Disney has always been proud of spreading magic. The company's ethos has a lot to do with its founder: Walt Disney was a consummate perfectionist, a man who was totally committed to a vision of the perfect America of his childhood. His passion for enchantment eventually bled into the theme parks he hoped would be known as the "happiest places on earth".
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But what you might not know is that Disney hasn't just been building rollercoasters lately. The so-called "Imagineers" (the R&D side of the Walt Disney Company) have actually turned their attention to town planning in an effort to build a Disneyfied community that's the epitome of innocence. It's a utopia that almost seems too wholesome to be real. Travel all the way down to Orlando, Florida, and you can even visit it yourself.
It's open to the public and designed to be the ideal little US town. You can browse the cute shops, take a stroll around the town pond (watch out for gators), eat at the restaurants and even buy a house and live there if it suits you. This is a place where smiles abound and nothing ever goes wrong: where there's no crime, no litter, no controversy ... at least, that's what the brochures claim. The reality is different, even somewhat disturbing, if you peel away the sentimental veneer and colourful bunting.
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Or maybe that's just me. After all, I grew up a small Scottish town that definitely wasn't the happiest place on Earth by any metric. I'm more accustomed to all the perils and pitfalls that come with this kind of environment: namely poverty, bad weather, grotty people, scowling faces, ugly buildings and a civic infrastructure that's more than a little frayed at the edges. So it's natural that someone as a cynical as me would be suspicious of this town's mawkish good cheer. But the inhabitants of Celebration, Kissimmee feel differently. They love it there. For them, it's just a nice place to live, and so what if it's a little bit Brady Bunch? More than 11,000 people have reportedly chosen to make it their home, and when Disney held a lottery in 1995 for the first 474 planned houses, nearly 5,000 people scrambled to purchase one for themselves.
The town of Celebration covers approximately 10 square miles of landscaped and meticulously-gardened swampland, the Florida Everglades. A wide promenade surrounds a picturesque lake and the main street and central square boasts an ice rink, a town hall and post office, all with a mid-19th century Americana aesthetic. The town was first conceived of in the early nineties, and the Walt Disney company went on to invest nearly $2.5 billion in the project. The master plan was developed by the architecture and urban design firm Cooper, Robertson & Partners and was the brainchild of renowned architect and urban planner, Robert Stern. The quaint village later picked up a number of accolades for its design and in 2001 was named the "New Community of the Year" by the Urban Land Institute.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner had a great amount of enthusiasm and interest in the development of the town. Eisner wanted the Disney Development Company to "make history" and build a community that was every bit as strategically-planned and sugar-sweet as the Disney brand. The Disney Development Company also met with experts in the fields of education, health and technology during construction. The result is something very much akin to Jim Carrey's home-town in the satirical movie The Truman Show: it almost seems like a simulation, rather than a real place.
Perfection doesn't come cheap either: your average townhouse will send you back half a million dollars on average. No wonder the town appears so prosperous when you need a median income of $50,000 dollars a year to live there. Then there's the fact that homes don't usually go on the market very often in Celebration. Most of the people who live there are die-hard Disney fans who wouldn't want to live anywhere else. They've fallen in love with the art deco simplicity of the place, and they aim to stay there for life. Oh, and if you're looking to live somewhere diverse, then look elsewhere. A 2010 census established that 81.9 per cent of the population is white, and only 3.2 per cent Asian, 11.2 per cent Latin American, and 1.5 per cent black.
Yet, it seems that even this harmonious haven isn't immune to violence, tragedy and bloodshed. In 2010, on the Fourth of July - the most American of holidays - homeless man David Murillo beat and strangled 58-year-old Matteo Giovanditto, (a retired private school teacher who lived in Celebration) to death. Murillo had been sleeping in a tent in a camp for vagrants in the Kissimmee area for several years, earning $120 a day at a local bakery as a day labourer before its closure. He called upon Giovanditto, who often claimed to be a psychologist who dealt with youth addiction as a smokescreen in order to pick up sexual partners, because several days before he had offered him money to perform some odd jobs for him. Murillo alleged that he had been offered the couch to sleep on, but had woken up in the night to find Giovanditto molesting him while he slept.
After killing Giovanditto, he fled from justice, before being apprehended a week later. He was found guilty of second-degree homicide in January 2013. Did this horrific crime dampen the spirit of the model town? On the contrary: the townsfolk are happy to boast that their community has only had one murder in 14 years: a statistic they defy any other community to match. But then again, Celebration isn't a place for people who want to face the realities of contemporary life. This town is a place for people who harken back to a more peaceful and conscientious time.
In 2010, a mere month before the chilling murder of Matteo Giovanditto, I actually visited Celebration myself when vacationing in Orlando with my family. While I was there I spent the whole time trying to find something to complain about, even if it was only a stray blade of grass or a lukewarm drink. But everything was perfect. Again and again, it exceeded my expectations, and I resented it more and more.
It was immediately apparent that Celebration wasn't my kind of place. It felt like the town of Stepford in the Stepford Wives, yet nobody was brainwashed. It was eerie, and I felt like I couldn't live up to its standards. In my time, I've lived a lot of crappy places, but at least I felt like I fit in. In Celebration, I just felt creeped out. But hey - each to their own, right? And to be honest, I'm not sure the Disney corporation would want to associate with someone like me anyway.
