Disneyland Resort is home to more than 35,000 cast members from all over the world with diverse backgrounds and abilities. To support them in providing world-class guest service, cast members use a set of guiding principles called “The 5 Keys,” which include safety, courtesy, show, efficiency and inclusion.
As you explore Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park, you may encounter a cast member using a wheelchair, being assisted by a service dog or working with a visual impairment as cast members of all abilities make magic at Disneyland Resort.
Lucais, a working lead in Retail on Main Street, U.S.A., is usually found in Disneyland park assisting and interacting with guests and other cast members. This year, Lucais will be celebrating his 13th service anniversary at Disneyland Resort. Before he secured a role he loves in Retail, Lucais felt inspired to apply for Disney after watching a video featuring Imagineers from the D23 Expo. Applying to work at Disneyland Resort seemed like an obvious choice, since he grew up enjoying the parks as a child.
How a story of Disney success arose from adversity
Just by looking at him, you wouldn’t think Lucais has something that makes him unique until he starts to speak. Like most children during their earliest stages of development, they develop a temporary stutter. However, unlike most children, his stutter never went away.
“It was tough as a kid, just cause kids are kids and they’ll tease you. So, I was fairly shy. I wouldn’t necessarily begin conversations,” he said.
Despite this difficulty, Lucais had no trouble making friends and was surrounded by a supportive family. He credits his family for creating a sense of normalcy because “they never made it a big thing, and I think looking back, that was a good thing because they didn’t give me a built-in excuse for why I couldn’t accomplish something.”
Accomplish something he did. In August of 2022, Lucais’ managers and fellow cast members surprised him with The Walt Disney Legacy Award.
Lucais in Walt’s apartment at Disneyland park holding an enlarged replica of his Disney Legacy award name tag, which he wears on his costume.
What is the Walt Disney Legacy Award?
Inspired by Walt Disney’s personal example and lasting legacy of excellence as a dreamer, a creator and an inspiration, The Walt Disney Legacy Award is a global recognition program celebrating Walt Disney’s lasting legacy by acknowledging outstanding Cast, Crew, Imagineers and Employees worldwide who put forth their very best for our Guests, their fellow Employees and the Company.
In addition to upholding Disney’s commitment to unforgettable experiences for guests, Walt Disney Legacy Award honorees brighten the atmosphere for their fellow cast members, inspire others and foster a culture of positivity and togetherness.
This award is a major recognition for a cast member, as the process for becoming nominated and selected is extensive. Legacy Award recipients can be spotted in the parks and locations across the globe wearing a special blue name badge.
Inspiration and inclusivity at Disneyland Resort
More than just a working lead and a Legacy Award recipient, Lucais has served as an inspiration to kids and adults who stutter. “There’s been a handful of times where parents will notice that I stutter and they’ll bring their kids in or they’ll ask me ‘can I have my kid come in here and talk with you?’ because they want them to see, ‘look, it doesn’t hold him back, so you can do it, too.’” he said.
Because the resort welcomes thousands of guests from all over the world, Lucais’ success serves as a reminder for both people who stutter and others of all abilities that they are not alone, and they contribute to Walt’s vision by being a fundamental part of the magic at the Happiest Place on Earth.