Multiple Walt Disney World Resort cast members were reportedly fired after Ariana Grande visited the Florida resort.
Everybody is supposed to feel like royalty when they visit a Disney park, but when you’re a celebrity, that royal treatment reaches a whole new level.
The majority of celebs who pass by Disney – whether that’s Disneyland Resort, Disney World, or a park a little further afield – utilize Disney’s Private VIP Tours. These cost $450 to $900 per hour (plus the price of park admission) but will get you a cast member clad in iconic plaid who can chauffeur you between the parks and your favorite attractions – and, most importantly, get you to the front of the line. (Totally Lightning Lane free, we might add).
This is most commonly seen on the West Coast, where celebrities like the Kardashians, The Price is Right model Amber Lancaster, Hillary Duff, and Paris Hilton have all been spotted at Disneyland Resort. Fewer stars are seen at Walt Disney World Resort, but that’s not to say it’s rare to spot a VIP in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios occasionally.
In the past few months alone, Inside the Magic has reported on the likes of JoJo Siwa (who allegedly got drunk while “Drinking Around the World” for her 21st birthday, although not everyone’s convinced that’s true) and Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown touring Walt Disney World Resort.
A common face seen at the Magic Kingdom is Ariana Grande. The Nickelodeon-star-turned-pop-icon grew up in Florida and, like Siwa, celebrated her 21st birthday party at the resort. By all accounts, she’s a huge Disney fan (and has even been rumored for the role of Megara in the upcoming live-action Hercules (1997) adaptation).
We’ve covered her jaunts around Disney World (and Universal Orlando Resort) before, some of which have allegedly upset cast members who claim that Grande isn’t the nicest guest.
“You and I, or anyone else, will never dislike her as much as the Disney Guest Relations Cast Members,” TikToker @teresa_jack claimed in a now-deleted video in 2023. “I can’t tell you how many of them I’ve met that will not guide her around the parks anymore.”
She went on to explain that Grande – who stars as Glinda in Wicked (2024) come December – has previously forced Disney cast members to close down attractions for her to experience in private – which means kicking out the guests already waiting in line. (For context, the Kardashian-Jenner family has also been criticized for doing the same.)
“Oh, no, no, no. Ariana Grande doesn’t just cut lines, okay? She shuts them down,” the TikToker said. “Ariana Grande comes out here and says, no, the whole Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster? Shut the whole thing down, okay? It’ll be shut down for hours because you have to shut down the line. If people are in the line, kick them out. That’s a three-hour process… That is not normal celebrity behavior.”
Related: Disney Introduces New Ariel for the Animated ‘Little Mermaid’
Now, another story has emerged about one of Grande’s visits to the park – but this time around, it’s not Grande who pushes the boundaries. According to TikToker @marissadeanne (who allegedly worked in Tomorrowland), multiple Disney World cast members massively violated Grande’s privacy while at the park.
“One day, Ariana Grande is there enjoying her time and when celebrities high profile like that come to Disney, most of the time they don’t walk on stage with the rest of the guests,” she explained. “They usually have a VIP Tour Guide and most of them will drive around backstage, be let in secret ways, that way they don’t make a crowd and people don’t recognize them and can enjoy their time.”
I honestly don’t blame disney for this. #disneyworld #magickingdom #arianagrande #disney #waltdisney #disneycastmember #spacemountain #tomorrowlans #waltdisneyworld
@marissadeanne I honestly don’t blame disney for this. #disneyworld #magickingdom #arianagrande #disney #waltdisney #disneycastmember #spacemountain #tomorrowlans #waltdisneyworld
She went on to explain that Grande is, from what she’s heard from fellow cast members, one of those celebrities. During her time at the park, she decided to go on Space Mountain, and, to maintain her privacy, her ride photo was blocked out, as is normally the case to stop word getting out that a celebrity is in the theme park.
However, having heard whispers that the “Thank U Next” singer was on the attraction, several cast members apparently decided to unblock the photo so they could see it for themselves.
Related: Taylor Swift Goes Viral at Disney World Location, Blocks Off Area
“Some cast member decided that they were gonna use the code that they knew to unlock the picture to see it for themselves,” the TikToker said, adding that, “They did find the photo of her on it and unlocked it. The cast member that did this took a picture of it and I don’t know if she shared it with anyone, but there was someone in the little bubble with her who knew that she did this [and] didn’t report it.”
Inevitably, word got out about this transgression. “Disney did an investigation and the person who unlocked the photo was immediately fired. The person who was in the bubble with her who knew about it and didn’t report it was also fired. There was some bystander cast member who was, like, outside of the bubble, who checked in on them but maybe didn’t know what was going on, I don’t know, and got written up.”
As the TikToker concluded, “Disney does not play when it comes to celebrities and their privacy,” and in this case, we have to agree that Disney definitely made the right call.
Do you think Disney was right to terminate these cast members?
Please note that the story outlined in this article is based on a personal Disney Parks experience. No two experiences are alike, and this article does not necessarily align with Inside the Magic’s personal views on Disney Park operations.
I don’t agree that anyone should be allowed to shut down entire lines on a normal business day, not even celebrities. If they want “provacy” then why the heck do they visit places where they KNOW there will be high crowds? What happens to the people who reserved their times for rides only to be told there is a three hour shutdown and they now can’t ride? There are plenty of better alternatives. Put out advance warning the park will close early one day for a private party so others can plan. Temporarily shield the entrance to the boarding areas. Bring her in through the exit after it clears instead of the regular lightning lane.
This is where I think Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor had at least much more class and respect for the “little people” in this case fan base. When they wanted to attend Disneyland in California they rented the ENTIRE PARK AFTER HOURS! When normal people like you and me are at home and not paying to be at the park using our vacation time from work to stand in line. Guests were not disrespected or inconvenience because of their popularity in wanting to jump the lines thinking they deserve that right. They do NOT! They can pay and stand in line like anyone else if they want a private ride or showing they they should be required to PAY for that experience also but NOT at the expense of guests who have already paid their hard earned wages to then in turn give that money to Mickey only to be told “someone wants a private ride sorry you have to wait longer.” NOT GOOD MOVE DISNEY! Ariana and anyone else wanting this above and beyond experience should be required to come AFTER HOURS AND PAY FOR THAT ENTIRE COST OF ALL CAST MEMBERS REQUIRED TO STAY TO PROVIDE THEIR PRIVATE VISIT. Custodians, to mechanics, to cooks anyone required to tend to that person/group needs during their time needs to come at their expense!!!
Disney certainly has the right to terminate cast members who flaunt the written rules, however, attractions should not be shut down just because a celebrity thinks they are better than everyone else. If you must give them preferential treatment; sneak them into the head of the line. Do not inconvenience “regular folks” just so so-called celebrities can feel like royalty. Everyone should receive the same consideration at Disney Parks.