I was a cast member for 5 years - my favorite magic moment was not actually one that I created but one that was created for me. I had taken my dad to Epcot and to see the American singers. They asked for any Veterans and my dad had been to Vietnam. I had to kind of shove him forward because of the stigma he faced after coming home he didn't like being acknowledged. But they asked what war he fought in and he told them then they thanked him for his service and sang God Bless America. My father did not get emotional often but he cried there being recognized for his service for what may have been the first time in public. He's been gone 3 years now and I'll never forget it.
Don't mean to be rude, but you mean stigma, stigmata is holes in the hands and feet in the shape of wounds Jesus took- would be an awful mistake to make in mixed company, and I don't want that to happen!
I've gotten to walk through Epcot with little to no guests after a late dinner in Mexico, and I agree! It is absolutely amazing to walk through an empty Epcot and just hear the music and enjoy the beautiful stillness of the park.
Agreed! On a family trip to Disney maybe 8 or 9 years ago, we got to watch the fireworks from the window of our Mexico dinner, and later that night we some of the last few people to leave the park. Walking through an empty World Showcase at night is still my absolute favorite Disney memory.
Laura Smith I agree! Cast members are really great with living up to "Be kind- for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." They are the soul in making the Disney parks magical! Any suggestions from the DIS team as to how we can create magical moments for cast members too?
Great question! If you really want to make a cast member's day tell guest relations about the positive interaction you had with that cast member. Your message to guest relations gets back to the cast member, their coordinator, and their manager. Really anything is appreciated. Simply telling a cast member that they are doing a great job can really help on a tough day!
Ryno's story had me almost crying, I have a rare form of dwarfism and I have a lot of issues with getting overly hot and I have to be in a wheelchair in WDW because I would get WAYY too tired out in the first 45 minutes of the day. My parents, grandmother and I were there for a conference I was speaking at in the Contemporary 2 years ago and we extended the time we'd be there for the conference to be in Disney World for the whole week (I live up North and only go to Disney as a vacation, wish I could be an AP!) so the first day we met up with my cousins in Magic Kingdom, and I really wanted to see if I could meet Elsa and Anna. We waited most of the day and we went up to ask the person attending the line if there was a chance we could get a fast pass to meet them and explained my issues with heat as the reason I could not wait in a 5 hour line. She said no and they mostly run out like 3 months in advance and there would be some out in the early mornings before. So I was bummed so I didn't want to bother her so I thanked her and we turned to walk away, she called out, told us to go to the front of the fast pass line and tell them it was Maylssa's magical moment, both my mom and I started crying and thanking her. After we met them, we made sure to get a picture with her, she truly made that trip magical, and I will never forget it.
That's such a great story. I love hearing about people's good experiences with other people, it really boosts my faith in humanity. I hope life treats you well, don't let your disabilities get you down. You're no less of a human than anyone else.
My husband received one of those pixie dust pins from a CM (he picked up trash someone else had dropped). We were told to catch someone else doing good and give them the other pin. Later we watched a lady offer to take photos for a couple who didn't speak English (it took a lot of effort on her part to get them to understand what she wanted to do), so we gave her the other pin.
I love everyone's stories...these are the best DIS videos! I am a FIERCE advocate of everyone treating all the CMs with respect. They are under appreciated thankless jobs and are the true source of the one of a kind Disney magic we come to know and cherish! Steve, Ryno and Craig are definitely magical moments for DIS!
Great video. One of the best times my family ever had a WDW was after we had a very late diner at Cinderella's Royal Table. Magic Kingdom had closed and I believe we were literally the last guest in the park. We have a home video of me and my 7 year old daughter dancing down Main St USA to Once Upon a Dream. A wonderful cast member saw us and took our video camera and our SLR camera allowing my wife to join us. The cast member took video and photos of us for 15 or so minutes. They helped us create the most beautiful memories and magical moments that we've ever had at Disney. It was like the whole place was ours for a moment. It was absolutely beautiful.
