Did you know, The Walt Disney Company has more than 160,000 U.S. employees across all 50 states? With Walt Disney World as the largest and most visited theme park destination in the world, more than 80,000 of those cast members are right here in Florida.
Not all of them can be found in our six parks or more than 25 resort hotels, though. From the Orlando International Airport to the Disney Central Reservations Center, let’s meet the cast members who make magic beyond the gates of Walt Disney World.
Meet Irene Wachira. Originally from Kenya, she had a dream to work at The Most Magical Place On Earth.
After completing a Disney International Program at Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom, she became an agent at Disney Central in Orlando, a Disney World reservation and call center.
Fun Fact: There is a second Disney Central in Tampa where even more cast members help guests plan their next Disney vacation.
“I’ve created a family here and built relationships with guests planning their next vacation,” Irene said.
As one of the first cast members a guest speaks to, she helps families build their perfect Walt Disney World stay.
“This can be someone’s first trip or their 100th trip,” she said. “I want to make their visit as magical and unique as it can be.”
Over at the Orlando International Airport, guests meet cast members like Holly Pettway. She’s a Merchandise Guest Experience Manager at the Magic of Disney store.
More than 30 years ago, she learned about the Disney College Program and has made Central Florida her home ever since.
“I feel fortunate to have worked for the same company for over half my life,” Holly said.
Holly has worked at multiple merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World but says Magic of Disney holds a special place in her heart.
At the airport, she’s often the first — or last — Disney cast member guests see when they visit Central Florida. And working at Magic of Disney, she has the opportunity to match fans with the perfect piece of Disney merchandise, so that they can take a piece of the magic home with them.
In fact, Disney is the No. 1 licensor of consumer products in the U.S., with about 500 American licensee companies touching every product category.
While visiting Orlando, guests may meet cast members like Vini Matheus at Disney’s Character Warehouse. This Orlando Premium Outlet store lets guests take home the Disney magic they might have missed at the parks.
Vini’s journey began in 2022 at Disney’s Character Warehouse in South Florida.
“If it wasn’t for the leaders and mentors I had, I don’t think I would be where I am today,” Vini said.
Today, Vini trains new cast members while encouraging them to take advantage of opportunities that come their way — doing for them what previous mentors did for him.
Some people may not know that there are “backstage” Disney World offices and buildings across the state – like the Costuming Storage Warehouse. Here, cast members like Yoanis Mendez produce and provide all of the resort’s operational cast costumes, including our Disney Cruise Line cast who also call Florida home.
Starting in 2019, Yoanis helped entertainment cast shine while performing at the Theater of the Stars. She now helps cast feel show-ready at every location across Walt Disney World.
“I may be a small piece in the big puzzle that helps cast get the costumes they need, but I know that makes a big impact,” Yoanis said. “It’s amazing to go into the park and see the cast smiling while wearing costumes I helped produce or deliver.”
For the latest roles available at and around Walt Disney World, visit DisneyCareers.com. And to learn more about how Disney creates jobs in Florida, visit DisneyFlorida.com.