Related Articles

Character Performer Extension FAQs

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.
  • Some performers may perform as a Character Look-Alike as well.
  • Character Performers work at indoor and outdoor meet-and-greet locations in the theme parks and resorts, and at dining locations across property.
  • 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 Disney Characters.

 

Who can audition?

  • Domestic College Program participants with a departure date between Jan. 4, 2024 and April 25, 2024 and who are available to extend through at least Aug. 15, 2024
  • Australia and New Zealand Cultural Exchange participants who have a departure date of Jan. 4, 2024, and who are not currently on an extension
    • REMINDER: Participants cannot be on any combination of programs and/or internships for more than twelve (12) consecutive months.
  • Extension auditions are only for active participants on the domestic College Program and Australia & New Zealand Cultural Exchange participants.
    • Participants are not eligible until they have started their program. Further information will be sent once they arrive.
  • Current domestic College Program participants who would like to transfer at the end of their program into a full-time or part-time role as a Character Performer, please visit DisneyAuditions.com for dates and times of auditions.
  • If you are applying for the next domestic College Program season beginning with arrivals in Jan. 2024 and are interested in auditioning, please visit DisneyAuditions.com, filter to Walt Disney World and select the College Program audition location that works for you.
    • For answers to general FAQs about the Character Performer role, click here.

 

Is an audition required?

  • YES! If you are not currently in a Character Performer role and want to extend your program in that role, you must attend one of the auditions specifically for College Program extensions to be considered.

***If you are currently in a Character Performer role and you are looking to extend, you do NOT need to audition. You will complete the same role/same location extension application. 

  • YES! If you are planning to stay with the company in a full-time or part-time capacity, you would need to attend an open call listed on DisneyAuditions.com.
    • For domestic College Program participants, you would also complete the conversion application as explained on the What's Next section of the Disney Programs HUB site.

***If you are currently in a Character Performer role and you are looking to convert to a full-time or part-time position, you do NOT need to audition. You will complete the conversion application as explained on the What's Next section of the Disney Programs HUB site. 

 

When are auditions?

  • For extension-specific auditions, information will be sent to those eligible and the event will appear in DORMS.
    • Auditions were held on Friday, Oct. 20 and Monday, Oct. 23.
    • No other extension auditions have been scheduled at this time.

(NOTE: Current participants are NOT eligible to attend the open call for new applicants to the College Program. You must attend an extension-specific audition to be considered for the role.)

 

Is this opportunity to extend open to any Programs participant?

  • At this time, extension auditions are ONLY for current participants on the Domestic College Program, and for Australia/New Zealand Cultural Exchange participants who are not currently on an extension.
  • Domestic College Program participants must be willing to extend their program beyond their original end date for a minimum of 4 months and/or to at least the end date specified in the audition posting.

NOTE: This is subject to change based on business need. No positions are guaranteed until a formal offer has been presented.

 

Will I hear back after an audition?

  • If you have been selected for a role or a callback, you will receive communication from either the Talent Casting Team or Disney Programs Recruitment.
  • No communication will be sent to those who have not been selected.

 

Can I apply for other extension opportunities?

  • Absolutely! You can also visit MyDisneyCareer.com and click on “College Program Extensions” in the Student Opportunities section.
    • Be aware - some extension opportunities may require you to make a decision prior to knowing the results of this audition. If you accept another offer, you MAY be removed from consideration for this role. Check with the Recruiter for each role.
    • If you apply for and accept a Same Role/Same Location Extension, you will NOT be removed from consideration for Character Performer.

 

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

  • While you can audition at any time, it is not necessary to attend an audition more than once every six 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 remember that you are eligible to attend any audition at any time but would not transfer until the end of your program if you are selected.
  • You may not attend more than one extension audition more than once every four months.

 

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

  • If you want to extend your program in a Character Performer role, you must attend the extension-specific audition.
  • If you are interested in a full-time or part-time performer role, you are free to attend any audition at any time.
    • If you are a domestic College Program participant, you will also need to complete the Casting Services application to move into a full-time or part-time role if you are offered one by Entertainment. More information about that process can be found on our Support Site.

(NOTE: If you are offered and accept a role outside of the College Program, you will not transfer until the end of your program and you will have to provide your own housing and transportation. You will not be able to remain at Flamingo Crossings Village.)

 

If I am offered a role, when will I transfer into Entertainment?

  • Your transfer date will be after the conclusion of your program and will be determined by the Entertainment Training Team. This will be communicated to you by the Disney Programs Recruitment Team.
  • For extensions, your extension start date and your transfer date may not match. If this is the case, we will work with your current area to extend you until your transfer date.

REMEMBER: In order to be eligible to transfer you must have no more than four (4) points and no more than one (1) reprimand within the past six months.

 

Will I be able to audition later if I am not eligible for this audition?

  • Any future auditions that Entertainment offers will be communicated through the usual channels.
  • For any audition, it is important to check the eligibility guidelines.

 

Do I have to have a performance background?

  • Absolutely not! All majors and backgrounds are welcome. Our goal is to find people who can bring our characters to life and entertain our guests.

 

Do I have to be a certain height to attend?

  • You will need to pay close attend to the requirements of the audition. For the College Program-specific auditions, all height ranges are welcome, however, special consideration is usually given to those between 4’8”-5’, 5’4”-5’7” and 6’-6’3”.

 

I already auditioned and was placed in the Character Pool. What does this mean?

  • The Character Pool is a bench (or "holding tank") for those people Entertainment would like to offer a role but for whom there is not a current opening. Applicants are kept in the pool for up to eight (8) months after their audition date and can be offered a role at any point in that timeframe. A position is not guaranteed.
  • There may be a Character Pool for College Program roles at the discretion of Talent Casting. The College Program Character Pool may have different guidelines from the full-time/part-time Character Pool. These guidelines and dates will be communicated to those it affects.

 

Will I be paid for the time I take to go to an audition?

  • No. The audition and callback are part of the requirement to be considered for the Character Performer role.

 

What are the record card guidelines to move into a Character Performer role?

  • In order to be eligible to transfer you must have no more than four (4) points and no more than one (1) reprimand within the past six (6) months.

 

Will I be able to do parades and shows?

  • There may be an opportunity for some candidates, once selected, to participate in shows or parades.

PLEASE NOTE: All performers, including those in our shows and parades, and Disney Character Look-Alikes, also perform as fully costumed Disney Characters.

 

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

  • Those selected to be considered for Character Look-Alike roles will be contacted for an additional callback.

PLEASE NOTE: All performers, including those in our shows and parades, and Disney Character Look-Alikes, also perform as fully costumed Disney Characters.

 

Who do I contact if I have questions?