That pin story touched me because I too was fortunate enough to receive one from a cast member. What made it worth it even more than that to me was seeing another guest doing an amazing deed and passing the pin onto him and explaining the tinker bell pin to him. Made my trip
Me and family have been Disney pass holders since they were babies. We go all the time. One time, we planned a trip and told the kids we were going to the beach didn't tell a word to the kids. When we were getting close to welcoming sign at the entrance of Disney World, my oldest (about 10 at the time) asks "are we going to Disney World"? I started yelling yes! We are going to Disney World!! Till this day, that is the ONE TRIP they remember! Mind you we go all the time, but that little thing made it so special. I felt like sharing my magical Disney moment 😊
Walking through an empty park is truly one of the things that you learn to appreciate! During my DCP, walking through Asia in DAK after hours was so peaceful :)
Working at the MK at 20K was a lot of fun when I was in the College Program back in 92. I always volunteered to extend a shift, but I really loved getting to do parade duty. I would always get the NW planter in front of the castle, where I had a great view of everything and got to talk with lots of guests. There was a little rabbit that lived in it that would come out to see what the fuss was about. And yes, getting to see all the backstage areas was awesome, and ride testing Splash 48 times before it was open to the public was a rare treat.
Loved this! Last may I went on small world at 11:30pm I was the only person around no one in line or in my boat pus both boats behind me and in front of me. It was a weird and wonderful feeling. I had a moment where I was in the tomorrowland movie lol.
Working closing at Pecos Bill Cafe, during the Halloween and Christmas parties... getting to watch/listen to the Parades and Fireworks shows for free. Loved that perk the most...
I loved this video! It's all so true. I loved being a Cast Member and I miss working there every day. It was hard work, but everything you guys said made it absolutely worth it. Plus, ya know, you get into the parks for free. That in and of itself is a HUGE perk and one that I definitely utilized on a weekly basis.
Craig, I can really identify re. the empty park/nobody around moments. I've never been a Disney cast member, but I've worked in various capacities in the movie biz here in "Hollywood" and one of my first jobs was as a grip on the "night shift" at Universal, and being there walking the backlot streets without the tour trams going by, choosing where to take your "lunch" break--Europe, Five Points, etc. etc. or sometime just up on the roof of the largest sound stage with your sandwich and drink and, yes, the QUIET with the city lights off in the distance but all the hustle-bustle of the studio shut down...priceless memories. Never had that kind of fun when I became a Director because I was too busy to take those breaks (smile.)
I think my favorite Magic Moment was when I was loading guests onto the Hogwarts Express I noticed a little girl was crying so to cheer her up i told her the gate was locked and i couldn't get it opened because my wand was broken I then took out my wand and I taught her how to unlock the gate she then took her wand out, I told her to say alohomora and give her wand a flick and the gate would unlock i then opened the gate and told her "well done young witch your magic is very good!" I didn't realize at that moment that I made her whole day her mom had told me that she was trying to do the wand experience but it wasn't working and she thought her wound was broken and when she was able to unlock the load gate she realized her wand wasn't broken that she just needed to try a little harder the funniest thing about it all was the little girl told me that my wand isn't broken I just need to practice my magic a little bit more. lol
As a former six flags employee just about everything mentioned is something that I can relate to. And yes walking through a empty theme park at night after close is quite the experience.
I remember those magic moment pins you were talking about!!! I had a girl come up to me and pass one on to me during one of my trips as a child and it was the sweetest thing and it definitely made my day.
Ryno's story about wanting to move to San Francisco then changing his mind after making friends at Disneyworld made me cry. We're so glad you stayed, Ryno! We love you ♥️
I'm just finding it funny that I'm finding your video pairs of "Bad Things About..." and "Good Things About..." in the order of bad first and then good second. It helps put the happy ending on the end of each topic being discussed.
On our last trip just last month my daughter and I did the "after hours" event at magic kingdom and we got a little taste of the "feeling like you were getting away with something" when we were walking through Fantasyland towards the back of the Castle..and literally there was not another person in sight. I snapped a one of a kind picture of my daughter standing there with her arms in the air and the castle in the background and not a single other human being anywhere in view. Very cool experience.
Friends from the college program. That is the best thing by far. And not just because friends are fun in general. But college program people are such a fun and outgoing group.
Every time I'm there I tell myself, no way I'd work here. Cast members are always so nice and polite, even answering the same questions over and over and dealing with adults acting like 3yr olds.
