What???!!! Where was Tinkerbell during Wishes???

[ChristusG]

We went to Disney this past weekend. I was all looking forward for my 4 year old to see Tinkerbell fly down from the castle during Wishes. My 18 year old cousin had never seen her fly down because she had never been paying attention. So we were all focused on the cable leading down from the castle....for the entire show. And then, there was the finale, it was all over, the lights came up.....NO TINKERBELL!!! Did I miss something? Did they quit doing it? She flew down when we were there in November. I miss Tink!

 

[BreezysMom]

Maybe Tink was not feeling well that night. As far as I know she is still around!

 

[oasispaul]

TinkerBill was unable to perform as he was grooming his mustache...

 

[skyman8963]

My wife and I just got back on Wed. and we saw her fly on Tuesday nights show. I would add a picture but my wife took it and it is just a blur. So yes she is still doing it, and it was right at the beginning

 

[3prettyprincesses]

What was the weather like? If it was too windy maybe they cancelled the Tink part? We saw her in February!

 

[janiejake]

When we were there in March, Tinkerbell failed to appear during Wishes, also. We were all watching...one gent near us was trying to capture it on video for his wife. Nada. Two nights later, she did appear. I don't know if they are trying to keep us guessing, or what. Both nights were beautiful weather.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We asked about this several years ago and were told that the weather has to be perfect for Tinkerbell to fly. Also at that time there were only three Tinkerbells. So if none of them could fly that night (sickness etc... ) there would be no Tinkerbell.
We have been several times when Tinkerbell has not been flying. Always disappointing.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

As others have said it is very dependant on the weather. Tink doesn't like getting her wings wet and finds it hard to fly if it's windy!!! The key is also how windy it is up high rather than down on the ground and also which direction the wind is blowing in.

 

[dansamy]

I'd imagine it's a safety issue. If there's too much wind or it's too humid or misty or foggy or ...... you get the idea. It is, after all, a stunt. And you want to eliminate as many variables as possible in order to ensure that the stunt comes off as expected. I don't think fricassed Tink would make for a happy Disney memory for some children.

 

[luvthemouse71]

When I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour..they explained that the decision to fly or not is always left up to Tink..if she feels unsafe due to weather etc or is not feeling well, she doesn't fly.

The tour was cool, they took us back there and we got to see her landing pad too...It really is a dangerous thing when you think of it...I'm glad they leave the final say up to Tink.

 

[Sandi]

We asked about this several years ago and were told that the weather has to be perfect for Tinkerbell to fly. Also at that time there were only three Tinkerbells. So if none of them could fly that night (sickness etc... ) there would be no Tinkerbell.
We have been several times when Tinkerbell has not been flying. Always disappointing.

Ummm, there is only one Tinkerbell.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Maybe there's only one true Tinkerbelle..but maybe she has "helpers"-like Santa Claus

 

[dizneegirl]

Maybe even hairy helpers, at that.

 

[mb168]

Yeah, on the KTTK tour they said Tinkerbelle was often a Tinkerbill as were the guys that shoved Tink off the castle and caught at the bottom. Weather and even just a headwind, even if skies are perfect, can keep Tink grounded.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

When I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour..they explained that the decision to fly or not is always left up to Tink..if she feels unsafe due to weather etc or is not feeling well, she doesn't fly.

The tour was cool, they took us back there and we got to see her landing pad too...It really is a dangerous thing when you think of it...I'm glad they leave the final say up to Tink.

Also of note (I learned this on the KttKT), Tink works by the night. She is not salaried. She is contract. She is well compensated (WAY more than you might think at first) because Disney will not provide her insurance and she cannot even obtain insurance on her own because noone will underwrite it. This is the reason it is always ultimately her decision and her decision alone whether she goes on any particular night (weather or no weather). Noone ever knows whether Tink's gonna fly except Tink. Not even the Wishes! producers. Kinda keeps it exciting, don't it?

In the category of "more information than you wanted to know"...

 

[ChristusG]

Thanks for all of the replies! Ya know, the weather was a bit windy that day. Nothing drastic, but that must have been what kept her down.

 

[mcompton]

Wow Tinkerbill, you just never know, huh? I hope they use Tinkerbill during Gay Days!

 

[dansamy]

I'm crushed just finding out that TinkerBELLE is most often a TinkerBILL! OMG! What is the world coming to these days?

([/endsarcasm])

 

[akl432]

Also of note (I learned this on the KttKT), Tink works by the night. She is not salaried. She is contract. She is well compensated (WAY more than you might think at first) because Disney will not provide her insurance and she cannot even obtain insurance on her own because noone will underwrite it. This is the reason it is always ultimately her decision and her decision alone whether she goes on any particular night (weather or no weather). Noone ever knows whether Tink's gonna fly except Tink. Not even the Wishes! producers. Kinda keeps it exciting, don't it?

In the category of "more information than you wanted to know"...

Just wondering what makes her flight so dangerous. (I have never seen Wishes.) I assume she rides a zip line? Doesn't she wear a safety harness? Sorry for my ignorance

 

[Sandi]

It is a sort of zip line, but it sure doesn't seem like she's all that connected to the line. She waves and her hands aren't holding on to the line or anything. It appears that she is flying. Obviously, you can see that a wire is there, but I sure wouldn't do it.