Walt’s Plane is Backstage
Cast members are able to see Walt Disney’s plane backstage. Walt purchased the Grumman Gulfstream 1 model in 1964. He and his wife decorated it together. The plane seats 15 passengers and also features sofas and a desk. Walt Disney used the plane to look for spots in Florida when he set out to create Disney World. Nicknamed “The Mouse,” the white plane as a Mickey logo painted on its tail. One of the perks of being a cast member is being privy to this plane.
Cast members aren’t the only ones who can see the plane. Guests also can visit the plane if they go on the Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
They Can’t Say Who They Play
If you ask a cast members which character they play, they aren’t allowed to tell you. All they can tell you is that they’re friends with “so and so” character or that they hang out with that character.
Again, Disney is trying to preserve the magic of the park. If you try to trick them into it, they will not fall for it.
The Music Never Ends
You know when songs are overplayed on the radio and even if you loved it at the beginning you begin to despise it with every cell in your body? If you've taken a ride on the It's A Small World ride, then you would have experienced a fraction of what employees experience on a never-ending basis. For Disney employees, the music never stops. Even when the park is closed, the music keeps going. Can you imagine what it must take for employees to maintain such a friendly demeanor all of the time? That is some true discipline.
And if you’ve forgotten how it goes, let us remind you: “It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears. It’s a world of hope, it’s a world of fear. There’s so much that we share. And it’s time we’re aware. It’s a small world after all. It’s a small world after all, It’s a small world after all, It’s a small world after all, It’s a small world.”
No Selfies Backstage
You know by now that cast members can't share pictures or post anything on social media. But, they aren't even allowed to take photos backstage. This rule was only adopted in the last few years, which makes sense considering the explosion of social media.
Even if you spot a celebrity which you are a die hard fan of in the area, you can't take a picture with them.
Disney Pin Trading
Cast members at Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, and Disneyland Paris are always required to wear a lanyard with at least 12 pins on it. The pins are meant to be traded with guests. So, if you spot an employee wearing a pin you want, you can ask if they're willing to trade. The company’s official website shares that the Disney Pin Trading program is “an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests. It’s fun for the whole family and CREATES cherished ‘pin pals’ to last a lifetime!”
Of course, there are specific rules for the Pin Trading program, like everything else at Disney. One of the rules is that the Pins traded must be in good condition. They should also be traded one at a time in a hand-to-hand transaction.