Disneyland is flooded by hundreds of costumed protesters

If you thought you could visit Disneyland today for a fun family outing, you’re wrong: The entrance to the Happiest Place on Earth is currently surrounded by hundreds of Disney union workers showing their strength for the upcoming park strike.

Disney employees rally in the park

About 400 members of unions representing Disney workers are protesting in costumes outside the Disneyland Resort as part of a rally in support of a strike vote against unfair labor practices, the results of which will be announced to the public on July 20. In addition to costumed protesters who work at Disneyland, Disney Downtown and California Adventure, the crowd reportedly includes community supporters and elected officials from various unions.

A statement from the bargaining committee “Disney Workers Rising” said:

Employees of Disney’s largest bargaining unit in California – representing a wide range of occupations from janitors and ride operators to candy makers and merchandise sellers – began negotiations with the company on April 24, 2024, fighting for fair wages, fair attendance policies, higher seniority pay and safe parks for cast members and guests.

In June, Disney cast members announced that they had filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against Disney on behalf of 14,000 employees at the resort, alleging that union members were unlawfully disciplined, intimidated and surveilled for exercising their right to wear union badges at work. The charges relate to over 675 cast members who the unions say were intimidated, surveilled and disciplined for wearing union badges in support of their collective bargaining campaign. The charges are currently under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board.

Related: Mickey Mouse and Cinderella push for official unionization over unfair pay and dangerous living conditions

Although Disneyland bills itself as the “happiest place on earth,” the reality for park employees is largely one of economic hardship. According to one survey, 73% of the employees who make those profits possible say they don’t make enough money to cover basic expenses each month. A separate survey of employees this year found that:
Almost three in ten actors (28%) report food shortages
64% of performers are “rent burdened” or spend more than half of their monthly salary on rent
33% of actors were affected by housing insecurity in the past year
42% of cast members had to miss work for medical treatment because they did not have enough sick leave

The contract for Disneyland Cast Members expires on June 16, 2024. The contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney Cast Members expires on September 30, 2024.

The actors comment

Negotiations between the Walt Disney Company and anti-union activists have reportedly not gone well. According to an exclusive interview by Inside the Magic with a longtime Disneyland employee, the company has repeatedly harassed and intimidated workers who dare to join a union, which has led to this new strike threat. A rally like the one underway is likely intended to amplify the workers’ plight in the public eye; as one employee told us, “I would like our employees to be able to do their jobs without knowing that management is standing around the corner, watching them and listening to them, and not following them around on their breaks…You know, all of these are things that our employees, our employees, have to deal with. And that’s what we’re bringing to light with this strike vote.”

Related: Disneyland unionization leads to attraction closures: 2,000 cast members prepare for major protests

It can’t be a coincidence that the Disney union’s protest rally in front of Disneyland is taking place today, on the 69th anniversary of the park’s opening in 1955. At the very least, it is a deliberate dig at Disneyland management that the happiest place on earth simply doesn’t work without its employees.

If the union does indeed vote to strike against unfair labor practices, it would mean thousands of employees at Disney’s California parks would refuse to work, likely leading to the closure of one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Disneyland (along with its associated hotels, restaurants, and shops) is a huge part of California’s economy, meaning billions of dollars could be at stake depending on how long a strike might last.

Inside the Magic will continue to cover this ongoing strike.

What do you think about these protests by Disney employees?