Maynard Update!

[DisneyMania!]

I was at DL this past weekend and talked to Maynard for a while...
I don't know if ya'll know this, but Maynard is now exclusively working at The First 50 Magical Years. I told him how everyone is upset that he isn't at the Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, etc.... He told me that they limited all the CMs to only working in one land (which is news to me), and they limited him to only First 50.... He is trying to get them to let him go back to his old routines at Haunted Mansion and all that..
Well.. Now I am mad at Disney... I think they are jelous that he is so famous. He misses scaring people.. I mean you can only be so entertaining at The First 50 Magical Years. I think they are wasting a great CM. They should put him somewhere where people can enjoy all his jokes and stuff.

Opinions???

[Retlaw Yensid]

... I think they are wasting a great CM. They should put him somewhere where people can enjoy all his jokes and stuff.

Opinions???

I think that DL should treat their CMs like they do their characters (approved for certian face characters or for fuzzy characters), so that a CM like Maynard could work in locations (HM, TR, etc...) if they are approved for them.

[ah schucks]

About over a year ago, Disney management, created a "land lock" to cut down on costs and complaints. Too many CMs were being trained on multiple rides and were jump Johnnys for any available shifts, so people who exclusivly stuck to working one ride or two were being screwed out of shifts.

The landlock prevents complaints and cut down on training costs dramatically by limiting where CMs train. If per example you start at Critter Country you can also work Splash but you could not move to NOS because it is different management.

They do offer you opportunities to move to new lands but once you leave a land it is my understanding you can't go back. While I have some complaints with the landlock, overall it has helped management and scheduling simplify the staffing issues for the park.

[lilbigguy]

In one way, having him there is like having a living breathing icon in the exhibit when he's there...he's made such an impact on so many of us, it's almost as if he's being honored as being a part of it...but I agree, I'd much rather be spooked by him in the Haunted Mansion, and would love to see him work the Tiki Room.

[robotpirates]

In one way, having him there is like having a living breathing icon in the exhibit when he's there...he's made such an impact on so many of us, it's almost as if he's being honored as being a part of it...but I agree, I'd much rather be spooked by him in the Haunted Mansion, and would love to see him work the Tiki Room.

That's a nice spin on things.

I think, though, since 50 First Years is only for 18 months (right.. I guess?), Maynard will only be there for the same. Also, there may be a chance for him to move back to his old digs. Fret not.

[JiminyCricketFan]

I am sad that talent is not recognized and utilized. I think that CM's are the greatest resource at Disneyland!! Management appearently thinks that CM's are interchangeable. I believe that people should work where they are happiest. You usually do a better job. If he enjoyed the HM then he should be stationed there. It seems that then everyone is benefited!

[InspiredByWalt]

"I think they are jelous that he is so famous.." - Disney Mania

"I think that DL should treat their CMs like they do their characters.." Retlaw Yensid

Agree with you both.. maybe make Maynard a 'face' character all his own? His 'belly button review' of the Tikis in the preshow area is hillarious. However, I think new management wants the CMs to be a blended element of the show, not stick out and gain notoriety as Maynard has. Hopefully, Matt Ouimet will allow a special categorization for Maynard to continue entertaining guests in his own unique way.

[Disneykat]

I think management needs to listen to what the guests want. I know there are some that don't like Maynards jokes and what not. There are alot of us who think he's a perfect addition to the park.

[ah schucks]

I am sorry folks but for once I agree with management, when I worked there I met guys like Maynard who were not nearly as famous but were trained on up to 5 or 6 rides and never had a home base of operations- It made for chaos.

Disney is one of the largest employeers in Orange County and to make the best product at the best price sometimes that have to do things that not everone loves. Besides when you hire in they assign you a ride and you always have an option of relocating in the beginning part of the process and if you've been in an area you can ask for a transfer to a new area.

The landlock was simply designed to limit the number of rides one CM could be certified on at one time so he or she was not taking shifts away from other CMs or wasting training money on a ride he or she might only work on less than once a month.

[keith - SuPeR K!]

i saw him for the first time on may 5th while sitting in front of the castle waiting for the fireworks... i saw his name tag and i was like "hey- that's that really popular cm! "

[Ghostbuster626]

I don't like Maynard...he disrupts the psedu-reality of the magical realm of Disneyland.

