I got to Disneyland in California all the time with my 15 month old. She loves meeting the characters. She runs up to them it's so cute. I never had thought about all of the crazy stuff they go through! I am always nice to the cast members but I respect them so much more now.
Olivia Simone It was a 5 hour walking tour I think. We had lunch in Tomorrow land. It starts on Main Street and then you walk all over the park and even in the tunnels. We skipped the line for Haunted Mansion & Jungle Cruise. You get a cute badge and free water. You get to see behind splash mountain and where they keep the parade floats. Overall would recommend. You do have to be 16 or older. I was 15 but they made an exception. *** $100*** per adult. If you have any other questions just as or dm me on insta @TH-camar13
I forgot my name tag once and I ended up being Katie from Orlando. I never turned the nametag back in and kept it in my locker just in case. I had a full background story for Katie and completely stayed in "character" the whole day I wore it! I still have that nametag somewhere, too ;)
snowaeris I did the same thing! I was always Jay from Syracuse, New York lol. I had a whole back story for Jay but it always confused people because I have a thick southern accent 😂😂
Thanks so much! Augh, you're going to LOVE backstage! At first I was a little underwhelmed, but once I learned more about operations and all that goes on backstage, I was so amazed! Enjoy your program! It's hard work, but once you get used to things it's great :)
New subscriber right here!! Super fun!!! I went to Disney Performing Arts at Disneyland. I was with Theatre and we went backstage to do a workshop and it was AMAZING
Olivia: you might not know this but when I worked at the American Adventure in EPCOT during the '80s we turned in our costumes at the end of the shift and that included our socks and shoes. When I returned the next day I got a fresh pair of everything. Thanks for uploading!
Yesss!! I love the DAK fake tree!!! I tell my friends about it! Did you ever get to go to the lesser known Epcot Utilidors? You only use them if you work in the front of the park. Also...everytime I'm on test track I wave to backstage and my old parking spot. They've changed costuming...we used to go to a cashier to scan clothes out! I also worked at Universal and they have the same barcode system. Loved this video...you did a grest job explaining behind the scenes without ruining the magic. Oh...one last thing since you are accepted for summer alumn...if they still do it, there's a behind the scenes tour for Haunted Mansion ONLY for CMs. Check the hub to sign up. It's an early morning but SO worth it!!!
haha the fake tree is awesome! Are the Epcot Utilitdors the underground tunnels? If so, then yes I have! For one of my locations we had to go through them :) oh that's interesting you had to go to a cashier for costuming - I definitely think it's a lot more efficient now that it's electronic. And thanks for the heads up! Hopefully I'll be able to do some behind the scenes tours! one of my roommates got to see behind the scenes of Fantasmic and I was soooooo jealous!
Yep! The underground tunnels...some people call them utillidors because of MK!! Fant behind the scenes?!? AWESOME! We got to visit a bunch of characters after Fantasmic once because we knew someone in the cast. I got to meet Belle in her $10,000 dress (something like that..super sparkly). We also had Megara there...so it was cool to see characters we don't see regularly! If you still have any entertainment friends, they can probably get you a hook up - it's well worth it!!!!
I knew about the random cell phone tower at DAK. I also had the privilege of walking through the utilidors when I did Magic Music Days. These videos brought back memories of those times. Thanks so much for sharing!
I got to go behind toon town in highschool as a dancer and it was so cool! It's kindof strange to walk through the doors and everything is completely different but it is amazing to see
Don't listen to the haters Olivia, they're not worth it. My daughter would love to do the international college program one day so your vlogs keep us both informed and entertained. Thank you for taking the time to make them.
Last time I was at WDW riding a boat to fort wilderness the cast member told us all boat operators wear white shoes and showed as the tree when they retire they throw their shoes in the tree so I thought that was a really cool thing. Also I like they put where people are from on the name badge the first time I ever went I met a cast member from a small town 30 minutes from where I live.
One time I met a cast member in Orlando who was from the same hometown (3000 miles away) and who was friends with my best friend's older siblings! Sometimes it's definitely a small world!
What you said about a tree and the cell phone tower. I've actually noticed this here in England especially when the cell tower doesnt fit in with the area
I enjoy watching your videos on working as a cast member. Have you ever been to Disney Land. That is my favorite as it was "Walt's Park", to me. WDW is too HUGE!!! Also, have you considered a long time career. Your energy is infectious and it seems that is something they look for, along with creativity and spontaneity.
If you take the tour you do NOT need to get a fast pass for the Haunted Mansion because the tour goes through it. Now if you want to go through the mansion a second time that day,,,,,,,. lol The only thing with the tour is you don’t go through or see any of the pre-ride stuff because you come in a back door.
Oh that's awesome! I definitely regret not taking my mom on a tour when she came and visited me! I feel like even as a cast member I would have learned a ton!
