The coronavirus pandemic has certainly affected us all in different ways and has forced most everyone to pivot in one way or another. What everyone hoped would be a temporary furlough, Disney announced in September that 28,000 cast members would be laid off permanently.
Even today, Deadline reported additional cast members including executive, salaried and hourly-level employees will be furloughed as no reopening date for the Anaheim theme park is planned.
This newest furlough makes for an epic number of laid off Disney employees so we have decided to use our small piece of the internet in supporting laid off Disney Cast Members.
What is Girls Gone Disney?
When we launched our Girls Gone Disney Instagram a few years ago, it was to document our Disneyland adventures through the eyes of a long-time and a brand-new AP holder.
Never would we have imagined Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure would be shuttered for over eight months – with no end in sight, unfortunately.
Related: What to Expect When Visiting Downtown Disney During the COVID Pandemic
Supporting Furloughed Disney Cast Members
We have decided to temporarily turn our Girls Gone Disney Instagram account over to promoting those Disney Cast Members who have been responsible for creating that special Disney magic for us over the many years.
We will be sharing the small businesses created by former and furloughed Cast Members as a small way to show support to them right now.
Related: Join the Disney Cast Member created Ear For Each Other Facebook Group to find everything from handcrafted goods, art, baked goods, and more. If you’re in Orange County, you can search for makers in your area. Same goes for Orlando and the surrounding areas of Walt Disney World.
We encourage you to share their work with your friends, support them on social media and frequent their businesses! With the holidays coming up, we’re sure you know someone who would love some handmade Disney items – sprinkled with authentic pixie dust, of course!
You can find more information below about each of the items we’ve shared on our Girls Gone Disney. Thank you for being here!
If you are a Disney Cast Member that has been impacted and would like your business featured, please email us at meganandwendy@gmail.com or send us a DM on Instagram. There is no charge or fees to be featured.
As Featured on Girls Gone Disney
The following links are NOT affiliate links. We don’t make any money from promoting the following businesses, services or products.
Nothing In Particular Productions based in Winterland, FL creates nostalgic ornaments for every Disney fan. We particularly love this “Fast Pass” ornament ($25) but don’t sleep on this Etsy shop’s other clever ornaments including “Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar” ($16) and “Tom Sawyer’s Island” ($15).
These custom Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney Store name tag prints are created by a Southern California artist by the name of Jason LaRiviere. He’s currently working on variations including the Legacy Award and Batuu name tags. Each name tag print is customizable and comes in a 8×8 frame for $20. Send a DM via his (new) Instagram to order.
Brie Our Guest OC is a Southern California charcuterie plate delivery service serving Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego. Make life easy and order yourself a charcuterie platter for the holidays! Plus, they just added hot cocoa plates (perfect for shared experiences like Zoom parties). Prices range from $10-$95. Email brieourguestoc@gmail.com to order and tell them Girls Gone Disney sent you!
Etsy shop Arborview Drive from Aurburndale, FL creates Disney and Star Wars themed stickers ($3-$7). These would make great little sticker stocking stuffers for any Disney or Star Wars fan. Stick them on a Hydroflask, laptop, phone case and more. Stickers are hand designed and the shop offers more than Disney and Star Wars!
Daniel Zarco of Zarcos Sweets on Instagram makes sweet treats that look amazing. His current offerings include hot chocolate bombs, cake pops, and breakable chocolate boxes filled with treats. He takes custom orders as well! Reach out on Instagram!
Pine and Petal Market offers a huge array of flower arrangements made from sola wood, which is a light and airy wood. They have arrangements in a variety and styles and colors to fit with your decor or holiday theme. Sola wood has the added benefit of being sustainable as it’s from the tapioca plant which can be harvested over and over again.
You can visit Pine and Petal Market on Instagram or via their shop.
Hayley Kaye Designs sells handmade cards, prints, and stickers. Her shop operates with a focus on mental health and self-care, which we absolutely love! We especially love this Be Kind To Your Mind sticker.
You can visit Hayley Kaye designs via their shop or on Instagram.
Happiness Begins Designs on Instagram sells custom tumblers, shirts, keychains, decals and even mask straps! If you have a vision, shoot over a DM to see if she can make it a reality. We are especially partial to the Mickey Ear keychains!
Reach out on Instagram to place an order.
Keep checking back as this post will be updated daily to feature new businesses ran by impacted Disney Cast Members.
