Disney World is one of the most magical places one can visit, but behind the curtain, it’s a business just like any other.
Disney World is one of the most magical places one can visit, but behind the curtain, it’s a business just like any other. When Mickey goes home for the night, he leaves his ears and charming mouse demeanor behind. At least one would hope so.
An anonymous former theme park employee listed 32 closely guarded secrets they discovered while working at Disney, and it’s not all cotton candy and Dole whips, although, there are certainly some perks.
As detailed by POPSUGAR, one of the more peculiar rules is that Disney employees are not allowed to utter the three words “I don’t know.” Writes anonymous:
If a guest asks you a question, you always have to have an answer, no exceptions. If you don’t know it, find out, but don’t say you don’t know. If it’s a silly question, make up a silly answer. If a child asks you what Tinker Bell eats before her flight across the Magic Kingdom during the fireworks, you better come up with an answer quickly. (Answer: very tiny apples.)
According to Entertainment Overload, staff members are extensively trained so they are able to answer every question asked of them. And for those they simply draw a blank on, they are required to phone an operator to help find the answer.
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Other peculiarities of Disney’s work ethic include: never being allowed to break character (you’re a cast member, not an employee), always pointing with two fingers (it’s offensive to some cultures to point with a single finger), and always addressing a guest by name.
Says anonymous:
Have you ever been surprised by a cast member who uses your name? It’s either because you have a pin on with your name on it, or when you paid with your room key or credit card, we took a quick glance at it to get your name. That way, when we hand you your bag of stuffed animals, we can thank you by name and tell you to have a magical day.
They’re also required to effortlessly pick up trash by scooping it up without stopping to bend down (“bend as you walk by and scoop it up.”) And also, have you ever noticed you can’t buy gum at the Disney parks? Walt Disney didn’t want to see it on the ground, so he refused to sell it. Smart man.
