Oh the Privileged Life

Soooooo if you wanna hit up Disney World with me this March......let me know :D 

FREE! FREE! FREEE! (Mostly.)

Disney Traditions

Today, I will be learning A LOT about the Disney Legacy and the Story, and the Company - and apparently competing for goodies. I think I know my stuff :P We'll see! For now, have a look at what I'm currently up to all day long for 8-9 hours!

....Apparently glasses are the "in" thing with CMs. (Cast Members, in case you already forgot!) I need to get me some.

TORONTO - Open Character Auditions

Just a handy heads up from a "friend" of the Princesses (apparently the official Company line when you work as a character - you will always say you're a "friend of" theirs) - she sent me a bunch of info for aspiring character performers/dancers on board on newer ships! SO if you wanna give it a shot, definitely do it - no previous experience required, it's all in your appearance & presentation/animation. So you could have years and years of stage experience but look nothing at all like what they want!


Give it a shot - this is the last time they'll be holding an open casting in Toronto in 2012 (*officially so far)!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012                       10:00 AM  Time zone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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Disney Character Performers for Disney Fantasy and Dream   For: Disney Cruise Line Audition City: Toronto, Canada Location: OIP Dance Centre Looking For: Disney Character Look-alikes and Disney Character Performers
Disney Cruise Line® is seeking talented and versatile Disney Character performers for entertainment productions on our luxury cruise liners, the Disney Dream® and our newest ship, the Disney Fantasy® sailing on voyages to Bahamian and Caribbean ports. Nine month contracts begin November 2012 and include competitive pay, room and board, guest sailing privileges, contract completion bonus, additional benefits package and no cruise staff duty. Seeking the following roles: Performers appear as fully costumed Disney Characters in our Mainstage musical theatre productions, meet and greets, events and production numbers on board the ships. Some Disney Costumed Character performers also appear as Disney Character Look-alikes. Some performers step out into ensemble dancer roles. Females: 4'8" - 5'0” 5'1" - 5'3" 5'5" - 5'8" Males: 5'1 - 5'3" and 5'5" - 5'8" with a youthful look 5'11" - 6'2" Note: Candidates will be measured at sign-in. Location: OIP Dance Centre 190 Richmond Street East - 2nd floor Toronto, Ontario M5A 1P1 Sign-in begins at 9:00 AM -10:00AM-Late applicants will not be accepted. Requirements: Performers must be at least 18 years of age Please provide a current headshot and resume Be prepared to learn a movement and animation exercise Please dress in comfortable clothing you are able to move in EOE – Drawing Creativity from Diversity - ©Disney What to expect at a Disney audition... We hold auditions in many different locations all over the world. While each one is a bit different, there are some basic things you can expect at every Disney audition.     Disney Character Performer & Look Alikes We won't ask you to have any specific content prepared for a Character Audition, but you can prepare in other ways. Remember that most roles in this category will require you to portray one of our world-famous Disney Characters with no words at all. You'll communicate through gestures and movement. The auditions are based primarily on movement, physical coordination and attitude. " A place to check in There will always be a Cast Member to help you check in and answer some basic questions about how the audition will run. This Cast Member will record your name and the time you arrived, and take your Headshot & Resume or give you an Audition Application form to fill out. Make sure to arrive early in order to give yourself time to check in and fill out the paperwork. Keeping to the clock We're a very time conscious bunch. We'll do our very best to keep the audition running on time, but we need your help in order to do that. It's very important that you arrive in plenty of time to complete your check-in and ready yourself for a great audition. Generally speaking, this means at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. If it's your first time to a particular audition location, please plan enough travel time to navigate an unfamiliar place. The audition room Walking into the main audition room can be intimidating... but stay cool and have fun with it. Remember that we're people too, and we're quite happy that you came to audition for us. Keep your confidence and come right on in! Your audition will be run by a Disney Casting Director. As you enter the audition room we'll do our best to introduce ourselves, and give you a few instructions to help you through the audition. The room setup will vary based on the type of audition you're attending. It may be a small rehearsal hall with just a few Casting Directors, or a large facility with several people for a group audition. Either way, be sure to listen to any instructions that are given, and do your best! Closed auditions All Disney auditions are closed auditions. This means that we don't allow anyone into the audition room who is not auditioning. While we understand the important role the support of friends and family play in every performer's life, the audition is one place you must go on your own. If someone does accompany you to an audition, they will be asked to wait in the holding area of the audition venue." Audition Tips When you go to an audition you want to put your very best foot forward. Here are a few tips to help you along. Be on time Remember that your audition begins even before you arrive! Be sure to plan enough preparation and travel time for your audition. We can't stress enough how important it is to arrive on-time to your audition... and in most cases this means at least 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. Being late, no matter the reason, can negatively affect your audition, or prevent you from being seen altogether. Headshot & Resume No matter what kind of role you're auditioning for, it's a good idea to have a Headshot and Resume on hand. Good quality photos on standard letter size paper are best. Make sure the photo you use is representative of the way you look now. If you change your appearance in any way, be sure to update your headshot. As you choose a photo, remember that your headshot is the calling card you leave behind for the Disney Casting team to remember you. Make sure it's the best possible representation of who you are. Keep your resume to one page and list your most recent experience and accomplishments. Don't worry if you have limited experience. Affix your resume securely to the back of your headshot, or have it printed directly on the back. Also, remember that we'll need to keep the photo & resume.

