Isn't this a VERY Big No-No???

[29apr00]

This article was in our local paper this morning!! Aren't cast members who play characters not allowed at all to disclose that information?? Doesn't that seem to ruin the magic?

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/News04/35574733/1051/News04

[Tiffany]

I don't see an issue with it. How many children young enough to still believe that the characters are real read the newspaper?

[disneyin2008]

Well, I'm glad that the photo of her is only a profile, and she has blonde hair.....that way if she's there in November when we are I won't recognize her! As an adult I "know" that it's just a person with another life outside of the park, but the kid in me doesn't want to know these kinds of details!

[disney junky]

I don't see that there's any problem with what she's talked about. It's more the process of getting the job than anything else. A couple locals have gone there and the articles written about them are similar.

[Wishing0nStars88]

I didnt read anything in there that would cause anyone to lose sight of any Disney magic.
But thats just me =-/

[izzys4]

It doesn't bother me any to read the article. I find it interesting is all. It won't kill any magic for me!!

Disney is my happy place!!:goodvibes

[POOH&PIGLET]

I don't see anything wrong with the article (my non-Disney executive personal view). What did she disclose? That Ariel is not real? I would enjoy reading about someone who lives around me getting a job at WDW. I would probably look for them if I had the chance.

[FireDancer]

IF the article was in Highlights magazine maybe it could be a problem but in a newspaper I don’t think it is a big deal. To be honest I like finding out the behind the scenes processes.

On a side note I really hope Highlights is still printed or I would feel like an aged silly goose.

[Wishing0nStars88]

On a side note I really hope Highlights is still printed or I would feel like an aged silly goose.

I believe it still is.
I see them at my little sisters doctors office. And I doubt they would be using old ones lol.
LOVED that magazine when I was little :cutie:

[disneygal2007]

I enjoyed it. Unless they come out with a African American princess at the parks most of us will never know what goes on. :thumbsup2

[Jenvenza]

I dont see anything wrong with it either. I doubt any little girls who believe she is the real Ariel will be reading the paper anyway.

[disneyin2008]

I believe it still is.
I see them at my little sisters doctors office. And I doubt they would be using old ones lol.
LOVED that magazine when I was little :cutie:

Yep...and if you go to their website each month they have a free download of the hidden pictures. I say they're for the kids, but I always have to do them first before I give them to the kids. Some people never grow up, lol.

[disnut8]

There's really nothing "disclosed". Now, if she had said exactly how Ariel can move her tail or something like that, that would be disclosure. There are tons of articles all the time about actors who portray the voices of characters in the movies. With the Lion King, there was even brief talk of Jeremy Irons getting an Academy Award nomination for his "portrayal" of Scar. Same thing with Robin Williams as Genie (and let's not forget his hissy fit with Disney that led to him not voicing Genie for the second Aladdin).

[Bill From PA]

You mean the characters aren't the real deal? Wow, first I learn there's no Santa Claus, then I find that Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their records, now this?! I'm crushed.

Bill From PA

[FireDancer]

Same thing with Robin Williams as Genie (and let's not forget his hissy fit with Disney that led to him not voicing Genie for the second Aladdin).

I can't put all the blame on Robin for this one. He agreed to voice the Genie for the minimum SAG wave ($75,000 I believe) but as part of the agreement Disney was not to use his name or image to promote the film. Genie was also not to take more than 25% of any artwork that Disney produced for promotion of the file. Disney pretty blatantly broke these parts of the contract and then Eisner’s ego got in the way of fixing the misunderstanding.

[Disneyholic]

You mean the characters aren't the real deal? Wow, first I learn there's no Santa Claus, then I find that Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their records, now this?! I'm crushed.

Bill From PA

And the beautiful Chinese Girl who "sang" at the beginning of the Olympics was lip-syncing, too.

[Kiki Lime]

Interesting article! I don't see any "no no"'s here!

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Yeah, there obviously isn't anything anti-disney in this article but I think I know what the OP is trying to say. Aren't CMs who play characters not supposed to say they are? I met a CM and the WoD in NYC who was very exciting because she got the call to go work in WDW and when I asked her what she said she was going be friends with a princess. As much as adults know that real people play princesses, it was always the Disney way not to discuss casting and things like that. I thought CMs were not allowed to do interviews or talk about the process and such.

[schmass]

I don't see a problem with it at all. I found it interesting.

[futreWDI]

Technically, this is a no no. Just like you cannot tag any photos of yourself on Myspace or Facebook in your character costume. No little kids are on Facebook but it still is not allowed.

Also, a girl got in trouble for making a comment about wearing a princess costume in orlando on Jay Leno last year. She never even said the word Disney and got in trouble. No little kids are watching Leno.

