What's it like to get paid $25,000 to play in Orlando? Follow along and see
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Transportation, Career, Travel, Recession
In the middle of one of the worst employment environments of their lifetimes, Kyle Post and Stacey Doornbos landed the job of their dreams. They get paid to ride roller coasters.
The Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau hired the New York City pair to spend 67 days seeing and experiencing every ride, restaurant and spa they could squeeze into their days. For their $25,000 salary, they have to blog, photograph, and tweet every move in a marathon blitz of social media marketing. Post and Doornbos get work, while Orlando gets welcome publicity for its tourist attractions both famous and unknown.
The winners of the Orlando "dream job" are cheerful, energetic childhood friends originally from Holland, Michigan. He's a Broadway actor (he was in the final cast of Rent) and she works with kids. They love theme parks -- Kyle can tell you the designer who made any roller coaster, and the proper name for each twisting maneuver.
When they heard about Orlando's contest to find a team willing to move to Florida for more than two months to try everything, they jumped on the opportunity. Their one-minute audition video earned them a spot among 10 finalist teams, who all flew to Central Florida for a 67-hour "boot camp" trial run before they were finally crowned the winners. Now, they're on the job, seven days a week, with no days off.
We've been tracking the twosome since the contest was announced, and a few weeks ago, we interviewed them as they began their duties.
Now, the ultimate: WalletPop's Jason Cochran clocks in with the pair for an entire day as they hit SeaWorld Orlando. The experience was almost metaphysical: Jason documented the way Kyle and Stacey documented their own journey. Follow along to see what it's like to get paid to play.
Because it's a job, it comes with a bevy of paid expenses: two-bedroom condo, rental car, all tickets, and most meals among them. But it also comes with its drawbacks, including long hours and a never-ending pressure to document every twitch.
To see what Kyle and Stacey's own version of our day together at SeaWorld Orlando looked like, visit their blog or click here. You can also follow their "daily grind" and send requests to them on Twitter or Facebook.
The Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau hired the New York City pair to spend 67 days seeing and experiencing every ride, restaurant and spa they could squeeze into their days. For their $25,000 salary, they have to blog, photograph, and tweet every move in a marathon blitz of social media marketing. Post and Doornbos get work, while Orlando gets welcome publicity for its tourist attractions both famous and unknown.
The winners of the Orlando "dream job" are cheerful, energetic childhood friends originally from Holland, Michigan. He's a Broadway actor (he was in the final cast of Rent) and she works with kids. They love theme parks -- Kyle can tell you the designer who made any roller coaster, and the proper name for each twisting maneuver.
When they heard about Orlando's contest to find a team willing to move to Florida for more than two months to try everything, they jumped on the opportunity. Their one-minute audition video earned them a spot among 10 finalist teams, who all flew to Central Florida for a 67-hour "boot camp" trial run before they were finally crowned the winners. Now, they're on the job, seven days a week, with no days off.
We've been tracking the twosome since the contest was announced, and a few weeks ago, we interviewed them as they began their duties.
Now, the ultimate: WalletPop's Jason Cochran clocks in with the pair for an entire day as they hit SeaWorld Orlando. The experience was almost metaphysical: Jason documented the way Kyle and Stacey documented their own journey. Follow along to see what it's like to get paid to play.
Because it's a job, it comes with a bevy of paid expenses: two-bedroom condo, rental car, all tickets, and most meals among them. But it also comes with its drawbacks, including long hours and a never-ending pressure to document every twitch.
To see what Kyle and Stacey's own version of our day together at SeaWorld Orlando looked like, visit their blog or click here. You can also follow their "daily grind" and send requests to them on Twitter or Facebook.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-25-2009 @ 6:10AM
Judy said...
Nice Job, guys! I live in Florida. Would have been the perfect job for me! Have fun and enjoy the parks....they are fabulous!
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 7:34AM
Doug said...
Then after 67 days, then what? Hope you didn't give up a REAL job to do this?????
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 9:35AM
a said...
After 67 days they've made what some people make in an entire year. I think they'd have time to find something if they had quit their jobs!
9-25-2009 @ 1:07PM
stew said...
this is your big worry? what they will do after the 67 days are up? why can't you just simply enjoy the article, and feel good about something? you must be a real hoot to hang around with!! sheesh!
9-25-2009 @ 1:12PM
hi said...
oh, c'mon, Doug's making a valid point.
after 67 days, they're back to being jobless.
but! they at least have made a year's salary in those two months, and since the male is a broadway actor, I'm sure he'll find work sooner or later.
