Day in the Life of a Disney Performer

Some children wish to go to Disneyland to experience the magic, but as a Disney performer, students can have the opportunity to be a part of the magic. Cody Woobrey, senior in human resources, had the opportunity to work as a Disney performer during the spring 2007 semester. Woodbrey said being able to work in Disney World was a dream come true for him, a dream he’s had since childhood. “It fulfilled a dream that was a dream I had ever since I saw my first Disney movie,” Woodbrey said. “They are very much family oriented, which impressed me, because I come from a family of 16 kids, so I am very much involved with family and I look for companies that have the same values as I do.” Woodbrey said in order to become a part of the Disney program, he went to the presentation on USU’s campus, then had a phone interview, after which he was able to go down to Orem and audition to become a performer. Part of the audition process included having his picture taken and being told to act out certain scenes, Woodbrey said. The judges want to see that applicants can act the part and not fall out of character when they mess up. “They want you to be happy, if you screw up that is fine, but don’t let it show,” Woodbrey said. “They want to see if you can keep a beat [and] if you can smile through the whole thing. They judge you on motion and animation.” Woodbrey said when Cast Members get to Disney World, they go through several days of training, including the history of the Disney Company and going through the rules of the program. Twenty percent of students that come to Disney World through the program are kicked out of the program because of laws being broken, he said. Disney wants to preserve the magic of the park so they hold cast members to a high standard. “You are on stage whenever you are in view of the customer,” Woodbrey said. “It doesn’t matter who you are because you are performing, it doesn’t matter if you are in entertainment or a custodian, you are on stage.” Woodbrey said he felt performing for Disney was different than anything he has ever done before because he is a human resources major, not a theater major, but it was one of the best things he has ever done. Being a part of the magic and seeing kids get excited about being at Disney World makes the job very worth it, he said. “You could see the children and that this is what they had been looking for,” Woodbrey said. “The kids know Disney and they love Disney. I got to be the person who was there to make that special moment. They love the rides and all that but they love to see the performers because it is what makes Disney, Disney.” Some of the special moments Woodbrey said he experienced was being able to witness an older lady meet her favorite Disney character for the first time. The lady was 102 years old and had waited her whole life to meet Tigger, since the first time she saw him on television, Woodbrey said. When Tigger came bouncing out, she was able to fulfill one of her life dreams. Woodbrey said even with all of the wonderful moments he has experienced as a performer, it can sometimes be hard. Sometimes when people come through lines, they treat the performers roughly, hitting them too hard, he said. “The performers are out there all day sometimes. It is hard for them, but they do it because they love the children,” Woodbrey said. “You have easy days and hard days, and what makes the hard days better is those special moments, like there are kids who have chemo and this literally is their last wish, and you get the opportunity to be a part of their last moments. That is what makes being in entertainment for Disney worth everything.” Woodbrey said the experience he had with the Disney Company was one of the best of his life and he hopes to continue to work for Disney in the future. “It was the experience of a lifetime that will always be a part of my life,” he said. “It will always be a memory and a good memory. If you want it to be the best program you have ever been a part of, it will be there for you. They have so many opportunities to experience, not just Disney magic, but magic of your own.” Students wanting to become part of the Disney program can attend orientation sessions March 25 in Room 120 in the Business building at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

-debrajoy.h@aggiemail.usu.edu