How Disneyland Cast Members Create Happiness

“The essence of good storytelling is all about evoking emotions in the audience.” This quote from Disney legend and former Imagineer John Hench has been read by Anthony countless times in his many years of facilitating Traditions, the uniquely-Disney training course that marks the starting point for each cast member’s journey.

Since his first day, Anthony has worked to embody these principles of storytelling, whether in the classroom or out in the parks. “I had a conversation with an Imagineer once,” he explains. “They said, ‘We can build a cool set, but without the cast, it’s just buildings. You give it the heart and soul; you bring it to life.’” For Anthony, bringing guests into the story of his attraction is the key to creating happiness for them.

For the last several years, Anthony has been found leading top-secret missions at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in Disney California Adventure park, where the villainous Collector has trapped the Guardians of the Galaxy in his warehouse.

Anthony takes pride in working in this highly immersive environment, explaining, “you get to find ways to play, not just with the guests, but with the entire building.” Anthony’s embodiment of storytelling coming to life draws guests in, as he recruits Terrans to the Collector’s cause (that is, if Rocket Racoon doesn’t get to them first!).

As a Walt Disney Legacy Award recipient in 2023, it’s no secret that Anthony has made a huge impact throughout the years. Most recently, a guest was so moved by Anthony’s immersive storytelling that they wrote a letter detailing their encounter with him, explaining that from the moment this family approached the attraction, Anthony brought the story of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! to life.

“His energy, passion, and commitment to the story made me feel like I wasn’t just at an amusement park — I was truly inside the adventure,” the guest shared. “He spoke to us as if we were part of the mission, making every word, every moment, feel real and exhilarating.”

The guest’s child also presented Anthony with a crystal – something they only share with those they truly connect with. Anthony now carries this crystal with him every day at work as a reminder of the best part of creating happiness – that it goes both ways.

Being able to tailor his interactions to each guest and connect with them individually is precisely why Anthony loves his role. “This is why I do this,” he admitted with a heartfelt smile.

If you find yourself inclined to visit the Collector’s fortress any time soon, be sure to drop in on Anthony. You never know what missions he’s recruiting for next.

“The first time I ever saw anything Disney was The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I must have been four or five years old,” Rachel recollected. “From that moment, I knew I wanted my whole life to be Disney.”

That first spark of magic ignited a lifelong love for storytelling. A visit to Disneyland park for her sixth birthday made the dream feel real, and by high school, Rachel’s curiosity had turned into passion. She began exploring the history of the parks and the creative world of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) — further motivating her pursuit of one day joining the company that brings imagination to life.

Today, that dream continues to unfold for Rachel at the Disneyland Resort, one brushstroke of water at a time.

Since joining the resort in April 2018 as a custodial cast member, Rachel beautifies the park pavement by bringing beloved Disney characters to life using water and a broom. Many of the custodial artists you’ve seen throughout your visits to Disneyland Resort were likely trained by Rachel herself.

Known for having the ability to paint more than 120 characters, she has since become a master of the craft. So much so that she even goes out of her way to bring new characters to the resort by experimenting in her sketchbook, practicing with water, and presenting the new character to her leaders.

A simple splash of water transforms into a favorite character, and with each stroke, excitement builds until the final reveal often times met with an eruption of cheers and applause.

Sometimes, she adds a fun fact about the character she draws. “I was drawing Piglet once, and it happened to be his birthday that day,” Rachel recalled with a smile. “I love sharing little character facts while I draw, it makes the interaction [with guests] feel more personal.”

For Rachel, every character that comes to life beneath her brush is a chance to create happiness. “During my time with Disney, I’ve learned that the best thing you can do is stay positive, stay humble, and have fun with what you do,” she smiled. With a fun tidbit, a friendly conversation, or a sweep of her broom, Rachel always finds a way to make someone’s day a little brighter.

“I always wanted to work on the Disneyland Railroad,” said Jeremiah. Growing up, he recalls a friendly cast member, who was a conductor on the Disneyland trains, asking him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Jeremiah’s response was always the same: “I want to be an engineer for the steam trains.”

