One of the main ideas behind Disney World is that everything is a “show.” That’s why employees in Disney World are called “Cast Members” and why their uniforms are called “costumes.” 

Every single costume you see Cast Members wear has been well thought out as to how it can help tell the story of each particular ride, restaurant, shop, or land. Some costumes have stayed with us over the years and have a special place in our hearts, so let’s look at TEN Disney World costumes that we truly love!

Haunted Mansion

When folks think about iconic Cast Member costumes, the butlers and maids at Haunted Mansion in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom is often the first thing that comes to mind!

Both the men and women look fearfully dapper in those dresses and suits that are SO recognizable that they have been repurposed into countless merchandise items! 

The maids who work at the Haunted Mansion have bats that sit on top of their heads, and the Cast Member gets to name their bat! Be sure to ask the maids what the name of their bat is next time you drop into Haunted Mansion!

Did you know there was a rare chance to dine INSIDE Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion? Read about our experience here!

Guest Relations

Another group of Cast Members with a very distinguishable costume is the Guest Relations team! These Cast Members are recognizable by the distinctive plaid pattern in their costumes.

The look of a Guest Relations costume has stood out since their earliest years in the parks. Their polished demeanor lets guests know they are in good hands when they come to Guest Relations. Whether they need an issue resolved, help with planning their day, or to book a VIP Tour, the “Plaids” in Guest Relations are there to assist!

When a Plaid levels up to a full-fledged tour guide, they’ll receive a riding crop (for women) or a swagger stick (for men) to accessorize their outfits and use when pointing things out to guests on tours. How chic!

Guest Relations and Guest Services can do a LOT for you in Disney World. Here are over thirty unique services they provide!

American Adventure – Voices of Liberty

Voices of Liberty is a special group of performers that you can find in the American Adventure in World Showcase at EPCOT! You can catch them singing throughout the day ahead of each showtime of The American Adventure (be sure to gather in the rotunda circle approximately 30 minutes prior to get the best views!). 

Their costumes are designed to match styles from the 1800s, and they even have special holiday costumes.

If you’ve never seen Voices of Liberty, be sure to make time to do so next time you’re in EPCOT! Note that, at this time, the Voices of Liberty are not performing for guests. We’ll keep you posted when they begin singing once again.

Check out this video of Voices of Liberty singing live from their homes!

Rise of the Resistance – The First Order

Each and every costume found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland truly fits the world that these special Cast Members inhabit.

The immersive aspect to the land is strongly reflected in the clothing the Cast Members wear — this is especially true in Rise of the Resistance!

You really feel like you are being interrogated by the First Order! The attention to detail in their costumes makes this attraction one of a kind, beyond just the impressive technology and ride system.

The Cast Members in this attraction are a large part of why it’s difficult to categorize Rise of the Resistance as just a “ride.” It is a true experience that is unlike anything we have seen! Just try not to be at least a little bit intimidated by one of the looming First Order Cast Members as they stare you down on the ride!

Take a look back on our first trip on Rise of the Resistance here!

Tower of Terror

Like Haunted Mansion and Rise of the Resistance, the costumes for Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios really set the tone and mood of the attraction. (Why do creepy attractions get the coolest costumes?!)

The iconic bellhop hats and jackets let guests know exactly what they’re in for when they step into the Hollywood Tower Hotel’s infamous dust-covered lobby.

Trust us when we say, you don’t want to mess around with a Hollywood Tower Hotel bellhop! You may find yourself on a one-way trip to the Twilight Zone! If we were Cast Members, these seem like SUCH fun costumes to wear every day! Guess we’ll have to settle for the Tower of Terror Minnie ears instead.

Ever wonder who that creepy doll is at the end of Tower of Terror? We answer that as well as other burning Disney World questions here!

Walt Disney World & Disneyland Railroad Train Conductors

The railroad conductors that operate both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Railroad are next on our list!

Walt Disney loved trains. A LOT. He even had his own scaled ridable train in his backyard, The Carolwood Pacific! Trains were SUCH a key aspect of his vision that the Disneyland Railroad was one of the first planned attractions when Disneyland was being built!

The Cast Members that operate the trains are the real deal — and the costumes befit the legitimate train conductors they are!

Unlike many other attractions, these Cast Members are actually running and maintaining the trains and their costumes add to the authenticity! These are more than just costumes — they’re useful extensions of these hard-working folks!

The Walt Disney World Railroad is an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom! Learn more about these extra-special rides here!

Jungle Cruise

Like Haunted Mansion, many consider the Jungle Cruise skipper costumes to be truly iconic in the world of Cast Member “outfits.”

Their signature khaki look is ubiquitous throughout any Disney park that has a Jungle Cruise attraction. Even Skipper Canteen — the Jungle Cruise-themed Restaurant in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom — embodies the spirit of the Jungle Cruise skippers.

With their witty banter and their affinity for the “backside of water,” we love the Jungle Cruise skippers…and their trusty costumes!

Take a look back on that recent incident on Jungle Cruise where a boat partially sank here!

ALL World Showcase Cast Members

We couldn’t pick a single group of World Showcase costumes that we loved most in EPCOT, so we’re including ALL of them on this list!

Every country’s pavilion has a truly unique costume inspired by the local culture and history of that nation.

No Cast Member is left behind. Whether they work in attractions, stores, or dining locations, each Cast Member has a distinctly beautiful costume that they can wear with pride!

And of course, these special Cast Members actually hail FROM these countries (when it’s not 2020), making the experience of visiting World Showcase authentic and one of a kind. At this time, the International Cast Member Program is on hold, meaning you won’t see Cultural Representatives from each country working around World Showcase, but we look forward to seeing their smiling faces gracing us in their beautiful costumes as soon as they are able to do so.

Learn all about some of the hidden gems in World Showcase here!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

The Fairy Godmothers-in-Training at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique create some of the most magical moments for young princes and princesses throughout Disney World.

These are truly special Cast Member costumes because when a child sees them, they know they’re in for a special transformation that only these Cast Members can provide!

Their costumes are also super unique and different from other “retail” locations. The bright pinks, blues, and purples match the vibe of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and truly pop in the best of ways!

Take a look inside the newest Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa here!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

When it comes time to celebrate Halloween, the Magic Kingdom and its Cast Members completely transform!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party features exclusive Cast Member costumes that come in adorably festive orange, green, and purple designs! These look SO FUN. 

From the bright colors to the cute little bats on their heads (similar to the Haunted Mansion bats!), the Halloween outfits are among our favorite seasonal Cast Member costumes! Sadly, we can’t see Cast Members flaunting their best Halloween lewks this year, as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled. 

And of course, how can we mention those fun Halloween getups without giving a shoutout to the candy-cane-erific Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party outfits?!

These red, white, and green covered costumes are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit!

Learn more about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party here!

Next time you visit Disney World or Disneyland, take a close look at each of the costumes and see how they change from park to park and from location to location. Each one is unique and is part of the larger “show” that exists within the theme parks and resorts! Cast Members are truly special people, and the costumes they get to wear each and every day help make our experiences even more memorable!

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What is your favorite Cast Member costume? Let us know in the comments!

The post The 10 BEST Disney Cast Member Costumes of All Time! first appeared on the disney food blog.