Free passes and canoe races: Wages may be low but little-known perks make working at a theme park more attractive

Theme parks offer some unusual benefits to employees that help keep them working despite pay that isn't much higher than minimum wage. A recent labor dispute between workers and the Disneyland Resort was prolonged because of threats that favorite employee perks were going to be eliminated.

Nine Disneyland custodians who call their team Clean Sweep launched their canoe with a splash.

"One and two and three and," shouted the stroker, the paddler at the front of the boat, in a race around Tom Sawyer Island. At the back, Melody Anderson wedged her oar into the water, hoping to steer her team to a fast enough time to make the finals.

"This perk is very high on my list," the 61-year-old San Diego resident said of the