Does WDW have a Maynard?

[Captain Obvious]

Maynard is the best CM I have ever encountered on Disney property. For those who don't know who I'm talking of, here is a video. He is a legendary Disneyland CM and has been well known for years. He also gets more positive guest reaction than any other CM Disney has hired. I have had the pleasure of meeting him twice at Disneyland, and both experiences were great and entertaining. This is not my video, but for those who don't know or who have never seen him at DL, this is him.

While WDW has some great CMs I have yet to see someone up to Maynards level of enthusiasm for his job. Has there ever been a CM like Maynard in Fla who is this entertaining? Or would WDW even allow this?

 

[Captain Obvious]

Another video someone took of Maynard this time on MSUSA.

 

[KentB3]

I have seen Maynard many times on YouTube. He is HILARIOUS!!!!!

 

[AndyS2992]

Hand him a pack of these fruit gummies next time you see him..

 

[NearTheEars]

I don’t want to be a negative Nancy, but I get a sense that the WDW folks don’t encourage non-performance CMs to become an attention-grabbing character.

Edit: nothing against this fellow, by the way. This is just the impression that I get.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I don’t want to be a negative Nancy, but I get a sense that the WDW folks don’t encourage non-performance CMs to become an attention-grabbing character.

Edit: nothing against this fellow, by the way. This is just the impression that I get.

It is actually discouraged at both locations in general. CM's can add their own magic and flair but shouldn't detract from the attraction itself. Enhancing the attraction experience is encouraged but it shouldn't be about making it all about them. Maynard kind of balances on the line between attraction enhancing and detracting.

WDW has TJ at Tower of Terror, he's been there since it opened and gives a great, creepy performance that enhances the story. Tower of Terror typically has a handful of other CMs who are great as well.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Well, there was that one Bellhop named TJ that was at ToT....I haven't seen him around tho..But, he was pretty good at what he did...

 

[JIMINYCR]

Other than some CM's slightly improvising in their roles, I've never seen anyone going to the level Maynard does. Even TJ kept it controlled and within his on stage persona. I've seen some really hilarious... and sometimes bizarre clips of Maynards guest interactions and always wondered if he got away with acting out so far because he had enough seniority and was safe from being faulted for it.

 

[Captain Obvious]

It is actually discouraged at both locations in general. CM's can add their own magic and flair but shouldn't detract from the attraction itself. Enhancing the attraction experience is encouraged but it shouldn't be about making it all about them. Maynard kind of balances on the line between attraction enhancing and detracting.

The only two times I have seen him at DL was near the front of the Tiki Bird show, and hosting the Tiki Bird show. Both times I thought he enhanced the attraction with his character. Yes it was Maynard, but he wasn't playing Maynard. His Tiki opening spiel flows right into the comedy of the show itself. I thought it played nicely off each other. I have not seen him in HM before, but hear it is very much the same, as his behavior fits the theme of the ride you are about to take. I have never seen him on Main street before either.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Well, there was that one Bellhop named TJ that was at ToT....I haven't seen him around tho..But, he was pretty good at what he did...

As many times as we have ridden ToT in Florida we have never seen this guy, but hear he is legend. Not sure why I didn't think of him when posting about Maynard. I would love to see him someday do his act before ToT and hopefully he is still empolyed at WDW.