Kidcot CMs at American Pavillion

[Tam1067]

I would continue to try to explain, but my words and thoughts are being twisted into something that they are not. Never did I say they needed to have XX eye color or be XX feet tall, etc. I can just understand why it may be confusing for a Chinese looking person to be at the American pavilion. A lot of little kids may question that. Older kids can understand that Chinese people are Americans too. However, my littles ones don't quite grasp that concept yet. It would just make sense at world showcase for something like that to not take place. It doesn't bother me enough to be out boycotting it or anything though, I was just trying to state that I understood why this was posted by the OP.

Little kids don't care if someone is "Chinese looking" or not. In my experience, kids mostly notice only when adults around them make an issue of it. Lots of real full-blooded Americans look lots of different ways with varies colored hair, eyes, and skin and different features, too.

I'm thinking that if we want to be accurate and follow the train of thought being expressed in this thread, the only American CMs working in the American pavillion should be Native Americans who are members of tribes which predated the Europeans and Asians and whoever else has decided to immigrate here over the years.

 

[kadesha]

Little kids don't care if someone is "Chinese looking" or not. In my experience, kids mostly notice only when adults around them make an issue of it. Lots of real full-blooded Americans look lots of different ways with varies colored hair, eyes, and skin and different features, too.

I'm thinking that if we want to be accurate and follow the train of thought being expressed in this thread, the only American CMs working in the American pavillion should be Native Americans who are members of tribes which predated the Europeans and Asians and whoever else has decided to immigrate here over the years.

once again, massively over-analyzing. I know they don't care, and I assure you I don't make an issue of it. We have some different races integrated in our family, we are all very accepting people. I guess it's impossible to express a simple thought here. Lesson learned.

I'll step out now, this is ridiculous.

 

[kadesha]

However there is only 1 official anguage in america & I think the cm's in the american pavillion should speak it well.

Why? According to the mindset in this thread, it'd be a good teaching experience that not everyone in America speaks proper English.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

It seems this thread has gotten completely off topic on what the OP asked. If not careful, it could be closed by a Moderator.

Basically she asked, aren't the CMs in the Pavilions suppose to be from the country? That's it! Simply, Yes. The CMs working in the World Showcase Pavilions are suppose to be from the country. That is what makes it so special and unique. However, with any "company" when there is a shortage, people are moved around.

they are here on a Q1 visa which is a special visa Disney lobbied for to get around student visa issues that allow foreign visitors to spend up to a year in the US on a cultural exchange. . . they are locked into that pavilion.

This makes sense. However, are they bound to their home country Pavilion or just to work at Epcot? I've seen CMs from one country working in another country at WS too.

Have a magical day!

- Jennifer

 

[bradk]

AFAIK, if they're on a Q1, they're 'landlocked.' if they're on a student visa, they can work anywhere on property.

and the US does not have an official language. some states do, but the country does not.

 

[Hook's Girl]

It seems this thread has gotten completely off topic on what the OP asked. If not careful, it could be closed by a Moderator.

Basically she asked, aren't the CMs in the Pavilions suppose to be from the country? That's it! Simply, Yes. The CMs working in the World Showcase Pavilions are suppose to be from the country. That is what makes it so special and unique. However, with any "company" when there is a shortage, people are moved around.



This makes sense. However, are they bound to their home country Pavilion or just to work at Epcot? I've seen CMs from one country working in another country at WS too.

Have a magical day!

- Jennifer

And who is to say that this AA Cast Member is not from the United States? She could be a citizen. Just because her nametag says China doesn't mean she can't live in Florida now. I am a Cast Member and my name tag says "California" but I am currently living in Florida. There is no reason to think that this person is not from the United States.

So yes, Cast Members are supposed to be from those countries, but for all we know she could be a U.S Citizen from another country.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I, too, would have found it puzzling to find a person (China) NOT from that particular country (USA) since my understanding is that the CMs in each WS country is suppose to be from there.

Although, like the OP, I probably wouldn't have noticed unless the CM had problems speaking English in the American Pavillion. And since her name tag lists her country as China, it would have contradicted my theory of a recent US immigrant.

That being said... , I noticed LOTS of CMs from China on my last trip to WDW in February. I struck up a conversation with a CM from China training at the ice cream shop at the Broadwalk. Apparently, many, many CMs from China are training at WDW in 2007/08.

Something to do with the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I can't remember if it was some sort of exchange program or just training. Probably has some sort of tie-in with the DisneyLand Hong Kong and the 2008 Olympics, etc.

Sooooooo, maybe the CM from China at the American Pavillion is doing some sort of exchange with a CM going to DL-HK? I probably would have asked her because I am really wondering now.

