How do CM's deal with heat when dancing in parades?

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Disneyliscious

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 15, 2009

• Jun 3, 2015

• #1

The CM's in the outdoor shows and parades, specifically.

I've been watching some youtube videos of the parades and shows and I just don't understand how these people don't drop from heat exhaustion in some of these costumes they wear, PLUS, many of them are dancing or running around. The night time parades may not be so bad but the one at 3pm...thats like the hottest part of the day. And these people always have a smile on their face.

If there are any current or former CM's here (or someone who knows the details) I'd really like to know how these people pull this off. Even though that parade is only about 15 mins for us, its much longer for them.

I really hope these folks get paid well. It has to be a miserable job from a weather standpoint yet they still are able to put on a smile and make it magical.

 

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onenursebrandy

Mouseketeer

Joined

Feb 2, 2013

• Jun 3, 2015

• #2

I'm not sure about CMs....but Mascots dress in similar costumes...they sometimes wear cooling/ice vests...and switch out frequently.

 

Princess Jes

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 15, 2013

• Jun 3, 2015

• #3

I did the KTTK tour and in the parade staging area, they have like a small grandstand seating type area that has fans (and maybe misters?) that they can sit at while waiting for the parade to start.
I know it's not during the parade, but at least they can stay cool while waiting to go out

 

Crystal824

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 23, 2008

• Jun 3, 2015

• #4

I'm a former CM although I didn't work in parades. I did work in entertainment. It is a tough job. I think CMs do get used to it though. They hydrate well before the parade and after. They do have big fans and misters in the parade staging area. Most of the parade CMs are fairly young. The parade isn't that long either (about 20-30 min) for them. When they come off stage, they are all a sweaty mess reaching for water. No, they don't get paid enough by any means. It isn't unheard of for a CM to pass out during the parade. It doesn't happen everyday, but it does happen.

 

Lucius Best

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 25, 2015

• Jun 3, 2015

• #5

Disneyliscious said:

and I just don't understand how these people don't drop from heat exhaustion in some of these costumes they wear

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That's because they do drop from heat exhaustion. One hot day in AK I was strolling alongside the parade not really paying attention, when a CM shoved me in the chest. I was shocked and pissed but quickly realized she was only making a hole in the crowd to get overheated Pluto out of the parade. Pluto was walking but had a CM holding him up as they headed backstage.

 

PACVII

Future former Disney employee

Joined

Feb 17, 2008

• Jun 3, 2015

• #6

The costumes look hot and some apear to be made from material that does not breath well. Even the shoes don't look comfortable. Regardless of being under an hour for them it got to be tough to get through at times. We are not the only ones that are worn out with some sore feet by the end of the day.

 

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jlwhitney

Thumper2007

Joined

Dec 8, 2009

• Jun 3, 2015

• #7

Crystal824 said:

I'm a former CM although I didn't work in parades. I did work in entertainment. It is a tough job. I think CMs do get used to it though. They hydrate well before the parade and after. They do have big fans and misters in the parade staging area. Most of the parade CMs are fairly young. The parade isn't that long either (about 20-30 min) for them. When they come off stage, they are all a sweaty mess reaching for water. No, they don't get paid enough by any means. It isn't unheard of for a CM to pass out during the parade. It doesn't happen everyday, but it does happen.

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The parades for them are much longer than 20-30 mins. When they start in frontierland it takes 20 mins just to get the hub. From start to finish it much closer to 40 plus minutes.

Its all apart of the job and something they know of when accepting it.

 

cgattis

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 1, 2009

• Jun 3, 2015

• #8

Great question. I've thought of that myself many times. When I was sweating like a pig just sitting waiting for FoF to start, and thinking of how I feel while running in the heat, and wondering how the heck they keep the makeup on (barrier spray is no match for my sweating lol) AND manage to smile....they're really tough.

I assume most of them go back to do some other job also--they don't just do parades? Hopefully time to shower, rest/hydrate, and re-do/change makeup is paid time also.