In November 2018, Disney characters led a parade at Disneyland to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday.
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In November 2018, Disney characters led a parade at Disneyland to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday.
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It turns out that Disneyland isn’t the happiest place on earth.
At least, that’s not the case for some of the workers who walk around the park as Mickey Mouse, Elsa, Chewbacca and other beloved Disney characters.
The Anaheim, Calif.-based cast voted overwhelmingly 953 to 258 to unionize in union elections that ended Saturday. Known for representing actors and stage managers.
The election is open to about 1,700 employees in the character and parade department, including those who roam Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, greet guests and perform in daily parades.
The union movement grew out of the pandemic, when performers began to have health and safety concerns about sharing costumes and physical contact with visitors, including hugs from adorable children.
Like many other workers in Southern California, Disney employees are finding that their base pay — which increased from $20 to $24.15 in January — cannot match the rising cost of living.
At Disneyland, fans of a galaxy far, far away can encounter characters.
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At Disneyland, fans of a galaxy far, far away can encounter characters.
Disneyland Resort (Getty Images)
Calling themselves Magic Solidarity, workers leading the organizing campaign are calling for higher wages and more reliable schedules, noting that parade performers in particular struggle to get full-time hours.
Mai Vo, who first got her job at Disneyland when she was 16 and played multiple Disney characters in college, said the job brought a sense of exhaustion.
“[It] It’s hard to work miracles when you’re exhausted,” she said.
“We support cast members’ right to a confidential vote that recognizes their personal choices,” Disney Parks said in a statement, noting that non-union employees do receive industry-standard annual raises and paid sick leave.
Most other workers at Disneyland, including stagehands and resort hospitality staff, are already unionized. For decades, parades and character performers at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, have been represented by truckers.
