I read about people doing something like that and I think that maybe there is hope for us after all. Good on them.
Hi!
I’m getting ready to turn 16 and audition at WDW for face next month. I live about an hour away, and have been preparing myself for traditions and training, along with my busy summer schedule. I know you were a CP and even though you went through it, may not know the answer to this question, but do you know how long per day training is. I know you go for 2 weeks, and have long days, but I’m wondering if it’s an 8-5 thing or a wacky schedule. Friends have told me that it changes all the time, it depends on my manger/trainer, and because I’m under 18 due to labor laws I might have a more normal day. If I were to get picked, is there a possibility during my training that I might make it back to Brevard county for a 7:30pm rehearsal for a show I’m in? I was thinking about trying for face and then if I didn’t make it, go for parade and then attend a CM face audition. Thanks anyway for all your advice/help even if you don’t know the answer. Just like every other guy under 5’7 I’m really trying for Peter, but don’t know how that’ll work out. My friends that are in cosmo there say I have it, just may be a little tan for the role. But I’m still gonna try my best and believe, which I guess is the right attitude! If you have any other advice for me in this area of entertainment, that would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
I was just wondering if you ever met anyone who had worked internationally and then moved to one of the US parks?
Nope. If you’re hoping to do such a thing, your best bet would be to ask a manager about it once you start.
Do you know how long per day training is? I know you go for 2 weeks, and have long days, but I’m wondering if it’s an 8-5 thing or a wacky schedule.
My training lasted 5 days, something like 8-5. I have no idea what face training is like.
If I were to get picked, is there a possibility during my training that I might make it back to Brevard county for a 7:30pm rehearsal for a show I’m in? If I knew where that was, or how you intend to get there, or what the face training schedule was like, I might be able to give you a definite answer. My vote is just to cross that bridge when you get to it, as there’s really no point in worrying about it now.
Hi:
When you go to a Character Performer audition are you automatically considered to be in the day and night parades that they have at the parks? Can you be given a regular Character Performer shift and then a Parade Performer shift as well? How does that all work out? Does that rely a lot on your dancing score during the audition? Because I would also really want to be in one of the parades even though I’m going to a Character Performer audition?
Also, is it possible for current cast members to apply for the college program?
Thanks for the info!!
I’m 13, and I’ve always wanted to work at Disney, but the degree I’m currently looking at has nothing to do with Disney or Entertainment. Will that keep me from working in the college program? And I know this may sound stupid, but I don’t know much about colleges, So from what I’ve read, you work, but you don’t take college classes at the same time, like a break? Or do you but no one has happened to mention them? And do you have better odds of becoming a face character in FL or CA? Is the same system set up in CA? Because the Disney website said CA college programs don’t let you be a face character.
Thanks So Much Cryptic!
Recent Onion story about people pretending to work at Disneyworld. It’s the Onion, of course, but has anything like that ever happened in real life?
I kind of want to have my picture taken with Grandpappy Gizzards now.
Hey folks!
When you go to a Character Performer audition are you automatically considered to be in the day and night parades that they have at the parks? I believe so, yes. Every Character Performer I met that was in the College Program was cast in a parade. As for your other questions, take a gander at this post. Quick version: in Entertainment, everyone does everything.
Also, is it possible for current cast members to apply for the college program? I don’t know. I did meet a few people who had gone through the College Program multiple times, so it seems fairly reasonable for a current cast member to apply.
I’m 13, and I’ve always wanted to work at Disney, but the degree I’m currently looking at has nothing to do with Disney or Entertainment. Will that keep me from working in the college program?
First off, you’re 13 and you’re thinking about what degree you want to get? I’m in no position to pass judgment on ways of life that are different from my own, but… come on, you’re kidding, right? Anyway, no, the degree that a person pursues is not in any way relevant to working in the college program. I was pursuing a BS Mathematics when I applied. My best friend was studying to become a dental hygienist.
So from what I’ve read, you work, but you don’t take college classes at the same time, like a break?
WDW offered legitimate college courses with homework and tests, and they also offered non-credit show-up-and-pass classes for people who just wanted to learn more about how Disney does things. I took a leave of absence from my school, so I didn’t need to take any real classes while I was down there. So for me, yes, it was a break. Other people’s schools required their students to take real classes during the college program.
And do you have better odds of becoming a face character in FL or CA? Is the same system set up in CA? Because the Disney website said CA college programs don’t let you be a face character.
No idea. For stuff like this, whatever information you can find in the official College Program materials is going to be more accurate and complete than anything I have to offer.
It’s the Onion, of course, but has anything like that ever happened in real life?
Not that I’ve heard of, and it doesn’t seem plausible to me. Security checks people’s bags when they come through the front gate as guests, or when they come through the back for work. Still, Chompers the Iguana is clearly the best character that has ever existed.
I can see some group of people trying to do this as a prank. Sneak a costume in to DisneyWorld and spend the day as an unauthorized non-Disney character without getting caught by the staff or visitors. The challenge is part of the attraction.
Thanks Cryptic! My school is very hard laden on college preparation, so most of my peers and I already have a college and degree in mind. 
My teenage daughter is a big fan of the “Kingdom Hearts” series of video games, which are Japanese RPG’s that incorporate Disney characters such as Mickey, Donald, and Goofy (and many more). Many fans of these games are very disappointed to find that the Disney Parks (at least, in the US) do not contain any Kingdom Hearts-specific characters or merchandise. Anyway, she told me that there are kids who sneak costumes into the parks and “cosplay” these characters, and sometimes people are fooled into thinking they are Disney employees.
