This week, staff writer Mike Scopa answers letters in response to his article on the best Disney Cast Member jobs (link).
Dave writes:
I read your articles all the time. I don’t normally email in to columnists, but couldn’t resist this one. My wife and I always talk about the jobs we would want at Disney and two have always come to mind.
She has always wanted to be the crowd control person at the Haunted Mansion. They open the door and with a very eerie voice say, “More bodies” and then they close the door in someone’s face while saying, “No more bodies.” I think it is a different person who then tells you to step into the “dead center” of the room, but if not, she’d do that, too. I think the reason it appeals is the cute sort of simplicity of it all. But it truly adds to the show. And it sure beats the poor CMs who stand there all day walking on the moving platform of the TTA asking, “How many, please?”
The job I’ve always wanted sadly doesn’t exist anymore. When the safari ride first opened up in the Animal Kingdom, at the end of the ride, when the “poacher camp” has been discovered, there used to be a CM pointing a gun at the empty poacher’s truck. When each truck would drive by, they would turn towards the truck, throw out a big smile and thumbs up and shout, “Little Red’s OK!” This always struck me as ridiculous. I always appreciated the theming and the story to an otherwise pleasant enough ride, but I always felt for the poor CM who basically did this every 30 seconds for 8 hours or whatever. Still, there is something amazing about it and something uniquely Disney. Essentially, you are a living animatronic figure, a major part of the story. Without you, the story doesn’t have a sense of closure. You are just as important as the famous pirate with the hairy leg dangling over the bridge in Pirates of the Caribbean or the mom in the Carousel of Progress getting paint all over her rump… err rumpus room.
They went through some evolutions with the end of that ride. At one point they were still there but without the gun (I’m assuming for political reasons). Eventually, they replaced the CM with a hokey animatronic “Little Red.” I don’t believe there is a living being in the scene anymore. But I’d like to pay tribute to all the CMs who were able to spend 8 hours delivering the same line with such gusto, and I sure wish I could have been one of them just for a day.
Thanks for the great articles and helping me spend every day thinking a little bit about my favorite place in the world.
I would guess that the Haunted Mansion CM job would be somewhat challenging. They always seem to stay in character no matter how hard I try to make them laugh. It does seem to be a fun job.
The Kilimanjaro Safari attraction has been altered to eliminate the scene with the gun and I agree that performing in an attraction would be fun and a huge responsibility. Imagine that your performance would add value to the guest experience… for some people that could be a lot of pressure.. but to others it’s a welcomed job.
Winkie writes:
The one missing from your list is a boat driver for the firework cruises, especially for Illuminations. I could see that show every night and never get tired of seeing that show. I have seen that show six times and find something new about it every time.
Driving a boat around the harbor of the International Gateway seeing the lights at night of the hotels (Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Dolphin and Swan before the grandest of them all. It’s a masterpiece like soft music before the big finish (Illuminations).
Note of thanks: We are having a family reunion this weekend. I went to Disneyland and practiced your tips and I am ready to put them to use. I have a tip for you. If you are having a reunion and it will be large, have the Disney photographer take the group shot with their camera. That way everyone is guaranteed to get in the picture, with 100% guarantee of it coming out. Because no one wants to go home with that missed group shot.
Again thanks for the great tips. I just hope I don’t get nervous and blow it.
I have to admit that the Illuminations cruise is something that everyone should do at least once. I have always noticed that the cast members who skipper those boats are always smiling and seem to have a great time with the guests.
Your point on photographs is something my family has been practicing for a long time.
I even volunteer at times to take photos of guests in the park with their camera. People are so grateful when I make this offer… well, not everyone.
Last year in the Animal Kingdom I offered to take this one couple’s picture with their camera. He said “Great!” but she said “No!” and he was stunned. I’ve often wondered if there was more to that story.
Tom Sinsky writes:
As a former Jungle Cruise guide, I agree that working on that attraction can be a great job if you put in the effort to perform at your best. During breakdowns you might be out there for five extra minutes, so guides could just sit there or try to make it fun. I took pride in being able to make a boat full of people laugh hard at G-rated material. I would very quietly narrate what was going on the boat nearby as that guide tried (or didn’t try) to entertain his boat. Then our entire boat would suddenly cry out, “We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how about you!” My boat always broke out laughing as the tired people on the nearby boat turned around to look at us.