9-25-2009 @ 7:49AM
Sunlover said...
Great Job....I am the 'Roller coaster grandmother' all my grandkids took their first roller coaster ride with me...the one requirement I had for them each was that you have to scream very loud....we had a good time........Have fun and enjoy getting paid for it.....
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 7:53AM
bobking said...
cooooooooool
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 8:27AM
angela said...
Uhh, who cares if they gave up their real job? They are getting paid $25,000.00 for 2 months of work. I think their real job probably couldn't do that considering she was only working with kids and he really didn't even have a job. It's an awesome job and it isn't really a job. They are just enjoying everyday thrills and being able to go to a spa and relax. It is a vacation for 2 months and getting paid for it and the end with all expenses paid along the way.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 8:52AM
aeronurse63 said...
How lucky these kids are!
I am 45, with a college degree and would MUCH more enjoy riding rollercoasters for a living:)
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 8:56AM
Keith Instone said...
Interesting job, yes, but I personally would still trust someone who was not paid to tell me about their experiences. So, this is a good use of the new technology for public relations, but I still do not consider it a substitute for creating awesome experiences for true customers and having them tell their story to others. Good short term gain, tho.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 8:55AM
ppvolpone@aol.com said...
With this anti-capitalist, marxist, administration this may be their last job for awhile. Unless you call Chavez style govt socialist slavery,.. work. well then they should be gamefully employed till at least 2012. Unless we stop having elections before then. But if so she may be able to get a job conducting the state run children's choir singing songs to our most holy leader..... Barrach Hussien Obama mmm mmmm mmm
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 10:51AM
Keith said...
I believe you are confusing marxism with totalitarianism, there is a big difference. I encourage you to read the communist manifesto by Karl Marx, then read Mein Kampf, you should get a pretty good idea of the differences. Marxism is an economic theory, revolving entirely around the working class and what is best for them, based on VOTE and a true democratic society. Read more into it, Marx gives a better description than I would. Anyway, this would be a pretty cool job. I just was hired for a new job, and they are going to be making about the same in 2 months as I would in a year, lol
9-25-2009 @ 1:12PM
wilyfem said...
It's "gainfully" not "gamefully"
9-25-2009 @ 10:20AM
juju said...
why dont they just survey people who live in orlando then pay someone to do it
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 10:28AM
mikemaj82 said...
Great! I know that I'd love for my dream job to be temporary!
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 10:39AM
khb said...
Enjoy it while you can...I'd love to see a 'behind the scenes' video taken at the end of the summer...and then again, a year later. I spent a week in FL and that was enough. I almost hope they don't read this...only those whose comments are written above. I can't help but go on... How would you like to get paid $25K (plus numerous expenses) for a couple months work and then go back to your day job, and at your 'day job' pay. If they were freshmen, I might.
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 12:01PM
CINDY said...
khb.......... I live in FL and don't mind one little bit what you said. I've lived here for almost 6 years and would love to leave, but can't AFFORD to!! I really DISLIKE it here!! Anyway, the job these two people have is pretty cool, except I am one of those types that becomes a full blown wuss when it comes to those CRAZY rides!! I have tried them, and hated them!! This guy and gal seem to be having a great time!! I wonder if they're leaving FL after the 67 days is up !! If they are, I wonder if they have room in the car for an extra person!!! HAHAHA!!
9-25-2009 @ 11:11AM
Benwa said...
If the 25K is split, it works out to just about 68K yearly salary per person. Now, they don't have to pay for food or rent. However, is this then deemed to be income (26 U.S.C.A. Section 61) on which they would have to pay taxes.
Are they considered employees or independent contractors. If employees, the they are covered by Workers' Compensation and, given their schedule, quite likely to sustain an injury or two. If Indenpendent Contractors, they have to pay for their own insurance. Did they do that?
In any event, I wish I was doing what they are doing!!!!!!
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 11:15AM
FC said...
What a dream job...riding rollercoasters for $25K! I would love something like that because I am a writer and would love to make the necessary embellishments for the rides in FL. There are many theme parks that I have visited in FL and CA and find the rides the interesting aspect of the park. Where should I send my resume'?
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 11:38AM
unknown said...
Disney needs a new marketing director I know about 100 people who whould have done it for 10,000, I realize he may have been out of work but if she was not I don't think they should have chosen someone with a job considering how many people do not have jobs and need one so badly. If I did not have a job it would make me sick to think someone with a job got this.
Reply