I worked at EPCOT on the CP during the parks 25th anniversary and we all got to go a pretty awesome backstage party. They gave us a really cool bag of free stuff for cast members only. I was working that day and they HAD to give us an hour to attend the party in addition to our breaks.
I used to work at Universal Studios at the Hogwarts Express I was part of the opening crew, one thing that was really amazing about that experience is being behind the scenes and seeing an entire world being built I was able to see the green Gots Bank being built and the dragon being placed on top of the bank I was able to see the train from start to finish being built and the magic and wonder in people's eyes when they first see a brand new ride for the first time, I also do agree that being in a park at night when there is nobody else there is a really cool experience that not many people get to have I can remember countless times getting off of work late from working Halloween Horror Nights and walking through the park at 3 or 4 in the morning and nobody is there except for one or two maintenance people maybe not as magical as Disney but still pretty cool.
I'd love to see all the behind the scenes stuff. My best memory at Disneyland was on the last day of ToT. The ride had a malfunction and I let the operator know about it. He set me off to the side and I got to see the ride from the operators perspective and then got to ride it a second time as well on it's last day.
Guys! We always get 50% off on Christmas! :) And from what Craig said, I'll never forget when I recently won a Magic Backstage opportunity and I was able to walk into the Magic Kingdom 2 hours before guests showed up and you just got to look at the castle....with no guests. It's incredible. I've been a Cast Member for almost a year now and it's the best experience of your life! :D
does anyone have any videos of cast member interactions at mermaid ride at dca? I worked there from 15 to late 16 and am trying to find any footage of me. any help is greatly appreciated.
*Question for DIS Unplugged* So are cast members supposed to give out fast passes to those who are nice / talk with the cast members? My sister and I went this last week and we would always meet new people that were cast members and then when we were about to leave, they would usually give us fast passes, (in Epcot, Germany they gave us carmel corn) Also just with short conversations with those who work the rides would sometimes let us go again or jet to the front. Is there a specific policy, are they allowed to do that, and isn't that just the nicest thing in the world?
What can we do on our upcoming trip to create a "Magical Moment" for a cast member? We appreciate everything and all our experiences and would love to do something for them?
Going to guest relations and telling them about your good experience with the cast member is an awesome way to show your thanks! Also, a couple of my CM friends have received little business card sized pieces of paper that say thanks from the "___" family and they say it always makes their day. You don't have to do anything super special, sometimes its the little things that count
One time our kids all made pins that said "thank you for making me feel special." They wore one every day and gave them to cast members and other guests.
Something that guests have done that's a Magical Moment for me: I've gotten little cards that have saying that reads "Thank you for all that you do" (something like that) and it's the names of everyone in the family and where they are from. I've gotten 2 of those in my Disney Career and I have them hung up. I always look to those for inspiration. They really mean a LOT to us.
The amazing cast members are what causes us to continue to pay Disney prices. Despite more blips in that than there used to be - and some way less than magical cast members - overall Disney still does it better than other parks. Although - I will say Universal is starting to get that and is making adjustments.
I was a cast member for 5 years - my favorite magic moment was not actually one that I created but one that was created for me. I had taken my dad to Epcot and to see the American singers. They asked for any Veterans and my dad had been to Vietnam. I had to kind of shove him forward because of the stigma he faced after coming home he didn't like being acknowledged. But they asked what war he fought in and he told them then they thanked him for his service and sang God Bless America. My father did not get emotional often but he cried there being recognized for his service for what may have been the first time in public. He's been gone 3 years now and I'll never forget it.
Don't mean to be rude, but you mean stigma, stigmata is holes in the hands and feet in the shape of wounds Jesus took- would be an awful mistake to make in mixed company, and I don't want that to happen!
Ouch! You are absolutely right! Should not try and comment on my phone. Edited to fix
On behalf of your father, I just wanted to say thank you.
I've gotten to walk through Epcot with little to no guests after a late dinner in Mexico, and I agree! It is absolutely amazing to walk through an empty Epcot and just hear the music and enjoy the beautiful stillness of the park.
Agreed! On a family trip to Disney maybe 8 or 9 years ago, we got to watch the fireworks from the window of our Mexico dinner, and later that night we some of the last few people to leave the park. Walking through an empty World Showcase at night is still my absolute favorite Disney memory.
