More Behind the Scenes Stories

Take a Peek Backstage in Costuming at Disneyland Resort

Betsy Villalobos

by , Senior Manager, External Communications, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products

How many costumes have you seen at Disneyland Resort? Ok, stop counting! The answer is that we have more than 800 costumes and a fabulous team that is charged with keeping them in perfect shape. Our many costumes are a part of what brings each land to life – they are an important piece of telling each and every story. Today we’re introducing you to our costuming cast members and taking a behind-the-scenes peek at the work they do – from sorting to stitching and more. Check out the video below to hear from Debi Ashley, a cast member and costuming lead with more than 19 years of experience.

Comments

  • WOWOW!How huge and orderly the costuming department is!
    I really think Disneyland is another EXPO like EXPO2010 Shanghai.
    I love the costumes and the uniforms I tried in the expo.
    Wish one day I could wear the DISNEY costumes in Shanghai.

  • I love that Disney doesn’t mess around, they do it up right, to the little detail. That’s why I make the 6 hour trek with the kids 4 times a year!!

  • Yes! This was a great way to keep things tidy. I worked there for a Summer a few years back and remember all of these things and it was so easy to do. You would have to get there an hour before work to make sure you are on time but it makes it ALOT easier to have this at your fingertips. There are dressing rooms in the building so if something doesn’t fit they will go get it for you. It was wonderful, it almost did feel like you were in a starring role when someone gets your clothes and helps dress you πŸ˜‰ I do want to go back to work there one day because it was always so interesting no days were the same. Keep up the good work Cast Costuming!

  • Backstage Castmembers are just as important as the show castmembers. I thank everyone for the wonderful dedication in their jobs to make our visit so wonderful and appriciated.

  • Wow. I remember working at the Park when it was a centralized window system and costuming cast members went back to get you your required costume pieces in the building just behind the Walt Disney Story… times have certainly changed.

    I’ll second the sentiment that the CM expressed, though — working for Disney is wonderful. You form a unique family bond with all of your fellow area Cast Members — a bond that I still treasure and find active via outlets like Facebook, even over 10 years after I stopped working for the Mouse. πŸ™‚

  • Awww that’s my friend Stephanie at 0:45! Probably one of the happiest Cast Members you’ll ever meet. I love Costuming… it’s always nice to check out a brand new costume to wear for the day!

  • This is so cool..thanks!

  • More of this! Love the backstage stuff.

  • My girlfriend used to work at the Walt Disney Story in the late 70’s early 80’s and I remember what a “Great Costume” she had for that attraction. I wondered where do the old costumes go that are retired when a show retires?

  • “Sniff, sniff….”

    FORMER C.M. HERE!! πŸ˜€

    I am actually working at another, very high quality theme park where costuming is just as important.
    Our backstage costume area is also huge, and that same attention to detail is applied in every way.

    It was quite awesome seeing Debi explain what they do in this manner. I am not sure how often guests think about the proper show theming, however, if everyone wore the same thing, it would definitely stand out!

    This is yet another reason why I truly love Disney! They CHOOSE to highlight these things, to bring this kind of education to the public.

    THAT WAY, when you DO spend all that money on your ticket, you have an even greater idea of where it is going to!

    WELL DONE!

  • That’s me at 1:29! In the FIFA shirt! Awesome :).

  • Wow, what an amazing production you have for processing and storing all your costumes, they always look so nice when we visit Disneyland. Who would think that there was so much going on behind the scene, thanks for the video.

  • I love the behind the scene info and videos! Thanks for sharing them!

  • I like these videos although i must say, the disney alot of the cast costumes in the video look pretty generic and “store bought”.

  • Do the costumes used in the shows and parades also get stored and processed through this system. I’m just wondering because there are so few costumes for each particular parade performer (position) that I was wondering if those costumes get special treatment.

  • Yay! I was waiting for a costuming video. I would love to work costumes for Disneyland one day πŸ˜€

  • This is my DREAM JOB!!!! I’ve been sewing and creating clothing for over 40 years, and when I “retire” I’d love to make my home with the “family” at Disney Costuming!!

  • awesome to see that these videos make it out to the public now. it gives the cast members well deserved credit for upholding the Disney image.

  • @Jessica: only if you need to change locations during your shift other than that, you are given your schedule with location so you know which costumes to stock up on for the week.

  • Awesome video…thanks for sharing! Good to see the backstage folks getting some well deserved credit.

  • Very cool! Its fun to see the behind the scenes stuff.

  • Great Job!! Really interesting to see anything behind-the-scenes! Do cast members change “costumes” during a typical shift? If so, up to how many times?

  • How great is this? We were just in the park before Christmas having a conversation about this very detail. We love how great every cast member looks!

Comments are closed.