Does anyone here work at Disneyland, CA, or have worked there previously? And could..

[fairycat]

Appearance is also very important. Disney does have a code for appearances. Nothing too over the top. Small earrings and light makeup if you're a lady. Be clean and well groomed of course. Obnoxious hair color or high lights will hurt your chances as well. They don't want to an environment where people are trying to be noticed for their uniqueness sad to say.

Actually non-natural hair colors will keep you from getting hired period. Unless you state it will be changed, and even then I would expect to get your application dumped into the Outbin if you know what I mean. Unless you really, really shine at the interview and they are willing to let you change it, there are too many people looking for good Disney jobs.

Disney has VERY strict dress code and apperance rules. I could never get hired with my current apperance with out some changes. Which is funny because I could sell high end jewelry, work front staff for attorneys and work in a wine tasting room but Disney would not take me.

I applied for Magic Mountain a long time ago (since this park is closer to me) when I was in college I had a short bob, with very short under layers at the back. I was actually hired and when I went to leave the guy called me back and told me I was unhireable due to my hair cut. I did not get the job (thank goodness cause I got a way better one the next day). I was told that most likely only Universal would have hired me with the hair cut, Disney never would have taken me.

My hair cut was common and not drastic but by the rules I could not work for these places. I was told a guy also could not have major differences in the lengths of their hair (layers). This may have been years ago, but its still the same my friend has to keep his hair very short because of his curly hair and had to cut his off in order for one of the non-Disney DTD places to hire him because they also have to adhere to the dresscodes.

You may not have issues with this, but in case some one else who wants to work Disney reads this its very good info to know. When I talk to CM's I often get asked why I don't work for Disney and I laugh and tell them even if it wasn't for the drive Disney would never take me without a weave, long sleeves and a lot of lost jewelry.

 

[alligator]

indiana scones actually.

haHA!!!! this was, officially, my laugh of the day! thank you!

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

...I'm a guy.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

Well, the car pooling thing would work find it you both have the exact same hours.

And it is very possible for two 18 year olds to share a 1-bedroom apartment. I know quite a few people that shared rooms in apartments. Mainly because it was in orange county where everything is insantely overpriced. (So happy I don't live there anymore!!! Haha)

Well, sure it's possible...but we're gonna be two eighteen year old guys. Not only would that be kind of awkward at that age--but you've gotta think--uh, I'm trying not to sound perverted or anything, but--girls, y'know?

We'll leave it at that.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

ODV stands for Outdoor Vending. You know, Churros carts, popcorn carts. Then you would be working along side me.

they will ask you questions and see how well you answer questions. Im not allowed to share those questions and since these questions are already out in the net, i was told they have changed the questions. Just listen to the questions well, they ask simple questions, try not to get side tracked and answer it wrong. Give yourself like 3-5 sec to think about the question and come up with something. Try thinking maturity, esp in high school or a job that doesnt deal with childrens as thats how i failed the first time yes, i applied once and didnt get in. so i ran over to knotts and got a job there They dont care for grades. Im not sure if college program does or not.

They do consider your availability esp during the peak season, so thats a plus for you. I know people were turned away due to lack of availability. Didnt even get to be in the interview.

Oh, cool. Do you use registers? Where you type in? Or do you just do the math manually?

And thanks for the advice!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Well, sure it's possible...but we're gonna be two eighteen year old guys. Not only would that be kind of awkward at that age--but you've gotta think--uh, I'm trying not to sound perverted or anything, but--girls, y'know?

We'll leave it at that.

well, bedrooms usually have locks. you don't have to be in the bedroom at the same time, all the time. the people i was talking about were also college aged kids and they all managed just fine.

i just say...good luck to you. socal is an expensive place. (not worth it, in my opinion.)

you're in for a lot of hard work, i think.
what are your long term goals? what do you want to do for a living in the longrun?

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

well, bedrooms usually have locks. you don't have to be in the bedroom at the same time, all the time. the people i was talking about were also college aged kids and they all managed just fine.

i just say...good luck to you. socal is an expensive place. (not worth it, in my opinion.)

you're in for a lot of hard work, i think.
what are your long term goals? what do you want to do for a living in the longrun?

Ah, I see what you mean.

Uh...working. I plan to work there for a while, save up some money, get some experience, then move on to a new job--one that I'll enjoy to stay at for years, and eventually retire.

