Is WDW Lowering Princess Standards?

[mkt]

alright..

the alice one is real, and I know the performer personally... and it's just a bad angle/bad timing for a picture. It actually looks like a video screengrab.

as for the tinkerbell thing, I am a CM who for several years was involved directly in that department, and I'm telling you now, you were lied to about the male bit.

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by mkt
alright..

the alice one is real, and I know the performer personally... and it's just a bad angle/bad timing for a picture. It actually looks like a video screengrab.

I was hoping it was a photoshop job! :dazzle:

 

[Mary Poppins]

Originally posted by Calamar
Mkt, I wish this were true, but it isn't, sir. That Alice image came directly from my camera, and I challenge you to find any evidence of editing (aside from me cropping out my family). As for Tinkerbell, I was just quoting a former cast member, but her story sounded plausible. I bet there are a couple of CMs here who could verify this.

I can verify...that former cm was pulling your leg. I also know "Alice". I agree with MKT. It was simply a bad picture of her.

 

[mkt]

thanks pop tart!! :wave:

 

[aim]

What an interesting thread! :lol:

 

[PhotoDave219]

Originally posted by Calamar


Now, let's fast forward a year or so. I'm discussing cast member requirements with a former CM at a WDW College Program presentation. Coincidentally, this CM is familiar with the Alice whom I met. It's a man.

No adams apple. Its a woman from a bad angle, caught at a bad moment.

 

[Calamar]

Originally posted by Mary Poppins
I can verify...that former cm was pulling your leg. I also know "Alice". I agree with MKT. It was simply a bad picture of her.

Ack. Aren't I a heel, then. Are you certain we're referring to the same Alice? The same Walt Disney World? If this is the case, I feel awful for slandering poor Alice.

I would like to offer some obligatory damage control by stating that my recollection of your friend's performance was tainted by the claim that Alice was male. In other words, I probably wouldn't have found her particularly "creepy and awkward" if I had never spoken with that CM. Having said that, I should note that her British accent could stand some improvement to better match Kathryn Beaumont's. May I recommend this fine book.

No adam's apple.

I did check for this, yeah; I had just assumed it was concealed by the hair.

[EDITED FOR MORE BACKPEDALLING: Oh, and about that remark that I was "traumatized and compelled to remove my eyeballs with plastic Gasparilla Grill spoons" ... er, that was clearly a meaningless joke intended to poke fun at the perceived situation, namely, a man playing the role of Alice. Again, this perception was based on what I had been told, rather than my actual experience with the Alice in question.]

 

[NashvilleMouse]

Originally posted by WDW*babe
What an interesting thread! :lol:

Yeah. I am with you on this one. I am going to re-read it this weekend after I get a few beers in me. That'll mess me up pretty good.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by Calamar
May I recommend this fine book

i can't say I disagree.... :lol:

 

[The Mom]

It's difficult to find people who match the characters' physical appearance because most of the females were drawn like Barbie dolls!!! Very few women have the large , teeny, tiny, waists, slim legs and hips drawn by animators. Combine that with the requirements to interact with guests, perform outdoors in all sorts of weather, and get paid what many people consider substandard wages, and it's amazing that ANY of them fit the role.

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by The Mom
It's difficult to find people who match the characters' physical appearance because most of the females were drawn like Barbie dolls!!! Very few women have the large , teeny, tiny, waists, slim legs and hips drawn by animators. Combine that with the requirements to interact with guests, perform outdoors in all sorts of weather, and get paid what many people consider substandard wages, and it's amazing that ANY of them fit the role.

BTW, Peter Pan was usually portrayed on stage by a woman because he's a prepubescent boy. Young boys usually don't have the experience to play the lead; older boys are too old. Plus, if the play runs more than a few months, the boy who was perfect at the begining of the run may have started sprouting facial hair a few months in. (Along with having the cracking voice, growth spurts, etc associated with puberty.)

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by raven
Do you know why a woman plays the lead role in the stage version of Peter Pan? It's because when the show first started, the flying apparatis wasn't made to fit a mans anatomy. The music was changed to a different key and the tradition has been carried on since.

Speaking as a man who has flown using stage flying aparatus, it's still a snug fit :dazzle:

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by mkt
Tinkerbell has never been portrayed by a male.

Not even when flying from the castle at night along the wire? I've only seen this twice and the first time the stunt person had the build of a rugby prop forward!

 

[Shaman]

Originally posted by Maria
I was hoping it was a photoshop job! :dazzle:

:lol: :lookaroun

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by barnum42
Not even when flying from the castle at night along the wire? I've only seen this twice and the first time the stunt person had the build of a rugby prop forward!

nope..

 

[Blizz]

Originally posted by mkt
nope..

I am gonna have to agree with Rob here. I work technical theatre and have tried on the type of harness worn by a "flying character" and I must say I now see why most Peter Pans in theatre are women. Guys wouldnt want the job, trust me...

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by mkt
nope..

If I'm correct you have five years experience at WDW under your belt. The incident I am on about happened six or seven years ago, so I guess I was not the only one to question a Tikerbell that looked seven feet tall with the body of a barrell and the biceps of a lumberjack.

The character may be a fair ways off, but there are some things you just can't hide! The last time I saw her, things were more in proprtion.

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Blizz
I am gonna have to agree with Rob here. I work technical theatre and have tried on the type of harness worn by a "flying character" and I must say I now see why most Peter Pans in theatre are women. Guys wouldnt want the job, trust me...

I have been in the two-wire stage flying harness (as the Ghost of Jacob Marley in "Scrooge"). The technicians could not emphasise enough the importance of getting the harness fitted properly, making sure nobody mucked about with between performances and that you were careful where you placed your bits

I came away bruised on my sides where the harness dug in, but had no problems with the baritone song.

 

[Atta83]

I've seen her outfit and it is cute adn small. Also, tinkerbell is very nice even though soem protray her as a you know what. But hey sometimes thats all girls
Atta


P.S. Hey Rob

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by Atta83
P.S. Hey Rob

hi ashley! :wave: