The following facts from Disney college intern, Leah, who I met on the DTD bus last Oct. ...
CM's who play face characters are given, at no charge to them, color contact lenses if their eyes need to be a different color to match their characters. All Disney face characters do their own make-up. No make up artists to do it for them. They are trained in make-up application.
All CM's who are characters must be able to sign their character's name the same way as anyone else who plays that character does. They practice until it's perfect. Leah was several characters for WDW inc. Stitch, Lilo, Minnie and Mickey. She was kind enough to sign a post card for DS using Mickey's handwriting. DS was suspicious, thinking I did it, so he checked out his autograph book and it's the same hand writing!
When Ariel is asked about the cost, size, etc. of her seashells or other rude remarks, she is told to reply that "I'm sorry ... this is a family place!" w/a smile on her face (although I'm sure she'd love to pop them one!) and happiness in her voice. I would guess that's what all face characters (esp. female) are told to say if they get harrassed by guests.
Each Disney face character must know their character inside and out and have to study their characters movie for every detail.
Some other things that I just know ...
in the holding area at the Muppet 3-D movie, there is a cargo net full of boxes of jell-o ... or "A net full of jell-o" ... which, is a tribute to Mouseketeer Annette Funicello (say "A net full of jell-o real fast!). Ohhhhhhhhhhh!
If you pull on the rope near the area that looks like a dig sight right outside the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, you'll get a surprise!
That on the wall mural in the Contemporary, there is a 5 legged goat!
