Nature Calls of the Wild – Sometimes you just have to go. This week we have three great new stories to share from the jungles of Disneyland to old frontiers at Walt Disney World. If you have a story to share, send them to [email protected]! Alllllllllrighty then…..enjoy!
It Truly IS a Jungle Out There!
Submitted by Connie
While a Jungle Cruise Skipper at Disneyland Resort back in the late 90s/early 2000s I once caught a father encouraging his toddler (4-6 year old) to urinate off the docks into the river. Diaper down and wee-wee in hand. There’s a clearly labeled restroom RIGHT ACROSS THE PATH from the Cruise, visible from the exit.
Will the REAL Ace Ventura Please Stand Up
Submitted by St. Hooch
While working at Disney-MGM Studios in the mid-90’s I was on the “opening team” for the “Ace Ventura Pet Detective – LIVE in Action!” show. It wasn’t a major show but it actually was a crowd magnet and surprisingly had quite a few onlookers. We noticed New York Street would be packed 20 to 30 minutes prior to each show and then would empty out within 10 minutes of the show starting. The show was not that long to begin with but strange people would wait longer for the show to begin and not even stay for the whole thing. Then we quickly put the pieces together on why this non-hit was such a strange beast.
The following is my recreation of the sort of conversation I’d end up having with a guest for just about every show:
Guest: Excuse me but what time will he be here?
Me: The Ace Ventura show begins at 2:00pm.
Guest: Will he take photos and autographs or is he just doing the show.
Me: Ace will be available after the show for pictures and autographs.
Guest: Wow. Ok. So how did they get him to do this? I mean its really him right?
Me: (Staying in theme and attempting to keep the magic alive) Well, Ace is very busy and he decided to set up a temporary office here at Disney MGM Studios.
Guest: I mean Jim Carrey. I am so excited to meet him.
Me: Well, Jim Carrey portrayed Ace Ventura and we really wish he could be here to meet Ace.
Guest: So Jim Carrey is not here? You said he would be here at 2:00pm?!?!?
Me: Sir, I said Ace Ventura would be here at 2:00pm not Jim Carrey.
Guest: That is not what you said. Oh well…Monica..kids…let’s go. Jim Carrey is not here.
Once guests realized that Jim Carrey was not on stage or not going to be there, they would leave. We were trained to never mention Jim Carrey or even suggest he would be there but guests were always expecting him. I think this one kind of backfired when it came to guest satisfaction.
Ahhhh Splash Mountain…What a Relief
Submitted by Anonymous
Worked at Splash Mountain during the summer of 1996. Was working “tower” where there are about 15 to 20 monitors allowing us to watch for guests trying to jump out of the logs and any other problems we might see. The section before “c lift” is the laughing place show scene. During this portion of the ride, a man picked up his son and pulled his pants down allowing him to pee in the flume. Over the mic I announced “Please remain seated at all times.” Because there was really is no way to stop the boat until they reached the pre-lift, all I could do was ask them to stop and sit down.
The child finished and the man put his hand in the air and waved as if everything was ok. Not much we could do at the time and a Cast Member pulled him to the side to ask him in the future to please use the proper facilities.
The flume is treated but is still filled with machinery fluids, people pour drinks in it, spit, etc. A week or so later, a small group was going through and having a good time rocking the boats (or trying to anyway) and trying to have fun. They were really caught in the moment. All of a sudden a guest on the right side, row three, leans up and over the side of the log with a water bottle and fills it in the flume…while moving. No worries of possibly getting your hand crushed if the boat were to hit the side of the flume. In shock and horror I then witnessed the guest pulling the bottle from the water and as if in slow motion bringing the bottle to their lips. I reached for the microphone, but before I could get a word out they began drinking the water. I belted out “DO NOT DRINK THE WATER…..please….please do not drink the water.” They drank the water and then I could see them look at the person next to them and reach out over the flume turning the bottle upside down emptying the remaining water back into the flume.
Don’t drink the water folks.
You must be logged in to post a comment.