Working as a character in the parks?

[BrittanyRose428]

I'm fifteen and a half and my parents really want to move to Florida [somewhere near orlando] and I told them the only way I would go is if I could work at wdw. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the only thing you can do if your sixteen is if you look like a character I'm assuming for character meals and greetings? I plan on auditioning when I turn sixteen but I don't know what to audition as? I dont think I really look like any character. If it helps I have dance experience in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, waltz, and lyrical. I have also taken musical theater classes. Heres a few pictures of me if that helps--- thankyou :]


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/IMG_0285.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/Picture014.jpg
im on the left ^^
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/IMG_0394.jpg
on the right ^^
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/hb-1.jpg


btw I dont mind dying me hair or anything like that.

 

[Phonedave]

I'm fifteen and a half and my parents really want to move to Florida [somewhere near orlando] and I told them the only way I would go is if I could work at wdw. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the only thing you can do if your sixteen is if you look like a character I'm assuming for character meals and greetings? I plan on auditioning when I turn sixteen but I don't know what to audition as? I dont think I really look like any character. If it helps I have dance experience in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, waltz, and lyrical. I have also taken musical theater classes. Heres a few pictures of me if that helps--- thankyou :]


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/IMG_0285.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/Picture014.jpg
im on the left ^^
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/IMG_0394.jpg
on the right ^^
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/HarlequinGirl428/hb-1.jpg


btw I dont mind dying me hair or anything like that.

I don't see how if your parents are moving you really have a choice, but to answer your questions


When School is in Session
Florida law states that on a school day, minors under 16 may work no more than THREE (3) hours when school is scheduled for the following day and up to EIGHT (8) hours on other days when school does not follow. For minors 16 and 17, the allowable hours are: 30 hours per week when school is in session; eight hours per day between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. if school is scheduled the following day.

When School is Not in Session
Florida law allows minors 14 and 15 to work EIGHT (8) hours per day between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on days when there isn't school the next day and up to FORTY (40) per week on non-school weeks and during summer vacation. For minors 16 and 17 there are no limitations on hours worked when school is not scheduled the following day, during holidays, and summer vacations.
Minors are NOT permitted to work during normal school hours unless they are enrolled in a school-to-work experience program, career education, or other program declared exempt by the state, or have received a partial waiver.


So you can work by law. I don't know what WDW will hire you as, but I would think if they would hire you as a face character they would hire you just as quickly into custodial (for example).

-dave

 

[PrincessJessica]

I would personally wait until getting out of school to work at WDW, mainly because you have a higher chance of them hiring you if you are over 18.

But I can see you as a Jasmine or Pocahontas.

 

[MickeyLover404]

That is really cool. I hope everything goes well with your move and also hope that you get a job at WDW. That has always been a dream of mine. Currently i work at the Disney Store at my local mall, but it is no where near the same thing. Once again good luck with everything!
And you could def be Jasmine, absolutely!

 

[Dagger]

I would personally wait until getting out of school to work at WDW, mainly because you have a higher chance of them hiring you if you are over 18.

But I can see you as a Jasmine or Pocahontas.

I agree but I am not sure if they will put a minor in a character position.

 

[WDWJenn]

I agree but I am not sure if they will put a minor in a character position.

I knew of a guy that played Peter Pan in parades after school pretty much all through high school. To get hired on while under 16 you have to be a dead ringer for the character you're playing... AND they generally go for similar appearance in age, weight and height as the other cast members that play the same character. You don't have to be the same age, weight or height... just look close enough that little kids don't panic if Jasmine suddenly got 5 years younger or a foot shorter. Does that make sense?

 

[BrittanyRose428]

I should have done more research first lol but this is from disneyauditions.com


CHARACTER/LOOK-A-LIKE/PUPPETEER*
All applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Interested candidates should contact the Disney Jobline at (407) 828-1000 to schedule an interview. Qualified candidates will be invited to attend an audition. The audition is based on movement and animation ability. Applicants must be prepared to participate in a short movement and an animation exercise. Dance experience is required for some roles. Height ranges are between 4'8" and 6'3" with added consideration to candidates between 4'8" - 5'0". Candidates may be identified for Disney animated Character 'look-alikes' at any audition or attend one of our quarterly open call auditions. Puppeteer auditions are held as needed. *Entertainment Auditions are required for these roles

 

[BrittanyRose428]

I knew of a guy that played Peter Pan in parades after school pretty much all through high school. To get hired on while under 16 you have to be a dead ringer for the character you're playing... AND they generally go for similar appearance in age, weight and height as the other cast members that play the same character. You don't have to be the same age, weight or height... just look close enough that little kids don't panic if Jasmine suddenly got 5 years younger or a foot shorter. Does that make sense?

what would you consider a good height/weight for jasmine?