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Three years ago, after graduating from the University of Florida, I decided to take a leap into the unknown and apply for a job at Disney World. A summer of fun in a place I'd dreamed of working in since I was a kid seemed like the perfect way to de-stress after college. To my surprise, I was accepted and started working at "The Happiest Place On Earth". Or so I thought...
[post_page_title]Do You Really Want To Work At Disney?[/post_page_title]
A few weeks into my journey as a Disney employee, my childhood was ruined. As a kid, I'll never forget the delight I felt when I met Cruella de Vil at the park for the first time, but that memory lay in tatters when I discovered she was played by a former stripper. But that wasn't the only shocking revelation I made whilst working at Disney World...
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Working at Disney World might seem like a dream job. Who wouldn't want to work in the sun, surrounded by happy faces and thrilling rides?! But behind the scenes, employees are placed in shackles and forced to follow a very large and strict rulebook. Don't get me wrong, I had a lot of great times there, but here are 20secrets everybody needs to know about working at Disney World...
[post_page_title]You Must Be Slim[/post_page_title]
If you've ever been to Disney World, then you'll know that the princesses are played by stunningly beautiful women. I was selected from over 400 people at an open audition for the job, but had no idea this played a role in me landing it...
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Disney princesses have to be slim. And when I say slim, I mean slim. Sadly, that means that a lot of otherwise beautiful women don't have a shot at working as princesses in the park. It's not done for the reason that you might think. Disney Princesses have to have slender waistlines because the costume designs haven't changed since the '70s, and back then, women were, generally speaking, slimmer.
[post_page_title]"Speeding" Is A Very Real Problem[/post_page_title]
I'm sure we've all been in the position of accidentally sleeping in before work, or having our train fail to arrive on time, but Disney employees can get into a lot of trouble if they're late for work and decide to do this in the park...
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If an employee rushes through the park, it's referred to as "speeding", and it's a real problem. Unlike in most other jobs, if you're late, you're just going to have to accept it and walk into the park at the same speed as the meandering tourists. It's considered dangerous if employees run through the park, especially as there's a lot of small children around, which I think is perfectly reasonable.
[post_page_title]Celebrities Aren't Special[/post_page_title]
Throughout the year, Disney gets its fair share of celebrity visitors. They might be on vacation themselves, or looking to try out a ride based on a movie they've starred in, and employees are under strict instructions about how to treat them...
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Whenever we saw celebrities, we were told to treat them like any other guest. If we failed to follow this rule, and let our inner fangirl lose, then we'd be at risk of losing our job. All I can say is that I'm glad (sort 0f) that I never bumped into Johnny Depp whilst working at Disney World. That being said, I think a hug with Captain Jack Sparrow would be worth losing my job over as I ended up losing it anyway!
[post_page_title]Creepy Dads[/post_page_title]
As a Disney princess, it was my job to greet families and people pretty much all day. My face honestly hurt with all the smiling that I had to do. Whilst it was adorable seeing little kids dressed the same way as me, this was something I hated about the job...
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I had to play a lot of different princesses during my time at Disney World, and a lot of dads (and even granddads) would try and hit on me. I'd get jokes about living with the seven dwarfs when I was dressed as Snow White, and, when I was dressed as Belle, just as a kid and their mom walked away, a dad said to me, "When the Beast goes to bed, I'll be waiting for you in the library."
[post_page_title]Most Princes Are Gay[/post_page_title]
Since Disney princesses have to be beautiful, gorgeous young men are naturally hired to be princes too. However, the slight hope I had of meeting a prince of my own on the job was dashed when I realised that most of them were...
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Sadly, most of the handsome young men on the arms of Disney princess are gay. Don't get me wrong though, there are still relationships which occur between the princess and the straight princes, which I'll get to later in this article...
[post_page_title]There's Only One Mickey At A Time[/post_page_title]
Even if you go looking for more than one Mickey Mouse, I can bet you that you'll never find them, even though they do exist. This is why...
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Behind the scenes at Disney World, there's a lot of people who make sure that two of the same character are never in the same place at once. There will be a different Mickey Mouse in the parade from the one who's doing a meet and greet with guests. Speaking of meeting guests...
[post_page_title]Kids Can (And Will) Attack[/post_page_title]
I'll never forget the first time I went to Disney as a kid. To this day, it's one of my stand-out childhood memories, but despite the fact that most kids grow up watching Disney movies, not all of them are happy to meet characters at the park...
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Children believe almost anything they see on the screen. That's why it's incredibly important that Disney princesses look the part, right down to the very last detail of their outfits. However, there are some things in Disney movies that can't be recreated. I once had a little girl start shouting at me before trying to rip my dress whilst I was dressed like Tinker Bell when she realized I couldn't fly...
[post_page_title]Parents Encourage Them...[/post_page_title]
The price of admission to Disney might seem steep to some people, but I think that you get what you pay for. It costs millions of dollars every year to keep the park the way we've all come to know and love it. But some parents decide to mess with us characters...
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I was once hit by a kid whose dad encouraged it after I laughed when he made an inappropriate comment about me. It only happened once, but that was the beginning of the end when it came to me caring about the job...
[post_page_title]Weird Guests Can Be Very Awakard[/post_page_title]
Some people spend all year saving up for a trip to Disney. The movies themselves are filled with a lot of weird and wonderful characters, but, on occasions, us princesses can get freaked out by the former...