[InspiredByWalt]

I'd agree that the CMs are intended to blend in with the surreal escapism that is DL and become part of the park - not to stick out. However, Maynard presents an added entertainment to the park that I enjoy. That's why I'd argue for categorizing Maynard with a 'face' character rating, like one of the princesses, or rubber headed figures. That way, he could still interact with guests at Tiki and HM while still providing guests with an enjoyable experience. Maybe give him a bit of a different costume so as not to confuse the casual guest that he's there to actually run the ride. It's a fine line, but I bet it could be done.

[fearsnda]

I don't like Maynard...he disrupts the psedu-reality of the magical realm of Disneyland.

Oh thank you! Someone with a point of view I can get behind! I don't care for him either. I agree with you, he steals some of the magic of the place.

My wife says, "Maynard makes me feel sick to my stomach - which is a feeling I don't like to have at Disneyland".

To tell the truth I am shocked that Maynard hasn't been fired. His antics at the Tiki Room and Haunted Mansion are way way WAY out of line. Walt designed those attractions to be experienced without the likes of Maynard.

Maynard is not and should not be his own face character... what are you people thinking??? If he is *SO* talented then he should just audition for some of the many many many available character and face character and performing roles available at the park. His job is an Attractions CM and he is not part of the Atmosphere Entertainment department

*shudder* Maynard, is right where he belongs - in a darkened theater where no one will be subjected to his annoying behaviors.

[MasterGracey]

Yeah, he's a CM and should probably blend in with the "psedu-reality" of Disneyland, however, he's created a class of his own, and is just as important of a Cast Member as the (now-gone) mime in New Orleans Square.. or the rag time piano player on Main Street. Maynard adds a bit more magic to Disneyland and for those lucky enough to run into him on their visit receive that much more of an all-around magical Disneyland experience.

[FormerDiz]

Landlocking isn't very new actually. Back when I worked there, most of us were locked in our areas. Tomorrowland was the only land I worked in (I was a 'CR'). Higher level attractions folks ('A' and 'B') cast members would train in other lands but us part timers were stuck where they put us. It only began to change when they restructured the supervisor system. It used to have a set of supervisors per land, then they started combining the supervisor teams (Fantasyland/Tomorrowland/Toontown ended up with one set of supervisors).

It sounds like Matt O. is trying to bring it back to the way it used to be.

[InspiredByWalt]

Maynard is not and should not be his own face character... what are you people thinking??? If he is *SO* talented then he should just audition for some of the many many many available character and face character and performing roles available at the park. His job is an Attractions CM and he is not part of the Atmosphere Entertainment department

OK and respectfully - he's not for you, but I enjoy what he does. It adds to the magic for me, not distracts from it. He's not really a typical CM, not a *role* character, maybe he would make a better tour guide (he'd have a different uniform that way and wouldn't presume to be an attractions CM)? That way, he could bring his fun and personality to the park and people would know what they were getting in advance. I'd hate to see him fired when he does bring a real spark into the park. Of course, becoming a tour guide is not without its challenges these days...

[thndrmtnskp]

"Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role." - Walt Disney
that goes for Maynard too. he makes himself into the star and the show is about him not jose, or the ghost host or where ever he is that day. it is distracting. why should management bend the rules for one person just because some people think he's great. he doesn't work jungle anymore cuz he doesn't want to have to stick to the script like everyother skipper is. it is the cast members resposibility to shine with out distraction from the whole no matter who you are.

[InspiredByWalt]

So why not have a 'Maynard' tour of Disneyland? Give those paying guests that enjoy Maynard a few hours of fun and those that think he's a distraction aren't bothered.

[Adventurer]

I've never seen Maynard, but I've heard of him, but what does he do exactly? I mean, like what "antics"?

[pyrateslife4me84]

"Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role." - Walt Disney
that goes for Maynard too. he makes himself into the star and the show is about him not jose, or the ghost host or where ever he is that day. it is distracting. why should management bend the rules for one person just because some people think he's great. he doesn't work jungle anymore cuz he doesn't want to have to stick to the script like everyother skipper is. it is the cast members resposibility to shine with out distraction from the whole no matter who you are.

Exactly! I'm sure other CMs would not appreciate Disney giving anyone special treatment. They should all be held to the same standards, and rewards for good service should come in the form of promotions, not special treatment. If he is so fantastic and would like to be better treated, he would be promoted. No one deserves free reign of the park. If anything, this role is more of a challenge for Maynard, and if he is a great CM, he will shine at 50 Magical Years, too. It's not as difficult to put on a good show at the HM, where it is pretty obvious how you should treat guests. It is more difficult to do that at the 50th exhibit, and any CM worthy of any sort of promotion ought to be able to work well at a variety of attractions.