 

[ZambeziZelda]

what would you consider a good height/weight for jasmine?

There are actually very specific height requirements when it comes to the characters at the Disney theme parks. I don't remember Jasmine's height, but I do know that my best friend, who is 5'10", was told that she was several inches too tall.

 

[BrittanyRose428]

There are actually very specific height requirements when it comes to the characters at the Disney theme parks. I don't remember Jasmine's height, but I do know that my best friend, who is 5'10", was told that she was several inches too tall.

im 5'4-5'5 lol I hope thats ok :]

 

[ZambeziZelda]

im 5'4-5'5 lol I hope thats ok :]

Now, if you find out you're in the wrong height range, you could always consider trying out to perform in the parades. You do have dance experience under your belt.

 

[BrittanyRose428]

Yea, I wouldnt mind dancing in a parade but I'm not sure how old you have to be for that.

 

[illuminations25]

I'm fifteen and a half and my parents really want to move to Florida [somewhere near orlando] and I told them the only way I would go is if I could work at wdw. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the only thing you can do if your sixteen is if you look like a character I'm assuming for character meals and greetings?

I don't want to sound like a "party pooper" but you must know that being a face character is EXTREMELY difficult and you're going to have to make some sacrifices in your personal life because of it as well. For example, the individuals who are Snow White are NEVER allowed to get a sun-tan and must wear very strong sun-screen. Snow White is fair skinned, if you get tan, you're done. You'll have strict look guidelines that you must follow as well as height and weight requirements. Just look at Tinkerbell that flies at night... it's not commonly that well known but Tink at night is usually a male actor and they are weighed each night, if they are just the tiniest bit over weight the back up is called in because the cable could break on them.

I by no means do not want to encourage you from going on with your dreams, but just know that it's a tough competition out there for face characters.

 

[wbboy29]

it's not commonly that well known but Tink at night is usually a male actor and they are weighed each night, if they are just the tiniest bit over weight the back up is called in because the cable could break on them.

Where did you get this information? Who in the world told you this? I'm sorry but......no :lol:


Sorry if that sounded harsh, I don't mean it to be, but the info is wrong

 

[dixiegirl]

I don't want to sound like a "party pooper" but you must know that being a face character is EXTREMELY difficult and you're going to have to make some sacrifices in your personal life because of it as well. For example, the individuals who are Snow White are NEVER allowed to get a sun-tan and must wear very strong sun-screen. Snow White is fair skinned, if you get tan, you're done. You'll have strict look guidelines that you must follow as well as height and weight requirements. Just look at Tinkerbell that flies at night... it's not commonly that well known but Tink at night is usually a male actor and they are weighed each night, if they are just the tiniest bit over weight the back up is called in because the cable could break on them.

I by no means do not want to encourage you from going on with your dreams, but just know that it's a tough competition out there for face characters.

So I take it that there is no sneaking in a quick turkey leg before work??lol

 

[WDWKat26]

I don't want to sound like a "party pooper" but you must know that being a face character is EXTREMELY difficult and you're going to have to make some sacrifices in your personal life because of it as well. For example, the individuals who are Snow White are NEVER allowed to get a sun-tan and must wear very strong sun-screen. Snow White is fair skinned, if you get tan, you're done. You'll have strict look guidelines that you must follow as well as height and weight requirements. Just look at Tinkerbell that flies at night... it's not commonly that well known but Tink at night is usually a male actor and they are weighed each night, if they are just the tiniest bit over weight the back up is called in because the cable could break on them.

I by no means do not want to encourage you from going on with your dreams, but just know that it's a tough competition out there for face characters.

True, it is tough but they get a $2.75 premium for being face characters. For Jasmine, they ususally like 5'3-5'5 girls with a very slender build. And as for Tinkerbell, it's a female who portrays her.

 

[BrittanyRose428]

thankyou :] now does anyone know what goes on at auditions & how hard they are?

 

[joanna71985]

There are actually very specific height requirements when it comes to the characters at the Disney theme parks. I don't remember Jasmine's height, but I do know that my best friend, who is 5'10", was told that she was several inches too tall.

Just a little bit.

Just look at Tinkerbell that flies at night... it's not commonly that well known but Tink at night is usually a male actor.

I don't think so.

 

[illuminations25]

Where did you get this information? Who in the world told you this? I'm sorry but......no :lol:


Sorry if that sounded harsh, I don't mean it to be, but the info is wrong

Okay, so "commonly" probably wasn't the best choice of words for that statement, but give me some leeway here it was written in the wee hours of the morning.

Male actors have portrayed Tinkerbell in the past, however, on her flight and all actors regardless of their gender for that role are held to strict weight limits.

I get the information from my own eyes, because I have seen it.