Comments: 2183 • Responses: 68  • Date: 

Darck_3141478 karma

First, I just wanted to thank all of you who work at Disney. Sometimes, I feel like you don't get the credit you deserve. It was a ride operator who made my family's visit to the Magic Kingdom a few years back just a bit more magical.

My parents had gotten sick, so I took my little brother to the Magic Kingdom on our last day there. It was getting late, probably an hour-ish until the fireworks display time, and we decided to ride his favorite ride (Buzz Lightyear). We went through three times (no line at that time), and each time I took him and his wheelchair back through the line. After the third time, the operator noticed we kept coming back and said, "You guys want to go again?" Since there was no line, and just a few people coming in every now and then, they just let us stay on for another, I don't know, probably eight trips through until the fireworks started. They also gave us tips each time about where the best targets were to shoot. Absolutely made my little brother's night.

So thank you. I know you said you worked at Haunted Mansion and Pirates (my mom and I love that ride), but it's people like you who keep the magic going.

Question: What's the most common cause of a ride like Pirates stopping in the middle? Our best guess was that someone was transferring out of a wheelchair, and you guys didn't want the ride to get backed up at the loading/unloading zone with a bunch of boats.

wayhoe948 karma

It's honestly stories like yours that made me feel so lucky to have worked at Disney World! I'm so glad you got to experience the magic!

You're correct, usually for wheelchair, sometimes elderly people need more help getting on as well. I know a few times i have stopped the ride halfway to help a little kid on that was scared and just needed some reassurance! i wouldn't want them to miss out on a ride/experience just because they were a little scared :)

pm_me_burnt_toast1296 karma

Where do they keep Walt Disney's frozen body?

wayhoe2384 karma

In Elsa's castle.

Nokel941 karma

Have any employees ever fallen into the water in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride?

wayhoe1350 karma

...maybe

Bobsaid232 karma

You do know the water is only a couple feet deep at the most. It'd suck to fall in but not like you'd be screwed completely.

wayhoe1161 karma

But if someone was to hypothetically fall in they would have to go to wardrobe to get new pirate pants :(

Bestbob52896895 karma

How much do you hate the groups of Brazilians that come in the summer?

wayhoe1504 karma

i can hear the loud chanting from here

Ghostmaker1911850 karma

Do people really dump ashes of loved ones in the rides? What's the weirdest thing you saw monitoring the passengers?

wayhoe1327 karma

I've heard a few rumors of ashes being dumped on rides (in Disneyland in particular) but i've never seen it.

One time in particular there was a private group (celebs/vips) and they were trying to hook up on the ride.

kaylaswan831 karma

What is something people do that is annoying at the parks? Is everyone completely different "underground?"

wayhoe2531 karma

Let their children run around unsupervised. Yes it is disney, but it's not a daycare.

People are very different backstage. It's much more like normal job when you're down there socializing with co workers. Especially in the cafeteria and locker room areas.

Funny story: one time i saw alice in wonderland in full costume wearing what looked like a hot-topic studded style backpack, while having a conversation and cussing with a girl in half of a Dale costume! It's really comical to see those situations backstage.

handley113755 karma

Does the mind numbing repeating music ever make you wanna curb stomp a kid?

wayhoe1611 karma

more like curb stomp a mouse

dilbert2_44202607 karma

Are there any times/dates of the year when I can visit Disney World and not have to contend with crowds? Never been and want to remedy this.

wayhoe1125 karma

Avoid times where schools would be on break (december 19-27) (June-Late August). Tuesday is generally the day with the least amount of guests!

linettiewv581 karma

What's your worst, grossest, scariest, or outright craziest experience?

wayhoe1355 karma

Probably this teenager freaking out on acid during the Haunted Mansion ride.

terowan721 karma

What a waste of acid. Obviously you take a hit before you ride Space Mountain.

wayhoe1009 karma

I mean it does last 12 hours......or so i've heard

Ghostmaker1911572 karma

Which ride?

wayhoe917 karma

Pirates of the Caribbean and later, Haunted Mansion!

Corporation_tshirt510 karma

Were you the one who threw the door open at the beginning and scared the bejeezus outta everybody?

wayhoe922 karma

We all switched between roles, so sometimes yes!

