Tinkerbell rumor I heard (possible spoiler info)

[Cameo]

Maybe some of you don't want to know the details about the flying Tinkerbell. If not, don't read on.

Disclaimer - this is all third-hand knowledge and I can't validate it's authenticity.

My husband's coworker's girlfriend worked at Disney on the college program. He asked her what was the biggest secret that she knew. She said not many know about Tinkerbell who flies from the castle. She (sometimes he) must weigh (I think) less than 100 pounds and be a certain height. They are literally pushed from the window of the castle and reach speeds of about 40 mph. They must go this fast or they could get stuck along the wire. She said there is a mattress against a wall at the end of the wire and that's where Tinkerbell "lands" - or smacks into.

She also said that it is a daring, injury-prone job and they get paid $500 per flight. Many get injuries and most don't stick around long. That's why sometimes it is indeed a man if they can't find a female.

Now I just want to stand near the end of the wire and see where Tinkerbell "lands"!!!:eek:

[Joanna71985]

I'm not too sure about some of the info. I knew one "friend" who had assisted Tink for many, many years. And I am pretty sure she can weigh more then 100 pounds.

[mom2aredhead]

It wouldn't surprise me that there are size and/or weight restrictions for that job - for safety reasons alone. I think I remember someone heere posting a job description once.
Not sure about the $500 per flight though...

[Robo]

I've seen some telephoto Close-up shots of "Tink" during Fantasy in the Sky and Wishes.

100 lb. limit?

That burly guy with the dark mustache sliding down the wire looked pretty hefty to me.

(And for once, I'm NOT KIDDING.)

Maybe someone who kept those photos will re-post them.
;)

[Brenle]

I've seen some telephoto Close-up shots of "Tink" during Fantasy in the Sky and Wishes.

100 lb. limit?

That burly guy with the dark mustache sliding down the wire looked pretty hefty to me.

(And for once, I'm NOT KIDDING.)

Maybe someone who kept those photos will re-post them.
;)


OMG, you are not kidding about this. Burly? Hefty? Mustache? I WON'T be sharing that info with the kids!!!

[Cameo]

Yeah, I've seen the pictures of the "mustachioed" Tinkerbell. "She" did look heavier than 100 lbs. I thought the $500 sounded outlandish as well. That's why I wanted to post here and see if anyone knew the "real" truth.

I wonder about the stories people tell. Even though this gal worked at MK, who knows if she wasn't a receiver of the rumor mill there too??

[nicknamy1996]

$182,500 per year! I could work 7 days a week for that kind of money! I'd say at most (including commute) your putting in under 2 hours a day. Sign me up... but first I need to lose a LOT of weight!

[riggins]

If you take the KTTK tour, you get to see landing area. Its on a roof backstage, and not exactly something you smack into . . . although there is a big pad that resembles a mattress.

Our guide on the tour didn't say anything about size requirements, but he did say that it was not necessarily a woman. He also said that the person who did it was paid about the same for one "flight" as most of them get paid for a whole days work.

I'd love to see the close-up photos if someone has them!!

[mirs]

tinkerbell has to be more than 100 pounds because if she were that light, she would get stuck halfway down her flight path. she has to have enough weight and momentum to keep flying.

[Chess]

When we did the Keys to the Kingdom tour several years ago, we did get to see the mattress at the end that she/he flies into. If you know where to look you can see it. I'll check with DH to see if he remembers exactly where it is. According to our tour guide, there was a weight limit. If I remember correctly it was between 95-105/110 lbs. and that these are contract workers and do not work for Disney itself. Also where they land at the end there are supposedly 2 guys (burly, I would assume) holding mattresses along the side as well as the mattresses at the end of the landing area. Sometimes these guys are forced off the landing area and they fall about another 3 feet or so onto more mattresses.

[bradk]

i don't know specifically what the salary is, but tink gets paid a full weekly salary (as in 40 hours) + hazard pay and only has to perform the flights

[Brian_WDW74]

Tinker Bell must weigh between 95 and 115 pounds.
She wears nearly 70 pounds of harnesses and lights.
She makes Actors' Equity wages plus hazard bonuses, and she gets paid for eight hours whether she flies or not.
Sometimes it's not a Tinker Bell that flies. It's a Tinker Bill. :)

[abeyst]

Heck, I'd do it for that kind of pay! (Then again, I don't have a problem jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, either! :)) That kind of pay is enough encouragement to lose the weight!