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Dealing with people every day can be tiring. Whilst the majority of guests are lovely, I did have to interact with some people who really were strange. A guy even proposed to me whilst I was dressed as Cinderella. He genuinely tried to give me an engagement ring, which I had to awkwardly return after we'd posed for a photograph. Then he started welling up. But at least I never encountered guests like the ones pictured above...
[post_page_title]You're Never A Disney "Employee"[/post_page_title]
If you're an employee at Disney, regardless of whether or not you're a character, you have to be a good actor. Everything that goes on at the park is a show. It doesn't matter whether you're playing Cinderella, or simply sweeping up the trash, you're referred to by the same title...
This may sound a little confusing, but when you are employed by Disney, you immediately become a "cast member". Disney never refers to us as "employees" or "staff", only by our first names - which are displayed on our badges. Rumour has it, this is because Walt believed it was way more personal. And to be fair, he was right!
[post_page_title]You Are Not Allowed To Say "I Don't Know"[/post_page_title]
Disney World is a big place, and the fact that there's so much to see and do create a host of problems for its cast members. However, if they want to hold onto their jobs longer than I managed to, there's one thing they can't say under any circumstances, even if it means going on a wild goose chase looking for a phone...
If a guest ever asks you a question, you must never reply with "I don't know". If you don't know the answer, it's your job to find it out. We were given extensive training to prepare us for all sorts of situations, but in those rare occasions where we couldn't help, we would have to call an operator on the staff phones hidden around the park.
[post_page_title]'The Disney Look Book'[/post_page_title]
Everything at Disney World is expected to be family-friendly and that includes the appearance of every single staff member. Disney takes its image so seriously that they've gone to the effort of making an extensive book about what is and isn't okay in terms of their staff's appearances...
When you are first recruited, Disney provides you with a whole book dedicated to how you are supposed to look whilst on the job. It is appropriately named The Disney Look Book. Hidden within its pages is everything you need to know about the appearance of a cast member, and, trust me, there's a lot involved...
[post_page_title]You Must Follow These Strict Rules[/post_page_title]
Disney doesn't just want its staff to be happy all of the time. It also wants them to look as plain as possible. They've provided their employees with a shockingly detailed description of what they're looking for, which describes exactly how they should look down to the length of their fingernails...
As I just mentioned, all cast members' appearances must follow The Disney Look Book's guidelines. However, the book isn't the only training you receive. I had to attend a training session at Disney University (yes, that actually exists), as well as a training day in my park. One strict rule for the princesses is that they must stand between 5ft4" to 5ft8" tall. Oh, and man-buns are banned for the males.
[post_page_title]Everybody's Having Sex[/post_page_title]
Since Disney's appearance is so important to them, needless to say, they make a point of only hiring people who're attractive. With so many beautiful people spending a lot of time together, well, you can guess what goes on behind the scenes between those who're attracted to each other, straight and gay, and, shockingly, it can happen whilst they're still in costume!
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When you have women beautiful enough to be princesses and men attractive enough to be heroes, it's no surprise that all the cast members backstage are doing it! I literally walked in on Ariel doing it with Aladdin after the parade. Thankfully, however, they weren't in costume, as that would have ruined my childhood even more...
[post_page_title]You'll Be Taught A Whole New Meaning To "Backstage"[/post_page_title]
If you hadn't worked it out already, working at Disney World is like no other job on the planet. There's so much to learn and do before you even step inside the gates of the park, but the one thing that I really wasn't expecting was having to pull out my notepad to learn a whole new language just for the job...
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Disney cast members basically have to learn a special languagewhen they arrive. As I said before, employees are not referred to as "staff", only "cast members", whilst the customers are known only as "guests". If guests wander into areas that are off-limits to them, it is referred to as going "backstage". It, therefore, makes sense that everywhere else is called "onstage" - yep, the entire thing is one big show.
[post_page_title]You Must Never Refer To Vomit As "Vomit"[/post_page_title]
With so many people in such a hot environment, filled with an endless supply of food, accidents really do happen, especially on rides. However, us Disney employees aren't allowed to say things as they are. Even though our code language would be pretty easy to decipher if it was overheard by a guest...
Yes, Disney may be "The Most Magical Place On Earth", but that doesn't mean guests don't hurl from time to time. What do you expect when you combine cotton candy, hamburgers, and roller coasters? When a cast member hears "Code V" echo down their earpiece, they know that someone has thrown up after (or on) a ride. And yes, it's as gross as it sounds, but it must be cleaned immediately!
[post_page_title]You Can Buy Lost Items Guests Have Left Behind[/post_page_title]
When guests are having a lot of fun, it's inevitable that things will accidentally get left behind. Whether it's a case of forgetting your handbag at the burger stand or forgetting to pick up your electrical devices again after going on a water ride. When I worked at Disney, I found all kinds of things in the park - from lost cell phones to - believe it or not - glass eyeballs!
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As you can imagine Disney accumulates quite a lot of stuff in Lost Property every single day. Once the cameras, phones, clothing, designer bags, and sunglasses have been stored for the allocated time, they are then sold to cast members in a special store. Don't worry, all the money received is donated back to charity.
[post_page_title]You Cannot Point With One Finger[/post_page_title]
This is definitely one of the most bizarre things that I had to do when I worked at Disney. The company is so strict with about policy that I've never been able to revert back to doing this particular gesture the way I used to. All because our founder Walt didn't like the way people usually do it...
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One of Disney's magic rules is that you should never point with just one finger. Firstly, in many cultures, it is considered rude, and secondly, Walt apparently hated it. Instead, you must guide guests with the index finger accompanied by the middle finger (known as the "Disney Point"), or use an open palm.
