The Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort are known to be some of the best places in the world to enjoy a Disney vacation. From the amazing rides and attractions on offer, such as Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park, as well as rides like Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, there’s a lot to take in at a Disney Park. However, the heart of the Disney Parks are undoubtedly Disney Cast Members.
Disney Cast Members
Cast Members, the heart and soul of the Disney experience, are employees of Disney Parks and Resorts: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland. They play an essential role in creating the magical and immersive experience that Disney is famous for. Cast Members operate attractions, sell merchandise, serve food and beverages, and maintain the cleanliness and safety of the Park, among more. All Cast Members undergo rigorous training to ensure they provide the absolute Disney Park experience.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
One of the most beloved attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Per Disney World’s website, Guests can “Ride in the famous cockpit of the Millennium Falcon on a daring flight—and whether you’re a pilot, engineer or gunner, every role is crucial. The engines rumble as the Millennium Falcon blasts off, pushing you and your crew back into your seats when you jump into hyperspace towards adventure.”
Missed Magic Opportunity
However, recently, one Guest reported a less than magical experience, not for themselves, but for another family. The Guest recounted that he and his wife were in line to ride Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Behind them were a family with the parents and two tween daughters. The kids and dad were very hopeful to meet Chewbacca.
The OP explained that they took the Cast Member at the attraction to the side and explained this love for Chewbacca and asked the Cast Member to set up the Chewbacca mission. Rather than explaining how to make it happen, reportedly, after “rolling his eyes, the CM looks at his watch and says ‘you got 20 seconds. Google it.'”
The father of the family overheard the exchange between the OP and the Cast Members and frantically googled it but wasn’t able to make it happen. It resulted in the kids feeling disappointed and the Cast Member simply saying, “yeah, that’s too bad.”
As the OP explained, “The result, a kid feeling like they’ve somehow failed themselves and their family, is terrible.”
It’s certainly a sorry turn of events, considering that the Disney Parks are places of magic and wonder for most. As the OP elaborated, it was likely the family had saved for ten years to be able to afford Disney and were probably not going to be back anytime soon.
It is also important to note this is one Guest’s account of a Cast Member interaction and not representative of all Guest-Cast Member experiences.