Mickey Mouse, Darth Vader, Iron Man and other Disneyland character performers make more than their Walt Disney World counterparts in Florida where the cost of living and housing is much lower than California.
Disneyland’s 1,700 character and parade performers are seeking to unionize under the Actors’ Equity Association, which has represented Walt Disney World stage actors since 1990. Disney World characters in Florida have been represented by the Teamsters union for more than 40 years.
Disneyland character performers make 36% more than Disney World character performers.
Non-unionized Disneyland character performers make a base pay of $24.15 per hour with premiums up to $4.75 for some roles. Unionized Disney World character performers receive a base pay of $17.75 per hour with premiums up to $3.25.
Equity contends the coast-to-coast comparisons highlight the differences between the minimum wages and cost of living and housing in California and Florida for cast members, Disney parlance for employees.
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California’s minimum wage is $16 per hour with the hourly rate set to increase to $18 in 2025. Florida’s minimum wage is $12 per hour with the hourly rate set to increase to $13 in September.
The cost of living in Orange County is 44.5% higher than Orlando, according to the Payscale Cost of Living Calculator.
The median price of a home in Orange County ($1.1 million) and monthly rent ($3,523) is more than double the cost in Orlando for a home ($500,000) or rent ($1,520), according to Payscale.
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Equity’s goal would be to reach an agreement with Disney that includes annual wage increases for Disneyland characters and parade performers that keep pace with inflation similar to the agreements the union has negotiated for Disney World actors, according to Equity officials.
Actors’ Equity Association is collecting union authorization cards from Disneyland character and parade performers.
“We believe that our cast members deserve to have all the facts and the right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices,” according to Disneyland officials.