Everything you've ever wanted to ask about Disneyland... - but didn't ask.

[LogicBeetch]

I don't think WDW Pirate's ghost is because of track layout, I think it was supposed to be some contractor that died during construction, so now you have to say good morning to him if you're on the early shift or else he makes the ride break down more than usual.

I misread your first question. You asked if the Disneyland Pirate's was "haunted like" Magic Kingdom's? I guess you're assuming it's actually haunted? Personally, I haven't spent much time in the Pirate's in Orlando; but, I've never heard any rumor about the ride being haunted. Of course, I don't believe in ghosts so someone may have said something and I just didn't give it a second thought. Lots of people have died in construction accidents. I don't think I've seen any evidence of hauntings on rides. Could be some leads were pranking a rookie and made up a story just to mess with them a bit and it caught on. People used to say that, what is now Innoventions (used to be America Sings) was haunted at Disneyland by the ride operator that was trapped between scenes in the 70's. The reality is that rides break and people die and more often than not, they're completely unrelated.
I've heard some stories from employees who believe in spirits and they can be fairly convincing to someone with a similar view but, personally, ghosts must hate me because I've never had an unexplainable experience in the parks. Annoying people? Yes. Ghosts? No.

 

[Big Nasty]

Any stories involving nudity?

 

[XYZpdq]

I misread your first question. You asked if the Disneyland Pirate's was "haunted like" Magic Kingdom's? I guess you're assuming it's actually haunted? Personally, I haven't spent much time in the Pirate's in Orlando; but, I've never heard any rumor about the ride being haunted. Of course, I don't believe in ghosts so someone may have said something and I just didn't give it a second thought. Lots of people have died in construction accidents. I don't think I've seen any evidence of hauntings on rides. Could be some leads were pranking a rookie and made up a story just to mess with them a bit and it caught on. People used to say that, what is now Innoventions (used to be America Sings) was haunted at Disneyland by the ride operator that was trapped between scenes in the 70's. The reality is that rides break and people die and more often than not, they're completely unrelated.
I've heard some stories from employees who believe in spirits and they can be fairly convincing to someone with a similar view but, personally, ghosts must hate me because I've never had an unexplainable experience in the parks. Annoying people? Yes. Ghosts? No.

I figured more "allegations of spoopy" than actually a ghost, but that's cool

 

[Tempest]

weirdest thing seen?
also is it true that night of joy is bad?

 

[MysticMisty]

I don't know if you (or anyone else) remembers this but in the 90's one of the Winnie the Pooh actors at one of the parks was accused of molesting someone. Would the park really defend someone they believed guilty, or was it a matter of covering their own asses for hiring a sexual deviant? Is it really possible to knowingly feel people up in the suits, or is it difficulty to feel anything like they claimed?

 

[LogicBeetch]

weirdest thing seen?
also is it true that night of joy is bad?

NoJ Let's see. How can I put this?
Well, luckily, I had moved to Seasonal, "extra cash", "I have an actual job; but it's Disney!" mode before Joy Night became a thing. For those unaware, Night of Joy is a event that gives Baptists who really want their friends to think they hate Disney a reason to bring the fam to Disney. In my opinion, it started as an indignantly righteous response to Gay Days. But, Disney or the event coordinator brings in Christian artists to perform outside the park (usually in Downtown Disney-esque areas) and all of the Bible Thumpers swarm the park. From what I've been told by current employees, they hate Night of Joy. Even the more religious employees get a bit stressed out and annoyed because whenever you have 20-30,000 people hopped up on Jesus, there's a lot of "holier than thou" going on. It's not that they do anything wild - they just get really, really judgy and make a stink about things that aren't mentioned on other days. A current CM was telling me about a gang of teens completely dogging a girl from the Netherlands for her outfit (she had on a bathing suit and shorts) by telling her she was defrauding guys and being disrespectful to the Christians. A lot of the Joy Nighters assume that EVERYONE in the park is "with them" (like there's a test of faith at the admission gate).

Weirdest thing? Ooooooh, there's so much to choose from.
I gotta' say that Frozen Banana Guy was the weirdest. He was about 30. Danny DiVito (who was a GREAT GUY AND GUEST ALWAYS) in stature. Had a weird obsession with frozen bananas and would eat five or six per day. That's weird all by itself. But, he would eat them very suggestively and he'd sort of follow cast members or particular guests around in ways that would make you want to run and hide. I think we all tried engaging him at different points to see what the situation was and if you asked him anything, he'd just giggle like a little kid or do some other, equally creepy shit.
OH! And, catching anyone under the influence of...enhancers in Fantasy Land was guaranteed weird. Watching people try to fuck in the various rides was sort of bizarre and fun to bust them.

