POLL: Disney World, union can't agree: Are Festival of Fantasy 'girls' dancers or performers?

Are Festival of Fantasy 'girls' dancers or just performers?

  • Dancers. The Festival of Fantasy 'girls' deserve a .50 pay increase.

    Votes: 37 63.8%

  • Performers. The FoF 'girls' are just stylized walkers and should not receive a .50 pay increase.

    Votes: 15 25.9%

  • Other.

    Votes: 6 10.3%
  • Total voters
    58
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
Wasn't there a whole set of rules posted once that performers have to abide by lest they be deemed (more expensive) dancers? Such as, not kicking their feet higher than their knee.

Ever since I read it I understood so much better the movements and dances of parade folk and the like. I always thought their somewhat weird movements were something traditionally Disney, or maybe American. But no, it is decided by the limitations set by the category of performance, dancer or not.
 
NearTheEars

NearTheEars

Well-Known Member
raven

raven

Well-Known Member
NearTheEars said:
When you strip the story down to its basis (a union dispute with Disney over wages) it sounds like one of the more newsy topics posted here recently.
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A $.50 pay raise for stylized walkers gets it own thread but $9/hr CMs who work in extremely dangerous conditions doing hard labor for their entire 8-hour shift struggle to get an extra $.20 after several years of service doesn't even get mentioned?

There are hundreds of other roles at Disney that deserve higher wages but no one bats an eye.
 
Tim Lohr

Tim Lohr

Well-Known Member
Siren said:
OS: Disney World, union can't agree: Are Festival of Fantasy 'girls' dancers or performers?
2lvfmef.jpg


The colorful Cha Cha Bingo Girls and Bubble Girls entertain throngs of visitors watching the Magic Kingdom's Festival of Fantasy parade.

They strut. They twirl. They kick.

But are they dancers?

That's the debate right now between Walt Disney World and the union that represents the resort's performers. The Teamsters Local 385 says it wants the women who accompany Mickey, Minnie and other characters to get "mover pay" – 50 cents an hour extra – that's typically given to parade dancers.

"They are doing intricate footwork," Teamsters business agent Donna-Lynne Dalton said. "They have to be a skilled dancer in order to do this."

The case has gone to arbitration, and Disney does not comment on cases in that process.

The company, according to Dalton, argues the women are simply parade performers who don't qualify for the extra compensation.

"The company's stated what they were doing was stylized walking," Dalton said.

The Festival of Fantasy parade debuted in 2014. It features a steampunk fire-breathing dragon, Mickey and Minnie in a hot-air balloon, and a "Little Mermaid" scene on a music box.

The Cha Cha Bingo Girls and Bubble Girls add to the spectacle with their poufy blue wigs, candy cane striped dresses, and costumes stuffed with balloons. They move to the beat of classics such as the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme and "When You Wish Upon a Star."

Other performers who receive the increased "mover pay" include the Festival of Fantasy's "Swan Court" women in billowy dresses who surround the Beauty and the Beast float. Dancers who accompany the flag float in the Main Street Electrical Parade also get the extra pay, Dalton said.

Dalton said the performers were not available for interviews.
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Since they're called "Cha Cha" girls and Cha Cha is a type of "Dancing" then I think right off the bat they should probably get the dancer pay. There's only so much moving you can do in those outfits, but you need to be a dancer, and have a dancer's body, and have a certain amount of dance training, to do that parade strut that they do, any middle aged fat guy can put on a Goofy costume and walk through the park once a day

So the issue is then that can't Disney afford a 50 cent an hour pay raise, to a half dozen or so people in a parade that runs for 30 minutes a day? that's like less than a $1000 a year for them... Maybe this year's season ABC/Disney's show Dancing with the Star should be nothing but asking the contestants to where these girls parade outfits and do that little dance for half an our everyday and see how many off them are willing, and able, to do it
 
NearTheEars

NearTheEars

Well-Known Member
raven said:
A $.50 pay raise for stylized walkers gets it own thread but $9/hr CMs who work in extremely dangerous conditions doing hard labor for their entire 8-hour shift struggle to get an extra $.20 after several years of service doesn't even get mentioned?

There are hundreds of other roles at Disney that deserve higher wages but no one bats an eye.
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CM wages have been discussed at length numerous times here. Especially during their last fight for higher wages.

This is the most recent dispute. Does it not deserve to be talked about? .50 can be a big deal in some people's lives.
 
raven

raven

Well-Known Member
NearTheEars said:
CM wages have been discussed at length numerous times here. Especially during their last fight for higher wages.

