Disneyland employees form a well-coordinated team and are never simply called employees by employers, but “cast members” – members of the show that is created in the park throughout the season. They must adhere to strict guidelines regarding behavior, appearance and even voice modulation and guard the secrets related to their profession. As a reward, they can count on interesting benefits – the ability to move through underground corridors in the park and use the services of a local hairdresser or beautician, as well as free entry to Disneyland branches around the world. However, some former employees do not need to impersonate characters from famous animations to feel recognizable. Today they are stars themselves.
Steve Martin
According to the Disney fan club D23, the American actor, comedian, writer and singer started out selling guidebooks at Disneyland “after school, on weekends and in the summer” to earn pocket money. He had his own way of getting customers’ attention – he performed magic tricks and played the banjo. Later, he won the prestigious Grammy Music Award several times for the album “The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo”. However, he is best known as an actor – he received an Oscar for his lifetime achievement.
At Disneyland, we sold e.g. arrow through the head. It was just so stupid. Like anti-comedy.
Martin recalled years later.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Although today for many she is the most iconic Catwoman, she started out with an innocent role. The actress worked at Disneyland in the 1970s, impersonating Alice from “Alice in Wonderland” during the prestigious Electric Parade, which traverses the main street of the park.
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John Lasseter
He is the father of “Toy Story” and “Cars”, which, although they were created under the banner of Pixar, are now part of Disney’s parks. Interestingly, it was there that the director and animator, who is the creative boss in the company’s team, began his career. Like many other celebrities, he worked on the Jungle Cruise attraction and it was this experience that sparked his love of animation. Today he is the director of Skydance Media.
Taboo
Known from the Black Eyed Peas, the rapper also associated his youth with working for Disney. However, he did not play any of the characters, thus not having the opportunity to prove himself as a musician. He worked as… a janitor, keeping the park clean.
Kevin Richardson
The member of the Backstreet Boys worked at Disneyland for many years before joining the famous boy band. He guided tours of Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, then known as MGM Studios. He remembers this period very positively.
It was an inspiring, amazing place where I came to work every day.
– he said on the ABC program dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Disney World. Later, his band toured the park many times.
Coleen Ballinger
The internet creator who publishes content under the pseudonym Miranda Sings also worked for Disney. In one of the videos published on YouTube, she admitted that she performed m. in a parade inspired by “High School Musical”, She also appeared on the Playhouse Disney show. While she says she loved the job, she revealed that she was eventually fired by the company. All because of the popularity of one of the recordings.
When I was working at Disneyland, suddenly my first YouTube video went viral. People began to become aware of who Miranda was, especially in the music and theater community.
she said. When visitors to the amusement park met her, they wanted to see Miranda, not a Disneyland employee. So she began to make use of this and perform under a pseudonym in the park, which met with the disapproval of her employers.
Richard Carpenter
The musician, who together with his sister Karen forms the well-known band The Carpenters, began creating while working at Disneyland. He often performed on the main street of the park, singing his own songs while wearing the outfit from the ice cream parlor where he served customers. According to Rolling Stone magazine, “in his free time he wrote his first songs on napkins.”
Kevin Costner
The actor known from “Bodyguard” not only began his career in Disneyland, but also found love there – he met his first wife, Cindy Silva, who then played Snow White. Sam Costner did not have the opportunity to play any character known from the animation. He operated tours at an attraction known as the Jungle Cruise, where visitors have the chance to ride a water rollercoaster.
Robin Williams
For many, the comedian is the irreplaceable Genie from “Aladdin”, but according to some rumors, he was supposed to be associated with the Disney universe even before receiving this role. Like another actor – Kevin Costner – he was supposed to serve people willing to ride the Jungle Cruise.
Wayne Brady
American satirist known for the ABC improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and original “The Wayne Brady Show” has its alter ego in the form of Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh”. In an interview with “Today’s Parent” in 2013, he admitted that this was not an accidental choice, because it reminded him of one of his first works.
When I turned 16, one of my first jobs was playing animated characters at Walt Disney World, and the first character I played was Tigger. It turned out to be a valuable experience for me.
– he said. Later, he visited the Disney park many times with his family.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
