Random Secrets From An Ex-Disney World Cast Member (15 items)

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  (#1) There Are No Sad Kids At Disney

  It’s not great publicity to have kids crying in the parks, but sometimes, children cry. They might drop their Dole Whip on their T-shirt, they might trip and bang their knee, they might do a lot of things that can cause tears.
   
  For this reason, any Disney World employee can invoke the No Sad Kids rule to make a child smile. This could be something as simple as giving them a replacement ice cream or they could provide a Doc McStuffins toy to kiss the boo-boo better that the child can then keep.
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  (#2) We Aren’t Allowed To point The Finger

  Cast members are taught to use an open palm or two fingers to direct guests.

  There are two reasons for this: 1) Pointing with one finger is considered rude in some cultures and Disney has visitors from all around the world. 2) These methods are easier to see.
   
   
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  (#3) Even our fingernails have to adhere to the Disney Look

  While we’re on the topic of cast members’ hands, there are special rules regarding fingernails. All fingernails are required to be neat and clean. A man’s fingernails cannot be painted with nail polish and a woman’s fingernails must not be longer than ¼ of an inch.

  Looks like you'll have to save the nail art tutorials for another time.
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  (#4) There’s A Disney University

  Every cast member has to attend a course called Traditions at Disney University. They learn the history of Disney, the parks, the role they play in the show, and about preserving the magic.

  It should also be noted that some hospitality and management students can receive college credit while working at Disney World and take extra courses at Disney University.
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  (#5) It’s A Small World, After All

  The Disney Universe is very insular and their characters don’t know about anything outside of Disney. Belle hasn’t read Harry Potter and Cinderella hasn’t worn Jimmy Choos. Cast members playing the characters are expected to "preserve the magical atmosphere," so if you ask them, they’ll say they "haven’t heard of it."

  Sometimes, it’s fun when guests test our commitment by asking about NASCAR or Beyonce.
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  (#6) Cast members aren’t allowed visible body modifications

  As you can imagine, Disney employees must abide by a certain set of guidelines for how they look. It’s all to ensure that park guests do not get drawn out of the atmosphere. Cast members are characters playing a part, and you must look in character.

  Body modifications are a big no-no for Disney staff. They aren’t allowed to have any visible tattoos, piercings (except for one set of earlobe piercings for women), or other body mods, including forked tongues and scarification. 
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  (#7) There are hidden tunnels beneath the Magic Kingdom

  There’s a network of tunnels underneath the Magic Kingdom so everything can be kept backstage that needs to be backstage to preserve the atmosphere of the park. From employees taking their breaks to parade vehicles waiting to make their entrance.

  According to Disney lore, this originates from a time at Disneyland when Walt saw a cowboy strolling through Tomorrowland, which took guests out of the moment. 
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  (#8) If you play a character, you have to eat, sleep, and breathe that character

  Costumed cast members have to invest heavily in their characters and are expected to be able to mimic the voice, personality, and autograph of their character.

  There are a lot of people that play Mickey, and they all have to play Mickey the same way. Because there's only one Mickey, right?
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  (#9) They Know - They Always Know

  Whether it’s the timing of a parade, directions to the nearest bathroom, or some obscure Disney trivia, cast members are always expected to know. If they don’t have the answer, they have to get another cast member who does. They aren’t allowed to tell a guest that they don’t know.

  On a slightly different note, there are people in the control rooms when you're on a ride or in a show who, for safety reasons, watch guests through night vision cameras. 

   
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  (#10) Disney Employees Kinda Have Their Own Language

  In order to keep the show running smoothly, cast members have a variety of code words to keep guests in the moment and unaware of the backstage activities.

  For instance, creating acronyms for parades so that they can talk about MiSiCi (Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!) without spoiling a surprise for guests or referring to vomit as "Code V" or "Protein Spill" so that no one is put off their lunch.
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  (#11) You Can’t Talk About Your Job Online

  Complaining about your job on social media is a no-no for any company, but at Disney, you can’t reveal any of the details of your job... especially if you play a character.

  And you definitely aren’t allowed to take pictures backstage. No pictures of Aladdin texting. No headless Mickey. No pictures of the parade equipment waiting to go out.

   
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  (#12) Call Us By Our First Names

  It might be a common practice now, but back in 1955, it was unusual for employees to be known only by their first name. The reason? Disney himself liked to be referred to as Walt and would correct anyone who called him Mr. Disney.

  However, this does cause some problems because cast members are not allowed to share the same name and have to go by a variation of their name (Eliza, Lizzy, Liz, Beth) or by their middle name.
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  (#13) Facial Hair Must Be Very Neat

  There is a very strict policy on facial hair at Disney. Male cast members weren’t allowed to have beards until 2012, but even now, their beard or mustache has to be fully grown in and neatly trimmed.

  In addition, it must not be shaped, dyed, or accessorized. 
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  (#14) Disney Has Some Pretty Strict Hair Rules

  It’s reasonable enough that cast members’ hair must be neatly styled, but the rules go a bit further than that. Male cast members must keep their haircut above their ears and shirt collar, or they can shave their head.

  Any fancy styles or unnatural coloring is strictly prohibited. 
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  (#15) Cast Members Can Only Wear Specific Glasses

  All eyewear, including prescription glasses, must pass the Disney look. They can't have logos/branding and must be a traditional color and shape. In other words, Elton John isn’t going to be getting a job in the Magic Kingdom anytime soon.

  Sunglasses must follow the same rules with the additional rule that guests must be able to see a cast member’s eyes through the lens to help ensure clear communication.

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