were we officially TAUGHT disney myths?

[aes74]

I worked at Disney as a side job when I was in college for several years. I was thinking about some of the things we were taught in Traditions, and now, I'm pretty sure they aren't true. For example, as a group, we stood between the castle and the carousel, and our instructor told us that the castle could be taken apart in three pieces in case of a hurricane. Now, the other night I'm watching the WDW special on Travel Channel, and it states the castle does not come apart.

Any other former cast members, etc, have any experience with this sort of thing? It seems like if we are being taught the wrong information officially , how can we possible determine truth from myth?

 

[OKW Lover]

It just goes to show you that you can't believe everything you are taught - no matter what forum (including this one). I'm sure the CM believed what he told you, but so much of Disney lore is handed down verbally that its difficult to know what is the official story. I believe that WDW has a special number for CM's to call with questions they need answers to. I wonder what they use to research their responses?

 

[aes74]

It just goes to show you that you can't believe everything you are taught - no matter what forum (including this one). I'm sure the CM believed what he told you, but so much of Disney lore is handed down verbally that its difficult to know what is the official story. I believe that WDW has a special number for CM's to call with questions they need answers to. I wonder what they use to research their responses?

oohhh yeahhhh...that jogged an old memory cell....there was a number we could call if a guest had a question like that. I wonder if they still have that. So, it's not true, the castle thing, right??

 

[TSR6]

oohhh yeahhhh...that jogged an old memory cell....there was a number we could call if a guest had a question like that. I wonder if they still have that. So, it's not true, the castle thing, right??

"Disney Research"

 

[agotta]

Wow, I don't remember learning that in Traditions...I think someone was pulling your leg.

 

[jw2736]

We "learned" several things to tell the guests during traditions. Didnt they tell you that there was only one Mickey Mouse on the property? Some others, refering the cable that Tinkerbell rides on, were said to be a cable line into the castle so Cinderella could watch all her shows or that it was holding the top of the castle from blowing over in the wind.

Dont take everything so seriously, after all, it the most magical place on earth...at least thats what we were told too.

 

[aes74]

We "learned" several things to tell the guests during traditions. Didnt they tell you that there was only one Mickey Mouse on the property? Some others, refering the cable that Tinkerbell rides on, were said to be a cable line into the castle so Cinderella could watch all her shows or that it was holding the top of the castle from blowing over in the wind.

Dont take everything so seriously, after all, it the most magical place on earth...at least thats what we were told too.

Uh, I don't mean for this to come out sarcastically rude, but being about 21 I kind of figured there was more than one Mickey on property, and that Tinkerbell's cable didn't magically hold up the castle.
No, this was part of our orientation and she told all of us as a group. My point is that we have heard things over and over again, this Disney lore, sometimes it's hard to know what's true officially and what's not.

 

[StephSparrow]

Uh, I don't mean for this to come out sarcastically rude, but being about 21 I kind of figured there was more than one Mickey on property, and that Tinkerbell's cable didn't magically hold up the castle.
No, this was part of our orientation and she told all of us as a group. My point is that we have heard things over and over again, this Disney lore, sometimes it's hard to know what's true officially and what's not.

Jw wasnt being serious. He was saying there are things your supposed to tell the guests to keep the magic going.

Of course there is more than one Mickey. But you wouldnt tell a family that at Disney. There is only one.

Perhaps, you werent listening, and the CM trainer was telling you that the castle doesnt come apart, but guests think it does.

Its the same reason the CMs cant slap someone when they ask 'What time is the 3:00 parade?' They have to reply 'well it passes by here at 3:02'

Thats the fun of going to Disney. Did the bride really throw her ring out of the window at the haunted mansion? Is there really a ghost named George at pirates? Dont take it all too seriously. The cast members dont.

 

[caseymaureen]

I understand the original poster- it wasn't a post asking if it was true, it was asking more why we are taught things that aren't true. I remember several "Disney-lore" type things taught in my Traditions class as if they were fact. The thing is, it would be different for the lead to say, "many guests think the castle comes apart, so we tell them that it does." or "Of course there are several Mickeys, but we tell the guests there is only one." It is more along the lines of "There is one Mickey." as if adult cast members must completely believe the lore to maintain the magic. In my opinion, it is just one of the parts of the Disney corporate culture that can make it a very interesting place to work.