I don't know if you (or anyone else) remembers this but in the 90's one of the Winnie the Pooh actors at one of the parks was accused of molesting someone. Would the park really defend someone they believed guilty, or was it a matter of covering their own asses for hiring a sexual deviant? Is it really possible to knowingly feel people up in the suits, or is it difficulty to feel anything like they claimed?

Noooooooo. The park would NOT defend you. They'd fuckin' fire you ricky tick. It's INSANELY hard to feel up anyone in those suits. It's changed now, but back when that mess was going on, alot of the suits didn't have functional hands. You could move the arms but it was really hard to see where you were moving them and sense you had no "sensory" (you couldn't feel with your own hands) it would've been difficult to actually anything close to purposeful inappropriate touch. The Tigger suit had some tail problems because it was well known for becoming a kiddy pugel stick (if Tigger turned quickly, it could whack kids in the nose). I'm pretty sure that Tigger has a floppy tail now, as a result. The company would rather deal with a labor lawsuit for terminating an employee without cause before they wanted a public relations nightmare with a character taking feelskys. Ironically, though, I was manhandled sixty ways to Sunday on stage by guests. I was told to suck it up.

 

[LogicBeetch]

Any stories involving nudity?

Sadly, many!
Splash Mountain was sort of notorious for flashers for a while. It got so bad that they had to put the pictures on delay and you'd have to ok each one before it showed up on the display. I never worked that attraction but there was a rumor that there was a three ring binder full of pics that were "lost". People tried it on any ride with a camera and it was sort of an actual problem on rides like Space Mountain because you'd have someone trying to pull a shirt off in the dark, going 20mph, and some of the tracks are tighter than you would believe. One chick literally lost her shirt on Space Mountain. In fact, come to think of it, there were a few years when the floor of certain rides would have underwear, bras, shirts, etc.,. when we went lights on. Small World and blankets were worrisome. Peter Pan's Flight and Haunted Mansion are teen make out central. If you wanted to embarass them, you'd send them "around again" due to a mechanical issue in HM and then throw the black curtain back as they passed by the wall of monitors...just to show them everything was seen. If they got really into it, we'd try to stop the ride and say something over the speakers to get them to stop. Lots of hanky panky in the castle at Disneyland at night. There are a few niches that are quiet and if you were quiet you could almost always find couples in them. We had a guy who got blitzed on pharmaceuticals and started taking his clothes off on Matterhorn. Pirates, too, now that I think about it.

 

[LogicBeetch]

I figured more "allegations of spoopy" than actually a ghost, but that's cool

Yeah. There are urban legends for days. Kind of adds flavor and is fun to riff with during Hallloween. Leads could be brutal to new CMs, if the CM was particularly young and skittish! I knew a lead that would tell all his newbs that Haunted Mansion was really haunted and then he'd send them to do he track walk or ride through pre-opening and duck out one of the doors for a moment just to scare the shit out of them by popping in through another door. I will say that, in my time, I never saw any of that teasing take away from actual inspections or legit safety concerns. You could be immediately fired for any action that put guests in danger and not doing your full inspection as the lead was suicide.

 

[LogicBeetch]

How bad are the food prices there? Are they worse than Six Flags?

Also, about that water system issue... Is something being done about it? If not, that's one more reason for me not to go there, besides the high costs of everything...

Sorry, didn't see this earlier. Food prices at Disneyland and California Adventure are insane. I think it's up to $7 for a soda in a cup. Comparing Disney food to Six Flags food is like apples and oranges because Disney's food is edible and delicious. I do have tips, though. When I go with my family, now, I take a large bottle or container and ask for ice water (free), then I take those little envelopes or packets of fruit juice or ice tea and just drink that while we're cruising around. Also, if you're going to be there more than a day, buy the seasonal cup and share it between family or whatever. It'll end up saving you money because you can refill it every hour or 90 minutes.

Blue Bayou is pretty spendy. Each plate is in the $17-26 range, but it's fucking delicious. If you want a cheaper, but still delicious option, hit up the Gumbo place next to the Pirate's entrance. For under ten bucks, you can get a Boudin Bakery Sourdough Bowl full of Gumbo and if you notice that your bread bowl wasn't hollowed out much, they'll fill it again for no charge. Usually, they hand you a cup with gumbo that you can dump in. You can also ask for a little sample. If you want a great experience, pay the money for the Fantasmic preferred seating thing. Each person gets a sweet tray of goodies and drinks, plus actual chairs to watch the show. I don't recommend doing the same for World of Color because you're going to end up standing now matter which way you go. But, take advantage of the kids meals in California Adventure! They're usually, calorie wise, filling and delicious for way cheaper and no one will card you or say you can't have it. Also, don't be afraid to ask for a sample before you buy something. Most people don't know that, if you really think the food is shit, you will get your money back no questions asked. If you REALLY want to go econo-Disney, Cup of Noodles are a great way to go. You can ask for hot water at any food service station or at the nursery stations.

