A Union rep from Disney World Performers is challenging a policy they have in place that forbids the characters performers from saying what character they portray online and in print media.
They have always not been a fan of a character performer revealing what character they play in the parks. Disney is very big on not killing the magic. When you work there they make sure that it is very well known that under no circumstances are you to ruin the magic for any reason.
They have now put in writing that cast members are not to disclose online or in any kind of media, including social media, print publications or TV — what characters they play in the parks. Disney called it “proprietary information.”
The Union has filed a grievance with Disney’s labor relations department last week. They will also file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. They say this change was never negotiated.
This could interfere with what a cast member does on their day off and possibly what they could or could not include on a resume for a future job. This list goes on.
Fun fact: There are more than 1,200 costumed character cast members at Disney world. That includes fur characters and face characters.
What do you think?
Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Maria
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I don’t see how this would affect the CM at all. They can say that they are/were a character in the Disney park, but is it really necessary for them to say that they were Mickey or Minnie or Ariel? I think not. How could this possibly interfere with their day off or be a problem on their resume? Sorry, union (I hate unions) and CMs, but I side 100% with Disney on this. Preserve the magic!
If the CM’s weren’t advised on the situation before they were offered the job, I would say they would have a valid grievance. No one is forcing the Character Actors to take the job and they already know what the conditions for that job consists of, so, I side with Disney on this one.
Companies often enforce rules on their employees that are self-serving – and Disney, I’m sure, is one of them. But in this case, at least Disney is doing this for the right reason, trying to preserve the magic that so many of us and our kids have come to treasure. I’m sure it’s a hard policy to follow for folks who choose to be a Disney Character as their job/career. But I’m thinking maybe if this policy causes a person too many hardships or feelings of resentment, perhaps they should choose different employment. I would think that most people who play the role of a Disney Character would also want to preserve that magic that they spread to both children and adults while doing their jobs each day.