Olivia, I have to call you out on a point! In a different video you made, you claimed you were not an extrovert, but in all 3 that I’ve seen so far, you’ve been cheerful, perky, amusing as well as informative. So perhaps your time as a CM brought that side of you, but I enjoy your valuable info very much! Thanks for sharing!
haha it's easy to be cheery when i'm sitting by myself, in my house, talking to a camera 🤣 put me walking across campus with 50,000 other students and I'm the exact opposite hahaha
Hey Olivia! Thanks so much for making these videos. I’ve seen several of them, and I really appreciate them all! I’m doing the DCP this fall and I’m working attractions. I have two random questions, and if you could answer them that’d be 10/10. When it came to you eating during your shifts, would you bring your own food or eat something that Disney sold? Also, I’m assuming backstage that everyone has a locker or something for you to put your phone, keys, etc? What do you do with your things while you’re on stage?
Personally, I always brought my own food. I had allergies that required me to, but other than that I saved so much money bringing my own lunch! Lunch breaks are 30 minutes long and you're not always near the backstage cafeteria, so definitely bring your lunch at first and see if it's even possible to make it to the cafeteria in time to eat and get back. You can also change and go into the parks to get food during your lunch! And, since I was a performer, my entire backstage / onstage experience is different from other roles.... BUT I've seen that lockers exist, and I know my friends in MK definitely had them... I believe phone stays in your pocket for safety reasons (in case you need to call paramedics or security or something) and then lunchbag stays in the fridge in the breakroom, and then I always had my bag in the backstage area I was at - no locker. i think it depends on the location. Hopefully that wasn't too scatterbrained, but basically it's going to depend on your location and what you feel comfortable with doing.
I just discovered your channel today! I can't stop watching your videos!! Great videos with so much awesome information, and you are, oh my gosh, sooo adorable!!!
Olivia Simone I did the Cultural representative program. I spent half of my program at the commons and the other half at Patterson. I loved everything!!
Fun fact: every other year my school has the band and choir go to Disney and perform for Disney, I believe the band performed in magic kingdom and the choir (which I was in) performed in Disney Springs and my whole Disney experience was definitely wonderful of course some ups and downs cause were high school teens all together..you expect drama..but yeah that’s really cool that you use to work at Disney, must have been hard (also earned my Disney performing arts ears for singing :3)
Olivia Simone yeah I only had 1 issue with a Disney employee..she was a older lady and all that I remember is that her tag said she was from Puerto Rico..and me and my friend thought that if we got 2 shirts it would be 20 dollars.. (there was a sign on a high shelf and a light shining on it) and we brought it to her and after a bit when she said it was 40 dollars, we pointed out the sign she said to us “do you understand English? Go read the sign again” and me and my friend were shocked by that...we read the sign again and in fine thin print it said “each” and not only did we feel dumb we were quite mad by that..but I was oh well I mean worse happened anyways but besides that everything was fun!
I have been bingeing a lot of working at Disney World videos, because I really want to do the Cultural Representative Program (Germany) when I‘m 18 and all these videos really help and make me so much more excited about this. Can‘t wait to apply in 1.5 years
My mother is a Home Carer, she basically goes to old people’s houses and takes care of them. One of her clients is 73 years old and her son used to work in the “Rose and Crown” pub in Epcot for a year in the 1980s. He is from Glasgow, Scotland 🏴
Your videos are addicting 😭 I have school in a few hours since it’s 3 in the morning and it’s my first day of school and I just can’t sleep because your videos are so good 😭😭
All of those things you talked about are so cool. I have a friend who works at Disneyland and I have heard her mention some things on fb that are ok like talking about company d and letting her fellow cast members know about sales and such.
My boyfriend and I noticed the name tags and how everyone's shoe color is black (We saw a black-on-black Nike as well!) Thanks for the info! Super interesting stuff :3
If you're a Disney princess do you go in for hair and makeup before your shift? or do you have to figure it out yourself, either learning by yourself or take a class or something? Just curious
I believe that peformers do go to Cosmetology the first few times, and then once they get the hang of the makeup they do it themselves before a shift :)
Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, has a similar cell tower tree. It blends in okay during spring, summer and fall, but in the winter, when all the trees around it have lost their leaves, it really stands out. Everyone's glad it's there not just for cell reception and wi-fi, but in case you get lost then you still have a signal to call for help!
i would love to do the international programme because it seems so fun !! i would love to be a character performer and then be a cast member for a few months,, your videos are so helpful !!
Your very welcome! :D and that is cute! :D Also on the name tags there was a time where I did see some cast members that were from my homestate Indiana. With their universities on them. Its cool that I have a good eye on them and that name tag, Chris from Orlando is funny XD Love it!!
Florida has those "trees" everywhere. They are pretty easy to spot because they don't look like trees very much LOL. I will look for the one at AK next time.
I visited in 2016, and I remember looking at the cast member name tags in the Star Wars section of Hollywood Studios and it was "Chris from Endor". That is commitment to theme.
Love these videos. I worked at disneyland for three years and had the worst experiences as a cast member so i totally get what your saying. I do miss it though
Thank you so much! Ugh yes girl you feel me! i miss it too. I wish I could just pick up shifts when I wanted, but i don't want to live in Florida or Anaheim full time :/
Olivia Simone of course. Yes i totally do. I was in food service I have some crazy crazy stories but i got terminated for something i never did which really sucks. Because i miss it and living in Anaheim / Yorba Linda i always want to go but i can’t because i don’t have an id anymore and tickets are crazy expensive now. So greatfull i had three years of going though and the expirence working there
Oh no!!! I'm sorry :( That really sucks. I totally get the price thing - I'm like, I either have to work for the disney company so I have a free ticket anytime I want, or I'm not going for a long while lol and thanks so much for watching my videos!