Regarding the water in ROA... it's an open system and unless you fall in, it's not considered a potable source, so it's sort of like any local lake or pond. They've tried to keep it clean but, especially with the drought, they're running low level so it doesn't get diluted much. Luckily, Splash Mountain uses a separate system and I think the drop section of Pirates is potable. It doesn't help that it's also a duck and seagull paradise.

 

[XYZpdq]

NoJ Let's see. How can I put this?
Well, luckily, I had moved to Seasonal, "extra cash", "I have an actual job; but it's Disney!" mode before Joy Night became a thing. For those unaware, Night of Joy is a event that gives Baptists who really want their friends to think they hate Disney a reason to bring the fam to Disney. In my opinion, it started as an indignantly righteous response to Gay Days. But, Disney or the event coordinator brings in Christian artists to perform outside the park (usually in Downtown Disney-esque areas) and all of the Bible Thumpers swarm the park. From what I've been told by current employees, they hate Night of Joy. Even the more religious employees get a bit stressed out and annoyed because whenever you have 20-30,000 people hopped up on Jesus, there's a lot of "holier than thou" going on. It's not that they do anything wild - they just get really, really judgy and make a stink about things that aren't mentioned on other days. A current CM was telling me about a gang of teens completely dogging a girl from the Netherlands for her outfit (she had on a bathing suit and shorts) by telling her she was defrauding guys and being disrespectful to the Christians. A lot of the Joy Nighters assume that EVERYONE in the park is "with them" (like there's a test of faith at the admission gate).

As far as I've heard NoJ has been a very different thing on the East Coast, where it's just the the miserable little shits being raised by the bible thumpers being basically left unsupervised, so it's like Grad Night but without as much practical knowledge of what shit really can't fly in public that normal teens have.

 

[omori]

@LogicBeetch I guess horror stories involving guests.

Out of all the current changes ToT being gutted is the worst.

Spoiler

My grandfather was an architect, two projects he was involved with and was the most proud of was both DCA's and WDW's towers. He passed away last year and one of my biggest regrets is not going on DCA's one last time. Sure the building still stands but it won't be the same.

 

[Some JERK]

Depends on when it was. In general, that's against policy and you could get a point (point system works by giving you points for violating policy, once you hit a certain number, you get warnings/fired). If she was the lead on the ride, or had sympathetic coworkers, it probably didn't get her in trouble. Honestly, there are guests that will just not leave you alone until you give them a number! In the past, we'd give them the Disney company's HR number, lol, or some other random number. With cell phones, they'd always ask if they could text you or get your number and THAT was a huge no no.

I didn't ask her for her number. She just tapped me on the shoulder and handed it to me. I just didn't know if it was like an instant termination thing. Some places of employment are like that. I feel better about it now.

Tomorrowland and 6pm? Hmm. What some people don't realize is that, since the late 90's redo, almost all of the plants in TL are edible. Occasionally, we'd catch whiffs of cabbage or brocollini and it's pretty powerful. Other than that, the only thing I can imagine is that there used to be a set of garbage cans behind Rocket Rods Pizza/Space Mountain that got ripe in the evening.

It must be the dumpster thing. Now that I think about it I seem to have the strongest memories of it smelling like trash while I was eating.

 

[HY 140]

Are they gonna fix epcot, and are they closing the Universe of Energy for a guardians of the galaxy rollar coaster.

Also is it true that someone died while updating the carousal of progress

 

[LogicBeetch]

@LogicBeetch I guess horror stories involving guests.

Out of all the current changes ToT being gutted is the worst.

Spoiler

My grandfather was an architect, two projects he was involved with and was the most proud of was both DCA's and WDW's towers. He passed away last year and one of my biggest regrets is not going on DCA's one last time. Sure the building still stands but it won't be the same.

I'm so sorry. Yeah. The idea that they're going with a Guardians of the Galaxy theme, but maintaining the same ride, is disappointing. Tower of Terror in DCA was so cool because it fit the theme of he "land" well ("Old Hollywood"). Even with the Buena Vista Street remodel, Tower of Terror fit.
I got to ride it on it's first day and to think of it being gone forever is hard. Architecturally, it was a thing of beauty.

