Adam Hefner has worked at Disneyland for seven years, mostly in the character department, embodying the world-famous and deeply beloved characters that Disney is known for. Hefner, who uses “they/he” pronouns, was hired to play “Star Wars” characters and loved it, finding “magic for myself,” they said. The character actors pride themselves on being one of the biggest-selling points of the resort. “You have the same exact attractions year over year,” Hefner said. “We’re the reason people come back.”
But the job has left its mark on Hefner. Thanks to a repetitive strain injury Hefner said they experienced while performing, they ended up needing shoulder surgery and now have a permanent range of motion disability. They’re not alone, Hefner said: Plenty of other character actors have been permanently injured by ill-fitting costumes or other physical demands of the job. (Disneyland officials did not comment on the specific allegation.)
