Trails End Cast Members

[littlejoe]

We recently returned for our 25th visit to Fort Wilderness. We noticed several new cast members in the Trails End and missing some of our old time favorites. Does anyone know what happened, especially interested in Darnell and a sweet nice elderly lady that used to be at the check in guest

 

[Westcoastwild]

We recently returned for our 25th visit to Fort Wilderness. We noticed several new cast members in the Trails End and missing some of our old time favorites. Does anyone know what happened, especially interested in Darnell and a sweet nice elderly lady that used to be at the check in guest

Were those people there all 25 times? I think it's pretty likely they moved or quit. Happens all the time in minimum wage jobs. High turnover with the exception of relatively few people.

 

[littlejoe]

Were those people there all 25 times? I think it's pretty likely they moved or quit. Happens all the time in minimum wage jobs. High turnover with the exception of relatively few people.

I can't say they have been there all 25 times in twenty one years, the only one that's been there that long has been Ken. However they've been there the vast majority of those years especially Darnell who watched my three girls grow from infants to early 20's, he even remembered my mother who had passed away

 

[bama_ed]

The lady at the checkin stand that you are thinking of is probably Paulette, she's the P of the "P&J's Southern Takeout" at TE. I spoke to her this January is all i can tell you.

Bama Ed

 

[littlejoe]

Thanks Bama Ed, apparently Paulette and Josephine, (the J in P&J) are still here, we just aren't on there schedule. As far as Darnell, all I got is he's no longer with us

Doesn't sound like a retirement

 

[FtW Mike]

When I read this my first thought was Miss Josephine. We absolutely find her to be one of the nicest people we have ever met.
In 2011 on my DW first ever trip we went to TE for dinner after after an 18 hour non stop drive to The Fort. After Checking in at the Podium we were called and told Miss Josephine would escort us to our table I recognized her immediately from years (20+) Then shocked and mortified everyone when I announced I was not going any where with that woman as she was mean and would yell at me. Miss J was very shocked and The poor girl at the podium had no idea what to do but recovered enough to ask if there was a problem. I explained that in 1988 I was attending the HDDR and had on my WDW 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY sweatshirt. Miss Josephine was our server that night. When she saw my sweatshirt told me that what I had was a piece of DISNEY history and might want to consider not wearing it and risk staining it. Hence she was mean. All with a straight face. Everyone else thought I was serious and it wasn't toll I gave her a hug and thanked her for that wonderful advice and a great memory from so many years earlier that everyone started to relax and did we get to go and have a good breakfast

 

[peg110]

Awesome story Mike.

 

[Cousin Ed C]

Darnell, "Big D" was there as of the beginning of April. Although none of the people mentioned are highly paid (doesn't happen at Disney unless you're a BIG Exec) but they are well above minimum wage.