Hey there! I'm new to your channel, and I just want to say thank you for these videos and how respectful you are, I can tell Disney really does choose the best people! I just wondered if you could make a video explaining why you decided to join Disney university and your experience with that experience, unless you have already, like I said I'm new 😆
The Odyssey CM cafeteria actually was really good when I worked there!! The one behind the AA? Not so much! Lol And back then we were self scanning our costumes to return them...yeah, some may have not actually gotten returned...ooops! Funny story about the name tags...the German and Italian pavilion share the same management...one of the German guys forgot their name tags, so the manager went through some leftover ones they had around and picked Simone. Now, Simone is a common male name in Italy, but the manager did not realize that in Germany it is a girls only name. Poor guy had to walk around with that name tag all day!
In animal kingdom lodge you can see 2 other towers disguised as trees. Seen from Kidani Village. one looking towards Animal Kingdom (which I suppose its the one you mention. And the other is looking towards the Power station (looking towards the highway from the Kidani far area on the opposite side of the Safari/animal area.
Thank you so much!! And you should definitely go out for it! Or just get your fill of it by watching cast member videos! haha I highly recommend the DCP!
You said the cast members are not allowed to leave their land while wearing their costumes. I remember being at Disneyland Paris and waiting for the parade near Main Street USA and there were cast members from Adventureland and Fantasyland and all the other parts, keeping the guests off the street, entertaining the children while they were waiting for the parade... Is the time around the parades an exception from that rule (to stay in your land I mean) or is that a special practice only at Disneyland Paris?
On the way to Animal Kingdom on the bus, my friend excitedly pointed out the "huge redwood" to me, knowing I'd think it's cool. I took one look at it and said, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's a cell tower disguised as a tree". She felt so silly, bless her
Your friend's exclamation is exactly what i thought the first time I saw it XD lol It made a lot of sense and seemed quite obvious after I was told though!
Olivia, this is amazing, thankyou so much. I'm shocked that you have had hater sin the past. I also follow Ellie Steadman, you should check out Adam Hatton too he's awesome. The cell tower/tree sounds interesting.
Do you have language flags on your name badge or is that just a DL Paris thing? For example if you see a cast member with 🇨🇵🇬🇧🇪🇦 on their badge they speak French English and Spanish If you see 🇬🇧🇩🇪🇸🇪 they would speak English German and Swedish (iirc you have to speak at least 2 of French English or German to work there)
It seems really tough working as a cast member for Disney especially with all the guests that are tough to deal with. Disney has been doing a lot of stuff especially with the new Disney/Fox Deal coming in 2019. Have you been in the new Avatar land and this is the first time I’ve watched your channel and I have to say great video !!
Hahahah Blue Id, when i worked for the company, Blue Id meant manager. Yellow was full/part time, red was seasonal and green was partner. Aaaaaw memories :-)
Oh no way! During my first program if you had a Blue ID without your picture on it, it meant you were a CP; and then green I believe is still partner. That's so interesting how they've changed over the years!
Olivia Simone yeah, i did my DCP in 2007-2008, lived in Chatham bldg 17! The CP id back then was a mickey on an all white card ☺️ i have loved watching your videos, it brought us back to good times. my husband and i met on the F bus, we struck up a conversation and could not stop thinking of each other 💕
Hey Olivia, love your videos! I’m going to be part of the DCP as entertainment this upcoming FA program! So I had a question: do you know what the parade auditions are like? Or did you not get a chance to audition for any of them because of the timing of your program? Thanks:)
Thanks so much! and congrats!! I hope you have a blast!! So the Christmas auditions were right before I arrived so I didn't get to go to them... I did go to a workshop, which is basically like a dance class where you work on your dance skills but while acting out a character, and at the end they teach you a routine, the casting director comes in, they film it, and if they see potential they might cast you in something! But no, never got to actually audition for a parade. Good luck! :)
I have that same necklace your wearing my boyfriend got it for me for my birthday as a promise necklace to be forever with me thumbs up to you. I love this video and all your videos.
yep! It's slightly different, there's the Cultural Exchange Program and the ICP (I can't remember what it stands for). disneyprogramblogs.com has the info! :)
ICP is the International College Program. You partner up with a college or university in the US, most people pair up with SFU. I am from Western Canada and did the program through my local college. We were paired with the Universiy of California Riverside (UCR). The ICP is exactly the same as the regular CP, but the roles are more limited. I did role rotation which means for half of my 6 month program I worked in food and beverage and for the other half I worked attractions. I would look into colleges in your area to see if schools offer the ICP or help with the ICP. I knew many ICPs from Brazil, Spain, England, Australia, etc. There are options all over the world. The disadvantage to the Cultural Exchange Program is that you have to work in your country at Epcot so you don’t have a chance to work in some of the other parks
"It's Chris, from Orlando"
"What are you wearing, _'Chris from Orlando???'_ "
😂
Uhhh cargos... lol
Uh...mouse ears?
where does all that positive energy come from? sometimes i just watch your videos to remember there are nice people like yourself out there 😃
Aw thanks so much! I love Disney and making videos, and God has blessed me - so that's where it all comes from! :)
@@olivia_simone Great reasons Olivia! God Bless :)
Backstage tour. "Key's to the Kingdom" tour...worth every penny! We did it and it was amazing to see back stage.
