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Mouse Trap: Memoirs of a Disneyland Cast Member 1987-2002
Read one Cast Member's stories of backstage areas, fights, fires, private parties, orientation, cast events, cast romance, pranks, stupid guest tricks, mishaps, accidents, helping to create the Haunted Mansion Holiday, and working on September 11, 2001. But this is no mere listing of things that go wrong at Disneyland. For the first time, readers can experience what it's like to really work at Disneyland, from the mundane to the extravagant. The book is aimed primarily at current and former Cast Members, who will recognize so much of their experience captured in these pages. Readers who have worked at the park will be entranced all over again by the magic of working in Walt Disney's park. It's not an experience one soon forgets, and readers will find themselves inevitably drawn in as well.
- GenresMemoirNonfictionTravel
200 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Yee
31 books3 followersKevin Yee worked for 15 years at Disneyland in a variety of roles (restaurant management, entertainment) and has written regularly about Disney theme parks since 1997 on Web sites, magazine articles, and blogs. He has written over two dozen books about Disney. He lives in Central Florida, and he visits the Disney parks dozens of times per year with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 13, 2022
It was fun to read about Kevin’s experiences as a Disneyland cast member. I saw some similarities in my own experience as a WDW cast member. I found the info about the park’s first aid department protocols to be especially interesting, for obvious reasons. It was a really interesting and detailed account of his time there. Also quite jealous (in a friendly way) that he worked on Haunted Mansion Holiday, which I LOVE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2017
I've halfheartedly been considering moving to either California or Florida and looking for work at Disney. One of the things holding me back is that I can't really afford to work for them because, based on the research I've done, they don't pay a livable wage for the areas where their parks are located. Still, I thought it would be interesting to read a memoir from one whose done it. I got a preview copy of this years ago but never got around to it. I've been following Kevin's website MiceChat for years and knew that he still has some contacts in the company, based on the insider reports he often makes. I figured I'd enjoy this book.
In a way I did, but I think it would be more enjoyable for someone who has already done it, too. Granted, I read a preview copy, so some of this may have been cleared up, but though he did his best to explain insider Cast Member jargon, he often slipped into the jargon in jarring ways that didn't always seem welcoming to an outsider. He spent one whole chapter detailing the backstage area at Disneyland (which fascinated me!) yet all the reader has to rely on is his descriptions. I took a backstage tour at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World back in 2013 and they had a strict policy that no pictures were allowed to be taken there, so I'd assume the same would be true at Disneyland in California. It was too easy to get bogged down by his descriptions, though.
There were some interesting stories, but they often felt quick, glossed over, with no real detail. One fun chapter detailed shenanigans that Cast Members often get into, but there was never really any great detail about anything he shared. There would maybe be a couple paragraphs of light detail, then on to the next story.
He changed the names of everyone mentioned in the book, but it felt very weird that he'd suddenly bring up a name without telling us much about that person. Granted, he probably would have had to make things up since he can't share too many discerning details, otherwise everyone involved would know who he was talking about. But the stories have little meaning to people who weren't there when you just say (as a made up example), "This one time, John peed in the elevator and his guilt was confirmed by the people who went in it before him and after him." Okay... but how am I supposed to be invested in this particular story when that's literally all you tell me about it, much less care about it?
He does an excellent job of detailing the ins and outs of daily job requirements (at least for the particular food job he did) and the demands the Disney Company expects of their Cast Members. In this respect, the book shines, though sometimes the information can be a bit weighty for an outsider. He spends a chapter detailing perks the company gives the cast members, but then many of the things he experienced are no longer done or have been discontinued. A couple times, he'd talk about a part of Disneyland that I know is no longer there. There would be details about what it was like in the 90s, but then nothing about how it is now. Granted, this is about his time there and the bulk of that happened in the 90s, sure, but it would have been nice if he'd compared how things were done then with how they're done now.
At one point he mentions a feature of the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction that was notorious for not working, but then says nothing more on the issue. Where in the attraction is the feature? Why didn't it work? I had to put the book down and do a Google search to understand what he was talking about. I got more information on fan message boards than I did from his book.
Where the book truly shines is in the exhaustive details regarding training and learning opportunities and Disney University. Great detail is paid regarding how a person is hired as a Cast Member and how they are welcomed into the cast. But I imagine most people want to read this book for fun, insider stories and while there were some, like I said before, it was rare that I felt engaged with them for the reasons I mentioned above. Yes, there were some great stories, but there were far fewer relatable stories.
