I DIDN’T MEAN TO! I swear. I didn’t mean to break the rules during my time as a Disney World Cast Member, but I did. And I got in a teensy bit of trouble for it.

Cast Members have to abide by a lot of rules that a lot of folks probably don’t even think about. I mean, in the story I’m about to tell you, I didn’t even think about it and realize I was breaking a rule until it was a done deal. If you’re new to reading my Cast Member posts, I was a Disney College Program participant and was lucky enough to be placed at the Haunted Mansion. Yessirree, I used to be a Mansion Maid! Okay, I’ll quit stalling now. Here’s the embarrassing tale of how I broke the rules as a baby Cast Member!

Here’s the situation. As Cast Members, you get a pretty snazzy discount on hotel rooms. This makes staycations a highlight of any Cast Member’s time working for the Mouse! Well, I had booked a room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and was STOKED — because my (then) fiance and his family were coming to visit for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. I had all my plans in line and all my ducks in a row when I discovered that there was a problem with my reservation — right as I was headed to work the day my ressies started.

I swung by Coronado Springs to check in for my reservation (because of the Cast Member discount snafu), and I was rocking my trusty Haunted Mansion maid skirt because I was on the way to work. BUT I didn’t yet have on the iconic blouse, apron, bat, or my nametag. It’s HOT in Florida, so I waited until the last minute to put on all the garb. So, I headed in to check in for my reservation in the green skirt, Doc Marten boots, and a gray tank top. Totally innocent, right? WROOOOOOONG.

Apparently, even just the skirt itself is iconic enough for any Cast Member to recognize the Haunted Mansion costume a mile away (maybe not a mile, but definitely across the lobby). Let’s just say I got a friendly (but firm enough that I got a little sweaty and teary-eyed) reminder about the costume rule I had unintentionally broken.

Here’s the thing: they did tell us we could wear our costumes to and from work, as long as we ditched the nametags, but what I didn’t know (again, newbie Cast Member, remember?) was that Magic Kingdom has specific, non-universal costumes. This means you can only wear them within that land inside Magic Kingdom. And guess what? That rule extends to wearing them outside of the park too, as long as you’re on Disney World property.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If I had decided to stop for gas in my full-blown mansion maid getup (sans nametag), that would’ve been A-OK, but a casual stroll through Coronado Springs? Not so much.

Let me emphasize that this was a completely unintentional rule break! It never happened again, and honestly, I never thought a long green skirt could be so recognizable. But hey, lesson learned!

So, there you go. If you’ve ever wondered about some of the rules Cast Members have to follow even when off work, now you know. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

I Was a Disney World Cast Member, and I’m Letting You In on a Lunch SECRET

What are your thoughts on where Magic Kingdom Cast Members can wear their costumes? Let us know in the comments!

The post I Was a Disney World Cast Member. I Broke the Rules. Here’s What Happened. first appeared on the disney food blog.