Being a Walt Disney World cast member can feel like a roller coaster ride. You get paid to play, but the hours are long and the pay can be low, depending on your position. Though many Cast Member job descriptions are extremely entertaining (how many people get to watch giraffes and elephants all day long?), sometimes guest expectations can feel impossible to meet.
However, despite some frustrations, there are quite a few perks that Cast Members can take advantage of that simply aren’t possible at any other workplace. Here are six amazing perks of being a Walt Disney World cast member that you might not have known about:
1. See a doctor
Image: Disney
Opened backstage at Epcot in 2008, the Center for Living Well is designed as a one-stop healthcare facility for cast members and their families. With in-house lab, pharmacy, and basic radiology facilities, as well as wellness and behavioral health services, the Center provides both urgent care and ongoing primary medical care.
The clinic is designed for privacy to minimize the risk of running into co-workers or bosses, and multilingual staff members backed up by telephone translation services ensure that the highly diverse cast member family is well cared for. The Center is open extended hours and on weekends, making it easy for cast members who work odd shifts to seek services. Should a cast member require a specialist, the Center is fully networked with providers across the region.
2. Shop for inexpensive merchandise and groceries
Now in a new, larger home behind Coronado Springs Resort, Cast Connection and Property Control have merged into a massive combined shopping center that is truly impressive to behold. Cast Connection allows cast members to scoop up discontinued or overstocked Disney merchandise, as well as staple groceries, at prices that can reach 50% to 75% below retail. Property Control is where Disney sells off items that were previously used in guest areas, such as hotel bedding and furniture, as well as unclaimed Lost and Found items, at prices as low as 90% off retail. Mickey’s Treasures is a separate area where damaged goods are sold.
Cast members are allowed to take up to six family members and friends to the complex, although only cast members and their spouses or domestic partners can visit the Property Control and Mickey’s Treasures areas. The complex is open somewhat limited hours and is generally packed, but it’s worth stopping by on a day off.
3. Take a class
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If you are in the Disney College Program, you are invited to sign up for on-site classes designed to help you maximize your experience. Some courses are collegiate in nature, and may be transferrable to your college for credit, such as Organizational Leadership and Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management. Others are designed to help students figure out where they might fit into the Disney organization after college.
The Disney Exploration Series courses focus on different overall segments of the company, such as Guest Service or Marketing. Seminar courses such as The Business of Show Business use a combination of guest speakers and field experiences to highlight different lines of business. Finally, the Professional Development Series classes go in-depth on specific topics such as engineering, and are only open to students with a declared major in the relevant field.
Tuition is not charged, and courses are held around the Walt Disney World property. In addition, College Program cast members are guaranteed not to be scheduled to work at times that would interfere with their classes.
4. Hit the beach
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Loading up a bunch of friends and heading out to Florida’s Atlantic or Gulf Coast beaches is always fun, but long work hours can make it difficult for cast members to get away. So Disney brought the beach to them. With free admission and very low cost boat rentals, Mickey’s Retreat is a place for cast members and their families to get away from it all. From catch and release fishing to sports courts, and even a playground just for the little ones, this is one of the best spots for cast members who are outdoor enthusiasts to catch some rest and relaxation.
5. Immerse themselves in Disney lore
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Located in various cast member only spots around Walt Disney World, Disney’s libraries are a treasure trove for those who can’t get enough of the magic. From rare cartoons to nearly-forgotten documentaries, and blockbuster Disney films to more Disney history books than you can imagine, the materials are available for checkout just like any regular library. For many people, the biggest problem is dragging yourself out of the stacks to get to work on time!
6. Get a haircut
Image: Disney
The full-service hair salons in the Magic Kingdom’s Utilidor and Epcot’s Cast Services are super-convenient and reasonably cheap. The hairstylists do a great job and, even better, they are incredibly familiar with the Disney Look. If you’re one of the many cast members who likes to ride the knife’s edge of what is permitted, this is an excellent way to ensure that you aren’t told to change your brand new look. The only real drawback is the limited operating hours, which can be tough to manage for cast members who work daytime, weekday shifts. Cast members are also welcome at the Harmony Barber Shop inside the Magic Kingdom.
Of course, these are just a few of the myriad of support and recreational services to which cast members have access. Some cast members sign up for every backstage tour they can find. Some put their IDs to good use with massive discounts on hotel rooms and cruises. Cast members also find discounts all over Central Florida for everything from fast food to apartment rent. Are you a current or former cast member? What are/were your favorite perks of the job? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
