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[tinker_me_happy]

I have a friend that was Minnie Mouse for a while at Disney. HARD work. VERY hot. SMALL Pay. This was about 14 years ago. She was in her mid 20s. She loved it, but won't talk about it much. Says they were asked not to at the time and out of respect, she still doesn't!

[skateycat]

my favorite barista at starbucks also won't spill too many beans for the same reasons...she dressed as several characters, pooh being one of them. she also enjoyed it a lot.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by bau8

Characters (not face) also need to sign a waiver stating that they understand they will shrink due to the weight of the costume and the risk of bodily damage and that they can't go after Disney because of it.

Is that true???? I guess, then, Snow White's dwarfs are the ones who have senority!

Seriously, though, I've heard that if you backpack a while, the gel between your vertebrae can get temporarily compressed for some people. It has also been said that we wake up taller than we are at the end of the day due to gravity. (Has anyone noticed adjusting their rearview mirrors differently from morning to night?)

I know those costumes can be heavy, so I guess there is some truth to the shrinking, but I doubt Disney would not take steps to prevent permanant injury. It just doesn't sound like quite right. Maybe they are talking about the risk of injury from an undisgnosed or undisclosed back problem? I know any yoga class has people sign a similar waiver.

As far as risk, I'm more worried about little school kids carrying backpacks that are WAY too much weight while their spines are developing.

[Wolfy6688]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Seriously, though, I've heard that if you backpack a while, the gel between your vertebrae can get temporarily compressed for some people.

And with hiking for long distances (I'm looking into hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety, from Georgia to Maine..yes I know I'm crazy) your shoe size increases, because your feet flatten out.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Wolfy6688

And with hiking for long distances (I'm looking into hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety, from Georgia to Maine..yes I know I'm crazy) your shoe size increases, because your feet flatten out.

Boy, you said a mouthful! No, I don't think you are crazy at all! Those shoes get tight!

Speaking of tight, I've done parts of the Apppalachian Trail, and once I went too far into the Lemon Squeezer with my pack on and got stuck It was pretty scary!
New Jersey & New York on the Appalachian Trail
there is a photo of the Lemon Squeezer on this site. Please let me know if you ever finish the trail!

Also on the topic of feet swelling (and to bring it back to Disney!)I always tell people who plan to do a major Disney Day to make sure they wear shoes that will accommodate the change in foot size. That can be especially problematic if they are doing the dining plan, which can lead to WAY MUCH MORE food than people would normally eat. ALot of the food can be salty, so that makes feet swell even more!

[Cheyenne]

My sister is actually working at Disney right now doing the College Program and she's a custodian and her friend that she met drives the van for the Kilimanjaro Safari and she actually makes a little more than him. Which really surprised me.

[bradk]

as of 9/28/08, attractions is $7.45 - $13.12

[Caldercup]

On the Keys to the Kingdom tour, we were told that the "flying" Tink and her handlers (big, burly linebacker types) all get hazard pay. They only work less than an hour each time she flies, but they all get full pay.
Eileen

[SuperKate]

Originally Posted by carters_mom

Earlier my husband was talking about how his Union is the same as the Character CM's at WDW. He said that he saw somewhere that they earn $27hr. across the board no matter who they portray. WOW! Can it be true, anyone else know?
After hearing how little other CM's earn I was surprised by this. If so I'm in the wrong business!

NOOOOO way. I was a character performer in 2006. It is SO NOT true. I wish!

Originally Posted by bau8

Characters (not face) also need to sign a waiver stating that they understand they will shrink due to the weight of the costume and the risk of bodily damage and that they can't go after Disney because of it.

I did NOT sign anything like this. Also NOT True....and they aren't that heavy.

If you have any more questions let me know!!

[HeatherD]

SuperKate, the only question I have is who were you?

[SuperKate]

Originally Posted by HeatherD

SuperKate, the only question I have is who were you?

Check out my Trip Report. There is a link to it in my sig.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by SuperKate

NOOOOO way. I was a character performer in 2006. It is SO NOT true. I wish!



I did NOT sign anything like this. Also NOT True....and they aren't that heavy.

If you have any more questions let me know!!

Thanks for the rumor control!

[suzq62982]

Back to tinkerbell. I'd still do it!! 40 hours worth of pay for that amount of work!! sing me up!

[Caldercup]

I'd have hard time with the weight restrictions - I believe she has to stay between a range of 90-108 pounds, or something like that.

Yikes!
Eileen

[coffeechef]

Originally Posted by bradk

the flying tink (now that i have to distinguish them) only has to fly for the performances when she can fly. that's her job. for that, she gets paid an amount equal to a 40 hour work week + hazard pay.

Love this Brad...." flying Tink" to distinguish from the rest of them. I don't know why but it gave me a chuckle