Being a Disney princess might seem like a Disney dream come true — but one aspiring Disney World character performer actually did an about-face and has ended up in a far more toothy career!
Savannah Boan is a well-known reptile expert in Central Florida who wears many hats as the Park Director and Crocodilian Enrichment Coordinator at the popular Florida destination called Gatorland.
Boan actually ran away as a teenager with the intention of being hired by Disney World and playing Cinderella (with her blonde hair lending itself to the role), but swiftly learned that “Disney doesn’t hire 16-year-old runaways and [she] was way too tall to be Cinderella.”
Now, Boan (who also told the Daily Mail that her Disney princess appearance belies the fact that “most people are afraid to date such a strong woman [who] works with prehistoric beasts on a daily basis”) spends her days spreading awareness about the damage being done to Florida habitats (such as the Everglades) while also getting up close and personal with alligators and crocodiles in Gatorland!
🐊 "When many people think of wildlife experts in Central Florida, they think of @Gatorland's @thesavannahboan."
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— Jennifer Pullinger (@JLPullinger) April 3, 2023
“I’m so honored every day that I get to come to work with these amazing dinosaurs,” Savannah Boan declared in a recent interview. Many Disney World Guests have spotted these “amazing dinosaurs” during their Disney vacations, since alligators and other Florida wildlife naturally appear in the theme parks or Disney Resorts.
Being a Disney Cast Member or character performer certainly has its hazards — with inappropriate advances from Guests and a lack of job security being two of them — but Boan’s new job seems harder!
Boan’s shift in her goals also serves as a clear reminder of the fact that there are, indeed, people who head to Florida with the specific intention of being hired to play Disney princesses or other Disney characters — but Disney doesn’t hire them all, and there might be more Florida residents than expected who ended up in different jobs after initially trying for some Disney magic!
