If you become a Cast Member at Walt Disney World, then during training, you’re advised that the job will come with its fair share of strange happenings and odd things. You’re trained to never let a guest know that a question they have asked may be stupid or weird or wrong or anything of the matter.
You’re encouraged to answer the question as best you can and with a huge smile on your face. Believe me, I got my fair share of questions that fell into the categories of simple and all the way up to…”are you kidding me?”
As mentioned in a previous edition of “Tales of a Former Cast Member,” one of my Disney jobs was to occasionally stock the popcorn and ice cream carts around the Magic Kingdom. Having a bit of freedom as walking through the park, it was a job that also allowed me to interact with guests quite often.
That was by far, my favorite part of the job…but there are always those guests that left me shaking my head in confusion.
As always, no names will be given so as to protect anyone from embarrassment.
It was a cloudy day in the summer of 1999 and showers had been happening throughout the day. I had just finished restocking a cart out in Frontierland and was taking the long walk back to base behind Main Street. That was when a guest approached me and had some things to ask.
Guest: “Excuse me, sir?”
Doctor Disney: “Yes, ma’am…how can I help you?”
Guest: “So…with all this rain they’ve been having today, when are they going to close it?”
DD: “Ma’am? Close what?”
Guest: “I fully understand that the rain is allowed in sometimes, but this is getting to be too much.”
DD: “I really am not quite sure what you’re asking. The weather is bad today, but it’s the rainy season here in Orlando.”
Guest: “Yes, it is. But shouldn’t all of this rain pretty much mean that they’ll be closing it soon so that it can stop?”
DD: “Forgive me for being confused, but what exactly are you asking about Disney closing?”
Guest: “The dome!”
DD: “The what?”
Guest: “The dome. I know that there is the dome over all of Disney property for when the weather gets to be seriously bad such as a hurricane and all that. But, don’t they ever close it if it’s just raining too much like this? It is really hindering my trip and lots of others as well.”
DD: {With huge eyes} “I sincerely don’t mean to disappoint you, but there is no dome over the Magic Kingdom or any of the property here at Walt Disney World.”
Guest: “You’re trained to say that. But come on…just let me know if there is even a chance they will close it with all this rain.”
DD: “Ma’am, there are ponchos available at all merchandise locations and some restaurants as well.”
Guest’s Husband: “Honey! Come on, if he doesn’t want to tell you then we will just wait for it. It’s going to happen if this keeps up anyway.”
Guest: “All I know is that this much rain surely means it will have to close soon. This is ridiculous that Disney would allow this much before taking action.”
DD: “I really do hope that it stops and your trip gets better.”
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The lesson to be learned here is to never underestimate what some people think Disney is capable of because there will always be someone else who thinks more can be done.
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Oh, my goodness! Thank you for sharing that. I’ve had some crazy questions asked of me at theme parks (not Disney), but never anything like that. I had no idea that people actually thought there was a dome. However, if anybody could do it, I suppose Disney would be the one. 🙂
Yep. This happened to me too as a CP. “When are they gonna close the dome?” That’s only slightly less ridiculous than “When’s Mickey gonna turn off the rain?” What’s the Disney appropriate response for that? “Yes, maam. The Imagineers built a dome the size of San Francisco over the property. We’d close it, but then it’d be too dark in here”. Or, “The smog from the fireworks makes it a little hard to breathe, so we leave it open.” I really want to know how the “dome rumor” got started. I think I just sprained my eyes from how hard I rolled them.
Being a CM backstage now, I miss the Guest questions and comments! The dome and the “what time is the 3 o’clock parade” seem to be frequent. But I’ve been asked “Why is is SO hot here?” – um . . . you’re in Central Florida, in August!? Or “How many people do you let in before you close Disney World (usually meaning Magic Kingdom)?” One million!! “Is there a shorter line for people who are over 60?” ONLY if they are short people!!! Love geing a CM – 19 years & counting!!