Gaston cast member update

Matt_Black

Matt_Black

Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey said:
Right, that was my point. A MUCH more obedient, quiet, and respectful culture.

I absolutely loved Japan, its culture, and the people.
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I don't know about the "quiet" part (I've seen Japanese television shows and wrestling matches!), but the other two I generally agree with. On the other hand, from what I've heard, very little concept of personal space.
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
Matt_Black said:
I don't know about the "quiet" part (I've seen Japanese television shows and wrestling matches!), but the other two I generally agree with. On the other hand, from what I've heard, very little concept of personal space.
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When they are clowning around on TV, maybe not. I spent hours on Japanese subways and it was almost silent. No talking on cell phones and only whispering.

Personal space is less of a concern because Tokyo is extremely crowded. If you say "excuse me" when you accidentally touch someone, you are just constantly saying it.

You can walk around downtown Tokyo at 2am and feel completely safe.
 
A

Arthur Wellesley

Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey said:
Right, that was my point. A MUCH more obedient, quiet, and respectful culture.

I absolutely loved Japan, its culture, and the people.
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I've worked in hospitality for over a decade now. Given the geographical location of my particular tourist town in the U.S., our area doesn't exactly attract the brightest or most respectful clientele by any means. There are many times (especially summer months) when I look out the window, observing the onslaught of the unsophisticated, and wonder if my town has become the playground for America's rejects. (I wish I could say this was all sarcasm). But no, we scrape the bottom of the barrel at times it seems.

But occasionally we do get Japanese tourist groups or a Japanese family. Not many. I'd say under 7% annually, which is unfortunate, because they are the most kind, respectful tourists I have dealt with. They serve as a reminder that there ARE good tourists out there, and have never destroyed property, thrown an entitlement tantrum, gotten drunken belligerent, or done anything to earn my disrespect. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule for any group of people. But from what I've observed here over the years & while traveling elsewhere, all I can say is that I wish there were more who acted like them.
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
Arthur Wellesley said:
I've worked in hospitality for over a decade now. Given the geographical location of my particular tourist town in the U.S., our area doesn't exactly attract the brightest or most respectful clientele by any means. There are many times (especially summer months) when I look out the window, observing the onslaught of the unsophisticated, and wonder if my town has become the playground for America's rejects. (I wish I could say this was all sarcasm). But no, we scrape the bottom of the barrel at times it seems.

But occasionally we do get Japanese tourist groups or a Japanese family. Not many. I'd say under 7% annually, which is unfortunate, because they are the most kind, respectful tourists I have dealt with. They serve as a reminder that there ARE good tourists out there, and have never destroyed property, thrown an entitlement tantrum, gotten drunken belligerent, or done anything to earn my disrespect. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule for any group of people. But from what I've observed here over the years & while traveling elsewhere, all I can say is that I wish there were more who acted like them.
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That's great to hear. If you ever have the chance to visit Japan, I highly highly recommend it.

It's safe, the food is great, the people are great, and there is a ton of awesome culture.
 
mergatroid

mergatroid

Well-Known Member
Mawg said:
I don't disagree with you at all!

But, this guy was incredibly strong, not just fit. To put other fit guys to shame like he did with seemly endless one handed pushups. Not to mention his personality, attitude and ability to act the part were spot on. To find this mix in multiple friends of Gaston would be very difficult even at a higher pay. I don't know too many guys at my gym who would want this gig. Disney was probably just trying to make sure they could give a consistent experience to guests. Honestly, I don't really care if one Gaston is way better than the other if it means we sometimes get experiences like this Gaston could offer but it means guests have to be understanding if sometimes their experience is only par and others might get exceptional. Not something todays guests handle very well, their all big babies.
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A very good point and you're probably right. Without hearing the discussions between him as his employers all we can do is guess what happened. If he was told not to do something with a good reason why not yet continued to do so, it could get sticky with other employees seeing that happen. For instance what if cm's started doing things they weren't supposed to and were disciplined, they could then turn round and say they were victimised as he got away with it.

Ideally however, you'd have thought that after seeing his performances work so well Disney would maybe have reviewed what he could and couldn't do and evolved around it in a professional manner.
 
asianway

asianway

Well-Known Member
mergatroid said:
A very good point and you're probably right. Without hearing the discussions between him as his employers all we can do is guess what happened. If he was told not to do something with a good reason why not yet continued to do so, it could get sticky with other employees seeing that happen. For instance what if cm's started doing things they weren't supposed to and were disciplined, they could then turn round and say they were victimised as he got away with it.

