Where is the Costuming Department?

[swissamy]

We are heading back to WDW in early Nov and I just found out that my best friend from Switzerland who I haven't seen in 10 years just started working at the WDW Costuming department . She doesn't know we are coming and I wanted to try to surprise her ( I know I could not go in where she works but if it is near or in a park I could surprise her by calling her and being outside when she gets off). I just don't know much about the Costuming Department . She won't tell me what she does as she works with characters and doesn't want to spoil the magic for me.

 

[Master Yoda]

If I am not mistaken the costuming department is in a rather plain looking building just to the left of the entrance to AKL. However, if she is a friend of a character or a handler she could be in any one of the 4 parks.

 

[FettFan]

Hollywood Studios handles all of the costume creation and repair for the parks. You can see it on the backlot tour.

Each park has it's own costume department "library". Magic Kingdom's is in the Utilidors, while Epcot's if I remember correctly is in a warehouse behind Mexico and Norway.

 

[Clever Name]

When you meet with your friend, be sure to convey to her our thanks for the wonderful new costumes worn by the CM's at the American Adventure. The CM's in the costuming department derserve a lot of credit for their excellent work.

 

[mouse_luv]

I think there is also a costume dept in the utilidors underneath the MK.

 

[maryszhi]

you are not allowed in "backstage areas" which basically is any area the employees are when not "on stage" this includes costuming. i am sorry. if you take the backlot tour, they kind of take you through costuming, but your in the tram and the view is limited. I would call her before you go so she can tell you her schedule.

 

[mousehockey37]

We are heading back to WDW in early Nov and I just found out that my best friend from Switzerland who I haven't seen in 10 years just started working at the WDW Costuming department . She doesn't know we are coming and I wanted to try to surprise her ( I know I could not go in where she works but if it is near or in a park I could surprise her by calling her and being outside when she gets off). I just don't know much about the Costuming Department . She won't tell me what she does as she works with characters and doesn't want to spoil the magic for me.

Hmm, I don't know how I'd surprise her. Honestly, you might just have to let her know closer to when you are going that you'll be "in town" and that you'd like to meet up when she's off. As for her not telling what she does, there's a lot of jobs that have those "top secret" magical clauses that you can't reveal what you do, it's just part of the magic.

 

[luv]

If your friend has chosen to not tell you where she is working, I would respect that choice and not attempt to circumvent it.

Maybe you should just give her a call and see if she'd like to get together while you're in town.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Hollywood Studios handles all of the costume creation and repair for the parks. You can see it on the backlot tour.

Each park has it's own costume department "library". Magic Kingdom's is in the Utilidors, while Epcot's if I remember correctly is in a warehouse behind Mexico and Norway.

I thought that was just part of the show?

 

[tracyandalex]

I know there is a costume warehouse/closet in the utilidors..

 

[FettFan]

I thought that was just part of the show?

It's a real costuming area. They used it primarily for movies TV productions. While DHS quit being a working studio, they kept the costuming department around to produce and repair costumes for cast members and animatronics.
Creative Costuming article at D23's site.

EDIT -- Apparently animatronic costuming has moved out of DHS. The D23 site says that it's been moved to a second facility at Epcot.
Last time I took the backstage tour, they mentioned the animatronics specifically...

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

It's a real costuming area. They used it primarily for movies TV productions. While DHS quit being a working studio, they kept the costuming department around to produce and repair costumes for cast members and animatronics.
Creative Costuming article at D23's site.

Thanks for that info...I thought it was just part of the show!!

 

[Rob562]

I think there is also a costume dept in the utilidors underneath the MK.

The only costuming still in the Utilidors are for characters and I believe entertainment (stage shows, parades, etc).
The bulk of costuming for MK attractions, merchandise and foods CMs was moved up by the cast parking lot, since those CMs are able to take their costumes home with them now.

Epcot's is behind Mexico (which is also where the main cast parking lot is), as was already mentioned.

I believe the Studios is way off to the left as you stand in the parking lot looking toward the entrance. (It's essentially behind Indy and Backlot Express)

Animal Kingdom I have no clue, though I'd presume it's one of the buildings in the complex west of Discovery Island.

There's a CM building in the back corner of the TTC lot near the Polynesian. Not sure if there are any costumes handled there. And resorts have their own small costuming departments.

-Rob

 

[TubaGeek]

Entertainment costuming is below Fantasyland at MK, behind Mexico at Epcot, behind Backlot Express at DHS, and WAY behind Camp Minnie-Mickey at DAK.
Of course, most of it is kept in the characters' respective closets. Duh.