A look inside the cupboard I'm gonna live in!

AN INSIGHTFUL GLIMPSE INTO OUR ROOOMS

It's official, I get to live like Harry Potter. In the Privet-Drive years at least. In a wee cupboard-under-the-waterline.

Here's a fascinating glimpse into the lower decks where the crew will live.
Everyone prepares you for the idea that the crew cabin is quite small, and before I actually step inside one I'm trying to envision the smallest possible thing ever so at least I get a sigh of relief as opposed to a wave of disappointment.

On the downside:

•  I'll have a roommate. On my contract, under "Berthing" - it's a shared room with at least one other guy.
• I'll have to share a bathroom with said roommate in an already small space!
• Roomie will soon learn to hate how loudly I snore/talk in my sleep
• Roomie might use this as a hilarious opportunity to record one of my more exuberant, conversational sleeptalking episodes.
• Roomie might smell like stinky dude smell!
• Roomie might be either a huge slob or a huge neat freak.

On the plus side though:

• I'll be rooming with someone from the Entertainment department - so either Cruise staff (hooray!), Youth Staff (hooray!), or Production (yay!)
• This means that at the very least they'll be incredibly friendly, unless they're the sort that shuts all of that down after a long day of smiling
• This also means chances are high that this smiley-friendly guy who either dances/sings/works with children isn't a douchebag and is genuinely someone I get along with
• Alllso means chances are high that he's a gay dude, and that would be the best possible outcome. Or worst. Depending.

We start with the official look at the living spaces straight from the Mouse:

See how sincere they all are! Notice how the guy from a third-world country says the cabins are nice?

(Well yeah, compared to a slum.)

Now for some unofficial looks inside the cabins (none of these videos taken by me!)

Looks pretty much like living in res at college/university again. Complete with mega stash of empties. (Gross though, I'd never allow that to happen in such a small space!)

 And naturally, what better thing to do in your teeny tiny shared closet than get wasted and rock out?

Now for some middle ground, this video's from a Canadian dude who verrrry gleefully discusses how much he loves his job- and gives us a sneak peek at the living situation in a pretty straightforward, yet upbeat way.

Convinced ya to join us? Hmmmm?

VI *GUEST BLOG!*

Hey gang, here's a Guest Blog for ya, from a fellow Canadian Disney Cast/Crew Member named Jody (who is a guy). It gives a bit more insight from someone who's already been working on the ship for some time; I'll be putting in my two cents after I've officially started my huge contract and training's over.


So remember - the following is most definitely not by me, it's all Jody's.
And as usual - everything found on this blog is not the property nor associated with the property of Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Corporation or its affiliates.

Enjoy, folks!

The Deal. The Skinny. The Straight Dope.

Alright, here it is. I’ve set aside a few minutes and a few dollars to get online and tell you landlubbers what’s going on. Pour yourself a refreshing beverage, get your scrolling finger ready, and read on at your leisure.

The Job.

My official title is Youth Activities Counselor, and I spend my day working with a team that takes care of groups of children on the cruise ship The Disney Wonder. The shifts are about ten hours in duration, and are usually broken up into two chunks of about five hours apiece. There is a slow rotation of start/end times, such that someone who starts at 8am wold be off by 8pm, and someone who starts at 2pm would be off by 2am. It’s not that straigtforward, but it’s not that interesting either.
There are a number of different jobs that get done by a YAC during the day, ranging from sitting at the check-in desk, to performing as a pirate in an interactive program for the kids. I was a pirate today. We put on a show for the kids that made them believe that Captain Hook had taken over the cruise ship and the kids had to solve the mystery. Some kids were so scared of Hook - and so convinced of our performance - that they actually cried and had to leave. It was aaarrrrrghhhhhhsome!
There are many of these interactive programs that the kids get to participate in. They make cookies, they make Flubber, they solve mysteries, they dig for whale bones on the tropical island that we dock at. It’s fun. Even more fun is when I get to spray them with hoses on said tropical island! Very nice.
We also take them for meals, let them play videogames (Mario Kart and Guitar Hero!!!!!!!), introduce them to some of the characters, and even take them to the onboard movie theater. If I have to watch Bridge To Terabithia one more time however, I will throw someone overboard.

