Cast Members: Can they still accept small gifts?

[doctorintheTARDIS]

Hi All!

I've seen some differing answers to this question. We'd like to give a little "thank you card" as well as a hand sanitizer + piece of pre-wrapped candy in a ziplock bag to Cast Members when we visit the park in two weeks.

Due to COVID, can cast members still accept gifts from guests? We're obviously doing this to be kind but also don't want to have an uncomfortable exchange where they can't take it (and it's also understandable if they don't want it).

So we've been going back and forth on this. Hoping some that recently tried to do this or a cast member could weigh in

 

[Best Aunt]

This has been discussed before.

Some people will tell you that it's a lovely thing to do.

Other people will tell you that Cast Members have nowhere to put your little gift, and due to COVID they don't want your little gift (even if it is pre-wrapped). You have no idea if they can eat the candy, or if they have skin issues which prevent them from using the hand sanitizer you provide, so your little gift could actually be something they don't want.

 

[FastPasser.]

If it makes you feel better do it but as a CM for over two decades I graciously accepted gifts but later threw them away. For anything of value I followed the official Disney CM gift policy. For me, a sincere thank you was good enough. I was doing a job and got paid to do it. Gifts are a nice gesture but not expected or necessary. It varies slightly from CM to CM but that's what I did.

 

[FCDub]

Go to guest relations and give them a formal compliment. If someone handed me stuff while I was working, no matter how well-intentioned, it would go in the trash after they were out of sight.