Legendary Disneyland cast member Maynard Smith to retire

SuddenStorm

SuddenStorm

Well-Known Member
I've always looked at is as- the windows are reserved for people who permanently changed Disneyland for the better. The names that are up there are often people who changed not only Disneyland, but the entire Theme Park Industry with their innovations (I almost wrote Innoventions, ha!).

Maynard is a memorable CM for sure, but he had nowhere near the impact Tony Baxter, Marc Davis, Rolly, Bob Gurr, Jack Lindquist, etc had.

I remember when Oscar retired also, and people were saying he should get a window. I think CM's that made a lasting impact on their work location- like Oscar or Maynard- should be honored in some way at that location. Put a discreet reference to Maynard somewhere in the Tiki Room waiting area. Or heck just put a photo of him in the Dole whip stand there. Same with Oscar- put a tasteful yet discreet reference at the restaurant he worked at for years.
 
chadwpalm

chadwpalm

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Phroobar said:
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.
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With nearly 30 years I'm sure at some point he was offered a lead, supervisor, or even manager position solely based on seniority, but clearly he just wanted to work part-time doing the things he really loved to do and that was good enough for him. I'm sure if he wanted to he could have progressed up to a position that would allow for a pension, but he made that sacrifice because he probably wasn't doing it for the money, but because he loved Disneyland so much and wanted to be a part of the frontline magic without having the added responsibilities.
 
AJFireman

AJFireman

Well-Known Member
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Just a thought... I just saw that long time Security Guard Ernie Napper "Gunny" was asked to resign possibly fired from Disneyland this past week. Him and others around him will not disclose the reason but say he is distraught not to work anymore. He was well respected and put his heart and soul into the Flag Retreat. Like Maynard many went to just see him during the Flag retreat. He was retired USMC 22 years and was with Disneyland for around 30 years.

Both are leaving when on April 11th all Disneyland Employees are required to be fully Vaccinated. Could this be why and they do not want to bad mouth their former employer because as many say they are model CMs. [Edited to add. El_super states Security was mandated to be vaccinated by December and its not the cause of termination]

Also I know many speculated on Maynards Commute but there is a Express Bus from San Bernardino to the Harbor Entrance for 2.00 each way for Seniors. It only has 6 scheduled stops so it's probably a faster commute then driving especially during traffic. I also know Disney gives incentives for those using alternate means of commute. I have used it from Riverside La Sierra Station and it equals my drive and saves gas and parking.
 
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mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
AJFireman said:
View attachment 630159

Just a thought... I just saw that long time Security Guard Ernie Napper "Gunny" was asked to resign possibly fired from Disneyland this past week. Him and others around him will not disclose the reason but say he is distraught not to work anymore. He was well respected and put his heart and soul into the Flag Retreat. Like Maynard many went to just see him during the Flag retreat. He was retired USMC 22 years and was with Disneyland for around 30 years.

Both are leaving when on April 11th all Disneyland Employees are required to be fully Vaccinated. Could this be why and they do not want to bad mouth their former employer because as many say they are model CMs.

Also I know many speculated on Maynards Commute but there is a Express Bus from San Bernardino to the Harbor Entrance for 2.00 each way for Seniors. It only has 6 scheduled stops so it's probably a faster commute then driving especially during traffic. I also know Disney gives incentives for those using alternate means of commute. I have used it from Riverside La Sierra Station and it equals my drive and saves gas and parking.
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I think you nailed it. That’s definitely what it is. It’s the vaccine mandate
 
el_super

el_super

Well-Known Member
mickEblu said:
I think you nailed it. That’s definitely what it is. It’s the vaccine mandate
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Security CMs had to be vaccinated by December. If he has continued working since, he's compliant.

There is a rumor going around on what the cause is that I don't want to repeat, but if the decision to terminate him stands, it seems like it was warranted.
 
mickEblu

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
el_super said:
Security CMs had to be vaccinated by December. If he has continued working since, he's compliant.

There is a rumor going around on what the cause is that I don't want to repeat, but if the decision to terminate him stands, it seems like it was warranted.
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PM me? lol
 
AJFireman

AJFireman

Well-Known Member
el_super said:
Security CMs had to be vaccinated by December. If he has continued working since, he's compliant.

There is a rumor going around on what the cause is that I don't want to repeat, but if the decision to terminate him stands, it seems like it was warranted.
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Well there goes my ideas. I am curious now I really did enjoy when he was allowed to speak at the flag retreat. If deserved then it's deserved.
 
Dear Prudence

Dear Prudence

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
Bob Chapek doesn't even know where the nearest bathroom is at Disneyland, much less who CM's are. But I get your point. :cool:

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. :rolleyes:

iu
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Paycheck couldn't even name all the Disney Princesses and thought Splash Mountain was 70 years old
 
muddyrivers

muddyrivers

Well-Known Member
I don't think this was the primary reason for Maynard's "transition" as he preferred to call his retirement, but in speaking with him he mentioned to me how the company was changing in many ways and he implied he wasn't a fan of it. I think Maynard enjoyed his work, but also enjoyed voice acting and saw this as a good time to leave on his own terms.

We also talked about needing to do what makes yourself happy, and he said that is true but it's more important to make others happy in life. I think Maynard did just that with his humor, goofyness, and downright silliness whether it be his signature autograph phrase "Eat figs, not worms", the random stories he would spout out, or his take on the spiel of attractions he worked.

By the way, someone mentioned either here or elsewhere that Maynard played a part in some of the jokes written as part of the official Jungle Cruise script. Does anyone know what jokes were his?
 
CaptinEO

CaptinEO

Well-Known Member
According to Micechat Maynard, the Plaza Inn Chef of 40 years, and Gunny (Flag Ceremony Vet) all left this week. I think it would have to be tied to the vaccine mandate, too much of a coincidence.
 

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