Two years ago I began a journey working as a Disney cast member in Walt Disney World. On this journey I met so many great people that had the same yearning to work for Walt Disney World that I had. I became curious as to what it was about Disney, and Walt Disney World in particular, that was so special to us. While I knew loved Walt Disney World, I had a hard time putting into words exactly why it meant so much to me.
So recently I began to ask around. Asking my friends that are both former and current cast members to get their perspective. Luckily amongst my friends we had a variety of roles (Custodial, Attractions, Merchandise, Entertainment, Quick Service Food and Beverage) so I hope this is a good representation of most cast members.
What Does Walt Disney World Mean To Current and Former Cast Members?
It’s important to note that I told all the current and former cast members that I would keep their submissions anonymous. I did this to allow them to be honest and truthful. Very simply I gave everyone the same question “As a cast member, what does/did working at Walt Disney World mean to you?”
Here were their responses:
Former Attractions cast member (Male): “Working at Disney was an escape, a way to branch out and be yourself, or even find yourself.”
Current Merchandise and Former Attractions cast member (Female): “(Disney is) a place where you can succeed in making happiness for others. And my home in Tomorrowland is the place where my future is as bright as I want it to be, with people that make magic for me.”
Current Attractions cast member (Female): “Disney is home.”
Former Entertainment cast member (Female): “Working in Walt Disney World means that I got to see children’s faces light up the first time they met their favorite Disney character, which was priceless.”
Former Attractions cast member (Female): “To me, Disney was finding that state of inner peace, inspiration, and motivation to make the world a better place.”
Former Custodial and Transportation cast member (Female): “I like to believe my effort at Walt Disney World helped it to be a place where dreams can grow and expand–to the future, to a world of adventure, to behind the scenes of movies, and to the childhood imagination.”
Former Attractions cast member (Male): “The neat thing about working at Disney for me was how everyone is there from different places and for different reasons, but each person contributes to something that is greater than themselves. Sure, the hours might be long and you might get yelled at by some very angry guests, but when you see a smile on someone’s face after they get off their favorite ride or meet their favorite character, you realize that it was all worth it.”
Former Quick Service Food And Beverage and Attractions cast member (Female): “Growing up, my family always vacationed at Walt Disney World. To me, the parks always had an element of magic and wonder, no matter what my age was. Once you work for Disney, the your opinion changes. You see how the magic is created backstage, and some things lose a bit of their sparkle. But it’s replaced. Instead of Disney simply being a magical place, you become part of the magic. Every day you get to help families make memories, and that’s very powerful.”
Former Attractions cast member (Female): “For me, Disney World is where I can break from the stresses of the real world. It is where I am 100% comfortable, and where I feel at home.”
So Finally, What Does Walt Disney World Mean To Me?
Using my friends’ insight, I finally put my thoughts together, and I came up with this. Working at Walt Disney World gave me difficult hours, but also memories that I will never forget. It gave me my the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. These moments, good or bad, are what make the Magic Kingdom, and especially Tomorrowland so special to me. Tomorrowland now feels like my home. Before I worked in Walt Disney World it was an unbelievable place to be on vacation with my family. Now it means so much more than that.
I hope this gives some insight as to why cast members do what we do, and why Walt Disney World is so special to us. It isn’t always an easy job, in fact many times it isn’t, but I think I can speak for my friends listed above to confidently tell you every difficult guest interaction, torrential downpour to stand in, or smelly “protein spill” to endure is worth it a thousand times over. Because at the end of the day you know you’ve created magic.
Photo credits: Diana Kelly
