RE: Latest episode. Jackie's thoughts on character integrity

[derekburgan]

Interesting discussion on this week's show concerning the characters at Walt Disney World. Jackie brought up a story about seeing Belle in Disneyland acknowledge two of the performers friends in line. Jackie said that Belle "wouldn't know two strangers in Disneyland." Now, I don't think this is going to happen anytime soon, but wasn't that very thing going to be a focal point of MyMagic+? Characters were going to "know" us and know details about us like where we stayed, what are birthdays are, etc. Unless I'm missing part of Jackie's story where Belle said she went to college with the friends in line, i don't see the breach of character. And if it is, we need to prepare for a lot more of it because WDW clearly wants to move in that direction.

I definitely must be missing part of the story because Dustin added that the Belle performer should have been fired on the spot.

 

[k5jm]

Interesting discussion on this week's show concerning the characters at Walt Disney World. Jackie brought up a story about seeing Belle in Disneyland acknowledge two of the performers friends in line. Jackie said that Belle "wouldn't know two strangers in Disneyland." Now, I don't think this is going to happen anytime soon, but wasn't that very thing going to be a focal point of MyMagic+? Characters were going to "know" us and know details about us like where we stayed, what are birthdays are, etc. Unless I'm missing part of Jackie's story where Belle said she went to college with the friends in line, i don't see the breach of character. And if it is, we need to prepare for a lot more of it because WDW clearly wants to move in that direction.

I definitely must be missing part of the story because Dustin added that the Belle performer should have been fired on the spot.

No MyMagic+ in Disneyland. But I can see where she was coming from. If Aladdin started talking with his bro's from Cal Tech, I might get a little upset. I have had plenty of friends that were "friends of a character" that never broke character when we saw them a Meet and Greets. If a Green Army Man started talking, my kiddo would have freaked!

 

[Princess Jes]

What was the disconnect for me regarding Jacki's story was that I was under the impression that the focal point was around disclosing on social media, the rest has been the case for a while, not to acknowledge people you know in the park etc.
If that is the case, then they're un-related, no?

 

[JJZMgailey]

Interesting discussion on this week's show concerning the characters at Walt Disney World. Jackie brought up a story about seeing Belle in Disneyland acknowledge two of the performers friends in line. Jackie said that Belle "wouldn't know two strangers in Disneyland." Now, I don't think this is going to happen anytime soon, but wasn't that very thing going to be a focal point of MyMagic+? Characters were going to "know" us and know details about us like where we stayed, what are birthdays are, etc. Unless I'm missing part of Jackie's story where Belle said she went to college with the friends in line, i don't see the breach of character. And if it is, we need to prepare for a lot more of it because WDW clearly wants to move in that direction.

I definitely must be missing part of the story because Dustin added that the Belle performer should have been fired on the spot.

I'm so glad that you started this thread, Derek! I remember when MyMagic+ was first coming out and there was talk about Cast Members knowing who we were as we touched our MagicBands. In fact, as we were boarding an Attraction once, my daughter was wished a Happy Birthday and she wasn't even wearing a button! I don't think the Characters would do it because that would be really odd.

What Belle did at Disneyland was different though; she was a personal friend of some people in line who talked to her about things "on the outside" and she was completely out of character when she participated in the conversation. They were saying something about what they were doing that night.

What was the disconnect for me regarding Jacki's story was that I was under the impression that the focal point was around disclosing on social media, the rest has been the case for a while, not to acknowledge people you know in the park etc.
If that is the case, then they're un-related, no?

They sort of are unrelated in essence, but in my mind it's the breaking character part that made them similar. So, if someone on say Facebook or Twitter announces that they are cast as Belle and posts a photo where you can tell it's that person in a costume, that could ruin the magic for people who see it just like breaking character with friends who come to visit you at "work" while you're in your Belle costume. Know what I mean?

Of course, I believe in magic so it doesn't ruin it for me - it's everyone else I'm worried about!

 

[Tonyz]

What Belle did at Disneyland was different though; she was a personal friend of some people in line who talked to her about things "on the outside" and she was completely out of character when she participated in the conversation. They were saying something about what they were doing that night.

Wow, if this is the case than Jackie is absolutely right in her criticism. That is like rule number one when it comes to being a character, is it not? She should not have a job tomorrow.

 

[Tonyz]

I remember when MyMagic+ was first coming out and there was talk about Cast Members knowing who we were as we touched our MagicBands.

I had no idea about this and I think it's kinda dumb. Why would anyone expect a cast member to "know them"? We don't need to pretend we've been BFFs. Very strange.

 

[Princess Jes]

Honestly, I'm of the opinion that your private social media page should have zero bearing on your job.