I loved Rynos story! Please make more videos with your tales of being cast members! :)
Ryno! Stop trying to make us cry! Great story! Love you guys!
Laura Smith I agree! Cast members are really great with living up to "Be kind- for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." They are the soul in making the Disney parks magical! Any suggestions from the DIS team as to how we can create magical moments for cast members too?
Great question! If you really want to make a cast member's day tell guest relations about the positive interaction you had with that cast member. Your message to guest relations gets back to the cast member, their coordinator, and their manager. Really anything is appreciated. Simply telling a cast member that they are doing a great job can really help on a tough day!
Ryno's story had me almost crying, I have a rare form of dwarfism and I have a lot of issues with getting overly hot and I have to be in a wheelchair in WDW because I would get WAYY too tired out in the first 45 minutes of the day. My parents, grandmother and I were there for a conference I was speaking at in the Contemporary 2 years ago and we extended the time we'd be there for the conference to be in Disney World for the whole week (I live up North and only go to Disney as a vacation, wish I could be an AP!) so the first day we met up with my cousins in Magic Kingdom, and I really wanted to see if I could meet Elsa and Anna. We waited most of the day and we went up to ask the person attending the line if there was a chance we could get a fast pass to meet them and explained my issues with heat as the reason I could not wait in a 5 hour line. She said no and they mostly run out like 3 months in advance and there would be some out in the early mornings before. So I was bummed so I didn't want to bother her so I thanked her and we turned to walk away, she called out, told us to go to the front of the fast pass line and tell them it was Maylssa's magical moment, both my mom and I started crying and thanking her. After we met them, we made sure to get a picture with her, she truly made that trip magical, and I will never forget it.
That's such a great story. I love hearing about people's good experiences with other people, it really boosts my faith in humanity. I hope life treats you well, don't let your disabilities get you down. You're no less of a human than anyone else.
My husband received one of those pixie dust pins from a CM (he picked up trash someone else had dropped). We were told to catch someone else doing good and give them the other pin. Later we watched a lady offer to take photos for a couple who didn't speak English (it took a lot of effort on her part to get them to understand what she wanted to do), so we gave her the other pin.
I love everyone's stories...these are the best DIS videos! I am a FIERCE advocate of everyone treating all the CMs with respect. They are under appreciated thankless jobs and are the true source of the one of a kind Disney magic we come to know and cherish! Steve, Ryno and Craig are definitely magical moments for DIS!
I loved Ryno's story I was very close to tears. It was so fun to hear all of this while I wait to hear back from the DCP.
Great video. One of the best times my family ever had a WDW was after we had a very late diner at Cinderella's Royal Table. Magic Kingdom had closed and I believe we were literally the last guest in the park. We have a home video of me and my 7 year old daughter dancing down Main St USA to Once Upon a Dream. A wonderful cast member saw us and took our video camera and our SLR camera allowing my wife to join us. The cast member took video and photos of us for 15 or so minutes. They helped us create the most beautiful memories and magical moments that we've ever had at Disney. It was like the whole place was ours for a moment. It was absolutely beautiful.
awesome video Ryno, Steve and Craig. you guys are so awesome. I love the dis unplugged so much.
Nick Lafleur *Steve
Hannah B yeah sorry lol i meant to put steve
Cast members absolutely are a big part of why my family and I love DW. ❤️
That pin story touched me because I too was fortunate enough to receive one from a cast member. What made it worth it even more than that to me was seeing another guest doing an amazing deed and passing the pin onto him and explaining the tinker bell pin to him. Made my trip
Me and family have been Disney pass holders since they were babies. We go all the time. One time, we planned a trip and told the kids we were going to the beach didn't tell a word to the kids. When we were getting close to welcoming sign at the entrance of Disney World, my oldest (about 10 at the time) asks "are we going to Disney World"? I started yelling yes! We are going to Disney World!! Till this day, that is the ONE TRIP they remember! Mind you we go all the time, but that little thing made it so special. I felt like sharing my magical Disney moment 😊
Those onion chopping ninjas got in my house again at the exact moment I heard that pin story. Weird right?
The chance to experience a quiet, guest free park sounds amazing. no wonder it was Craig's highlight.
