What started as a whisper has evolved into a high-octave yell at this Disney Park.
In a series of attempts from Cast Members protesting for higher pay and better working conditions, the typically pristine Disney Parks have been wrought with mayhem. Over the past month, Cast Members at Disneyland Paris have gradually stepped away from household performances, suddenly canceling parades like “Dream… and Shine Brighter” and “Stars on Parade.”
While those uncharacteristic cancelations raised eyebrows, the most recent workers’ strikes have made jaws drop. On May 23, Cast Members stormed Main Street, USA, while a baffled Disney crowd circumvented the chanting crew. Making global headlines, the Cast Members stood firmly, emboldened by Paris Unions to demand the pay and conditions they deserve.
Disney fans know the Cast Members are the heartbeat of the Disney experience. Their smiles, kind gestures, extra-mile efforts, and top-notch service make Disney magical. Seeing their immaculate demeanors shift to the disgruntled demonstrations we’ve seen recently has been jarring. But this morning, after another failed attempt to have their requests met by Disney, the Cast Members came back with a vengeance.
Related: Cast Members ‘Strike’ Again: Entertainment Likely Cancelled, Guests Advised to Change Disney Plans
Cast Members Strike Back
Captured by DLP Report (@DLPReport on Twitter) at the scene, this is an exclusive play-by-play of the unprecedented protest at Disneyland Paris. Starting at around 10:00 a.m. GMT+2, over 1,000 Cast Members took the Park by storm:
Striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members have arrived on Central Plaza. Over 1000 Cast Members, according to organizers, have joined today’s action demanding better pay and working conditions:
Striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members have arrived on Central Plaza. Over 1000 Cast Members, according to organizers, have joined today’s action demanding better pay and working conditions: pic.twitter.com/QMkdlOFLma
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
Picketing with signs stating their demands, the Disney workers surrounded Sleeping Beauty Castle in a never-before-seen spectacle:
Photos: flags and placards surround Sleeping Beauty Castle on this new day of Cast Member strike at Disneyland Paris:
Photos: flags and placards surround Sleeping Beauty Castle on this new day of Cast Member strike at Disneyland Paris: pic.twitter.com/A00sQg89nf
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
Donning their uniforms and blasting the anniversary song, the Cast Members made their way through Fantasyland:
Video: striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members are marching through Fantasyland. They’re playing the anniversary song:
Video: striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members are marching through Fantasyland. They’re playing the anniversary song: pic.twitter.com/AIq9Tujazy
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
With a completely gridlocked Main Street, Guests were redirected to access the attractions:
Main Street is completely gridlocked by striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members at this time. Guests are rerouted thought the Arcades and are still able to access most attractions.
Main Street is completely gridlocked by striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members at this time. Guests are rerouted thought the Arcades and are still able to access most attractions. pic.twitter.com/olILvZCdam
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
The Cast Members’ chants bellowed through the Park, canceling the scheduled performances:
Unsurprisingly, the first performance of “Dream… and Shine Brighter” has been canceled. The spiel is barely audible over the striking Cast Members chants:
Unsurprisingly, the first performance of “Dream… and Shine Brighter” has been canceled. The spiel is barely audible over the striking Cast Members chants: pic.twitter.com/ySAqErcNqa
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
Walt Disney Studios Park then met with the striking workers at the Avengers Campus:
The group of striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members has now reached Avengers Campus at Walt Disney Studios Park:
The group of striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members has now reached Avengers Campus at Walt Disney Studios Park: pic.twitter.com/n9biZvaMZr
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
After hours of demonstrations, picketing, and protesting, the Cast Members headed to a public space by the train station to regroup:
Striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members have walked around Lake Disney and Disney Village and are now regrouping in the public space near the train station.
Striking Disneyland Paris Cast Members have walked around Lake Disney and Disney Village and are now regrouping in the public space near the train station. pic.twitter.com/xIk7fPxbri
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
One Guest at the scene, @lnMyWonderIand shared footage of the strike and offered support to the Cast Members:
The Disneyland Paris Cast Members have now reached the Studios and I was able again to show them my full support and encourage them to not give up. There’s no magic at the park without the Cast Members, YOU are the magic. #DisneylandParis #SupportCastMembers
The Disneyland Paris Cast Members have now reached the Studios and I was able again to show them my full support and encourage them to not give up. There’s no magic at the park without the Cast Members, YOU are the magic. #DisneylandParis #SupportCastMembers pic.twitter.com/wskBoOYCQE
— Alicia (@lnMyWonderIand) May 30, 2023
Unlike last week’s protest, the Disneyland Paris Cast Members continued with a march on the central plaza, shared by @DLPReport:
Strike actions by Disneyland Paris Cast Members continue this afternoon with another march on Central Plaza and cancellation of a “Dream… and Shine Brighter” performance. They are chanting “the parade is us”:
Strike actions by Disneyland Paris Cast Members continue this afternoon with another march on Central Plaza and cancellation of a “Dream… and Shine Brighter” performance. They are chanting “the parade is us”: pic.twitter.com/oqZwbqjmix
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 30, 2023
Even with cultural differences, Disney is known for consistency around the globe (it’s a small world, after all). France may be known for some of its historical protests, but with mounting tensions among Disney’s coveted Cast Members, only time will tell if the US dream-makers take a page out of the Disneyland Paris playbook.
This is a developing story, and Disney Fanatic will provide updates as they come.