 

[LogicBeetch]

It must be the dumpster thing. Now that I think about it I seem to have the strongest memories of it smelling like trash while I was eating.

I was asking a fellow old timer about this and he wanted to know if Rocket Rods was still operational when you smelled that horrible smell? He spent about 10 years in TL and he said that the Rocket Rods would constantly smell like burning rubber and it would get overwhelming.

Are they gonna fix epcot, and are they closing the Universe of Energy for a guardians of the galaxy rollar coaster.

Also is it true that someone died while updating the carousal of progress

I don't know very much about the current plans for Disneyworld (which includes EPCOT). AFAIK the Guardians of the Galaxy themed ride will utilize the Tower of Terror structure in both parks. Did someone die while updating the CoP? I know that on July 8, 1974, just after the ride opened a female, 18 year old ride attendant became trapped between the stationary wall and the moving wall and was crushed. No one was in her theater when it happened; but guests in the next quarter heard screams.

 

[Some JERK]

I was asking a fellow old timer about this and he wanted to know if Rocket Rods was still operational when you smelled that horrible smell? He spent about 10 years in TL and he said that the Rocket Rods would constantly smell like burning rubber and it would get overwhelming.

We're talking late 90's when I first noticed it. I seem to remember eating a hamburger at the time.

 

[Big Nasty]

Any racial incidents? (#DisneylandRaceWar)

 

[LogicBeetch]

Any racial incidents? (#DisneylandRaceWar)

I can remember rival gangs sort of getting... I don't know how to put it... heated at Disneyland on occasion. There was a shooting that they attributed to gang activity before California Adventure was built but I have always wondered just how accurate that report was. I think it was in the parking lot.

As far as racial incidents are concerned, I guess there's always some tension in ways you wouldn't expect. It's usually never guest on guest, overt racism. It's usually *insert stigmatized group here* that tries to goad a reaction to blame on race/specialness. Pretty much daily, you're going to offend someone unintentionally because people know that Disney is pretty committed to making the guests happy and less genuine people take advantage of that by creating drama. There was a lady, who always comes to my mind when anyone asks about racism, who got PISSED. Not mad. Not annoyed. PISSED! Why? Because I was loading my Jungle Cruise Boat and I got stopped short of the normal loading area to load a wheelchair with a Make-A-Wish kid. Understand- we make it our fucking mission to insure that that child is being treated like a Prince or Princess. So, as I'm loading and greeting the family, I can hear this loud POS complaining about the wait. They'd got to head of the line and the attendant was talking to them but she was mad that the last boat was at capacity and that they'd had to wait and now they were waiting MORE. Anyway, we get MAW loaded and I pull up to the dock so angry lady can get on. She's clearly annoyed and she starts moving toward the front instead of doing where the loader was telling her to go. We had MAW kid and family in the front on both sides and she is furious. She actually asks MAW mom to move to the other side of the boat and I'm like, "OH NO FUCKING WAY!" because MAW is trying to get pics. So, I tell the lady that I need her to take a seat so we can get going. She finally sits and we do the whole tour. As we round up next to Trader Sam, at the end of the ride, I do my standard joke about the deal Sam is offering and I reference the fact that it's a "Cinco De Mayo sale...FIVE his heads for, MAYBE, one of yours." and angry woman comes un-glued. She's calling me a racist and is threatening to complain at City Hall. Finally, as we're docking I tell everyone to sit tight while we unload our special guest (MAW family) and then we'll let them off the boat and "enjoy your day in the park". She decides she aint waiting and storms the steps, kid in tow. She went to City Hall and complained that I ignored her family because I was anti Mexican. Fuck that fact that it WAS CINCO DE MAYO. I didn't get wrote up but that shit happened more than it should.

If I'm being completely honest, and it might be stereotyping, there's one group of people who culturally seem to have a blatant disregard for the safety of their kids and you'll see them encouraging little ones to do dumb stuff on rides.

 

[Mason Verger]

After the inevitable California apocalypse, which attraction do you choose to take over and defend? The rustic detachment of Country Bears? The walled in yet centralized Space mountain? im sure you have a better answer..

 

[MysticMisty]

I'm not surprised an incident like that would go down. I remember a few years ago a black family was trying to sue because the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland didn't touch their kids because racism. I'm pretty sure it didn't go anywhere because A) the kids sounded coached as fuck during the interview and B) the photographic "proof" of the racism didn't show any unhappy kids, even though the mom claimed they were immediately sad because of it.