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Credit: Inside the MagicA recent incident that brought an EPCOT cast member to tears at Disney World has gone viral on TikTok.
While the rides, shows, characters, and food play a big role, everyone knows that there’s no magic in Disney’s theme parks without the cast members. However, when guests are unruly, it’s usually these same workers who have to take the brunt of their frustration.
One such incident was captured in a video that’s recently made the rounds on social media.
The video—shared by @natali_travelplanner, who didn’t capture the initial footage but did provide commentary—shows a Walt Disney World Resort cast member arguing with an unseen guest on the other side of a parking toll booth at EPCOT.
Natali and other users reported that a guest acquired a MagicBand from an Annual Passholder, likely via Facebook Marketplace, and attempted to use it for free parking at EPCOT—a benefit reserved for Annual Passholders. It’s a classic workaround some guests use to hack the system and cut costs at Disney.
@natali_travelplanner A guest tried using someone else’s Magic Band to get free parking at Walt Disney World This video has been floating around the internet apparently someone purchased a magic band on Facebook Marketplace from an annual passholder and then they tried to use that Magic Band to get free parking, when they were entering Epcot the cast member noticed that the individual did not match the photo ID to the Magic Band or Annual Pass so they compensated the Magic Band. oO course the person went nuts, so a couple important reminders: Disney goes through great lengths to prevent theft from their product first and foremost once this magic band is linked to a profile it cannot be unlinked and linked to someone else’s so they are non transferable. Reselling them does nothing. second of all Disney does use fingerprint and photo technology to track you and your ticket usage to ensure that there’s no theft being used. When you scan into a park with your park ticket you also have to scan in your fingerprint to ensure that you are indeed the owner. And as annual passholders we too get photo ID to ensure that we are matched up to our annual pass ticket and we are not doing any sort of theft with that as. while it may seem that there are certain ways that you can get through the system I promise you Disney’s almost always one step ahead
When the guest presented the band, the EPCOT cast member followed standard protocol by checking the guest’s ID and scanning the band. When the guest’s ID failed to match that on the MagicBand’s account, the band was confiscated.
Unsurprisingly, the guest didn’t take it too well.
In the video, the guest can be seen insisting, “Give it to me” and arguing, “it’s not your property!” By the time the cast member turns around to deal with the guests in the adjacent car (from which the video was filmed), she’s been reduced to tears. A child in the car then tells the visibly upset cast member “woman, don’t give her it, while their adult companion says, “Be quiet, son.”
The comments were soon flooded with users sharing their sympathies for the cast member. As one user wrote, “Working in customer service ppl forget that we have feelings and we’re just doing our jobs to make ends meet for our families.”
Another added, “That poor cast member. I’ve been there – you’re alone, there’s no one to relieve you for even a second to compose yourself, you’re overworked, exhausted… ugh. People can be so awful.”
The common consensus was that guests speak to cast members like this all too often. “Former cast member here, you’d be surprised how many guests talk to us like this. Most of the time I’d be in my shift just thinking what am I doing here and I’ve gone home crying.”
Understanding Disney’s Security Measures
Non-Transferability of MagicBands
Disney has strict policies regarding the use of MagicBands. Once a MagicBand is linked to a specific guest’s account, it becomes non-transferable. This means that any attempt to resell or use a MagicBand by someone other than the original owner violates Disney’s rules. This policy is in place to protect both guests and the integrity of the park system.
Importance of ID Verification
The verification process involving the showing of an ID is a routine yet essential step that Disney cast members undertake. In this specific incident, the cast member diligently checked the ID presented against the MagicBand’s account details. When discrepancies arise, the established protocol is to address the situation and ensure compliance with Disney’s policies, which are designed to prevent fraud.
Fingerprint and Photo Technology in Use
In addition to ID checks, Disney employs advanced technologies, including fingerprint scanning and photo identification, to further secure guest accounts. These measures prevent misuse of tickets and MagicBands, ensuring that only the rightful owners enjoy the benefits tied to their accounts. Disney’s commitment to security is evident, reinforcing the importance of adhering to its guidelines for all visitors.
Do you think guests have become increasingly rude to Disney cast members?