All the while, I'll be working on my writing, band, and movie making.

 

[Quest4fun]

Well, sure it's possible...but we're gonna be two eighteen year old guys. Not only would that be kind of awkward at that age--but you've gotta think--uh, I'm trying not to sound perverted or anything, but--girls, y'know?

We'll leave it at that.

I used to share a 450 sq/ft apartment with another guy. We worked it out. If the door was shut you didn't bother to knock. You knew what was happening.
It's not hard to share that space and it certainly makes it easier to share a place when even one bedroom apartments start around $1300/month.

It's possible and it helps get the bills paid especially when you're a noob at Disneyland and don't have enough tenure to get hours. I've always thought of Disneyland as a good second job. If you can make a full time run at it and work holidays then you'll do better than most. If you're not interested in ODV positions, Westside attractions has always had good managers and the team dynamic on this side of the park has always seemed a little more pleasant. Most everybody I know who works or has worked there stuck to that area and were relatively happy with their work.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

By the way--

What is the title for the costumed characters? (Donald, Goofy, etc.)

Also-- do you need any 'experience' for that job? I mean, I would guess they train you for a few days if that, and set you off. I wouldn't mind doing that sometime. And if you do that job, that won't be the only job you do, right? So that I can do others, as well?

 

[Quest4fun]

By the way--

What is the title for the costumed characters? (Donald, Goofy, etc.)

Also-- do you need any 'experience' for that job? I mean, I would guess they train you for a few days if that, and set you off. I wouldn't mind doing that sometime. And if you do that job, that won't be the only job you do, right? So that I can do others, as well?

I don't recall the internal title for the character cast members but there is an audition process to get the position.

The "audition" involves an interview of course and you will get to spend some time in the costume behaving as the character while you're observed. The trick is to stay in character and be interacting constantly. A good friend of mine pantomimed Goofy being bored which didn't go over very well. If they stick you in Pluto be sure to behave somewhat like a dog.

I'm not sure if you can work in multiple departments due to scheduling and competition. Characters, parades, vendors, restaurant, etc all operate a little differently and I'm not sure if they allow cross departmental work.

What do you know about this Albort?

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

I don't recall the internal title for the character cast members but there is an audition process to get the position.

The "audition" involves an interview of course and you will get to spend some time in the costume behaving as the character while you're observed. The trick is to stay in character and be interacting constantly. A good friend of mine pantomimed Goofy being bored which didn't go over very well. If they stick you in Pluto be sure to behave somewhat like a dog.

I'm not sure if you can work in multiple departments due to scheduling and competition. Characters, parades, vendors, restaurant, etc all operate a little differently and I'm not sure if they allow cross departmental work.

What do you know about this Albort?

I think I could do pretty good as a character. I've seen their mannerisms, how they act, react, how they wave, all that. I'm pretty goofy myself, so I don't think I'd have a problem getting into the role of a Disney character!


Yeah, Albort, whatta ya know?

 

[fairycat]

By the way--

What is the title for the costumed characters? (Donald, Goofy, etc.)

Also-- do you need any 'experience' for that job? I mean, I would guess they train you for a few days if that, and set you off. I wouldn't mind doing that sometime. And if you do that job, that won't be the only job you do, right? So that I can do others, as well?

When you play a character that is all you do. It is a tough, and thankless job sometimes. Those costumes can get VERY hot, and are akward to move around in.

As I mentioned I know many people who have done it from the 1960's on to today. I knew two guys who did characters and know one girl who does it now (she wanted to be a Princess but was told her face was too round). These are sought after jobs that can be very hard. My friend was Dumbo in the sixties and said those old costumes were very hot and akward.

My other friend did many characters in parades and said the worst was Lumiere because the costume was so top heavy he actually got blown over in a parade. He tried to avoid that costume as much as possible.

The girl currently doing it, said they do have more fans in the new costumes but they still get very warm which is why they switch characters so often especially costumed ones, because it can get so warm in there you can pass out.

But even saying all this terrible stuff everyone I know who has done the work loved/loves it! They had to work to get the spots and work hard to keep them since so many people want to do it, though it is not the same level as face characters (people who play characters with no masks). It is a neat job though.

