They’re big, they’re goofy, and they’re unmistakable. You see them from a mile away, sometimes literally, and they instantly grab your attention. Disney costumes develop the character of theme parks in a way that amusement parks never could. They’re an integral part of the difference between the two styles of entertaining tourists.
You’ve likely realized over the years just how many different costumes Walt Disney World offers. You just didn’t appreciate it at the time. Every time you turn a corner to a new part of the park, whether it’s a restaurant, shop, or attraction, the cast members wear outfits that reinforce the theme of that particular spot. It’s subtle and effective, and Disney has mastered the art over the years. Here are five things you might not know about Disney costumes.
1. They come from a streamlined laundry service
Image: Disney
That header is a bit of an exaggeration. In reality, the costume pick-up location is a unique combination of library, clothing store, and laundry service. The process is basic, but the underlying infrastructure is amazing.
Cast members who wear costumes, which is a large percentage of them, head to a nondescript building. It’s here that all the “magic” happens. This facility stores more than 15,000 costumes, which is more than an entire year’s worth of major movie productions. While many Disney employees wear the same costume each day, they’re not necessarily wearing the one they had on the previous day. That’s because the system requires a cleaning of these garments after every shift, an understandable and worthy goal.
Here’s how the costume exchange works. A cast member heads to the building to pick up their outfit for the day. Countless aisles of various outfits exist, and the size of this warehouse dwarfs most of the outlet stores and malls you’ve visited. Still, everybody knows where their section is, which makes pick-up quick and easy. The employee heads to the checkout counter, which is where an odd step takes place.
The cast member handling checkout scans in the bar code for the costume, thereby attaching the wearer’s name and thereby responsibility to it. That way, Disney can keep up with their merchandise, reducing the risk of runaway Elsa dresses. So, if you ever see one of these pop up on eBay, it’s safe to say that somebody’s in trouble.
After the dutiful Disney worker handles the outfit all day, the costume requires cleaning, something we’ll explore in more detail below. Disney as a company obviously takes care of this. All the cast member needs to do is drop off their costume at the appropriate place, which is a merchandise return area in the same building. The employees there will scan it in, removing the cast member’s link to it in the process. After that, they launder the costume and possibly even repair it if some enthusiastic park guest harms it in any way.
2. Wearing a costume is a nightmare
Image: Disney
First of all, let’s distinguish the types of costumes I mean. Someone who works at Be Our Guest only has to wear the server’s garb, which is thematic to the concept. That means they’re dressed as either loyal servants or guards. By looking at the shoulder pads, you can see the distinction in theme. Lots of Disney costumes are subtle but effective like that.
Now, we all know that the Disney characters at the park are real. But just imagine, say, that the Beast wasn’t real – that he was a cast member in a costume (as if!). The costume would be massive, heavy, and furry. That would mean the cast member inside being hot, no matter how cool they kept the restaurant. It would also cause issues in that the head of the outfit might not fit well. Another person might have to help the cast member jam it on each day before the shift begins. How would you feel if you were trapped in a costume so tight that you couldn’t wear it unless somebody helps you put it on? It’s a claustrophobic sensation magnified by heat inside the suit.
Believe it or not, the situation can get worse. The Beast at Be Our Guest works inside. Other furry characters (all real, of course), work outside. Disney theme parks are in hotter climates such as Orlando and Anaheim. Few days are cool while a lot of days are humid. Disney actually changes shift times during particularly hot periods, shortening the length of time a person has to stay in their costume. It’s a small measure, though. Even ten minutes in heavy costumes is more than the average person should stand.
3. The costume is power
Image: Disney
Once vacationers reach the monorail, they have entered the Disney bubble. It’s here that guests suspend disbelief and embrace the impossible. The magic Pixie dust that is part of Disney folklore extends to its costumed cast members.
Ask any former Disney cast member about their time accompanying a character. They’ll have stories to tell that will cause you to cry tears of joy or tears of sorrow, sometimes even both at once.
4. Anybody wearing a costume is a winner
Image: Disney
Despite the aggravations that come wearing a costume, the competition to perform this job is brutal. It’s also borderline unfair at times. Even if you do the best impression of a particular role on the planet, perfectly capturing mannerisms, you’re still out if you’re too tall for the costume.
Most of the opening round cuts in job auditions are brutal yet simple. They’re based on height and body shape. Disney isn’t doing anything untoward here. It’s simply a matter of physics. The company certainly isn’t going to craft new costumes to fit employees of different shapes and sizes.
Still, garnering the job of costumed cast member is prestigious. Would-be employees from several continents dream of wearing these outfits for a living. Anyone you see wearing one has overcome long odds to prove themselves as the best candidates. You’re in the presence of a winner.
5. Anybody wearing a costume is also a target
Have you ever read the internet comments section from a large internet community? A lot of people are nasty as a rule. Sadly, they go to Disney theme parks, too. While they’re there, they don’t suddenly undergo a personality change, either. That means they’re going to act obnoxious at times, and costumed cast members are a large target. It’s not just the troll demographic that’s a problem, either.
Some park guests confuse a Disney theme park with Buckingham Palace. Their mission during their visit is to trick or bully cast members into breaking character. It’s obnoxious behavior; it’s also a part of the average work day for costumed Disney employees.
Children bring with them a different type of aggravation. Kids want to pull on the ears of dogs, tug on the arms of princesses to get their attention, and bite and kick pretty much anything that moves since they are kids. It’s a precarious situation for cast members. They’ve earned a highly sought after job within the company, and many of their interactions with theme park tourists are joyous. Still, they have to keep their guard up at all times for fear of punishment from overly enthusiastic or just plain mean strangers.
For the reasons listed above, you should always act kindly to costumed cast members. Their job is harder and more stressful than yours, and I say that even if you’re an air traffic controller by trade.