[post_page_title]The Secret Of The Smells[/post_page_title]
Aside from the incredible appearance of Disney World, another one of its most distinguishing features is the amazing way it smells. Have you ever wondered how it's kept smelling so good, despite being slap bang in the middle of Orlando's humid climate? It's all thanks to these special devices...
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There's a reason why Disney parks smell so God damn good (toilets aside). This is because the parks pump pleasant smells around them using things known by cast members as "smellitizers". Not only they help mask the smell of the all the trash, but they also pump out certain smells to fit in with the atmosphere of each "land" - such as a salty sea breeze near the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
[post_page_title]It STINKS Backstage[/post_page_title]
This next fact is proof that Disney really does put its guests first. Thousands of people visit the park every week, and all the rubbish they leave behind has to go somewhere. This is why I put a peg on my nose when I was backstage...
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Unfortunately, the amazing smells of the park itself aren't backstage. That's where everything we don't want guests to see goes on - everything that you can imagine goes into the running of such a big park - so it absolutely stinks backstage at Disney World.
[post_page_title]You'll NEVER Forget When The Parade Is[/post_page_title]
One of the worst things about working in any customer service job is the stupid questions that people ask you. When I worked at Walmart, I thought people weren't very bright, but that was before I encountered the crowds of guests at Disney who didn't understand basic English...
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Cast members get asked the same questions every single day. Most of the time you shrug them off because, hey, you are at Disney so you have to be polite. However, when you get asked what time the "Three O'Clock Parade" is for the 100th time that day, you can't help but die a little inside.
[post_page_title]You Must Never Break Character[/post_page_title]
Remember I said that you have to be a good actor to work at Disney World? I meant it. Whilst the stars of the silver screen might think they've got their work cut out for them when they're learning their lines for the latest Hollywood blockbuster, I can assure you that it wouldn't have been half as hard as what I did at Disney...
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Every Disney character has their own voice, interests, and personality. It is a golden rule that irrespective of what character you are playing - from Minnie Mouse to Jack Sparrow - you must never, ever deviate from the part you are playing. No matter what happens. Even if you're dealing with a rude parent or a kid touches your boob, you do exactly what Snow White would do - take it with a smile. As I had to when creepy dads hit on me...
[post_page_title]You Must Never Break Character[/post_page_title]
There's a lot more to being a Disney cast member than what most people think. Once you've got the special language in the bag, and you've nailed your character's personality, there's a number of other skills you need to master on the job, and, for me, the trickiest thing to learn was this...
At Disney, you must never walk past litter, or draw attention to the fact that you are getting rid of litter. Instead, you must perform the "Disney Scoop" and discreetly dispose of the litter whilst on the move - you must not stop or bend over. I must admit that it was a difficult skill to master, but you get there in the end.
[post_page_title]You Cannot Use Twitter[/post_page_title]
If you're reading this and wondering why the information I'm disclosing isn't public knowledge, that's because the company is very secretive about its practices. There's a reason why only a fired employee would be willing to tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about working at Disney...
Cast members aren't allowed to discuss their roles at Disney. Ever! Of course, they're allowed to use social media sites in their free time, but not when they're on the job. Even though there's some great backstage action that would make for some amazing Instagram pictures, staff wouldn't dare whip out their smartphones!
[post_page_title]You Will Get Fired If You Take Pictures[/post_page_title]
One of the reasons why I wanted to work at Disney was because of the way the staff dressed. I knew that even if I didn't get a job playing one of my favorite Disney princesses, I'd still land a pretty cool outfit. However, what I didn't know then was that being proud of my princess dress could cost me my job...
It is imperative that Disney "keeps the magic alive" and, therefore, cast members are not permitted to take snaps backstage. In fact, your contract with Disney will be terminated immediately if you are caught taking pictures in costume. Walt's predecessors run a pretty tight ship, and that's something that I learned the hard way...
[post_page_title]You Will Notice Hidden Details EVERYWHERE[/post_page_title]
Despite the fact that I couldn't share my joy about my princess outfit with the world, I did love the things I noticed about Disney after working there day in and day out. As a cast member, you soon realize that when Walt created the park, he wanted every detail to be perfect...
The next time you are vacationing in Disney, keep your eyes peeled for "hidden Mickeys" everywhere. They are concealed in the strangest of places; around the parks, retail stores and cruise ships. A flowerbed may initially look like a sweet display of carnations, but delve a little deeper and you'll soon notice that the blossoming plants are perfectly arranged in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head.
[post_page_title]You Will Learn Some Very Interesting Facts[/post_page_title]
Aside from what I noticed as a Disney employee, I also learned a lot on the job. Whilst I'm probably not going to return to the park again for another few years when I eventually take my kids there (long after the people who fired me are gone!), I'll share all the cool facts I learned with them...
During orientation, cast members are taught some pretty interesting facts about Disney. One that sticks in my mind is that the Animal Kingdom is sunk into the ground. Apparently, this creates a more preferable climate for the animals contained there, which makes sense as the weather in Orlando is extremely hot!
[post_page_title]Your Children Are Never Lost At Disney[/post_page_title]
It's no secret that a lot of adults are obsessed with Disney, however, a trip to Disney World really is the stuff of dreams for kids. It's kids, after all, who pester their parents to buy them Disney merchandise and take them to see the latest movies. But in the park, they're not referred to as kids if they get lost...
