How well do CMs know the Characters

[Gaiusrex]

How well do the CMs know the characters they protray? Could Alice sing her songs? Does Captain Hook get really mad if you call him a codfish?

 

[eeyore0062]

I would say that the majority of the castmemebers portraying the characters in the parks are very intimate with the character's personalities. And yes, most likely they could tell you the story, sing you the songs (or at least attempt, depending on their particular talent) and act accordingly. I would think that the auditions for characters are rather thorough in that respect!

 

[tink2]

When we were there 2 years ago, the CM were very knowledgable about the characters they portray. My 8 yr old niece asked Ariel how old she was- she replied 16, her age in the movie. Also, Captain Hook really played his part well with my nieces- treating them really 'ugly'- they loved it! I also would think they would be very tough on this part in the auditions- you never know what children will ask!

 

[thymed]

I had heard somewhere that becuase the voices would not match the movies etc..they were not supposed to actually talk just gesture. My son got to duel with Captain Hook (with pens) when he asked for his autograph last year, but he never spoke. Neither did the Queen of Hearts when she was trying to make him laugh. Maybe they just don't speak often.

 

[Luvinit]

The CM in head costumes are most definetly NOT allowed to talk. I used to work with a girl who did a internship at WDW, and she was Mickey Mouse. They even have to learn how to sign the autograph the right way. No matter where you go to get an autograph they should always look similar. T

The princess characters are allowed to talk...pretty much anyone with out a head costume on. We did run into a Phobus at MGM once who seem mute.

 

[princess kerri]

I live in the UK and at a dance studio I go to, they hold auditions for various Disney jobs about twice a year I think.

And in January I passed the studio they were using and peeked through the windows (no-one said I couldnt and I was curious cos I'd love to do this once I reach 18 ). The auditions for the parades seemed more focused on dancing, but later when I returned I think they must have been doing the characters. Hot seating was taking place and from what I could see the examiners were asking questions, and a girl looked at a book in front of her before answering in character...as far as I could tell she was trying for Cinderella lol.
So I'm sure that is only a small part of the thorough "training' they are given.

 

[BounceyOne]

Lats time we were there mad hatter asked Belle to tell her story in 30 seconds or less and she did! It was quite brief but she hit all the major points of the story.

DD asked Cinderella how old she was and she told her a lady never reveals her age to anyone.

 

[kilee]

DH always comments on how "in character" Cruella is. He says that he can't imagine being married to her because she probably comes home and slips into character often. (lol)

 

[Gaiusrex]

Hee hee! I have a somewhat bizzarre intimacy with Alice in Wonderland. My wife wants me to try and sing with Alice. If I'm in vacation mode, I just might try.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

When you become a character, you are given a booklet with all of the characters that are within your height range. Each page had a description of the character and a few facts. I would guess any more beyond that is up to the individual.

 

[strawberryblonde]

This March, while we were eating at CP for breakfast, we had alot of fun with Pooh and friends. I took pics of Piglet with my neice and nephews and then my DH had me get in the pic with our kids. What hadn't quite "dawned" on me while I was taking pics, but I noticed right away once hugging Piglet, is that he "startles" at each flash of the camera. Such a small thing, but totally in character because he is a timid,small animal, lol!

We also had breakfast at 1900 Park Fair and Alice was a hoot. She was singing Happy UnBirthday to some people and played a prank on us. She got ahold of our beach bag with the kid's swimsuits and a squeezebreeze in it. She put her arms through the girls suit and her feet into the boy's trunks and waddled around squeezing the squeezebreeze. Mary Poppins brought back the things and made Alice say "sorry" (while Alice stuck out her tonque behind Mary's back )

 

[Synonymous]

Does Captain Hook get really mad if you call him a codfish?

Oh yeah! My daughter (5yrs) and I did this our last trip. He started chasing DD and she freaked out and bolted. I could tell the ol' codfish has SOME conscience, because he kept looking over at us as he signed autographs, to see if she was okay. We can't wait to do it again. This time we'll get swords from POC shop first, just in case.

Alice is always the best, I think. The Alices we've met have always been very into their parts, acting like mischevious little girls.

I must say, though, that I challenged Mary Poppins to say "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" backwards, and she rattled it off without a second thought. I've been practicing so I can do it back to her this time. (The key is that you don't reverse the letters, but rather the syllables, until "rupes" at the end.)

Yeah, I know- I've seen that movie WAY too many times.

 

[bratus913]

When my mom, sister and I went in September (our "girls trip"), my sister refused to bow before the Queen of Hearts for our picture (as, of course, was demanded by the Queen), so the Queen of Hearts kept demanding that my sister's head be cut off. Boy did she have to do some weaseling to get into the picture!!!

The Snow White at CRT was AMAZING!! Not only did she talk just like her, but she had her gestures down and everything. It was like she walked out of the movie.

I thought for the most part the Characters did a wonderful job of getting into character. I thought the villians were the most fun, though. I think they REALLY enjoy their jobs!!!

 

[Texan]

My favorite was Wendy at MK in February. She had the accent and the whole nine yards. I got my DS to ask her how Peter was and she told him he was fine, off flying somewhere and she would tell him hello for him. Captain Hook, the Witch from Snow White and Cruella De Ville all gave our DS a hard time, which he took in stride. Cruella asked my DS if he had a walking problem, that he walked like a penguin. We are still talking about how all of the characters seemed to really like the role they played, and how patient they are!!

 

[jfulcer]

One time we ran into Wendy and Peter Pan in the Emporium and they were signing our autograph books. Strangely, DD asked them about Peter Pan II and while they acknowledged the movie, Wendy stumbled and didn't know her 'daughters' name.

We thought originally that they would not talk about PP II, so it was sorta like a 'time warp'.

Other than that, all characters have always been 'in character'.

 

[dandelion]

Originally posted by bratus913
The Snow White at CRT was AMAZING!! Not only did she talk just like her, but she had her gestures down and everything. It was like she walked out of the movie.

I think we met her in October 2001. She looked perhaps a little older than Snow should but she was so believable in her role it made up for it. The other great character that day was Aladdin, he interacted much more with my dd than any of the girls did.

 

[LostBoyinVA]

We had an wonderful Aladdin and Baloo on our first trip with our almost 3 year old son. (To bad they don't have that little greeting are in Adventure land anymore, we always had great character experiences there since most people never relized it was even there. Baloo never said a word, but played peekabo and stuff with him. He wouldn't go near the 'head' characers at first, but by the time we where done was giving Baloo hugs while my wife held him and I took pictures. He hasn't had a problem with any characters ever since. Captain Hook always asks nasty when we see him (usually near pirates with Mr Smee) and he certainly doesn't need to talk to do it. I think my favorite face character is the Mad Hatter. He is always a riot when we see him. I know he has been the same guy for at least 2 years. He made the GF character breakfast for us a couple of years ago. We have even had face characters in the parades recognize us and wave. That great Aladdin nudge Jasmine and got her to wave to my son later that day at the afternoon parade. The face characters may no always be perfect matches for their characters, but I have never met one that doesn't put a ton of effort into acting in character.