anyone know if this is true?

[tjcoolgirl15]

I'm right there with ya!

[tiggerguy]

Has everyone had their snickerdoodle for today?

[JLTraveling]

Just to throw my two cents in here, how many of you that are saying the article was bogus have actually worked for Disney? Been there done that (not characters, although I have many friends in that department), and I believe every word she said. There's a reason I now work for SeaWorld, beyond the fact that I want to be an animal trainer. Disney employment is not all it's cracked up to be. CP pay is ****, even for characters. No Way are they going to pay college kids 12 bucks an hour, on top of the cheap housing they give them. $6.50 sounds about right for CP characters.

Characters is a rough, thankless job that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. That's why I went for Attractions...cause at Universal, Attractions was a great job. Exhausting, lots of **** to deal with...just like any job...but the pros way outweighed the cons. But at Disney? No way. So many people have a glamorized ideal of what being a CM must be like...that's just not the case people.

I love Disney, always have always will. But you've heard the expression "Great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there"? That's my opinion of working for Disney. I believe the article, and everything she said was the truth, from everything I know of characters.

Just my two cents.

[Mouse Ears]

Well it might have been true...Those requirements for being hired made me lose any hope of being anything but fur. I dunno, I would probably like it actually The heat part sounds unbearable though! and isn't $6.50 below minimum wage?

[vixen101485]

We never said she was lying ...just being really gripey about it(i didnt get to be a princess right off the bat--wahwah!) She took the job knowing what it entailed and if she didn't like it just ask to be transfered or quit....Simple as that Yes, being characters is a hard job...if you read my prior post you will see that i did it for free. Not for Disney but in the heat and dealing with the crowds nontheless It is something you have to like to do and it is not an easy job. As for being thankless---no its not-the affection that children feel for costumed characters is something you cant duplicate and neither is that feeling you get putting a smile on a child's face...if you don't like it dont do it...
At the time this girl (16 and not in college)apparantly worked there $6.50 was well above minimum wage because in 1991 I was offered that to just work the food stands..What is it now-$5.25 or so?
I agree with Keasmom-you took the job, you took the paycheck, do it and dont complain.

[tiggerguy]

Well it might have been true...Those requirements for being hired made me lose any hope of being anything but fur. I dunno, I would probably like it actually The heat part sounds unbearable though! and isn't $6.50 below minimum wage?

Federal minimum wage is a pawltry $5.15 an hour. Many states are now above that. In CT the wage is $7.10.

[Keasmom]

Every job, has pros and cons. It is how we deal with those that make it a good job or bad job. I have worked at lots of places, some co-workers griped all day, some were happy to have a job. It is about your personal attitude. If you interview, and take the job you are offered at the pay rate you are offered, at that point you give up the right to be a thankless jerk of an employee. You are now being paid to have a good attitude. If you do not like it, leave. If all else fails, pretend you are an actor and give the performance of you life every day until you get something more doable.

[Disneynut57]

Well thought I would put my two cents worth in I have worked in schools for a long time now from grades K5 thru 12th. The one thing I have seen grow is the attitude that people think they are owed and not that they have to work for what they want. The sadest thing this girls says is if she was called in to do fur she would call of sick. When you go to work the employer doesnt owe you the job you think is the best. You have to "work" for it. The job you have may not be the best but only you can change that by working harder than the other person.

[Keasmom]

It is truly sad the sense of entitlement this generation has embraced.

[viks]

its the vomit/vomit smell bit that got me!

[viks]

. If you do not like it, leave. If all else fails, pretend you are an actor and give the performance of you life every day until you get something more doable.

that reminds me of this poem

If People Disapprove of You...

Make being disapproved of your hobby.
Make being disapproved of your aim.
Devise new ways of scoring points.
In the Being Disapproved Of Game.

Let them disapprove in their dozens.
Let them disapprove in their hoards.
You'll find that being disapproved of
Builds character, brings rewards

Just like any form of striving.
Don't be arrogant; don't coast
On your high disapproval rating.
Try to be disapproved of most.

At this point, if it's useful,
Draw a pie chart or a graph.
Show it to someone who disapproves.
When they disapprove, just laugh.

Count the emotions you provoke:
Anger, suspicion, shock.
One point for each of these and two
For every boat you rock.

Feel yourself warming to your task -
You do it very well.
At last you've found an area
In which you can excel.

Savour the thrill of risk without
The fear of getting caught.
Whether they sulk or scream or pout,
Enjoy your new-found sport.

Meanwhile, all those who disapprove
While you are having fun
Won't even know your game exists
So tell yourself you've won.

[viks]

We never said she was lying ...just being really gripey about it(i didnt get to be a princess right off the bat--wahwah!) She took the job knowing what it entailed and if she didn't like it just ask to be transfered or quit....Simple as that Yes, being characters is a hard job...if you read my prior post you will see that i did it for free. Not for Disney but in the heat and dealing with the crowds nontheless It is something you have to like to do and it is not an easy job. As for being thankless---no its not-the affection that children feel for costumed characters is something you cant duplicate and neither is that feeling you get putting a smile on a child's face...if you don't like it dont do it...
At the time this girl (16 and not in college)apparantly worked there $6.50 was well above minimum wage because in 1991 I was offered that to just work the food stands..What is it now-$5.25 or so?
I agree with Keasmom-you took the job, you took the paycheck, do it and dont complain.

how do you see out of the costume? someone said something to me about them having mirrors in or something

[DissyLove]

Hi there. Just wanted to share my working experience in a fur costume. Now, I have a communications degree and worked as a field reporter for a newspaper. We have a column where our editor ghostwrites and answers questions as Rover, the roving reporter.....

Long story short, I was forced to wear a costume all day in july at a fair dressed as a rover. VERY hot costume, no vents. They warned me I would be sweating, and should wear little clothes under it----no kidding! I probably sweated off 15 pounds that day! I kept thinking, I went to college for this? I mean, it was fun, but not what I envisioned when I was a freshman at college.

I couldn't take off the mask in front of anyone, and had to sneak off to get some air-when I took the face part off, I swear heat would burst out of the suit!

It was crazy. But, I got paid, and I guess I was warned. But I look back on those days and kind of laugh.

Anyway, I feel for the costumed people. God Bless 'em!

[dzney4lyf]

I once was pd to wear a costume at a local mall.. I was only 15 and pd under the table by a famous fast food chain 10 bucks an hour.. I was SWEATING!!! I wore a bathing suit under the costume in an airconditioned mall and I was still HOT.. I really feel for any of the characters at Disney.. or any where else for that matter.. BUT this was also my CHOICE to do.. No one can force you to keep a job!! If you do not like it then QUIT!!!

[vixen101485]

never heard of a costume having mirrors in it...but then again..who knows?...most costumes have a screen like thing usually in the actual eyes of the character...taller character costumes will have a see thru screen down lower(look for a weird patch on the characters neck) it is very hard to for some characters to see straight down so make sure your kids are not right underfoot or behind them...a good way to prevent problems is to address the character by its name in a loud(dont yell) clear voice--exp-"Mickey, there is a little one a bit to your left that would like to see you" ...it is very heplful to both you and the character.
Aso a bit of advice that I'm sure no member of this site would do but if you see anyone doing anything that would harm either the character or the guest, please let the escort of the character know right away--exp---someone pulling the tail of the character...this could cause the character to suddenly turn(reflex action) and potentially bump into someone that is in front of or beside them