College Program Questions Thread Pt 2

[MarinaAndCharlie]

I've got two and a half pages front and back of questions written down after reading all 151 pages of this thread! haha. I'll try to group them together to make this easier on you guys!


What exactly is a Travel Planner?

Where are you located?

If in the parks, are you assigned one park or do you move around?

I understand you sell tickets, but do you also do other planning for guests including assisting with ADRs, setting up tours and planning general trip-wide itineraries? What else do you do?


Character Performers and the Audition Process

Am I understanding correctly that at an audition, you can't say you want to try out to be Snow White, they will just look through the line and pull you if they think you show a good resemblance?

Do you wear Disney Look clothes to the audition and change for the dance portion or wear loose dance clothes for the entire audition?

When you audition, if for a non-meet and greet character, but an actual singing and dancing character, do you tell them "I'd like to try out for Belle in the Beauty and the Beast Show and Pocahontas in Pocahontas and her Forest Friends show" or do you just sing your songs, dance, and they'll consider you for whatever?

What is Equity and what shows are considered Equity only and therefor off limits for CPs to be a part of?

If cast as a singing, dancing character, lets use Belle for an example, do you do the Beauty and the Beast show, meet and greets, Belles Story Time and the parades or do they have one Belle for each?

If youre a character, do you just work in one park? For example, if youre Jasmine, do you work in front of the Magic Carpets in MK and in Morocco in Epcot or are they two different people?

I have a tattoo on my left shoulder in soft brown tones that can easily be covered up with concealer. The only time I could think of that it would show would be if I was a character like Jasmine or Belle in her yellow dress. If I was in those roles, would I need to cover it myself before my shift or would costuming cover it for me when I change? Would I take these costumes with me or would I need to go to costuming each day?


Thats it for this segment and thanks in advance for ANY help!

 

[csaribay]

What is company D? Somebody told me its like a discount store, that other theme park tickets and posters Any more details?

and My family are interested to come over this Christmas how does the booking thing work to get discounts in such?

Company D is the Cast Member company stores, located at Disney University (near the Magic Kingdom), Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Team Disney (near Downtown Disney), the reservations center and the Maingate Office Complex. They offer discounted/exclusive cast merchandise (including tickets) and services. There's also Property Control and Cast Connection, which offers substantial discounts on liquidated theme park merchandise and equipment from around property.

As far as room discounts go, you'll find out more information about booking a discounted room for yourself or friends and family after you arrive. It's all done online, via links on the Company's internet portal, called "The HUB."

What exactly is a Travel Planner? ...Where are you located... If in the parks, are you assigned one park or do you move around? ...do you also do other planning for guests including assisting with ADRs, setting up tours and planning general trip-wide itineraries? What else do you do?

Vacation Planners are among the first who meet day guests - these Cast Members essentially work the ticket booths in front Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom or the ticket booths at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Their primary responsibility is to sell admission media (tickets) and answer any questions that guests may have regarding Walt Disney World property. Other itinerary planning responsibilities (such as dining reservations) are usually not part of the role.

As far as I know, the role is globally based - and you can be moved from park-to-park on a day-to-day basis. Vacation Planners may also participate in Parade Audience Control from time to time.

Character Performers and the Audition Process...am I understanding correctly that at an audition, you can't say you want to try out to be Snow White, they will just look through the line and pull you if they think you show a good resemblance? ...do you wear Disney Look clothes to the audition and change for the dance portion or wear loose dance clothes for the entire audition? When you audition... do you tell them "I'd like to try out for Belle in the Beauty and the Beast Show and Pocahontas in Pocahontas ..? ...If cast as a singing, do you do the Beauty and the Beast show, meet and greets, Belles Story Time and the parades or do they have one Belle for each? ...What is Equity and what shows are considered Equity only and therefor off limits for CPs to be a part of? ...If youre a character, do you just work in one park? For example, if youre Jasmine, do you work in front of the Magic Carpets in MK and in Morocco in Epcot or are they two different people?

...I have a tattoo on my left shoulder in soft brown tones that can easily be covered up with concealer. The only time I could think of that it would show would be if I was a character like Jasmine or Belle in her yellow dress. If I was in those roles, would I need to cover it myself before my shift or would costuming cover it for me when I change? Would I take these costumes with me or would I need to go to costuming each day?

