Disney Cast Members With This Pin On Their Nametag Literally Saved Lives. See Their Stories.

Disney Cast Members go above and beyond every day to provide a magical experience for visitors. There are countless moving stories about the generosity and dedication of Cast Members and how they have gone out of their way to make cherished memories for guests.

But there is a special category of Cast Members who have gone even further. These individuals have received the Disney Heroes Award, given to Cast Members who have saved lives on or off the clock. Across the Walt Disney Company, over 100 Cast Members have been named Disney Heroes since the award was created in 2008.

Today, we will share the bravery of these Disney Heroes with you, including one Cast Member at Disney World who was just named a recipient of the Disney Heroes Award. Keep reading for more details!

These Disney Cast Members Have Saved Lives

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The Disney Heroes Award was created to recognize Cast Members' acts of heroism both in and outside of the workplace. Nominations are submitted by fellow employees on behalf of a Cast Member who has performed a life-saving act.

A recent recipient of the Disney Heroes Award was Nichole Shaw, a Sales Experience Manager at Disney Vacation Club. As she was performing her daily rounds at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, she saved a young girl from choking.

As Shaw was heading towards the lobby, she heard a cry for help as a mother carried her choking daughter in her arms. She leaped into action, rushing over and asking if she could help, then started administering back blows until the girl coughed up the obstruction.

“The relief is hard to even explain… It was such a high adrenaline moment, but I’m so glad the end result is a little princess that was okay and a mom who could breathe a sigh of relief again,” she said.

Reflecting on the rescue, Shaw says that the culture of safety at Disney and her research as a parent in learning how to prevent her own children from choking has prepared her for a critical situation like this. Upon receiving the Disney Heroes Award for her actions, she said, “Having this award every single day to look down on is a reminder that I’m capable of anything, even the scary things.”

Disney Heroes who have performed life-saving acts will wear a small golden Mickey-shaped pin on their nametag, which you can see below.

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Past recipients have been nominated for a variety of heroic acts including performing abdominal thrusts on co-workers and loved ones, assisting during major car accidents, and saving neighbors from a house fire.

In 2013, six recipients from Disneyland were awarded for using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an automated external defibrillator (AED), and emergency training to save an employee who went into cardiac arrest on the way to work. Other recipients of the award include Cast Members who have helped with the birth of a baby and assisted with a major earthquake.

These individuals have shown immense bravery in jumping into action in these high-pressure situations to save lives.

We love that Disney recognizes these heroes with a pin that allows for guests to spot them in the parks and also recognize them. You can always look at name tags to see certain recognitions that Cast Members have received. A blue name tag means that they've received the highest honor, the Walt Disney Legacy Award. You can also see year pins honoring the years that the Cast Member has worked for Disney.

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