In a way I did, but I think it would be more enjoyable for someone who has already done it, too. Granted, I read a preview copy, so some of this may have been cleared up, but though he did his best to explain insider Cast Member jargon, he often slipped into the jargon in jarring ways that didn't always seem welcoming to an outsider. He spent one whole chapter detailing the backstage area at Disneyland (which fascinated me!) yet all the reader has to rely on is his descriptions. I took a backstage tour at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World back in 2013 and they had a strict policy that no pictures were allowed to be taken there, so I'd assume the same would be true at Disneyland in California. It was too easy to get bogged down by his descriptions, though.
There were some interesting stories, but they often felt quick, glossed over, with no real detail. One fun chapter detailed shenanigans that Cast Members often get into, but there was never really any great detail about anything he shared. There would maybe be a couple paragraphs of light detail, then on to the next story.
He changed the names of everyone mentioned in the book, but it felt very weird that he'd suddenly bring up a name without telling us much about that person. Granted, he probably would have had to make things up since he can't share too many discerning details, otherwise everyone involved would know who he was talking about. But the stories have little meaning to people who weren't there when you just say (as a made up example), "This one time, John peed in the elevator and his guilt was confirmed by the people who went in it before him and after him." Okay... but how am I supposed to be invested in this particular story when that's literally all you tell me about it, much less care about it?
He does an excellent job of detailing the ins and outs of daily job requirements (at least for the particular food job he did) and the demands the Disney Company expects of their Cast Members. In this respect, the book shines, though sometimes the information can be a bit weighty for an outsider. He spends a chapter detailing perks the company gives the cast members, but then many of the things he experienced are no longer done or have been discontinued. A couple times, he'd talk about a part of Disneyland that I know is no longer there. There would be details about what it was like in the 90s, but then nothing about how it is now. Granted, this is about his time there and the bulk of that happened in the 90s, sure, but it would have been nice if he'd compared how things were done then with how they're done now.
At one point he mentions a feature of the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction that was notorious for not working, but then says nothing more on the issue. Where in the attraction is the feature? Why didn't it work? I had to put the book down and do a Google search to understand what he was talking about. I got more information on fan message boards than I did from his book.
Where the book truly shines is in the exhaustive details regarding training and learning opportunities and Disney University. Great detail is paid regarding how a person is hired as a Cast Member and how they are welcomed into the cast. But I imagine most people want to read this book for fun, insider stories and while there were some, like I said before, it was rare that I felt engaged with them for the reasons I mentioned above. Yes, there were some great stories, but there were far fewer relatable stories.
June 6, 2021
Mouse Trap by Kevin Yee is a behind-the-scenes account of one Disneyland worker's experiences during his employment. I am a huge Disney fan and usually gobble up whatever I can, but this book fell a bit flat for me. Some parts were super interesting, but a lot of it was pretty boring. I would have rather heard more about guest interactions, maybe even simply sprinkled in with the day-to-day of being a cast member, which seemed rather dry most of the time. If you are looking for mostly an account of a cast member's day, minus the guests, then you may really enjoy this book. The book did share some new things I had not heard before but could have been a lot more engaging with additional personality thrown in.
August 29, 2020
I love cast member books about the Disney Parks. I love knowing how the 'magic' works and I love the effort that Disney makes to enforce it.
Kevin gives an insightful look at his time working in Disneyland between the late eighties & early noughties. He shares the day to day running of behind the scenes and some of the naughty things the cast members got up to!
I've not been to Disneyland yet but I hope to get out their one day, if I can manage to drag myself away from Disney World!
I would recommend this to all Disney fans, especially if you have a special interest in the parks. This is my second time reading this and I enjoyed just as much as the first time.
Kevin gives an insightful look at his time working in Disneyland between the late eighties & early noughties. He shares the day to day running of behind the scenes and some of the naughty things the cast members got up to!
I've not been to Disneyland yet but I hope to get out their one day, if I can manage to drag myself away from Disney World!
I would recommend this to all Disney fans, especially if you have a special interest in the parks. This is my second time reading this and I enjoyed just as much as the first time.
February 27, 2024
This was a fun book about working at Disneyland. As a teen, I lived close by Disneyland, and I always wanted to work there. After reading this book, I think I really missed out!
March 4, 2025
The most magical place on earth what it takes to worm there and make magic happen. Secret tunnels and codes, the truth behind Disneyland. Where the mouse began and how he has become trapped in the magic; caught up in the fake reality.
December 22, 2007
Note: I read a preview copy; some graphics/editing issues may be resolved in the actual release
The author, Kevin Yee spent 15 years on and off working at Disneyland, primarily in food service, but also in Entertainment Arts. This book is a look at his time with The Mouse, arranged pretty much chronologically.