Walking through an empty park is truly one of the things that you learn to appreciate! During my DCP, walking through Asia in DAK after hours was so peaceful :)
I loved interacting with the guests. And getting to play in the parks as much as I wanted, and I did. A LOT.
Working at the MK at 20K was a lot of fun when I was in the College Program back in 92. I always volunteered to extend a shift, but I really loved getting to do parade duty. I would always get the NW planter in front of the castle, where I had a great view of everything and got to talk with lots of guests. There was a little rabbit that lived in it that would come out to see what the fuss was about. And yes, getting to see all the backstage areas was awesome, and ride testing Splash 48 times before it was open to the public was a rare treat.
Loved this! Last may I went on small world at 11:30pm I was the only person around no one in line or in my boat pus both boats behind me and in front of me. It was a weird and wonderful feeling. I had a moment where I was in the tomorrowland movie lol.
I start my college program Aug 14th... I'm glad you are making some DCP videos, it's getting me even more excited!
Good luck and ENJOY!
Working closing at Pecos Bill Cafe, during the Halloween and Christmas parties... getting to watch/listen to the Parades and Fireworks shows for free. Loved that perk the most...
I loved this video! It's all so true. I loved being a Cast Member and I miss working there every day. It was hard work, but everything you guys said made it absolutely worth it. Plus, ya know, you get into the parks for free. That in and of itself is a HUGE perk and one that I definitely utilized on a weekly basis.
Craig, I can really identify re. the empty park/nobody around moments. I've never been a Disney cast member, but I've worked in various capacities in the movie biz here in "Hollywood" and one of my first jobs was as a grip on the "night shift" at Universal, and being there walking the backlot streets without the tour trams going by, choosing where to take your "lunch" break--Europe, Five Points, etc. etc. or sometime just up on the roof of the largest sound stage with your sandwich and drink and, yes, the QUIET with the city lights off in the distance but all the hustle-bustle of the studio shut down...priceless memories. Never had that kind of fun when I became a Director because I was too busy to take those breaks (smile.)
Magic Moments are priceless! I was lucky enough to receive one. I wrote a 5 page letter once I got home.
I think my favorite Magic Moment was when I was loading guests onto the Hogwarts Express I noticed a little girl was crying so to cheer her up i told her the gate was locked and i couldn't get it opened because my wand was broken I then took out my wand and I taught her how to unlock the gate she then took her wand out, I told her to say alohomora and give her wand a flick and the gate would unlock i then opened the gate and told her "well done young witch your magic is very good!" I didn't realize at that moment that I made her whole day her mom had told me that she was trying to do the wand experience but it wasn't working and she thought her wound was broken and when she was able to unlock the load gate she realized her wand wasn't broken that she just needed to try a little harder the funniest thing about it all was the little girl told me that my wand isn't broken I just need to practice my magic a little bit more. lol
As a former six flags employee just about everything mentioned is something that I can relate to. And yes walking through a empty theme park at night after close is quite the experience.
I remember those magic moment pins you were talking about!!! I had a girl come up to me and pass one on to me during one of my trips as a child and it was the sweetest thing and it definitely made my day.
Ryno's story about wanting to move to San Francisco then changing his mind after making friends at Disneyworld made me cry. We're so glad you stayed, Ryno! We love you ♥️
I'm just finding it funny that I'm finding your video pairs of "Bad Things About..." and "Good Things About..." in the order of bad first and then good second. It helps put the happy ending on the end of each topic being discussed.
Great video as always!
On our last trip just last month my daughter and I did the "after hours" event at magic kingdom and we got a little taste of the "feeling like you were getting away with something" when we were walking through Fantasyland towards the back of the Castle..and literally there was not another person in sight. I snapped a one of a kind picture of my daughter standing there with her arms in the air and the castle in the background and not a single other human being anywhere in view. Very cool experience.
Friends from the college program. That is the best thing by far. And not just because friends are fun in general. But college program people are such a fun and outgoing group.
Ryno, thank you for sharing that story.
Every time I'm there I tell myself, no way I'd work here. Cast members are always so nice and polite, even answering the same questions over and over and dealing with adults acting like 3yr olds.
