Disney Cast Members Race in Magic Kingdom Waters

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Tom Sawyer Island

Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney World Cast Members engaged in a very interesting event in the early hours of the Park.

walt disney world railroad
Credit: Disney

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Early yesterday morning, before any Guests made their way into the Magic Kingdom, Cast Members gathered for a very special event. This event is known as the Canoe Races of the World, or C.R.O.W. for short. This three-week-long event is comprised of 90 different teams made up of Cast Members.

The race takes place in the Rivers of America, the body of water Guests will most likely associate with Tom Sawyer’s Island or Big Thunder Mountain.

big thunder mountain disneyland
Credit: Disney

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Tuesday morning meant it was time for the finals, with qualifying teams racing to see who can make their way around Tom Sawyer Island the quickest. To prepare and get ready for this challenge, Cast Members practice and train, going through what’s called steerers’ clinics to learn the intricacies of canoes.

“We have teams in the off-season that will actually practice in their break rooms like lining up chairs and watching a video of the river,” cast activities coordinator Joe Vecciarelli told Spectrum News. This event has started decades ago at the Disneyland Resort in California.

Ellen Sawin, has been competing in this event for five years.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
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“My favorite thing is the people,” Sawin said. “Working for Walt Disney World Resort is unlike anything else, it’s just a really amazing cast, crew. And so coming out here, you know, who chooses to wake up at 4:30 in the morning before work or even after work for some people, and just have a good community event but also have a little healthy competition.”

This year’s competition is very special, marking the long-awaited return of C.R.O.W. after the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to it.

See a video of Cast Members in action shared by Journalist Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1):

Disney World cast members were up early Tuesday for the finals in the annual canoe races at Magic Kingdom. It’s a tradition that’s now in its 47th year.

More information can be found at mynews13.com.

Have you ever wanted to swim in the Magic Kingdom water?

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney District. Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!

At Magic Kingdom there is so much to see and do! Cinderella Castle is decked out for the 50th anniversary and soon Festival of Fantasy and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire will return. You can ride the three big mountains: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain, or calm things down on Peter Pan’s Flight. Rope drop the Park to get on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and then enjoy a mid-day snack with some Dole Whip. Be sure to meet Mickey Mouse and enjoy the firework show, Disney Enchantment! 

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