Originally Posted By HRM So this beggs the question, which finger does Princess Aurora show if asked at the park? ;-\
Originally Posted By knoxvelour With my nervous habits, asking Aurora, "Which finger did you prick?" would just get all scrambled up and result in me getting escorted out of the park.
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 She shows her left hand, palm up, with all fingers together and explains it was her middle finger, BUT she will NEVER extend just her middle finger! Do you think it hurt? Why isn't there a scar?
Originally Posted By tcsnwhite "For example, management doesn't like when characters mix stories on stage. They don't want to see Belle and Prince Phillip hanging out. " what is meant by 'mixing stories'? I have seen different characters not from the same story interact and talk with each other a lot. especially now with many of the characters doing more interactive things, even with their fellow characters. were Belle and Phillip flirting or something, and not necessarily in character, or something? I can see keeping the particular prince with their princess, because people already get them all confused (basically, everyone thinks every they are all Prince Charming). but I have seen characters of all sorts interact with each other on stage. it actually makes for the best moments!
Originally Posted By SuzyMouse <<Do you think it hurt? Why isn't there a scar?>> Well, the 3 good fairies healed it, of course!
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 tcsnwhite, I think it is mainly for the princesses/princes. They don't want to confuse people. This all could have changed with management. This was the rule 2-3 years ago. Haven't you noticed how hard it is to get a picture with more then one princess at once (like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty together)? It happens ocassionaly on slow days, but each princess always has her area around the castle. Management wants it this way, but the characters pretty much always stray from the rules. Everyone likes to play and mingle!
Originally Posted By HRM Not that a CM would ever remove their character costume head in the Park, but when is it ok to walk around not in full costume? Backstage? Has a character ever fainted at the Park "On-Stage" due to heat? What type of emergency first-aid is provided in the Park for this type of incident?
Originally Posted By OceanSpace One of my friends once watched a parade in which Tigger was probably more enthusiatic than he's ever been, "bouncing" everywhere throughout the entire thing. It was quite hot out that day and my friend saw the parade end at Main Street and he saw Tigger take off his head and just start throwing up from the heat and exertion. I've heard that they bring the characters in when it hits 90 degrees outside, is this true? What do they do about parades?
Originally Posted By Dr G For those interested, here's my only experience with a face character "breaking character". My kids were once visiting with the Mad Hatter and Alice. Alice was asking us where we were from, etc. Then, when the kids were occupied by the Mad Hatter and the kids couldn't hear, Alice asked me a question that clearly indicated she knew the area where we live and its "culture", and proceeded to tell me where she used to live. Now, I'm an adult and I know that I wasn't really talking to Alice, but in Disneyland I suspend reality and let myself believe that it was Alice. When she started into casual, out-of-character, conversation, it took me several seconds to put her comments in context. My brain had to process, for the briefest of moments, why or how Alice would know about where I live (Utah). I don't think it's geographically anywhere near Wonderland, but many people may think it's at least as "curious" Anyway, she was a very pleasant person and we had a nice, short, chat. If my wife wasn't right there and if I wasn't the father of five, and old and overweight, I'd have thought she was hitting on me. And, if I would have been single and 15 years younger, I would have tried to leave Disneyland that day with a phone number. Keeping with the topic, I can see why characters are asked to stay in character--it helps maintain the suspension of reality that I so enjoy at Disneyland. p.s. post #62 is really cracking me up, I can't stop smiling. Thanks for the smile!
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 When it gets over 90 degrees they call a "Code 90". It applies to the whole park and all departments. For characters, it means their onstage set time gets cut in half. Most Fuzzys are out for 30 minutes and go back in. With a Code 90 they are out for 15 and get a 30 minute break. So you get longer breaks and shorter onstage times. Yeah, something like that.
Originally Posted By ToonFinder yes it's called code 90... but the characters set time doesn't change. At code 95 (95 degrees) it changes but even then it's only cut by 5 min (to 25 min. on 35 min. off)
Originally Posted By SuzyMouse Haha, yeah code 90 is 1 free bottle of PowerAde, I believe. Fun times.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo Code 90 for us (attractions) meant***drum roll***we can drink water on stage. That's it really.
Originally Posted By ToonFinder Thats when some wonderful folks dressed in black drop off a case of PowerAde (the gatorade type drink) to each of the break areas.
Originally Posted By HRM >>I watched Woody interacting with the other guests. He was acting very macho and cowboy-ish--punching shoulders, swaggering, striking hands-on-hips poses for photos, etc. Finally, it was time for my son to meet Woody. Woody took one look at the expression on my little one's face, dropped to his knees, and held out his arms. Little Mr. Glitter ran into Woody's arms, laid his head on his chest, and just hugged him for the longest time. I just lost it. The sensitivity of that CM, his/her instant read of my son and adaptation to his expectations just melted my heart.<< from PixieGlitter, "Favorite Interaction w/ DLand charater" Topic ºoº I just love stories like this one; it shows how the characters can make a memorable vacation, more than even the rides and attractions. Woody (& Stitch from post #31) are very real experiences like this happen. My question is,... Beyond the self-satisfaction of a job well-done, how are the CM's aware of, and rewarded for, their performance on-stage? Interactions such as the above, seem to go above and beyond the regular Greet & Meet Picture Op / Autograph sessions. I've been to other theme parks where the characters do not interact at this level.
Originally Posted By hiddencat3 You just go to City Hall and tell them what time you saw the character and what location. It will get back to them! During a "Code 90" you could also roll your sleeves up to your elbows. Woo woo!
Originally Posted By HRM Another great character story: >>...my youngest ran back to him and Mickey got down to one knee, picked up my son, placed him on his knee, wrapped him in his arms and just rocked him in a hug for a good minute. I was so caught up in the moment I forget to turn on my video camera but I will always cheresh this memory that this wonderful cast member created for my family.<< from skywilliams, "Favorite Interaction w/ DLand character" Topic ºoº hiddencat3, unfortunately not all Guests choose, or remember, to stop by City Hall. Do the CM's have any other way of recognition for their performance evaluation? I'm just wondering how do the really good CM's get recognized for their efforts?
Originally Posted By tiggertoo <<During a "Code 90" you could also roll your sleeves up to your elbows. Woo woo!>> Oh yeah, and don't forget that all important top button allowed to be undone.
