I never thought I’d be writing about the “F Word” for work, but here we are!
Haunted Mansion
I was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m here to tell you about the word that most of you have probably heard Cast Members use a LOT when you’re in the parks. I used to work over at the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom, and I used this word multiple times a day every day. Can you guess what it is?
Yep, I’m talking about the word “friend.” As you’ve probably noticed, Cast Members use this word left and right. Almost anytime they address someone, they call them, “friend.”
Me at the Haunted Mansion
“Hi, friends! Let’s step down off that railing.” “Hi, friends! Let’s push that stroller over to the red umbrellas.” “Hi, friends! Let’s throw that popsicle stick in the trash and not the ground, please!” Yes, those were phrases I used on the daily when speaking to children and adults alike.
The Haunted Mansion
The thing about this is…no one’s really sure how it got started. As Cast Members, we’re never told to call anyone “friend,” but we all just picked up on it from each other. It’s a polite way to grab someone’s attention if you don’t know their name! And, as we all know, Mickey likes it when Cast Members are extra polite.
Haunted Mansion
Some folks talk about this and suggest that sometimes, Cast Members use the word passive aggressively. In my (and probably a lot of my former coworkers’) experience, I’ve never intentionally been passive aggressive when using the word, but there’s sometimes no other way to take the word “friend” when paired with a reminder not to break a rule. So, if a Cast Member ever calls you “friend” while redirecting you, they probably aren’t being mean. It’s truly just a habit!
Cinderella Castle
So, the next time you’re at Disney World, play a game and try to count how many times you hear a Cast Member use that F Word. We’ll be here updating you with all the latest Disney news, so make sure to follow along so that you never miss a thing.
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My spouse is a cast member and I can confirm this is 100% true. I think it’s hilarious. He definitely has his “cast member vernacular”. It’s a polite and non-gendered way to address a guest. And if you think it’s passive-aggressive, you’re probably doing something wrong.
I got called ‘friend’ yesterday when the door on the Skyliner opened. I don’t remember ever being called ‘friend’ before. It was spoken with such kindness and sincerity. It resonated with me and made me smile. It was such a nice thing to say. I appreciated it.
It’s been going on for quite some time in California and it occurred after the pandemic when the issue of pronouns became big news. Recordings for fireworks and other announcements no longer say, “Ladies and gentlemen,” they say, “Friends” and it’s irritating. It’s a conscious decision from Disney to have it in recorded announcements, it’s not just cast member vernacular. My family personally hates it. There used to be a perceived sense of respect for park guests. With the post-pandemic changes, cast members act like they’re the stars of the show, not the facilitators of the magic. There are a few decent ones left but most of the new hires don’t understand their role of being part of an experience and not having a power trip. The Disney Parks experience is not what it was 10 years ago, not even close.
Sorry, I find it insincere and even creepy when someone who doesn’t know me, calls me “friend”. Just say “Please (fill in available space, step to the right, whatever). No need to preface the request with “friends”.
It started when they stopped using “Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls”.
It is a non-offensive way of addressing everyone.
Some people use “folks”. I always used “friends”.
On occasion, when a guest was particularly nasty they would snap, “I’m not your friend.” For the most part people were delightful.
I’ve been going to Disney World at least once per year since 1976 and have not heard people being addressed as “friend” as much as I did on my recent trip last week. It is a very nice , but I miss girls being called princess. I remember it as a young girl and my daughter beamed when cast members addressed her as princess. Once again in Disney’s quest to be woke, a little more magic has been lost.