At the end of the day, people don’t come to Disney World for the pretty architecture or the novelty Minnie ears. They come to Disney World for the MAGIC. But we’re going to let you in on a little secret. Magic doesn’t come from a selfie in front of Cinderella Castle or a fancy new MagicBand. It comes from the Cast Members all around you. OK, that was cheesy. But it’s true. We’re leaning into it, OK?

Seriously. You can’t put a price on the magic of getting Pixie Dusted at Sir Mickey’s in Magic Kingdom. OK, you can. It’s free. But still, you get our point. Still, despite all that Disney World Cast Members do for us, there are some common misconceptions (when we’re feeling especially dramatic, we call them “vicious lies and Cast Member propaganda) about the true powers of a Cast Member. Let’s talk about it.

We compiled a list of five common LIES people believe about Disney World Cast Members. Sure, there are instances when Cast Members have to power to really change your trip, but at the end of the day, we need to set the record straight about a few things. Let’s all stop believing these things about Cast Members. Time for a little fact-checking!

Lie #1: Cast Members have the unlimited power to create “Magical Moments” whenever they want.

Talk to any former or current Cast Member, and you’ll hear the same thing: people are NOT shy about asking for their own “Magical Moments.” Kind of defeats the purpose of a Magic Moment, no? Well, either way, a LOT of people believe that Cast Members can (and should) toss out freebies, special favors, and VIP treatments as often as they want.

Here’s the problem with that logic. Number one: part of what makes a Magic Moment so special is its rarity. If everyone around you is getting a Magic Moment, suddenly, it’s not so magic anymore. It’s just normal. That’s not to say that Disney Cast Members aren’t making TONS of magic on a daily basis, though. It’s all about getting lucky!

Oh, and something else to keep in mind? Often, Magic Moments need approval from a leader — especially if it involves food, merchandise, or anything of monetary value. Disney is still a business, after all, and Disney can’t give Cast Members complete autonomy when it comes to giving things away. So even if a Cast Member WANTS to make a little magic, they simply might not be allowed. Gah! Red tape! It even exists in the Disney bubble.

Lie #2: That it doesn’t matter when you show up for your Lightning Lane.

Those Disney World Cast Members standing at the Lightning Lane entrance may seem like literal gatekeepers, but again, they’re just doing their jobs. As cool as it would be to let that nice family through the Peter Pan’s Flight Lightning Lane even though they don’t have a reservation, what message does that send to that other nice family standing three feet away? Awkward!

It might look like Cast Members have the total and ultimate power to let you through the express lane — even if you don’t have a Lightning Lane reservation, but they don’t. They could get in trouble for breaking the rules, just like you!

The same thing goes for those strict Lightning Lane return times; those return windows exist for a reason, and if everyone started ignoring their return times, the whole system could get thrown off. It’s a delicate balance, something those Cast Members don’t get paid enough to mess with.

Lie #3: That Cast Members are robots.

Believe it or not, even the happiest-looking Cast Members may not always be Disney-level positive. At the end of the day, they’re going to work, doing a job, and experiencing good days and bad days just like the rest of us. Be nice to them!

Speaking of being nice, this seems like a good time to point out that Cast Members have feelings, too. Screaming in someone’s face, even in Disney World, will upset the person on the other end of that argument. Just because they may be wearing costumes or working in a literal Fantasyland doesn’t mean they can take anything thrown at them.

Lie #4: That Cast Members only make magic for kids.

In Disney World, it doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, or where you came from. Cast Members make magic for EVERYONE.

And when we say “magic,” we’re talking about anything from giving someone a special sticker to riding at the front of the monorail. There’s no age limit! Don’t be embarrassed if you’re visiting the parks as a grown adult. Trust us, you are FAR from the only adult having a good time in the parks and resorts. In fact, it’s weird to NOT have fun at Disney World. The more you embrace it, the more fun you will have.

Lie #5: Cast Members are trained that the guest is always right.

You may have heard the old saying in retail that “The customer is always right.” Well, that’s not true. Yes, Cast Members typically go out of their way to accommodate guests, but that doesn’t mean guests have the final say. (And thank goodness! Imagine a theme park run by the customers. Nightmare!)

Ultimately, it all comes down to safety. Sure, it would be easier for a Cast Member to pretend they don’t see someone stepping over the tape line during a parade. Yeah, it might be better to avoid confrontation and let one more family in line to meet Donald. But Cast Members are actually trained to put safety above EVERYTHING else. So, no amount of pleading (or demanding) will change that.

Next time you interact with a Cast Member, show them a little extra love — they deserve it! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

I Was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m Letting You in on a Character SECRET

Got any other Cast Member LIES you’d like to correct? Let us know in the comments!