Entertainment auditions are pretty liberal as far Disney Look - come dressed appropriately so you will have full flexibility when auditioning. As far as face characters go, this is determined entirely by the audition panel, and you cannot directly apply to be a face character. At Walt Disney World, all character performers are pulled from one pool, so there is no distinction between those who perform as face characters or "fur" characters, that is to say, if you had the attributes and skill codes of face character, you still may be called upon to do different characters (including fur) on a day-to-day basis. Also, this pool is globally based, and can work at any of the four theme parks or twenty two resorts (sometimes multiple areas) each day.

For the most part, CPs participate in meet and greets, and sometimes are further trained for parades. Like the criteria for face characters, you cannot apply or otherwise make it known that you'd like to work one or the other - your skill and ability will be noted during the audition process, and that will have an effect on what performer roles you can participate in. Most singing roles and shows require Cast Members to be a part of the Equity Entertainer's Union, which CPs are ineligible from joining.

As far as your tattoo goes, you will be fully responsible for for both the makeup and the application of it to cover it up. There are certain restrictions, but in entertainment those are handled on an individual basis.

Finally, on the subject of entertainment costumes - these generally never leave property. You'll stop by entertainment costuming at the start of each day to pick up your costume, and at the end of the day turn it in.

Hopefully that helps!

 

[kandeebunny]

Do they do discounts on the behind the scenes tours? If so just for the CM or for the group/family they are with?

 

[glendalais]

Do they do discounts on the behind the scenes tours? If so just for the CM or for the group/family they are with?

There are discounts on the various tours, you can find more information regarding percentages and whatnot on The Hub, but it's generally for the CM and up to the number of people on their Maingate Pass.

 

[lbdpw1285]

this has probably been asked before but i cant find it.
do the CP rooms have a microwave?
are the beds standard twin or twin long?
thank you!!

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Thanks for helping me out here!!

Entertainment auditions are pretty liberal as far Disney Look - come dressed appropriately so you will have full flexibility when auditioning.

Should I shoot for nice looking dance clothes or is it whatever goes with a regular tshirt and work out pants?

Most singing roles and shows require Cast Members to be a part of the Equity Entertainer's Union, which CPs are ineligible from joining.

Is there a list of these shows online somewhere?

It seems a little strange to me that you would sing and dance in an audition if there aren't roles available for you to participate in, you know what I mean?

Finally, on the subject of entertainment costumes - these generally never leave property. You'll stop by entertainment costuming at the start of each day to pick up your costume, and at the end of the day turn it in.

Do people in costuming assist you in putting on your costume? For instance, if you were Jasmine, would they help you put on your giant wig? Do you apply your character makeup at home, at the costuming department or do they apply it on you?



Thanks again for all your help Chris (and anyone who wants to throw in some .02)!

 

[csaribay]

Should I shoot for nice looking dance clothes or is it whatever goes with a regular tshirt and work out pants?

Check out DisneyAuditions.com for more info - it recommends form-fitting clothing for dancers, and since dancing will be part of your audition routine - you might want to consider it.

Is there a list of these shows online somewhere?

It seems a little strange to me that you would sing and dance in an audition if there aren't roles available for you to participate in, you know what I mean?

The CP audition page doesn't mention singing at all as part of your role or audition (although it is a bit confusing- it does show some b-roll of a show in the very beginning of the video). You will be dancing however, as you could potentially do parades at some point during your program, and this is a good way to judge your overall movement ability. To answer your question for all intensive purposes: parades maybe, almost all shows with vocal parts; no. I don't have a list, but perhaps someone could post back with one.

Do people in costuming assist you in putting on your costume? For instance, if you were Jasmine, would they help you put on your giant wig? Do you apply your character makeup at home, at the costuming department or do they apply it on you?

Costuming and Cosmetology provide assistance, but I don't know how much. Hopefully someone can post back with that info. As far as make-up and everything goes, that gets applied at work (you'll be coming in & leaving dressed in normal street clothes/makeup every day).

 

[Joanna71985]

Should I shoot for nice looking dance clothes or is it whatever goes with a regular tshirt and work out pants?

This would be up to you, whichever you feel more comfortable in.

Is there a list of these shows online somewhere?

It seems a little strange to me that you would sing and dance in an audition if there aren't roles available for you to participate in, you know what I mean?

