Actors’ Equity Reaches Agreement With Walt Disney World Over COVID Testing: Actors Can Return To Park

Walt Disney World and Actors’ Equity Association have reached an agreement over COVID-19 testing that will allow actors to return to work at the resort.

Walt Disney World notified the union that it had taken steps to provide the state of Florida with a temporary testing site that will offer free testing for Florida residents, including Disney World employees and immediate families. Disney said the establishment of a COVID testing site was not undertaken to satisfy any particular union’s demands.

“We have been consistent that testing is an important part of ensuring a safe workplace for Equity performers, and today, I’m pleased to see that Disney World has agreed,” said Kate Shindle, President of Actors’ Equity Association. “With the news that Disney will make testing available for Equity performers and others in the park, I’m happy to announce that Equity’s executive committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Disney for Equity performers to return.”

A statement from Disney also said, “We have offered the location to help with community testing and any suggestion that this has been done as a result of any one union is unfounded. The Florida Division of Emergency Management will operate the location which is available to Cast Members and their immediate families as well as Florida residents. Our actions support all cast and our community at large.”

Equity represents about 750 park employees, many of whom performed the resort’s musical stage productions. Since the park’s phased reopening began on July 11, some stage productions have been revamped without actors, leaving stripped-down shows populated by non-speaking costumed characters and park employees serving as on-stage hosts. 

No dates have been announced for the resumption of actor-staffed musical productions.