Disney cast members, potentially in the near future: “I finally feel like I can breathe.”
That’s how one LAX employee described the moment a historic wage law passed in Los Angeles. After years of scraping by, often juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat in one of America’s most expensive cities, thousands of workers are finally getting what many call a living wage. But what does this mean for Disneyland cast members just 30 miles away in Anaheim?
Could the magic makers of the happiest place on earth be next in line?
La’s Bold Wage Move Changes the Game: Disney Cast Members To Follow?
In a bold and unprecedented decision, the city of Los Angeles approved a new minimum wage increase—called the “Olympic Wage”—that will raise pay for tourism industry workers to $30 per hour. The measure, designed with the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in mind, has made headlines not just for its scale, but for the powerful message it sends.
The initiative was spearheaded by Tourism Workers Rising, a coalition of workers from LAX, local hotels, and restaurants. Their message was clear: the people powering LA’s multibillion-dollar tourism machine deserve to live with dignity.
“Whether it’s the rising cost of groceries or coping with LA’s affordable housing crisis, essential workers like me find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet,” said Jovan Houston, a customer service agent at LAX and executive board member of SEIU-United Service Workers West. “It’s long past time greedy corporations compensate us properly for our labor.”
The new law takes effect July 1, instantly making Los Angeles the city with the highest minimum wage for tourism workers in the United States.
Disneyland in the Crosshairs?
Though the law currently only applies to workers within Los Angeles city limits, its ripple effects could travel far—especially toward Anaheim, home of Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland, often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Anaheim, has a massive workforce of cast members who work in attractions, guest services, restaurants, and more. Historically, many of these positions have hovered near the state minimum wage or slightly above it. But now, a precedent has been set.
Could cast members soon find themselves using LA’s new law as leverage?
While Anaheim is not currently bound by the Olympic Wage, there is increasing pressure on major tourism corporations like Disney to match or at least consider wage adjustments. With union negotiations always looming, this new benchmark could serve as a powerful data point during future collective bargaining.
Why This Law Really Matters
Beyond the dollar signs, this law signifies a major cultural shift in how cities value tourism workers. For decades, hospitality and theme park employees have been vital to California’s economy—yet underpaid and often overlooked.
With the Olympic Wage, LA is attempting to correct that narrative.
It’s also a strategic move. With the 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, the city is gearing up for a major influx of international tourists. Officials and organizers know that to create a world-class experience, they’ll need a satisfied and stable workforce.
The question now is: Will other cities follow LA’s lead before the world arrives in California?
The Disney Dilemma
If Disneyland were to raise wages to $30/hour, it would dramatically alter its employment costs. But it might also help with recruitment and retention, something many employers—including Disney—have struggled with since the pandemic.
Theme park jobs, once seen as a “fun” way to make a modest living, are now under scrutiny. Rising rents, gas prices, and overall inflation have transformed these roles from casual gigs to full-time lifelines for thousands.
If Disney doesn’t adjust, they risk losing talent to employers within Los Angeles who now offer significantly higher base pay for similar work.
Disney Cast Members: A Trend Too Big to Ignore?
Other nearby tourist hubs like Santa Monica, Pasadena, and yes—Anaheim—are likely keeping a close eye on LA’s wage rollout. Should the law prove successful in improving worker satisfaction without causing massive layoffs or closures, it may become a model for other cities across the U.S.
For now, Disneyland cast members continue working under their current wage agreements. But with LA just down the freeway setting a new gold standard, it may only be a matter of time before that $30/hour dream becomes reality.
And when that day comes—will Disneyland rise to meet it?
The post Disney Cast Members To Be Paid $30/Hour? A New City Law Might Set the Stage appeared first on Inside the Magic.
