Summer changes for characters

[drew81]

Character set time length could be changing for outside character meet 'n greets-

Disney management is attempting to change the current 20 minute summer set time length for characters to 30 minutes. This only would affect characters appearing for outside meet 'n greets during the summer. While 10 minutes might not seem that much it can mean a whole lot for the characters. With temps pushing into the 90s and even approaching 100 degrees it could affect the health of the character performers, which could mean less characters out for guests to meet.

I just wanted to make everyone aware that if this does go through you will probably see characters staying out longer and meeting with more guests.

As mentioned before, Merida will be the only major character change coming this summer.

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

I hope this doesn't get pushed through, I don't know how Unions would ever let this happen. It would be like torture! this is Florida, temperatures sky rocket during the summer.

 

[disney fan 13]

Ouch...

 

[ptaylor]

I hope this doesn't get pushed through, I don't know how Unions would ever let this happen. It would be like torture! this is Florida, temperatures sky rocket during the summer.

The unions are fighting it. Unfortunately this is another example of Disney trying to grind out every cent and cut costs as far as possible. WDW Entertainment cast are hardly well paid, would it really hurt to pay to have more cast in these roles and give the guests the proper level of entertainment that they paid for. Strapping 10lbs of ice onto performers is not the answer. Perhaps some of the accountants who are making these decisions need to spend a day on the job in July.

 

[asianway]

Just when you think TDO couldn't stoop lower, you read this.

I'm sure someone will get a promotion and bonuses will be paid because of these "found" savings.

And it will be worth it when Daisy is sprawled flat on Main St and we need to explain it to DD and DS

 

[StageFrenzy]

Character set time length could be changing for outside character meet 'n greets-

Disney management is attempting to change the current 20 minute summer set time length for characters to 30 minutes. This only would affect characters appearing for outside meet 'n greets during the summer. While 10 minutes might not seem that much it can mean a whole lot for the characters. With temps pushing into the 90s and even approaching 100 degrees it could affect the health of the character performers, which could mean less characters out for guests to meet.

I just wanted to make everyone aware that if this does go through you will probably see characters staying out longer and meeting with more guests.

As mentioned before, Merida will be the only major character change coming this summer.

I hope your break times increasing as well. Whats the percentage of indoor/outdoor characters?

 

[asianway]

I hope your break times increasing as well. Whats the percentage of indoor/outdoor characters?

The purpose of this is to cut labor costs at these locations 33%. There will be no increase in breaks.

$100 bounty for anyone who can get me a copy of the PowerPoint presentation some middle manager put together to push this through.

 

[TronAThon]

As a former entertainment CM I'm not surprised that they are going to try this. Hopefully the union can effectively shoot it down. 30 min sets in the summer time is a horrific idea...

 

[Pitchforkman]

Sorry if i dont feel sad for the entertainers. They get paid for eight hour shifts when they only work 5 hours. They can afford to be out there for 10 more minutes. Why no concern for all the other cast that are stuck for hours outside in heat and get paid LESS than the entertains and have to wear costumes that do not bode well in the heat?

 

[TubaGeek]

As they found out before, strapping ice to the body does little to keep the head cool, and half the time the ice melts before the 30 minutes is up and becomes increasingly warm water. Frankly, I'm still shocked there are meet-and-greets that DON'T have a covered location!

In other news, it makes me awful happy that you all are looking out for us "personal biographers".

 

[Tigger1988]

Sorry if i dont feel sad for the entertainers. They get paid for eight hour shifts when they only work 5 hours. They can afford to be out there for 10 more minutes. Why no concern for all the other cast that are stuck for hours outside in heat and get paid LESS than the entertains and have to wear costumes that do not bode well in the heat?

Unless those other cast members are wearing fur suits with head gear that weighs several pounds there's not even a comparison.

But hey, if you feel comfortable knowing Pluto has to suffer heat stroke so you can get a picture more power to you.

