Calling Cast Members: Look Alike Auditions

[LittleSpirit02]

I've always thought that becoming a cast member would be a great experience. I think my ideal job there would be in the entertainment field - parades, characters and such. I have a few questions for any CMs out there...

1) What was your audition like? Were there call backs?

2) For people who want to become characters or parade dancers, do they offer any help initially moving to Orlando or Anaheim?

3) How tall are Wendy, Tinkerbelle and Alice?

4) Do all face characters also play non-face characters on a regular basis?

Thanks!

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

When I auditioned, you sign in and get a number. They measure your height here and expect it to be 1-2 inches shorter than your actual height.

Depending on the size of the group, you will go in and learn a simple routine, consisting of 2 counts of 8 (basically, 4 different moves with 4 beats to each).

You'll learn them each individually first and then put it all together before doing a run. You'll move across the room in a line of 4 people and you'll do the moves 3x. SMILE!!! SMILE!!!! SMILE!!! And have a lot of energy, movement isn't everything.

Afterwards, you'll find out if you made it through to the next set which is animation, secondary movement, or puppetry. After that, they will assign you a character range based on the height, build and movement.

For look a like, you will definately go through the first movement section and if you pass the look a like, they will see how you fit into the costumes and what not. They are very strict about builds here. Also, note that for look a likes, it's not so much how much you look like the characters as it how much you look like everyone else who does it.

As far as moving, I don't know if they help you move but they might give you a grace period to be able to move. I already live here so it wasn't a problem when I auditioned.

Wendy, Tink, and Alice are all in the same range. I know because I have a friend who is friends with all three. I believe it stops at 5'2.

I've seen a lot of times where face characters have been pulled to non-face positions, but a lot of that depends on need and seniority.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) WDW pays relo expenses only for "professional" positions.
2) I was offered a relo package many years ago. *
3) For other jobs, there are just so many applicants, it is not needed.

* I was offered an Engineering Manager position, but declined the job due to the low wages.

[joanna71985]

Jessica, how did your audition go?

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

Hehe! Hey Joanna!

Glad to finally see you!

Well, I guess you know the answer already but I didn't make it past my auditions. I'm going to keep working on losing weight and try again in 6 months.

[joanna71985]

Hehe! Hey Joanna!

Glad to finally see you!

Well, I guess you know the answer already but I didn't make it past my auditions. I'm going to keep working on losing weight and try again in 6 months.

I know, I'm glad to finally meet you too!:)

Good luck with that. I will be doing the same, and auditioning again in the spring.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

Good luck!

The next day for me is in December. Or I might try to bypass the auditions and go through stilts/puppetry.

Although I think stilts start at 5'6 and according to Disney, I am 5'5-5'5.5.

[LittleSpirit02]

This may be a silly question - but which jobs in the entertainment field are considered "professional' if any?

[AnnetteFan]

I knew of one girl in entertainment who was assisted with her relocation, I'm not exactly sure how or why she specifically got the assistance because most people don't, but then again maybe it doesn't occur to most people to look into it.

Wendy and Alice are 5'0 to about 5'2 but that's "Disney Height" so if you're actually 5'3 and you meet all the criteria Disney will magically declare you 5'2.

Look alikes go through the same audition as fur because even if you want to do face you still have to be trained in fur and you'll start in fur and still do fur shifts occassionaly after being face trained, you won't be only face even though the vast majority if your shifts would be face character shifts because that's where the need is.

[TheRustyScupper]

This may be a silly question - but which jobs in the entertainment field are considered "professional' if any?

Some typical "professional" jobs at WDW:
. . . sr. engineer (several disciplines)
. . . sr. accountant
. . . sr. managers
. . . sr. computer/IT specialists
. . . sr. culinary (like head chefs)

NOTE: Not all grades within these classifications would rate a relo plan. Many senior grades do.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

As a side note, Tinkerbell for Wishes also needs to be within 100-110lbs.

If and when we do meet and greets, this might be different.

[Minnie Imagineer]

thanks for all the audition info! I really want to audition for a look-a-like position when I go to college. I was wondering if besides the height, are there any weight requirements? I wanted to know the weights for some characters so I could see if I qualify for some positions or if i'm too thin or too heavy! If there is a web site on this that would also be very helpful. Thank you!!!

[AnnetteFan]

I wouldn't really say that there's a specific weight for any character, you just have to be able to fit in the costumes. Some costumes are tighter fitting than others but in general if you're an average weight you'll be fine.

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

It's not so much your weight as it is your build.

I have a friend who is rather small around her waist but naturally larger up top.

Sometimes, when I've seen Chip I've wondered if it wasn't Clarice.

They won't tell you to gain or lose weight. They won't tell you why you didn't make auditions, even if you ask. But I've seen some larger people make it through. A lot of it just depends on how the silhouette falls when in costume.