I found a YouTube video featuring Kingdom Hearts Cosplay in Disneyland. (Video has been muted for some reason, but you can see what their costumes looked like.) According to the video description, two of the people in the video were eventually asked to take off the costumes by Disney staff.
He does look rather Disney-esque, doesn’t he?
Do you know roughly how many character performers are chosen each semester for the college program? About how many were there when you did it?
I did a CP in 2010 as a Character Performer. Now, I have a full-time job teaching, but I desperately miss the atmosphere. So, I’ve decided to apply seasonally. It’s been a couple years, so, I’m traveling to Florida for another audition (fingers crossed).
I’d love to ask questions, but I can’t find a damn Disney phone number anywhere. It seems you still keep in touch with Special K. Does she know anything about seasonal employers?
I know they are required to submit 140 (?) hours per year. What do people do for housing? I live in Louisiana, so I can’t just live in an apartment every time I want to go to Florida.
Any, like seriously any, information would be appreciated. You would think I would have a shrivel of information since I’ve done it before, but nope. I just wanted to go to work, buy that Dole Pineapple Whip stuff everyday, and sleep off my Little Einstein back pain.
I am a 50 year old gramma who has loved Disney World and quietly dreamed of working there for decades! It is so seldom you see former employees talking NICE about a workplace. Thank you for sharing a positive note about working for the MOUSE. I have always assumed it was a matter of you get what you give, as it is in any job. You go in thinking you will be paid for playing in the parks, you will be disappointed. If you go in knowing its a job you have to work at, you will do fine.
Hi cryptic, do you know where Kenai, Beast and Sully see out of in their heads? I’ve been quite curious as to know what their vision is like due to the tall stature of their heads and/or bodies. Also of these three, which ones do autographs? Kenai and Koda’s hands seem to look like mittens and Beast and Sully have such huge hands that it looks like it would be near impossible to sign coherently with them. Thanks
My daughter leaves Monday for WDW CP. Should she bring Dance shoes??
Thanks
Hi 
thank you so much for making this thread. I’ve wanted to work as a character at Disney world for a long time and I stayed up pretty much all night to read it, it’s full of useful tips but I do still have a couple questions.
If you go to the character audition , but don’t get the job, you can still get a job as another employee in the parks right?
Also, if you don’t get the job as a character performer when you audition, is it still possible to audition again?
Does Disney pay well enough to afford to stay in an apartment on Orlando if you plan on working there part-time or full-time?
Do you have to work at Disney for a while before you can become a full time employee?
Were there any times while you were there when you got lost? And if there was, did one of the employees help you find your way or did you just figure it out yourself?
Hey all! Some answers. My apologies for the delay.
Do you know roughly how many character performers are chosen each semester for the college program? About how many were there when you did it?
I do not know. I suspect that the number of college program character performers chosen each semester varies based on scheduling needs.
It seems you still keep in touch with Special K. Does she know anything about seasonal employers? I know they are required to submit 140 (?) hours per year. What do people do for housing?
Special K went directly from CP to full-time, possibly a brief stint as part-time, but I don’t think she was ever seasonal. My understanding was that it’s only 40 hours per year, though it may have changed since I left, or I may have been wrong altogether. Not sure what people do for housing!
Do you know where Kenai, Beast and Sully see out of in their heads? Also of these three, which ones do autographs?
The really tall fully characters usually see out of their necks. If you look closely, you can see a patch where the fur isn’t as dense. Regarding signatures, as far as I know, the only characters that can’t sign are ones that are build with plastic arms/hands: Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski, and maybe Rafiki? Not sure. If it’s a furry hand, even if it looks like an oven mit, they can still sign. It takes practice, but it’s possible.
My daughter leaves Monday for WDW CP. Should she bring Dance shoes?
I guess it’s a bit late for this, but unless she’s going to be taking dance lessons on the side, I doubt she would ever need dance shoes.
If you go to the character audition, but don’t get the job, you can still get a job as another employee in the parks right? Yup.
Also, if you don’t get the job as a character performer when you audition, is it still possible to audition again? I think so, yes.
Does Disney pay well enough to afford to stay in an apartment on Orlando if you plan on working there part-time or full-time? Yes. The Haitians don’t commute, I can tell you that much.
Do you have to work at Disney for a while before you can become a full time employee? Not sure, I never looked into full time status.
Were there any times while you were there when you got lost?
Lost in a spiritual sense? Or lost in a physical sense? The answer to both is no. I was having too much fun to get lost in the first sense. The parks are ridiculously easy to navigate, and the backstage areas are pretty intuitive as well. The closest I came to getting “lost” was not being sure how far I had to drive the van to get to a particular place, but I figured it out eventually.
i am 5’6’’ to 5’7’', but i am plus size, but in a weird way, not sure who my facial structure looks like the most if a face character, I really like belle, but i feel like my overall size might be too wide…ursula would be fun, but i am not old enough, being 23. fur characters would be fun as wellXD i am very expressiveXD my size is:
bust: 50’’
waist: 43’’
hips: 54’’
and here is a pic of my face and body size(when i was making a costume). I really want to know if I fit any particular characters.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/skjs1d6v3y643b6/photo_2.jpg
http://www.mediafire.com/view/lda5ace44evy1wy/Picture_14.jpg
i can also impersonate many different voices and can sing most ranges, been stage-acting for 13 years, as well as dance in a fan-based dance group for fun. would this help?
What happens if you have to take a leak of lay a turd while “on stage”?
Whats one of the worst things about being a Character Performer?
Did you sustain any injuries while on duty or off duty?
Also thanks for the thread it’s really helped