Jeremiah held onto that childhood dream and in his pursuit, he joined the resort over three years ago, first working in custodial and Fantasyland attractions, before officially transitioning to the railroad team in April 2025.

For Jeremiah, working on the locomotives is not just a job, but a passion fueled by his admiration for Walt Disney and love of trains. “I’m fascinated by steam engineering, in the same way that Walt was,” he shared.

As a firer, Jeremiah maintains the pressure in the boiler by balancing the size of the fire and water levels to get it just right. Along with this balancing act, a firer and the elite crew of dedicated railroad cast members work together to maintain the integrity of the beloved attraction.

“My favorite part of my role is being able to say I get to help, in my own small way, continue the magical legacy of steam locomotion on Walt’s own railroad,” shared Jeremiah. “I do my utmost to treat his locomotives with respect, and being able to sit in the same seats that Walt sat in is such an honor.”

From a friendly wave and bell ring as the train pulls into the station, to a game of hide-and-seek with little ones, Jeremiah finds every opportunity to create happiness for guests.

“If there is a guest who shows a great zeal for the railroad, we try to give them a postcard of engine 2 E.P. Ripley,” said Jeremiah about the surprise-and-delight opportunity for locomotive-loving guests.  “These postcards are little mementos for guests to remember the wonders they got to experience on the Disneyland Railroad.”

It’s this desire to spread joy to others, no matter how big or small, that characterizes Jeremiah as someone who goes out of his way to create happiness for guests.

“I’m just channeling my experiences [as a child coming to the parks],” said Jeremiah. “It’s my time to return all the happiness that was made for me.”

Jeremiah’s favorite guest interactions are ones where guests remember him from his time in custodial or attractions and share their excitement for him in his new role. “They see me and say, ‘We’re so proud of you,’ because they know I’m in my happy place,” said Jeremiah.

Next time you see the Disneyland Railroad pull into a station and hear the familiar bell, look for Jeremiah at the front of the locomotive, with a friendly wave and smile.

Daniel’s Disney journey began with one dream: to bring happiness to others. For Daniel, becoming a cast member was about more than putting on a nametag — it was about making a difference. “I was inspired to become a cast member to bring joy and happiness to guests,” he smiled.

Daniel’s journey began at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, where one of his leaders first noticed his passion for making magic.

Taking note from Daniel’s playful personality, they gifted him a Mickey hat, which would become the first piece of his signature look. That Mickey hat soon led to a Mickey glove and bubble wand, and with each wave and bubble, Daniel would bring smiles to guests of all ages.

One of Daniel’s most cherished memories happened one day as he was greeting guests and was approached by a mother and her daughter, who was blind.

The mother kindly asked Daniel if her daughter could touch his Mickey glove. With a warm smile, Daniel extended his hand. The moment the young girls’ fingers brushed the oversized glove; her eyes filled with joyful tears. “She knew. She knew she was at Disneyland,” Daniel shared, with tears filling his eyes.

As Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel transformed into Pixar Place Hotel, Daniel’s magic-making accessories evolved too. Embracing the spirit of Pixar, his Mickey themed gear now paid tribute to characters like Sulley and Buzz Lightyear. While his props may have changed, his purpose remained the same: to bring joy and happiness to every guest.

Daniel credits his ability to create unforgettable moments to his leaders who saw a spark in him and fostered an environment that allowed his spark to flourish through meaningful guest interactions. “They allow me to express myself, and I love them for that,” Daniel says.

“When I first met Daniel, he was so full of life and energy. He’s a wonderful example of what a cast member should be,” shared Ron Silagyi, general manager of Pixar Place Hotel.

Daniel has been in his role for 10 years, and each day he comes to work, he feels at home. Disney is a place where he is celebrated for being himself, and his passion for making magic is nurtured. The wave of his bubble wand and warm welcome represent the true start of a guest’s stay at The Happiest Place on Earth.

Do you have a stay coming up at Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort? Be sure to spot Daniel and say hello!