I believe it! I wish SO BADLY I had signed my mom and i up for a tour when she visited me in WDW!
I got to Disneyland in California all the time with my 15 month old. She loves meeting the characters. She runs up to them it's so cute. I never had thought about all of the crazy stuff they go through! I am always nice to the cast members but I respect them so much more now.
I'm glad you and your daughter have such a magical time!
I went on the keys to the kingdom tour “which you go in the tunnels” and it was the best! It was only like $90 and totally worth it.
I'm definitely taking my family on that if we go to WDW again!!! how long was the tour if you don't mind me asking, and what did you see?
Olivia Simone It was a 5 hour walking tour I think. We had lunch in Tomorrow land. It starts on Main Street and then you walk all over the park and even in the tunnels. We skipped the line for Haunted Mansion & Jungle Cruise. You get a cute badge and free water. You get to see behind splash mountain and where they keep the parade floats. Overall would recommend. You do have to be 16 or older. I was 15 but they made an exception. *** $100*** per adult. If you have any other questions just as or dm me on insta @TH-camar13
Oh wow that's a lot! That's super cool, thanks for the info!! Definitely going to sign up for one
And lunch is included! At least when we did it. Totally worth the price!
When I had my traditions one of the guys there was named Chris and he was from Orlando.
Poor guy lol
I forgot my name tag once and I ended up being Katie from Orlando. I never turned the nametag back in and kept it in my locker just in case. I had a full background story for Katie and completely stayed in "character" the whole day I wore it! I still have that nametag somewhere, too ;)
Omg there was a chris from orlando on jungle cruise hahah
snowaeris I did the same thing! I was always Jay from Syracuse, New York lol. I had a whole back story for Jay but it always confused people because I have a thick southern accent 😂😂
Left my name tag at home once & was Larry for a day :) and guests actually called me Larry
I was a cast member for the Times Square store - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Loved every minute of it.
that's awesome!
Cool I like Disney
That tree cell phone tower was something I learned about! I’m excited to keep an eye out for it!
Yes, definitely! If you take the bus in, you'll be able to see it!
Celiac Zebra they are all over Los Angeles too.
Dreana _ Oh really?!? That’s very cool!
Wow this is a lot of info. Some of this I knew but a lot I didn’t. A cellphone tower that’s pretty cool and interesting. Thanks Olivia.
I know, I was shocked when I was told about the cell phone tower! Thanks for watching! :)
Olivia Simone Yea I’m sure you were shocked when you found out about the tree being a cellphone tower. You’re welcome Olivia 😊.
seen them in NJ too. there cool
That’s really cool about the tree being a tower
Christy's Commentary Yeah! I think it's such a great way to keep theming!
Loved the video! I'm super excited to see the backstage areas when I start my program in just over a month!
Thanks so much! Augh, you're going to LOVE backstage! At first I was a little underwhelmed, but once I learned more about operations and all that goes on backstage, I was so amazed! Enjoy your program! It's hard work, but once you get used to things it's great :)
That name tag would be perfect for me 🤪
I was at Magic Kingdom yesterday and saw a "Chris from Orlando" now I know it probably was not his name 😂
bahahaha that's amazing 😂
New subscriber right here!! Super fun!!! I went to Disney Performing Arts at Disneyland. I was with Theatre and we went backstage to do a workshop and it was AMAZING
Ah that's awesome! That sounds like such a cool experience! thanks for subscribing :)
Olivia: you might not know this but when I worked at the American Adventure in EPCOT during the '80s we turned in our costumes at the end of the shift and that included our socks and shoes. When I returned the next day I got a fresh pair of everything. Thanks for uploading!
Yesss!! I love the DAK fake tree!!! I tell my friends about it! Did you ever get to go to the lesser known Epcot Utilidors? You only use them if you work in the front of the park. Also...everytime I'm on test track I wave to backstage and my old parking spot. They've changed costuming...we used to go to a cashier to scan clothes out! I also worked at Universal and they have the same barcode system. Loved this video...you did a grest job explaining behind the scenes without ruining the magic. Oh...one last thing since you are accepted for summer alumn...if they still do it, there's a behind the scenes tour for Haunted Mansion ONLY for CMs. Check the hub to sign up. It's an early morning but SO worth it!!!
haha the fake tree is awesome! Are the Epcot Utilitdors the underground tunnels? If so, then yes I have! For one of my locations we had to go through them :) oh that's interesting you had to go to a cashier for costuming - I definitely think it's a lot more efficient now that it's electronic. And thanks for the heads up! Hopefully I'll be able to do some behind the scenes tours! one of my roommates got to see behind the scenes of Fantasmic and I was soooooo jealous!
Yep! The underground tunnels...some people call them utillidors because of MK!! Fant behind the scenes?!? AWESOME! We got to visit a bunch of characters after Fantasmic once because we knew someone in the cast. I got to meet Belle in her $10,000 dress (something like that..super sparkly). We also had Megara there...so it was cool to see characters we don't see regularly! If you still have any entertainment friends, they can probably get you a hook up - it's well worth it!!!!
