If 10 years ago you would’ve told me, “you are gonna move countries and work in an amusement park”, I would have said, “you are bloody crazy, man!” Now, after having that job for over a year, I guess I’ll start asking for the winning Lottery numbers, too, please.
When I started my ‘Work and Holiday’ journey to Australia, I knew that I would end up working on something totally different from what I had been doing –my background is in Education and Finance. Yet, I never thought it would be at one of the most iconic amusement parks this country has to offer, Luna Park Sydney, and that it’d be by far one of the most fun jobs I’ve had in my life.
Basically, you get paid to play games and have fun! Well, not exactly, but let’s start from the beginning because this is quite an experience.
“Luna Park tries to recreate the “Wow” experience from Disney that many companies worldwide try to use”
To start with, they don’t have interviews. They hold auditions where you have to show your talents. I had to dance flamenco, sell a pen and pretend to be an animal representing where I come from. Can you imagine how it is to try to make a penguin in front of 30 strangers?
Once you pass that stage, you get a training day. They tell you it’s your second interview but actually is not; even to let you know you got the job, they try to make it fun. They talk about the park’s history and allow you to go on the rides because, well, how can you explain and recommend something that you haven’t tried, right? By the way, Wild mouse, never again!!!
Basically, you get paid to play games and have fun!
Luna Park tries to recreate the “Wow” experience from Disney that many companies worldwide try to use and means to, pretty much, just go above and beyond for your clients. Your job involves making sure every client has a memorable experience at the park, not just explain the game and give a price.
This is great as everyone in the park is on the same page and helps us have a better relationship with our coworkers. Always have a smile, be friendly and provide a good service; that’s the motto.
They also have secret guest’s coming all the time, who are actually random people chosen from among the park’s visitors, who’ll give you a “Wow” card if they thought your service was above and beyond. So, you need to be on top of your game all the time.
Regarding working hours, the park opens all day, every day, and on the weekends; the shifts can be from 4 to 8 hours –with breaks in between, of course, and they provide you with a uniform.
You can work in different departments: Rides, Sideshow games and Food and beverage. I was working on Sideshow games in the central alley of the park, where my job was to explain the game to guests and give the prizes to the winners. Number one rule at an amusement park: everyone gets a prize.
In my case, I had to work during the summer holidays, including New Year’s Eve, which wasn’t as bad as I thought, considering the park has a big celebration with live music, DJs, and a prime spot to watch the fireworks right under the Harbour Bridge.
But not everything is work, though. Monthly, Luna Park organises the “Bob awards” (Luna Bob and Luna Belle are the iconic characters), which consist of a dinner where they reward their best workers, and every department took turns organising it.
When it was Sideshow games’ turn, we had lots of fun, dance, food and even a flash mob –idea of yours truly, of course; and maybe a sneaky drink or two at the end.
“My job was to explain the game to guests and give the prizes to the winners”
Would I work here again? Yes. Personally, it was an incredible experience that helped me step out of my comfort zone –because working in customer service in a different language is not easy. But also helped me to make great friends and realise that your job can actually be fun.
It was a fun environment, with a great work ethic and a lovely and great team and supervisors, whom I’m still in contact with; not always easy within a Customer service team. So, yeah! I would definitely do it again if I had the chance, and, besides, who doesn’t love to go on the rides any time they want, right?
Travel stories to empower women 