Diversity and inclusion drives growth, creativity and innovation at Walt Disney World Resort. It is a core value that guides the company’s relationships with Cast Members, guests, business associates and the Central Florida community. And it is a continuous journey, ever evolving to mirror society and the marketplace.

Walt Disney World takes a strategic approach to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Numerous departments across the company – from Global Strategies for Diversity & Inclusion and Minority Business Development to Multicultural Marketing and Community Relations – focus time, energy and resources on this important priority.  

Fostering a Diverse Cast

“We have to include people of diverse backgrounds not only in our operations, not only in the rooms where the decisions are made, but in the rooms where the ideas are born.”          

   - Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo         

   Remarks before the National Urban League Annual Conference, July 31, 2008  

From recruiting candidates around the world to providing existing Cast Members with resources that promote diversity, Walt Disney World Resort recognizes that an inclusive workforce drives inclusive and relevant products, services and experiences. Today, Walt Disney World’s 62,000 Cast Members represent 81 countries and speak 53 languages.  

Through a variety of initiatives, Cast Members are encouraged to cultivate and share diverse ideas, thoughts, perspectives and skills. Walt Disney World’s seven Diversity Resource Groups, for example, carry the voice of the Cast, promote diversity and inclusion within the company’s culture and help the company achieve strong performance and results. Each of the following groups provide ongoing communication, programming, learning and development experiences to Cast Members at all levels:

  • Castable – Promotes respect, equality and appreciation of people with disabilities through awareness, education and inclusion.
  • Compass – A community for Cast Members interested in Asian and Pacific Islander culture and business.
  • Families – A group of Cast Members who are parents, caregivers, potential parents and those that are impacted by parental interests focused on work-life balance.
  • HOLA – Promotes Hispanic/Latino heritage and cultural exchange between all Cast Members.
  • Pride – Serves gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally Cast Members by providing resources, learning opportunities and a supportive network.
  • Pulse – A community for Cast Members interested in the cultural, educational and professional development of Cast Members of African and Caribbean descent.
  • Vintage – A diverse group of older Cast Members and allies, who support Walt Disney World’s culture of excellence by appreciating life and work experience, respecting all ages, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

In addition to Diversity Resource Groups, Cast Members are encouraged to participate in local diversity action teams, which focus on educating Cast about important issues, such as cultural awareness, work-life balance and health and wellness in their work areas;  “diversity chats” during regular staff meetings and company-wide events. A leadership team of executives from all lines of business also meets regularly to advocate and help communicate the company’s diversity and inclusion priorities.  

Fast Fact:

The Walt Disney Company was recently recognized by DiversityInc. magazine as one of the top 10 companies for Latinos to work.  

Growing Minority Businesses 

Walt Disney World Resort provides information, resources and networking opportunities to help minority and women-owned businesses succeed. In return, Walt Disney World benefits from more competitive bidding and reduced costs, as well as more diverse products and services. Central Florida also benefits as these businesses contribute to economic success and diversification.

Walt Disney World helps develop opportunities for diverse businesses by:

  • Sponsoring the Disney Entrepreneur Center in downtown Orlando, a non-profit public/private partnership, which is dedicated to the growth of small businesses in Central Florida. It also provides emerging entrepreneurs and existing small business owners with counseling, training, financial assistance and a software lab.
  • Providing financial support and professional expertise to a variety of organizations, including the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Alliance, Florida Minority Supplier Development Council, African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and the Hispanic Business Investment Fund of Florida. 

In fiscal 2007, Walt Disney World spending with diverse suppliers grew by $30 million and the Florida Minority Supplier Development Council recently named Walt Disney World Resort the 2008 Corporation of the Year.   Building Relationships In addition to cultivating relationships with minority vendors and suppliers, Walt Disney World Resort builds strategic relationships with minority business, professional and civic organizations that share common business objectives. Each well-established relationship has the potential to generate countless benefits and opportunities for minority organizations, including generating business growth and economic success for them and the communities they serve. For Walt Disney World Resort, these relationships have the potential to contribute to the professional development of Cast Members; generate new sources of revenue; introduce new audiences to Disney stories, characters and parks; and serve as a source for talent.  

Some of the organizations Walt Disney World builds relationships with and provides corporate sponsorships to include:

  • Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting
  • National Society of Hispanic MBAs
  • National Association of Women Business Owners
  • 100 Black Men of America
  • Enterprising Women
  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
  • National Urban League  

Fast Fact:

Walt Disney World Resort recently won the highest honor at the 2008 Beacon Awards, which celebrate diversity in Greater Orlando's workforce, showcasing and sharing best practices in diversity and inclusion.  

Supporting Diverse Communities

Walt Disney World Resort’s community programs and partnerships are focused on building better futures for children in Central Florida, and ultimately, a stronger community for everyone. Some of the ways in which the company has supported diversity within the community include:

  • Contributing $1 million to rebuild the Pine Hills Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and $750,000 for a Teen Center at the Osceola Branch;
  • Supporting the Parramore Kidz Zone;
  • Donating $250,000 to the Florida A&M University College of Law to sponsor the Children and Family Law Clinic;
  • Supporting numerous minority organizations through Disney’s Helping Kids Shine and Ears to You Grants; and
  • Partnering with ESPN and others to bring the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, presented by Disney – a game between two conferences of primarily Historically Black Colleges and Universities – to Central Florida.  

Creating an Inclusive Environment for Guests

Walt Disney World Resort strives to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all guests – one that strikes a balance between offering a universal experience that everyone can enjoy while also representing many cultures. 

Creating an inclusive experience starts with making guests feel welcome before they arrive at Walt Disney World. The company reaches out to multicultural markets through both broad-based and targeted marketing initiatives. Recent examples of targeted outreach include:

  • Print ads photographed by Annie Leibovitz that depict Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Jasmine and Aladdin and Beyonce as Alice in Wonderland.
  • A recent television ad depicts an African-American, multi-generational family that uses sign language to describe the experience at a Disney park.

Walt Disney World also focuses on creating experiences that appeal to multicultural guests. For example:

  • Disney’s Royal Quinceañera Weekend enables young Latinas the opportunity to celebrate the most magical time in their life: turning 15. The tradition-steeped extravaganza celebrates the passage from flat-soled shoes and dolls to high heels, elaborate gowns and young womanhood.
  • The Disney Dreamer’s Academy with Steve Harvey is a motivational event that exposes teens to a variety of job opportunities and offers tools to help make their dreams a reality.

In addition to specialized programs, Walt Disney World remains committed to offering immersive experiences that appeal to a broad range of guests, regardless of their background. From attractions like Soarin’ that transcend race and culture to Epcot’s World Showcase, which celebrates it, the goal is for every guest to feel included in the offerings at Disney parks.  

Fast Facts:

  • In eight of the top 10 markets that drive attendance to Walt Disney World, more than 30 percent of the population consists of minorities; and in five out of those 10 markets, the population is evenly split between Caucasians and minorities.
  • Walt Disney World’s “Signs” commercial was recognized by Advertising Age and the National Association for the Deaf for its depiction of an African-American, multi-generational family that uses sign language, enabling cross-cultural bridging to occur.
  • Utilizing cutting-edge wireless technology and lightweight headsets, guests can enjoy synchronized narration of popular theme park attractions in five languages.