I did the haunted mansion BTS tour
I knew about the random cell phone tower at DAK. I also had the privilege of walking through the utilidors when I did Magic Music Days. These videos brought back memories of those times. Thanks so much for sharing!
that's awesome! how cool!
I got to go behind toon town in highschool as a dancer and it was so cool! It's kindof strange to walk through the doors and everything is completely different but it is amazing to see
That's really cool!
Man. Every time I hear something new about how Disney makes the experience so amazing, I gain more respect for them.
Thank you so much!!!
Don't listen to the haters Olivia, they're not worth it. My daughter would love to do the international college program one day so your vlogs keep us both informed and entertained. Thank you for taking the time to make them.
I really appreciate that!
Ignore the haters. Just a bunch of sad people that have nothing better to do than complain. We love your videos
Thank you! I appreciate your support!
Every time I see someone with a Chris from Orlando name tag I call them out for it 😂
Lol it' hard not to!
Last time I was at WDW riding a boat to fort wilderness the cast member told us all boat operators wear white shoes and showed as the tree when they retire they throw their shoes in the tree so I thought that was a really cool thing. Also I like they put where people are from on the name badge the first time I ever went I met a cast member from a small town 30 minutes from where I live.
One time I met a cast member in Orlando who was from the same hometown (3000 miles away) and who was friends with my best friend's older siblings! Sometimes it's definitely a small world!
What you said about a tree and the cell phone tower. I've actually noticed this here in England especially when the cell tower doesnt fit in with the area
That's so interesting! And something I'll have to look out for when I visit England! Thanks for watching :)
Olivia Simone they have a lot in California too! They are hard to see but once you see them you know!
omg the chris from orlando thing is so funny! i never knew that and i am highkey going to keep an eye out for it next time im in the parks
YESSS you have to! It's so funny! Love your profile pic btw
Also swoozie did some Disney videos sooo if you like animation and Disney then you should check out some of his videos
I've seen a couple of his videos! They're great!
Olivia. You are the best !!! THANK you for your hard work in making these videos.
aw thank you so much! Thanks for watching :)
I use to love going past holiday services and seeing all the giant trees and random Christmas decorations!
Yes!! That was always my favorite part of my bus ride to magic kingdom!
I want to do the dcp while I'm at college! This was a ton of great information! Thanks!
thanks so much for watching!
I appreciate the information and making disney a great place to visit. Thank you.
I'm so glad you liked it! thanks for watching!
Im not even a Disney fan, but I love watching these videos.
haha yay! thanks for watching!
I enjoy watching your videos on working as a cast member. Have you ever been to Disney Land. That is my favorite as it was "Walt's Park", to me. WDW is too HUGE!!! Also, have you considered a long time career. Your energy is infectious and it seems that is something they look for, along with creativity and spontaneity.
you honestly remind me so much of cinderella
haha thank you!
I think she was friends with her.
Me too!
U just never know
The keys to the kingdom tour was so worth the price! It was very informative.
i can't wait!
If you take the tour you do NOT need to get a fast pass for the Haunted Mansion because the tour goes through it. Now if you want to go through the mansion a second time that day,,,,,,,. lol The only thing with the tour is you don’t go through or see any of the pre-ride stuff because you come in a back door.
oh awesome! good to know, thanks!
I went on the tour for my 16th birthday. It was so so amazing. Definitely the best part of our trip
Oh that's awesome! I definitely regret not taking my mom on a tour when she came and visited me! I feel like even as a cast member I would have learned a ton!
Olivia, I have to call you out on a point! In a different video you made, you claimed you were not an extrovert, but in all 3 that I’ve seen so far, you’ve been cheerful, perky, amusing as well as informative. So perhaps your time as a CM brought that side of you, but I enjoy your valuable info very much! Thanks for sharing!
haha it's easy to be cheery when i'm sitting by myself, in my house, talking to a camera 🤣 put me walking across campus with 50,000 other students and I'm the exact opposite hahaha
Hey Olivia! Thanks so much for making these videos. I’ve seen several of them, and I really appreciate them all! I’m doing the DCP this fall and I’m working attractions. I have two random questions, and if you could answer them that’d be 10/10. When it came to you eating during your shifts, would you bring your own food or eat something that Disney sold? Also, I’m assuming backstage that everyone has a locker or something for you to put your phone, keys, etc? What do you do with your things while you’re on stage?
Personally, I always brought my own food. I had allergies that required me to, but other than that I saved so much money bringing my own lunch! Lunch breaks are 30 minutes long and you're not always near the backstage cafeteria, so definitely bring your lunch at first and see if it's even possible to make it to the cafeteria in time to eat and get back. You can also change and go into the parks to get food during your lunch! And, since I was a performer, my entire backstage / onstage experience is different from other roles.... BUT I've seen that lockers exist, and I know my friends in MK definitely had them... I believe phone stays in your pocket for safety reasons (in case you need to call paramedics or security or something) and then lunchbag stays in the fridge in the breakroom, and then I always had my bag in the backstage area I was at - no locker. i think it depends on the location. Hopefully that wasn't too scatterbrained, but basically it's going to depend on your location and what you feel comfortable with doing.
in march i am going to disney world for a school trip for my schools studio orchestra (aka Jazz Band) and i am so excited!
