Cast Members truly are the magic, and the latest example is showing up in chalk this summer. A watercraft Cast Member with a passion for illustration has been creating chalk art at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) as part of COOL KIDS SUMMER. On a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we noticed him working on a portrait of Stitch. Here’s a look at the artwork, plus more on the Cast Member behind it.
Cast Member Chalk Art at Transportation & Ticket Center
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- A watercraft Cast Member is creating chalk art at the TTC as part of COOL KIDS SUMMER
- We watched him work on a Stitch drawing during a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, but keep a look out for more
Getting to Magic Kingdom can feel a bit like navigating a large airport. Guests park about 1.3 miles south of Cinderella Castle. From there, several transportation options fan out from a central hub at the Transportation & Ticket Center. Three monorail lines run from the TTC, including one that continues to EPCOT. A ferryboat also carries guests across more than half a mile of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests who prefer to walk can add a couple thousand more steps to their day. It’s a lot to take in for first-time visitors.
The TTC is usually just a step on the way to the parks. One Cast Member, though, is giving guests a reason to pause for a minute. We watched him working on a chalk drawing of Stitch near the ferryboat dock during a recent visit to Magic Kingdom. During that time, a number of other guests stopped to watch the drawing of Stitch come to life as they waited for the ferryboat to arrive.
The Cast Member Behind the Art
We learned in a brief conversation that the Cast Member has a background in illustration (but not with Disney). Leadership gave him the chance to bring that talent into COOL KIDS SUMMER. For part of the day, he trades his usual job navigating boats across Seven Seas Lagoon for a new one. For a few hours each morning, he’s navigating a 10-foot by 10-foot stretch of pavement with chalk instead.
The Stitch drawing was still a work in progress when we visited in the morning. This Cast Member told us he only works a few days a week, so it’s not a guarantee that there will be artwork every day. Guests will want to keep an eye out for new pieces throughout the summer. It’s unclear whether the chalk art will continue once COOL KIDS SUMMER wraps up, but guests are clearly enjoying it in the meantime.
Florida’s typical afternoon thunderstorms mean the chalk art usually only sticks around for a day or so. After that, it usually washes away or is washed away by overnight cleaning. Because of that, the artwork on display is constantly changing. It’s worth keeping an eye out the next time you take the ferryboat over to Magic Kingdom.
Keep Reading
- Curious what else is part of the seasonal lineup? Here’s our park-by-park breakdown of everything included in COOL KIDS SUMMER at Walt Disney World this year.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!