A new posting on the Disney Auditions website indicates Disney will bring back the marching band version of the toy soldiers unit in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom this year.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

The marching toy soldiers appear near the end of the parade. Through 2019, they were a real marching band, playing trumpets and drums. See them after the 17-minute mark in our video of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade below.

When the parade returned after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the toy soldiers were still in the parade, but no longer played instruments. Walt Disney World is now hiring student musicians participating in the Disney College Program to perform as toy soldiers in the parade. Read the full audition posting below.

Walt Disney World ONLINE SUBMISSION: Student Musicians

For: Walt Disney World
Audition City: Kissimmee
Location: Online Submission
Looking For: Musicians

Friday, July 14, 2023
11:30 PM
Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

** This audition is only seeking performers participating in the Disney College Program.  This cross-u opportunity is available to domestic College Program participants currently on a program (regular or extension) OR arriving on a program no later than August 25th, 2023. We will not be accepting any performers interested in Full Time, Part Time or Seasonal work at this audition. **

Disney Parks Live Entertainment is seeking marching Trumpet and Percussion players for the traditional Toy Soldier for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, performed at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL.

**Please note that this involves wearing potentially heavy costumes, some with limited vision and range of motion, and exposure to hot and humid weather.**

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLE:

Student Musicians: 5’8” – 6’, proficient in the Trumpet or Percussion with previous marching experience and the ability to sight read.

SUBMISSION AND CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS: 

This is a 2 step process.  Candidates must submit AND check-in to the audition to be considered.

STEP 1 – SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• Please click “My_Profile” to create or update your performer profile.
• Please have two, one-minute selections prepared: lyrical and technical.
• Film yourself performing your two, one-minute selections – please make sure the video is in landscape, and that you are center stage.  Please ensure you have good lighting so we can see you clearly.
• Under the LINKS section, add the link to your video to a sharing site like YouTube or Vimeo – if using YouTube, please mark the video as “unlisted”.

STEP 2 – CHECK-IN INSTRUCTIONS

• Visit DisneyAuditions Check-In
• Select the audition: “Walt Disney World ONLINE SUBMISSIONS: Student Musicians.”
• Take your selfie to complete the submission process.
• You’re all set. There is no need to submit more than once.

Submissions will be accepted through July 14th, 2023.  Candidates will be contacted by Talent Casting should they be selected to move on to the next round. Only those contacted will be considered. You will be contacted no later than July 28th, 2023. Those selected to attend the callback must provide their own mouthpiece.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be a domestic College Program participant currently on a program (regular or extension) or arriving on a program no later than August 25th, 2023.
  • Please note that this is open only to domestic College Program participants, not participants on a Culinary, International or other program.
• Must have a departure date on or after January 4th, 2024
  • Note: participants cannot exceed more than 12 consecutive months on a Disney program.
• Applicants must be fully available through January 4th, 2024. This includes days, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime.
• Must be willing to work every day for the 10-12 day period over the Christmas holiday without a day off.
• If not a current Character Performer, must meet transfer guidelines (no more than four (4) points and one (1) reprimand in the past six months).
• Must be between 68″-72″ (5’8″-6′).
• Must have the ability to sight read music.
• Marching ability is a plus.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is performed during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a hard-ticket event during the holiday season at Magic Kingdom.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

On 25 select nights November 9 through December 22, this separately ticketed event will welcome guests to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Magic Kingdom. The return of festive favorites like Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade has been confirmed. Guests can also look forward to enjoying a select assortment of gentle and more thrilling attractions throughout the park, including TRON Lightcycle / Run, which will utilize a virtual queue during the event.

Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are limited and can be purchased online beginning July 6. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 29 on the Walt Disney World website. Ticket prices will range from $159 to $199 per person. The party dates are:

• November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30
• December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22

Check out our full guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2022 for a better idea of what to expect at the event.

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