 

[shellybaxter]

Last time we visited the American Pavillion the CM at the kidcot was from Germany. I don't think Disney follows the same rule for the American Pavillion about the CMs being from that country. I didn't really mind. I just mentioned to my niece that "this nice lady is from Germany, the last country we visited".

 

[hogwartsdropout]

And who is to say that this AA Cast Member is not from the United States? She could be a citizen. Just because her nametag says China doesn't mean she can't live in Florida now. I am a Cast Member and my name tag says "California" but I am currently living in Florida. There is no reason to think that this person is not from the United States.

So yes, Cast Members are supposed to be from those countries, but for all we know she could be a U.S Citizen from another country.

I think that is probably the case, sounds like the most sensible answer.

To the person who asked, yes we are bound to our home countries, as our visas only let us work in the one place. We can't just work anywhere in Epcot unfortunately. I'm not sure how it works for Americas who aren't on a visa though.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I think that is probably the case, sounds like the most sensible answer.

To the person who asked, yes we are bound to our home countries, as our visas only let us work in the one place. We can't just work anywhere in Epcot unfortunately. I'm not sure how it works for Americas who aren't on a visa though.

Thank you for clarifying this. Also, thank you for putting up with us guests.

I can't wait to be at Epcot in September and eat some yummy fish 'n chips. This past May, we sat next to a family from England at the tables near the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. They were eating fish 'n chips too. I am a very friendly person and kind of nosey too. I asked them honestly how it was compared to home. Of course, they said it was better in England and that the chips were BIGGER. I can't imagine the fries being bigger than they already are.

Off Topic: Since you work in the UK Pavilion, you might know. I heard a rumor that there is a CM that comes from Royalty. Is that true? He told the guest his name and they looked him up on the internet when they got home. However, they would not tell us who he was. Just curious. (Okay, nosey.)

- Jennifer

 

[MelanieC]

I personally think it's great that my kids get to meet people from other countries who can't always understand us. That is how it actually is when you visit another country. I don't understand the problem. This can be part of the experience. I think people need to have more understanding and patience. Obviously Disney trusted them enough to work there, use it as a way to teach your child about the other culture and that people don't always speak our language.

 

[RMulieri]

So what makes a person "american" to you? I am not trying to be snarky,I am really interested.America is a country filled with all different ethnicities, they all look different,have different customs,and languages .that is what makes it so great and diverse.

 

[CanadianGuy]

The answer seems to be right here in this thread..

a) if they are here on a student visa - the can be and often are asked to fill in as needed around Epcot. If these are student workers on the CP - ta-da. Mystery solved.

b) if they are American citizens now .. same deal

In any event, arguing over it here won't change a darned thing other than the moderators blood pressure.

If you have concerns around ANY aspect of your visit to Disney, you're best served by expressing those directly to the people most empowered to address them:

E-Mail :
WDW.Guest.Communications@disney.com

Postal Mail:

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

 

[bradk]

To the person who asked, yes we are bound to our home countries, as our visas only let us work in the one place. We can't just work anywhere in Epcot unfortunately. I'm not sure how it works for Americas who aren't on a visa though.

just to clarify again, this is true of those on Q1 visas which most, if not all, WS cast members are on. there are international CMs on J1 visas who are allowed to work anywhere on property.

 

[disnut8]

I'm coming in late but from the OP's first comment, the thing that was the bother was the Cast Member couldn't spell "Lauren" because of the "R". Sure, Lauren is considered a "simple" name but so is mine. It's just spelled differently.

I have a great-niece whose names is Brezlyne. (Bres-lyn). And a great-nephew whose name is Vitor (Ve-tor). My father-in-law's name is Edmund but it's heard as Edward all the time. My mother-in-law prefers Bobbie and gets a look and then it gets spelled Bobby.

We once were getting an autograph from a NASCAR driver and wanted him to sign it for our daughter-in-law. We didn't spell it, just told him it was spelled the same as Jimmie Johnson's wife. But it's pronounced differently.

I can't imagine those Kidcot Cast Members having to deal with all the different names they are handed every single day. With music in the background, kids sitting around them, people talking all over. Has no one considered the possibility that this Cast Member just couldn't HEAR how to spell Lauren? It could have been Lawen for all this Cast Member knew.

 

[bavaria]

I get what you're saying. I think that at the pavilions, people with traditional appearances from said country should be working at the Kidcot stations.

I think for kid cot yeah it should be a traditional looking person from said country.

If you have a Chinese looking person at the Germany pavilion, it's going to warrant some confusion.

It is taking me a lot of self control to reply here, and I really debated if I should or not. My apologies in advance to our moderator.

I am frankly stunned to read this. I have read many xenophobic things on the internet in past, and have chosen to no longer participate in some forums here based on some of the comments, but as a German this one just stuns me.

