Auctions for Fastpasses & CM Stuff ?!?

[MagicDream4Me]

Hello all- Marie again! :D:

I am a big eBayer and I recently noticed that fastpasses and re-entry passes for WDW are being auctioned off. The sellers swear that CMs don't look at the dates. I promise I would never buy these, first because they are selling for hundreds of dollars, second because of the embarrassment of getting turned away for trying to use a pass that expired in Feb. and lastly- it's just wrong. Is this even legal? What the deal? :confused:

Now-I did come across a 'Mickey Ta Da Bubble' cast member pin with 'MARIE' on it. I had to buy it! :mickey1: Is it PC for me to wear this nametag at WDW, or would it bother CMs? Any input appreciated! :)

[stefunierocks]

since they switched the old fast pass machines out with the new ones, I can tell you the CM's DO look at the dates and (most) confiscate old ones.

Its so sad equally for people to sell them. or buy them. If you have the time and money to seach ebay to buy fastpasses, then head onto a few Disney Info sites, mousesavers.com, or buy some Tour Guide Mike, and plan a Disney trip correctly so you can utilize fast pass and rarely wait in long lines.

Its on par, to me, as the creeps who sell the Disney hoppers with "days left on them" so some unsuspecting (yet SGT) dad buys them off ebay, takes the family down to disney, heads to the gates of the MK only to be told the tickets have no days left on them.

As for CM stuff, I have an embarassing plethura of CM and general WDW signage, furniture etc, courtesy of Mouse Surplus.

[MagicDream4Me]

Thanks stefunierocks! :rocker: I love looking at Mouse Surplus! I'm trying to talk my husband into making our spare bedroom into a WDW room with all WDW furniture, signs, etc. What a great escape that would be! OH and have 'It's a Small World' piped in! LOL :D:

[stefunierocks]

Thanks stefunierocks! :rocker: I love looking at Mouse Surplus! I'm trying to talk my husband into making our spare bedroom into a WDW room with all WDW furniture, signs, etc. What a great escape that would be! OH and have 'It's a Small World' piped in! LOL :D:

I was with you till Its a small world. ive always said that Halloween Horror Nights should set up a boat ride that starts out much like IASW, except the dolls are really real and they come alive and come at you.

THAT WOULD BE TERRIFYING.

[MagicDream4Me]

OMG! I was kidding about It's a Small World!! ;) I could use that song for punishment for my DD though! "GO TO THE WDW ROOM AND LISTEN FOR AN HOUR!!" That would teach her! :twisted:

I wish they could change the ride for Halloween Party (which I love). That would be funny to see the dolls dressed up stabbing each other! :voodoo: :hysteria:

Back to the Halloween party- I love the 'villians'! Those CMs do a great job! Maleficent is my idol! :malefice:

So you never had any problem wearing 'CM' stuff in the parks?

[SorcererMickey]

Be careful as to how much CM stuff you wear into the park. You wouldn't want it taken away from you.

I think it's crazy to see all these people selling intact dream fast passes. I just don't understand why.

[darph nader]

Does this mean we can place bids on CMs?? :confused:
HELLO e-bay. :twisted:

[Big Wallaby]

Sure, you can bid on me, but delivery is NOT guaranteed.

[mechurchlady]

It has been a while but I was told it was illegal to sell CM stuff like badges, costumes and uniforms. Might have changed.

Wearing a Disney issued CM badge even if it is from 1980 could get you into big trouble in parks. They do not want anyone to look like a CM. My CM friend had them aweful Tomorrowland outfits in stores and was told to wear a sweater to cover her top at least. She was not to appear in uniform while in parks unless she was going to work, coming off work, or on the job.

You could be escorted off property and your annual pass or admission taken. That includes all public areas even outside the parks such as TTC.

I do not work for Disney, never did and probably am wrong but that is what I heard.

I got a head ache so scream away.

[drcorey]

OMG! I was kidding about It's a Small World!! ;) I could use that song for punishment for my DD though! "GO TO THE WDW ROOM AND LISTEN FOR AN HOUR!!" That would teach her! :twisted:

I wish they could change the ride for Halloween Party (which I love). That would be funny to see the dolls dressed up stabbing each other! :voodoo: :hysteria:

Back to the Halloween party- I love the 'villians'! Those CMs do a great job! Maleficent is my idol! :malefice:

So you never had any problem wearing 'CM' stuff in the parks?

you would like this ad for the Haunted Mansion:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W3F70OIAMxc
they have a lot of fun, untill the end....

