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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lollie Pop Up Loretta Kwan was a cast member with the Strategic Sourcing department, but now makes pottery items like these Millenium Falcon spoon rests and takes orders via Instagram direct message.
Art by Traci Vinson Traci Vinson, former character attendant at Magic Kingdom, is now a watercolor artist painting commissioned watercolors for pet and plant parents.
Enchanting Treasure Erin McDonald was a concierge at the brand new Riviera Resort, but now sells masks, stockings and aprons and takes orders through her Instagram direct messages.
Patti Roberts Patti Robers now crochets these cozy mermaid tails, and takes orders through Facebook direct messages.
Savage Spin Holiday Decor Furloughed coordinator with Disney Group Lead Management Bridget Savage now owns Savage Spin Holiday Decor, where she creates custom seasonal home decor.
Sammie Sweet Treats Since being let go from her merchandising department role at Magic Kingdom, Samantha Martin now bakes delicious treats and takes orders through her Facebook page.
Kacin’s Studio Former Disney performer Kacin Mercer now paints these vibrant custom pet portraits full time.
Busy Bee Crochet Plushies Former cast members and mom-daughter team Emily and Pilar Urresta now crochet these adorable plushies.
Christie Cox Art Furloughed entertainment cast member and artist Christie Cox now sells prints, original art, keychains, stickers and buttons, and takes commissions for pet portraits in space (because why not?).
The Write Creations Furloughed from Epcot, children’s author Taylor Faith Krigsman now dives into her writing, and her four books are available on Amazon.com.
Oiling With Holly Holly Mays was a server for 15 years at Disney, and now makes essential oil products like bath bombs with all-natural ingredients.
The Punny Pachyderm Former production assistant with Disney Cruise Line Georgie Delgado operates her Etsy store, which is full of hand-lettered custom housewares, stickers, ornaments and more.
Forecast: Brainstorm Kaitlyn Terrey is a laid-off merchandise cast member from Hollywood Studios, but now sells custom artwork, including these Christmas cards, from her Etsy store.
Sheri’s Sewing Sensations Former Disney Vacation Club cast member Sheri Geyer now takes orders for her custom embroidery and vinyl work through Facebook Messenger.
Made For You Jewelry Designs Twenty-year cast member Paula Sandritter was an executive secretary, but now personalizes ornaments, wreaths and handmade custom jewelry and takes orders via Facebook direct message.
A Bohemian Bear After three years at Epcot’s Garden Grill, Cayla Clee now makes all-natural soaps, soy candles, bath soaks and sugar scrubs.
Colorful Creations by Cristina Cristina Bakhoum was laid off by Grand Floridian Cafe, and now makes paint-pour canvases in multiple sizes to brighten up any space.
Hickory Harbors =Furloughed Hollywood Studios food and beverage GEM Laura Elmendorf now creates these beautiful wood bead garlands and ornaments.
CupOfSew Former server at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Katy Galligan now makes custom dresses and baby clothes in her Etsy shop (currently on a short break, but returning soon!).
By The Bay Boutique Shop Laid off from her position as a reservations agent, Heather Brashears now sells custom jewelry in her Etsy and Facebook stores.
Orange Blossom Ink Sarah Matthews was a graphic designer for Disney Imagineering, but now teaches virtual art classes for kids and offers a link of downloadable holiday photo cards through her Etsy shop.
Storybook Delights With 15 years of pastry experience at Disney, Ashlee Santmyers now creates custom cakes and cookies and takes orders from her Facebook page.
Sparkly Sippers Former Disney cast member Alyssa Dancer now makes snow globe tumblers and sells them on her Etsy store.
Hayley Kaye Creations Character performer Hayley Kaye now channels her emotions into hand-lettered self-care items like journals, stickers and prints.
ExampleAspn Arts Neeta Nair, who worked in Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products department, now operates an art studio, where she does oil paintings, portraiture and traditional Indian embossed art pieces.
Coastal Canvas & Crafts Ashley Lauren was a Resort Duty Manager and now sells holiday signs through her Etsy shop.
WenMax Designs Former costume manager Wendy Maxwell now creates incredible bags from vintage vinyl Barbie doll cases.
Culinary Safe Haven Former Disney chef Alison Allsbrook is now a gluten-free baker, and is taking orders for treats through her Instagram direct messages.
Two Chef Mission Former cook at Epcot’s Coral Reef restaurant Anthony Shepherd now operates a meal delivery and private event catering business with his wife, Melissa.
Made For You Studio FL Kimberly Munoz and her husband were both furloughed from their jobs at Disney, him as an Imagineer and she in Special Events Management. He returned to work, but she’s been laid off. Now, they make custom wood creations like cutting boards and grazing boards.
Amber In FL Former Disney Vacation Club cast member Amber Clark now sews and sells Disney-themed masks on her Etsy store.
Paper Plane Artistry After 10 years as a server, Katie Saville now sells holiday cards on her Etsy store, Paper Plane Artistry.
She’s So Bitchin’ Crafty After more than 16 years at Disney, Sheena Propes now sells her crafts, including acrylic keychains, through Facebook.
ExampleTheArtCardBox Former Magic Kingdom restaurant trainer Maria Freyenbacher is a graphic artist making greeting cards.
The Franco Shop Mari Franco’s husband was a cook at Disney, now turned custom woodworker at The Franco Shop.