While getting to portray a princess or character at a Disney theme park may seem like a dream come true to some, a ‘leaked’ document has seemingly revealed just how hard the job really is.
According to files that have been circulating on X, formerly Twitter, the performers have to memorize every single detail about the person they’re portraying and the movie they came from.
They should be familiar with the ins and outs of the character’s world, so they can come up with clever responses and stay in character while chatting with guests, no matter what comment or question is thrown their way.
There are also said to be very strict rules about what the actors can and cannot talk about while in character, and should a guest bring up something that is on the list of prohibited topics, there are specific responses workers should have memorized to steer the conversation elsewhere.
In addition, a former Disney actor spoke exclusively with the Daily Mail about the ‘unwanted touching’ she was forced to endure while portraying one of the beloved characters in the theme park.
She also laid bare the alleged ‘unrealistic expectation’ that is set ‘for women’s bodies,’ claiming that actors are often ‘chosen based on their looks’ and will get called in by casting if they ‘look too overweight in their costume’.
The woman, named Melanie, worked at Disney World from 2014 until 2020.
She portrayed Cinderella’s ‘wicked’ step-sisters Anastasia and Drizella Tremaine as well as Mrs. Incredible and Joy from Inside out over the years, and said that despite the downsides, getting to make amazing memories for the guests made it all worth it for her.
While getting to portray a character at a Disney theme park may seem like a dream come true to some, an alleged new document has seemingly revealed how hard the job is (stock image)
According to alleged files that have been circulating on X, performers have to memorize every single detail about the person they’re portraying and the movie they came from (stock image)
But the job certainly came with some difficulties. Melanie said there were regulations regarding how actors kept their nails and hair ‘even if guests never see your face’.
In addition, she claimed that there was immense ‘pressure’ to stay thin, which she alleged led to ‘many performers developing body image issues or eating disorders during or after their time as a character.’
‘Disney princesses are famously thin, which adds a lot of pressure to all the girls,’ she explained.
‘You dreaded getting a call from casting over a “silhouette issue,” meaning they thought you were looking too overweight in your costume.
‘This was extra frustrating because girls were almost never wearing even the largest dress sizes.
‘If the dress is available and they fit their costume, why are women punished for size? Many performers have developed body image issues or eating disorders during or after their time as a character due to a warped sense of self.’
She slammed the ‘unrealistic expectation’ that Disney ‘sets for women’s bodies,’ adding you could also be let go if you start to look too old.
‘Disney look-a-like characters are chosen based on height and looks, with minimal talent required and no experience necessary,’ she revealed.
‘It is a requirement to look as much like a teenager as you can, which means you can “age out” of characters at any time.’
In addition, a former Disney actor named Melanie (seen here in costume) spoke exclusively with the Daily Mail about the ‘unrealistic expectation’ that is set ‘for women’s bodies’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Disney World for comment.
A separate performer who asked to remain anonymous previously told Inside the Magic that she was ‘disapproved’ because of a 10-pound weight gain.
She alleged that ‘if you cannot fit into the costume, or if you fit into the costume but casting does not like the way that the costume looks on your body, you will be “disapproved” from your role.’
‘The costumes can squeeze certain areas on your body, so if you gain a little fat in your arms, things get tighter, and Disney does not like that,’ she said.
‘There is a body dysmorphia culture that comes with working for Disney and the Disney parks as a performer.
‘You are constantly comparing yourself to others, and every shift, your body and face are looked at to see if they are up to Disney’s standards to step outside, it becomes all you think about.’
Melanie admitted that she often dealt with ‘general unwanted touching’ and said guests would call her ‘nasty, mean, or ugly’ while portraying Cinderella’s evil step sisters, which took a toll’ on her ‘after a while’.
According to Melanie, who goes by @magicalgirlmelanie online, the character performers are taught tactics to handle rude or unruly guests.
‘It’s about prevention, for example, asking men to hold their arm out “like a prince” to take away the chance they may touch your waist etc.’ she shared.
‘Since Cinderella’s step-sisters are trying to find someone to marry, too often the dads would joke “that they are available.” That was always gross and weird,’ she added of some of the worst things she endured.
‘And I hated it when parents would tell their kids I was mean or really bad and scary, and then they would act confused when the kids didn’t want to talk to me or take a photo.’
An X account known as Cynical Disney recently shared screenshots of the extensive instructions that are allegedly given to actors hired to play Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog in the amusement park.
While it’s unclear where they originally came from or if they are real, many former Disney employees have claimed on X that they are legitimate.
An X account known as Cynical Disney shared screenshots of the extensive instructions that are allegedly given to actors hired to play Princess Tiana, seen here in the park
It lists a slew of ‘topics to avoid’ while chatting with guests, which ranged from Tiana talking about her dad’s time in World War I to her wealth. Tiana is seen at Disney World
The lengthy document notes that characters should ‘view their story as true events from their lives’.
