Cast Member's appearance

[TillyMarigold]

I did summer advantage...May 2002 through very beginning of January 2003. I worked at the now deceased Wonders of Life (RIP), hence my screen name. Our costume was horrid to look at but surprisingly comfortable. It was basically neon blue elastic waist pants and a neon blue t-shirt with neon yellow and pink on the sleeves and collar. Essentially sweats.

Oh, honey, I was an Imagination/HISTA CM before the 1999 costume change (and before this "advantage" stuff the more recent CP CMs keep talking about, back when CPers only could do attractions, food & bev, custodial, merch, or IF they were studying hospitality/tourism in school, hotel front desk). Ain't NOBODY can top that costume.

We had a turquoise polo shirt with one hot pink and one orange sleeve and bright red trim; purple wool pants with one leg half hot pink; and a bright yellow belt. If we were cold (it was sometimes cold up in ImageWorks) we had a purple tuxedo jacket with one side/sleeve that was a hot pink, orange, and turquoise swirl. Then in HISTA we wore gray lab coats with the Imagination Institute logo instead of the tuxedo jacket.

The one good thing is that we were allowed to wear jewelry that was "gold, silver, black, white, neutral, or..." and hair accessories that were "gold, silver, black, white, tortoiseshell, or..." and the "or" was "any color that matches the costume." And so we could basically wear those things in any color whatsoever!

Imag and Seas were the same business unit, so when Seas was short-handed, they sent me over there but I wore a generic Epcot costume: solid polo shirt with the Epcot logo (white, maroon, forest green, navy, or cobalt), khakis, brown or black leather belt.

BTW I think the change to allow mustaches and the change to stop requiring suit jackets both happened in about 2000, just after I left.

 

[Wonders10]

Oh, honey, I was an Imagination/HISTA CM before the 1999 costume change (and before this "advantage" stuff the more recent CP CMs keep talking about, back when CPers only could do attractions, food & bev, custodial, merch, or IF they were studying hospitality/tourism in school, hotel front desk). Ain't NOBODY can top that costume.

We had a turquoise polo shirt with one hot pink and one orange sleeve and bright red trim; purple wool pants with one leg half hot pink; and a bright yellow belt. If we were cold (it was sometimes cold up in ImageWorks) we had a purple tuxedo jacket with one side/sleeve that was a hot pink, orange, and turquoise swirl. Then in HISTA we wore gray lab coats with the Imagination Institute logo instead of the tuxedo jacket.

The one good thing is that we were allowed to wear jewelry that was "gold, silver, black, white, neutral, or..." and hair accessories that were "gold, silver, black, white, tortoiseshell, or..." and the "or" was "any color that matches the costume." And so we could basically wear those things in any color whatsoever!

Imag and Seas were the same business unit, so when Seas was short-handed, they sent me over there but I wore a generic Epcot costume: solid polo shirt with the Epcot logo (white, maroon, forest green, navy, or cobalt), khakis, brown or black leather belt.

BTW I think the change to allow mustaches and the change to stop requiring suit jackets both happened in about 2000, just after I left.

Horrid was a bit of an exaggeration, I guess. I've yet to really see a disney costume anywhere that isn't a little bit ugly (or a lot ugly). I didn't mind mine at all because it was so comfy. Unlike one of my roommates who worked merch at the Contemporary. Long sleeve blouses, business suit skirts and had to wear panty hose every day. Not comfy.

I have no idea when the "advantage" stuff started...I had looked into the college program but couldn't take any time off of school since I really wanted to graduate on time and as planned. I ended up checking in a week after my college graduation since I interviewed when I was still a student. The advantage basically means that you work Summer (or fall or whatever) plus another few months. So I worked the summer shift plus just about all of a typical Fall shift. Yes I found out shortly after my term was up that I could have done entertainment...or rather, auditioned for something. I totally would have. My dream was to be a fur character. Oh and 2000 and 2002 aren't that far away...it just sounds like they might have made a few changes in those years.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Just by the sheer number of very overweight CM I've seen on my many trips, I'm pretty sure they aren't discriminating against that. Although I will say that I have noticed an increase in the not so attractive CM in the not so attractive working locations...

Men can have very neatly groomed mustaches. Sideburns have to look a certain way, sizewise - no more than a certain length, hair must be kept neat and above the collar, and the rest of the face clean shaven. Trust me (I'm a girl) but a male friend of mine came to work with a scruffy face and he had to dry shave with a disposable razor before they'd let him start his shift. We were CPs in 2002, working at Epcot.

Same rules for us girls, hair color must be "natural" looking...so no hot pink streaks in your hair or obvious bleached highlights. One ring on each finger. One earring per ear - can't remember the rule if they had to be studs are not. I always wear studs anyway but obviously we could not wear large hoops or dangle earrings. Any tattoos (male or female) had to be covered and not seen by guests. Natural, not overly done make up. That sort of thing.

When we were CMs, the rule was no more than two rings per hand, and they both had to be on the same finger, like a wedding set.

Queen Colleen

 

[GADisneyDad14]

2010 vintage thread. Going to close to avoid confusion.