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Character Performer Role FAQ

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What does the role of being a Character Performer include?

  • Character Performers play before thousands of guests each day in character greetings across the Walt Disney World®️ Resort.
  • Performers pose for pictures, sign autographs, and help to create magical moments with guests of all ages.
  • All Character Performers will perform as our sculpted characters, working in potentially large body costumes, heads, and feet, some with limited vision and range of motion and be exposed to hot and humid weather.
  • Character Performers work at indoor and outdoor meet-and-greet locations in the theme parks, water parks, resorts, and at dining locations across property.
  • Some performers may perform as in Character Look-Alike roles as well.
  • Additionally, there may be opportunities to be a parade or show performer or possibly a puppeteer.
  • All performers, including those in our shows and parades and Disney Character Look-Alikes, also perform as fully costumed, sculpted Disney Characters.

 

When and where are the Character Performer auditions?

  • For applicants to the domestic College Program --
    • The Talent Casting Team will be traveling to select cities in the continental U.S. for in-person auditions. Specific locations and times/dates will be listed in the audition posting on DisneyAuditions.com (Click here for details).
      • Detailed audition postings for the Fall 2026 season (arrival dates May - September 2026*) are posted on DisneyAuditions.com and can be reached by clicking here.
        • Orlando, FL - Wednesday, March 4, 2026
        • Chattanooga, TN - Sunday, March 8, 2026
        • Salt Lake City, UT - Saturday, March 14, 2026
        • New York City, NY - Saturday, March 14, 2026
        • Chicago, IL - Monday, March 16, 2026
    • Travel may be required to attend an audition. You are responsible for any costs associated with traveling to the audition location.
    • You must attend one of these specific auditions in order to be considered for a Character Performer role on your College Program. Attending any other audition listed on DisneyAuditions.com (click here for link) will not transfer to or qualify as a College Program audition.
    • No sign-ups needed.
  • ‼️These auditions are NOT open to current program participants or those arriving in January - April 2026.‼️

 

Who can audition?

  • Auditions for the Character Performer role are open to new, incoming domestic College Program applicants for the Fall 2026 season (program arrival dates May - September 2026*).
    • Australia & New Zealand Cultural Exchange participants, Summer Alumni participants and HBCU Cohort participants are ONLY eligible for an extension into a Character Performer role.
  • To fulfill this role, you must be available the full duration of a program.
  • Current Disney College Program participants interested in extending their program in a Character Performer role can learn more about that opportunity by visiting our Support Site (Character Performer Extension FAQs (Click here for link))
    • Separate auditions will be held for extensions.
  • Current College Program participants who would like to transfer into a full-time or part-time role as a Character Performer, please visit DisneyAuditions.com (Click here for link) for dates and times of auditions.

 

Do I need to apply to the Disney College Program before attending an audition?

  • It is recommended that you complete the Disney College Program application prior to attending an audition for a Character Performer role on the Disney College Program.
  • You will not receive an offer for this role or for the program if you have not applied.

 

I am already on the College Program. Can I transfer into a Character Performer role?

  • Based on the business need of the Entertainment Team, auditions may be available for those wishing to extend their program in a Character Performer role. Please review the Character Performer Extension FAQs by clicking here for more details.
    • NOTE: Participants currently in a Character Performer role do not need to audition for an extension. Communication about the extension process for current Character Performers will be emailed to those participants.
  • For those wishing to transfer into a full-time or part-time role as a Character Performer, please visit DisneyAuditions.com by clicking here for dates and times of auditions and visit the What's Next site by clicking here to learn about the conversion process for Program participants.
    • NOTE: Those selected will not transfer until the successful completion of their College Program and provided they meet any transfer guidelines. A valid US Driver's License is required for full-time and part-time Character Performers.

 

What do I need to do to audition for a Character Performer role on the Disney College Program?

  1. Apply to the Disney College Program (Click here to apply).
  2. Create a profile on DisneyAuditions.com (Click here) if you have not previously done so.
    • Do not create a new account if you already have one.
    • If you do not have an account, be sure to use the same email you used to apply to the Disney College Program when creating your Disney Auditions profile.
  3. Choose an audition city from the auditions specifically for College Program participants. Details will be posted on DisneyAuditions.com (Click here). (No sign-up necessary.) 
    • Orlando, FL - Wednesday, March 4, 2026
    • Chattanooga, TN - Sunday, March 8, 2026
    • Salt Lake City, UT - Saturday, March 14, 2026
    • New York City, NY - Saturday, March 14, 2026
    • Chicago, IL - Monday, March 16, 2026
  4. Make any necessary travel arrangements to attend the audition. (These auditions are unpaid. You will be responsible for any costs incurred.)

 

What are you looking for at the audition?

  • We are seeking energetic individuals who can bring our world-famous characters to life.
  • In addition to our fully costumed, sculpted characters, the Talent Casting Directors will be looking to identify individuals for Character Look-Alike roles and for holiday parade roles.
    • REMINDER: All performers, including those in our shows and parades and Disney Character Look-Alikes, also perform as fully costumed, sculpted Disney Characters.
  • Special consideration will be given to individuals with height ranges between 4’8”-5’, 5’4”-5’7”, and 6’2-6’6”.
  • Performance experience is not necessary.

 

What should I expect at the audition?