When a child becomes separated from their parents whilst on Disney property, they will never be referred to as a lost boy or girl. They are referred to as lost adults. Therefore - technically speaking - a child is never lost. It's a strange thing to do given that a lot of children inevitably wander off from their parents in the park!
[post_page_title]You Cannot Have Tattoos[/post_page_title]
One of the things which probably contributed to the fact that I got fired was that I'd decided to permanently mark my love for Disney on my skin. Whilst I got my tattoo before I worked at the park, it was occasionally visible beneath my costume, and I was paranoid about it...
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As I previously mentioned, Disney has some pretty strict rules on appearance. In keeping with this, you are not allowed to have tattoos (unless they can be discreetly covered), body piercings (other than one in each year), earlobe expansions or any disfiguring skin implants.
[post_page_title]You Actually Get Some Pretty Great Perks[/post_page_title]
Even though my experience at Disney has changed how I view some of my favorite characters, it wasn't all bad. Before I realized how strict the rules were, I thought I'd lucked out when I was told about this particular perk, and I made full use of it when I was employed there...
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Despite all the rules and regulations, being a Disney cast member has some massive plus points (and no, I'm not just referring to the rides). You get free entry into the parks on your day off, a generous discount on food and beverages, plus guest passes for family and friends!
Three years ago, after graduating, I decided to take a leap into the unknown and apply for a job at Disney World. A summer of fun in a place I'd dreamed of working in since I was a kid seemed like the perfect way to de-stress after college.
[post_page_title]Do You Really Want To Work At Disney?[/post_page_title]
A few weeks into my journey as a Disney employee, my childhood was ruined. Working at Disney World might seem like a dream job. But behind the scenes, employees are placed in shackles and forced to follow a very large and strict rulebook.
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[post_page_title]You Must Be Slim[/post_page_title]
Disney princesses have to be slim. They have to have slender waistlines because the costume designs haven't changed since the '70s, and back then, women were, generally speaking, slimmer.
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[post_page_title]"Speeding" Is A Very Real Problem[/post_page_title]
If an employee rushes through the park, it's referred to as "speeding", and it's a real problem. Unlike in most jobs, if you're late, you're just going to have to accept it and walk into the park at the same speed as the tourists. It's considered dangerous if employees run through the park, especially as there's a lot of small children around.
Whenever we saw celebrities, we were told to treat them like any other guest. If we failed to follow this rule, and let our inner fangirl lose, then we'd be at risk of losing our job. All I can say is that I'm glad (sort 0f) I never bumped into Johnny Depp!
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[post_page_title]Creepy Dads[/post_page_title]
I had to play a lot of different princesses during my time at Disney World, and a lot of dads (and even granddads) would try and hit on me. I'd get jokes about living with the seven dwarfs when I was dressed as Snow White...
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[post_page_title]Most Princes Are Gay[/post_page_title]
Sadly, most of the handsome young men on the arms of Disney princess are gay. Don't get me wrong though, there are still relationships which occur between the princess and the straight princes, which I'll get to later in this article...
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[post_page_title]There's Only One Mickey At A Time[/post_page_title]
Behind the scenes, there's a lot of people who make sure that two of the same character are never in the same place at once. There will be a different Mickey Mouse in the parade from the one who's doing a meet and greet with guests.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]] [[pagebreak]]
[post_page_title]Kids Can (And Will) Attack[/post_page_title]
Children believe almost anything they see on the screen. That's why it's incredibly important that Disney princesses look the part. However, there are some things in Disney movies that can't be recreated. I once had a little girl start shouting at me before trying to rip my dress whilst I was dressed like Tinker Bell when she realized I couldn't fly...
I was once hit by a kid whose dad encouraged it after I laughed when he made an inappropriate comment about me. It only happened once, but that was the beginning of the end when it came to me caring about the job...
[[imagecaption|| Credit: Getty]] [[pagebreak]]
[post_page_title]Weird Guests Can Be Very Awakard[/post_page_title]
Dealing with people every day can be tiring. Whilst the majority of guests are lovely, I did have to interact with some people who really were strange. A guy even proposed to me whilst I was dressed as Cinderella.
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[post_page_title]You're Never A Disney "Employee"[/post_page_title]
This may sound a little confusing, but when you are employed by Disney, you immediately become a "cast member". Disney never refers to us as "employees" or "staff", only by our first names - which are displayed on our badges. Rumour has it, this is because Walt believed it was way more personal. And to be fair, he was right!
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[post_page_title]You Are Not Allowed To Say "I Don't Know"[/post_page_title]
If a guest ever asks you a question, you must never reply with "I don't know". If you don't know the answer, it's your job to find it out. We were given extensive training to prepare us for all sorts of situations, but in those rare occasions where we couldn't help, we would have to call an operator on the staff phones hidden around the park.
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[post_page_title]'The Disney Look Book'[/post_page_title]
When you are first recruited, Disney provides you with a whole book dedicated to how you are supposed to look whilst on the job. It is appropriately named The Disney Look Book. Hidden within its pages is everything you need to know about the appearance of a cast member, and, trust me, there's a lot involved...
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[post_page_title]You Must Follow These Strict Rules[/post_page_title]
Disney doesn't just want its staff to be happy all of the time. It also wants them to look as plain as possible. They've provided their employees with a shockingly detailed description of what they're looking for, which describes exactly how they should look down to the length of their fingernails...