I'm glad I've never seen Tinker Bill... ewwww!

I wonder if there's a lot of people who 'try out' for that position?

[wildeoscar]

Tinker Bell must weigh between 95 and 115 pounds.
She wears nearly 70 pounds of harnesses and lights.
She makes Actors' Equity wages plus hazard bonuses, and she gets paid for eight hours whether she flies or not.
Sometimes it's not a Tinker Bell that flies. It's a Tinker Bill. :)


I remember the upper limit as 120, and there was something about the height so that it is consistent... but this info is most accurate.

[bas71873]

My husband SWORE it was Tinker Bill when we were there in Feb. I was just so mesmorized that I didn't pay attention to that. My daugther LOVED it and wanted her (him?) to fly again.

[scoolover]

$500. This is Disney. Walt didn't make that much!

[PoohsFan1]

My mom had told me once that she was talking to a CM about Tink's flight and the CM said that Tink has a special pass that she/he gets to whip out and she/he gets front of the line access to a special parking lot just for her. The CM also told my mom that Tink usually doesn't get to work until about 5 mins before the show, don't know the exact amount that Tink gets per flight, but from what I am told, it is not a bad gig.

[Robo]

My mom had told me once that she was talking to a CM...

Well, that's good enough for me.

Those Disney park CMs get all their info from Disney bus drivers, who get all their info from Disney park CMs.






Ohhh, my head hurts.



:goodvibes

[Dan Murphy]

Tinker Bell must weigh between 95 and 115 pounds.
She wears nearly 70 pounds of harnesses and lights.
She makes Actors' Equity wages plus hazard bonuses, and she gets paid for eight hours whether she flies or not.
Sometimes it's not a Tinker Bell that flies. It's a Tinker Bill. :)
Don't tell me, Brian, you are RustyScupper?? :scared1: ;)

[PoohsFan1]

Well, that's good enough for me.

Those Disney park CMs get all their info from Disney bus drivers, who get all their info from Disney park CMs.






Ohhh, my head hurts.



:goodvibes

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[Brian_WDW74]

Don't tell me, Brian, you are RustyScupper?? :scared1: ;)

:rotfl:

It crossed my mind when I posted that RustyScupper might sue me for trademark infringement.

[daisax]

The CM also told my mom that Tink usually doesn't get to work until about 5 mins before the show,

The Backstage folks told us that indeed it's the only duty "Tink's friend" has, but that there is extensive time required for suiting up safely, and reaching the "launching" area takes a lot of climbing. The implication was that there was an awful lot more required for a few seconds of flight than simply showing up 5 minutes before the show.

A lot of fitness is also required in case the ability to fly falters and Tink needs to complete the flight hand over hand instead of via magic.

[goofy4tink]

It's my understanding that 'Tink' has to weigh in just before flying each night. If she/he weighs over the mandated limit, there's no flight. Evidently, everything has to match up just right. Same thing if there is too much wind, or heaven forbid, lightening that night.
We've seen the exit area as well..not very pretty at all, but I guess it serves a purpose.
And from what I understand, there aren't too many who qualify for 'Tink' duty because of the size limits.

[Goofy'slady]

I could careless if it was Tinker Bell or Tinker Bill; doesn't spoil the magic for me. I would love to see Tinker Bill :rotfl2: I'm trying to picture this dude in a fairy costume complete with green tights and a wond. That would be worth it's weight in gold for me.

T.

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=976280

A little Google search

[jak07]

Does anyone have pictures of Tinker Bill????

I don't know too many men that weigh 95-1115 lbs.:confused3

You really learn something new everyday!!!

[Dan Murphy]

:rotfl:

It crossed my mind when I posted that RustyScupper might sue me for trademark infringement.:thumbsup2 :laughing:

[Robo]

,I could careless if it was Tinker Bell or Tinker Bill; doesn't spoil the magic for me. I would love to see Tinker Bill :rotfl2: I'm trying to picture this dude in a fairy costume complete with green tights and a wond. That would be worth it's weight in gold for me.

