I Was a Disney World Cast Member. These Are Things I NEVER Pay For in the Parks. | the disney food blog (2024)

When you work at Disney World, you go to the parks pretty frequently. You start to get a little bit ✨ jaded.✨ Or, maybe, your eyes are just opened to things that you never notice as a theme park guest.

Magic Kingdom

After working at Disney World, there are things that I never do anymore during my park day, but there are also things that I never BUY anymore. Working for Mickey Mouse really teaches you how to make every penny count, and you quickly learn what isn’t worth the purchase. We’re here to tell you about those things!

We’re not here to judge you for what you spend your money on. Nope, we’re just here to let you know that you might find better options elsewhere — and save a few dollars in the process.

Anything at Cosmic Ray’s

Yes, we’re here to talk about Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. As one of the most POPULAR dining locations in all of Disney World, a lot of the folks who visit are a bit shocked by how average the food is at this Magic Kingdom quick service spot.

1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger at Cosmic Ray’s

It’s fine. It’s okay. It’s whatever. It’s just overpriced for the quality of food, and you can totally get better American theme park fare at other places around Disney World. (Or McDonald’s.)

I was a Disney World Cast Member. Do NOT Order This at Cosmic Ray’s in Magic Kingdom

Balloons

The balloons that you can purchase from Cast Members at the Disney Parks (well, you can’t buy them at Animal Kingdom) are super cute until you’re carrying them around all day and it’s smacking you in the face any time the wind blows.

Balloons

Plus, Cast Members will make you keep the balloons at the ride entrance until you’re off the ride. A lot of the time, folks forget the balloons entirely and Cast Members have to take them to Lost and Found at the end of the night, where they usually end up discarded.

Main Street U.S.A.

Unless you have a baby and are attaching the balloon to a stroller, or it’s an exclusive balloon that you plan to deflate and frame as a keepsake, we recommend skipping out on these.

Click here to check out souvenirs we DO love!

Sunscreen and First Aid

Okay, if it’s an EMERGENCY, totally buy Disney World’s sunscreen and first aid. We’d just recommend avoiding it if you can! It’s a bit overpriced, and we find it much cheaper and easier to buy it beforehand or elsewhere. It’ll save you a couple of dollars and a trip to the gift shop.

Sunscreen in Disney Springs

If you need medical attention in a theme park, please talk to a Cast Member! They can point you in the right direction of where to buy certain things as well as help you find the First Aid building in the park.

I got food poisoning in Disney World. Here’s what happened!

Autograph Books

At the Disney World gift shops, you can snag all sorts of different autograph books for characters to sign as you meet them.

Mickey and Friends photo autograph book and pen

After working at Disney World and seeing all the creative ways folks have collected character autographs that AREN’T the books, we just don’t think we’ll purchase those ever again. (And if we do, we can find much cheaper options on Etsy or Amazon.)

Pluto giving his autograph

We’ve gotten picture frames signed, and have even seen folks bring in T-shirts and Stanley cups to get signed. The possibilities are endless with a little bit of creativity!

I was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m letting you in on a character secret.

Bottles of Water

We don’t have much to say about this one.

Dasani

Would you rather purchase a $4 bottle of Dasani water or have endless free ice water all day to refill your own bottle?

You can get water for free!

Yep, grab it for free from any quick service location.

Well, we hope that you now have a few extra ways to save some money while you’re at Disney World. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more Disney news, so follow along so that you’re always in the loop!

Looking for more Cast Member tips and secrets? Click here!

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What do YOUnever buy in the parks? Let us know in the comments!

I Was a Disney World Cast Member. These Are Things I NEVER Pay For in the Parks. | the disney food blog (2024)

FAQs

How much does being a Disney cast member pay? ›

$18 (Median Total Pay)

The estimated total pay range for a Cast Member at Walt Disney Company is $14–$21 per hour, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Cast Member base salary at Walt Disney Company is $18 per hour.

