgenon
TS Member
I don't think that's fair, I mean I was pretty peed off yesterday with the closures and availability but to be fair to them the Park has looked the best it has done in a long time. Many areas of the Park have been refurbished, with new signs and theming added. So to say the Park is a dump is a little OTT.
Danny
TS Contributor
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
The park is far from a dump; it's probably the best looking Merlin park in the UK. It's just unfortunate that this year the staffing levels appear to be chronically under the requirements to properly operate a theme park.
I imagine they'll have a degree of success in bringing some new staff in for the summer holidays, but I'm not holding out much hope at it making a significant impact.
10 rides out of operation is during a half term is beyond a joke.
I imagine they'll have a degree of success in bringing some new staff in for the summer holidays, but I'm not holding out much hope at it making a significant impact.
10 rides out of operation is during a half term is beyond a joke.
Benzin
TS Member
It's generally the same across the country, even in the seasonal parks... Dollywood in particular had a lot of elder aged staff members...
It might just be culture, whereas the avenues that could be in a theme park for youngsters (they do cover the broad spectrum after all in terms of management, events, marketing, etc), they're clearly not doing enough for retention or keeping people within...
ben199
TS Member
Rides staff over 18 are on £9.50 an hour this season with many on permanent variable contracts which guarantee a full months wage for the 12 month period regardless of how many hours work the park can offer. No clue what they'll get up to in the off season though, maybe basic maintenance and landscaping and a stint in the hotel?
With higher wages I don't understand how the park is at the most short staffed it's ever been, the place baffles me.
With higher wages I don't understand how the park is at the most short staffed it's ever been, the place baffles me.
ChristmasPud
TS Member
I disagree but interested why do you think this? It certainly has one of the best settings of any British park but its overcrowding, worn out scenery and charmless vinyl everywhere let's it down. I think it could be an awesome kids park all season otherwise.
It has seen some solid improvements this year but reminds me of Alton Towers 'TLC' thing, it's much appreciated but should always have been this way. Some repainting and signs alone doesnt make it a great place to be.
That's a fantastic improvement this season then and more in line with local costs of living
Danny
TS Contributor
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
I don't recall seeing any scenery or theming that looked overly tired in May. Sure, there's a growing cheap fibreglass feel about the place, particularly the newer investments, but areas ala the Dragon's Castle still look great.
Give it another few years and another major investment or two and I suspect the cheap nature of the theming will have much more of an impact than it currently does. But in comparison to the rest of the UK Merlin parks, Legoland is the least tired looking in my opinion.
ChristmasPud
TS Member
Fair enough. Maybe I just remember it best from the early 2000s. If you think there's only a creeping cheapness about it now, in comparison to then it's totally charmless today. They've crammed in so much already!
The castle has been very dirty looking for years too but still a nice area. I like that its carried on getting big new rides but theyve been squeezed in with no regard for a family park.
They may as well stick them all in a straight line down a road and have a conveyor belt take guests between them /exaggeration
Poopoohead
TS Member
Not sure you can really do much in the Windsor area on £9.50 an hour max?!
Was always under the impression the American parks got a lot of older workers as they worked for the health care benefits essentially?
Was always under the impression the American parks got a lot of older workers as they worked for the health care benefits essentially?