It is just not allowed. Hence the statement... 'I am a friend of ___________'

[Disneynut25]

I enjoyed it. Unless they come out with a African American princess at the parks most of us will never know what goes on. :thumbsup2

What does that mean?

[BellAbbeys Mom]

You mean the characters aren't the real deal? Wow, first I learn there's no Santa Claus, then I find that Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their records, now this?! I'm crushed.

Bill From PA

:lmao: :lmao: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[bellaDisneydncr]

Even though most kids won't be reading it- this could somewhat jeopardize her position there. I auditioned to be a character performer and the first thing we were told was to not tell about the audition process. Obviously we could tell our family and close friends, but other than that they said to keep the details quiet. I even remember the casting director saying not to do interviews with local papers or news stations. And it was also said that if we did receive a job we should always say we are "friends with ____."

[29apr00]

Yeah, there obviously isn't anything anti-disney in this article but I think I know what the OP is trying to say. Aren't CMs who play characters not supposed to say they are? I met a CM and the WoD in NYC who was very exciting because she got the call to go work in WDW and when I asked her what she said she was going be friends with a princess. As much as adults know that real people play princesses, it was always the Disney way not to discuss casting and things like that. I thought CMs were not allowed to do interviews or talk about the process and such.

Technically, this is a no no. Just like you cannot tag any photos of yourself on Myspace or Facebook in your character costume. No little kids are on Facebook but it still is not allowed.

Also, a girl got in trouble for making a comment about wearing a princess costume in orlando on Jay Leno last year. She never even said the word Disney and got in trouble. No little kids are watching Leno.

It is just not allowed. Hence the statement... 'I am a friend of ___________'


YES! Thank you! That's what I thought, you're not allowed to say that you are a character. Usually it's just "I work in Entertainment" and that's it. It's not like you can just walk up to someone and have them say "Yeah, I'm Mickey Mouse Tuesdays and Thursday from 6-8pm." :confused3 It seems like the great lenghts that Disney goes thru to keep the magic alive and make sure that characters and handlers never get out of character, to have this girl just blatently state that she is Ariel just seems very wrong.

[TerrytownGrl]

You mean the characters aren't the real deal? Wow, first I learn there's no Santa Claus, then I find that Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their records, now this?! I'm crushed.

Bill From PA

:lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl:

Thanks for the laugh, Bill!

[Cool-Beans]

The no-nos for Disney have changed.

If their teenage stars can send people naked pictures of themselves and have them all over the internet or pose for thisclose to porn pics, I think this girl is pretty safe saying she plays Ariel.

[KGH]

That's so strange... it was always heavily emphasised that you were to say you were friends with a character...

[fakereadhed]

The no-nos for Disney have changed.

If their teenage stars can send people naked pictures of themselves and have them all over the internet or pose for thisclose to porn pics, I think this girl is pretty safe saying she plays Ariel.

Um, you have a point there.

[LilGMom]

then I find that Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their records, now this?!

But they did sing!! I have a CD that proves it!! :rolleyes1

[Wishing0nStars88]

The no-nos for Disney have changed.

If their teenage stars can send people naked pictures of themselves and have them all over the internet or pose for thisclose to porn pics, I think this girl is pretty safe saying she plays Ariel.


Haha ... that is true!

[selina4disney]

But they did sing!! I have a CD that proves it!! :rolleyes1

You know, you coulda got a refund for that! ;)

[pixiedust23]

Seriously? This is an issue? Some girl decided to save her parents money b/c she didn't know what she wanted to do with her life. I think it's inspirational to other kids her age; letting them know that there are other alternatives out there other than college. As a high school teacher, I think getting her story and other stories like hers out there is a great thing. If someone gets their panties in a bunch b/c of the reality of the fact that the characters aren't real, they have major issues. I think Disney should be more concerned with inspiring people to follow their dreams, then if some girl gave an interview to a local paper!

[abc999]

Isn't Disney all about dreams? This young lady is doing what many people dream of. I see no issues with this article.

[sarah_n_brian2006]

I havent read the entire thread, but according to the posts of other CMs and reading a few Disney Hospitality books, I have learned that it is Disneys rule that you are only allowed to use the following. However, I'm not sure of enforcement or punishment of not following as she did.

If I were Ariel, as she is, I would only be allowed to say this about my job as a character: "I am a friend of Ariels". That being said any small children would think nothing of it, and the ones in the know would know.

However, I don't care, but I just hope that there is no trouble with her and Disney, as I also have read that any disclosure of Disney employment practices are to be released only with the permission of Disney reps. So I hope she, if this article is true, because several websites and books disclose the same information, got this okay'ed by the Mouse HOuse first. I'd hate for her to get flamed by her boss or even higher ups. *crosses fingers*

But how lucky is she!!!????