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[post_page_title]Everybody's Having Sex[/post_page_title]
When you have women beautiful enough to be princesses and men attractive enough to be heroes, it's no surprise that all the cast members backstage are doing it! I literally walked in on Ariel doing it with Aladdin after the parade.
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[post_page_title]You'll Be Taught A Whole New Meaning To "Backstage"[/post_page_title]
Disney cast members have to learn a special language when they arrive. As I said before, employees are not referred to as "staff", only "cast members", whilst the customers are known only as "guests". If guests wander into areas that are off-limits to them, it is referred to as going "backstage". It, therefore, makes sense that everywhere else is called "onstage".
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[post_page_title]You Must Never Refer To Vomit As "Vomit"[/post_page_title]
Yes, Disney may be "The Most Magical Place On Earth", but that doesn't mean guests don't hurl from time to time. What do you expect when you combine cotton candy, hamburgers, and roller coasters? When a cast member hears "Code V" echo down their earpiece, they know that someone has thrown up after (or on) a ride. And yes, it's as gross as it sounds.
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[post_page_title]You Can Buy Lost Items Guests Have Left Behind[/post_page_title]
As you can imagine Disney accumulates quite a lot of stuff in Lost Property every single day. Once the cameras, phones, clothing, designer bags, and sunglasses have been stored for the allocated time, they are then sold to cast members in a special store. Don't worry, all the money received is donated back to charity.
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[post_page_title]You Cannot Point With One Finger[/post_page_title]
One of Disney's magic rules is that you should never point with just one finger. Firstly, in many cultures, it is considered rude, and secondly, Walt apparently hated it. Instead, you must guide guests with the index finger accompanied by the middle finger (known as the "Disney Point"), or use an open palm.
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[post_page_title]The Secret Of The Smells[/post_page_title]
There's a reason why Disney smells so God damn good (toilets aside). The parks pump pleasant smells around them using things known by cast members as "smellitizers". Not only do they help mask the smell of the trash, but they also pump out smells to fit in with the atmosphere of each "land" - such as a salty sea breeze near the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
Unfortunately, the amazing smells of the park itself aren't backstage. That's where everything we don't want guests to see goes on - everything that you can imagine goes into the running of such a big park.
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[post_page_title]You'll NEVER Forget When The Parade Is[/post_page_title]
Cast members get asked the same questions every single day. Most of the time you shrug them off because, hey, you are at Disney so you have to be polite. However, when you get asked what time the "Three O'Clock Parade" is for the 100th time that day, you can't help but die a little inside.
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[post_page_title]You Must Never Break Character[/post_page_title]
Every Disney character has their own voice, interests, and personality. It is a golden rule that irrespective of what character you are playing - from Minnie Mouse to Jack Sparrow - you must never, ever deviate from the part you are playing.
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[post_page_title]The Disney Scoop[/post_page_title]
At Disney, you must never walk past litter, or draw attention to the fact that you are getting rid of litter. Instead, you must perform the "Disney Scoop" and discreetly dispose of the litter whilst on the move - you must not stop or bend over.
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[post_page_title]You Cannot Use Twitter[/post_page_title]
Cast members aren't allowed to discuss their roles at Disney. Ever! Of course, they're allowed to use social media sites in their free time, but not when they're on the job. Even though there's some great backstage action that would make for some amazing Instagram pictures, staff wouldn't dare whip out their smartphones!
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[post_page_title]You Will Get Fired If You Take Pictures[/post_page_title]
It is imperative that Disney "keeps the magic alive" and, therefore, cast members are not permitted to take snaps backstage. In fact, your contract with Disney will be terminated immediately if you are caught taking pictures in costume.
[post_page_title]You Will Notice Hidden Details EVERYWHERE[/post_page_title]
The next time you are vacationing in Disney, keep your eyes peeled for "hidden Mickeys" everywhere. They are concealed in the strangest of places; around the parks, retail stores and cruise ships. A flowerbed may look like a sweet display of carnations but delve deeper and you'll soon notice that the plants are arranged in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head.
[post_page_title]You Will Learn Some Very Interesting Facts[/post_page_title]
During orientation, cast members are taught some pretty interesting facts about Disney. One that sticks in my mind is that the Animal Kingdom is sunk into the ground. Apparently, this creates a more preferable climate for the animals contained there, which makes sense as the weather in Orlando is extremely hot!
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[post_page_title]Your Children Are Never Lost At Disney[/post_page_title]
When a child becomes separated from their parents whilst on Disney property, they will never be referred to as a lost boy or girl. They are referred to as lost adults. Therefore - technically speaking - a child is never lost. It's a strange thing to do given that a lot of children inevitably wander off from their parents in the park!
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[post_page_title]You Cannot Have Tattoos[/post_page_title]
As I previously mentioned, Disney has some pretty strict rules on appearance. In keeping with this, you are not allowed to have tattoos (unless they can be discreetly covered), body piercings (other than one in each year), earlobe expansions or any disfiguring skin implants.
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[post_page_title]You Actually Get Some Pretty Great Perks[/post_page_title]
Every day, thousands of Disney fans flock to the "Happiest Place on Earth," where dreams come true and fairy tales become reality. But have you ever wondered what's really happening behind those castle walls?
From hidden tunnels to character swaps, former Disney World Cast Members have taken to Reddit to pull back the curtain and dish out some delicious Disney secrets.
