In a historic move, the performers who bring beloved Disney characters to life at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, have voted overwhelmingly to unionize. The election, which concluded on Saturday, saw a resounding victory for the workers, with 953 votes in favor of unionization and only 258 against.
The newly formed union, represented by the prestigious Actors’ Equity Association, will encompass approximately 1,700 employees from the character and parade departments at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. These dedicated performers are responsible for delighting visitors through their portrayals of iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Elsa, and Chewbacca, as well as participating in the park’s daily parades.
The push for unionization gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, as performers raised concerns about health and safety issues, such as sharing costumes and engaging in physical contact with guests, including hugs from adoring children. Additionally, the rising cost of living in Southern California has made the base wages of $20 to $24.15 per hour insufficient for many workers.
Calling themselves “Magic United,” the organizers behind the unionization effort cited the need for higher wages, more reliable schedules, and better working conditions, particularly for parade performers who often struggle to secure full-time hours.
Mai Vo, a former Disneyland performer who worked her way through college portraying various Disney characters, expressed the sentiment shared by many of her colleagues: “It gets really hard to make magic when you’re burnt out.
While Disneyland acknowledged the right of its employees to vote confidentially, the company also noted that non-union workers receive annual raises and paid sick leave aligned with industry standards.
The successful unionization of Disneyland’s character and parade performers marks a significant milestone, as most other workers at the resort, including stage performers and hospitality staff in the hotels, are already represented by unions. Moreover, parade and character performers at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, have been unionized and represented by the Teamsters for decades.
As the curtain rises on this new chapter, the newly unionized Disneyland performers hope to make their voices heard and secure better working conditions, ensuring that the magic they bring to visitors is not compromised by burnout or financial strain.