[sarah_n_brian2006]

I enjoyed it. Unless they come out with a African American princess at the parks most of us will never know what goes on. :thumbsup2

I think they may start auditions soon for the Princess and the Frog (I think) Princess. I mean it's out in theaters soon right? You could look into it! :rolleyes:

[xDressedinlove]

I don't see an issue with it. How many children young enough to still believe that the characters are real read the newspaper?

::yes::



p.s. I'm from Indiana too!

[WDWguru]

It's borderline, but interesting and I doubt many little kids are reading a newspaper article over their Cheerios.

Speaking of, as a newspaper employee I DO have a problem with the fact that you posted the entire article here. That is a violation of copyright. Fair use dictates that you can post a headline, byline and summary or first paragraph of the text, then link to the rest.

Not trying to be "that guy" but it is a peeve of mine and you can get in trouble for it.

[29apr00]

It's borderline, but interesting and I doubt many little kids are reading a newspaper article over their Cheerios.

Speaking of, as a newspaper employee I DO have a problem with the fact that you posted the entire article here. That is a violation of copyright. Fair use dictates that you can post a headline, byline and summary or first paragraph of the text, then link to the rest.

Not trying to be "that guy" but it is a peeve of mine and you can get in trouble for it.

:scared: I posted the link to the entire article, doesn't that count?

[futreWDI]

I don't think the issue here should be whether or not the rule is okay. Everyone has opinions on whether Disney should have such a rule and they will always be differing. The issue at hand is that she was hired by Walt Disney World. The day she auditioned she signed a paper accepting her role and all of the rules that come with it.

She broke a rule.

If this article was not approved by Disney before it was printed she does have a chance of losing her status with the Company.

When I was a Campus Rep at my school, WVU, for the College Program (we recruit students to go work in the World) it was very difficult to get approval for a news article about the program. Our recruiter who is stationed in Orlando and travels her area (which was WV and a few other states) would have to either be part of the interview or get the questions and the Reps answers for approval. We also had textbook answers we could give. This wasn't even an issue of breaking the magic and princesses. This was about the program and the option for kids to take a semester and work in Disney.
The reason I am saying all of this is because I do not believe Disney would ever give approval for such an article.

It sucks, and like I said, you may not agree with the rule itself but it is a rule.

[FigmentFinder]

But they did sing!! I have a CD that proves it!! :rolleyes1

Admit it. You probably had a record or cassette of Milli Vanilli singing, not a CD. ;)

[Disneycrazed63]

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. In fact I've seen a program where they showed the auditioning process...

[xDressedinlove]

Admit it. You probably had a record or cassette of Milli Vanilli singing, not a CD. ;)

I'll admit to having a George Michael cassette in my car =]

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

For those who say it's a rule and that she could lose her job over admitting to playing a specific character, can I ask how you know this? I have heard people say that characters couldn't reveal themselves but that's really just hearsay. Can you tell us exactly how it's stated in the employee contract? As far as I understand, Disney might not like people revealing such information but I'm not sure that it's grounds for dismissal.

[Sleeping Becca]

You mean the characters aren't the real deal? Wow, first I learn there's no Santa Claus, then I find that Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their records, now this?! I'm crushed.

Bill From PA
What Milli Vanilli didn't sing on their records????? What about thier concerts???? I want my money back!

Toothfairy is still real right?

:rotfl2:

[kaybird]

I enjoyed it. Unless they come out with a African American princess at the parks most of us will never know what goes on. :thumbsup2


Should be one next year with the release of the Princess and the Frog. Can't Wait!!!

[bookmama]

This article was in our local paper this morning!! Aren't cast members who play characters not allowed at all to disclose that information?? Doesn't that seem to ruin the magic?

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/News04/35574733/1051/News04

i don't think so. I think it's just a girl excited that she got the coolest job and wanted to share her experience. The magic is still there. I think that this is just a little more Disney Magic.


You go girl http://smileyjungle.com/smilies/celebrate2.gif

[Sleeping Becca]

I'll admit to having a George Michael cassette in my car =]
Wow! A car with a cassette player! and George Michael! Oooooooo.....airing out all of the dirty laudry!

I have Michael Jackson's Thriller on a 33", not in my car though.

