Former Disneyland Security Cast Member tells all about his experiences at 'The Happiest Place on Earth'
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| A former Disneyland employee dishes on why he thinks Disneyland blows, literally, in a tell-all Q&A forum with users on Reddit's IAmA segment on June 25 |
A few days ago, a former Disneyland security officer, who did not reveal his name out of fear of being sued by Disney's lawyers, went on Reddit on their IAmA Q&A forum to candidly and anonymously answer many uncensored questions from the public about his many experiences working for Mickey Mouse.
By doing that, he committed the ultimate act of heresy by pulling back the curtains on what really goes on behind the scenes at "The Happiest Place on Earth," and revealed what he truly thinks about the House of Mouse.
What he leaked out confirmed what many people have already known for years: Disney tries to intimidate all its lowly employees with a frivolous nondisclosure agreement (NDA) in its employment contract, which forbids anyone from talking publicly about anything they see or sharing their experiences working for the worldwide multi-national entertainment and media company.
Apparently, anything negative leaked about the company from former Cast Members, operating partners, or contractors may be actionable in a court of law by the company, despite the fact that former cast members are not compensated one penny for their involuntary cooperation and silence in keeping anything adverse that happens behind the scenes a secret.
Needless to say, not everything this cast member revealed or said about Mickey Mouse was pretty nor all that flattering about the House of Mouse.
Here are some of the uncensored things the former Disneyland Security Cast Member had to say about what he saw behind-the-scenes while working for the corporate mouse:
"I worked at Disneyland for 4 years as Security and Loss Prevention," he gives as his background. "I didn't a variety of roles while there [sic]. There was some interest a few days ago and I am no longer under an NDA [non-disclosure agreement], so ask away!"
Sex in the Park
A: People have sex there all the time. ALL THE TIME. On rides, in the parking structure. When they get caught they get escorted out...unless they are understand [sic] then we legally have to call parents. That one is fun.
Q: Could you tell some stories about it?
A: Usually kids (I say kids meaning 16 year olds) like fucking in cars. Problem is that parking garage is filled with cameras. Best one we saw it happening so we sent someone to look in the car to make sure and yup, they are going at it.
Get them dressed and out of the car and she's 16 and he's 17. Call up the parents and the girl is in tears cause mom and dad don't want her seeing this guy. Nothing I can do.
Then there was the couple we saw on haunted Mansion. Girl was blowing this guy. Asked to stop twice over the speaker and didn't. So when we pull them out of the exit I said, "Hi folks, do you know why I am talking to you?" The girl goes "We didn't do anything and you can't prove it." The guy smiles and says "Yeah we did."
Q: What does "all the time" mean? Would you catch this consistently several times a day, everyday, or every week, or what?
A: 1-2 times a day average. Some sort of shut [sic] goes down on a ride or somewhere in the park.Q: I saw where you said you get lots of people have sex and have to escort them out or call parents...
Do you actually see them hooking up like through the cameras? And if yes, what are some of the weirdest things you've seen?
A: Oh yeah we see them. Sex on pirates and mansion is really common. Nothing too weird just people hooking up.
Q: Are you still taking questions? If yes then what was your worst experience?
A: There was an incident with a minor and an adult. I won't say anymore because I think it's still on going trial. That was difficult to handle.
Q: Did you find anyone...procreating in the park?
A: I answered this above. Yes. Often. In many different places.
Security Issues
Q: Strollers everywhere and most have bags of stuff in or on them (personal and otherwise). How does Disney help guests keep their own belongings safe when they need to leave it to go on rides or watch their kids?
A: We advise you not to leave your stuff on a stroller. Realistically if you leave a $500 camera on a stroller you are asking for it. Don't leave anything on your bag. Shitty people exist everywhere.
Q: How does Disney balance the need to maintain a "magical" experience in challenging situations?
I have went there a few times and at a park system that large you would think there would be issues with removing rowdy/drunk/belligerent guests, accusing/preventing people of theft, removing people from the parks who have been banned previously, etc...
In many settings that results in people throwing fits, but Disney seems to handle the "customer service" aspect of challenging situations well even in hot crowded parks that serve alcohol.
So, can you help me understand?
A: I get told a lot that people never see security and that's one of the goals. Unless it's a safety issue there's never more than 2 security escorting drunks out. We use Undercovers to catch shoplifters and bring them backstage before accusing or searching them.
Even when we talk to people who are drunk, it's as few of us as possible, not only to keep it as unembarrassing as possible but also to make it low-key. We don't want to interrupt your experience by dealing with another guest.
Even when we talk to people who are drunk, it's as few of us as possible, not only to keep it as unembarrassing as possible but also to make it low-key. We don't want to interrupt your experience by dealing with another guest.
Q: So the drunk people and potential thieves just walk off calmly?
Does Disney pay an unusually high amount for unusually competent security staff?
Those are good policies to have, but they seem pretty normal.
A: Thieves are brought backstage. If they have merch they are arrested. We have a police sub station on property. Drunks are escorted off property. If they are that drunk we don't let them go to their car and tell them to come back after 2-4 hours.
That's cute. Most of security is former law enforcement, or kids. They don't pay well, which is why I quit. I loved the work but the pay is crap.
Q: I find that interesting.
If I had stolen something and was asked to go backstage I think the chances I would calmly comply would be pretty low.
