Although it is almost cliche to say it, the Walt Disney World Resort isn't like any other theme park.  At Disney World magical moments occur daily, with some of the most special touches being the special interactions with Disney's staff known as Cast Members.

One of our favorite treats from the Cast Members are the Water Paintings of Disney Characters that are created at unscheduled times right on the streets or sidewalks of the Disney World Theme parks.


This Mickey Mouse was created at the Magic Kingdom.  The beauty of this art is that it is fleeting, since water dries quickly, especially in the hot Florida sun.  Only a few lucky Disney park guests are able to enjoy this work of art as it is drawn with only a broom and a bucket of water.


The Cast Member artists, who are dressed in the uniforms of the janitorial staffs, quietly go about creating these special works of art without drawing any special attention to themselves.

Capture The Art Of Water Painting

Next time you visit Disney World be on the lookout for these works of art and remember to take a picture, because the original will be gone forever after only a couple of minutes!

Disney World Cast Members do more than just bring joy to the guests at the Walt Disney World Resort, they volunteer their time to support worthy causes helping helpful in their local communities and around the world.  Through a program started by a Disneyland Cast Member in 1995 called Operation Uplift, Disney Cast members can brighten the days of members of our armed forces by writing postcards to soldiers to thank them and encourage them while they are away from home.

Here is the Disney Press Release detailing this great VoluntEAR effort:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 10, 2011 — While the nation takes time this Veterans Day to honor those who have served in the armed forces, Disney VoluntEARS have been busy sending their regards through Operation Uplift.


Operation Uplift was founded in 1995 by a Disneyland Cast Member after reading a letter from a soldier during Operation Desert Storm explaining that troops didn’t receive much mail.

Since that time, Disney VoluntEARS around the country have sent more than 90,000 postcards of support, encouragement and thanks to servicemen and servicewomen serving domestically and overseas.

One of those VoluntEARS is Karalynn Rieff, a training analyst for Global Business Technology Strategy who co-chairs the Operation Uplift drive for her team at Walt Disney World Resort.

“This year I was pleased to carry more than 1,000 postcards to the post office,” Rieff said. “In the four years since our team has participated, we’ve sent postcards to service persons in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan and many other locations.”

Rieff said the most rewarding part of participating was the opportunity to share the magic of Disney with military men and women who are serving far from friends and family.

“It’s nice to know that a little postcard with Mickey saluting in front of the flag and a few words can bring some happiness to someone, even when you don’t know where – or who – they are,” she said.