Mickey Mouse, The Mandalorian, and Princess Tiana Are Trying to Unionize

There is nothing better than when you head to a Disney Park and see your favorite character for the first time. It is one of those magical experiences that can only happen at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.

But behind each of those moments is a Disney cast member who is making magic happen, despite wearing a Mickey Mouse costume in 100-degree heat or dressing like the Mandalorian and interacting with Disney guests all day.

Now, performers and character actors at Disneyland in California are unionizing to create safer conditions, better working conditions, and higher compensation.

Currently, 35,000 workers at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are unionized; however, the 1,700 workers who dress as characters or dance in Disneyland parades are not currently union members.

The Actors’ Equity Association handed out union cards last week to the 1,700 actors and performers to convince them of the benefits of joining a union. Actors’ Equity represents actors and stage managers but also the actors and performers at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida.

Kate Shindle, president of the Actors’ Equity Association, which would represent the performers, said:

This isn’t one of those situations where we’re out making the employer the bad guy…It is uniquely important Disney remains a place that people view as magical, and I think that unionizing will improve that across the board.

In a statement, Disneyland officials said:

We believe that our Cast Members deserve to have all the facts and the right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices.

Actors’ Equity Association has asked Disney to recognize the union voluntarily, or they will have to seek a vote through the National Labor Relations Board.

NEW: A group of Disneyland Cast Members who work in the resort’s Characters and Parades departments announced today their intent to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association. The group is called "Magic United." pic.twitter.com/xoBUzkWSql

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 13, 2024

Disney’s Worker Issues

Last year, Disneyland was found guilty of dodging California’s Living Wage law.

Thousands of Disney cast members sued the company, claiming that Disney did not pay them a living wage and broke California’s law.

The courts sided with the cast members, and Disney was forced to bump salaries for cast members to $21.25 an hour. Disney was also forced to pay its cast members back wages as a part of the lawsuit.

After Disney World cast members took to the streets to protest, Disney agreed with the union that represented thousands of Disney World employees. The two sides ultimately decided on an $18-an-hour minimum wage for all cast members at Disney World and a $1 yearly increase until it hit $20 an hour.

As union members, we may see fewer stories of cast members living in their cars. Each cast member makes the magic happen at each Disney Park, and with the Walt Disney Company announcing billions in profit at its parks, they can afford a raise to those who make the magic. 

What do you think about Disneyland cast members joining a union? Let us know in the comments.