Disney Issues First Response to Striking Cast Members

After a series of Cast Member protests, Disney is finally responding on behalf of Guests.

At the beginning of May, the tightly-drawn Disney curtain was cracked open by a suddenly canceled parade at Disneyland Paris. Emboldened by Paris Unions and a countrywide workers’ strike, Cast Members took a stand at Disneyland Park—swapping magic for mayhem. The famous “Stars on Parade” had lines of Guests anticipating the performance on Main Street, U.S.A., only to find out it was canceled moments before it began.

It was a first for Guests to see a Disney event pulled at the final hour, but it wouldn’t be the first time striking Disney Cast Members disrupted the Park. After several more parade cancelations, a full-blown protest occurred on Main Street.

After Cast Members formed a blockade near the typically pristine Park entrance and Guests were evacuated from the area, the world waited to see who would make the next move: Disney or the Cast Members.

A week later, on May 30, they got their answer. Guests witnessed a historical event in a bellowing strike sequel with over 1,000 Disney Cast Members storming Sleeping Beauty Castle. Demanding higher pay and better working conditions, Cast Members formed bottlenecks throughout the Park.

While the previous week’s protest concluded in the morning, this demonstration persisted through the afternoon, canceling scheduled performances and forcing Guests to reroute their Park plans.

Some Guests offered solidarity to the chanting Cast Members, but they had not heard from their employers—until now.

Disney Responds to the Cast Members (Sort Of)

With signs stating their demands in the courtyard of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Cast Members made their presence and preferences clear.

Although Disney hasn’t released any statements in response to the hectic protests overtaking the Disneyland Resort, a first response to the events has been issued—and it’s not to appease the Cast Members.

According to DLP Report (@DLPReport on Twitter), word of another strike planned for June 3 has been released, and Disney is getting ahead of the commotion by offering the following:

​​Due to a Cast Member strike action planned on Sat June 3, Disneyland Paris is implementing flexible conditions:

– Guests can postpone their visit to a later date

– Dated tickets can be rescheduled or refunded

– Non-dated tickets registrations can be moved by 10a that day

⚠️ Due to a Cast Member strike action planned on Sat June 3, Disneyland Paris is implementing flexible conditions:
– Guests can postpone their visit to a later date
– Dated tickets can be rescheduled or refunded
– Non-dated tickets registrations can be moved by 10a that day pic.twitter.com/OCf9BrmOB6

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) June 1, 2023

Gridlocks and canned performances in the Park have disrupted the meticulously-planned Park days for Guests of Europe’s most popular tourist destination for weeks. For Guests who don’t want demonstrations to interfere with the magic of Disney, these options are the first attempt at accommodating them.

Every time a Paris Union has indicated a Cast Member strike was on the way, it’s been implemented, so it would be wise for Disneyland Paris Guests to consider how they want to proceed with their Park tickets.

In the meantime, it looks like Cast Members will continue to put their picketing in the Parks until their voices are heard.