One of those "I'm New Here" posts

[Sarah Magdalene]

Hi everyone,

I know I am a total dork for making one of these posts but I guess I should speak up with what I came here to ask. I am simply wondering about the casting process at WDW in Orlando FL. I am newly out of college with a BA in General Theater and hope to have a start in the O-Town area as I have family here. After talking to a WDW employee about casting, I am leaning towards character work in entertainment (get back to my acting roots for a bit) or operations where I hear I can find a job in theatrical front of house management (seating of patrons, head count, guest assistance etc).

I am just wondering if current cast members can tell me what to be prepared for in terms of auditioning and or interviewing. What to bring, how to dress, etc.

Yes, I'm a complete noob in the professional world and would just like a little guidance.

*nervous smile* Thanks Guys!

- SM

[CMGUY89]

First of all welcome! Glad to have you aboard! Second of all congrats on your graduation. I'll be as helpful as I can since I was hired in June. Most importantly you want to dress professionally at your interview. Be confident and smile A LOT! Be sure to look your recruiter in the eye and be prepared for odd questions. They may ask you if you have any visible tattoos. Then they will ask you other situational questions. I was asked "If you came home one day and found your roommate using your hairbrush, how would you react?" My friend who interviewed with me was asked "You are working at an attraction and it breaks down. How would you handle an angry guest?" Be prepared because the pay isn't great...but if you are applying it shouldn't just be about money. They may ask you why you want to work for Walt Disney World. Your appearance is very important, try to pull your hair back or wear it simply. Simple make-up and nail-polish if any. Very light on the jewelry. One earring per ear and they should be studs. Now one thing I will warn you about is Casting trying to fast-talk you. They can be very tricky... They put me in an area and I was told that I would have an opportunity to cross-train, that was not true. Know what you want going into the interview. Be direct, but not completely closed off. My recruiter tried to get me into Quick-Service Foods because I was seasonal but I told him that I had always wanted to work attractions. Also if you go into attractions they will probably ask you your comfort level with spieling. There is High (tour guide-ish like Great Movie Ride or Jungle Cruise), Medium (like Tower of Terror and Soarin'), and Low (which is most often crowd-control theater-type attractions). Being a former Drama Dork as well I went for the High Spiel. But they placed me on The Land which used to be tour guide but the spiel had been automated recently and casting didn't know that. They hold open auditions every thursday for CM's to audition for characters. They are divided into height categories. A friend of mine went to one and said they are movement based auditions. Be very big in all of your movements! But also be prepared for criticism as they are very particular on body types. One of my friends compared it American Idol only it is about your body. They repeatedly rejected her because her bust was too big. Good luck to you and just ask if you have any more questions!!!

[Princess Susi]

WOW! Lots of good info there! I will remember all off that when we TOO get to Orlando and make the move to work Part Time (we are retired and want to work SOMEWHERE at WDW) What are your thoughts on retired folks, Ralph is 43 and I am a 53 yr old cougar! :hysteria: ? Where do they usually go in employment? I don't want to sell pins on a cart on the Boardwalk, for instance. I am a trained Veterinary Technician (DAK animal hospital anyone! WOULD LOVE THAT!!!) I would even shovel Rhino poop to get into the Vet Tech position eventually! I am also a retired 17 yr in the business radio announcer. But since Radio Disney is in Dallas? Houston? that would not help much. Where do you think I would fit? And I know they do hire disabled. I am slighly disabled, hope to soon be MUCH BETTER *crosses fingers and toes and eyes and PRAYS* Ralph is disabled. Where would they probably put someone with limited mobility, but who is still on his feet and has a very strong back and arms. It's his hips and legs that have the most problems, and his ankles, and... one shoulder, and...his speech can be slow, and... his brain was slammed. Would he get hired at all? :D: He actually gets around great! He really wants to do something part time there. He would love to *be* Pooh, but I think he is too tall. :( He would be the best Pooh you ever saw. What a big cuddly love Ralph is and to put on *Pooh* and get to be him would just ice his cake! He also likes the idea of Jungle Cruise Skip! He would be *different* at that. I don't know that that would be a good match for him. He is more a huggy, big lug kind of guy, but Tigger is too athletic and jumps around too much, even though the height would be right. What do you think, any of you CMs?
What a great thread! :D:
Susi :p:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Good thread, I also would like to do something, even part time , when I retire! The bad side is that in my work, the customer is always wrong, and we treat them accordingly!!

[CMGUY89]

Don't you worry about disability. Disney will find something for you. They won't even ask you that, thanks to ADA. I also am slightly disabled. I have seizures but have been seizure free for almost two years. I have seen people in wheelchairs doing research for Disney, a very cool job in my mind. That has a lot of guest contact. Animal care is a position at Disney and I think that your Vet Tech qualifications would be of great importance to them. They also might be interested in placing you at The Seas where they need lots of animal care CMs and The Land has as few animals, but they are mostly fish and baby alligators. Now I am not sure if animal care positions are only internships but I bet they could find something for you. As for your husband, don't even think twice about that. I have met many CMs who are worse off than him. Did he have a TBI? They have attractions that will fit his abilities and comfort level. I know that a lot of retirees like working in fantasy land, where there are a lot of children and the rides are fairly simple. Also some prefer theater-type low spiel attractions like Beauty and The Beast or Fantasmic! or Muppets. Disney is one of the best when it comes to finding the right fit for your abilities. Make sure you tell them what you CAN do, as opposed to just what gives you difficulty. As for your radio announcer skills, I'm not quite sure where that might factor in other than perhaps a high spiel attraction. Hoping for you to feel better soon! Let me know if you guys have anymore questions! ;)

[BRWombat]

...They repeatedly rejected her because her bust was too big. ...

Forgive me for going there, but... this is just the opposite of most workplaces! :D:

Sarah, to from :wallaby: and !!!!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Forgive me for going there, but... this is just the opposite of most workplaces! :D:

Sarah, to from :wallaby: and !!!!

Now why did we all "Know" that your could not resist a post?

[CMGUY89]

Forgive me for going there, but... this is just the opposite of most workplaces! :D:

Sarah, to from :wallaby: and !!!!

LOL, you're bad!!! This is Disney entertainment we are talking about... They have show quality standards to uphold and besides most of them are "fabulous". (Disney term...think about it ;) )

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

LOL, you're bad!!! This is Disney entertainment we are talking about... They have show quality standards to uphold and besides most of them are "fabulous". (Disney term...think about it ;) )

Isn't it FaaaaaaabbbbUlouuuuuuuusss?

[CMGUY89]

Isn't it FaaaaaaabbbbUlouuuuuuuusss?

My bad...
Or as they say in Germany...Mein Bad