Ideally however, you'd have thought that after seeing his performances work so well Disney would maybe have reviewed what he could and couldn't do and evolved around it in a professional manner.
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It's all about integrity. I think a writeup was warranted but not a firing
 
A

Arthur Wellesley

Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey said:
Maynard has done all kind of stuff at Disneyland.





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While this looks like an excellent CM going above & beyond for the guests, I am certainly glad he is at DLR and not WDW. Could you imagine the uproar by some WDW guests if they happen to visit on one of his off days, and miss seeing him on their trip? Also WDW managers would be just squirming to get this man fired for doing his own thing & not going with business as usual.
 
Kaznagan

Kaznagan

Member
Gaston is one character i am hoping to meet, after all the videos i have seen online.

I've only ever been to DLR (3 times) and this Sept I will be finally getting to WDW (126 days and counting).

DLR is laid back, and the planning more mellow, the things i have discovered while looking up tips and ideas for my Sept Trip huge difference in everything.
I have only ever organised to get fast passes for World of Colour at DLR - everything else you just wing it, its great.
I feel i have to plan things more on this trip, but at the moment its - go to this park on this day, pre-book these fast passes if i can, and then wing it from there. The spontineity of a Disney Trip is where you can sometimes find the most magic i believe. Mind you there is so much more to do and see, but thats why i have a 5 day pass as well as a pass for one of the halloween nights.
 
ItlngrlBella

ItlngrlBella

Well-Known Member
Cmdr_Crimson said:
What I found interesting is he was also used on a shirt...Albeit using his likeness they changed him to a skeleton...

The original promo pic..
disney-s-hollywood-studios_the-twilight-zone-tower-of-terror.jpg


The Shirt Design..
909fb92e9216b21255d0d9d6cf9480a9.jpg
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I hope that guy received some serious bank for being the "face" of ToT. He's been in so much promo stuff - I just hope he wasn't short-changed.
 
ItlngrlBella

ItlngrlBella

Well-Known Member
mergatroid said:
A very good point and you're probably right. Without hearing the discussions between him as his employers all we can do is guess what happened. If he was told not to do something with a good reason why not yet continued to do so, it could get sticky with other employees seeing that happen. For instance what if cm's started doing things they weren't supposed to and were disciplined, they could then turn round and say they were victimised as he got away with it.

Ideally however, you'd have thought that after seeing his performances work so well Disney would maybe have reviewed what he could and couldn't do and evolved around it in a professional manner.
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Who knows what happened, but if it was fulfilling requests for push up challenges, after the first reprimand I'd hope they would have sent him back with some lines like, "Last time I did that all of the women in a 5 mile radius swooned so hard they passed out. Sadly, it is now forbidden."

((Somehow I just imagined Ryan Reynolds saying that --- ok, I need to stop daydreaming...))) :inlove: :inlove::inlove::inlove:

Ahem... My point: interactive actors get crazy requests and weird comments all the time - arm your interactive actors with zingers for the most frequently moronic comments/requests spouted off by guests to diffuse the comment, whilst staying in character.

About 10 years ago I wrote an article in a haunt industry trade magazine on this very topic because our actors were faced with the same stupid comments and requests (Can I have your number? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? ... and worse - you can imagine). We needed a way for our actors (in-character), to diffuse, entertain and move-on. When you can do that with a one-liner, you've won.

Whether it's WDW, a RenFaire or a seasonal haunt, interactive improv actors everywhere face moronic comments that people think are funny and "oh-so original." The best feeling in the world is to not skip a beat and deliver a witty/snappy reply and get them off guard/set them straight depending upon the situation (and if you get them to laugh - even better)!

This is a great read for anyone in (or interested in) interactive improv.

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Street-E...FCE_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1431662621&sr=1-1

It's written by a featured RenFaire actress but principles can be applied to most any walk-around interactive improv roles. Heck, it's great for anyone who deals with face to face human interaction such as general - service industry, sales, teachers, etc.
 
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Fox&Hound

Fox&Hound

Well-Known Member
ItlngrlBella said:
I had no "want" to ever go to DLR because I assumed, "it's a smaller park = less 'wow'."

Your review of DLR is the same of everyone's - everyone says it's more chill and overall a better experience. I actually want to go there now. I've never heard anyone say anything negative about DLR. Interesting.
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You really should check it out. Yes, in some ways it's smaller but it's also more intimate. With everything being so close together you can park hop much easier and you don't spend all day on transportation. Carsland, Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, World of Color show, Storybook Canal, Fantasmic on rivers of America, and Alice in Wonderland are just some of the standouts. I really, really enjoyed Disneyland and grew up going to WDW.....Just my .02.
 

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