This is the most recent dispute. Does it not deserve to be talked about? .50 can be a big deal in some people's lives.
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I agree. It's just this is a fairly new parade (2 years) and someone is already discussing a raise for people in a fairly simple role seems a bit much. $.50 doesn't sound like much but there are thousands of CMs doing more difficult roles in other places who will never see that kind of raise.
 
gobstoper27

gobstoper27

Well-Known Member
Siren said:
Hi @marni1971! I'm really glad that you're here and decided to chime in. So, what do you think? Dancers or performers? You know that your opinion means the world to me.

And, how is this not legitimate news? Actually, I was surprised that this wasn't posted here already. Anyway, I've seen news about Disney and the workers union on here before -- time and time again. There was a huge discussion on costume changes or something like that.

Good morning, @The Mom - if this is not appropriate news for this forum please move or delete. Thank you.
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The Thread Police are out today
 
NearTheEars

NearTheEars

Well-Known Member
raven said:
I agree. It's just this is a fairly new parade (2 years) and someone is already discussing a raise for people in a fairly simple role seems a bit much. $.50 doesn't sound like much but there are thousands of CMs doing more difficult roles in other places who will never see that kind of raise.
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You are correct. All CMs are definitely not equal. Kind of like how a Jungle Cruise Skipper gets paid the same as the person that tells you to be quiet at the Hall of Presidents.

But Disney hasn't budged.

ETA: Anyway, I think new or old, parade or not, discussing CMs low wages is always newsworthy.
 
raven

raven

Well-Known Member
NearTheEars said:
Anyway, I think new or old, parade or not, discussing CMs low wages is always newsworthy.
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Especially with the prices they charge for everything now, upcharges and even more ticketed events. You'd think there would be a little wiggle room to compensate their front line CMs who have to deal with all the added stuff first hard. Sadly though, it seems the upper crust keeps it.
 
ford91exploder

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
tl77 said:
Since they're called "Cha Cha" girls and Cha Cha is a type of "Dancing" then I think right off the bat they should probably get the dancer pay. There's only so much moving you can do in those outfits, but you need to be a dancer, and have a dancer's body, and have a certain amount of dance training, to do that parade strut that they do, any middle aged fat guy can put on a Goofy costume and walk through the park once a day

So the issue is then that can't Disney afford a 50 cent an hour pay raise, to a half dozen or so people in a parade that runs for 30 minutes a day? that's like less than a $1000 a year for them... Maybe this year's season ABC/Disney's show Dancing with the Star should be nothing but asking the contestants to where these girls parade outfits and do that little dance for half an our everyday and see how many off them are willing, and able, to do it
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[/SARC]
That $1000 is TEN or ELEVEN shares of stock Disney could repurchase instead of wasting it on paying the people who make the magic
[/SARCOFF]
 
asianway

asianway

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said:
Wasn't there a whole set of rules posted once that performers have to abide by lest they be deemed (more expensive) dancers? Such as, not kicking their feet higher than their knee.

Ever since I read it I understood so much better the movements and dances of parade folk and the like. I always thought their somewhat weird movements were something traditionally Disney, or maybe American. But no, it is decided by the limitations set by the category of performance, dancer or not.
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There are apparently now 3 classes.

1.) Equity dancers. These are the ones that kicks, leaps, lifts, etc. They are used in the castle show and B&B among other places
2.) Movers. Not equity - this covers anyone in the parade who is doing choreography or what most rational humans would consider dancing. These could be characters or groups of costumed support. Apparently, this is being confused with:
3.) Stylized Walkers(or nothing).

This is a true scumbag move but not surprising considering the head of MK parades allegedly prides herself on "cutting" costs.
 
S

Siren

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
wm49rs said:
Then why bring it up, or ignore the other thread you started in News & Rumors that's still there? Either way, both you and TWDC will survive....
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I'm not ignoring that thread. I'm going to post there right now and maybe in a few more threads before I call it an evening. I could use a sabbatical anyway. So, how long can you manage without me?
 
S

Siren

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
tl77 said:
Since they're called "Cha Cha" girls and Cha Cha is a type of "Dancing" then I think right off the bat they should probably get the dancer pay. There's only so much moving you can do in those outfits, but you need to be a dancer, and have a dancer's body, and have a certain amount of dance training, to do that parade strut that they do, any middle aged fat guy can put on a Goofy costume and walk through the park once a day

So the issue is then that can't Disney afford a 50 cent an hour pay raise, to a half dozen or so people in a parade that runs for 30 minutes a day? that's like less than a $1000 a year for them... Maybe this year's season ABC/Disney's show Dancing with the Star should be nothing but asking the contestants to where these girls parade outfits and do that little dance for half an our everyday and see how many off them are willing, and able, to do it
Click to expand...
Hi @tl77! Wow, you seriously need to be the lawyer on this case. If the judge heard your comment Disney would like totally lose! This is a really great comment and it just put a smile on my face. I love the logic you've presented here and I totally agree with every single word! Thank you!
 

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