Yes, at www.disneyauditions.com.

There is no singing at the CP auditions. Singing is just for equity. At the CP auditions, it is only dancing and animation.

Do people in costuming assist you in putting on your costume? For instance, if you were Jasmine, would they help you put on your giant wig? Do you apply your character makeup at home, at the costuming department or do they apply it on you?

They may help you the first couple of times. But after that, you do it yourself. And makeup is done at work.

Thanks again for all your help Chris (and anyone who wants to throw in some .02)! [/QUOTE]

this has probably been asked before but i cant find it.
do the CP rooms have a microwave?
are the beds standard twin or twin long?
thank you!!

Yes, there are microwaves in the kitchens. And the beds are twin beds.

Do they do discounts on the behind the scenes tours? If so just for the CM or for the group/family they are with?

Yes they do. I have done 2 of them, KTTK and Mickey's Magical Milestones.

What exactly is a Travel Planner?

Where are you located?

If in the parks, are you assigned one park or do you move around?

I understand you sell tickets, but do you also do other planning for guests including assisting with ADRs, setting up tours and planning general trip-wide itineraries? What else do you do?

For Vacation Planners, you sell tickets and ticket plans. They are located at the front of the park (though Epcot also has a location in the back). You are assigned to one park. Tours and ADRs take place through Guest Relations.

Character Performers and the Audition Process

Am I understanding correctly that at an audition, you can't say you want to try out to be Snow White, they will just look through the line and pull you if they think you show a good resemblance?

Yes. If they think you are princess material, they will pull you. You can't ask to be pulled.

Do you wear Disney Look clothes to the audition and change for the dance portion or wear loose dance clothes for the entire audition?

You do not need to wear Disney Look clothes to the audition. I recommend wearing something comfy, that you can move freely in.

When you audition, if for a non-meet and greet character, but an actual singing and dancing character, do you tell them "I'd like to try out for Belle in the Beauty and the Beast Show and Pocahontas in Pocahontas and her Forest Friends show" or do you just sing your songs, dance, and they'll consider you for whatever?

CPs do not do any singing roles. The initial audition is for characters. Once you arrive in FL, you attend another audition for shows/parades. Then you can preference what you would like to do (if you are able to), but the final decision comes down to Disney. I know people who weren't pulled for any shows/parades their entire CP.

What is Equity and what shows are considered Equity only and therefor off limits for CPs to be a part of?

CPs can not be in Equity. There are shows that are not Equity-only, but the non-Equity roles go to FTers. Shows that a CPer *may* be in are Fantasmic (but that's pretty rare), Dream Along with Mickey (again, rare), FOTLK, and maybe the holiday shows at the MK. CPs mostly do parades.

If cast as a singing, dancing character, lets use Belle for an example, do you do the Beauty and the Beast show, meet and greets, Belles Story Time and the parades or do they have one Belle for each?

You are mentioning things from 2 different areas (regular entertainment, and equity). BATB show and Storytime with Belle are Equity positions. Meets and parades are regular entertainment.

If youre a character, do you just work in one park? For example, if youre Jasmine, do you work in front of the Magic Carpets in MK and in Morocco in Epcot or are they two different people?

You work in all 4 parks.

I have a tattoo on my left shoulder in soft brown tones that can easily be covered up with concealer. The only time I could think of that it would show would be if I was a character like Jasmine or Belle in her yellow dress. If I was in those roles, would I need to cover it myself before my shift or would costuming cover it for me when I change? Would I take these costumes with me or would I need to go to costuming each day?

You would need to cover any tatooes yourself. And the costume stays at the parks.

Thats it for this segment and thanks in advance for ANY help! [/QUOTE]

What is company D? Somebody told me its like a discount store, that other theme park tickets and posters Any more details?

and My family are interested to come over this Christmas how does the booking thing work to get discounts in such?

Company D is a store where you can get CM items, discounted tickets, ect. There is one at Disney U, Epcot, and DHS.

You may be able to get a room (just make sure it is booked way in advance). However, depending on when they come your Maingate could be blacked out.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

.

The CP audition page doesn't mention singing at all as part of your role or audition (although it is a bit confusing- it does show some b-roll of a show in the very beginning of the video).