  • Auditions may vary depending on the size of the group or participants in attendance.
  • Candidates should be prepared to learn a short movement combination that will be performed across the floor in small groups.
  • Those that are asked to continue in the audition may be taught a more advanced movement combination and an animation exercise (like charades).
  • Measurements may also be taken including height, waist, and head circumference, among others.
  • Some candidates may be kept to do individual readings and have their picture taken if they are being considered for a Character Look-Alike role.

 

How should I prepare for an audition?

  • For the Character Performer role, be prepared to move and HAVE FUN! Above all else, our Talent Casting Directors are looking for people who can be entertaining.
  • Come as yourself. If you choose to wear makeup, please make it natural. The Casting Directors want to see the real you.
  • Wear something that makes you feel confident (including comfy shoes). You WILL be moving!
  • If you don't already have one, create a profile on DisneyAuditions.com prior to attending.
    • If you already have a profile, no need to create a new one.
    • If you need to create a profile, please use the same email that you used to apply to the Disney College Program.
  • Check out our tips from one of our Maintenance Choreographer by clicking here and one of our Talent Casting Directors by clicking here to help you shine.
  • Also, take a look at the FAQs on DisneyAuditions.com by clicking here.

 

Who do I contact if I have technical issues with DisneyAuditions.com?

  • While we do not control the DisneyAuditions.com site, we can try to assist by connecting you with our partners in Talent Casting. Please submit a request using the link at the top or bottom of this page with any technical support questions you have. Please make sure to attach any applicable screen shots and/or any specific audition information.

 

When will I hear about my auditions results?

  • Individuals will only be contacted if they:
    • have accepted an offer for the Disney College Program, and
    • are being offered a Character Performer role for their program.
  • Those selected will hear via email no earlier than three (3) weeks after the end of Talent Casting’s audition tour and no later than one (1) week prior to arrival.
  • Individuals not selected for a Character Performer role will not be contacted.

 

What if I missed the deadline to audition?

  • To be considered for a Character Performer role on the Disney College Program, attendance at an in-person audition specifically for the Disney College Program is required.
  • If you missed the auditions, you will still be considered for other roles offered on the College Program, which you can preview here.
  • If you are invited to participate on the College Program in another role, information about other audition opportunities specific to current College Program participants (i.e., extensions (Click here for details)) will be communicated closer to the time of the offering.

 

If I do not get selected this time, when can I audition again?

  • For full-time and/or part-time opportunities, we recommend auditioning about 6-8 weeks prior to the end of your program.
  • While you can audition at any time, it is not necessary to attend the same kind of audition more than once every six (6) months unless it is a specialty audition (i.e., holiday performer, special event performer, etc.).
  • Keep an eye on the requirements of the audition, and keep in mind that auditions outside of College Program-specific auditions will focus on the needs of part-time and full-time opportunities.

 

What happens after the audition?

  • Those selected for a Character Performer role will be notified via email no later than one (1) week prior to arrival. Those not selected will not be contacted.
  • If you are interested in the Character Performer role for an upcoming season, please check back and monitor social media once the next season has opened.
  • If you join us on a program in another role, watch for communication regarding audition opportunities to extend your program in a Character Performer role. (Click here for Character Performer Extension FAQs).

 

What if I cannot attend an audition?

 

Where will I perform?

  • The Character Performers at Walt Disney World® Resort perform at our four theme parks, our two water parks, and our numerous resorts.
  • At this time, we only offer Character Performer roles at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.  

 

Will I be able to do parades and shows as a Character Performer on the Disney College Program?

  • There may be an opportunity for some candidates, once selected, to participate in shows or parades. Please note that all performers, including those in our shows and parades and Disney Character Look-Alikes, also perform as fully costumed, sculpted Disney characters.
    • At this time, program participants are only considered for our holiday parade and show offerings.

 

Will I be able to be a Character Look-Alike?

  • There may be an opportunity for some candidates to be considered for Character Look-Alike roles.
  • Talent Casting will be looking to identify potential Character Look-Alikes at the College Program Character Performer auditions.
  • Please note that all performers, including those in our shows and parades and Disney Character Look-Alikes, also perform as fully costumed, sculpted Disney characters.

 

What if I don’t have performance experience?​

  • The bulk of our opportunities are in meet-and-greet and/or dining locations where a dance or performance background is not needed. We are seeking energetic individuals who can bring our world-famous characters to life.

 

Can I attend an audition that I found on the Disney Auditions website?

  • You are free to attend any audition listed on the Disney Auditions website at any time. However, to be a Character Performer on a Disney Program you must go through the audition process specifically for Program participants (Click here for details). Auditions outside of Disney Programs will focus on part-time and full-time opportunities.
  • If you do attend an audition during your program and are offered a role, you will not transfer into the role until you have successfully completed your current program and provided you meet any and all transfer guidelines.
  • If you attend an audition outside of the Program auditions and are offered a role prior to the start of your program, you will need to cancel your program. You will also be responsible for your own housing and transportation. All previously paid Program fees are non-refundable.

 

Will I be paid for this time?

  • No. The audition is part of the requirement to be considered for the Character Performer role. Auditions are somewhat like an interview for a job (just more fun).

 

Will my transportation and travel accommodations be paid for?

  • No. You are responsible for any costs associated with traveling to the audition location.

 

Do I need a Driver's License for this role?

  • For College Program participants -- A valid US driver's license is not required to be a Character Performer.
  • For Full-Time and Part-Time Character Performers -- A valid US driver's license is required.

 

Who do I contact if I have questions?

  • Please submit a request using the link at the top or bottom of this page. 

 

*All dates are subject to change.

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