Disneyland Face Charatcer Auditions

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Your post confuses me. What do you mean by "friend of" Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, etc.?

When you take on the role, you are expressly forbidden to say you play the role of a character. You have to tell people that you are "friends" with that character. It may be Disney-speak, but if you are having one of these conversations anywhere there are little kids, it's also the best safety net for the keeping the Pixie Dust where it belongs - and a good habit I got from a stint as a CM.

 

[PreLawDelt]

They know who you are. You had to submit an application and resume to be there. They screen you on that before they even let you into the audition. It's a very subtle process, but they know. We also had a "friend of Snow White" in our circle of friends.

I don't want to be rude and outright tell you that you're wrong, but there is really no way around it. We were in a line of 500-700 people, roughly. They didn't ask anyone's name and unless they have face recognition software and some international database I'm PRETTY sure they had no idea who anyone was when they walked in. We were completely anonymous to them unless we made it to another round. You are hearing things from a friends point of view. I am TELLING you how it was because I was there a few days ago. Resume is completely useless in the 1st round because they don't know your name. And, you DON'T have to submit a resume and application beforehand. NO resume is required, and they ask that you fill out a basic application for EMPLOYMENT which is no different than the application to work as a janitor for the park, but you aren't required to do it until they actually hire you as a character. I am sure your resume/headshot comes into play at some point in the rounds of hiring, but not on the 1st day.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Fair enough! Argument conceded. Let's all take a breather. Group hug!

I'm working off of when she applied in Florida several years ago - that may be the key piece of differences in each of your experiences. Florida processes are often different and more corporate than those here in the land of actors and auditions.

I'm sorry your attempt didn't work. I remember when you were planning intially to try to work for them. Did you ever check for legal dept internships or were you still going to focus on the parks?

 

[Lavender_Blue]

How tall do you have to be for a 'face character'?

 

[PreLawDelt]

I looked into the internships and most are for those still IN college, and other than that they really are looking for VPs and Producers. I'm either over and under-qualified. I have heard that once you're in you're IN so I hope that by getting into the park somewhere that I will be better informed of things that are available.

On the other note; I have heard that Florida is COMPLETELY different. They have auditions almost every week with DL is only every few months, so that could be the key difference. We were both right.

 

[bumbershoot]

Resume doesn't matter AT ALL. They don't even look at it until the final round and by then you're either gonna make it or break it based on talent. I have a GREAT musical theater resume but it was of no use because they don't even ask you your name let alone what you've done before. FACE IS MAJOR for FACE characters. In fact, it's really the ONLY thing for the entire 1st round.

They know who you are. You had to submit an application and resume to be there. They screen you on that before they even let you into the audition. It's a very subtle process, but they know. We also had a "friend of Snow White" in our circle of friends.

Before you guys realized it was FL vs CA, I was going to say it sounded like sorority rush! They never seemed to have a clue who we were, but oh boy did they ever. And I never got to find out what it was like on the inside, since I didn't make anyone's cut.


But about the face thing... It reminded me of a friend of a friend. I met her at the mutual friend's bridal shower and bachelorette party (drove to Reno after her shower), and shared a room with the mutual friend's friend. This woman is or was an anchorperson in the LA area, and was drop dead gorgeous. Wore a lot of makeup, I mean serious makeup. I barely wear even mascara anymore, and never got into foundation, b/c it all looks so fake on me and you can still see my skin flaws, so it doesn't seem to make much difference in me. She also used to do pageants, so she's got the poise and grace thing down, too.

Then when we were getting ready to sleep, she took off her makeup, and it was like a different person came out of the bathroom! She looked NOTHING like what she did with the Makeup on. And I wanted to ask her "since you look pretty average like that, how did you know that if you put on that makeup, you could be successful in pageants?????" but figured that was rude, LOL.

So anyway, I figure the face characters are wearing such heavy makeup anyway, and some of the princess makeup really changes the normal lines of the face, that I bet the judges are seeing something deeper than just what the person's face looks like, and that they know that some of the people there are wearing different makeup than they would as a princess, and therefore they might look entirely different than they do at the audition.

I don't know if that makes sense.


