Cast Member Secrets told by a former Disney World Cast Member

There’s a lot of magic in Disney, but also a lot of mystery.

Every Disney fan longs to learn more about how the magic is created and what it’s like to work for the happiest place on earth. Well, I’ll tell you one bonus secret: it’s pretty great… most of the time.

Like any workplace, a great deal of happiness depends on who your leaders and coworkers are. However, there are some universalities that apply to Cast Members and the secrets we share create a fairly exclusive culture.

That being said, here are some secrets to give you a peek into the life of a Walt Disney World Cast member.

 

1. The Four Keys

Anyone who has ever worked for Disney knows and will never forget the Four Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show, Efficiency. While this may sound mundane and perhaps self-explanatory, these four principles are the basis for every operation in a Disney Park. Whether it’s construction for a ride, selling merchandise, performing in a show, or letting guests on attractions, the Four Keys rule. A Disney Cast Member can’t do (or isn’t supposed to do) anything that is not safe. If they have to sacrifice courtesy or the “show” that is Disney in order to keep guests safe, then so be it.

2. Everyone is called a Cast Member

No matter if you’re performing in a show or sweeping the streets or if you’re working in a Disney Park, you are a Cast Member. A Disney Park is considered to be a fantastical show and every employee is a part of making that magic in some way. Therefore, everyone is a part of the show, everyone is a Cast Member.

3. Disney has a set of guidelines for how Cast Members should look.

This is a fact that has become quite controversial in recent years, especially since the Internet found out and listed it among other “CrAzY DiSnEy FaCtS!” In my opinion, it’s not too terrible. Disney look just lets Cast Members know what classifies as professional and what doesn’t. It’s also meant to make sure that Cast Members blend in with the park and don’t stand out. Among other requirements, Disney Look does not permit scruffy facial hair, so if you want to grow a beard, you’re going to need to take some time off or grow it in one night.

4. The “Disney Point”

You may have never noticed, but Disney Cast Members always point with either two fingers or a  whole handed motion. It is a rare occasion for a Cast Member to point with one finger. There are two theories behind why. The first, and most likely is that it’s considered rude in many cultures to point with one finger and it’s difficult to differentiate whether you are pointing in a direction or at someone. The second is that Walt Disney used to point with two fingers because there was a usually a cigarette between them. The cigarette has been edited out in all photos, but the two finger point remained and became a tradition.

5.  The Hub

Cast Members get nearly all their information and updates about the company from a secret Cast Member exclusive website called “The Hub.” This website provides information on upcoming contests, raffles, workshops, networking events, company news, and VoluntEAR opportunities. You can also use an application called “Rostr” to look up any Cast Member in the company and see their name, picture, and work location. It’s really great for looking up that cute Cast Member you saw on Main Street networking.

6. Ever wondered what it’s like backstage?

Before I worked for Disney I was DYING to know what it would be like behind those well-hidden doors backstage. Disney does a pretty good job of ensuring that there are no pictures of backstage areas to preserve the magic. I’m not sure what I imagined it would be like, but I was a little disappointed to find out that it was pretty normal except it smelled really bad. My shop, Mickey’s of Hollywood, had an entrance that was directly behind the grease traps for two restaurants. It doesn’t smell any better in the tunnels of the Magic Kingdom, which I mention in another post about the park. The good news? Guests don’t have to deal with it. Cast Member are really taking one for the team.

7. You’re allowed to say “I don’t know.”

I’m not sure who started this myth, but it’s widely believed in the Disney community that Cast Members can’t say “I don’t know.” Here’s a secret: that’s not true. As a Cast Member, you are encouraged to use the resources you can and manage time appropriately. While it’s important to be courteous to guests, sometimes it’s more courteous to guests to prevent a line by saying “You know what, I don’t have a clue, but if you go to Guest Relations *insert directions here* they’ll have the answer, or be able to find it for you!”

8. 24-hour operation

If you think the park closes down when the gates shut, then you are wrong. Maintenance and construction crews spend all night making sure that the parks are pristine the next morning. Popular merchandise locations often stay open to guests up to an hour after the final nighttime show ends, which is often nearly two hours after the park officially closes. This means shifts that end anywhere from 1-4:30 a.m. Morning merchandise “heart of house” shifts usually start hours before park open so that all shipments of new product are on the shelf before guests arrive that day. This means shifts that start at 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. You can do the math: there’s almost always someone working.

9. Mickey’s Retreat

In addition to free access to all the parks, there’s a secret getaway just minutes outside of Walt Disney World property complete with a pool and boat rentals. I had no idea it existed before I came to work with the company, but boy was I thrilled. That being said, I never went. When you have free access to the Magic Kingdom, everywhere else seems insignificant.

Image sources:

Four Keys: http://blog.dvcrequest.com/walt-disney-world-cast-member-expectations/

Merchandise Cast Member: Disney Parks Blog https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/05/disney-cast-members-create-magic-every-day/

Disney Point: Beth’s Baby Blurbs http://clothreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-secret-life-of-disney.html

Cast Members Only: Neatorama http://www.neatorama.com/2008/11/21/10-cool-secrets-about-disneyland/

The Hub: Noah’s Light Foundation https://www.noahslightfoundation.org/disney-employee-matching-gift-program/

Custodial Cast Member: guff.com

Castle: Disney Tourist Blog http://www.disneytouristblog.com/be-our-guest-restaurant-breakfast-review/

Mickey’s Retreat: Orlando Theme Park News http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2010/04/hidden-disney-mickeys-retreat.html