Waveseeker109 karma

I always loved the use of mirrors/glass in the Haunted Mansion.

wayhoe144 karma

Yes it's awesome! The ending of the ride is very cool.

PostyMcPostface502 karma

Where's the best place to eat at the park? Like your go-to

wayhoe861 karma

Be our guest is the best experience.

There's a seafood place by the Haunted Mansion that has great lobster mac and cheese, i forget what it's called!

bunnyslipperqueen521 karma

Columbia Harbour House but it stopped serving it at the beginning of 2016. (I was a CP here and had to explain this to a lot of people)

wayhoe2636 karma

First harambe now this

magusdave434 karma

A coworker told me his wife (who used to work at the Orlando parks) had access to merchandise and park displays that were "unsellable" or unusable respectfully. Employees could buy merch for really cheap because it was damaged and even park stuff. He said he has a bench, a bed, and some other furniture from Disney. Is any of this true? If so, can you still or has that since been stopped (she worked there several years ago)?

wayhoe630 karma

Very true! It's called property control and there are some crazy good deals. Disney has a lot of incredible benefits like that!

L33-the-3rd357 karma

Foolish mortal here.

I've always wondered why we go into the mansion via a lower door, rather than through the front?

I guess the obvious answer is, it was designed that way. But (from the looks of things - I've not been myself) but the Disneyland versions you do.

Is there a reason it was made this way?

Also (cheeky second question) does the ride go in the facade? And if not, what's in it?

Thanks!

wayhoe615 karma

I'm not sure as to why the entrance is set up like that, my only theory would be so when guests were looking at the mansion, their "magic" wasn't ruined by seeing a line of people going through the front door.

And no it does not! The actual ride is in a warehouse style structure directly behind the facade (you can see some of the building behind the cemetery). The only time a guest is in the actual mansion is when they are in the stretch rooms.

nobedtime12296 karma

Do people actually get lifetime bans?

wayhoe395 karma

Yes.

1776mike280 karma

how much sex occurs there, between employees and amongst visitors?

wayhoe928 karma

Amongst visitors, i've heard of 6 times people were caught in different areas of the park.

Between employees, i didn't get invited. :(

HaV0C275 karma

Is there anything that guests do that make your day as a cast member?

wayhoe518 karma

Haha no but seriously if a cast member does something above and beyond for a guest that truly had an effect on them, they sometimes send disney a letter about the cast member. This letter is put in your portfolio and looks really good for you!

wayhoe132 karma

Just don't be a dick, maaaaan.

ThunderMohawk209 karma

I noticed from your proof that your badge doesn't have your favourite Disney character on it. Has that been phased out/is it just behind the censorship? And who do/would you have on your badge?

(Source - Ex Disney Store Cast Member)

wayhoe309 karma

Also! I would have stitch on mine :)

wayhoe269 karma

it must have been phased out! all that's on my badge is my name and where i'm from

sevjac185 karma

Any special qualifications needed to land the job? What was the interviewing/hiring process like?

wayhoe347 karma

Disney was my first job! I applied for part-time work while enrolled in college. I received an email to schedule an interview and went in about a week later. The interview was extremely easy. At the end of the interview i was offered a job and told what park i would work at. You don't find out what ride you're working at until your first day of orientation.

justapoorcollegekid185 karma

Have you ever been asked to be one of the mascots? My 12th grade English teacher used to be Minnie.

wayhoe463 karma

I wish! The process to become a character is very lengthy. Lots of auditioning. It is funny because they choose certain people depending on their height for the character. A lot of the time; guys will play minnie, girls will play buzz lightyear, etc.

I knew the cutest little old lady who was mickey mouse!! errrr... i mean "friends" with mickey ;)

attached2phone153 karma

have you ever seen a celebrity or "VIP" ride on your ride you were operating?

wayhoe251 karma

Yes, i've had to stop a ride before due to a VIP group trying to hook up on the ride

sullivanaz149 karma

Josh?

wayhoe302 karma

Drake?

DapperJellyfish145 karma

In your time, what was the strangest story you had happen to you and/or had heard happen to someone?

Thanks!

wayhoe277 karma

One of my coworkers was being stalked by an older gentleman that would come to our ride for AT LEAST 4 hours a day. By that i mean that he would get in line, ride the ride, repeat for 4 hours. This happened for about 2 months.

