Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Playing a Disney princess at Walt Disney World seems like the ultimate dream job for many. After all, what could be more magical than stepping into the shoes (or glass slippers) of iconic characters like Cinderella or Ariel? However, being a Disney princess is not all about fairy tales—it’s a demanding role that requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
If you’ve ever imagined yourself as one of Disney’s beloved princesses, here are 10 things it takes to land the job and make the magic come to life. Are you ready for the challenge?
1. The Perfect Size
While Beauty and the Beast teaches us that beauty comes from within, the reality is that Disney princesses must meet specific size and appearance standards. Each princess character has specific height and size requirements, and most princess costumes are designed to fit up to a size 10. For example, if you’re over 5’7”, you won’t be able to play many princesses, and characters like Tinker Bell or Alice require actors to be even shorter.
Credit: Disney
Disney has these strict guidelines to ensure consistency across all parks, so that guests see the same “Cinderella” whether they’re at Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Paris.
2. The Perfect Face
Beyond size, Disney princesses also need to have the “perfect” face for the character they are portraying. While you don’t need to be an exact clone of Belle or Snow White, there are specific facial characteristics that each princess must embody. Disney looks for cast members who are believable as the character, and that means no prominent scars, moles, or other unique features that might take away from the princess’s appearance.
However, the good news is that Disney provides makeup magic! Their top-tier makeup artists can work wonders, covering up minor imperfections to ensure every princess looks picture-perfect.
3. Willingness to Play Any Character
Even if you look exactly like Ariel, it doesn’t mean you’ll immediately start playing the mermaid princess. Every Disney princess starts out in what’s known as “fur” roles—those characters like Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh where the face isn’t seen. New cast members pay their dues by first playing these characters before moving on to face characters, such as the Disney princesses.
Being flexible and open to different roles is key to a successful career at Disney.
4. Thick Skin for the Auditions
The road to becoming a Disney princess isn’t easy, and it starts with intense auditions. Disney’s casting process for princesses is famously grueling, sometimes lasting up to 6 hours. During this time, potential princesses are cut for not meeting height and size requirements or simply for not having the right look. The process also includes acting exercises, improvisation, dance movements, and even smile tests!
Only a small fraction of hopefuls make it through the audition process, so thick skin is definitely required to handle the competitive environment.
5. Intensive Training
After surviving the audition process, you’ll undergo intensive training before you can officially play a Disney princess. Disney ensures every cast member understands the backstory, mannerisms, and world of the character they’re portraying. This means watching hours of Disney movies to perfect everything from Rapunzel’s signature smile to Ariel’s curious expressions.
Credit: Disney
There’s even autograph training—yep, you’ll need to master the exact signature of your princess, ensuring it looks the same for every guest.
6. Impeccable Improvisation Skills
When you’re playing a Disney princess, you’re constantly interacting with guests, and improvisation is a key part of the job. Kids love to ask all sorts of questions, and you’ll need to have quick and clever responses that stay true to your character’s world.
For example, if you’re playing Cinderella, you’ll need to know exactly where Prince Charming is at any given time (even if it’s just a made-up answer). Failing to stay in character or not knowing key details could break the magic for young guests, so being quick on your feet is crucial.
7. Stamina and Endurance
Florida’s weather is no joke—blazing heat and humidity in the summer, with chilly days in the winter. Regardless of the weather, Disney princesses must stay in character, smiling and engaging with guests for hours. Some costumes are heavy and hot, like Belle’s iconic ball gown, while others, like Pocahontas, leave you exposed to the elements.
It’s also a physically demanding job, requiring long hours on your feet, interacting with guests while in full “princess mode.” Keeping that cheerful energy up throughout the day requires both stamina and resilience.
8. Bravery in Unpredictable Situations
You never know what might happen when you’re playing a Disney princess. From temper tantrums to inappropriate comments, you need to stay composed. Former cast members have shared stories of being hit on by adults or dealing with kids having meltdowns during meet-and-greets.
Whether it’s gracefully brushing off awkward questions or navigating tricky situations with a smile, being a Disney princess means staying poised no matter what happens.
9. Keeping Secrets and Staying in Character
When you’re a Disney princess, you’re not just playing a role—you’re living it. That means you can’t break character, even when off-duty. Disney has strict rules about confidentiality; cast members aren’t allowed to reveal which character they play, especially on social media. Talking about your job outside of Disney’s universe could land you in hot water.
Credit: Disney
And while interacting with guests, princesses can’t acknowledge anything outside of their fictional world. So, Snow White isn’t going to know what the internet is or be able to discuss modern-day superheroes.
10. The Iconic Princess Smile
If there’s one thing Disney princesses are known for, it’s their infectious smiles. Every Disney princess must wear a continuous smile throughout their shift, regardless of how they’re feeling personally. It’s all part of maintaining the magic for the guests.
New cast members often find that their faces actually ache after a full day of keeping the “princess smile” in place, but it’s all part of the job. If you’re unable to keep the cheerful energy up, Disney may reassign you to a less interactive role for the day.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Disney princess is much more than wearing a fancy dress and waving at guests—it’s a demanding, full-time job that requires endurance, improvisation, and a deep love for bringing the magic to life. If you think you’ve got what it takes, the rewards are worth it, as you’ll get to be part of countless magical moments for Disney fans from around the world.
From the strict audition process to keeping that iconic princess smile no matter what, playing a Disney princess is a unique and highly sought-after role at Walt Disney World.
Could you rise to the challenge and make your own Disney dreams come true?