Do Disney cast members eat free? ›

There are backstage cafeterias, Subways, Starbucks, and restaurants that have “Cast Member windows” people can order from. Nothing is free at these locations. However, the cafeterias and Cast Member windows are considerably cheaper than their onstage counterparts.

Do Disney actors get free Disney plus? ›

Currently, salaried and hourly Disney Cast Members (what employees who work at Walt Disney World or Disneyland are called) can get the Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus ad-supported bundle for free as a perk of their employment.

Do Disney cast members get into the parks for free? ›

Complimentary theme park admission for full-time and part-time positions after two weeks of employment.

How much does Tinkerbell get paid? ›

It's rumored that Tink gets paid around $500 per flight across the Magic Kingdom's sky, which isn't bad for 30 seconds of work, if you ask us.

Is Tinkerbell the highest paid cast member at Disney? ›

As the highest-paid actor at Disney World, Tinker Bell takes home a staggering salary while spreading pixie dust throughout the park.

What are Disney cast members not allowed to say? ›

What three words can't Disney employees say? The three words that Disney employees are trained not to say are “I don't know.” “If a guest asks you a question, you always have to have an answer, no exceptions,” an anonymous former Cast Member shared online. “If you don't know it, find out, but don't say you don't know.

Do celebrities rent out Disney? ›

Do they rent the whole park out? No, generally they contact the amusem*nt park in advance and the amusem*nt park arranges a special escort to get them on the rides and to prevent them from being mobbed by crowds. Different amusem*nt parks have their own ways of doing things. Some celebrities just go incognito.

Do Disney employees get free passes for family? ›

For eligible active* Employees, Main Entrance Pass Guest Admissions and complimentary ticket distribution are determined by the number of eligible dependents for Company events and tickets claimed by each eligible Employee. » Eligible Employees receive a minimum of three (3) Main Entrance Pass Guest Admissions.

Do Disney cast members get Hulu for free? ›

Currently, salaried and hourly Disney Cast Members (what employees who work at Walt Disney World or Disneyland are called) can get the Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus ad-supported bundle for free as a perk of their employment.

Do retired Disney employees get free tickets? ›

Your two Complimentary Tickets will be delivered electronically once per year (Winter). There is a specific site for Disney Retirees at disneyretiree.com, and you can click on the Admission Privileges tab for additional information.

What are Disney employees called? ›

A cast member at Disneyland. A cast member (or CM) is a Disney employee that works at Disney Parks or at the Disney Store.

Can you hug Disney cast members? ›

There are no general rules against touching the cast members, beyond that of maintaining safety and common sense.

How much do Disney princesses make? ›

Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes and other character performers who work at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure make $24.15 per hour and an additional $4.75 per hour if they perform onstage, according to the Disney Auditions website.

How many complimentary tickets do Disney cast members get? ›

When a Cast Member has worked for Disney for at least 90 days, they will get a Main Gate Pass. This pass allows Cast Members three guests at a time using their Main Gate Pass, but the amount of times you can use this pass in a year varies.

Does Disney pay actors well? ›

How much does an Actor make at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in the United States? Average Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Actor hourly pay in the United States is approximately $17.51, which is 12% above the national average.

Who is the highest paid Disney employee? ›

The average The Walt Disney Company executive compensation is $215,930 a year. The Walt Disney Company's highest paid executives include: Alan N. Braverman $11,118,951, Christine Mary McCarthy $10,198,510, and Kevin A. Mayer $10,125,349.

How much do Disney princesses get paid? ›

Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes and other character performers who work at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure make $24.15 per hour and an additional $4.75 per hour if they perform onstage, according to the Disney Auditions website.

How much do Mickey Mouse actors get paid? ›

Character performers employed by the Disneyland Resort are paid $24.15 per hour and receive an additional $4.75 per hour if they perform on stage. The pay rates do not differ based on which character cast members are portrayed, no matter how popular they may be.

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