Cast Member positions at Disney theme parks are highly sought-after. However, once employed, Cast Members must stick to some pretty strict guidelines.
For Disney, it's all about maintaining a great "guest experience". Since the early days of Disneyland, when Walt Disney himself walked the streets of the park, ensuring that the "show" at its parks is not harmed has been the company's utmost priority. For Cast Members, that means sticking to a rigid code of conduct and following what some might consider to be some pretty old-fashioned rules. Here are 5 things that Disney's staff are strictly NOT allowed to do.
5. Point with one finger
Ask a Cast Member for directions to the nearest restroom, and they'll invariably point you in the right direction. What they won't do, though, is point with one finger. Why not? Well, in some cultures pointing with one finger is seen as impolite. And pointing with two fingers or the full hand can be clearer, too.
4. Wander into other areas
Walt Disney is said to have been outraged by the sight of a Frontierland cowboy strolling through Tomorrowland. That's one reason why the Magic Kingdom was designed with extensive underground tunnels to enable employees to get from one area to another without being seen "on stage". There are exceptions (for parades, for example), but generally speaking anyone wearing a costume for a particular area should only be seen wearing it in that land.
Comments
I'm a cast member at the Magic Kingdom and these rules are strictly enforced! At night or in the morning when the park isn't open you will see costumes in lands they don't belong in but that's because there are no guests in the park. These are pretty accurate. We can't eat in front of guests and we are also never allowed to use Guest Bathrooms! We have to use ones that are backstage.
I'm a cast member at the Magic Kingdom and these rules are strictly enforced! At night or in the morning when the park isn't open you will see costumes in lands they don't belong in but that's because there are no guests in the park. These are pretty accurate. We can't eat in front of guests and we are also never allowed to use Guest Bathrooms! We have to use ones that are backstage.
So explain to me then why there was a CM from Buzz Lightyear crossing through the Haunted Mansion at WDW in front of guests in the foyer (after the elevator)? It made my Disney experience that much worse to see CM cross-contamination. It was my first...and last...trip to the "Magic Kingdom". Disneyland for life.
Eating onstage is also majorly prohibited. A Cast Member cannot eat in front of guests.
Actually the eating on stage rule does have some exceptions.
1. Water bottles are permitted
2. Cough drops discreetly
3. Hard candy discreetly for diabetics
4. VIP Guest Relations Tour guides can often be seen eating with their family. Though they aren't permitted to eat turkey legs!
It is not unusual to see a covered up CM purchase food from a guest area on break. Look for the sweat shirt in the middle of the summer! On a limited break time, getting to and from the cast cafeterias is not always feasible. And lets face the truth, the food is generally better on stage vs off! And the service faster though more expensive...