Going to meet Mickey Mouse is a must-do for so many Disney World visitors!
Hi there, MICKEY!
I mean, after all, he’s the boss, the big guy, the head CHEESE. So you think he’d make a whole lot of cheddar for his important work at the parks, wouldn’t ya? A recent report revealed how much Mickey Mouse actually makes at Disney World, and, well … we were surprised!
That’s right, we’re bring you a peek into the world of character performer salaries in Disney World!
Viva Navidad!
We recently stumbled upon a fact that left us more surprised than Donald Duck losing his temper. It turns out that Mickey’s salary at Disney World isn’t as extravagant as you might expect.
Mickey!
According to the Orange County Register, character performers who are in the Actors Equity Union in Disney World make a base pay of $17.75 per hour. Depending on where they are working — for example, a performer in a show earns more than one doing meet and greets — they may also get a “premium” of up to $3.25 per hour.
Mickey at the Disneyland Train Station!
Now, minimum wage in Florida is currently $12 per hour, and it’s going up to $13 per hour in September 2024. So, Mickey is making well above minimum wage. But he’s also making less than the average hourly wage in the Orlando area, $25.89 in May 2022, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (those are the most recent numbers released).
Hey, Mickey!
Sometimes we think that the star of the show commands a ton of moolah, but often that’s not the case (celebrities, they’re just like us … amirite?).
Mickey!
One year ago, the six service trades council unions that represent Disney World Cast Members got a new contract that raised the starting wage at Disney World to $18 per hour. The union that represents character workers is not a part of the Service Trades Council, so yes, that does mean that Mickey Mouse is making less than most Disney World employees. (He’s a selfless kinda guy, you know?)
So, there you have it! If you’ve ever wondered how much Mickey Mouse makes, we’ve got your answer! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney updates and news!
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Character performers only in parades and shows are in the equity union. All other characters that you meet across parks ARE part of the service trades union. Different pay scales. Equity def pays more than service trades so the numbers from OCR are outdated.