ICP Summer 2011 !

Beccathemouse- I don't want to be a character performer but want to be a character attendant since the two work pretty closely together can you tell me more about it - duties, what makes a good one etc? If you don't have the answers that's okay just thought you might.

 

hey hey my names vic (a friend of ms becca's) and a previous performer too, i can share some knowledge on attendant
Its quite a sought after role, only about 10ish people tend to get character for each departure date and out of that only about 5max people get attendant, unless they happen to want a lot of people, so it might be different next summer.

Its a very stressful job if youre not ok with guests shouting at you because you've had to close the line, you have to be a very strong person to have to turn away families that have "travelled across the world to see mickey" (though most of the time theyre just saying that to get their own way!) so you have to be one of those people who can stand up for themselves!
Its a lot of fun as well, you get to work with the characters, often interpreting what they're telling the guests, taking photos when theres no photopass person, getting the guests psyched up about meeting the characters while in line and occasionaly helping the performers into costumes too. All in all, its a really rewarding role i think, but like i say, you gotta be strong, even when the kids start crying lol!

Hope that helps!

 

hey disneyspike (and hey my lovely victoria)

i have to agree with everything vic says. In mine and vic's training group of about 10 characters there was only 1 attendant but I wouldn't let that stop you trying, especially if you're the right person for the job and you're passionate about it.

it is true you have to be able to stand up for yourself. Not all guests are well behaved (especiallly tour groups!) but there are always redeeming factors! I think what makes a brilliant character attendant is one who involves themselves in the "performance". I always loved it when my attendant knew the personality of the character as well as I did so they became part of the fun. For instance once I was hangning out with Stitch in animal kingdom and Stitch was feeling a little naughty so he sneaked into one of the shops. Stitch's attendant had to come and drag him out by the ear and pretend to arrest him. Its just little things like that. I suppose you have to keep your sensible hat on at the same time and do the basics such as making sure kids have their autograph books open and working pens. Oh and sharpie's. Character attendants need a lot of sharpie pens.

I think one of the good things about character attendant is that I believe your work location varies. Now i'm not entirely sure about this so dont quote me on this but i think attendants have one assigned park but within that park they can work with different characters on different days and it's always nice to not know whats going to come up on your schedule. You also get to do your training alongside the character performer trainees which might not sound like much but its so nice to have the two roles learning together.

Sorry Disney spike that's a lot of information. In summart what vic said- hard but rewarding. and the best character attendants are the ones that work with the character rather than seeing it as them and then the character.

Does that help? If you have anymore questions then spill (nothing makes me happier than talking about character )

love and pixie dust xxxxxx

 

Thanks so much vik and becca. That is actually the best answer I've gotten so far when asking about attendant and gave me a lot of ideas about interview answers etc.
If I have any more questions I'lll definitaly let you know.

 

Always happy to help

hopefully if all goes to plan and you get attendant and i get performer we might get to work together!

 

I did the ICP in 2009 working as a park greeter at Animal Kingdom and I have recently applied for 2011.

 

Hey ! I'm Christeen and I just sent my application for summer 2011 ICP! I'm so excitedd ! ;D

 

Hi Christeen! Nice to meet you Where are you from? What roles do you want to do out there?

Hi Bacondoublecheese! I did ICP 09 too! What date did you start? Where where you living?

love and pixie dustxxxxxxxx

 

Im from Montreal Quebec but now I live in Ottawa Ontario for univiersity Ive been waiting for this program since 5th grade, but at first I thaught I could only work at epcot... then I learned about this programm! I applied when I was in CEGEP, which in Quebec is 2 years of general studies between high school and university and they told me it wasnt equivalent to college or university, so they told me to apply when I finally started university
Id really like to do merchandise !! And if i could chose which store it would be the art of disney in MK or the emporium ! My second choice would probably be full service food and beverage hostess or lifeguard !

 

Wow you've been on a long journey to this! I really hope you get it when you've been working towards it this long!

The Art of Disney would a great place to work I could look round there all day.... just wish I could afford something from there.... oh well there's always cast member discount (hopefully!)

xxxxxxxxx

 

Thank you
I this your first time applying for this program.?!

 

Christeen44 - I'm in Ottawa too! How exciting would it be if we both got to go! Have you heard back about the phone interview yet? The Art of Disney would be AMAZING. My goal is to one day own a lovely piece from there.

 

no it's the third time I've applied but I did the program back in summer 2009- best summer of my life

xxxx

 

Hey beeg ! No way youre in ottawa too !? Are you studying at Ottawa univeristy or another one ?!
I send my application just yesterday so I havent heard from them yet! How bout you?!

 

I'm at Ottawa U, so far I love it. I'm in the post-graduate education program! Where are you? What are you studying?
I made it to the face to face interviews. I'm sure you'll hear back soon!

 

Im at Ottawa U too! :O Frist year in psychology and linguistics ! Are you a first year student too !?

 

Oh I just noticed you wrote postgraduate... that means your not in your first years right ?!

 

Yeah, post-graduate means I already have a degree. I have a Bachelor of Arts in International Development from the University of Calgary and I am getting my Bachelor of Education from the Ottawa U's 8 month teacher's college.

Psychology and linguistics would be super interesting!

 

Wow thats awesome ! How did your interviews go ? And how long did it take between the time you applied and got an answer?

 

My phone interview was great. They just go over if you are qualified to be part of the program and then ask a few questions. I got, "Why do you want to work for Disney?", "How would you handle working long days, in temperatures up to 40c"? "How do you feel living with people from diverse backgrounds?" Really, it's just like chatting to your friends about why Disney is awesome and why you want to work there.

I applied in July, and heard back that I was qualified for a phone interview about 2 weeks later (the message initially went to my junk mail folder, so heads up). I had my phone interview at the end of August, so it was about a month and a half from application to phone interview over all.