Former Cast Member Sheds Light on Disney’s Questionable Media Policies

A visit to Disney World is the ultimate experience for many people. Letting go of your stress and enjoying a moment with your family and friends is a rare luxury nowadays. But have you ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes spectacle of Disney’s public relations and media advertising? Those captivating commercials and enchanting promotions from influencers that draw us in with their promises of wonder and delight may hold a questionable secret. One former entertainment Cast Member has shed some light on the policies behind being on The Walt Disney Company’s public relations and media lists. Her points will leave you thinking twice before being swept up by the magic.

Beholden to the Mouse

TikTok user @tremainetok recently divulged the secret world behind the happy faces of many Disney enthusiasts who benefit from being on Disney’s media lists. She explains in vivid detail that anyone who works with the Walt Disney Company for the purposes of public relations is at the mercy of its support being added or revoked at any time. She clarifies that the entertainment giant can choose whether or not to keep you on its media list “based on what you post, or other companies that you associate with.”

This means content creators who work with Disney often have to cater their content to keep Disney’s support. However, this is not limited to content involving Disney. Collaborators must ensure that all of their work does not ruffle the company’s feathers. TremaineTok provides an example in her video to break it down further:

“So for example, if I partnered with Universal, which I have done in the past (and they are very kind to me), and then all of the sudden I made a very negative video towards Universal that then caused them a PR backlash, they have every right to take me off that media list, and refuse to do future partnerships with me.

She says that Universal is much kinder to the people on its PR lists than Disney. While she has personally criticized Universal in the past, she still gets invited to their events. However, she states that Disney is not as good at handling criticism.

Every time you see a creator who is sponsored by Disney, offered a brand trip, or anthing like that, you are essentially watching a Disney ad. All of their content hinges on Disney approving of it. Maybe not overtly, like they don’t have to submit non-sponsored videos to Disney for approval, but if they post something that Disney then takes issue with, they can pull future partnerships.

She tells her audience that with these revelations in mind, it is important to remember that content creators having the time of their lives at Disney World (or a different company theme park) are not always entirely honest. In trying to keep themselves on Disney’s good side, they ensure the company is happy with their content. She stresses, “This doesn’t make them liars. It just means that they are doing their job.”

@tremainetok

#stitch with @Kate Kelly the Problem with PR lists/Media… #disney #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #wdw #disneyworld

♬ original sound – TremaineTok

The Dark Side of Advertising

TremaineTok finishes the video by explaining that Disney takes issue with content creators speaking negatively about how Cast Members are treated. When people do this on their platform, they are often blacklisted from collaborating with the company ever again. Furthermore, she says to remember that these actions often mean the company has something to hide and is unwilling to address it.

It is important to note that Disney has never admitted to this being how they manage their dealings with content creators. What do you think about these statements? Has she hit a good point, or is this just the reality of working with large companies in the age of influencers?