T.

Oh, what you describe (sans the green tights) is what the telephoto images reveal.

Tink in Wishes wears a costume covered with miniature electric lights (similar to what they use in the SpectroMagic Parade.)

To the naked eye, SHE is a magical, enchanted fairy princess with an iridescent glow.

To the telephoto camera lens (on selected nights) HE is a burly rather hirsute "teamster-lookin' dude."

These infamous photos were posted back before I started saving these kind of things.

I hope someone who DID save them or the links will drop by and show us the goods.

[EeyoreFan1]

Don't tell me, Brian, you are RustyScupper?? :scared1: ;)

This made me crack up laughing! :rotfl2:

[krismom]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/krismom_2007/tink1.jpg

$500, really? I'd pay them to get to do it!

[Mickey_Man]

WOW! TinkerBill is rather frightening. What do you suppose the "pregame" routine is before donning that costume?? :drinking1

[Robo]

WOW! TinkerBill is rather frightening. What do you suppose the "pregame" routine is before donning that costume?? :drinking1

Breakfast of Champions!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/RoboWDW/Silly%20Stuff/RawSteaks.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/RoboWDW/Silly%20Stuff/rawegg.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/RoboWDW/Silly%20Stuff/Beer-Stein.jpg

[Daxx]

Many Tinkerbells have been former gymnasts (so I've heard).

[KittieKat]

Dude! I would do this for free! I'm a small girl (about 5 feet tall) call me disney! haha. But seriously...the cash wouldn't be too bad either. The ride of a lifetime I say a freaking awesome zip line over magic kingdom?! I also used to play rugby and have no qualms about smacking into a cushioned mattress...ive smacked into giant canadians, I think i can handle a mattress haha!

[BamaFan121s]

Many Tinkerbells have been former gymnasts (so I've heard).

I've actually heard that too. Also that the $amount$ made per flight IS quite a hefty amount.

(Per acquaintance that went to work for Disney.)

[fires_grumpy]

DW and I are going to be at WDW in May. I got to watch even more now when Tinker Bell "Bill" makes that fight. I will definitely have the camcord on night vision. To see if I can get a picture of the fight. The money sounds good but Jack Daniels and Budwiser does not make enough to get me to dress up like a woman. I could jump out of a window but put on green tights :rotfl: So don`t worry about me making that fight:laughing:

[Feralpeg]

Tinker Bell must weigh between 95 and 115 pounds.
She wears nearly 70 pounds of harnesses and lights.
She makes Actors' Equity wages plus hazard bonuses, and she gets paid for eight hours whether she flies or not.
Sometimes it's not a Tinker Bell that flies. It's a Tinker Bill. :)


This is correct. One lady, who has done the job for many years, weighs 85 pounds. I've not met her personally yet, but know some good friends of hers. I'm really hoping to get to meet here soon. I'd like to ask her what it is like to do the flight.

[jcb]

If Sandy Duncan can play Peter Pan on Broadway, www.imdb.com/name/nm0242098/ (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0242098/) then surely there can't be any objection to a man playing Tink at WDW.

[Robo]

If Sandy Duncan can play Peter Pan on Broadway, www.imdb.com/name/nm0242098/ (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0242098/) then surely there can't be any objection to a man playing Tink at WDW.

That's true of the stage versions of this play.

Sandy Duncan...

Cathy Rigby...

Mary Martin...

Peter Pan on stage has traditionally been played by a woman, ever since J.M. Barrie wrote the drama in 1904...
and since the popular musical version premiered on Broadway in 1954, and Mary Martin performed the role on TV in the 1950-60's.

There have been a few notable exceptions to this stage tradition, but not too many.

(And the actor who portrays Mr. Darling usually also plays Capt. Hook.)

[sls404]

We had front row seats for Wishes at Noodle Station and Tinker Bell/Bill flew right over us! It was hard to tell because they were going so fast but it looked like a guy to me... and they didn't seem to weigh under 100 lbs.

[pixie08]

Yes I used to work with a woman who was Tinkerbell during her Colleg Program years. She is very petite around 5' or under and weighs under 100lbs or just about.

