Disneyland Character and Parade Performers Officially Start Bargaining Process
Just months after Disneyland character performers voted to unionize, the group is now ready to sit down for its first contract negotiations.
As a quick recap, Disneyland Resort character and parade performers voted 953 to 258 to unionize and are now represented by the Actors’ Equity Organization.
“They say that Disneyland is ‘the place where dreams come true,’ and for the Disney Cast Members who have worked to organize a union, their dream came true today,” Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle said in a statement following the vote.
What Cast Members Are Seeking
Calling themselves Magic United, the character and parade performers are seeking improvements in safety, scheduling, and benefits, as well as a “living wage” that keeps up with the cost of living in California.
“Our hope is to keep moving forward in collaboration. We believe improving our collective working conditions will have a direct impact on not only Cast Members’ lives. But the caliber of entertainment we offer at Disneyland Resort,” Cast Members wrote in a letter to Disneyland’s Labor Relations.


Magic United
“We love the work we do. And we are proud to be a part of one of the greatest legacies in modern entertainment. Magic United invites The Walt Disney Company to voluntarily recognize our union and work with us to enhance an essential aspect of Walt Disney’s vision for his theme park – the transcendent magic of live entertainment.”
Negotiations Begin
Today, Magic United took to social media to announce they were officially starting negotiations with Disney on a new labor contract.
“Our bargaining team heads to the table for the first time today! Share your support as they meet our employers to begin negotiations for our first union contract!” they captioned the post.


Photo: Magic United on Instagram
After successfully organizing, Disney and Magic United’s negotiators will now need to reach an agreement. Hopefully,such a deal will be reached quickly.
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