It takes a certain type of person to be a Disney World Cast Member. They must be 1.) personable, 2.) energetic, and 3.) enthusiastic. No sad sacks on the job! Mickey Mouse wants his coworkers to have FUN, after all!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Members
Why are we telling you this? Well, there’s an unspoken fourth trait that Cast Members must have to work at Disney World: tact. As a Cast Member, you’re gonna run into all kinds of weird situations that ONLY happen at a world-famous theme park like Disney World. They don’t teach you how to fix a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation in business school. So, sure, your local theme park ride attendant may be able to say, “Not my problem, lady,” when you bring them a problem, but Disney World Cast Members can’t get away with that kind of thing.
We have several former Cast Members here on the Disney Food Blog team, so we know what it’s like inside the mind of a person working at Disney World. Ever wondered what Attractions Cast Members REALLY want to say when someone is being rude at a ride? We’re spilling the secrets.
#1. Your vacation isn’t ruined.
Pretty much any Cast Member you talk to probably has a story about a guest interaction gone wrong. Maybe a Disney guest was having a bad day. Maybe something went wrong on their trip. Maybe an interaction didn’t go the way they wanted it to. No matter the circumstances, Cast Members hear this phrase a lot: “You RUINED my vacation!”
Visiting Guest Relations can be super helpful!
Nine times out of ten, though, that phrase is an exaggeration. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when something goes wrong on vacation; we get it. But step back for a second. You’re on vacation with people you love. You’re in a safe, well-maintained environment full of people who want to help.
View from the PeopleMover
Trust us — your vacation is NOT ruined. There are about a million things you can do to turn around a bad day. Just take a ride on the PeopleMover (a favorite of ours), and your mood will improve!
#2. The ride is closed…it’s not that deep.
Are you sensing a theme yet? Cast Members have to deal with a lot of dramatic attitudes. Sometimes, rides close unexpectedly. It happens! This is a theme park, open 365 days a year, that hosts hundreds of thousands of people. Things will go wrong!
A recent Pirates of the Caribbean closure
If a Cast Member is standing outside of a closed attraction, there’s nothing they can do but try to keep people informed. What Cast Members WANT to say versus what they ACTUALLY say when people take out their frustration are two very different things. What’s going through their heads, though? “Stop being so dramatic.”
#3. I did not invent the Lightning Lane service. I just work here!
Ever since Disney took away a beloved FREE perk called FastPass+ and replaced it with a PAID alternative…people have been unhappy. We can’t blame ’em! It’s no fun paying for something that used to be free. But, little do you know, Cast Members are just as inconvenienced as you. It’s not like Cast Members were the ones who invented the Lightning Lane service!
Lightning Lane
When something goes wrong with the service, who do people complain to? Disney CEO Bob Iger? Not exactly. The Attractions Cast Members must be the mediators, problem solvers, and rule enforcers. It’s not an easy job! They’re just doing their jobs like the rest of us. If only they could remind people!
Slinky Dog Dash
Disney World Cast Members are happy to help — it’s literally their job! But sometimes, when people have a bad attitude or mean things to say, it’s hard to keep a smile on your face. Ah, the life of a Cast Member! But, don’t worry, all the happy moments outweigh the bad ones. They make magic! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
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Be nice to Cast Members! I feel sorry for anyone dealing with the public these days. They deserve our appreciation and gratitude. I’m sure a smile and a thank you from a guest means a lot.
36th visit last week. The worst visit ever lines unbearable over crowded parks. Stayed at Art of imagination. Hotel was a disappointment you would have to walk for ever for transportation. We have decided it’s our last Disney vacation. I will eat at Boma but won’t stay at Disney or visit parks.
Just got back Friday from Disney World. One ride malfunctioned while on it in Hollywood Studios. Tiana’s broke down just before we got to head of line, and The Land in Epcot stopped in ride for about 10 minutes. Had a wonderful time despite little quirks. Christmas Party and Parade was unbelievable especially the holiday fireworks.