Even if you are playing the role of a silly character like Goofy or Donald Duck or a Disney princess, Disney takes seriously the part you are playing and requires an audition. An audition is when you show what you can do in front of a panel of judges. The judges will also ask you questions about your ability and about why you want to be a Disney character. The role of characters inside the parks is very important --they want the best. Disney auditions can be intense! If you get chosen, you receive a lot of training for the part.
You’ve got to bring the Magic. Your job as a character Cast Member at Disney World is literally to bring joy and happiness to every Guest with whom you come in contact. No matter where you are, who you’re around, time of day or park you’re in, you’ll be one of many characters working to make children’s dreams come true, so you’ve always got to be in a positive mindset, have an uplifting mood and exhibit that to everyone around you. That ensures that you’re always sharing the Magic with others.
You’ve got to stay in your story. No matter where you are within the Walt Disney World Resort, if you are portraying a Disney character, you cannot leave your story. That means that if, for example, you are playing the role of Aurora, and a child asks you about SpongeBob SquarePants, you have to act as if you’ve never heard of him since he’s not a part of your story. If you’re playing the role of Prince Eric, and a child shows you her iPad, you’ll have to act as though you’ve never seen one in your life. This is another way Disney keeps the Magic alive and believable. You’ve got to perfect your autograph. One of the ways Disney keeps the Magic alive in the theme parks is by making sure the character's autograph is the same no matter how many people play the part over the years. No matter how many times you meet Mickey, he’s got to sign your autograph book the same exact way. Because of this, new Cast Members spend quite a bit of time learning the autograph and perfecting it.
You’ve got to think on your feet. You’ve got to be able to handle any comment, situation or scenario that comes your way while you’re in character. Kids (and adults) sometimes say (and do) the crazy things. When they do, there is no script for the character to follow. You have to react in a good way and in a way that seems like your character. |
Disney Cast Members are people who play the parts of Disney characters in their parks. They wear the costume and the act just like those characters act. Would you like to be a character Cast Member at Walt Disney World? Do you think you have what it takes? You can make that dream come true, but only if you can meet the requirements for not only becoming a character Cast Member at Walt Disney World, but for being successful at doing so. Here are 10 requirements for being a character in the parks. These 10 requirements will also help you be a better actor if you are in a play such as "Annie!" They also help you be a better writer, showing you ways to make the characters in your story seem more real. You’ve got to exaggerate. Your movements, that is. Because the costumes that are worn at the parks are very heavy, bulky and somewhat cumbersome, your movements will have to be exaggerated in order to be seen under such heavy costuming. To exaggerate means to be over-the top about all your movements. You’ve got to know your story. As a character Cast Member, whether you’re playing the role of Mickey, Minnie, Gaston, Snow White, one of the Seven Dwarfs or Rafiki, you’ve got to know the story your character is part of, the role your character plays in that story, specific sayings for which your character is known, and you’ve got to know about other characters within your story. For instance, Gaston must know all about Belle --such as her love of books --so that he might be able to talk to Guests about that, making him seem like the real Gaston!.
You’ve got to weather the weather. If you’re going to play the role of a Disney character in the parks, you’ll have to be able to handle all types of weather. That’s because it gets very hot in Central Florida, especially in the late spring and summer months. While it doesn't snow at the Disney parks, it rains quite a lot in Florida, and Disney stays open, rain or shine. You must act like the rain doesn't bother you at all! You’ve got to keep quiet. Certain characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy cannot speak—no matter what. This is because they have a certain voice sound. Disney doesn't want Guests hearing different voices among the different Mickeys or Minnies that Guests meet. Remember, the goal is to keep the Magic alive. Second, you have to keep quiet about the role you’re playing. When you are not working in the park, you are not to discuss in person, via social media or in any other manner, which character you are portraying in the parks.
You’ve got to really, really love Disney. After all, if your dream is to play the role of a Disney character at Walt Disney World, surely you’re a Disney fan. You won’t be a successful character in the parks if you don't love all things Disney. |
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