[Disneycrazed63]

Who says she didn't get premission from Disney????
Like I said in another post... I've seen things on TV about the whole audition process

[Sleeping Becca]

For those who say it's a rule and that she could lose her job over admitting to playing a specific character, can I ask how you know this? I have heard people say that characters couldn't reveal themselves but that's really just hearsay. Can you tell us exactly how it's stated in the employee contract? As far as I understand, Disney might not like people revealing such information but I'm not sure that it's grounds for dismissal.
The reason why it is second hand info is because publishing a Disney Contract or Confidentiality Agreement would also be a violation.

There was an article a while back over a picture that was published with Ariel and Capt Jack, in the article the former CM talked about the "rules" about being "friends with a character". According to the article Disney is pretty strict about CMs disclosing info about characters and violations can result in termination.

[xDressedinlove]

Wow! A car with a cassette player! and George Michael! Oooooooo.....airing out all of the dirty laudry!

I have Michael Jackson's Thriller on a 33", not in my car though.

:rotfl: It's an 88 Ford Escort. I technically don't drive it anymore but I still have it;)

[Dumbo76]

I don't really think that saying you went to an audition where they broke off into groups is revealing any trade secrets. Give me a break. I am pretty sure Disney isn't going to implode over this small-time article in some local paper. There were hardly any details at all. Those sentences were peripheral at best. The point of the article was to show there are other options besides college after high school, and if you follow your dreams, you might just end up a princess. It was supposed to be inspirational, not blasphemous. A young girl excited about a new career, that's all. It's not like Slugworth is in her ear asking for Disney's secret recipe for success. I love Disney just as much as the next member on these boards, but sometimes I think people get a little too involved, so wrapped up in minutia, that they lose sight of the reason for loving Disney in the first place. It is supposed to be light and fun and make you feel good, not misanthropic and jaded. All these rules and regulations, and petty nitpicking, that's what takes the magic out for me.

[CanadianGuy]

Moving this one over to the ThemeParks Community Board.

Thanks,

Knox

[LilGMom]

Admit it. You probably had a record or cassette of Milli Vanilli singing, not a CD. ;)

Nope have the actual cd. But I will admit to having a "collector's album" of Jon Bon Jovi back when he gave love a bad name. Had his picture on one side and the band on the other. :eek:

[Finally08]

This doesn't bug me. But then I am one of those people who never gets in the character photos because when they walk up (face characters or regular ones), all I can think of is it's just some guy/gal in a suit, and how weird would it be if I got all silly and hugged them? I guess that's what happens when you never saw Disney as a child.
After seeing my dd so excited over characters, it really makes me want to get in there and experience them too. But I think when the moment comes again, I'll be stepping back and watching her...not sure how much I can convince myself that it's "ok" to want to pretend they are real. :rolleyes1

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

The reason why it is second hand info is because publishing a Disney Contract or Confidentiality Agreement would also be a violation.

There was an article a while back over a picture that was published with Ariel and Capt Jack, in the article the former CM talked about the "rules" about being "friends with a character". According to the article Disney is pretty strict about CMs disclosing info about characters and violations can result in termination.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying that we really don't know for certain. So, it's just as likely that she will keep her job as she will lose it. As others have pointed out, we also don't know whether or not she had permission from Disney.

But when it all comes down to it, does it really matter?

[Joanna71985]

As interesting as the article is, it is a big no-no. Disney has rules about what you can release.

[bytheblood]

The reason why it is second hand info is because publishing a Disney Contract or Confidentiality Agreement would also be a violation.

There was an article a while back over a picture that was published with Ariel and Capt Jack, in the article the former CM talked about the "rules" about being "friends with a character". According to the article Disney is pretty strict about CMs disclosing info about characters and violations can result in termination.


Here is that story: http://www.lamag.com/featuredarticle.aspx?id=7016

[Buzz Litebeer]

Same thing with Robin Williams as Genie (and let's not forget his hissy fit with Disney that led to him not voicing Genie for the second Aladdin).
Well, "Breach of contract" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin_(1992_film)#Robin_Williams_and_the_Disney_ studio) tends to do that with professional actors.
I auditioned to be a character performer and the first thing we were told was to not tell about the audition process.
Someone neglected to tell that to my Keys to the Kingdom Tour Guide, who was quite explicit when describing the audition process to my tour group.
If their teenage stars can send people naked pictures of themselves and have them all over the internet or pose for thisclose to porn pics, I think this girl is pretty safe saying she plays Ariel.
Apples and Oranges.

Those "teenage stars" have also made several million times more money for Disney than some cookie-cutter character performer who can be replaced without a second thought and won't be missed by a single Guest.

[portocall]

When I lived in Central FL, Snow White lived two houses down...it was great. No, she wasn't allowed to bring home the costume, but I got WDW tickets for my bday:thumbsup2 so I could see her all dressed up. It didn't ruin my magic at all...