Disneyland Performers Push to Unionize, Protesting Pay, Costume Injuries and ‘the Dungeon’

Disneyland Performers Push to Unionize, Protesting Pay, Costume Injuries and ‘the Dungeon’·The Wall Street Journal
Robbie Whelan
7 min read
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Mickey, Goofy and their friends at Disneyland are planning to join a union. Hundreds of Disneyland employees who perform in parades, high-five visitors and pose for photos while dressed as famous Disney characters—from Darth Vader to Princess Jasmine—have backed the creation of a new unit of the Actors’ Equity Association, a union that primarily represents theater actors and stage managers. Hourly workers receive annual wage increases, and base pay for parade and character performers rose from $20 to $24.15 per hour starting in January, she said.

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