10 Former Disney Employee Exposes Realities of Working at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

After graduating from the University of Florida, I took a chance and applied for a job at Disney World in Orlando. To my excitement, I was hired and began my adventure at the “Happiest Place on Earth.” However, things didn’t turn out as I expected.

While working at Disney World may seem like a desirable position, employees are bound by strict guidelines and regulations. So while there were memorable experiences, here are ten insider secrets everyone should know about the job.

1. You Are Never Actually A Disney “Employee.”

Working for Disney, you become a “Cast Member” right off the bat. They don’t call us employees or staff, just our first names, which are shown on our badges. Apparently, Walt thought this was a more personal touch, and honestly, he was on point.

2. You Have To Follow The Disney Look

Disney has some pretty strict dress codes, so you can’t just rock up to work looking however you want. They have rules about what you can wear, accessories, hair, and even your fingernails. For example, no long nails are allowed, hair has to be neat, and tattoos are a no-go.

3. You Are Not Allowed To Say, “I Don’t Know.”

When you work for Disney, you gotta know the answer to any question, no matter how silly it might be. Like, if someone asks what time the 3 PM parade starts, you gotta smile politely and give the obvious response. No making fun of the guests allowed!

4. You Must Pick Up Litter On The Sly

Working at Disney, you can never just walk by litter. Instead, you gotta use the “Disney Scoop” and discreetly get rid of it while still moving. No stopping or bending over. It’s a bit of a tough skill to master, but you’ll get the hang of it eventually.

5. The Disney University

Disney University is a one-of-a-kind program that is exclusive to Disneyland and its employees. The University is renowned for its rigorous training program and its commitment to providing employees with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to excel in their jobs and contribute to the overall magic of Disneyland.

6. Growing Facial Hair

If you want to work at Disneyland, you gotta keep your tattoos and piercings under wraps. And it’s not just that – you can’t shape your beard, and your mustache can’t go over your lip. It’s all part of the dress code.

7. You Will NEVER Forget What Time The Parade Is…

As a Cast Member at Disney, you hear the same questions every day. Usually, you can handle them with a polite smile because that’s just how it goes when you work at the happiest place on earth. But when you get asked what time the “three o’clock parade” is for the hundredth time that day, you can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

8. Disney Princess

Not just anyone can be a Disney princess. There are some requirements that all Cast Members need to meet if they want to play a princess. For instance, female Cast Members gotta be between 5’4″ and 5’8″ tall. It’s a bit of a tall order (literally), but those are the rules.

8. The Perks

Just because you work at Disneyland doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. Actually, working there have some pretty sweet perks. For example, you get free entry to the parks on your days off. It’s not so bad after all, right?

10. Guest Passes

Working at Disneyland isn’t just about getting free access to rides. You can also earn guest passes by putting in the work. And the best part is that you get to give your friends and family these passes. How cool is that?