Yee provides a good deal of detail on the Disney training programs and what it takes to be a Lead - the lowest level of management. In fact, parts of this book would be useful to anyone looking to pursue that career path, as he provides a good breakdown of procedures and processes. Unfortunately, this kind of information makes parts of the book a bit dry.
There is very little gossip per se, and what dirt he does dish is blunted to a PG level. The cast member stories were told in a very straightforward manner; I feel they could have used a bit more animation (if you'll forgive the pun). I enjoyed the description of "backstage" - however, a more detailed and more clearly labeled map would be very useful in this section.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to Disney fans who are really interested in an non-sensationalized, inside look at helping make Disneyland the happiest place in the world.
The author, Kevin Yee spent 15 years on and off working at Disneyland, primarily in food service, but also in Entertainment Arts. This book is a look at his time with The Mouse, arranged pretty much chronologically.
Yee provides a good deal of detail on the Disney training programs and what it takes to be a Lead - the lowest level of management. In fact, parts of this book would be useful to anyone looking to pursue that career path, as he provides a good breakdown of procedures and processes. Unfortunately, this kind of information makes parts of the book a bit dry.
There is very little gossip per se, and what dirt he does dish is blunted to a PG level. The cast member stories were told in a very straightforward manner; I feel they could have used a bit more animation (if you'll forgive the pun). I enjoyed the description of "backstage" - however, a more detailed and more clearly labeled map would be very useful in this section.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to Disney fans who are really interested in an non-sensationalized, inside look at helping make Disneyland the happiest place in the world.
August 11, 2009
I was pretty disappointed with this book. I was expecting something along the lines of Mouse Tales by David Koenig (full of "action" and interesting behind-the-scenes facts about Disneyland). Instead, it was a very dry account of one employee's experience as a food-service manager at Disneyland. There were very few anctedotes, and a lot of descriptions of things such as backstage areas (such as storage rooms, locker rooms, etc...) and Disney University courses that the author took. This book would most likely only appeal to a real die-hard Disney fan...
February 20, 2009
I absolutely loved this book... probably because I could identify with it so well. Although Yee and I worked in 2 different resorts, we experienced a lot of the same things. His story brought back so many great memories of Disney's College Program and also made me remember things I had forgotten about! If you're truly entranced by Disney's 'magic' and don't want to be spoiled, this book is not for you! :)
May 18, 2010
Because I'm starting at Disneyland this month, I think this book really interested me. It's quite mundane discussing things that wouldn't be much interest to most people. It made me think that nearly anyone can write a book. But though I criticize it, I couldn't put it down. I stayed up way too late reading about maggots in the duct work and an entire chapter on where things were located "off stage" in 1997.
June 30, 2012
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and was SUPER let down by it.
I found it to be very boring, which is crazy to me because Disneyland is SUCH an interesting place! And it has such a unique and exciting history! This book doesn't really talk about most of that.
I feel like it might be useful if you're about to start a job in food service at Disneyland, and want to get to know a sense of what your job might be like. Otherwise, I say skip it.
I found it to be very boring, which is crazy to me because Disneyland is SUCH an interesting place! And it has such a unique and exciting history! This book doesn't really talk about most of that.
I feel like it might be useful if you're about to start a job in food service at Disneyland, and want to get to know a sense of what your job might be like. Otherwise, I say skip it.
October 6, 2008
I was hoping for more of a narrative, essays about experiences working for the Mouse. Instead the tone is more dry and factual with few personal experiences. It seems like the author wanted to write a guidebook rather than a memoir.
May 11, 2014
Alternately intriguing and dull, but one of the first I have read on what it is really like to work at Disneyland and experience the House of the Mouse from the inside, punching a clock, putting up with demanding guests and contributing to the magic.
May 30, 2012
I did a video book review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=harNyr...
Feel free to check it out, and give the other videos on my channel a watch =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=harNyr...
Feel free to check it out, and give the other videos on my channel a watch =)
August 18, 2009
Being a former Disney Cast Member, I was curious to see what life was like in a non-retail setting. And how much would be revealed about the Park itself and what happens backstage.
December 27, 2010
This was the impetus for me to apply at Disneyland. I have to work there.
July 1, 2011
It was ok. If you really want behind the scenes at Disneyland you need to read Mouse Tails. That is amazing, this was just ok.
August 4, 2016
This is a very detailed book about what its like to work at Disneyland including how to use time clocks, etc. If that doesn't interest you, you might find it dull.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews