Disneyland character and parade cast plan October 17 rally as first contract talks pass the two year mark

Disneyland performers who appear in parades and portray park characters are taking their contract fight public with a rally in Anaheim. The event is set for Saturday, October 17, as negotiations over a first union agreement continue.

Actors’ Equity Association says entertainment cast members at Disneyland Resort will hold a Rally for a Fair Contract on October 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The gathering is planned for the northwest corner of Harbor Boulevard and W. Katella Ave. in Anaheim, California, and was announced in the clip below.

The rally centers on workers in Disneyland’s characters and parades unit, also known as Magic United. These cast members unionized in May 2024 and are represented by Actors’ Equity. Equity says they are still trying to secure their first contract after two years of bargaining.

The union says members are coming together to share their stories and press management for a deal. In Equity’s account, the talks have made some progress, but Disney management has not agreed to terms and is now trying to remove benefits including paid parental leave, while also reducing retirement and paid time off benefits and keeping wages too low.

Where negotiations stand now

The most recent bargaining sessions between Disney and union representatives took place on September 9 and 10, 2026. The next round is scheduled for October 27 and 28.

Disneyland Resort said it values its cast members, offers competitive benefits, and has a long history of working collaboratively with unions. The resort also said that, because this is a newly formed bargaining unit, the process is focused on setting the initial terms and conditions of employment for workers moving from non-union roles to union representation. Disney added that proposals can change as discussions continue.

The union drive began with calls for clear and respectful communication, fair scheduling, and job security. Actors’ Equity represents about 1,700 cast members in the unit. Negotiations formally began on October 23, 2024, and the two sides have spent more than 50 days at the table.

While talks continue, full-time and part-time cast members in the bargaining process have still received annual pay increases. In early 2026, they got a 4 percent raise. Their current pay ranges from $26 to $31.27 an hour, including premiums, depending on role.

Long waits for first contracts are not unusual. A recent Economic Policy Institute study found that 43 percent of newly unionized groups were still without a first agreement after two years, and Bloomberg Law reported that delays of that kind are common.