If you have strolled down Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom recently and heard ragtime music drifting out of Casey’s Corner, there is a good chance you have already experienced the magic that Carol brings to that little piano bench. She is the newest pianist at the beloved ballpark-themed restaurant, and her story is one that truly embodies what Disney is all about.
A Life Built Around Music
Carol’s connection to music started almost before she could walk. She began reading music at age two and was playing piano by age four. From that point on, her entire life has been shaped by a dedication to performance and bringing music to the people around her.
That passion eventually led her straight to Walt Disney World, which — as a Central Florida native — was right in her own backyard. Growing up near the parks gave her a unique opportunity to merge her love of music with the Disney brand in a way that most musicians only dream about.
Thirty-Six Years as a Disney Cast Member
Carol is not new to the Disney family. She has been a cast member for 36 years, beginning her Disney career in 1990 at Pleasure Island’s Comedy Warehouse. Over the decades she has performed at some of the most beloved venues on Disney property, including the Rose and Crown Pub at EPCOT, numerous EPCOT festivals, and the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. She also spent time performing at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, which she has described as her favorite venue of her Disney career.
Now she has landed at Casey’s Corner on Main Street U.S.A., playing ragtime classics for guests as they enjoy their hot dogs and take in the atmosphere of one of the most iconic spots in all of Walt Disney World.
A Mission to Spread Joy
Ask Carol what she is really there to do and her answer tells you everything. She describes her approach as tinkering with music to make people happy, drawing inspiration from an unlikely muse — Tinker Bell.
In her own words: “If somebody is sad, I want to make them happy… Tinker Bell is sassy; she spreads joy, and pixie dust.”
It is a simple philosophy, but it is exactly the kind of spirit that makes a chance encounter at Casey’s Corner feel like more than just background music. Carol has also shared a love for the work of composer Alan Menken, with The Hunchback of Notre Dame standing out as a personal favorite.
The next time you are making your way through Magic Kingdom, do yourself a favor and pause for a few minutes outside Casey’s Corner. Whether you grab a bite to eat or just stand and listen for a moment, Carol’s ragtime piano is the kind of unexpected delight that reminds you why these little details make Disney so special.
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