ETA- How is your body build. If you are tall, heavier, skinny or short dictates what characters they can use you for. Being too tall can hurt you. But being short is not bad, the girl I mentioned is about 5'1"

 

[fairycat]

I think I could do pretty good as a character. I've seen their mannerisms, how they act, react, how they wave, all that. I'm pretty goofy myself, so I don't think I'd have a problem getting into the role of a Disney character!


Yeah, Albort, whatta ya know?

I have to add do you know that every Princess and I believe several Characters all have a unique wave that you are taught for the character.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

Ah, I see what you mean.

Uh...working. I plan to work there for a while, save up some money, get some experience, then move on to a new job--one that I'll enjoy to stay at for years, and eventually retire.

All the while, I'll be working on my writing, band, and movie making.

I understand that you want to work. I was just curious what kind of work (besides DL) you wanted to do someday.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

When you play a character that is all you do. It is a tough, and thankless job sometimes. Those costumes can get VERY hot, and are akward to move around in.

As I mentioned I know many people who have done it from the 1960's on to today. I knew two guys who did characters and know one girl who does it now (she wanted to be a Princess but was told her face was too round). These are sought after jobs that can be very hard. My friend was Dumbo in the sixties and said those old costumes were very hot and akward.

My other friend did many characters in parades and said the worst was Lumiere because the costume was so top heavy he actually got blown over in a parade. He tried to avoid that costume as much as possible.

The girl currently doing it, said they do have more fans in the new costumes but they still get very warm which is why they switch characters so often especially costumed ones, because it can get so warm in there you can pass out.

But even saying all this terrible stuff everyone I know who has done the work loved/loves it! They had to work to get the spots and work hard to keep them since so many people want to do it, though it is not the same level as face characters (people who play characters with no masks). It is a neat job though.

ETA- How is your body build. If you are tall, heavier, skinny or short dictates what characters they can use you for. Being too tall can hurt you. But being short is not bad, the girl I mentioned is about 5'1"

I wouldn't mind the heat too much, most likely. A: I'm from Nevada and B: I'd love to do such a job so much, I don't think I'd mind!

Do you know what the pay is like? And the hours for that, too? Is that available for full time, or...?

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

I have to add do you know that every Princess and I believe several Characters all have a unique wave that you are taught for the character.

Oh, sounds great!

I understand that you want to work. I was just curious what kind of work (besides DL) you wanted to do someday.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I have to add do you know that every Princess and I believe several Characters all have a unique wave that you are taught for the character.

I believe they are all taught a specific signature to use when signing autograph books too.

And as mentioned...there are specific height requirements and whatnot for the characters.

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

I believe they are all taught a specific signature to use when signing autograph books too.

And as mentioned...there are specific height requirements and whatnot for the characters.

Yeah, I was wondering about that. Poor kid that gets home and sees two different autographs by the same character!

Oh, yeah, about that. Currently, I'm 5'10...I'm most likely going to grow a coupe inches, right? Is that bad?

 

[blitzen2k5]

I don't recall the internal title for the character cast members but there is an audition process to get the position.

The "audition" involves an interview of course and you will get to spend some time in the costume behaving as the character while you're observed. The trick is to stay in character and be interacting constantly. A good friend of mine pantomimed Goofy being bored which didn't go over very well. If they stick you in Pluto be sure to behave somewhat like a dog.

I'm not sure if you can work in multiple departments due to scheduling and competition. Characters, parades, vendors, restaurant, etc all operate a little differently and I'm not sure if they allow cross departmental work.

What do you know about this Albort?

Years ago I had a chance to go to an audition for that. Disney had come to my hometown and when it was my turn the guy immediately took one look at me and asked "Wow how tall are you?" I told him 6'6. And he told me sorry but the costumes are too small. At the time even Goofy you could only be 6'4 or less. My dreams were dashed. Dont know what its like now.

Blitz

 

[TheAmazingSpidey]

Years ago I had a chance to go to an audition for that. Disney had come to my hometown and when it was my turn the guy immediately took one look at me and asked "Wow how tall are you?" I told him 6'6. And he told me sorry but the costumes are too small. At the time even Goofy you could only be 6'4 or less. My dreams were dashed. Dont know what its like now.

Blitz

6'4 or less? That's good for me, really...5'10 now, I sincerely doubt I'll grow past that in two years...

Sorry to hear that, though. Must have sucked.