3. The pixie-dusted disney fan

Some CMs just ooze Disney joy
Image: mitchell haindfield, Flickr (license)

Some Cast Members work at Disney not for the paycheck, benefits, or other perks, but for the sheer joy of spending their time in the theme parks. They immerse themselves in Disney trivia, spend their free time reading biographies of Walt, and have Mickey Mouse emblazoned on most of their personal belongings.

These Cast Members have a true passion for the parks, and it shows in their unwavering smile, bouncy demeanor, and upbeat attitude. They somehow manage to consistently embody everything the Disney ideal is meant to be about, but their boundless optimism can chafe a bit on coworkers who are in constant contact with it.

4. The carefree retiree

It’s no secret that Disney doesn’t pay very well. Working as an hourly Cast Member isn’t a great way to support a growing family, but it can offer a decent supplemental income if you’re looking for something entertaining to do for a few hours every week.

These older Cast Members are much more laid back than their younger counterparts. They’re often extremely skilled at shrugging off the tirades of unhappy guests, taking very few of these complaints to heart. Though they may not have the detailed knowledge of CMs who entrench themselves deeply in the company’s history and culture, they’re some of the easiest people in the park to deal with.

5. The cynical long-timer

Something strange happens to CPs and even the pixie-dusted devotees when they’re in the same position for too long. Cast Members who stay in hourly positions for years – or even decades – at a time tend to morph into cynical long-timers. If you can power through this phase you might make it to the level of a Disney lifer, but there’s a long period in between that’s difficult for most to deal with.

After years of pointing guests to the restroom, hunting for lost sunglasses, and helping guests time the arrival of the 3 o’clock parade, it all starts to wear a bit thin. Cynicism can start to set in and give a certain edge to these Cast Members. Though they still see the magic of the job most days, you can tell some of the shine of working for Disney has worn off for the time being.

Though there are plenty of Cast Members who fall outside these bounds, you may be surprised at how often you can spot these typical characters around the parks, playing out their roles as surely as Mickey Mouse and Cinderella.