Empty Streets of America was my favorite place! Also, those discounts though😍
I worked at EPCOT on the CP during the parks 25th anniversary and we all got to go a pretty awesome backstage party. They gave us a really cool bag of free stuff for cast members only. I was working that day and they HAD to give us an hour to attend the party in addition to our breaks.
Great show, enjoyed your story's.
Great video!!!
It was cool to hear about your magic moments, you should do a whole episode about them
I made a lot of friends working at Disney and I wouldn't change it for anything
I really enjoyed this video!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences!!
I used to work at Universal Studios at the Hogwarts Express I was part of the opening crew, one thing that was really amazing about that experience is being behind the scenes and seeing an entire world being built I was able to see the green Gots Bank being built and the dragon being placed on top of the bank I was able to see the train from start to finish being built and the magic and wonder in people's eyes when they first see a brand new ride for the first time, I also do agree that being in a park at night when there is nobody else there is a really cool experience that not many people get to have I can remember countless times getting off of work late from working Halloween Horror Nights and walking through the park at 3 or 4 in the morning and nobody is there except for one or two maintenance people maybe not as magical as Disney but still pretty cool.
great stories
I'd love to see all the behind the scenes stuff. My best memory at Disneyland was on the last day of ToT. The ride had a malfunction and I let the operator know about it. He set me off to the side and I got to see the ride from the operators perspective and then got to ride it a second time as well on it's last day.
We got to do rockin roller coaster with the lights on too when i did my college program... it was so creepy, especially because there was no music.
Woah! Craig's beard grew back quick ;)
Oh man, Ryno's story made me tear up.
I am a former cast member and I agree with Craig
Guys! We always get 50% off on Christmas! :)
And from what Craig said, I'll never forget when I recently won a Magic Backstage opportunity and I was able to walk into the Magic Kingdom 2 hours before guests showed up and you just got to look at the castle....with no guests. It's incredible.
I've been a Cast Member for almost a year now and it's the best experience of your life! :D
does anyone have any videos of cast member interactions at mermaid ride at dca? I worked there from 15 to late 16 and am trying to find any footage of me. any help is greatly appreciated.
Do you guys have a radio talk show?
as a cast member, how much could you walk around back stage on your days off?
*Question for DIS Unplugged*
So are cast members supposed to give out fast passes to those who are nice / talk with the cast members? My sister and I went this last week and we would always meet new people that were cast members and then when we were about to leave, they would usually give us fast passes, (in Epcot, Germany they gave us carmel corn) Also just with short conversations with those who work the rides would sometimes let us go again or jet to the front. Is there a specific policy, are they allowed to do that, and isn't that just the nicest thing in the world?
I have been down in the utilidors, and I thought that we didn't see the whole thing. It kind of reminded me of my Grandparent's basement.
What can we do on our upcoming trip to create a "Magical Moment" for a cast member? We appreciate everything and all our experiences and would love to do something for them?
Going to guest relations and telling them about your good experience with the cast member is an awesome way to show your thanks! Also, a couple of my CM friends have received little business card sized pieces of paper that say thanks from the "___" family and they say it always makes their day. You don't have to do anything super special, sometimes its the little things that count
One time our kids all made pins that said "thank you for making me feel special." They wore one every day and gave them to cast members and other guests.
Something that guests have done that's a Magical Moment for me:
I've gotten little cards that have saying that reads "Thank you for all that you do" (something like that) and it's the names of everyone in the family and where they are from.
I've gotten 2 of those in my Disney Career and I have them hung up. I always look to those for inspiration. They really mean a LOT to us.
tell more stories from the times you were cast members!
I saw u at Disney Ryno
The amazing cast members are what causes us to continue to pay Disney prices. Despite more blips in that than there used to be - and some way less than magical cast members - overall Disney still does it better than other parks. Although - I will say Universal is starting to get that and is making adjustments.
Hot as balls, Ryno. Florida is hot as balls! Lol
Walking through with lights on doesn't spoil the magic for future rides then?
Why don't you guys put these on iTunes? Would be great if I could download audio.
I love you three guys, Can't really stand that pete guy.
XDDDDDDD
He's a Jersy dude, you must understand
In your experienced opinions... is working at Disney something that someone nearing 40 can do?
Main guy has focus on mic and not him. Really annoying to me