DapperJellyfish105 karma

Follow up: Did he stop showing up or was legal action taken?

wayhoe198 karma

He stopped showing up after a manager talked to him. I'm guessing he was threatened with a park ban.

m00click69 karma

Was he making lewd or crude comments to your co-worker? Like, what was it about him that made it seem like one specific co-worker was being targeted?

wayhoe168 karma

he met her outside of disneyworld. he would harass her on social media and show up at her job daily

YellowJello4122 karma

Did they make you ride any of the rides as part of the hiring process?

wayhoe232 karma

Not the hiring process but during traditions (your orientation) everyone in the class rode haunted mansion. The second day of in park training we were allowed to choose 2 rides we wanted to ride. We also rode whatever ride we were going to be working at.

OrangeClyde118 karma

How integrated or segregated are all the cast members? Backstage, do you all mix together ride operators, store employees, character actors, face actors, custodial team, etc., or is everyone in separate breakrooms/areas? Are you all cliquey?

wayhoe266 karma

I just stuck with myself. All of the pirate cast members hung out together which was cool! we'd even eat lunch inside of the control room instead of going to the cafeteria.

i met cinderella on my first day of training in MK. she was incredibly nice to me and showed me that magic still exists even backstage :')

Cromulus112 karma

Ever accidentally killed a rider?

wayhoe428 karma

Not accidentally!

Quartermayne98 karma

What's the weirdest shit you've seen? I mean doesn't even have to relate to job. Weirdest shit you've seen your entire life?

wayhoe954 karma

I saw trump become president

sage_pup95 karma

Ever get puked upon?

wayhoe189 karma

Nope i would cry

Dazza191093 karma

What is your favourite ride ?

wayhoe275 karma

Rockin roller coaster!

Nimyron89 karma

When people ask for more time or more speed, do you accept it (when there's not a lot of people I mean) ?

wayhoe150 karma

We can't :( Unfortunately the only time we allow for one more time is a vip. We never allow more speed.

mrbubblesisalie88 karma

Hello! I have the upmost respect for cast members and go to Disneyland 1-2 times a month and always make sure to leave a positive comment if a cast member made my day extra special.

One question I do have though: does it annoy cast members when guests ask for the front row on rides? I do this often on the rollercoasters and indie, and always mention I have no problem waiting a little extra if I have to. Usually they don't seem to have a problem but every now and then one will sigh and appear frustrated.

wayhoe127 karma

It doesn't annoy most of us. It can be a little difficult when you're counting people off into different rows. But i love riding front row too so i could care less when people ask!

Stretch219499 karma

Not OP, but I can answer your question.

It all depends on how nice you ask, how often you're getting asked, and when you ask. If I just asked you how many are in your party, give you a row, and THEN you say you want the front: go fuck yourself. If you say "We're x amount and we'd like the front row" then fine, I'll figure it out. If say, you're at Test Track and I say "row 3" and then you say "oh we wanted the front" and then argue with me when I tell you row 3 is the front but you don't believe me: Get ready for me to get real condescending. If we're at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey where every ride vehicle is a front row seat and you ask for the front row, PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN AND TAKE TWO SECONDS TO LOOK AROUND.

If it's not obvious, I left attractions because it made me angry.

wayhoe135 karma

Bruh your frozen butter beer is lit

jeff_does78 karma

How often is it discovered that people are using hallucinogens like lsd or mushrooms in the park?

wayhoe157 karma

Fairly often. I've personally stopped the ride because some guy was having a bad trip on acid and thought he was in the pirates movie.

IThinkUrPantsLookHot72 karma

Okay, as a former Disneyland CM who just visited WDW for the first time last year, I gotta ask....what in the world is cast parking like over there? Does each park have its own lot? How hard is it to get over there with all resort traffic?