 

[mickeysaver]

This is soooooo wrong! How can they think that this is going to produce more magic? It will produce grumpier employees, potentially unhealthier employees, and employees with decreased motivation and ability to deliver at their best levels.

I love characters as much as the next person, but this is not right. God bless the folks that are "friends" of the characters. I have always thought highly of them for doing the work that they do for the pay that they get, because you know they are doing it because they love it, not for the money.

I hope the union wins on this one. Darn bean counters and suits with no clue! :fork:

 

[xdan0920]

Sorry if i dont feel sad for the entertainers. They get paid for eight hour shifts when they only work 5 hours. They can afford to be out there for 10 more minutes. Why no concern for all the other cast that are stuck for hours outside in heat and get paid LESS than the entertains and have to wear costumes that do not bode well in the heat?

Rambling, nonsensical post of the day....

 

[Pitchforkman]

Unless those other cast members are wearing fur suits with head gear that weighs several pounds there's not even a comparison.

But hey, if you feel comfortable knowing Pluto has to suffer heat stroke so you can get a picture more power to you.

30 minutes is not going to cause them to have a heat stroke. You have cast that are out in the sun in the heat wearing full suits for hours on end and you dont care.

 

[Pitchforkman]

Rambling, nonsensical post of the day....

Good to know you have some kind or unhealthy obsession with me. Unlike you everything i say is the truth and makes sense.

 

[Pitchforkman]

This is soooooo wrong! How can they think that this is going to produce more magic? It will produce grumpier employees, potentially unhealthier employees, and employees with decreased motivation and ability to deliver at their best levels.

I love characters as much as the next person, but this is not right. God bless the folks that are "friends" of the characters. I have always thought highly of them for doing the work that they do for the pay that they get, because you know they are doing it because they love it, not for the money.

I hope the union wins on this one. Darn bean counters and suits with no clue! :fork:

You do know those hard working "friends" get paid more and work less of their shift then other castmembers?

Suits with no clue? They have a clue, they see cast members who work out in the direct sun with no protection for 3-4 hours and see them survive, they know that 10 minutes wont hurt the cast.

 

[MarkTwain]

I can't believe they would actually consider this!

 

[Pitchforkman]

The unions are fighting it. Unfortunately this is another example of Disney trying to grind out every cent and cut costs as far as possible. WDW Entertainment cast are hardly well paid, would it really hurt to pay to have more cast in these roles and give the guests the proper level of entertainment that they paid for. Strapping 10lbs of ice onto performers is not the answer. Perhaps some of the accountants who are making these decisions need to spend a day on the job in July.

Maybe these poor Entertainers should have to spend the 4 hours in the sun that most CMs do while wearing ridiculous costumes that are not good in the sun and see how much harder everyone else there has it. Maybe they can see how others who are paid way less then them have to work 7.5 hours of an 8 hour shift and not just 4-5 hours.

 

[InLikeFlynn]

I think all the fur characters especially should greet indoors from June-Sept at least...FL weather is insane. We never bother to line up and meet the characters in the blazing sun because even we, without a costume, would be miserable standing in a 15 minute line. It is so not worth it. I also don't get why the characters are out in force from morning to afternoon when it's hot as blazes then they take them away in the evening and at night when the weather is a little more bearable. Why not switch their hours up more? Have Tigger & Pooh out in the am for a few hours then bring them back at 7pm and stay till close.

 

[Pitchforkman]

I think all the fur characters especially should greet indoors from June-Sept at least...FL weather is insane. We never bother to line up and meet the characters in the blazing sun because even we, without a costume, would be miserable standing in a 15 minute line. It is so not worth it. I also don't get why the characters are out in force from morning to afternoon when it's hot as blazes then they take them away in the evening and at night when the weather is a little more bearable. Why not switch their hours up more? Have Tigger & Pooh out in the am for a few hours then bring them back at 7pm and stay till close.

Its partially because of the parades and also the lighting. Getting a picture or autograph at night is not as good as one in the day. Plus you cant have Pooh signing books while he is in the parade.