Get ready to swap your Mickey ears for a detective hat, as we dive into a world of enchanting tales and behind-the-scenes magic that even Walt Disney himself might've kept under wraps! Is Disney really full of the "magic" we see as guests? Let's see...
Credit: Anadolu Agency / GettyOn Stage and Off Stage
The Disney parks are one big performance. So much so that anything guests can see if referred to as "On stage", and everything behind-the-scenes is "Off stage".
"Honestly, I was surprised as to how much work goes into the acting. Literally, each person out in the park is 'in character,' which often leads to funny stories behind the scenes after these people rest from a long day of being cheerful and happy," redditor memezdankton learned when asking for Disney secrets, via Bored Panda.
"In fact, Disney employees aren't technically 'employees'. They're 'cast members'. And not just the ones who play actual Disney characters. Everyone working in the park, whether they're ride operators or food servers, is a 'cast member'."
Credit: Anadolu Agency / GettyAttention to character details
Reddit user IndianInferno reveals how cast members who play characters are instructed to pay attention the smallest details - even down to which hand they write with. After being given the role of Goofy, they were instructed to learn how to write the beloved Disney character's signature with their left hand - as Goofy is left-handed. The only problem? They were right-handed.
Credit: Gerardo Mora / GettyThe dark truth behind meet & greets
Reddit user leopoldisacat explains: "People sexually harass the characters super frequently. I was working with Ariel and cast members will always count down before they take a photo so people have time to get into position. I counted down and this teen boy decided to try to rip off one of Ariel's shells.
"I had to open his camera and expose his film so the photo didn't get developed and passed around. I found out later that I was supposed to take it to the Kodak shop to have the film developed and that one removed - but I'd always heard the rumors about ruining the film and nobody really trains you on that so I just went with it."
Credit: Anadolu Agency / GettyThe WOMAN behind Mickey
Despite Minnie Mouse always been seen as the woman behind Mickey, the iconic mouse's height actually means several women have to don the Mickey mask.
"You have to be in specific height ranges to play the different characters," Reddit user leopoldisacat explains. "Because Mickey's height range is so short he's usually played by a woman. Likewise for Donald, although the most successful and best known Donald that I knew while I worked there was a little person."
Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo / GettyThe horror for Disney Ducks
Despite Donald and Daisy being the most famous Disney ducks, anybody who has ever been to the parks will tell you that, sometimes, the most innocent thing you can see at the parks are actual ducks. However, not all the ducks get a 'Happily Ever After'.
As redditor Lrehcsa1926 explains: "I used to occasionally work at one of the outdoor carts in front of the castle at Disneyland. There’s water in various areas of the park, so we got lots of ducks, and in the springtime, the babies would hatch and walk around with their mothers. People don’t always pay attention to where they are going and sometimes step on one of them, usually killing them. If I was able, I would step away from my cart to escort a family of ducks to safety."
Credit: Anadolu Agency / Getty'Magic Moments' for special guests
Many people often visit the Disney parks for a special occasion.
As user nerdmoot explains, Cast Members are able to provide guests with "Magic Moments" - this can be anything from an instant re-ride of Space Mountain to a free gift from one of the shops.
In fact, while celebrating my honeymoon as Disney, my wife and I were given free "Bride and Groom" pin badges at one of the stores on Main Street USA. It certainly helps to be wearing a "Celebration" pin badge so Cast Members recognize you. These can be picked up for free from City Hall or from certain Cast Members.
Credit: Instagram/amatchmadeindisneyHands where we can see 'em
According to PropofolPopsicles, Cast Members must make sure that "both hands have to be visible in photos (e.g. one outstretched and the other on someone’s shoulder).
"The biggest no-no is hands behind backs not visible due to the possibility of someone saying you grabbed them inappropriately."
Credit: Noam Galai / GettyPractice makes perfect
User jennyrob669 explained that her sister-in-law used to play Cinderella at Disneyland Paris, and she was instructed to practice the princess' autograph over and over, "because although different actresses play her all over the world, the signature of the character has to be identical anywhere it's signed for consistency".
Credit: Anadolu Agency / GettyNo such thing as 'vomit' at Disney
There are certain code words Cast Members use to ensure certain issues aren't overheard by park guests.
For example, redditor KP_525 explains that when a person pukes on a ride, it is referred to as a "protein spill". I don't know why, but that sounds much worse than just saying "vomit".
Credit: Handout / GettyAshes to ashes
User gnomzy123 explains that, due to the significance Disney has to a lot of people, some families actually spread the ashes of loved ones on attractions - with Haunted Mansion being a popular choice. According to DisneyFanatic, the code word for this is a "White Powder Alert."
(Fun fact, my uncle actually spread my auntie's ashes on It's A Small World.)
Credit: Instagram/amatchmadeindisneyThe Magic Kingdom is on the first floor
Yes, it may be hard to imagine, but the entire Magic Kingdom that guests see is actually the "first floor" - as there is an intricate network of underground passages beneath the park known as the "Utilidors."
These subterranean passages are the operational beating heart of the Magic Kingdom and were originally conceived by Walt Disney himself to ensure that the onstage magic remains undisturbed.
Cast Members use them to move stealthily from one location to another, trash is whisked away unseen, and characters from different lands never cross paths where they shouldn't. And, as redditor uhsorrybro revealed, there is even a Subway restaurant down there for Cast Members to grab a meal.
Pirates cursed to play forever
Former Cast Member formerCM shared an interesting Easter Egg about the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, writing: "Depending on which path you take on Pirate of the Caribbean there is a grate that you can look through to look down on 2 skeletons playing chess. If you look at the board, the pieces are actually in a stalemate (thus the skeletons!)."
