Question about WDW characters.

[Marseeya]

How on earth do they keep from having a heat stroke in those huge costumes? What do they wear under them?

 

[aprild]

Great question. I often wonder the same thing. They have to have some kind of fan or something in there!!

 

[mrsmom]

I am a mascot for a company but not for disney, facemakers is where i have gotten my costume and it's the same place disney gets their costumes, I have a cooling vest( very big ice pack) and neck peice . and it has a fan in it too, They are good for about 1 hour in the heat.It's a fun job.
Kim

 

[Marseeya]

I am a mascot for a company but not for disney, facemakers is where i have gotten my costume and it's the same place disney gets their costumes, I have a cooling vest( very big ice pack) and neck peice . and it has a fan in it too, They are good for about 1 hour in the heat.It's a fun job.
Kim

Thanks for the information!

I thought those things had to have some kind of cooling unit in them, but I didn't know for sure.

What kind of mascot are you? That's so cool!

 

[mrsmom]

I am Binny the recycling bin who goes in the schools and helps kids learn about recycling.
Kim

 

[diznygirl]

They are very careful how much time the characters spend out in the heat. Face characters can do 30 minutes, with 30 minutes off. Head characters 20 minutes, 15 if it's really hot. Their Greeters keep track of the time, and also keep an eye on the character for signs that they need to go in earlier.

They love making kids happy, but it gets really hot inside those costumes. Please keep this in mind when you are standing in line waiting for a photo with a character!

 

[MNSusan]

When we were on a behind the scenes tour at the Magic Kingdom last year, our tour guide said they couldn't put fans in the costumes because it would effect the ability of the characters to hear children, etc. We were backstage when a parade ended, and there were CMs standing there waiting to rip the heads off the characters and douse them with water. The parade characters must be able to stay in costume for 45-60 minutes.

 

[diznygirl]

That's right - Disney characters have no cooling unit. That's why they only spend short times out. Except for the parade characters - who rip off their costumes as soon as possible!!! And some of those parade characters are the same ones that were just signing autographs and posing for pics over in Fantasyland.

OH - of course they are they same ones!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

My DH was sure that the characters had a cooling unit in the costume. I want to say thank you to the CMs who wear those costumes in the heat. I don't know how you do it but we appreciate the happiness it brings.

 

[LadyyRedd]

It's true, no cooling units in those costumes. The only exception to that is the Beast costume does have a fan in it.

Kimya

 

[eeyore74]

How on earth do they keep from having a heat stroke in those huge costumes? What do they wear under them?

Shorts and a tshirt. Tshirts get changed on every break. It's really nasty after awhile, let me tell you.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

The parade characters must be able to stay in costume for 45-60 minutes.

Aren't the globes they stand in air conditioned?

 

[phillybeth]

Aren't the globes they stand in air conditioned?

Yes, to an extent, but is still gets darn hot in there. We took a backstage tour and our guide told us that they HAVE stopped parades to remove a character if they are in distress. I don't know if they have a panic switch, hand signal or what but there is a way for them to inform someone if they are ill or in danger.

 

[PKK/MJK]

There definitely is no cooling unit in those costumes. Underneath they wear shorts and a t-shirt called 'basics.' They really do tear the costumes off the parade characters the second they are out of sight of the guests--then they throw water on them and give them fluids. If a parade character realizes he's 'in trouble' and cannot make it to the end of the parade route, there are special exit points where CMs can help them. During Meet and Greets, please try not to get annoyed if a character is taken off stage just when it's your turn. It can be frustrating--but the time limit rules are especially important. It would be really traumatic for your child to see one of the characters keel over from heat exhaustion.

 

[ScoJo15]

I heard the globes are not air conditioned due to a condensation issue.

 

[jbdreamer]

When I worked at Disney as a CP there was no such thing as people in character costumes. They are the real characters!

We would get in trouble if we said otherwise.

Those poor people sweat to death, even with breaks every 15-30 minutes. I would not want the job!

 

[PKK/MJK]

The snowglobes don't have true air conditioning. They are cooled before the parade and there are fans that help--but it's not good, constant a/c like we know. Some of the floats have buttons which can be used to signal that there's a problem. I believe there are also special hand signals the CM's can use--there are parade co-oordinators stationed at specific points along the route--the CMs know where they are and signal for assistance. Sometimes you'll notice that a parade speeds up all of a sudden. If you see that, it means there is a problem somewhere--possibly with weather, with float mechanics or possible with an ill CM.

 

[phillybeth]

I heard the globes are not air conditioned due to a condensation issue.

Well, they are ventilated (which also helps to prevent condensation) but they are not cooled more than 10-15 degrees below the air temp, IIRC.

 

[PKK/MJK]

Condensation can be a problem. Sometimes the globes really 'fog up' so much that you can't see the person inside. It doesn't happen often--but I have seen it a few times. Very strange.

 

[phillybeth]

I know that due to the size of some of the costumes they are actually part of the float! Can't get a princess ballgown in and out so easily.