It’s All About Rules as a Disneyland Cast Member

Ever wondered why the Disney characters in full garb don’t talk?  It’s simple.  They aren’t allowed to!  Disneyland is run like a well oiled machine.  Very rarely does anything go significantly wrong with the way the park is run.  Anyone who is employed at Disneyland or California adventure, whether behind the scenes or on the front line are called “cast members”.  If you have the “honor” and “privilege” of being chosen as a character cast member, be careful what you wish for!  Those who are “real” characters, such as the Disney Princesses or Peter Pan are allowed to talk to their fans as long as they don’t break character.  If you put on a costume that covers you up entirely, like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck or Goofy, you can be as animated as you want with your body movements, but you are not allowed to talk.  The reason being is that the costumes are not able to have their mouths move and Disney characters have very distinct voices which are very hard to mimic, which if done wrong could mean the jig is up, breaking some children’s hearts.  Classes are taught for non-verbal characters to “talk with their hands”.  It may not be the most exciting job in the world, but when you see the faces of the adoring fans light up, it will all be worth it!