Credit: MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty ImagesMulan's clever get-out
Former Disney princess too-tsunami revealed that she used to work as a number of Disney princesses during her time at the parks, including Mulan. However, this would often lead to guests asking her to speak Mandarin.
In order to get out of this, she says she would tell guests, "I'd tell them that I bet Mushu if I could go an entire day without speaking Chinese he'd feed the chickens for me tomorrow."
Credit: Handout / GettyDealing with creepy dads
The former princess also revealed that she was often "hit on" by guests while working in character.
"I was hit on as Pocahontas more than Mulan or Silvermist, and it definitely has to do with the amount of clothing she's wearing.
"I've never been touched inappropriately, but there's always the family that makes the grandpa or the dad get a picture alone & they'd whisper how pretty I was or ask when I got off of work. I'd get slipped the occasional phone number on a napkin, but nothing ridiculous has ever happened."
Credit: LMPC / GettyNo pointing with one finger
It may sound odd, but Cast Members aren't allowed to point with one finger. According to formerCM: "We were required to point a certain way, wave a certain way, motion a certain way etc. I still find myself using the 2 finger point.
"The reason for that particular one is that it's easier to identify where a person is pointing when they use 2 fingers and that hand formation 'forces' you to align your hand with your arm, again aiding in navigation."
For more than 60 years, Disney has been the last word when it comes to theme parks. Oh sure, it has its competitors in the form of Universal Studios, but Disneyland has always been advertised as: 'The Happiest Place on Earth', and its reputation for providing a fun, quality experience means that millions of tourists still flock there every year.
But now, a rival theme park has emerged in Europe, which some people are claiming is even better than Disneyland. Are they serious? Has Disney's theme park supremacy finally been usurped? Or have the visitors been a little bit too hasty?
Take a look at this video recorded at Disneyland, which appears to show a certain character misbehaving:
The theme park in question is called Efteling: World of Wonders, and is situated in Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands - with its various attractions and rides symbolising figures of myth, fairy tales and folklore from the nations long and illustrious history. The park isn't as well-known as Disneyland is in America, but its credentials speak for itself.
Efteling just so happens to be the largest theme park in the Netherlands, and one of the oldest in the world; predating Disneyland by three years when it opened in 1933. It's also twice as large as the original Disney park in California, but only boast 5 million visitors a year (compared with Disneyland's 18.5 million).
In 2018, it was the third most visited theme park in Europe, behind Disneyland Paris and Europa-Park.
Check out some of the words of praise visitors have had for the park on Twitter:
A new attraction is due to open at the park soon, based on a Brothers Grimm story The Six Swans. So if you'd like to find out whether or not this place really is better than Disneyland, then why not visit its official website to find out for yourself?
When you propose to someone, it's supposed to be the happiest day of your life, so why not do it at the happiest place on Earth? And no, I'm not talking about Hooters. I'm talking about Disneyland.
Many romantics drop to one knee in front of Cinderella Castle, and ask their partner if they want to spend the rest of their lives together. (And then they show off their engagement ring while riding Space Mountain!) One man felt so swept up in the magic that he proposed to Minnie Mouse. (And Mickey Mouse's crazy jealous reaction was priceless.) But you know what you don't see too often at Disneyland? A couple proposing to each other at the exact same time.
In March 2016, Kasey Donovan randomly followed Jesse Tober on Twitter because he liked the Blink-182 quote on her bio. ("She makes me feel like it's raining outside," from Story of a Lonely Guy.) Yes, this is seriously how they met. If you're single, and you're looking for love, forget dating apps - put a poignant Blink-182 quote in your Twitter bio! Then just propose with the ring in an avocado, and you will have reach peaked millennial.
Kasey's a freelance writer based in California, and Jesse's a Walgreen's manager who lives in New York. But they didn't the distance keep them apart. In August 2016, Kasey flew to visit Jesse on the East Coast, and they checked out Niagara Falls. For their next trip, Jesse flew to visit Kasey on the West Coast, and they made the trip to Disneyland. "[It was] literally the most magical place on earth," Jesse told Cosmopolitan. "It was so fun and special and there’s nobody else I would have wanted to show it to me."
Both Kasey and Jesse love the House of Mouse. One Halloween, they even dressed up as Flynn Rider and Rapunzel from Tangled. So, you can see how they got the same idea: to propose in front of Cinderella Castle. When Jesse pulled out a ring, her boyfriend laughed, asking "Are you kidding me?"
Shocked, Kasey opened his backpack, and pulled out an Ariel-inspired ring from the Enchanted Jewelry Collection. Now it was Jesse's turn to laugh. "We had no idea either of us were going to do it," she explained. "It was the happiest moment, at the happiest place on Earth." Obviously, they both said yes, and hugged and cried.
The hilarious double proposal was captured on video and went viral on Twitter. "TELL ME WHY WE JUST PROPOSED TO EACH OTHER AT THE SAME TIME AT OUR FAVORITE PLACE I’M SPEECHLESS," wrote Jesse. It seems crazy, but the event was totally unplanned. "We’re just so in sync as a couple, I'm not surprised this happened," said Jesse. "I don’t know how to explain it, it almost seems normal that we both did this."
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Congratulations to the happy couple! And you can probably guess where they want to get married: Hooters! Just kidding. The answer is Disneyland.
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