Children under a certain age aren't allowed on Facebook as per their terms and conditions, and anyone over that age should know by now that the character is actually an actor. How else do you explain the fact that they're a cartoon in the movie and a human in the parks?
And trust me, I believe in magic too, but I don't see how meeting a character in the park (who is playing the part, unrelated to your a belle incident mentioned on the podcast and above) has anything to do with someone sharing a picture of themselves dressed as belle?
If I posted the exact same picture (let's assume the actor playing belle is my friend) would that be any different? Surely "belle" can't be reprimanded for my actions, and the Magic is equally "ruined" either way.

Anyway, I agree that in the parks, if they don't play their parts, they should be moved to another position (or fired if that's the actual policy as Dustin mentioned) but outside of that, they should be able to do as they please. Freedom of speech or whatever it is that Americans are so proud of (and rightfully so!)

 

[KingLlama]

I'm more bothered by the fact that Jackie wasn't wearing her sunglasses atop her head during the show. That's your trademark, J. Can't let that slip.

 

[JJZMgailey]

I'm more bothered by the fact that Jackie wasn't wearing her sunglasses atop her head during the show. That's your trademark, J. Can't let that slip.

Ha! I thought about you when I took them off actually!

I had a hair clip on top of my head and they wouldn't stay there.

 

[KingLlama]

Hmph.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I like how everyone should always be fired on the spot - no she shouldn't have everyone in every job makes mistakes - maybe this belle saw her friends for he first time and didn't know how to go around that in character.

Jackie I love the positive energy you bring to the table although Tonys is pretty crap :0p

Also I must add when a Hollywood actor is portraying someone they can out that on their resume I have NO problem with someone on a resume saying they played Aladdin in a theme park...why not? It's not some kind of CIA job your a face character in a theme park.

 

[Princess Jes]

I like how everyone should always be fired on the spot - no she shouldn't have everyone in every job makes mistakes - maybe this belle saw her friends for he first time and didn't know how to go around that in character.

Jackie I love the positive energy you bring to the table although Tonys is pretty crap :0p

Also I must add when a Hollywood actor is portraying someone they can out that on their resume I have NO problem with someone on a resume saying they played Aladdin in a theme park...why not? It's not some kind of CIA job your a face character in a theme park.

I think you'll find that they would cover that pretty thoroughly in their training when you become a face character, and it's more than likely in their contract that it is an instant dismissal for that situation. Dustin was a CM, I daresay he would know the consequences.

However, I do agree with you about the resume thing. Again, anyone reading a resume is old enough to know that belle isn't eeally belle, it's old mate Katie from up the street.

 

[k5jm]

How about when your ABD guide gets outed by Jimmy Fallon?

 

[disneysteve]

I like how everyone should always be fired on the spot - no she shouldn't have everyone in every job makes mistakes - maybe this belle saw her friends for he first time and didn't know how to go around that in character.

I respectfully disagree. If she had the talent and skill to be hired as a face character, she should have the talent and skill to stay in character when she saw a friend. If not, she doesn't belong in that type of role. Especially at Disneyland which gets such a local crowd, it's pretty likely that in the course of doing her job, she's going to periodically encounter people she knows.

 

[disneysteve]

We once had a situation where a costumed character kind of broke character but we were totally fine with it. It was actually because of the DIS that it happened. We were eating lunch and a character came over and started pointing at my shirt and back at him/herself. I didn't understand at first because although I was wearing a Disney shirt, that character wasn't on it. Then I realized I was also wearing a green Mickey head that said The DIS on it. The character was indicating that he/she was also a DIS member. About 10 minutes later, a woman came over and introduced herself as a "friend of" that character and a DISboard participant. It's actually one of our all time favorite CM stories even though technically, it probably shouldn't have happened.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I respectfully disagree. If she had the talent and skill to be hired as a face character, she should have the talent and skill to stay in character when she saw a friend. If not, she doesn't belong in that type of role. Especially at Disneyland which gets such a local crowd, it's pretty likely that in the course of doing her job, she's going to periodically encounter people she knows.

So she needs to be fired on the spot?

 

[MermaidOfNeverland]

So she needs to be fired on the spot?

In my opinion, to maintain Disney's high standard of characters, yes.

 

[disneysteve]

So she needs to be fired on the spot?

If by "on the spot" you mean right then and there on stage in front of guests, absolutely not. But when she finishes her shift, I could see her superior calling her in and terminating her.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

what nonsense am I reading...and to what extent was this character even acting out we got nothing besides a general blanket statement

FIRE HER!

 

[MermaidOfNeverland]

It's just my opinion. As it relates to Jackie's story, if Belle was speaking to guests (especially in front of other guests, but regardless) out of character about their plans later that day, she isn't a good match for being a Cast Member and certainly not a character.

I feel like if they allow more relaxed standards, the quality of service and and that ability to fully immerse their audience into a certain world would be lost.

I realize this is probably on the more extreme-end of thinking. While I understand there could potentially be a freedom of speech issue here, there is also the choice to work for someone else.