I'm probably too old to be any character (other than perhaps Mrs Claus, LOL, of course with aging makeup), but if I were of an age, brave, and in the Anaheim area...I think think of what a nightmare it would be to "go" for Cinderella, but end up as Drusilla or something....talk about a blow to the ego!!!!! (though I also know that the stepsister makeup is also very heavy and different from what the woman looks like)

 

[JaneJetson]

I think I'd be too tall to be one of the princesses. Oh, and I wear glasses...haha.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Before you guys realized it was FL vs CA, I was going to say it sounded like sorority rush! They never seemed to have a clue who we were, but oh boy did they ever.

Then when we were getting ready to sleep, she took off her makeup, and it was like a different person came out of the bathroom! She looked NOTHING like what she did with the Makeup on. And I wanted to ask her "since you look pretty average like that, how did you know that if you put on that makeup, you could be successful in pageants?????" but figured that was rude, LOL.

So anyway, I figure the face characters are wearing such heavy makeup anyway, and some of the princess makeup really changes the normal lines of the face, that I bet the judges are seeing something deeper than just what the person's face looks like, and that they know that some of the people there are wearing different makeup than they would as a princess, and therefore they might look entirely different than they do at the audition.

I'm probably too old to be any character (other than perhaps Mrs Claus, LOL, of course with aging makeup), but if I were of an age, brave, and in the Anaheim area...I think think of what a nightmare it would be to "go" for Cinderella, but end up as Drusilla or something....talk about a blow to the ego!!!!! (though I also know that the stepsister makeup is also very heavy and different from what the woman looks like)

It's still a sorority - who you know plays a big part at Disney. You can bet that the folks that were recommended to try out get further in the cuts. The panel knows who those folks are, especially if they audition a lot or maybe do temporary stints and then return for other auditions later. That's pretty common for acting gigs here in LA.

You can see the "make-up transformations" on America's Next Top Model. It's amazing what they do with those girls for all the different kinds of shoots. They like average and quirky, since those folks can be blank canvases. They note there is a difference between being a pretty girl and being a model/actor/spokesperson. "Pretty" girls usually don't make it to the finish.

Your last comment made me think about how young the Fairy Godmothers are in the parade! When it's a meet and greet or in WDW, they tend to cast older women, but have you sat through the opening of the DL afternoon parade lately - when the Fairies start the parade, they are all younger dancers made up to look older! Slightly awkward, IMO. Get a robust and mature woman to do Cinderella's FG! Miles provide believability!

 

[Jennia]

I'd also like to know what the height requirements are for the princesses, none of them seem very tall (like I should talk, I'm five even lol!).
This has all been very interesting, I've always been curious about the character auditions. When I lived in LA, I was friends with someone who left Universal to be a fuzzy at DL (he started off as a snowman in the Christmas parade).

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I'd also like to know what the height requirements are for the princesses, none of them seem very tall (like I should talk, I'm five even lol!).
This has all been very interesting, I've always been curious about the character auditions. When I lived in LA, I was friends with someone who left Universal to be a fuzzy at DL (he started off as a snowman in the Christmas parade).

I want to say anywhere from 5'3" to 5'6"? That sounds about right. Alice and the new Tink and Fairies are shorter (although you wouldn't think that about the current parade Tink) and I think the rest of the princesses have to be about the same - in case they cover more than one role.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

OT --

My dd and I have met the hispanic Mulan. Luckily dd was too young to notice but I did not really buy it. Yes she was short and very tiny but she did not look a thing like mulan.


That being said the face characters are really awesome! DD and I moved to CA a couple of years ago. As we drove across country (from Viringia) I bribed dd with DL APs if she was well behaved. Well she did it.

That first summer here we went at least twice a week - since we hardly knew anyone and DL addicts!! The princesses would always remember her name. It was so nice.

DD told Snow White at DL that she was going to WDW the next week. Well SNow White told dd to come and see her there. Well the Snow White at WDW understood with a little prompt from me what was going on. The amazing thing was that a few weeks later when we went back to DL the Snow White there (after a quick nonverbal confiramtion from mom that we had gone to WDW) gushed to dd about how happy she was to have seen her there.

 

[BecBennett]

But about the face thing... It reminded me of a friend of a friend. I met her at the mutual friend's bridal shower and bachelorette party (drove to Reno after her shower), and shared a room with the mutual friend's friend. This woman is or was an anchorperson in the LA area, and was drop dead gorgeous. Wore a lot of makeup, I mean serious makeup. I barely wear even mascara anymore, and never got into foundation, b/c it all looks so fake on me and you can still see my skin flaws, so it doesn't seem to make much difference in me. She also used to do pageants, so she's got the poise and grace thing down, too.

