Cast Members

News

Walt Disney World Resort Receives ‘Corporate Ally of the Year’ Award

The Walt Disney World Resort was honored with the Corporate Ally of the Year at the Pride in Business Awards gala in Orlando.

The Pride in Business Awards recognizes businesses and individuals who promote diversity, equality, and inclusivity in the workplace in Central Florida, and is presented by the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando (MBA Orlando) which is Central Florida's LGBT chamber of commerce.

Lawsuit Filed Against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Regarding Disability Access Service

The families of 16 children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities have filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts alleging the Disability Access Service violates federal and state laws.

Global Sing-Along Planned as Disney Parks Celebrates 50th Anniversary of ‘it’s a small world’

The classic Disney Parks attraction 'it's a small world' is celebrating its 50th anniversary and fans can join in the celebration through a global sing-along.

Disney created the website SmallWorld50.com as a "global hub" of music and harmony where guests can record videos of themselves singing the attraction's theme song. Guests can also create virtual 'it's a small world' dolls to benefit UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund).

Animal Kingdom’s ‘Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade’ to end in June

For the second time this year, a Walt Disney World park is ending a parade.

The Animal Kingdom's afternoon parade, Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade, is set to end in June according to sources at Disney.

Earlier this year the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade ended at the Magic Kingdom and will be replaced with the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade next month.

Walt Disney World Cast Members Participate in Fourth Annual Holiday Bird Count

Walt Disney World cast members and their families recently had a chance to take part in the 4th Annual Walt Disney World Resort Holiday Bird Count guided by Disney's Animal Program experts.

During the bird count more than 24,000 birds representing 119 species were counted at the Walt Disney World Resort and surrounding areas. This number set a new record for the most birds and species observed in the last four years.

Disney VoluntEARS Spread Holiday Cheer through Donation of 36,000 Toys to Toys for Tots Campaign

Walt Disney World Resort cast members have been working harder than Santa's elves to make the holidays magical for families in Central Florida.

More than 36,000 toys have been collected by cast member VoluntEARS have collected and the new toys were donated to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots to benefit kids in Orange and Seminole counties.

The VoluntEARS have also given more than 6,000 volunteer hours helping sort and pack the toys and helping the Marines register families for the annual giving campaign.

Walt Disney World Cast Members Create Special Holiday Bears for the Salvation Army’s Dress-A-Bear Program

Walt Disney World cast members recently designed 920 Disney Bears and Duffy Bears for the Salvation Army's Dress-A-Bear program.

The cast member created hand-made costumes or used ready-made costumes for the bears, creating princesses, cowboys, and bears that look like Disney characters. The bears will be given to children in Central Florida.

The design-a-bear has been a tradition for cast members for more than 15 years.

Walt Disney World Resort Park Entrances Are Now Turnstile Free

The Magic Kingdom reached an important milestone at the end of November when the park's last touch point entry system was unveiled.

With the unveiling at the Magic Kingdom means that all Walt Disney World Resort park entrances are now turnstile free.

Earlier this year, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon was the first park at the Walt Disney World Resort to see the turnstiles switched out for touch point entries. Throughout the year the other parks have had their turnstiles replaced by touch point systems.

Thirty Disney VoluntEARS to Participate in Disney’s First-Ever Global Service Project

For the last three decades, Disney's VoluntEARS have been giving their time to benefit local communities and part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the program, 30 Disney employees are prepping for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The employees are headed to Ecuador for Disney's first Global Service Project. While in Ecuador the VoluntEARS will help build a classroom and improve access to education for students.

Many Disney Cast Members Find Path to Careers through Historically Black College and University Experience

Disney cast members come from all around the country and the world, and each take a different path to their careers. And for some, that path starts during their Historically Black College and University (HBCU) education.

The HBCU are colleges and universities in the United States, established prior to 1964, that with the intention of serving the African-American community. There are 106 historically black colleges and universities in the US.

The Walt Disney World Resort employs many HBCU alumni in many different roles.

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Articles

Walt Disney World Cast Member is 2014 Disney VoluntEAR of the Year

A Walt Disney World cast member has been named the 2014 Disney VoluntEAR of the Year.

Kristen Lehrer, a resource manager at Disney's Animal Kingdom, was chosen by her fellow Disney cast members. She received a surprise celebration, a trophy, a handshake from Mickey Mouse, and a $2,500 contribution to the charity of her choice.

Fun Ways to Beat the Rain at Walt Disney World

No one wants to hear it, but it is very possible that it will rain during your Walt Disney World Vacation.

Florida might be the Sunshine State, but it can also be rather rainy at certain times of the year especially during the summer months. But don't let a little bit of rain dampen your magical visit.

There are still so many things you can do at Disney, even if it's a little wet outside.

A Quick Guide To Walt Disney World's MyMagic+

The Walt Disney Company has a long history of innovation, and after many years of speculation on the next generation of projects they have rolled out a collection of groundbreaking tools to make it easier than ever for guests to create a personal and customized experience. MyMagic+ is a new way for all Walt Disney World guests to experience more of the magic by connecting nearly all aspects of the Walt Disney World vacation experience, and beginning right at home.

5 (or more) Reasons To Love Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Disney's Polynesian was one of the two original Walt Disney World Hotels and it continues to be a perennial fan favorite. Though refurbs and make-overs there are some things the "Poly" has always done better than anywhere else. I thank the Aloha Spirit that permeates the atmosphere and greats every guest to this tropical paradise. The resort is currently undergoing a multi-year re-imagining - the largest transformation since it's 1985 additions.

Star Wars: Episode VII Cast Announcement

This may be the news that Star Wars fans have been waiting for, and Starwars.com is the first to release the official announcement of the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Walt Disney World Is A Horticultural Wonderland All Year Long

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is well under way at Walt Disney World - but did you realize that the property of a horticultural wonderland all year long? We've gathered together some of our favorite reasons that this vacation kingdom is the best place to bring your green thumbed family any season.

Below It All: Utilidors Of The Magic Kingdom

You may have heard that there is a tunnel system under Magic Kingdom. There is a tunnel system below the Magic Kingdom Park called the utilidors. Walt wanted the utilidors because when he opened Disneyland, he saw a cowboy walking in Tomorrowland and that wasn't what he wanted to happen. To help prevent that from happening in Magic Kingdom, he planned for the utilidors so cast members had a way to get to where they work without disrupting the story line in the different areas of the park.

999 Happy Haunts At The Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion

Sitting up on the hill at the back of Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square is a stately mansion of Dutch revival design and gothic splendor. It's a style familiar to the 18th century Hudson River Valley with an elegant facade that hides something eerie. Guests are drawn through the park to it's haunting beauty, and if they listen carefully may even hear the howl of a wolf.

Caramel Apples from Storybook Circus' Big Top Treats

Big beautiful caramel apples have become one of the signature treats of the talented confectioners at Walt Disney World and Big Top Treats inside the Magic Kingdom's Storybook Circus is one place that you can find them making 'em up fresh. The open candy kitchen takes center stage under this big top and guests are able to watch cast members create all sorts of sweets.

Thrills and Adventure in the Magic Kingdom

Looking for thrills and adventure in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom? I've put together a list of my favorite "grown up" attractions including fan favorites and Disney classics in this park that many mistakenly think is just for the kids. Whether you're headed down for a family vacation with older kids, traveling with friends, or on your honeymoon the Magic Kingdom offers guests the classic Disney park experience.