Credit: DisneyIn the wake of the recent pandemic, the Walt Disney World Resort, similar to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, remains closed. However, as the fate of the company’s employees’ jobs remain uncertain, some of Disney World’s Cast Members are remaining hopeful and have even banned together on social media to spread good faith in a series of kindhearted posts–and their unity is inspiring.
Last Friday, the Walt Disney Company officially announced that Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris would all remain closed “until further notice.” As part of this announcement, the company also stated they would continue to pay its employees working at all of their parks until April 18. Additionally, Disney also revealed their top execs, including the company’s CEO Bob Chapek, would all take pay cuts to help continue the company’s ability to pay Disney employees–all of which, has Cast Members thankful.
So thankful that cast members have been sharing the image below featuring Disney World employee name tags with the words “Thankful,” “Brave,” and “Hopeful.”
In the Instagram post below, user smith_chloea includes in her caption, “I am proud to be a #disneycastmember✨.”
Other posts utilizing the image of Cast Member name tags include a quote in their captions from the President of Walt Disney World, Josh D’Amaro, who according to tweets online, sent out an inspiring letter to Cast Members last night. Specifically, the heartwarming line from this letter buzzing around the web reads: “We Are The Cast Members of the Walt Disney World. We are the heart and soul of this special place. We are a family. We are… the Magic.”
Touching words we needed right now. “We are the Cast Members of the Walt Disney World Resort. We are the heart and soul of this special place. We are a family. We are … the magic.” Josh D’Amaro, President of Walt Disney World #WeAreTheMagic #ThankyouJosh ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TzRpyoEW28
— Amira M (@AmiraMills3) March 31, 2020
We are the Cast Members of the Walt Disney World Resort. We are the heart and soul of this special place. We are a family. We are … the magic. -Josh D’Amaro, President of Walt Disney World pic.twitter.com/YoHeNUVs9L
— Chris Oliveira (@oliveirach) March 31, 2020
This quote was also posted by other Cast Members who shared images of themselves and their coworkers while working on property or while hanging with friends, and the pictures are all enchanting.
“We are the Cast Members of the Walt Disney World Resort. We are the heart and soul of this special place. We are a family. We are the magic.” ✨ pic.twitter.com/v1WuBQFSzc
— Kate (@KateElliott41) March 31, 2020
We are the Cast Members of the Walt Disney World Resort. We are the heart and soul of this special place. We are a family. We are … the magic.
When the time is right, we’ll rise up … proudly put those name tags back on … and get back to making our special Disney magic. ✨ pic.twitter.com/E2lPsiljD0— magical morgan ✨ (@morganofdisney) March 31, 2020
Cast Members and Disney fans alike have also taken this time to thank Bob Iger and Bob Chapek for doing their part to maintain the livelihood of the many Disney employees who work for the company around the world.
Idc what these cast members saying bog iger & Disney execs doing something right for once. Pr stunt or not we still getting paid ?♂️
— Koro-Sensei (@Ceballosaraus) March 30, 2020
I personally want to say thank you to @RobertIger, Bob Chapek, and many other Disney executives throughout @Disney . This was purely a choice for them, a choice that will surely keep the Company strong, and a choice that is very much appreciated by all employees and cast members
— Tyler L. Landgraf (@tylandgraf) March 30, 2020
Very proud of The Walt Disney Company for choosing to lower executive’s pay to continue to pay the staff and cast members beneath them. This is what leadership is! #Disney
— Derek Vos (@DerekVos) March 31, 2020
Thank you to those Disney Executives who are taking a pay cut to continue to take care of its Cast Members.
— Robert ? (@aguadepina) March 30, 2020
At this time, it is not known when the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris Resorts will reopen in their full capacities as new federally mandated social-distancing regulations have been extended until April 30 in the U.S. Additionally, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts have ceased all new bookings for hotel stays until June 1.