Oh No I got confused with the Disney Auditions website and thinking it was for CPs since I made my way over there through the CP website. I was thinking they were all talking about auditions in the CP program. That makes me so sad.

Well, is there a way to do the CP and audition for a singing/show role while you're down there? Would you be allowed to transfer to a non-CP role during your CP program or would it have to be for something after your program ends? I don't want to put anyone out, but being in a show was 90% of my working at Disney World vision.

What is this second audition? Do you get offered to do it or can you ask for it?

 

[Joanna71985]

Oh No I got confused with the Disney Auditions website and thinking it was for CPs since I made my way over there through the CP website. I was thinking they were all talking about auditions in the CP program. That makes me so sad.

Well, is there a way to do the CP and audition for a singing/show role while you're down there? Would you be allowed to transfer to a non-CP role during your CP program or would it have to be for something after your program ends? I don't want to put anyone out, but being in a show was 90% of my working at Disney World vision.

What is this second audition? Do you get offered to do it or can you ask for it?

No. CPs can not do any singing roles, as those are Equity roles (and CPs can not be in Equity). If you want to audition for Equity, it would have to be after the CP ends.

The second audition (the one for parades/shows) is open to any character performer. It tells you what you can preference for shows/parades.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

No. CPs can not do any singing roles, as those are Equity roles (and CPs can not be in Equity). If you want to audition for Equity, it would have to be after the CP ends.

The second audition (the one for parades/shows) is open to any character performer. It tells you what you can preference for shows/parades.

That is such a bummer. So this second audition could potentially put you in a show as a character and maybe a dancer but is really just for parades? Is this correct?

 

[Joanna71985]

That is such a bummer. So this second audition could potentially put you in a show as a character and maybe a dancer but is really just for parades? Is this correct?

Yes. The other audition is for a color code. This tells you what your dance/animation abilities are. If they are high enough, you can preference certain things. You can preference shows and parades, but the final decision comes down to Disney (for the shows, the non-equity roles usually go to FTers).

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Yes. The other audition is for a color code. This tells you what your dance/animation abilities are. If they are high enough, you can preference certain things. You can preference shows and parades, but the final decision comes down to Disney (for the shows, the non-equity roles usually go to FTers).

Thanks for clearing this up for me! You're a great help.

 

[Joanna71985]

Thanks for clearing this up for me! You're a great help.

You're welcome.

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Does anyone know what characters are in what height range? I keep seeing people saying they are "Mickey height" or "Chipmunk height". What heights are usually what characters?

 

[MKandy]

What about shoes? What kind of shoes should you bring? Do they give you shoes? Is it the same type of shoe for all cast member positions?

Thanks.

 

[glendalais]

What about shoes? What kind of shoes should you bring? Do they give you shoes? Is it the same type of shoe for all cast member positions?

Thanks.

With the possible exception of Foods*, Shoes are the responsibility of the CM. The Company does mandate that they be black, polishable, and, if possible, slip resistant.

This is the preferred brand, and the one that they'll promote through Costuming:

http://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en

*DLR Foods issues CMs their shoes from the brand above. I'm not so sure about WDW Foods, though.

 

[csaribay]

With the possible exception of Foods*, Shoes are the responsibility of the CM. The Company does mandate that they be black, polishable, and, if possible, slip resistant.

This is the preferred brand, and the one that they'll promote through Costuming:

http://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en

*DLR Foods issues CMs their shoes from the brand above. I'm not so sure about WDW Foods, though.

WDW Food & Beverage requires Cast Members to purchase their own shoes, although SFC is highly recommended and F&B areas do have discount coupons to help fray the cost. Also of note; there's a SFC shoe-mobile that does stop by various work areas on a published bi-monthly schedule.

Also, many areas require a black, polishable shoe, preferably slip-resistant. However at WDW, there are several exceptions (some areas want leather boots, white shoes, etc.) that participants won't find out about until they arrive - which is why shoe shopping isn't really recommended until after they arrive and find out their work location.

 

[MKandy]

hey thanks a lot you two

I'm pretty pumped up for my first program. I'll be going in Spring 09

 

[carlwitac]

ok this might be off topic but what ever


I am doing the Career start program fall 08 and i will be heading down to disney for a vacation in july and was just wondering if there was any way i would be allowed to see the housing, where i am supposed to go and just get a lay of the land in other words.