A former Cast member of 7 years
Posted on - 4/25/2004
I am a former Cast member of 7 years who worked at the Disney Store division of the Walt Disney Company. I began my career with Disney in 1991 through 1998.

Dissed by The Disney Store
A Former Cast Member's Account of Working in the Magic Kingdom
Posted on - 4/18/2004
"Disneyland is closed today" the lonely sign still flashed in the night as my new wife, Corinne and I drove down Disney Way. It was 3:05 in the morning; it was also September 12th, 2001, the wee morning hours after the unspeakable attack in New York and Washington. It was to be the start of our honeymoon, and our new lives together. The terrorists had not only shut down the country, they had silenced the "Happiest Place on Earth". We hoped it that it would open later that morning, having driven 12 hours from our home town because all flights were cancelled. Little did I know that this quiet, lonely sign would be the harbinger of my Disney experience over the next two years.

Cleaning Mansion Windows
Posted on - 2/20/2004
One of my favorite haunts is cleaning windows at the Haunted Mansion. It has become common knowledge by mansion fans that it is a job in itself to keep the place dirty, so what would I be doing cleaning windows at the mansion at five a.m.? It isn't the outside windows, but rather a protection device for the ghosts on the inside that gets daily attention. If you ever were of a mind to shoot gum and spit balls at the ballroom scene, you are plum out of luck hitting anything. The gigantic plates of glass used for creating the "Pepper's Ghost Effect" are protected by spit guards mounted on the balcony railing. These plexi-glass shields are very similar to what you would find at a salad bar. Maintaining clean and clear guards are essential to keeping the special effects "special".

Custodial Costume Comedy
Posted on - 2/18/2004
From my previous 'Mouse Memory' excerpt, I discussed the sometimes humorous predicaments created by disputed and seeming unresolvable policy confusion between regular custodial host/hostesses, their leads, and the all-knowing, enigmatic and possibly magically created "supes" (Fantasia's Sorcerer's Apprentice comes to mind!!) of MK Custodial Dept. Another little policy "funny" happened to me on my first tour of duty at the Adventureland Veranda Restaurant. In keeping with the Polynesian-style theme, the decor, food (fast, but nutritious and downright edible: Fried rice, teriyaki burgers, sweet and sour hot-dogs not as "yuk" as it sounds-but the fries were just fries!) and host/hostesses costumes were a tropical treat!

No one thought it would last!
Posted on - 2/15/2004
I have another one to tell you, you'll hardly believe it, but I’ll tell you just the same. In the early years of the Park, my grandpa was working there, and Mr. Disney would roam about sometimes unescorted, and the guests always sought his autograph. So Mr. Disney in his infinite wisdom, would prepare little scraps of autographs in his pocket just to get moving, pass them out and be gone. Well, my grandpa saw that he dropped a paper after fleeing the scene once and picked up the paper and put it in his pocket. When he got home and my grandma emptied his pockets to ready the laundry she found it, and threw it away!!

An Average Day at MK Custodial
Posted on - 2/15/2004
#1. Get ready for work.
Shower and shave, then jump into a pair of cut-offs, tee-shirt, and flip-flops.

Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean
Posted on - 2/7/2004
I' m certain you already know the likenesses of the Pirates are the artists themselves! I mean, think about it, what a strange casting call that would have been if they didn't use themselves! It’s many of the same faces, just facial hair, beards, moustaches, eyebrows, and costuming changed throughout.

My favorite Celebrity Encounter
Posted on - 2/6/2004
My favorite Celebrity Encounter was in the spring of 92. None other than THE ANNETTE. She was launching her perfume at the (then) Mademoiselle Antoinette's Perfumeries. Anyway, the shop was all set up to feature her perfume and the color of the box it is packaged in was lavender. The bottle was shaped like a cello. There was even a large lavender velvet Victorian chair. And out of nowhere, pops Annette!! We knew at the beginning of the day there would be VIP in the Park but I never expected HER!! I sure got the lucky assignment for New Orleans Square that day, before I took up assignment to Graveyard, I was Day Crew and the areas could change any day because of my status, Casual Regular. So my Lead tells me to go and check all the cigarette urns. Especially those in the shops and especially nearest the Perfume Shop, back when smoking was still permissible in public.

