Shop local, shop small with 55 dazzling gift options made by laid-off Disney cast members

It's hard to believe Orlando's Disney cast members could impress us any more than they already do, as the create magic effortlessly for park visitors day after day, acting as Central Florida's economic engine and making it look like, well, a walk in the park.

But now, as Disney lays off thousands in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, they're impressing us even more with their fortitude, resilience and personal creativity. Did they lie down and cry? No they did not — they stood up and got to work, turning hobbies and side hustles into moneymakers while they figure out what to do next.

You can support these heroes by ordering this year's holiday gifts from them. Here's a list of storefronts operated by ex-theme park workers, who came together in a Facebook group called Ear For Each Other. Let's be ear for them now.

Accompanying story: Orlando's laid-off theme park workers are making magic for the holidays

Gallery by Holly V. Kapherr Alejos

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Autumn With Love  After 21 years with Disney, former cast member Paula Keane partnered with another laid-off cast member from Disneyland to bring unique children's items to her store, Autumn With Love.

Autumn With Love


After 21 years with Disney, former cast member Paula Keane partnered with another laid-off cast member from Disneyland to bring unique children's items to her store, Autumn With Love.
It Started With A Flag   Mark Newman was a cast member for 23 years before being laid off in September. Now, he makes beautiful, handcrafted wooden American flags in his shop.

It Started With A Flag


Mark Newman was a cast member for 23 years before being laid off in September. Now, he makes beautiful, handcrafted wooden American flags in his shop.
Sunshine State Co.  Ellen Register and her former CM husband opened Sunshine State Co., where he designs all the site's Disney-inspired products.

Sunshine State Co.


Ellen Register and her former CM husband opened Sunshine State Co., where he designs all the site's Disney-inspired products.
Sara Ella Photography  Former character costume buyer Sara Landesberg now takes photos of families in-costume and encourages donations to the Cast Member Food Pantry for those able to give.

Sara Ella Photography


Former character costume buyer Sara Landesberg now takes photos of families in-costume and encourages donations to the Cast Member Food Pantry for those able to give.
Ine Quinn Photography  Former cocktail server at Galaxy's Edge Ine Quinn offers a special deal on photo sessions for former cast members to have their picture taken one last time in uniform.

Ine Quinn Photography


Former cocktail server at Galaxy's Edge Ine Quinn offers a special deal on photo sessions for former cast members to have their picture taken one last time in uniform.
Sweet Creations by Melissa  Laid off from the Disney Institute, Melissa Vargas-Ramirez now makes gorgeous macarons to order and delivered directly to you.

Sweet Creations by Melissa


Laid off from the Disney Institute, Melissa Vargas-Ramirez now makes gorgeous macarons to order and delivered directly to you.
Magical Charcuterie  Former entertainer Ali Spinelli now makes and delivers custom, themed charcuterie boxes to Disney resorts and elsewhere in Central Florida.

Magical Charcuterie


Former entertainer Ali Spinelli now makes and delivers custom, themed charcuterie boxes to Disney resorts and elsewhere in Central Florida.
Poppy's Southern Charm   Amber Kessler was a 12-year cast member and server at Garden Grill. She now makes Southern-inspired accessories, home decor and more.

Poppy's Southern Charm


Amber Kessler was a 12-year cast member and server at Garden Grill. She now makes Southern-inspired accessories, home decor and more.
Orlando Cake Girls  After Whitney Hamer was let go from her job making character heads in Disney costuming, she pivoted to making gorgeous striped drip cakes like this one.

Orlando Cake Girls


After Whitney Hamer was let go from her job making character heads in Disney costuming, she pivoted to making gorgeous striped drip cakes like this one.
Madz Woodworkz  Dan Otte was a valet at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, but now makes custom cornhole boards like these.

Madz Woodworkz


Dan Otte was a valet at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, but now makes custom cornhole boards like these.
Sara's Grotto   Former PhotoPass photographer Sara Krinitz now operates this e-storefront with handmade resin accessories, home decor and more.

Sara's Grotto


Former PhotoPass photographer Sara Krinitz now operates this e-storefront with handmade resin accessories, home decor and more.
Forever Lavender Design  Former Trip Services manager Gwen Girty was about to reach her 15th anniversary with Disney when she was laid off. Now, she sells pillows, face masks and microwaveable flaxseed heating pads in her Etsy store.

Forever Lavender Design


Former Trip Services manager Gwen Girty was about to reach her 15th anniversary with Disney when she was laid off. Now, she sells pillows, face masks and microwaveable flaxseed heating pads in her Etsy store.
Laura Paints Stuff   Former PhotoPass quality assurance associate Laura Mitchum now paints custom pet portraits and digital watercolors through her Facebook page.

Laura Paints Stuff


Former PhotoPass quality assurance associate Laura Mitchum now paints custom pet portraits and digital watercolors through her Facebook page.
Bleach Please Customs   Laid-off event coordinator Ashley DePaul started Bleach Please Customs, where she upcycles and tie-dyes new and thrifted shirts.

Bleach Please Customs


Laid-off event coordinator Ashley DePaul started Bleach Please Customs, where she upcycles and tie-dyes new and thrifted shirts.
Dropshadow Design   Lena Feliciano was a TOMS Shoes painter at Curl in Disney Springs, but now sells her painted shoes, stickers and digital art prints on her Etsy shop.

Dropshadow Design


Lena Feliciano was a TOMS Shoes painter at Curl in Disney Springs, but now sells her painted shoes, stickers and digital art prints on her Etsy shop.
Violent Delights Co.  Former PhotoPass photographers Keila and Marysa now hand-pour musical theatre-themed candles.

Violent Delights Co.


Former PhotoPass photographers Keila and Marysa now hand-pour musical theatre-themed candles.
Jennael's Bake Shop   After more than five years as a food and beverage analyst at Disney, Jenna Rodriguez created her online bake shop with custom cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.

Jennael's Bake Shop


After more than five years as a food and beverage analyst at Disney, Jenna Rodriguez created her online bake shop with custom cakes, cupcakes and other desserts.
The Voice of Cake   Jaimie Roberts was an entertainer at Disney for 33 years, but now makes hot chocolate bombs and takes orders through Instagram direct message.

The Voice of Cake


Jaimie Roberts was an entertainer at Disney for 33 years, but now makes hot chocolate bombs and takes orders through Instagram direct message.
Sculpturings   Rebecca Rose was a face painting manager at Disney World for 18 years before being laid off. Her new hustle includes painting black-and-white portraits of musicians on vinyl records, and her longtime sideline in fine art, hand-casting wearable sculptures like this one, has moved front and center.
Related: "Sculpturings" at Snap! Gallery, 2016

Sculpturings


Rebecca Rose was a face painting manager at Disney World for 18 years before being laid off. Her new hustle includes painting black-and-white portraits of musicians on vinyl records, and her longtime sideline in fine art, hand-casting wearable sculptures like this one, has moved front and center.

Related: "Sculpturings" at Snap! Gallery, 2016
CeciliaRaine   After six years as a character performer, Ollie Mei now sells custom Funko Pop-inspired art in her Etsy shop.

CeciliaRaine


After six years as a character performer, Ollie Mei now sells custom Funko Pop-inspired art in her Etsy shop.
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