From DisneyParks Blog: A Peek at Costuming at DLR

[Funball]

Every wondered how the costumes stay so perfect? Or how many costumes DLR has?

Take a peek at the link, it’s very interesting!


Backstage Costuming

 

[JH87]

I just watched this on the Disney Parks Blog! Very interesting! It seems like CMs get their costumes on at work...but it was weird because I was at the Starbucks on Ball Rd and a few CMs already in their costumes were there grabbing some coffee. Maybe they get the costumes for the next day?
Either way, cool video!

 

[skiingfast]

I just watched this on the Disney Parks Blog! Very interesting! It seems like CMs get their costumes on at work...but it was weird because I was at the Starbucks on Ball Rd and a few CMs already in their costumes were there grabbing some coffee. Maybe they get the costumes for the next day?
Either way, cool video!

I know some past and current WDW CM's. At least there they are not supposed to be in public in costume. If they need them washed they go to costuming if not take them home. Costuming is not as handy at WDW as DLR so people take their wardrobe home to save time.

 

[Susie*Q]

One of my customers has come to the shop in costume... ready to escort and welcome guests into the Haunted Mnsion.

 

[Albort]

Sometimes its just a convenient to grab something really quick from a store and out... Of course, its not a good idea to get into arguments and still follow a strict policy...

 

[glendalais]

I know some past and current WDW CM's. At least there they are not supposed to be in public in costume. If they need them washed they go to costuming if not take them home. Costuming is not as handy at WDW as DLR so people take their wardrobe home to save time.

It's actually a relatively recent development. For many, many years, CMs at both DLR and WDW had to change at work. WDW changed over about the time DAK opened and DLR sometime in the early 2000s. There are still many CMs, particularly at WDW, who still change at work even though it's no longer required - these days, it's really a matter of personal preference.

 

[jimreuter]

I work at Disneyland Resort, and I don't know how things work at WDW.

I keep complete costumes at home for the two locations where I usually work. If I am spending the whole day at work, I come dressed and leave dressed. I usually drop off (at costuming) the shirt I wore yesterday, and pick up a clean one for tomorrow as I am leaving at the end of my shift. I often stop at the market, or Starbucks etc. on the way to or from work while in costume, but without my name tag - the name tags are not supposed to be worn when you are off Disneyland Resort property, but you are allowed brief stops at vendors going to and from work in costume. Extended wear (like going to the movies or a ball game) is pretty clearly outside the guidelines.

If I am working at a different location, or if I am coming in as a guest early and working a later shift, I bring my shoes, name tag, belt, tie, hat, jacket if needed, and leave them in a locker at costuming, then later return and check out any other needed costume pieces and dress at costuming before starting work. If I have an early shift and am returning to the park later as a guest, I come dressed and bring my "civilian" clothes with me, leaving them in a locker at costuming for later use.

The 800 costumes mentioned is probably 800 distinct roles. For each role, there are many costume pieces in each needed size, so the actual number of costume pieces at Costuming is enormous. Some overlap - for example, the dark blue pants and black belt for men are the same for Blue Bayou and Carnation Cafe. Each costume piece has a bar code label, which is scanned when the piece is checked out to you, and scanned when the piece is returned to Costuming.

A rather amazing operation!

 

[JH87]

I work at Disneyland Resort, and I don't know how things work at WDW.

I keep complete costumes at home for the two locations where I usually work. If I am spending the whole day at work, I come dressed and leave dressed. I usually drop off (at costuming) the shirt I wore yesterday, and pick up a clean one for tomorrow as I am leaving at the end of my shift. I often stop at the market, or Starbucks etc. on the way to or from work while in costume, but without my name tag - the name tags are not supposed to be worn when you are off Disneyland Resort property, but you are allowed brief stops at vendors going to and from work in costume. Extended wear (like going to the movies or a ball game) is pretty clearly outside the guidelines.

If I am working at a different location, or if I am coming in as a guest early and working a later shift, I bring my shoes, name tag, belt, tie, hat, jacket if needed, and leave them in a locker at costuming, then later return and check out any other needed costume pieces and dress at costuming before starting work. If I have an early shift and am returning to the park later as a guest, I come dressed and bring my "civilian" clothes with me, leaving them in a locker at costuming for later use.

The 800 costumes mentioned is probably 800 distinct roles. For each role, there are many costume pieces in each needed size, so the actual number of costume pieces at Costuming is enormous. Some overlap - for example, the dark blue pants and black belt for men are the same for Blue Bayou and Carnation Cafe. Each costume piece has a bar code label, which is scanned when the piece is checked out to you, and scanned when the piece is returned to Costuming.

