Where/What do CMs eat?

[Jiminy Cricket]

I have wondered about this for a long time, but never think about asking a CM when I am at the parks:

Are there special restaurants for CMs, and/or do they brown bag it? If there are special restuarants, what is on the menu and what do CMs pay?

Anyone know?

[JLTraveling]

At WDW, as at all of the theme parks, there are special CM only cafeterias. At the MK, the cafeteria is located in the tunnels. At the other parks, they are in various easily accessible backstage areas. The food is quite good, comparable to what is served to guests in the parks, and CMs pay cost or just above...perhaps $3-$4 for a full meal including beverage. The menu is pretty varied, with daily specials as well as the usual burgers, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc.

They also have the option of bringing lunch. There are break areas throughout the parks with refrigerators and microwaves, or they can use the microwaves at the cafeteria.

[Jiminy Cricket]

At WDW, as at all of the theme parks, there are special CM only cafeterias. At the MK, the cafeteria is located in the tunnels. At the other parks, they are in various easily accessible backstage areas. The food is quite good, comparable to what is served to guests in the parks, and CMs pay cost or just above...perhaps $3-$4 for a full meal including beverage. The menu is pretty varied, with daily specials as well as the usual burgers, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc.

They also have the option of bringing lunch. There are break areas throughout the parks with refrigerators and microwaves, or they can use the microwaves at the cafeteria.

Thanx for the info. I was beginning to wonder if this question was ever going to be answered.

[Sam I Am]

Didn't see your question, sorry. The break rooms also have vending machines (including the famous wheels of death! - find out the expiry date AFTER you buy the sandwich!)..

If you take the Keys to the Kingdom tour, I believe you get to see at least one of the MK CM food locations; Backstage Magic goes by at least, two, IIRC.

The food's not bad - though a lot of CMs do bring food; it's cheaper, generally healthier, and often more convenient. It can be a hike out to the cafeteria. It used to be run by Aramark food service, though I believe that may have changed. I know there's now a Subway in the MK cast cafe.

[Conceited Ape]

I can personally vouch that there is a cast member cafeteria somewhere in the area behind the China/Norway pavilions at EPCOT. I was lucky enough to be asked out on a date by the loveliest waitress in all of Nine Dragons restaurant (near as I can tell, the World Showcase is THE place to meet women), and who was I to turn her down? Thing was, I'd be picking her up the next day right after her shift, but my wallet was gettin' kinda thin, so taking her to the Ritz was out. She saved the day by taking charge; leading the way beyond the CAST MEMBERS ONLY door to the chow hall. That was an experience. With employees in various states of costume dress and undress, it was almost like walking into the bar in Star Wars (or Denny's after midnight).

As I recall, the walls of the place were decorated with "propaganda" posters, and lists of tenents/ideals to good customer service.

A memory I wouldn't trade for anything; sitting in a far booth, sharing lo mein noodles and pizza with a knock-out from Bei-jing as we chatted between mouthfuls. At any rate, fear not--the CMs do indeed have pretty good facilities at their disposal.

[Tampa]

you're a very good story teller Ape! Very entertaining.

With employees in various states of costume dress and undress, it was almost like walking into the bar in Star Wars (or Denny's after midnight).

I'd of never known what you meant if you didn't say.... Denny's after midnight LOL!

Too bad the dinner date wasn't room service (breakfast), from a Grand Floridan luxurious dream.

[The_Heat]

At WDW, as at all of the theme parks, there are special CM only cafeterias. At the MK, the cafeteria is located in the tunnels. At the other parks, they are in various easily accessible backstage areas. The food is quite good, comparable to what is served to guests in the parks, and CMs pay cost or just above...perhaps $3-$4 for a full meal including beverage. The menu is pretty varied, with daily specials as well as the usual burgers, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc.

They also have the option of bringing lunch. There are break areas throughout the parks with refrigerators and microwaves, or they can use the microwaves at the cafeteria.

There is another cafeteria, called the Backstage Bistro, located between the Plaza Restraunt and The Tomorrowland Noodle Station.

[Sam I Am]

The patio!

[Conceited Ape]

Thanks for the kind words, Tampa.

A room service breakfast, Grand Floridian-style? That'd be dreaming way out of my league, but maybe one of these days.

Truth to tell, I'm giving some serious consideration to grabbing a few pals and making a run for the Florida border tonight, just so I can A: treat them to a few laughs before I transfer to the opposite coast and B: properly say goodbye to the loveliest waitress in EPCOT.

Flyin' by the seat of my pants here, the ONLY way to travel. "I dunno, I'm makin' this up as I go!"