That's awesome! I hope you have a magical time!
Newly subbed.. I'm so glad I found your channel! Your stories are so interesting!
I love Disneyland!! You are such a great story teller about Disneyland!
Aw thank you Ava!
I love the magic of Disney! Even the cellphone tower is in costume, lol! And I had no idea there were tunnels under the parks! Wild!
hahaha I never thought about it that way - in costume! haha love it!
I just discovered your channel today! I can't stop watching your videos!! Great videos with so much awesome information, and you are, oh my gosh, sooo adorable!!!
Thanks so much for watching!!
I just applied for the DCP and I've been watching so many of your videos! Thank you for all your help and insight :)
Yayyy! Good luck! Sending pixie dust you're way!! and my pleasure! :)
I am obsessed with your videos Olivia! I would love to do the cultural representative programme myself but I think I am too old now!
Thanks so much girl!
hey! i did the CRP and you are never too old! I was 21 and was one of the youngest on the programme. Most were like 26-33.
Hello - enjoyable presentation as always!!
Hi! Thank you so much for watching! :)
I learned some new things about Disney ! I will look for these things the next time I go ! I also noticed the Disney Point the last time I went
Yay! I'm glad! And yep, haha it's everywhere!
The_Cool_Gamer_9689 jn
Thanks for bring me back so many memories, I was a merch cast member at the Mexico pavilion at Epcot :)
Oh how fun! Were you doing the CEP?
Olivia Simone I did the Cultural representative program. I spent half of my program at the commons and the other half at Patterson. I loved everything!!
Fun fact: every other year my school has the band and choir go to Disney and perform for Disney, I believe the band performed in magic kingdom and the choir (which I was in) performed in Disney Springs and my whole Disney experience was definitely wonderful of course some ups and downs cause were high school teens all together..you expect drama..but yeah that’s really cool that you use to work at Disney, must have been hard (also earned my Disney performing arts ears for singing :3)
Wow that's so fun! What a great experience!
Olivia Simone yeah I only had 1 issue with a Disney employee..she was a older lady and all that I remember is that her tag said she was from Puerto Rico..and me and my friend thought that if we got 2 shirts it would be 20 dollars.. (there was a sign on a high shelf and a light shining on it) and we brought it to her and after a bit when she said it was 40 dollars, we pointed out the sign she said to us “do you understand English? Go read the sign again” and me and my friend were shocked by that...we read the sign again and in fine thin print it said “each” and not only did we feel dumb we were quite mad by that..but I was oh well I mean worse happened anyways but besides that everything was fun!
Watching your videos makes me so excited for when I can apply for the DCP! Thanks for brightening my day! ☺️
Aw thank you so much! Good luck to you when you apply! :)
You’re fun! And interesting...I’ve always noticed cast members shoes.
Thank you! haha And wow, you must have an eye for detail!
I have been bingeing a lot of working at Disney World videos, because I really want to do the Cultural Representative Program (Germany) when I‘m 18 and all these videos really help and make me so much more excited about this. Can‘t wait to apply in 1.5 years
That's so awesome! You should totally do the cultural representative program!! I think you would have a blast!
My mother is a Home Carer, she basically goes to old people’s houses and takes care of them. One of her clients is 73 years old and her son used to work in the “Rose and Crown” pub in Epcot for a year in the 1980s. He is from Glasgow, Scotland 🏴
oh wow! small world!!!
Your videos are addicting 😭 I have school in a few hours since it’s 3 in the morning and it’s my first day of school and I just can’t sleep because your videos are so good 😭😭
I hope your first day of school went well! Thanks so much for watching my videos!
I am a current cast member Love it there and this is really making me miss home ;)
i bet! i've heard that from every one of my cast member friends :(
Olivia Simone I live 9 miles from there and it is the weirdest thing driving by and knowing that we don’t know when we are reopening right now
All of those things you talked about are so cool. I have a friend who works at Disneyland and I have heard her mention some things on fb that are ok like talking about company d and letting her fellow cast members know about sales and such.
Thank you! There's so much to learn about Disney and its operations - it's incredible!
Olivia Simone you are so welcome and I can only imagine. I work in the casino industry and there is so much I have learned too.
My boyfriend and I noticed the name tags and how everyone's shoe color is black (We saw a black-on-black Nike as well!) Thanks for the info! Super interesting stuff :3
If you're a Disney princess do you go in for hair and makeup before your shift? or do you have to figure it out yourself, either learning by yourself or take a class or something? Just curious
I believe that peformers do go to Cosmetology the first few times, and then once they get the hang of the makeup they do it themselves before a shift :)
A Disney backstage tour would be so fun!
I think so too! I really want to go on one!
Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, has a similar cell tower tree. It blends in okay during spring, summer and fall, but in the winter, when all the trees around it have lost their leaves, it really stands out. Everyone's glad it's there not just for cell reception and wi-fi, but in case you get lost then you still have a signal to call for help!
that's awesome! and good to know, thank you!
i would love to do the international programme because it seems so fun !! i would love to be a character performer and then be a cast member for a few months,, your videos are so helpful !!
you look like the Cinderella I met !!
These videos are so fun to watch!! :D I love your cast member stories!! Keep it up!! :D Plus Love your mickey necklace ^^
Thank you so much for watching! and thanks! I bought it on the Shop Parks App right after my program!
Your very welcome! :D and that is cute! :D Also on the name tags there was a time where I did see some cast members that were from my homestate Indiana. With their universities on them. Its cool that I have a good eye on them and that name tag, Chris from Orlando is funny XD Love it!!
That's awesome! I love how Disney has the hometowns - it makes the world seem so small when you see someone who's from near where you live!
Yeah ^^ and its so fun to tell them that your from your home state from the parks XD
Florida has those "trees" everywhere. They are pretty easy to spot because they don't look like trees very much LOL. I will look for the one at AK next time.
Oh really? haha I had never seen one before moving there! (that I know of at least!) Yes! Definitely look for it when you're riding the bus in!
I visited in 2016, and I remember looking at the cast member name tags in the Star Wars section of Hollywood Studios and it was "Chris from Endor". That is commitment to theme.
That is AMAZING
Love your disney videos! I wish I couldve been a CM so this helps me feel like I was 😂
Aw thank you so much! And it's never too late!
God bless you Olivia Simone I love your videos about Disney World you have a beautiful personality
Thanks so much for watching!
Just found your channel, great stuff Olivia!
These Disney videos are so much fun to watch lol
yay! I'm so glad!
Love these videos. I worked at disneyland for three years and had the worst experiences as a cast member so i totally get what your saying. I do miss it though
Thank you so much! Ugh yes girl you feel me! i miss it too. I wish I could just pick up shifts when I wanted, but i don't want to live in Florida or Anaheim full time :/
Olivia Simone of course. Yes i totally do. I was in food service I have some crazy crazy stories but i got terminated for something i never did which really sucks. Because i miss it and living in Anaheim / Yorba Linda i always want to go but i can’t because i don’t have an id anymore and tickets are crazy expensive now. So greatfull i had three years of going though and the expirence working there
Totally just binged watched your videos too about Disney i loved them totally related on all. Just followed your insta and subscribed (:
Oh no!!! I'm sorry :( That really sucks. I totally get the price thing - I'm like, I either have to work for the disney company so I have a free ticket anytime I want, or I'm not going for a long while lol and thanks so much for watching my videos!
I'm trying to apply to the DCP and this video was I helpful!!
Good luck girl!
So glad I found your channel! You seem so sweet and I love your videos!:)
Thank you so much! I'm glad you're joining us!
Love your videos! Don’t worry about the haters. You’re awesome!
haha thank you! :)
Hey there! I'm new to your channel, and I just want to say thank you for these videos and how respectful you are, I can tell Disney really does choose the best people! I just wondered if you could make a video explaining why you decided to join Disney university and your experience with that experience, unless you have already, like I said I'm new 😆
Wonderful video thank you for sharing!
Thank you! Thanks for watching!
The Odyssey CM cafeteria actually was really good when I worked there!! The one behind the AA? Not so much! Lol
And back then we were self scanning our costumes to return them...yeah, some may have not actually gotten returned...ooops!
Funny story about the name tags...the German and Italian pavilion share the same management...one of the German guys forgot their name tags, so the manager went through some leftover ones they had around and picked Simone. Now, Simone is a common male name in Italy, but the manager did not realize that in Germany it is a girls only name. Poor guy had to walk around with that name tag all day!
Oh no! Poor guy! I bet his coworkers gave him a hard time the whole day lol
We sure did! Haha
bahahahaha
Oh god I gained 20 lbs on my cp eating at the AA pavilion
I love watching your videos! They give me so much nostalgia. I was also a character performer back in spring 2016! 😊
Thank you so much!
How do you handle the heat/summer weather in Florida? Have there ever been instances where overheating is an issue?
For Entertainment at least, they adjust the schedule so you're not out in heat for too long! But of course drink lots of water and sit when you can!
I’m a guest and I have been back stage of tomorrow land at magic kingdom as a guest and it was amazing!
that's so awesome! it is amazing!
Do the costumes get cleaned also have you ever assisted Cinderella
In animal kingdom lodge you can see 2 other towers disguised as trees. Seen from Kidani Village. one looking towards Animal Kingdom (which I suppose its the one you mention. And the other is looking towards the Power station (looking towards the highway from the Kidani far area on the opposite side of the Safari/animal area.
oh how interesting! I didn't know that!
Down the edge of the M4 motorway near Newbury in England there is a mobile phone mast disguised as a tree too.
Oh cool! If I'm ever near there I'll have to keep an eye out!
YOUR VIDEOS AMAZE ME! it's always been my dream since I was like 4 to work at disney.
Thank you so much!! And you should definitely go out for it! Or just get your fill of it by watching cast member videos! haha I highly recommend the DCP!
You said the cast members are not allowed to leave their land while wearing their costumes. I remember being at Disneyland Paris and waiting for the parade near Main Street USA and there were cast members from Adventureland and Fantasyland and all the other parts, keeping the guests off the street, entertaining the children while they were waiting for the parade... Is the time around the parades an exception from that rule (to stay in your land I mean) or is that a special practice only at Disneyland Paris?
Elphie81 I think that's a Disneyland Paris thing! All I know is that at Disney world it's not allowed
Ah that's very interesting! Thank you for your answer!
And for your very intersting backstage-information of course!
Thanks so much for watching!
On the way to Animal Kingdom on the bus, my friend excitedly pointed out the "huge redwood" to me, knowing I'd think it's cool. I took one look at it and said, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's a cell tower disguised as a tree". She felt so silly, bless her
Your friend's exclamation is exactly what i thought the first time I saw it XD lol It made a lot of sense and seemed quite obvious after I was told though!
I live literally 10 minutes from Disney University, I love the fact I could see the Contemporary resort
Jennifer Friedlander ahh that’s amazing!!
Very interesting information. Enjoyed
thanks so much!
Olivia, this is amazing, thankyou so much. I'm shocked that you have had hater sin the past. I also follow Ellie Steadman, you should check out Adam Hatton too he's awesome. The cell tower/tree sounds interesting.
Thanks for your support! And okay, I'll check out his channel! thanks for the suggestion!
Do you have language flags on your name badge or is that just a DL Paris thing?
For example if you see a cast member with 🇨🇵🇬🇧🇪🇦 on their badge they speak French English and Spanish
If you see 🇬🇧🇩🇪🇸🇪 they would speak English German and Swedish
(iirc you have to speak at least 2 of French English or German to work there)
Yep! That's at all Disney parks! Like you mentioned, it indicates that the cast member speaks that language
And also I want to be a cast member soooooo bad and these videos are making me want to be a cm
Apply for a DCP! :) 15 weeks and done!
Olivia Simone I will and do you have to go to Disney university to be able to work at the parks
Disney university is the building that Traditions is in - so yes, but it's not a real university - it's mandatory training
Olivia Simone ok thank you very much I was a little nervous 😁
Awesome 2015 I
It seems really tough working as a cast member for Disney especially with all the guests that are tough to deal with. Disney has been doing a lot of stuff especially with the new Disney/Fox Deal coming in 2019. Have you been in the new Avatar land and this is the first time I’ve watched your channel and I have to say great video !!
Loving your videos!!!
Funny you said sacramento, that’s my hometown! I’ll be on the dcp this fall and I’ll definitely be buying another name tag with Sac on it :)
Oh awesome! I went to UC Davis and am from Yuba City! haha Yay, enjoy your CP!
Hahahah Blue Id, when i worked for the company, Blue Id meant manager. Yellow was full/part time, red was seasonal and green was partner. Aaaaaw memories :-)
Oh no way! During my first program if you had a Blue ID without your picture on it, it meant you were a CP; and then green I believe is still partner. That's so interesting how they've changed over the years!
Olivia Simone yeah, i did my DCP in 2007-2008, lived in Chatham bldg 17! The CP id back then was a mickey on an all white card ☺️ i have loved watching your videos, it brought us back to good times. my husband and i met on the F bus, we struck up a conversation and could not stop thinking of each other 💕
Are they actually gonna rebuild River Country? I really hope! Love your videos!
I have no idea! and thanks so much for watching!
No, that park is going to be used for something else. I believe it will be part of a future resort.
Do they let you keep your nametag after your program is over? Great viedo!
Adam Macklin yes!! That is yours to keep forever
Hey Olivia, love your videos! I’m going to be part of the DCP as entertainment this upcoming FA program! So I had a question: do you know what the parade auditions are like? Or did you not get a chance to audition for any of them because of the timing of your program? Thanks:)
Thanks so much! and congrats!! I hope you have a blast!! So the Christmas auditions were right before I arrived so I didn't get to go to them... I did go to a workshop, which is basically like a dance class where you work on your dance skills but while acting out a character, and at the end they teach you a routine, the casting director comes in, they film it, and if they see potential they might cast you in something! But no, never got to actually audition for a parade. Good luck! :)
Thank you!! And the workshop sounds like fun :) hopefully I get to do something like that when I’m there! ✨✨✨
It was! I hope you do! :)
I have that same necklace your wearing my boyfriend got it for me for my birthday as a promise necklace to be forever with me thumbs up to you. I love this video and all your videos.
how awesome!
Louisiana State Univ!!
So can other students throughout the world 🌎 participate in their College program for students???
yep! It's slightly different, there's the Cultural Exchange Program and the ICP (I can't remember what it stands for). disneyprogramblogs.com has the info! :)
ICP is the International College Program. You partner up with a college or university in the US, most people pair up with SFU. I am from Western Canada and did the program through my local college. We were paired with the Universiy of California Riverside (UCR). The ICP is exactly the same as the regular CP, but the roles are more limited. I did role rotation which means for half of my 6 month program I worked in food and beverage and for the other half I worked attractions. I would look into colleges in your area to see if schools offer the ICP or help with the ICP. I knew many ICPs from Brazil, Spain, England, Australia, etc. There are options all over the world. The disadvantage to the Cultural Exchange Program is that you have to work in your country at Epcot so you don’t have a chance to work in some of the other parks