The Food

The ship’s mess is open 24-hours for my dining convenience, although after midnight there isn’t really much in there besides toast and Ramen noodles. I do love Ramen though. Mmm. At scheduled mealtimes there is usually a good variety of food to choose from, and it’s actually much better than most “cafeteria food” I’ve previously been subjected to. It’s not even near the quality of the meals the guests get in the ships restaurants, but they do switch up the menu daily to give the different ethnic groups onboard a little taste of home. Since being here I’ve had various curries, asian soups, fish dishes, salads, and even some of the extra I haven’t seen poutine or back-bacon on the menu yet though, so it isn’t really that diverse.
On a lot of the days I work, we do take the kids to lunch and dinner. That being so, we do eat the same food as they do while we’re in there. It’s the exact same stuff every day for the kids; chicken fingers, french fries, pizza, etc. That can get a little tiresome. I enjoy healthy meals on a regular basis with that sort of thing being reserved more for the occasional treat. Even the vegetables they put out for the kids are so covered in butter that I am probably better off eating the chicken fingers and pizza.

The Accomodations

My room is small. If you have an average size bathroom somewhere in your house, you can probably picture the size of my complete cabin… that I share with a Belgian guy. Yeah.
It’s actually not all that bad, considering I only ever go into the room to change, shower, or sleep. The bed is comfy enough (top bunk!), and they have a TV an DVD player in there too. The major downfall is the shower, which is entirely too small. It’s a right-angle triangle shape with the length of the two shorter sides being about 24 inches each. I’ll leave it up to you to figure out the length of the hypotenuse.

The Time Off

I do get a decent amount of time away from “The Lab,” as my workspace is called. When in Port Canaveral on Thursdays and Sundays, there is usually time to get off the boat ship and over to the mall or Walmart to pick up some stuff or just get away for a while. Once I get the hang of predicting my schedule (we only find out the day before), I’ll probably be able to work it so that I can meet up with local friends for lunch or a movie or something while we’re docked.

While in Nassau, we also get time away from work and are free to explore the island. The port area itself is kind of blah/touristy, but there are a lot of opportunities for excursions and activities if you know where to go. I haven’t really done much there yet, but I do plan to start doing more once I’ve been here a bit longer. On weeks that we get above-target scores on our performance evaluations, the Captain allows the ship to stay docked later in Nassau, so that the crew (me!) can get in a little night-life time. Last night was one of those such nights, so we all went out to a little tiki-style bar called Bamboo (I know, very creative) and had some drinks and dancing. Good times all around.
On the days that we dock into Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (which, incidentally, used to be called “Gorda Cay” and was used by drug smugglers as a hideout), we spend most of the day looking after the kids and playing games with them in the sand. This is where I get to spray them with the water hose, so it’s always a  highlight for me! When not working with the kids on the island, we’re usually free to go to the private crew beach for some BBQ and R&R. There’s a volleyball court and soccer field, and a beautiful cove for swimming and sunbathing.

I made it over there for a couple of hours today, and went for a swim. Having previously studied marine biology in college, I was fascinated by the sea-life that I came across while in the water, and spent most of my time nerding it up with the Enchinoderm phylum. I ‘caught’ no less than 10 starfish (the biggest was about 15 inches across, and had SIX legs!), plus a sea cucumber and a purple sea fan. I also stepped on a sea-urchin and have about six of the spines still stuck in my foot (the Doc said to leave them in).

The Benefits

In addition to my regular compensation, Disney has given me free access to all Disney parks worldwide (with the exception of Tokyo, for some reason). I get additional passes to bring friends in with me from time to time, and even more passes on occasion to use or give away as I see fit. My position affords me many additional ship priveleges that not all crew members get, such as the ability to go into guest areas when I’m not working so that I may use the ship’s many services (jacuzzis, movie theaters, etc). I am also able to get friends and family discounts for cruise vacations, although I haven’t actually checked into the specifics of what the discount entails. Anyone interested, let me know and I’ll find out. Heck, I’ll even watch your kids for you while you’re off having fun on the vacation… it’s my job!
That’s about all I can think of at the moment. If you’d like a postcard, email me your mailing address and I’ll send one off to you when I get some time and stamps. Even better, if you’d like to send me stuff (subliminal message: send me stuff!), let me know and I’ll get you my mailing address on the high seas. Photos, letters, and snacks are always appreciated!

The Bottom Line

I enjoy it so far. The people I work with are all really great, and the company is a pleasure to work for. Most of the guests are there to have a good time, so there isn’t much complaining going on. Plus, you can’t beat the location! Even on the bad days, I just look out the window and I am instantly put back into a good mood. I mean, the worst thing that happened to me all week was getting stuck in the foot by a sea-urchin while strolling through a tropical lagoon. I can live with that.