Now when you work at Disneyland and are in the presence of VIP, you just DONT ask for an autograph or especially initiate conversation with them! But she said to me, "Thank you Tina , everything looks so tidy." Well, losing control of myself I initiated conversation with her to say how much I LOVE her and I still LOVE all the Beach Party movies! Then I did my best fade out so as to not be censured by the Security around. I managed to get a sample of the Perfume Cello... Now perfume does have an expiration date but I still have my sample! I will never forget that especially because she said my name!

Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion from the Inside!
Posted on - 2/5/2004
Did you know that the Ghost Host's picture hangs in the hallway of the 'breathing (or some knocking) doors. He is in a very long oval frame, and a table mounted on the wall nearest the antique table with the lamp shining over an open book? He holds a noose in his hand. A very gangly old fellow. He’s the Ghost Host. You may miss it if you don’t know to watch for it since the Doombuggies turn at their own will.

Some have rumored to the point where it has now become 'fact' within the Company that the horse drawn hearse in front of the Mansion actually carried the casket of Brigham Young, founder of the Mormon Church. It has been told by me from a very nice and accommodating young missionary, those guys are so nice, manners like nothing I’ve ever seen, good mama's, anyway, they were stating, they travel in pairs you know, that Mr. B Young would not have been carried by hearse in his time, his community from the congregation would have carried him to his burial. I was sure confused. The hearse out side of the Mansion is also not the work of a Mormon craftsman, which upon learning what industrious folks the Mormon followers are, it seems that their explanation becomes all the more accurate.

The Honey Bucket Story
Posted on - 1/31/2004
In retrospect I can laugh at this story, but it wasn't funny when it happened!

A Female Perspective
Posted on - 1/24/2004
My wife has worked for the company for such a short time, yet has soaked up her experience in Custodial like a sponge. She contributes some humorous insights at Egroups and I have recorded them here. Enjoy!

The Haunted Mansion.
Posted on - 1/19/2004
My name is Tina and i was a Cast Member in the Custodial Department for 3 years. I have been privileged to access many areas in that tenure, one of which I’d like to share:

Tom Sawyer’s Island
Posted on - 1/19/2004
If you take the sternwheeler around the Tom Sawyer's Island attraction, you would realize that there are no bridges off the island. Since the island generates a great deal of trash, the situation becomes very interesting for the custodial staff who are in charge of removing it. During the island's development, it was decided by imagineers not to put an extension of the AVAC system on the island.

Jobs at MK Custodial
Posted on - 1/14/2004
A quick tour of the various jobs within the department.

"Pardon Me..."
Posted on - 1/10/2004
What inquiring guests really want to know.

Custodial, Rules Of Engagement
How The Department Tackles Trash
Posted on - 1/8/2004
Depending on your personal situation, you might think keeping your house clean and tidy may be a test of your character. However, maintaining 107 acres of the Magic Kingdom isn’t easy either. So, how does the Custodial department pull off this monumental task every day? I’ll explain.

Stupid Guest Behavior
Posted on - 1/5/2004
It's amazing what stupid things people do at DL, when they leave their brains at the front gate!
Here is one such story!

Watch your step!
Posted on - 1/5/2004
One thing I can tell you is that the street curbs along the Hollywood Backlot are soon to be painted red as a HUGE number of guest's have fallen over the unpainted curb

Thunder Mountain!
Posted on - 1/5/2004
There is a new wall up around Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and also tarps can be seen around the area where the accident was

People Mover?
Posted on - 1/5/2004
There have been people seen walking the old People Mover/Rocket Rod track and word has it that something will be there (rumor is the People Mover) possibly 2006, but not in time for the 50th

Money and Terror!
Posted on - 1/5/2004
And speaking of money, I do know the reason why there hasn't been enough money at DL in SoCal is that Florida is doing so bad, that a certain percent of the profits from DL are being sent to Florida