She said she was paid much better than most people in the college program- and she was a former gymnast! She has even had the short pixe hair cut since then!

[PatriciaH]

:rotfl:

It crossed my mind when I posted that RustyScupper might sue me for trademark infringement.


:lmao:

[PrincessKara22]

That's true of the stage versions of this play.

Sandy Duncan...

Cathy Rigby...

Mary Martin...

Peter Pan on stage has traditionally been played by a woman, ever since J.M. Barrie wrote the drama in 1904...
and since the popular musical version premiered on Broadway in 1954, and Mary Martin performed the role on TV in the 1950-60's.

There have been a few notable exceptions to this stage tradition, but not too many.

(And the actor who portrays Mr. Darling usually also plays Capt. Hook.)

The Cathy Rigby movie version used to confuse so much as a kid (I've never seen a Peter Pan stage version)!! I'd think to myself "Wow Peter seems really girlie I don't get why Wendy and Tink like him so much." I just assumed that Cathy Rigby was actually a guy! It wasn't until I was older that I figured it out hahaha.

[mhingher]

I believe most of the info is true... they talked about it during the keys to the kingdom tour... I don't remember the details b/c it was over 2 years ago.

[SueM in MN]

here's an article that quotes the guide for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour (http://www.newsday.com/travel/destinations/florida/ny-ll4822871jul23,0,1239597.story) as saying "The performer in the Tink suit must weigh no more than 95 pounds; she wears nearly 70 pounds of harnesses and lights; she makes actors' equity wages plus hazard bonuses, and she gets paid for eight hours whether she flies or not."

[pinkerbell]

I'm tired of Living in the Northeast.. DH and DD's would love to go to disney more.. and since I spend most of our disposable income there ... I should probably get some from them as well.. so
We'll load up the truck and move to disney (Beverly Hillbies music here)
I'm 5 ft and 105 lbs.... where do I apply!!!!!

[mistyt]

Haha...Tink gets paid so much because it is next to impossible to find an insurance compnay that will take up that person!

5'0-5'2 and between 95-110lbs.

[Moonpie]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/krismom_2007/tink1.jpg

$500, really? I'd pay them to get to do it!
Thank you!
I've never laughed so hard in my whole life! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Two questions...
Why don't they have a "no facial hair" policy for Tinker Bill?
and...
What do you think he tells his friends he does for a living?

[danny1649]

Moved this thread tp our Rumors and Disney News Board:goodvibes :goodvibes Danny

[SueM in MN]

Thank you!
I've never laughed so hard in my whole life! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Two questions...
Why don't they have a "no facial hair" policy for Tinker Bill?
and...
What do you think he tells his friends he does for a living?
The person who originally posted that photo wrote that even though some people thought there appeared to be facial hair on the Tink, on his original photo it clearly is not and he actually posted another picture in the thread that showed what looks like facial hair is not. That picture is no longer available in the photo thread. Someone posted a link to the original photo thread earlier in this thread, so you can see what the person who took the pictures said about the pictures.

[MissKris721]

Disney is sooooo strict with employee image that I would highly doubt they would let a guy fly with facial hair....unless they were really strapped for a tink that night and maybe they figured probably no one would notice? I dunno, like I said Disney has OCD when it comes to employees' images.

[Sansa]

I Believe in TinkerBills! :lmao:

[Nancyg56]

Yeah, I've seen the pictures of the "mustachioed" Tinkerbell. "She" did look heavier than 100 lbs. I thought the $500 sounded outlandish as well. That's why I wanted to post here and see if anyone knew the "real" truth.

I wonder about the stories people tell. Even though this gal worked at MK, who knows if she wasn't a receiver of the rumor mill there too??

We talked with a CM who told us that Tink was paid $400 an hour. I have no idea if it is true through.

[DancingBear]

It's said Tink gets 8 hours of pay each day she works. Let's suppose that she's actually on the clock for a half hour. If her pay rate was $25/hour, she'd get $200 for that half hour, essentially being paid at the rate of $400/hour. I doubt those are the actual figures, but that's probably what these folks mean; not that her actual hourly pay rate as it shows on her check is $400.