It lists a slew of ‘topics to avoid’ while chatting with guests, however, which ranged from Tiana talking about her dad’s time in World War I to her wealth.
It reminds performers portraying the princess: ‘While Tiana may comment on her father’s service, she should not mention him fighting in World War I or specific military actions he was a part of.
‘She might share that he served along the 369th and then redirect the conversation.’
As for her wealth, it explains that while ‘Tiana’s parents worked hard to provide for their family but had what they needed, Tiana never focused on status or wealth.’
‘She does not comment on the financial standing of her family or others, or discuss money or wealth with guests,’ it says.
‘Should a guest mention it, Tiana focuses the conversation on working hard to make your dreams come true.’
The performers are also told not to discuss ‘past or current world events’ with guests inside the theme park.
‘Tiana grew up in the early 1900s in a city that has experienced great changes over the years,’ it explains.
‘Although she talks freely about New Orleans and the things she does there, she does not discuss the 1920s or place herself in a specific time period.
‘Tiana also does not comment on current places, events, or people associated with New Orleans or elsewhere.
‘If asked about something specific to modern-day New Orleans or events, Tiana redirects the conversation to an element of her life.’
The alleged document also states that Tiana should avoid talking about some of the biggest events from the movie: including Dr. Facilier’s voodoo powers, Ray’s death, and even her transformation into a frog.
Other rules for the actors include not ‘encouraging guests to buy merchandise’ and not talking about Splash Mountain, the ride that was closed to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
If someone tells her that ‘Splash Mountain was better,’ the actress playing Tiana should respond with, ‘Change can be a tricky thing.’ Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is seen
‘To many communities, it’s disheartening to see a character of color, especially a titular character, transformed with their faces and features obscured, hiding the diversity and authenticity of the character’s journey,’ it says of the latter.
‘Although Tiana came to enjoy her time in the bayou and fell in love with Naveen while they were amphibians, she limits how much she discusses her time as a frog, preferring to focus on the life she shares with Naveen as humans.
‘If a guest mentions the pair’s time while transformed, Tiana may share a playful comment about her adventure as a frog before redirecting the conversation to focus on the bayou, her friendship with Louis, or Mama Odie’s magic.’
When it came to what Melanie could and couldn’t say in character, she dished, ‘There’s some things in the movie that are funny or important to the story but it still makes them awkward to bring up in real conversation.
‘Kids love to bring up Anna and Elsa’s parents dying for example, and the characters [are taught to] handle that with grace.’
She said one thing she was told not to bring up while playing Anastasia was the fact that the character ‘falls in love with a baker in the second movie’ because ‘most people aren’t familiar with that story line.’
‘But I’d always love when guests would bring him up to me,’ she added.
Other rules listed in the document for performers portraying Tiana include not ‘overly encouraging guests to buy merchandise’ and not talking about Splash Mountain, the ride that was closed to make way for the attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
‘Tiana would not talk about or mention Splash Mountain by name,’ the file states.
If someone tells her that ‘Splash Mountain was better’ or they ‘preferred the old ride,’ the actress should respond with, ‘Change can be a tricky thing. I run into that whenever I adjust a recipe. I’ve found as long as there’s plenty on the table, everyone can find something they like.’
It also lists what to say if someone asks Tiana how it feels to be the first African-American Disney Princess.
She should reply with, ‘Well bein’ a princess doesn’t really feel any different. I’m still me. I’m just lucky to have someone to share my dream with now.’
According to the alleged documents, playing a villain comes with its own set of difficulties, as there is an extra set of guidelines for those portraying Dr. Facilier.
Actors should be familiar with the ins and outs of the character’s world, so they could come up with clever responses and stay in character while chatting with guests (stock image)
There are also very strict rules about what the actors can and cannot talk about while in character (stock image)
According to Melanie, who goes by @magicalgirlmelanie online, the character performers are taught tactics to handle rude or unruly guests (stock image)
It includes instructions on how the actors should handle ‘rude or heckling guests.’ They should tell the guest, ‘Haven’t you heard the stories, my friend?
‘Even the walls have ears. In other words, we never know who’s listening, so perhaps silence would suit you better. That bit of advice is free of charge.’
They are also allowed to say, ‘They say wisdom is silent and arrogance is loud. Something to think about.’
‘Redirect the conversation. Do not show frustration,’ the document adds.
In the end, Melanie said getting to be a part of making magic for families across the globe outweighed the downsides.
‘It’s amazing to think how many people’s Christmas cards I might be in,’ she concluded.
‘There was never a day I did not enjoy my job as a character and I miss it every day. I never got tired of interacting with the guests, even on days when it was less fun. It was really the pay and backstage culture that made it a tough place to work.’
