As a child, I was obsessed with anything Disney. I begged my parents to buy me toys and clothes (I got teased a lot because of my princess shirts). I had to have all their DVD movies. And when my dream of visiting Disneyland became a reality, I considered myself an expert on all things Disney. But when I grew up, I learned that the happiest place on Earth held its fair share of secrets. I’m not talking about finding the Hidden Mickeys all over the Park – I’m talking about the juicy stuff only former employees know about, like the underground tunnels that connect the whole Park, why the Disney characters won’t point their fingers as regular humans do, or why they won’t answer you when you ask for directions. Here’s a few juicy stuff I think you should know, straight from ex-employees themselves.
Communal Underwear, Anyone?
Imagine this: you come into work at Disneyland as your favorite character – let’s say Mickey Mouse. You report to the changing area day after day. First order of business: you get handed the costume that you’ll have to wear for an 8-hour shift along with Disney-issued underwear that other cast members had worn.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine wearing my brother’s boxers, let alone wearing underwear that someone other than my sibling had worn underneath a hot and stuffy costume for a whole shift. It doesn’t matter if they’re washed. The mere thought that you have to share underwear as part of your work uniform is crazy. Thankfully, this practice ended way back in 2001. But the idea of wearing communal underwear? Shudder!