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Legendary Disneyland cast member Maynard Smith to retire
- Thread starter DCBaker
- Start date
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
This isn’t bad at all. It’s entertaining and not annoying.
I wonder if he’s ever done voiceover work?
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
Yeah. This is the first I've seen of him, but in this he's both completely engaged and also pretty engaging. He may not be the best fit for the Tiki Room but I think I would have loved to have him as a Jungle Cruise skipper.
mickEblu
Well-Known Member
Centauri Space Station
Well-Known Member
How long has he been there? I think I might have seen him actually
mickEblu
Well-Known Member
Yeah I honestly didn’t think this was bad. I even laughed a couple times. Not sure if this was his only spiel. Maybe it’s just different watching it from the comfort of your home? If I’m at the Tiki Room, there is a good chance I’ve endured a long hot day.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Yes, I think someone like him would be much more suited for Jungle Cruise, too. Someone who’s good at off-script commentary and jokes, can do various voices, and is naturally engaging with guests… Perfect.
SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
He did used to work Haunted Mansion-
I think there's an interesting discussion to be had on the Cast Member's role in an attraction. In Jungle Cruise, the CM is the star- the ride is built around the CM making jokes and engaging with the guests- which makes an over the top CM with decent comedic timing almost perfect. But on Mansion? The Ghost Host is the star- and having someone like Maynard trying to 'steal the show' almost detracts from the story of the ride.
I think there's an interesting discussion to be had on the Cast Member's role in an attraction. In Jungle Cruise, the CM is the star- the ride is built around the CM making jokes and engaging with the guests- which makes an over the top CM with decent comedic timing almost perfect. But on Mansion? The Ghost Host is the star- and having someone like Maynard trying to 'steal the show' almost detracts from the story of the ride.
Mickey's Pal
Well-Known Member
This would have annoyed me
Stevek
Well-Known Member
I think the original post said he does voice work.
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
He isn't in IMDB. However, he is in voices.com for hire.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
He could have easily been, at least when gas was only $3 a gallon in California the last few years. But now at $6 a gallon, it doesn't pencil out. Heck, it doesn't pencil out to be a CM if you live in Brea at $6 a gallon, let alone San Bernardino.
But then, if he's been there for 28 years and has reached 65, he's eligible for a modest pension. He'd probably make more money by taking his pension and Social Security and not paying for a 100 mile commute each day. As a retired person myself, I say good for him! He can just sit in the mountains and do his crazy spiels to the squirrels instead.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
The man: "No FLASHY FLASHY but DRINKY DRINKY and MUNCHY MUNCHY are allowed!!"
His audience waiting for his homemade Squeaki Squeaki Room:
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
No he couldn't. Not at minimum wage. I have teenagers making that. They can't afford rent, utilities, health insurance, food, gas, car upkeep and all the other adult things. Most of the time, he wasn't doing 40+ hours a week anyway. He must have some other sources of income or is married or has something. Maybe he bought Disney stock in the 70s? I like to think he was higher up in the company than we think or worked elsewhere and did Disneyland has a hobby. Working at Disneyland isn't suppose to be a 30+ year career.
CaptinEO
Well-Known Member
TP is talking about Social Security benefits.
I agree an entry level job shouldn't be used as a "career".
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
He wasn't on social security for the last thirty years.
Phroobar
Well-Known Member
The thing is if he is just an entry level cast member, I find it pretty sad he won't receive any kind of recognition from corporate for those years of service outside of maybe his coworkers taking him to lunch. There won't be a pension much less a window on Main Street. Only the fans sites know who is he and remember the joy he gave to them. I guarantee both Bobs and Eisner have no idea who he is.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Bob Chapek doesn't even know where the nearest bathroom is at Disneyland, much less who CM's are. But I get your point.
Maynard was eligible for a pension from the union, because he started back when those were still a thing. It's not huge, but it's supplemental income to his Social Security or whatever other investments he may have. Also, he has done voiceover work in the past.
Decades ago after I got out of the service I was a dues paying Teamster for only a few years. The Teamsters send me $61 per month today from their pension plan. I purposely pull it out of the bank in 3 twenty dollar bills the first of the month and use it for tips for good service I get from hard working young folks. Never forget where you came from!
For all we know, Maynard may now have a job at the general store up there in the mountains. Or he may own the general store. Or his father may have been an executive with Standard Oil and left him a nice chunk of change or family trust.
As for windows on Main Street, whether we like it or not, those are only reserved for salaried and creative types who worked for decades (Imagineers mostly), or senior management and park executives (Jack Lindquist, Marty Sklar, Van France, etc.). They don't let the front-line staff, even the Dockers clad managers, have that honor. I get it, there's only so many windows, but it's also a rather snobby "Upstairs, Downstairs" way of thinking.
They tried to get around that problem by dedicating a "Casting Agency" door to any and all hourly CM's who ever worked at Disneyland, or ever will work at Disneyland. So Maynard is technically honored there, along with the lifeless and charmless lumps of humanity they increasingly employ now.
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CaptinEO
Well-Known Member
If Ky'le from Tust'in doesn't get a window we should all march to city hall to make a complaint.Bob Chapek doesn't even know where the nearest bathroom is at Disneyland, much less who CM's are. But I get your point.
Maynard was eligible for a pension from the union, because he started back when those were still a thing. It's not huge, but it's supplemental income to his Social Security or whatever other investments he may have. Also, he has done voiceover work in the past.
Decades ago after I got out of the service I was a dues paying Teamster for only a few years. The Teamsters send me $61 per month today from their pension plan. I purposely pull it out of the bank in 3 twenty dollar bills the first of the month and use it for tips for good service I get from hard working young folks. Never forget where you came from!
For all we know, Maynard may now have a job at the general store up there in the mountains. Or he may own the general store. Or his father may have been an executive with Standard Oil and left him a nice chunk of change or family trust.
As for windows on Main Street, whether we like it or not, those are only reserved for salaried and creative types who worked for decades (Imagineers mostly), or senior management and park executives (Jack Lindquist, Marty Sklar, Van France, etc.). They don't let the front-line staff, even the Dockers clad managers, have that honor. I get it, there's only so many windows, but it's also a rather snobby "Upstairs, Downstairs" way of thinking.
They tried to get around that problem by dedicating a "Casting Agency" door to any and all hourly CM's who ever worked at Disneyland, or ever will work at Disneyland. So Maynard is technically honored there, along with the lifeless and charmless lumps of humanity they increasingly employ now.