Workers who play characters such as Mickey Mouse, Pluto or Goofy at Walt Disney World have won the right to clean underwear.

Employees had been concerned that shared clothing posed a health risk, since they were not allowed to launder them at home.





Now, after nearly two months of negotiations, workers will be given individual undergarments, which they can take home each night to wash. "Things have been passed around," said Gary Steverson, a stilt walker at Animal Kingdom, talking to AP. "I know I don't want to share my tights and I don't want to share my underwear." A Disney spokeswoman refused to comment on the new contract provisions, but added that the company wanted its cast members to be happy with their costumes. Each night, they hand in the underwear with the rest of their costume before going home, and pick up a new set the next day. Many of the characters have to wear Disney-issued jock-straps, tights or cycling shorts underneath their costumes because normal underwear bunches up and can be seen.



I know I don't want to share my tights and I don't want to share my underwear

Gary Steverson

Stilt walker