A: That's why we have police on property. Honestly, where are you going to go? You park on property. Have to get your car eventually. Cameras everywhere, we can find you.
Q: A few questions if I can...
What is the hardest thing to catch park guests doing in your view?
Are there a lot of false positives, e.g. times where someone was presumed to have done something but it turned out they did not?
Who breaks the rules more, guests or employees?
Any issues with famous people but things were ignored because of the celebrity/fame?
A: Before the metal detectors, it was knives being brought in. Otherwise we catch a lot. People aren't as sneaky as they think.
Generally there aren't many false positives. We watch long enough to be sure. It's better to always get confirmation. If there is a false positive, we thank them and move on.
Passholders break the most rules. They seem to think that pass is a golden ticket. Club 33 members too.
I never dealt with celebrities too much, though if they pay enough money they can get the run of the place. Before it was closed, Kim and Kanye bought out the BBQ place so no one was allowed on that side of the park. Oh and we had a prince get the park to himself for 3 hours for photos once.
Q: What is the craziest situation you experienced on your job in Disneyland?
A: We had a kid, maybe 17, who was autistic start seizing. He was over 6 foot and 250 lbs. It took his family and 5 of us to hold him down until medics got there.
There was also kids who were doing and selling cocaine.
Q: Weirdest thing someone lost? Most valuable?
A: People lost pipes(crack and weed) a lot. Had someone say they had a $500 camera disappear.
Q: Were the nighttime rave parties in DCA (GlowFest, ElecTRONica, Mad T) difficult for the Security CMs to deal with?
A: Sometimes. Lots of belligerent drunks and underage drinkers. When we had a good team it was easy. I enjoyed it most nights; always fun catching people who think they smarter than you.
Q: How would you notice and catch a shoplifter with so many people and so few cast members?
A: People are stupid. They take multiple times. After the first time it gets called in so we are waiting by the second and catch them in the act. People aren't as sly as they think.
Q: Does one get arrested if you get caught sneaking in? what is the worst that happens? Also, what benefits do you have? My aunt worked for Disneyworld in Florida, and she let me and my girlfriend into the park for free 2 days in a row. I think she got a certain amount of buddy passes a year.
A: 16 times a year I could sign in up to 3 people. It depends on the situation; you are technically trespassing so yeah you can be arrested. But if you comply with instructions you'll just be escorted out. If you make a fuss or do your own thing, you'll be arrested. There's a recent video on YouTube (I'm not linking cause fuck him) where he CLAIMS he was just smoking and was hassled; he really jumped the gates and wouldn't comply with police (not security) instructions.
Working for Disney
A: Nothing that isn't ready know, unless you count how they treat employees like crap.
Q: Was it a good experience for a job? Like, was there any bad experiences?
A: It certainly helps raise your tolerance for dealing with self centered idiots. Yeah there were some bad experiences, mostly tied to how they run the place. I loved getting to be there and make magic but it just wasn't worth it in the end. It looks good on a resume though.
Q: How do they treat their employees at the happiest place on earth? Was it a good or bad work environment, and were the policies reasonable?
A: If you're in your early 20s, it isn't too bad. They don't like working with you for a second job or school but you can make it work. If you have any experience in the world (or are a veteran who served awhile) it can be hard. They only promote yes man ass kissers, which doesn't bode well for people like me. They pay isn't great; most cast members end up living 3-4 in a 2 bedroom to make ends meet.
In the slow season if you're not full time you might get 18 hours a week if you're lucky. Full time around 32. It's just not a job for adults with families. If you live with Mom and Dad, fine. If you're retired and need a get out of the house job, fine. Anything else, not worth it.
Policies we're...ok. Nothing really outrageous. Kind of like the military when it comes to appearances. Only in the last 5 years or so did they start to allow beards. No.visible tattoos allowed; they won't even hire you if it can't be covered up. Same goes for male piercings.
On Deaths in the Park
A: Your sources are full of shit. I've personally dealt with a few deaths on property. Accidents happen. So do deaths. It's just not your concern unless it's your family member so we handle it backstage.
Q: Could you please elaborate on the deaths you've seen or heard about at the park and how they were handled? Do they close off sections of the park when this happens?
A: I don't feel comfortable elaborating much; most of them were taken to backstage areas where Medics dealt with it. When the thunder mountain incident happened they closed that area down because of how bad it was. Usually if it's one person they get removed from public viewing; more for the families sake.
Q: The rumor came from the idea that Disney would have them delay the declaration of death until off-property, which is silly. (http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/declare.asp)
A: Yeah it's crap. As I said I saw some myself and they were declared dead before the left property. Plus, there was that time the guy got beheaded. With witnesses nearby. Hard to claim he died off property after that one.
Disney Owning the City of Anaheim
Q: I know many Orange County residents who believe that Disneyland runs Anaheim, including (to a point) Anaheim PD.
How much power do you feel Disney has over the city?
A: Massive pull. Disney owns Anaheim. They get stuff passed when it benefits them, they get huge tax breaks. I truly believe they can do anything because of the revenue they bring in.
Sources:
- Business Insider: A former Disneyland security employee reveals what it's really like to keep the peace at the happiest place on earth (6/28/17)
- PopSugar: A Former Disneyland Security Employee Reveals What It's Like Working at the Park (6/28/17)
- Reddit: IAmA former Disneyland Security/Loss Prevention. AMA! (6/25/17)
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