It may surprise you to hear that there is no 'traditional' German look. The stereotype of blonde hair and blue eyes is a very small minority (and I do not have blue eyes myself)

Furthermore, there is a large diversity of cultures in Germany. Many Germans originally came from Vietnam to work in East Germany and when the wall came down many wanted to stay in Germany, along with the millions of others who endured that regime. I know many Germans of Asian descent who only speak German and English.

As someone who travels the world and has been able to learn about various cultures and traditions around the world, I am disappointed to read something like this. The desire to have a 'traditional German look' is something many of us consider to have caused a very dark period in our history, and I would have hoped that society would have progressed somewhat since that point.

Again, my apologies to our moderator if I have been out of line (ironically, the non-American moderator who has a Middle Eastern Disney character as his avatar )

 

[savannahjean85]

All I can say is actually being Native American (Navajo and Ojibwa) I am a little dishearted to read all this. You guys are disappointed because it is not a orginal american citizen represtenting the country? Are you serious? I am at a true loss for words.
If it was me in that situation I would have point out that the CM is exactly what our country is about immigrantion a melting pot. Because at one point almost everyone's ancestors were going through the same thing; coming to this country and learning new ways/customs/languages to become an American; and i don't think that would confuse a child.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I get what you're saying. I think that at the pavilions, people with traditional appearances from said country should be working at the Kidcot stations. It's hard enough for little kids to understand different cultures, I think that just makes it even more confusing.

Please tell us what a traditional American looks like.

 

[kadesha]

It is taking me a lot of self control to reply here, and I really debated if I should or not. My apologies in advance to our moderator.

I am frankly stunned to read this. I have read many xenophobic things on the internet in past, and have chosen to no longer participate in some forums here based on some of the comments, but as a German this one just stuns me.

It may surprise you to hear that there is no 'traditional' German look. The stereotype of blonde hair and blue eyes is a very small minority (and I do not have blue eyes myself)

Furthermore, there is a large diversity of cultures in Germany. Many Germans originally came from Vietnam to work in East Germany and when the wall came down many wanted to stay in Germany, along with the millions of others who endured that regime. I know many Germans of Asian descent who only speak German and English.

As someone who travels the world and has been able to learn about various cultures and traditions around the world, I am disappointed to read something like this. The desire to have a 'traditional German look' is something many of us consider to have caused a very dark period in our history, and I would have hoped that society would have progressed somewhat since that point.

Again, my apologies to our moderator if I have been out of line (ironically, the non-American moderator who has a Middle Eastern Disney character as his avatar )

I don't think you're out of line at all. From the way you are taking my posts, it's understandable. I haven't worded myself in the best way, I really can't word anything correctly because it's massively over analyzed on this board. Nowhere did I say a blonde haired, blue eyed person. I really didn't mean for it to be as big of a deal as what it's been made out to be. All I was trying to say was that a Chinese person at the American pavilion would confuse my kids. That's very understandable, IMO. Then I tried to elaborate a bit, but clearly didn't do a good job because you all think I want a blonde haired blue eyes person there. I guess I can't explain my thoughts well, but I didn't mean for it to be what this thread has turned into. My apologies. Maybe someone out there gets what I was trying to say. Maybe not. But rest assured that I don't have anything against any people from any country. You all can keep questioning me all you want, since that's what this thread has turned into, but I don't know how to convey my thoughts in a way that isn't going to be over analyzed. Once again, my apologies, there's nothing more I can or am going to say here.

I thought of an example. We have this Japanese restaurant near our house that we go to often, it's very authentic. I enjoy going there for the ambiance mostly. I've been there more times than I can count and have always had a Japanese guy (or what appeared to me to be a Japanese guy) cook at our table. They'd have a unique Japanese sounding name. When you look around, it's always the same at all the tables. Then one night I went and when our chef came to our table and I was surprised. It was a white guy named Bernie. Now I have nothing against white guys, being white myself, but I admit I thought it was a little strange. That's kinda what I'm talking about, maybe it helps get the point across, maybe not. I'm the queen of putting my foot in my mouth and not being able to express my thoughts the way I'd like, IRL and online!

 

[bavaria]

Please tell us what a traditional American looks like.

I am still struggling to understand what a 'traditional German' looks like. Based on the stereotype, the two most prolific Germans posting on this site could not work at Kidcot, as marcus.ka and I do not meet this stereotype.

And then there are other famous Germans - our own King Ludwig II, or my own personal German heroine Sophie Scholl. Their dark hair most likely excludes them from the 'traditional German look'.

The reality is that there is no such thing as a 'traditional look' for Germany or any other country. Consider China - 'Land of Many Faces'. There are a variety of ethnic minorities which make up that country - more than 50 ethnic groups, in fact.

By singling out one group to represent a country we exclude the others who are legitimate representations of their country and its heritage.