Then when we were getting ready to sleep, she took off her makeup, and it was like a different person came out of the bathroom! She looked NOTHING like what she did with the Makeup on. And I wanted to ask her "since you look pretty average like that, how did you know that if you put on that makeup, you could be successful in pageants?????" but figured that was rude, LOL.

There's a photo of Tara Reid somewhere with out any makeup on, and she's really quite a basic looking girl. I've never worn any make up really, so that photo always gives me hope that maybe I'd be a real stunner with a little professional makeup

DD told Snow White at DL that she was going to WDW the next week. Well SNow White told dd to come and see her there. Well the Snow White at WDW understood with a little prompt from me what was going on. The amazing thing was that a few weeks later when we went back to DL the Snow White there (after a quick nonverbal confiramtion from mom that we had gone to WDW) gushed to dd about how happy she was to have seen her there.

That's so cute! I love how that happens!

 

[JaneJetson]

There's a photo of Tara Reid somewhere with out any makeup on, and she's really quite a basic looking girl. I've never worn any make up really, so that photo always gives me hope that maybe I'd be a real stunner with a little professional makeup



That's so cute! I love how that happens!

Of course, Tara Reid is no stunner, even WITH makeup. She is not attractive...haha.

 

[PreLawDelt]

Of course, Tara Reid is no stunner, even WITH makeup. She is not attractive...haha.

As a male in the age range of Tara Reid I'm going to have to disagree. This girl is gorgeous when she tries. Not to say she doesn't look horrible when she doesn't (or at least the way the Paparazzi catches her) but have you seen her when she was on Scrubs? Gorgeous.

I'm trying out to be a face character and then a vocalist/actor for Disney Tokyo on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week so wish me luck.

 

[Mom of three]

As a male in the age range of Tara Reid I'm going to have to disagree. This girl is gorgeous when she tries. Not to say she doesn't look horrible when she doesn't (or at least the way the Paparazzi catches her) but have you seen her when she was on Scrubs? Gorgeous.

I agree. Shes a pretty girl, when she carries herself in a classy, professional matter.

Jane just seems to prove her own point that whats good looking to some, might not be to others.

Best of luck to you PreLaw!!

 

[JaneJetson]

As a male in the age range of Tara Reid I'm going to have to disagree. This girl is gorgeous when she tries. Not to say she doesn't look horrible when she doesn't (or at least the way the Paparazzi catches her) but have you seen her when she was on Scrubs? Gorgeous.

I'm trying out to be a face character and then a vocalist/actor for Disney Tokyo on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week so wish me luck.

Well, most of the men I know do NOT find her attractive.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Before you guys realized it was FL vs CA, I was going to say it sounded like sorority rush! They never seemed to have a clue who we were, but oh boy did they ever. And I never got to find out what it was like on the inside, since I didn't make anyone's cut.


But about the face thing... It reminded me of a friend of a friend. I met her at the mutual friend's bridal shower and bachelorette party (drove to Reno after her shower), and shared a room with the mutual friend's friend. This woman is or was an anchorperson in the LA area, and was drop dead gorgeous. Wore a lot of makeup, I mean serious makeup. I barely wear even mascara anymore, and never got into foundation, b/c it all looks so fake on me and you can still see my skin flaws, so it doesn't seem to make much difference in me. She also used to do pageants, so she's got the poise and grace thing down, too.

Then when we were getting ready to sleep, she took off her makeup, and it was like a different person came out of the bathroom! She looked NOTHING like what she did with the Makeup on. And I wanted to ask her "since you look pretty average like that, how did you know that if you put on that makeup, you could be successful in pageants?????" but figured that was rude, LOL.

So anyway, I figure the face characters are wearing such heavy makeup anyway, and some of the princess makeup really changes the normal lines of the face, that I bet the judges are seeing something deeper than just what the person's face looks like, and that they know that some of the people there are wearing different makeup than they would as a princess, and therefore they might look entirely different than they do at the audition.

I don't know if that makes sense.