[WeatherbySwann]

The thought of Tinker Bill rather frightens me. :scared1: :scared:

It would take too long to type the entire article up, but if anyone used to subscribe to the now-extinct Disney Magazine, in the Fall 2004 issue (it has the Animated Movie Guide on the cover) there's an interesting 1-page article about Tiny Kline, who, at age 70, was Disneyland's first ever Tinker Bell.

[Rora]

Crazy!! I wonder if it's true!

Oh Disney secrets! :)

[SueM in MN]

The thought of Tinker Bill rather frightens me. :scared1: :scared:

It would take too long to type the entire article up, but if anyone used to subscribe to the now-extinct Disney Magazine, in the Fall 2004 issue (it has the Animated Movie Guide on the cover) there's an interesting 1-page article about Tiny Kline, who, at age 70, was Disneyland's first ever Tinker Bell.
Yeah, I was trying to see if I could find that on line someplace. It was an interesting article.

[seashoreCM]

Disney is sooooo strict with employee image that I would highly doubt they would let a guy fly with facial hair....unless they were really strapped for a tink that night and maybe they figured probably no one would notice? I dunno, like I said Disney has OCD when it comes to employees' images.
1. If Tink' is paid $500. per performance, it seems as if Disney could be strapped for a performer every now and then.
2. Those who reported facial hair on Tink', was that seen with the naked eye?
3. Some time back I read on these boards an account of a (guy) who turned down the face character position of Peter Pan because he would have to shave his chest.
Haha...Tink gets paid so much because it is next to impossible to find an insurance compnay that will wake up that person!
OT: Couldn't help it.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[SueM in MN]

2. Those who reported facial hair on Tink', was that seen with the naked eye?

No.
Someone took pictures of Tink's flight and posted them on a thread quite a while ago. When people saw the pictures, some posted on that thread that they thought it looked like Tink had facial hair. The OP of the pictures posted that the original photos did not show any facial hair. Someone posted copies of some of the pictures from that thread on this one.

[manning]

$500. This is Disney. Walt didn't make that much!

I think it is regular pay and all the beer you can drink just before takeoff.:rolleyes1

[tinkcrazy68]

Disney is sooooo strict with employee image that I would highly doubt they would let a guy fly with facial hair....unless they were really strapped for a tink that night and maybe they figured probably no one would notice? I dunno, like I said Disney has OCD when it comes to employees' images.

Disney doesn't even allow men to have facial hair except mustaches and it took years and years before they would even approve mustaches (although we all know Walt had one). The Disney "look" is very strict.
One thing that made me laugh though the last time I was at the MK...
The Disney Look does not allow "unnatural" hair color even highlighting has to look very natural, but the last time I was there I had a platinum blonde cashier with black eyebrows....... hmmm I wonder if that was natural?:laughing:

[harmonium]

40mph. Really? I doubt that a mere mattress could aid in a soft (injury free) landing after travelling at that speed without a brake. :rotfl2:

[seashoreCM]

It surprises me that the imagineers have not come up with some braking device (or have they?). If you are an aviation expert you probably know what a tailhook is. (The braking device would be just under the wire, not on the ground or roof.) Even with some inattentiveness by the participants there is no excuse for injury not counting a significant malfunction.

[pouncingpluto]

As a gymnastics judge, I have to say:

1. Mattresses? Really? I'm hoping/thinking you guys are just being imprecise in describing the matting. Athletic equipment manufacturers could make something a million times more appropriate and safer than using a mattress.

2. Cathy Rigby = silver medalist at 1970 World Championships on balance beam. First American woman ever to win a medal at Worlds. :) Just in case you weren't aware that she was accomplished before Peter Pan. I claim her as one of ours!!!

[boo2you]

Being the cousin OF Tink, I can assure you 100 times over that the 'Tinker Bill' is a complete rumor. The matress, pay, etc., is right on, though. :flower3:

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I believe most of the info is true... they talked about it during the keys to the kingdom tour... I don't remember the details b/c it was over 2 years ago.

The Keys to the Kingdom also explained about the mattress landing.....funny visual....:rotfl:

[TDC Nala]

I think it is regular pay and all the beer you can drink just before takeoff.:rolleyes1

I wouldn't want him/her flying over my head if that's the case.