Questions concerning a few roles and the casting process.

[Shorty82]

As I said in this post and the next two of mine in that thread I am working on getting down to WDW to work. I would like to learn more about a few roles and take any suggestions on other roles I might not have thought of.

I'm thinking about maybe being a Character Attendant. That's my brother's role and he really enjoys it. I also think I would enjoy being a Monorail Pilot or maybe a conductor on the WDW Railroad.

What does it take to get one of these roles and how enjoyable are they really?

I do know I couldn't handle being in Custodial, I'd wind up adding to the mess I was trying to clean up. I also don't really want a job in Merchandising or any other role where I have to handle other people's money. I currently work a retail job and am tired of being responsible for money that isn't mine.


What is involved in going to Casting? What happens there? How long does the process take?

I am hoping to be able to head down there in about a month for a visit and plan to go by Casting while there. It would then probably be a couple of months at least before I would be able to actually move down there after that as I would have to save up enough money for the move and then have to quit my current job, would that be a problem?

Also, my brother tells me there are some apartments near the property that have good rates for CMs. How good are they and how hard is it to get one?

Thanks in advance.

[Zazu]

As I said in this post and the next two of mine in that thread I am working on getting down to WDW to work. I would like to learn more about a few roles and take any suggestions on other roles I might not have thought of.

I also think I would enjoy being a Monorail Pilot or maybe a conductor on the WDW Railroad.

I'd hold off on trying for the WDW Railroad, or any role in Main Street Ops. At least until one particular area manager moves on. Trust me on this one.

What is involved in going to Casting? What happens there? How long does the process take?

It's a multi-step process:

First you call the jobs hotline, 407-828-1000, and scan for a role you want to apply for. It's a huge voicemail system that's updated every Monday morning, and you have to pick a role before you can ring through to a human.

The second part is a telephone interview. You *could* do this at the Casting Center, but they just put you in a phone booth -- no physical contact for this part.

If the phone interview goes well, they'll schedule you for an audition with a casting director (Disneyspeak for interview with a hiring agent). This does happen at the Casting Center, and you should dress professionally for it. With luck, you'll get your role and start date right there.

At least, that's how it happened to me a little more than nine years ago.

I am hoping to be able to head down there in about a month for a visit and plan to go by Casting while there. It would then probably be a couple of months at least before I would be able to actually move down there after that as I would have to save up enough money for the move and then have to quit my current job, would that be a problem?

Yes it would. They want you to have a Florida address and be able to start within two weeks. With the huge turnover and thousands of vacancies, there's not much point in keeping a waiting list.

Break a Leg!

[Shorty82]

Thanks, Zazu.

A Florida address isn't hard as I live in Florida but the 2 weeks will be a problem. We'll see what happens and what else I learn.

[CMGUY89]

When applying to be an hourly CM you get a lot more control over where you go as opposed to CPs. You can apply for resorts, attractions, F&B, Custodial, Transportation, Merchandise, Innoventions Presenter, Vacation Planning (ticket sales), housekeeping, stewarding (dish washing), and strollers/turnstiles just to name a few. Speaking from an attractions standpoint they ask you what your spiel preference is (high, medium, low) and will let you know which areas have availability. Attractions is ALWAYS casting because we make up such a large part of daily ops. Your interview consists of basic questions regarding experience, why you want to work for Disney, and appearance guidelines. Then they will ask you weird questions to see what your personality is like. I got asked "if you came home and your roommate was using your hairbrush how would you react?"
A good place to try for an apartment is Camden World Gateway right off 535. It may be a little expensive for you but trust me it is worth it. 5 minutes away from work, gated community, pool, 24 hour maint, valet garbage. Let me know if you are interested and I will give you more info.
Take a look at camdenliving.com

[Theme Park Where]

Actually, when I went to casting on vacation several years ago, they told me sort of a Disney variation of "don't call us, we'll call you." I called to let them know I was moving to Orlando and would call them when I got down here. Suddenly they were interested and I had a job secured the first day I arrived. You may be able to slide on the start date, but the living down here full time thing is essential. I know at Universal, we wanted team members to be living here and ready to work, but were fairly flexible with their start dates if they needed some extra time to get settled. We had certain jobs that we really needed to fill immediately though, and I'm sure Disney is the same, so make sure you let your casting person know what your earliest start date would be.