A rather amazing operation!

Thanks for sharing that info! It sounds pretty amazing and well organized!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We got to see that area of costuming when we did the backstage tour through the disboards in 2009. It was amazing to see how many different costumes there were. That was only one location as well, they didn't have character costumes in that area, for example.

 

[Praise2Him]

Very interesting! There are actually 2 types of costuming roles - I think the one shown is called Operations costuming (not sure about that) and there's also Entertainment costuming - where the cast members process the costumes for the characters and other entertainers. My DD works in Entertainment costuming at WDW.

We got to see that area of costuming when we did the backstage tour through the disboards in 2009. It was amazing to see how many different costumes there were. That was only one location as well, they didn't have character costumes in that area, for example.

The character costumes are stored at each specific location, not at one central location. For example, all the Fantasmic! costumes are stored near the Fantasmic! theater.

 

[benolathe]

Very interesting video. Costuming is a huge operation, and appears to be extremely well organized.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We got to see that area of costuming when we did the backstage tour through the disboards in 2009. It was amazing to see how many different costumes there were. That was only one location as well, they didn't have character costumes in that area, for example.

We were on the same tour! (I don't think they've done one since - at least, that's what I heard.

I thought it was interesting that they had cards that showed the different variations of costumes for the different CM roles so the CMs could match their pieces to the card. That was a huge warehouse!

Very interesting! There are actually 2 types of costuming roles - I think the one shown is called Operations costuming (not sure about that) and there's also Entertainment costuming - where the cast members process the costumes for the characters and other entertainers. My DD works in Entertainment costuming at WDW.

The character costumes are stored at each specific location, not at one central location. For example, all the Fantasmic! costumes are stored near the Fantasmic! theater.

Is this for both DLR & WDW? Just wondering since you said your DD works @ WDW. Fantasmic! @ DL is at Tom Sawyer's Island. They might have the costumes on the island down below the stage or the fort or (?), but not sure if they have the costumes on the island or at the main costume warehouse.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We were on the same tour! (I don't think they've done one since - at least, that's what I heard.

I thought it was interesting that they had cards that showed the different variations of costumes for the different CM roles so the CMs could match their pieces to the card. That was a huge warehouse!


Is this for both DLR & WDW? Just wondering since you said your DD works @ WDW. Fantasmic! @ DL is at Tom Sawyer's Island. They might have the costumes on the island down below the stage or the fort or (?), but not sure if they have the costumes on the island or at the main costume warehouse.

Hi Mary Jo! I wondered if they ever did anymore of those tours!
I thought I remember them saying on our tour that some of the character costumes were at a location over by Toon Town? But I may be thinking of something else.

 

[ipodluvr287]

Hi Mary Jo! I wondered if they ever did anymore of those tours!
I thought I remember them saying on our tour that some of the character costumes were at a location over by Toon Town? But I may be thinking of something else.

I'm not sure if you're talking about WDW or DL, but at WDW all the fuzzy character costumes are kept in the area of costuming called the Character Zoo, which is in the utilidors below the Magic Kingdom. The face character costumes are kept in a similar location below the Magic Kingdom. However for the other 3 theme parks, I'm not sure how its done. Though I am pretty sure I read somewhere that for Fantasmic! over at Hollywood Studios, the Fantasmic! costumes are kept in an area near the ampitheatre it is shown in. I also have been in the backstage area at the World Showcase area in Epcot and there are quite a few trailers back there that could possibly be where they keep entertainment costumes.

 

[pinktink83]

Amazing!!! I will never look at their outfits the same again! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Praise2Him]

I'm not sure about DL, but yes at WDW the Fantasmic costumes are kept near the theatre. The meet & greet character costumes are kept backstage somewhere - I don't know exactly where - but it's called "The Show Must Go On". The Block Party Bash costumes are also backstage near where they get ready for the parade.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I'm not sure if you're talking about WDW or DL, but at WDW all the fuzzy character costumes are kept in the area of costuming called the Character Zoo, which is in the utilidors below the Magic Kingdom. The face character costumes are kept in a similar location below the Magic Kingdom. However for the other 3 theme parks, I'm not sure how its done. Though I am pretty sure I read somewhere that for Fantasmic! over at Hollywood Studios, the Fantasmic! costumes are kept in an area near the ampitheatre it is shown in. I also have been in the backstage area at the World Showcase area in Epcot and there are quite a few trailers back there that could possibly be where they keep entertainment costumes.

I was talking about DL.

 

[lapdwife]

The two CM's I know do wear their costumes to and from work. They just go to costuming to switch out for clean ones. I will admit the first time I had a costumed CM in my house I did scream