Your family just finished a spectacular Walt Disney World vacation! After a long but magical seven days, it is time to say goodbye to WDW and all the enchantment it brings. From the moment you passed beneath the train station and stepped onto Main Street, U.S.A. at the start of your adventure to your final moment waving goodbye to Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, you made memories to last a lifetime. And you only could have done it with the help of the thousands of Cast Members who spend their days ensuring your Disney vacation remains perfect.
Disney theme parks the world over are known for a lot of things. From great storytelling to breathtaking theming to delectable foods from around the world, one of the most unique aspects of a Disney parks vacation is the people who help keep it all operating seamlessly: the Cast Members.
You may be thinking that you know this. You KNOW that Cast Members are an integral part of the Disney magic. You will talk fondly for years about the server at Tusker House that made sure you had a chance to get a photo with both Daisy and Donald at the same time or the attractions cast member that pulled you from the line and let you get right onto Space Mountain because they saw it was your birthday, but how many memories do you have about the forgotten heroes of Walt Disney World: the custodial guest services Cast Members?
In this piece, we’ll delve into the often overlooked but vital role played by Custodial Cast Members in Disney theme parks and resorts.
A History of Cleanliness
If you have ever been to other smaller theme parks around the United States and even the world, you might have noticed a stark contrast between how well-kept Disney parks are, especially compared to most others. This attention to a clean and immersive atmosphere is primarily because of Walt Disney himself. When Walt first decided to create Disneyland, one of his goals was to have a park that guests of all ages would be happy to spend time in, and part of that involved keeping the parks aesthetic.
Before the creation of Disneyland, Walt visited a plethora of theme parks around the world with his two daughters, Diane and Sharon. After a visit to Coney Island with his girls, Walt was reportedly so unhappy with how dirty and rundown the park was that he made it his goal to create something better. When Walt’s wife, Lillian, questioned why he would want to create something as dirty as a theme park, Walt simply informed her that while others may be dirty, his theme park wouldn’t be.
It’s All Part of the Show
When a Cast Member is training to begin working in a Disney theme park, they have to take a course titled Traditions that teaches new cast members about the heritage and values of Disney. This program has roots dating back to the opening of Disneyland, when Walt himself had a hand in the onboarding program for new employees, now called Cast Members. One of the things taught during traditions is Disney’s high standards for its theme parks, including keeping the parks and resorts immaculate. This training instills in them a sense of duty to maintain the parks in pristine condition, even before guests notice any need for cleaning.
Preserving the Disney Magic
The high standards required within Disney theme parks the world over bring us back to the importance of the custodial cast at Disney parks. Custodial is a dirty job, and not for those who are easily grossed out, but it is one of the most essential roles in all of Disney Parks and Resorts. Not only are they quick to clean everything obvious, such as spilled popcorn or a dropped ice cream bar, but they also clean things before you even notice cleaning is needed. Benches get wiped down regularly to ensure nothing can damage guest clothing, trash cans get wiped down because you never know when somebody might require the top to serve as a makeshift table for festival guests, and every night, the streets of all the lands get hosed off, ensuring that the next day when guests enter the park at opening, it looks as pristine as if it was opening day.
These examples are just a few of the critical tasks done by the custodial guest services cast. But these individuals are more than just cleaners; they are working tirelessly to embody the spirit of Disney’s commitment to excellence and enchantment.
Beacons of Disney Knowledge
On top of all this vital work, the custodial cast are often some of the most knowledgeable Cast Members in any Disney theme park or resort and spend time finding new and innovative ways to entertain and create memories for guests. From the fantastic singing operatic cast member wiping down tables outside of Cheshire Café in Fantasyland to the artistic cast members painting classic Disney characters like Goofy on the streets of Epcot, you never know what incredible interactions are waiting for you with the custodial guest services cast.
Ask a custodial guest services Cast Member if you have questions about navigating a Disney park. These Cast Members clean their way through multiple lands daily, talking to guests and creating magic along the way. The frequent travel through all areas of the parks and resorts means that these Cast Members learn their way around the parks very quickly. If you are unsure where a specific restaurant may be hiding, ask a Disney Parks custodial Cast Member, and they can probably direct you. Do you want help spotting a pesky hidden Mickey that has been eluding you for your entire vacation? The custodial cast may be able to give you a hint on where to find it.
Thank The Cast Members
The role of the Custodial Guest Services Cast should never be taken for granted, as these individuals play an integral role in creating magical moments in Disney resorts around the planet. Next time you are in a Disney park or resort, thank these individuals for all they do. You may not even notice it happening, but their efforts, though often overlooked, ensure that each guest’s experience is nothing short of extraordinary. These unsung heroes keep the magic alive and remind us that even the smallest details can make Disney dreams a reality.