Does anyone work in the Costuming Department at WDW?

[twilight_star]

Hi there everybody : ) I'm new to the forums and all, and I'm starting the Career Start program in Fall '08. So far, I haven't found out too much about the Costuming positions (that's where I'll be working). If anyone wants to share their experiences working there, or knows ANYTHING about the job, it would be great to hear about their experiences. Thanks!

 

[snowprincessofAK]

First off WELCOME!!!! Second I'm going to be doing costuming too ( for the same program) so I can't wait to see you there!!!

 

[twilight_star]

SO COOL! Look forward to seeing you!

 

[Pendragon1515]

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! my name is Tyler ! and i am doing the fall advantage program and i currently work in the costuming department! ask any questions! i will answer all of them! i first off would like to say that i loveeeeee costuming! we are apart of the entertainment department! and FEW can say that they are apart of that amazing and magical department! i work at the Magic Kingdom! i work on SpectroMagic, the character room, i dress tinkerbell before she flies, and i also work on the amazing castle show-Dream along with mickey! i love my job so much! i know most of the characters by their first name! that is another thing! we get to meet all of the characters and get to know them! but yea feel free to ask anything! i will try to keep up on the boards! just PM me!

 

[deadtoaster2]

Please, please, please don't take this the wrong way, because I mean it in the most honest and curious way possible.

But is the costuming department made up mostly of women or is that just the stereotype? What is the ratio there, or is it pretty equally divided?

Also did you select any other roles you were interested in when you applied or was this your first and/or only choice?

 

[Pendragon1515]

hey! so the ratio isn't too important. but to be honest it is like 50/50. and i told the person when i was doing my interview that i wanted costuming...and nothing else...and i got it!

 

[deadtoaster2]

Sweet. That's good to know. Thanks for answering.

 

[twilight_star]

Thanks, Pendragon! I'm so glad to hear that you like it! Also, it sounds like such a fun job. I had heard good and bad things about working in costuming, but i think any job is what you make of it. But where is the costuming department nowadays? Do you ever get to travel around to other parks? Thanks again for sharing info You rock! Maybe I'll see ya in a month!

 

[EmileeGivens]

Thanks, Pendragon! I'm so glad to hear that you like it! Also, it sounds like such a fun job. I had heard good and bad things about working in costuming, but i think any job is what you make of it. But where is the costuming department nowadays? Do you ever get to travel around to other parks? Thanks again for sharing info You rock! Maybe I'll see ya in a month!

Hey, im doing costuming also! for the college program from Aug 13th through Jan 2. Its not far off!!

 

[Pendragon1515]

Thanks, Pendragon! I'm so glad to hear that you like it! Also, it sounds like such a fun job. I had heard good and bad things about working in costuming, but i think any job is what you make of it. But where is the costuming department nowadays? Do you ever get to travel around to other parks? Thanks again for sharing info You rock! Maybe I'll see ya in a month!

honestly i really never look at how bad the job is....because when i feel tired...i go up into the park and walk around. then i see tigger and i look the kids so excited to be able to meet tigger, and remember it may be the childs 100th visit or their first, or their last. but it is at that moment that i see the smile of pure excitment...that makes me feel amazing inside, because i was apart of gettng that costume show ready. to a child it isn't a jumpsuit with a tail and a head. no ITS TIGGER! i love my job!! and some one asked if we are only aloud to be at one park...im on the list to do Block Party at the hollywood studios, as well as Fantasmic!

 

[aly024]

hey! im doing spring advantage 09 (hopefully) and costuming is one of my top 3 choices. i love working backstage and have done so a few times for dance programs at my college. but exactly what does costuming at disney do? what is a typical day like there? and pendragon, since u seem to be the residential expert in this field, would u mind giving details? and what do u do at fantasmic too by the way? oh and what r ur hours like?

 

[sandybobandy]

Hey Tyler! I sent you a message on facebook....I'm also wondering what your average hours are like!?

 

[RR0206]

Just throwing in some info to help: my roommate did Costuming at DHS during Spring 08 CP. He worked primarily at Fantasmic, which he really loved, but it was not set in stone. Sometimes he'd be in the character room as well, and he got to help get Block Party off of the ground.

