What does it take to be a Disney Character in a theme park?

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

I am hoping some one can answer this question! My 11 year old is an avid character hunter, and is writing a personal narrative on our last trip to Disney. He is including in his story that he likes to meet characters, and we'd like to provided a little detail about what makes meeting choristers at Disney theme parks special (other than autographs and pictures). I'd like to know a little about training CMs receive.

TIA,

 

[SandrA9810]

I'd snoop around on the college board. There's very very big topic on CP auditions for performers. Lots of past and present CMs with a bit advice on what it's like in that line of work.

 

[Feralpeg]

More than anything else, size is the main qualification. In order to be certain characters, you have to be the right height and weight. After that, they look for enthusiasm.

 

[LukenDC]

Do the costumes contain any cooling mechanisms? The CMs must be terribly uncomfortable in the hot weather.

 

[mrsdon]

You will probably not get those questions answered in the parks as we are all taught there is only 1 Mickey and he us real....
But as the pp noted, size is the #1 requirement
keeping true to the characture is also required
also they all go to school to learn to write their name
for face charactures, they must look somewhat alike