LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – On a comfortably cool April morning, before the rope drops at the Magic Kingdom and guests filter in, 24 teams made up of Disney cast members boarded canoes to take part in Walt Disney World’s oldest cast tradition.
Canoe Races of the World, aka C.R.O.W., is almost as old as the theme park itself. Before making its way to Walt Disney World, the friendly competition debuted in 1963 at Disneyland.
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Cast members still take great pride in carrying on its legacy.
“It’s truly what being a Disney cast member is all about,” said Michelle Stewart, Cast Activities Engagement and Strategy manager at Walt Disney World. “We help our guests every day, we also help each other, and it’s fun to have cast serving cast.”
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That cast member passion and energy was certainly on display at the Rivers of America. The event starts out with 80 teams of eight to 10 cast members going through qualifying rounds in the weeks leading up to the event, but only 24 teams can qualify for the finals.
On the day of the big race, one by one starting at dawn, teams compete to see who can row the fastest and take home the winning paddle.
Each group boards their canoe in Liberty Square, just steps from the Haunted Mansion. After a push and a “bon voyage” from volunteers, the teams begin their journey around Tom Sawyer Island.
Cast member William Siirola has participated in every C.R.O.W. race since he began working at Walt Disney World in 2019. His FAMU team clocked in at the best time at 5 minutes and 3 seconds.
“This process started about two months ago when we were putting our teams together,” said Siirola, who’s also the project manager of Facilities Asset Management (FAM). “We had three boats this year, and we are so excited that two out of the three boats were able to win.”
Coming up with team names and themed attire is half the fun – “Lettuce WIN,” “Beauties and the Beast” and “Disney SpOARts” are just a few of the creative cast member teams that compete year after year.
For lifeguard Amanda Curry, this was her first year competing in C.R.O.W.
“I had no idea that any kind of cast activities existed until I started working for the company. I’ve loved sports my whole life and being able to continue that while being at Disney World, you can’t beat that anywhere else.”
Fittingly, Curry competed on the team Disney SpOARts. Her coach has been a cast member for 40 years and has participated in C.R.O.W. for over 20 of them.
“Every time I get in the boat, you’re going hear me yell out, ‘Top hand high, bottom hand low.’ That’s how we’re holding the paddle and your hips against the side of the boat,” said Michael Cooper, who coaches the Disney SpOARts” and “Beauties and the Beast” teams.
The 50th C.R.O.W. marked the end of an era for four canoes. Disney retired the boats following Thursday’s race and will replace the original canoes with new ones for future races.
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