Clapping Guy?

Originally Posted By mele

So, we were in line for Star Tours and heard a guest (and older, Asian gentleman) clapping in a specific rhthym. Then a few castmembers started to clap along with him. As we were exiting the ride, I could hear him clapping down the hall; as soon as a few castmembers heard him, they started clapping too as well as shaking his hand, etc. (Actually, I think it's more of a fist bump type thing.)

I thought it was a wee bit odd but was mostly charmed by it. It reminded me of how much I love the interaction between castmembers and guests.

A day or two later, I was waiting for my family to exit Autopia and I heard the telltale clapping, as well as the castmembers joining along.

Anyway, he obviously spends a lot of time at Disneyland; I am intrigued. Anyone know this guy's story?

 

Originally Posted By WestWind

I don't know anything about him but it I would like to know more.

Maybe an idea for flash mob clapping???

 

Originally Posted By mele

It was cool to see so many (probably at least 10 different castmembers) clapping with him. I did see him in Adventureland; he passed by us as we were going through the Indy queue. There weren't any castmembers anywhere nearby. Just fun that they'd clap along even when he was far away.

 

Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney

He has been seen in downtown Disney. I found a YouTube video here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgepmfijKeU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...pmfijKeU</a>.

 

Originally Posted By mele

Hm, this video says Disneyworld, we saw him at Disneyland. I don't think this is the same guy but he's too far away to tell; could be!

He usually does a specific sequence of claps and then stops, only for a minute or so.

Now I'm even more intrigued! LOL

 

Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney

Since the cast members join in, his story is a curious one.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

First observation...this looks like DTD in Disneyland to me (I could be wrong about that)

Second observation...I'm not sure about the "stability" of that person. If it had some sort of cadence or anything other then just repeated claps, I might think differently but anyone that would just clap his hands like that, for no apparent reason, requires caution, IMHO. Could be that the CM's clap along to humor him and keep him from pulling an AK 47 out and mowing down the crowd.

All this, of course, is mere speculation. I'll try to keep a more cheerful outlook the rest of the day.

 

Originally Posted By mele

Yes, it's a specific cadence/rhthym and he only does it a few rounds.

I'm sure he's a bit "special" but the cast members, who were sometimes out of sight when they started clapping along, seemed to genuinely like him. They clearly could have ignored him but didn't want to.

He seemed quite harmless and, other than his clapping, he was quiet and unimposing.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

Well, we all have our "little thing" and I suppose when you consider the list, his is pretty harmless and somewhat endearing. Long live the clapper. Clap on...Clap off!

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

The YouTube video is shot in Orlando, no doubt about that.

Never met or saw the Clapping Man.

I do remember the dear old guy who used to roam Disneyland "finding things." But he never engaged in call-and-response clapping.

 

Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney

Do tell DlandDug, he sounds interesting. What do you mean finding things?

 

Originally Posted By mele

<<call-and-response clapping.>>

Thank you! I was at a loss as to what to call it.

Hm, the mystery grows.

 

Originally Posted By raer

I have seen him at Autopia before. I think he visits often as CM's were interacting with him there also.

 

Originally Posted By disnyfans

Our family was at Disneyland last week and we also encountered this man on a couple of occasions. He was doing the clapping and the cast members joined in. We saw him at Autopia doing this and also at Buzz Lightyear, and Matterhorn. I was curious as to why he was doing the clapping and why the cast members joined in. Hmmmm.....

 

Originally Posted By velo

my daughter and I will be there for a day next week - we'll have to keep our eye(s) out for this (maybe we'll ask a CM if no one knows here).

 

Originally Posted By 9oldmen

It's definintly in Orlando. You can tell despite the camera work.(it looks like the camera operator was more interested in the bricks in the walkway then the architecture). But if you look in the background(in those few moments when the camera moves away from the ground) you can see what is,or used to be the Gloria Esefan Cuban restaurant, and way in the background you can see a turqoise building which would be DisneyQuest.

 

Originally Posted By phruby

I suggest that we all start clapping at Disneyland in honor of this guy. Who knows? Maybe we can get everyone to join in. It sounds like a fun thing to do.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORGOCH: Not me! I always says it's best ta avoid the clap!

 

Originally Posted By mele

Bah-ha!

I did kind of want to clap when I saw/heard him the 2nd time...but I didn't want to take away from whatever he's getting from whatever he "gets" from doing this.

 

Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan

>>ORGOCH: Not me! I always says it's best ta avoid the clap!<<

LOL!