Also, hello fellow West Sider! (If you guys even are considered West Side Attractions over there....idk how your attraction groups are split up. Over here you'd do Mansion, Pirates, Splash and Pooh. Maybe canoes and big boats. Orrrr Jungle, Thunder, Steam trains. And, as always, Guest Control) Over there, idk!

wayhoe101 karma

The paring situation is not great. Each park does have its own parking lot. You have to get to the parking lot (completely separate from the parks) an hour before your shift. You then take a bus to the tunnels. Thankfully, the area where the busses go are not interfered with by resort traffic.

dumbasses4lyfe66 karma

What's your favorite ride? Do you enjoy what you do?

wayhoe102 karma

Rockin roller coaster! And yeah it was a very rewarding job. Making families have the best experience possible was truly magical. The free park passes weren't so bad either ;)

Davidss1000164 karma

Why did you stop working there? Any particular event that lead up you leaving?

wayhoe305 karma

I had to move back home to help take care of my grandmother with alzheimer's.

Ifeellikeafatbaby52 karma

Do you know anything about the super secret exclusive club 33?

wayhoe53 karma

yes!

ElementOfWater30 karma

have you heard about any accidents at your park?

wayhoe139 karma

Yeah, it's disney! There's a lot of children there. ;)

TitaniuIVI30 karma

What are those receipts that cast members swap around all the time. Seems like some shift change thing or something. Can you elaborate?

wayhoe80 karma

They're love letters!

Jk. they're assignment slips. Tells you where to go and when. Simple enough way to have the crew rotating through spots and sent on required breaks.

canadacass26 karma

What's the dumbest question staff get asked all the time?

bunnyslipperqueen85 karma

"What time is the 3 o'clock parade?"

standing in front of a bathroom Where's the bathroom?

wayhoe83 karma

THIS.

dlrowehtredrum21 karma

Did u get free tickets to bring u and ur fam over there for vacay?

wayhoe35 karma

Yes. We get 1 Main entrance pass and 3 guests pass. We also get some paper tickets a few times throughout the year.

NeonGusta15 karma

Favorite place to eat out of all the spots in Disney World?

wayhoe29 karma

Be our guest!!!!

ACBIGFAN11 karma

Hi! Long time Disney and theme park enthusiast here!

Couple questions:

What's the average pay rate, and would you say it's worth it?

What do you feel is the most underrated (and overrated) attraction in the park?

During what time period did you work there for?

How do you feel the park has progressed during the years, anything you would have done differently?

What do you think of DCA, and do you think it deserved the hate it got?

Do you get to visit the park for free, as the myth goes?

Thanks for the answers!

wayhoe15 karma

Hi!

Starting pay: 10$ If it's worth it or not is all dependent on how much you appreciate the perks of the job

Most underrated attraction:rockin roller coaster and i think small world is overrated

I worked there from 2012-2016

I feel the park has progressed so much with the help of the imagineers as far as the theming of the park goes. They really create magic.

I've never been!

And yes i could go in whatever park, however many parks a day with my entrance pass!

NomTheBomb4 karma

Fellow Las Vegan here! My mom worked as a ride operator ~30 years ago. Has there been any new rules or policies enforced over that time from an incident? Thanks!

wayhoe8 karma

When i first read this i was like "damn, i'm not vegan"... haha! I'm not sure what rules would have been different then besides technology driven stuff such as the no selfie stick rule. However, disney is very cautious about terrorism attacks.

bastion_xx1 karma

All 5 of us native Vegans (Las Vegan's that is) should meet up. Growing up in LV, Disneyland was the goto if not Magic Mountain. Love the consistency and quality of Disney, keep up the good work for all the kids out there!

wayhoe2 karma

I'm a henderson kid, but you know how it is!

"Where do you live?" "Henderson" "Where's that?" "Vegas" "Oh. COOL!!"

DroppedD941 karma

I never knew there was a Disney World in Vegas. I'll be heading to Vegas and several cities in California next year. If I had to pick one, would you recommend Disney world Vegas or Anaheim?

wayhoe2 karma

Theres only 2 disneys in the US. Disney land in california and disney world in florida. my name tag just says where i'm from.

MaceB921 karma

I think he's just from Las Vegas. I'm in Las Vegas and I'm 99% sure there's not a Disney here.

wayhoe2 karma

Aaaaaand that 1% is the Adventuredome! ;)

ortizforprez1 karma

Any tips for first timers?

wayhoe1 karma

First timer for what?

fallenreaper1 karma

So is your name: Las Vegas or is that where you are from?

wayhoe2 karma

That's where i'm from.

Militant_Bokononist1 karma

Crushed or cubed?

wayhoe10 karma

circle ice like from chick fil a or sonic. if not, crushed.