I'm probably too old to be any character (other than perhaps Mrs Claus, LOL, of course with aging makeup), but if I were of an age, brave, and in the Anaheim area...I think think of what a nightmare it would be to "go" for Cinderella, but end up as Drusilla or something....talk about a blow to the ego!!!!! (though I also know that the stepsister makeup is also very heavy and different from what the woman looks like)

Just to add another comment on that make-up thing. I went to my first 2 (but definitely not my last) Disney auditions yesterday (for Paris and Hong Kong...I didn't make it past the first cut for either, but I sill had fun) and for the Hong Kong one (not so much for the Paris one...but there were also a lot of people who did both), which was strictly princesses, the majority of the girls had on regular audition/"casual glamour" make-up (foundation, blush, eyeliner, the works...which I obv. didn't have on). While in line to sign in, I got a glance at the headshot of the girl in front of me and in it she was pretty, but average-ish (girl next door-ish), but at the audition, she had the full-blown make-up on and she looked much more Disney princess-pretty than in her headshot. While waiting for my friend (who had made it past the first cut for Paris), I talked to a dad whose daughter had also made it past the first cut. His daughter had been on a handful of Disney auditions before and at first when she would go, she didn't wear much make-up, but she noticed that the girls who were usually picked were wearing make-up. So she tried that one time, and she got to try on wigs. Disney Audition Lesson #1: Wear make-up because it makes a difference to the Disney casting people.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Just to add another comment on that make-up thing. I went to my first 2 (but definitely not my last) Disney auditions yesterday (for Paris and Hong Kong...I didn't make it past the first cut for either, but I sill had fun) and for the Hong Kong one (not so much for the Paris one...but there were also a lot of people who did both), which was strictly princesses, the majority of the girls had on regular audition/"casual glamour" make-up (foundation, blush, eyeliner, the works...which I obv. didn't have on). While in line to sign in, I got a glance at the headshot of the girl in front of me and in it she was pretty, but average-ish (girl next door-ish), but at the audition, she had the full-blown make-up on and she looked much more Disney princess-pretty than in her headshot. While waiting for my friend (who had made it past the first cut for Paris), I talked to a dad whose daughter had also made it past the first cut. His daughter had been on a handful of Disney auditions before and at first when she would go, she didn't wear much make-up, but she noticed that the girls who were usually picked were wearing make-up. So she tried that one time, and she got to try on wigs. Disney Audition Lesson #1: Wear make-up because it makes a difference to the Disney casting people.

That makes sense. Usually when you go for modeling scouting things, they want very minimal makeup so they can see your bone structure and such without all that makeup distracting them. But I can see with Disney to wear makeup. They put makeup on the face characters anyways, even the males. Good to know.

AmericanItGirl, do they verbally tell you what the height requirements are for princesses?

 

[Disney Dreams]

This is from Disney directly:
"Disney Princess Look-alikes: We are looking for smiling faces to bring to life heroines from classic Disney animated films. Strong female candidates should resemble the characters in look, height and personality, have a positive attitude and possess a good speaking voice. Female performers must be between 5’2” and 5’7” (157cm – 170cm). There will be an initial type out, followed by a movement combination."

As for the audition process...

1st Round
Very early in the morning, several 100s of people generally show up and get in line. Small groups are taken in at a time. They bring the group in the room, line everyone up, look at them, and call out numbers of those they want to stay. The others are done. (So... you could wait 2 hours to get your chance to walk in the room and be done 10 seconds later.)

2nd Round
After everyone has had their 10 seconds in a line up, those that made the 1st cut are taught a small dance routine (to show coordination, movement, etc...). Small groups are brought in. Dance. Numbers called. Stay or go accordingly.

3rd Round
Wigs are brought out and tried on in front of the panel. They could have you try 1 or a few, depending. At this point, they may take a Polaroid pic of you.... or not. Everyone gets their turn at wigs and then numbers are called. Again.

4th Round
Some sort of improvisation. This lets them see how you interact, speak, etc....

The end.

Princesses I believe range from 5'4"-5'10". Alice is shorter. 5'1' / 5'2"??

- Dreams

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Thanks, Disney Dreams.

I want to do just to say I’ve tried. I’m 5’9” with no shoes on. Which is tall for a princess, IMO. I think I could only be a Jasmine, Mulan or if I got a tan Pocahontas. My eyes are too slanted to pull off a Belle, Cindy, etc.

Boo!