Working at a Disney theme park is great…and awful…and often completely surreal. While some of the ups and downs of working for the mouse can translate well to nearly any job (if you’ve never had to suck it up in the name of the customer always being right, I want to know what you do and how I can become one), others are completely unique to this type of work. Though completely subjective, here are some of the best and worst things about being a Walt Disney World Cast Member.
The Best
1. Free theme park admission
Disney Cast Members can enter the parks free most (but not all) days of the year. They also have free passes they can give to others, so if you happen to have a lot of friends who aren’t in the theme park industry, you can still casually propose an afternoon at Epcot as though you’re asking everyone to meet you at the mall.
When you’re a Cast Member, if you feel like popping in to the Magic Kingdom just to see Wishes, you can do it without feeling like you’re wasting a ticket. You become immune to the dreaded tourist syndrome of running ragged to do it all in one day because you have to squeeze every last penny out of that expensive ticket you bought.
2. Access to great merchandise at almost-reasonable prices
Cast Member discounts are nothing to sneeze at, and they’re even better around the holidays, so you can always impress your non-local family and friends with Disney merch for Christmas. Cast Members also have access to backstage stores with Cast Member exclusives you can’t buy anywhere else (except perhaps on eBay…). If you adore all things Disney, this perk is especially great because you can purchase authentic theme park cast-offs like hotel furnishings, park signage, and restaurant dishes.
3. A behind-the-scenes look at the magic
Most people have to shell out a few hundred dollars for a glimpse behind the scenes at Disney parks, but Cast Members get to see it all for free. Disney regularly offers special events for Cast Members such as tours of popular attractions with the lights on, so you can experience more than just your own particular area. When new attractions open, Cast Members hear the news before anyone else and usually get to experience the attraction during exclusive preview days before it opens to the public.
4. That feeling you get when you make a kid’s day
Most Cast Members have at least one story of a stand-out moment where they got to make someone’s day. Every now and then you’ll have an opportunity to really do something special, like help a guest find the perfect souvenir or offer special Fastpasses to a family who wouldn’t otherwise have time to see a certain attraction. Seeing a child’s eyes light up at the sight of a favorite character or watching him shriek in glee on one of the rides helps to make the long hours and hot days worth it.
5. Knowing you’re a part of the Disney dream
Not all Cast Members buy into the idea of fulfilling Walt’s dream. But for those that do, there’s something really special about putting on the name tag and creating the experience that he so wanted to give each and every park guest. Disney definitely has a very strong culture and for those who appreciate what it’s all about, it’s amazing to be a part of it.
The Worst
1. Working most (or probably all) holidays
The Disney parks are open 365 days a year. Holidays are some of the busiest times, so most Cast Members end up working on most or all of the major holidays. It’s extremely rare to have a weekend off, as well. Although truth be told, it’s much better to have your weekend fall in the middle of the week when stores are less crowded and the tourist traffic thins moderately. If you cherish having holidays at home with the family, though, this schedule can really get to you after a while.
2. Taking the blame for occurrences completely out of your control
Child too short? You measured her wrong. Attraction experiencing technical difficulties? You have single-handedly ruined the day. Ropes up for the parade? Cookies overpriced? Weather swelteringly hot? Rain imminent? Somehow, Cast Members get blamed for it all.
3. A behind-the-scenes look at the magic
Yes, one of the best things about being a Cast Member is also one of the worst. Those backstage tours you shell out so much cash for show you the nicest, shiniest parts of the backstage areas. The trash and dirty laundry have to go somewhere, though, and in parks and resorts this big you can bet there’s a lot of it. There’s also something unsettling about seeing certain parts of the Disney magic in their unfinished stages.
4. Wearing ridiculous costumes
If you’ve never noticed how ridiculous some Cast Members’ costumes are, take a closer look the next time you’re in the park. Before its redesign, the original Star Tours costume had elastic around the ankles. The housekeeping staff at the Grand Floridian don frilly, impractical aprons. Most costumes don’t have the option of shorts, despite the heat and humidity, making them uncomfortable at best and unbearable at worst during the summer.
5. Endless monotony
Hourly Disney Cast Members deal with endless monotony in most positions. Even in the most magical gift shop in the world, you’re still ringing up purchases all day. Attractions is arguably one of the more interesting positions, but when things are running smoothly you’ll just push the same buttons again and again. Spieling Cast Members can tell you that going through a show becomes so routine they’ll often go on auto pilot and realize at the end of the show that they remember almost nothing about the last time around.
Like any job, being a Disney Cast Member has its pros and cons. If you have a love of the company and a special place in your heart for the mouse, the benefits will usually outweigh the drawbacks in the end.
