ToT - why aren't all CM's "in character"?

[hellobigfella]

I really enjoy the few CM's at ToT (Tower of Terror) who are "in character" (they act/talk like they are evil/demented). They add so much to my enjoyment of the ride.

I wonder why more of the CM's don't act this way? Is there any reward/encouragement for such behavior?

I sure hope so!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

TJ is my favorite at Tower of Terror and when we saw him for the first time this trip we told him. He still tried to stay in character, but we could see him beaming. I agree that it's more fun when the CMs play the part.

T&B

 

[DebbieB]

At first I thought TT was Test Track! Don't recall any evil/demeneted cm's at Test Track! Then I realized you meant Tower of Terror (usually abbeviated ToT).

 

[hellobigfella]

Sorry, Debbie, about the misunderstanding. Yes, I meant Tower of Terror (I have since changed my original post).

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I feel the same way about the CM's at the Haunted Mansion. Many of them just say their lines, while other's get totally into character. They are the ones that really "make" the whole experience.

Diana

 

[Bill From PA]

I can't recall a ToT Cm NOT being in character, from the entry gate right on through. Guess we've just been lucky.

Bill From PA

 

[goofy4tink]

I can't recall a ToT Cm NOT being in character, from the entry gate right on through. Guess we've just been lucky.

Bill From PA

Us too! We love those CM's. That's one spot I would really love to work. Either there or the HM. We've always gotten CM's who are enjoying the 'true spirit' of the attraction.

 

[always quiet]

Funny story about this ride. We watched the Travel Channel special MANY times before our trip in 2002. I'm sure you'll remember the bell hop they show during that special (tall, thin man with a little mustache). Well, everytime we watched that show, my daughter, who was 11 at the time, would always comment how that guy "freaked" her out. Well, we rode ToT early in the day, the kids loved it, but no 'magic'. The girls wanted to ride it again later in the day. We get through the line and are waiting for our turn on the elevator. One of the bell hops turn around..............and it's HIM!! My daughter let out a screech and and to her horror, we get his elevator! Her reaction (yes, he did know her "Oh my God! It's him!!" comment was directed towards him ) was priceless...........and it really inspired him to really play the part up. We even had the front row and he stood directly in front of my DD. She kept holding her ears, telling him "I'm not listening!"

Everytime we see that show now, Jeana HAS to tell her story again.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I know this is mean, but when we have an elevator full of 'teens' or 'adults' (ie - no kids) we like to try to 'break' the CM's character to crack a smile.

example - you know how after you get in and buckle up they ask you to raise your hands, then tug on the belt? After riding it for the umpteenth time in a row, we get in, buckle up, and raise our hands, the cm would look at us, we'd put our hands down, then as soon as s/he looked away, up our arms went again. Over and over again we did this...we had everyone cracking up becuase we were just being silly.

My MIL attempted to strike up a conversation with a HM CM...the looks of death he gave her while she pleasantly talked to him were hilarious.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I went on the TOT for the first time last week and I actually did notice a few CM's not in character and thought it seemed odd. The guy standing at the enterance was good, but after that nothing special. The CM who loaded us into the elevator was just normal, nothing creepy, gave us our instructions and told us to have a safe trip.

I think some CM's are just better at it than others. We went to Prime Time for lunch, our waitress was good, but we heard her saying the exact same things she said to us to another table, like she was reading lines, but then there was a guy waiter at the next table over who was awesome...he looked the part and was totally into it and the things he said to his tables were more improvised and hilarious.

Lisa

 

[chesirekate]

I agree the ride can be much better when the cm's are in character. My husband has always skipped the HM. I asked him why and he said he thought it was just a cheesy spook house you walked through. Where he got that idea I have no idea. So, I explained the ride to him and he decided that sounded cool and he wanted to try it.

We had our baby with us so we were taking turns on rides so he went alone. He said the last cm on the moving walkway, the last one you see before you actually start the ride, rolled his eyes into the back of his head as people were going by. DH thought that was hilarious and that it was great to see a cm in character like that. So, his first ride through the HM was enhanced by a cm who probably liked their job. Thanks whoever you are!

 

[chimera]

We really miss it when the HM CM's aren't in character. We love it when they open the doors and say, "We need more bodies". We always check to see if Master Gracey's grave has a fresh rose and the earth is freshly turned.

Oh...we're the obnoxious family that recites the opening monologue along with the host in the stretching room. Say hi next time you're there!

 

[LunaOf1900]

I hate how they smile and act so happy. Well, some of them. It's like, "You're supposed to be DEAD!!! Why are you so happy?!?"

 

[AngieBelle]

Yup, some people are just better at it than others! After all, they don't audition actors when they hire for those roles. I'm sure they are encouraged to play the part though. I know I'd try if I worked there, but then again- I laugh very easily!

 

[Scoobmuzic]

One ToT CM scared the bejeesus out all of us in the elevator. It was I think the second time my DH and I rode and as the elevator settled back at the bottom of the shaft we were all laughing when the elevator doors opened up and this CM sticks his head inside and says "how was your trip?" in this loud creepy voice. Everyone screamed, it was so great!!

That was the one and only time anyone has done that when I rode ToT.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

I think some CM's are just better at it than others. We went to Prime Time for lunch, our waitress was good, but we heard her saying the exact same things she said to us to another table, like she was reading lines, but then there was a guy waiter at the next table over who was awesome...he looked the part and was totally into it and the things he said to his tables were more improvised and hilarious.

Lisa

Was the "good" CM at Prime Time Uncle Roy? We LOVE Uncle Roy and look for him every trip. He is hilarious.

 

[HTH]

Hmm? Dead? What makes you think that the bellhops are dead? Plus, aren't bellhops SUPPOSED to be nice? Geeze

 

[MommytoMJM]

We notice this at a lot of rides.... my husband really loves it when the CM's at any attraction play up the theme, we miss it when they don't....

 

[HTH]

We notice this at a lot of rides.... my husband really loves it when the CM's at any attraction play up the theme, we miss it when they don't....

-gasp- I wouldn't know what to do if TJ didn't do theming! -faints at the idea-

 

[WDWguru]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I heard that HM and ToT were two of the most coveted ride positions for CMs. You'd think if it was sort of selective they'd get people who were much more into playing the characters. It used to be rare that a CM at HM wasn't in character, but now it's just the opposite. Not as fun at all.