has anyone ever known someone who worked as a character?

[julieannbabe]

i don't want to spoil things but i am very inrigued. Has anyone known someone who worked as a disney character at one of the parks?

What was their experience? Was they terrifed that they were gonna be crushed my a mob of 6 year olds and their parents?

Thanks

 

[InstImpres]

My backstage tour guide son was a character. His first "real day" was the day of my tour. It was really interesting to learn the training they go through and how they are selected to be a character group. (Except face characters you are given a pool of characters you are eligible for size wise). She had also played 6 of the seven dwarfs.

Never mentioned the fear of being crushed but talked about vsious interactions, pushy parents of scared children, etc.

When I retire, I went to be Mickey in Fantasmic

 

[HunnyBunny]

I've had several friends who've worked as "fur" and "face" characters. They have "chaperone's" though you may not notice them all the time in the park. The chaperone's keep the mobbing from happening. Everyone I know has loved being a character, with the exception of the hot summers! I've heard of some "mishaps" depending on what size the child is compared to the character, but the padding in the costume usually helps diminish the impact.

 

[pintrader]

I have many, many character friends and to preserve their character integrity they refer to themselves, as well as ask us to, refer to them as so-and-so's "best friend".

As a matter of fact they are hurt on a weekly basis. and believe it or not more by grown adults than kiddies. But the adrenaline overcharged kid has bowled over Mickey, Goofy, Flik, Stitch, and in my personal knowledge Tigger has been hurt more than any. He seems to have a reputation for indestructability.

Charcter Greeters are the assisants to help our most beloved characters reach their destination on stage so we may all enjoy their company. The ones who are on their toes can prevent the mob of 6 year olds and their parents.

 

[dw123]

InstImpres - what's the training like they go through and how are they selected to do a character? I bet it is a very interesting process.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Someone that my daughter went to high school with played Tigger in one of the parades but I never got to see him...

 

[eeyorefanatic]

I know for fur characters it is all based on size. You have to fit in the costume in question. ANd you do play a pool of characters based on height.

A very good friend of mine was Tigger and a green army man in the toy story parade among others. He detailed how the heights were broken down (mouse vs goofy) but I don't remember them all. He did say it was very hot in the summer but they recently increased the frequency that the characters get breaks.

 

[Rneighh]

My husbands cousin was Tigger. He loved it. He still works for Disney but is now a suit and tie guy.

Renee

 

[julieannbabe]

Hunny Bunny - what do you mean by 'chaperones' - do you mean the CM'S who escort them out onto the streets and stay with them while they are posing for pics etc?

Also would they do a regular early shift or a late shift? - fascintaing stuff!

 

[rjordan]

The only "employee" I know is my co-worker's cousin who is a "Princess" usually at Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by dw123
InstImpres - what's the training like they go through and how are they selected to do a character? I bet it is a very interesting process.

She talked of two specific classes - writing for perfect autographing and pantamime for great interaction. I', to lte in life for the college program, I'll have to try it in retirement

 

[ryansmom]

Does anyone know how they can stand the summer heat? How often do they get breaks?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have known several, and most interesting to talk with them. One was involved in both male and female roles and she showed me, in a 'morphing way' how she needs to 'be a boy' and 'be a girl'. She moved her body, arms and gestures as a boy, and really took on the 'look' of a boy, then said, 'I'm going to become a girl, watch now', and she 'became a girl', with all the appropriate moves and gestures of a girl. It was most interesting to see her totally play the role.

I love the characters, they so much make it all that it is.

 

[gshoemate]

In high school I dated a guy who later became "friends" with Mickey. Haven't talked to him since but I know they are friends no more.

As far as how you become friends with a character. You first meet with a casting member and set up an audition. I have heard that during the auditions you are broken down into groups and have to role play things, such as building a sand castle out of air. Depending on your movement ability and of course size, then you are chosen for what character you best fit. I talked to one CM at AK and she said that she had a friend who did 6 auditions before she was finally chosen. I think it would interesting to try out.

 

[Lisa AF]

My neighbors were Mickey and Minnie in the '80's. She also was Alice. They said people would do all kinds of cruel things to them. They had been stuck with straight pins, had marjuana smoke blowed into the vent openings. Said basically people were pretty cruel.

They got to meet a president, I believe it was the Reagans. "Mickey" patted Mrs. Reagan on the backside and she jokingly told him to "watch it".

I've never heard this anywhere else but they claim that many of the princesses in the parades are men.

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by Lisa AF
I've never heard this anywhere else but they claim that many of the princesses in the parades are men.

untrue

 

[Emmaline Lola]

I had a friend who was Cogsworth in the Beauty and Beast show, but he left to make more money as a Character Lead.

Pretty much, he was a "protector" of the character he was assigned too.

I remember a story of a kid attacking Pooh over and over, after my friend politely ask him to stop hitting Pooh. And the kid just kept wailing on poor Pooh! Well my friend is african american and has a very dark complection, he said "I popped my eyeballs out to show the kid the "true whites" of my eyes and how serious I was and hissed "You hit Pooh again and I'm hitting you all the way out of the park!"

Of course, the kid stopped immediately, took his mom's hand and just walked away! No crying, nothing--just left!

God Save Pooh!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Two friends from work have kids with Character connections. The daughter of one friend played Pooh, Meeko and other smaller characters while she was on the college program. When we would head down, our friend would let us know what character she was playing and we would try to find her. Never did.

Another friend has a son who dated "Mickey". His girlfriend often played THE Mickey. She flew around the country as Mickey for big parades or other big Disney events.

 

[wdwnut2]

My brother used to be Tigger and Goofy. He really loved it, except for summer time! He said he had been very close to fainting several times, but luckily never did. The auditioning process sounds quite intense, but one of the major requirements is height. My brother is 6' so he can only "become" Tigger, Goofy and a few other characters.

Does anyone remember a Disney Christmas Eve special, I think it was in '99, maybe 2000? There was a part with Billy Gilman, the country singer, singing and dancing with Santa Goofy. That was my brother! He also was on Rosie once when she filmed at WDW in his Tapestry costume.

 

[goofyrn13]

I found after one of my home health patients had died that she was Snow White in Disneyland many years ago.She was a beautiful person inside and out.She had really looked like her.If I had known it when I took care of her I would have driven her nuts.I'm sure she had met Walt himself!!!Very neat woman!!!God took her way before her time. She was very "artsy" person and I don't recall any Disney things in her home.