From what I understood: at the beginning of his shift he and the other costumers would set about getting costumes from the laundry for Fantasmic and start assembling the costumes, getting them all set for the actors. Then as the day / night went on they would start presetting the costumes on the back of the island. Dinner break, and then it would nearly be showtime. There were different tracks for the costumers and he came to learn all of them.... basically what track he was on decided what he'd be doing during a particular show, whether it was dressing various people and then ending up on the ferry boat at the end, or at the top of the island for Sorceror Mickey.

At the end of the shows......get all of the costumes to laundry, get it started, and then it'd finally be time to go.

His hours were normally a steady 35-40 hours in non-peak, typically 2pm - 10pm or 4pm to midnight. On peak nights with 2 or even the dreaded 3 shows he would get home much later.

His enjoyment of the position depended greatly on the managers and coordinators, as some knew what they were doing and others had no clue.

Hope that gives a little perspective =)

 

[sandybobandy]

That's super helpful-thank you!!

 

[aly024]

yes thanks alot RR. that is helpful

 

[DisneyGirl421]

That sound awesome! As a theatre major, this would be a perfect position for me. haha I'm planning on doing the fall '10 CP after I graduate.
Just one quick question... how much do you have to know about sewing? Because I am not very good at sewing, lol. I'm learning, but yeah. It might take some time.

 

[sandybobandy]

That sound awesome! As a theatre major, this would be a perfect position for me. haha I'm planning on doing the fall '10 CP after I graduate.
Just one quick question... how much do you have to know about sewing? Because I am not very good at sewing, lol. I'm learning, but yeah. It might take some time.

I was a theatre major too and think costuming would be fun! I just worry about me being sad and jealous that I'm not the one being costumed if that makes any sense. lol

 

[Pendragon1515]

That sound awesome! As a theatre major, this would be a perfect position for me. haha I'm planning on doing the fall '10 CP after I graduate.
Just one quick question... how much do you have to know about sewing? Because I am not very good at sewing, lol. I'm learning, but yeah. It might take some time.

we do not sew anything! we have a huge team that consist of seamstresses

 

[Pendragon1515]

I was a theatre major too and think costuming would be fun! I just worry about me being sad and jealous that I'm not the one being costumed if that makes any sense. lol

i got jellous until i saw how much they sweat and how HOT they were and how they hated their jobs. and how long their days were compaired to mine. honestly that thought left my head REALLY quickly. i honestly wanted so bad to be a character...then i played dressup in the character room. and i was done. lol i didn't want it anymore because i got what i wanted...that is...to put on a costume. :0)

 

[Pendragon1515]

hey! im doing spring advantage 09 (hopefully) and costuming is one of my top 3 choices. i love working backstage and have done so a few times for dance programs at my college. but exactly what does costuming at disney do? what is a typical day like there? and pendragon, since u seem to be the residential expert in this field, would u mind giving details? and what do u do at fantasmic too by the way? oh and what r ur hours like?

ok...sorry it has taken me awhile! working on the castle show is tiring! going from the basement to the castle 16 times a day! is rough! but i will answer your questions

but exactly what does costuming at disney do?

it really does depend where you are working. i have work in the character room, the day parade, spectromagic and on the castle show. every parade and show is really different! but our main job is to provide show quality costumes for our preformers.

what is a typical day like there?
oh and what r ur hours like?

again...it depends where you work. here is the typical hours for me

specto.... 4:30PM - 3:00 AM (for double parade one at 9 one at 11)
Day parade.... 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM (only one parade)
Castle show... 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
and the character room differs.

would u mind giving details? and what do u do at fantasmic too by the way?

currently i do not work at fantasmic...but i will be working there soon. but when i am at the castle show i am dressing the preformers to go out on stage. and i would love to give you every single detail about this amazing job but...i cant go to far into details because i don't know who all is reading this. and i don't want to ruin the magic for anybody! but let me tell you this, i am so happy when i come into work! every single day i say....i'm going to work! with a huge smile on my face. and at least i'm not in quick service....as a fry cook. i am dressing characters and providing world class entertainment!






i hope that helps!