Walt Disney World Cast Members are now addressing guests as “friend,” rather than sir or ma’am in the latest effort to promote inclusivity.
The neutral “friend” moniker allows Cast Members to address individuals without assuming their gender identity. Similar changes have been made around the resort, such as the switch from “ladies and gentlemen” to “dreamers of all ages” in the pre-fireworks announcements. Some Cast Members had already elected to use “friend” when they address guests, but it has become commonplace over the last few weeks.
In 2021, Disney announced the addition of “Inclusion” as a 5th key, which serve as the guiding principles for company culture. Since then, similar changes, small and large, have been made across the corporation, and the parks have been no exception.
The efforts span a range of demographics, making efforts to provide better representation and inclusion for active military and veterans, the Deaf community, the disabled community, and people of every race, religion, and more.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.