You left out another great gig: Parade guest control. Almost everyone was well-behaved (that positive Disney peer pressure), so that when guests wandered beyond the ropes, all I’d have to do was greet them with a smile and a cheerful “Hello!” and they’d happily go back to where they were supposed to be. I had previously worked at summer camps for the developmentally disabled, and a Tomorrowland supervisor (back in the early and mid-’80s) saw how comfortable I was working with the people in the parade’s handicapped viewing area along the castle. He assigned me to work that area everyday. So everyday I’d get paid to watch parades with happy kids. The characters went out of their way to pick on employees. A yellow rabbit from Alice in Wonderland was a genius at coming up with a new way to embarrass me everyday. One day she gave my Submarine Voyage hat to a kid across the street. Besides exposing that unique “sub-head” hairstyle caused by the hat, I had to go over and get my hat back from the kid after the parade.
And speaking of abusive characters (another great job when it’s not warm out), on my Disneyland employee orientation tour, I guess I looked a little too serious. I was 18 and Goofy kept imitating me as I tried to learn all I could during a lecture on Main Street. I was too serious a “Disney freak” (still am) so Goofy ran up and slid into me, knocking me over. I don’t think a character would do that today with all the lawyers out there, but I was not harmed and many people were entertained.
Those were great stories and truly are representative of what my goal was in writing that article… to discuss just how fun some of the cast member jobs can be. I have to think, however, that it comes down to the individual to make the most of his or her job.
Thanks for sharing those memories and thanks for making the guest experience so special.
Donald writes:
I would like to nominate a job for Best Job at WDW that you missed: Segway tour guide
We did the Segway tour about a month ago, and I thought the people who taught the guests how to use them, and then took them on an hour tour around Epcot on these amazing “human transporter devices” have one of the best jobs in the World.
Hmm. I’ll bet there are many people who aren’t even aware of the Segway tours available to them. That job does have some appeal to it.
The Segway tour is conducted at Epcot’s World Showcase. I think the official name is Simply Segway and guests can make reservations at 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687).
Ryan Radebaugh writes:
Great article that was a lot of fun to read! I myself am a West Coaster and tend to frequent my time at the “original” park, but always love reading your articles.
Just writing to tell you that my cousin was Gaston around 8 or 9 years ago in the Beauty and the Beast show at Disney-MGM Studios. He loved it! His favorite part was the interaction with the audience and the reactions he could get from them. What’s not appealing about playing a pompous, arrogant, self-loving brute? I would have a blast! Great choice for number 3!
My guess is that I probably saw a few performances by your cousin… never saw a Gaston I didn’t like.
Nanabird writes:
I’m a retired school teacher who always dreamed of working for Disney since my first visit to Disneyland in 1955. My dream came true 16 months ago. I told Casting I would like a “fun” job that was outside and I wanted to interact with the guests. I’m an Epcot Convention Guide.
I love coming to work. Epcot is an absolutely beautiful park. We do weddings, conventions, and family gatherings. I never tire of Illuminations. Our guests always thank me for the wonderful evening and show and I don’t have anything to do with it. I just escort them. I love talking to the day guests and sharing our Disney stories.
Disney is a magical place to work. I go home happy every night. I work with great people. I have super coordinators and managers. Disney provides so many opportunities for me. There are countless free workshops and classes I can take. I’ve done all the behind-the-scenes tours. I try to take advantage of everything Disney offers me. This is a “tough” world we live in but Disney wants your time at Disney to be the best time it can be. They continually train us to do a better job for our guests. Each day as I drive to work I say the 7 Guest Service Guidelines and the 4 Guests Expectations just so I’m ready to do my best for our guests and my company. I agree with your selections for best jobs at Disney but I still think mine ranks right up there with them. Thanks to all our guests who do say “thank you” to a CM. We do appreciate it.
Your letter certainly indicates that you enjoy your job. It’s always easy to spot the cast members who enjoy their job. They smile a lot. Thanks for the note and for making the guest experience so enjoyable.
