Does Disneyland ever close?

[Iggipolka]

It seems like DL is open every day of the year, including holidays. Does it ever close? I feel sorry for the CM's that have to work on the holidays while the rest of us are enjoying a vacation at the parks!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

As a former cast member I can tell you that Disneyland is open 365 days a year. The last time it was closed was the day before the "Happiest celebration on Earth" unveiling, and before that was 9/11/01. It can be a bummer working the holidays (I worked 2 Thanksgivings, 2 Christmases, and 2 New Years Eves in a row. However, it isn't all that bad. You usually start either really early (and get off at a decent hour) or really late (you have 1/2 day with your family. plus, the mood and guests are usually very festive and Happy. In addition, we always got special cast member only pins, as well as free holiday meals. So, don't feel TOO badly for us. It is sorta a bummer, but not as bad as you'd think. Plus, seeing the HUGE firework show on New Years Eve is worth working every holiday imaginable!

 

[dwelty]

I am a former cast member, and years ago it used to close on tuesdays in the off season. This changed several years ago and now it's open every day of the year.

Regarding working on holidays, They tell you that this will be required before you sign the new hire paperwork. In addition (at least during the time I worked there, you got paid double time for working holidays).

It was a blast working there even during holidays.

 

[Albort]

why former!!! WHY!!!

i work there now its fun! I love it... also love the benefits

and yes, it was closed on 9/11... they had someone take pictures of it and record it... it was soooo empty...

 

[Disney Dreams]

As a former Disneyland cast member, I too worked many a holiday. I even volunteered to do so sometimes - let's not forget the extra pay for working a "holiday." And as someone else has posted, you didn't get stuck working the entire day. Sometimes, family would just come down and join me at the park after work - what better way to spend Easter afternoon?

 

[Judy from Boise]

As someone who is in charge of staffing a hospital full of Nurses 24/7/365......lots of people have to work holidays

 

[Albort]

hey, where did you guys work at?

 

[Iggipolka]

As someone who is in charge of staffing a hospital full of Nurses 24/7/365......lots of people have to work holidays

I work at a Psychiatric Day Treatment facility and we are open 365 as well. It just seems different to me to work at a medical clinic or as a police officer or other vital organization on a holiday, than to work at DL. Now..don't get me wrong, I'm THRILLED that DL is open 365, but I still feel sorry for the CM. I'm glad to hear that they do get time with their families on holidays too.

 

[Brina78]

I remember hearing DL and DCA close on 9/11. My friend was visiting from Australia and was staying at the Jolly Roger during that time. My family and I came up on 9/8 to spend the day with her just at DL. To think that DL would be the last place we spent time at before the world fell apart. My friend cancelled all of her tours (or the tours were cancelled, either way) and stayed in her hotel room glued to the TV. We're only 80 miles south and almost wanted to come pick her up, but she said she'd be okay.

But, yeah, working holidays is tough when you've got family that gets the time off. Many of my family members have office jobs and get weekends/holidays off. I'm in retail and worked Thanksgiving last year. I also got paid triple, and I wasn't complaining! It probably is more of a hectic time for the CM's, but like Ltl Mermaid said, you can see the New Year's Eve fireworks! I saw them once and they are truly awesome!

 

[MateasMom]

As someone who is in charge of staffing a hospital full of Nurses 24/7/365......lots of people have to work holidays

Yep. My DH works for the DWP and works his shift regardless of what holiday it is. That means Christmas mornings without Daddy, Thanksgiving dinner without Daddy. We work around it. It just comes with the career he's chosen and we knew that going into it. I don't mind the 'real' holdays so much because it means extra pay but I do get bummed out on nights like Halloween when he's working and the kids and I have to celebrate without Dad (who works swing shift that day) and there's no extra money as consolation

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

Yeah, I agree that the extra pay helps take the edge off, but it was more the atmosphere I enjoyed. I do miss working there, it was definitely my favorite "part time" job I ever had, and the benefits were amazing. i was able to take many trips to WDW and stay at some of the nicest hotels, and go on Disney Cruises as well. This was due to the awesome discount given to cast members. I worked at the Blue Bayou Restaurant as a hostess and then a busser. If I had stayed another year or so I would have been made a server. However, I graduated college and decided to go for a higher paying sales job for a different large company. I LOVE my job, but I miss the magic a lot. That is why I go to WDW, DL, and on DCL SOOOO much!