I was a character escort (among a LOT of other things in my theme park career) and I really enjoyed it. The only problem I had with escorting is that I was also a costumed character, and I always spent every set noticing things the character was doing that I thought I could do better (LOL). You have a lot of guest contact, usually with kids although you'll get large groups of adults and tour groups that will push in for photo opportunities. You do have the difficult job of cutting the line when it's time for the characters to go in and you have to be pretty strict with that as the character will overheat in the hot Florida summer months especially. You'll get some abuse for that. In exchange, you get the very magical task of reinforcing the character personalities, you'll learn to "speak character" and will have a wonderful time apologizing for Stitch when he picks his nose and rubs it on some kid, or warning Snow White that the old Hag is coming so she'd better watch out for poison apples! :D:

[Shorty82]

Thanks, TMW.

My brother has told me some interesting stories of guest reactions to cutting the line. He's been cussed out in multiple languages, had one guy continually threaten him (had to have security kick the guy out), and had a woman hit her head against a pole, causing a seizure or something. I'm sure he has plenty more of stories like that but he also has many good stories too. He enjoys the opportunities he has to make magic.

I can't be a character, way to tall, but I know I'll notice the mistakes the character might make eventually. My brother has had to quietly correct minor things before with characters.

[disneyprincess1988]

Wow, what useful information. Reason I say that is because I want to go full time after my CP is over in August (I graduated from college in December). So Zazu, I assume that I need to go through the casting process that you just mentioned, correct? Or is it different for CPs who are transferring to full time positions? I'm also gonna be applying for better paying full time jobs via the Disney Careers website, so I know I'll have a job either way.

[EeyoresButterfly]

How tall are you? You would be surprised how tall some of the people are.

As for the jobs you mentioned:

I was a performer and I always thought it would be fun to do the attendant's job. I have a friend who was an attendant and absolutely loved it! You do have a lot of guest contact and sometimes the performers can be a little high and mighty (although most are very nice.) You have to be prepared for guests who will become mad at you when Mickey goes to get a slice of cheesecake, even though he always comes right back! You also have to deal with working with a fuzzy critter that cannot speak. Being able to understand charades is a must! Many times your character will need to communicate something important to you, and there is nothing more frustrating than having an attendant who cannot understand animation. on the flip side of that, we deal with a lot of Wish kids, many of them want to meet a specific character, and you get to be the one to talk to them and make that wish come true. You can easily make a guest's day just by the way you interact with them in the line, and you'll never be short of great stories to tell!

Monorail pilot would also be fun. A girl from my school did that on her CP and she said that she loved it. They sit guests in the front cabin with the pilot and she got to meet a lot of nice people. Many pilots I talk to love their jobs.

I can't tell you much about the casting process since I did 3 CPs and did not go through the regular casting process, but it was absolutely worth it! I am seriosuly considering returning to Florida when I get my master's and at least working for Disney part time.

[EeyoresButterfly]

Disney Princess:
You will have to talk to casting, but it is a different process for CPs, I looked into it on my last CP but decided that I could not afford to live down there on the pay. I'm getting my teaching degree and plan to go back down to work part time because I loved entertainment and do not want togive it up, but I also don't want to be stressing about money! Talk to your homeroom manager, or any of your area managers. You can also go into casting and ask them, they will have the information for you. Have you started looking at apartments yet? It's getting tough because so many things have gone Condo.

One good apartment that is fairly close to Disney is on I-Drive near Chatham, I don't remember the name but if you were to say it I would know. It's on the left as you're heading for Central Florida Parkway. I was actually going to live there until I decided go back home to get my master's.

[CMGUY89]

One good apartment that is fairly close to Disney is on I-Drive near Chatham, I don't remember the name but if you were to say it I would know. It's on the left as you're heading for Central Florida Parkway. I was actually going to live there until I decided go back home to get my master's.

I believe that is Camden World Gateway. I live there and I love it. It is kinda pricey but TOTALLY worth it in commute time. Especially after long days.
If you are wanting to go full-time after CP it is simply a matter of applying for a transfer to full-time. You can also at that time apply for a transfer of role. This will prevent you from having to term your employment, reapply, have an interview, go to traditions again. I know quite a few CP's who have moved to Seasonal/Full-time following their programs.