[MagicDream4Me]

Well- that was my first thought- that I'd get into trouble! :eek: I also wouldn't want another guest thinking I was a cast member. I guess I better keep this as a souviner (sp) and leave it at that! I'm a nurse and I know it is illegal to put RN behind your name if your not one! So, I won't belittle cast members by wearing something I'm not entitled to wear! I definately wouldn't want to be ecsorted out for a tag!! :(

On the flip- I just thought of something!! :confused: WDW sells nametags that you can have engraved with your name. What's the difference? :rolleyes: I can just get one of those- can't I?

PS Great HM ad!! Love it! :hysteria:

[Zazu]

Well- that was my first thought- that I'd get into trouble! :eek: ...

On the flip- I just thought of something!! :confused: WDW sells nametags that you can have engraved with your name. What's the difference? :rolleyes: I can just get one of those- can't I?The difference is that CM nametags are white. Nametags for guests are red, blue, green, and apparently purple.

Of course, wearing any color will cause SGs to think you're a CM. Some CMs will think so too, which can get pretty funny if you want it to.

Once, back before Mickey made me shave off my moustache, I walked up to the turnstiles at Epcot wearing a red one. The CM opened the stroller gate for me and asked if I thought we'd ever get Test Track fixed.

I told her no. :wreck:

[Big Wallaby]

you would like this ad for the Haunted Mansion:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=W3F70OIAMxc
they have a lot of fun, untill the end....One of my favorite Disney ads ever. I haven't seen that in ages.

But this one's just scary: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZxyXk4UsyHM

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

One of my favorite Disney ads ever. I haven't seen that in ages.

But this one's just scary: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZxyXk4UsyHM

I REMEMBER THAT ONE!! It starts off so serious the, ending is hilarious!!

[Theme Park Where]

I loved that whole ad campaign!

As to the OPs initial question: Yes, you will get in trouble if you wear a CM nametag in the parks. It's actually strictly against policy to sell comp passes, nametags, uniform pieces, or any kind of exclusive material. Selling expired fastpasses or tickets is fraud and theft of service, and can get both the seller and buyer in big trouble if someone gets caught. And yes, the company does monitor ebay and other sites and will terminate someone's employment if they catch them. The problem is, most of those doing the selling are either SGs or cast members who sell their stuff AFTER terminating employment.

Universal does the same thing, and I worked with the woman whose job including "shopping" ebay, etc. for universal comps and uniforms. Sad to say, we DID term several people for infractions.

I guess the old saying goes - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

[dizneeluvr]

i'm glad that they are enforcing the wearing of the name tags etc. i've told my kids that if they should ever get separated from us, that they are to look for a disney CM wearing the white name tags, and they will get you to the lost kids area. i'd hate to think that they could mistake a non-CM and something awful happens. but i go a little further, go into a gift shop and look for the worker at the register. i do this where ever we are. thankfully they have never been separated from us.

[Big Wallaby]

I also can't help but think that unfortunately, if an adult wants to wear a CM costume, complete with nametag, into a Disney park, I am going to immediately be suspicious. I mean, there are only a few reasons you could want to do that, and not many of them are good.

[BRWombat]

Of course, wearing any color will cause SGs to think you're a CM. Some CMs will think so too, which can get pretty funny if you want it to.http://www.intergate.com/~brandall/disney2003/Chapter3_files/image012.gif

I can vouch for this. I don't get to WDW that often, but on every trip where I've had my red "Guest of Honor" badge on, I've gotten SG questions every day. I don't exactly fit the mold of your typical CM (6'5", 300+ lbs, with non-Disney facial hair), plus I'm with my family, yet I'm still assumed to be a cast member. Most of the questions are for directions, and I try to supply those if I know the answer without embarrassing the guest by correcting them -- although it's been very tempting from time to time to mess with them.

The questions that have caught me off-guard are when I'm standing in line for food or for an attraction and am asked if I'm on-duty, or on a break, or whatever. I really need to be prepared with a snappy answer next time. Any ideas?

[MagicDream4Me]

Maybe I'll just wear a "HELLO - MY NAME IS _____" sticker! LOL! :D: I just thought I'd get better interactions with CMs if they could see my name! I will keep my tag at home! Thanks for all the info! ;)

[vixen101485]

But this one's just scary: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZxyXk4UsyHM
AWWWW!!! That was cute!

[mechurchlady]

Maybe I'll just wear a "HELLO - MY NAME IS _____" sticker! LOL! :D: I just thought I'd get better interactions with CMs if they could see my name! I will keep my tag at home! Thanks for all the info! ;)
Do not spoil the fun with a sticker. Get a badge that is not CM and wear it. It is fun to do though I never forked over the dough for one. You might even find a custom made one but I doubt it.

Theme Park Where thank you as that is what I thought but times change and I am on the west coast. A pin trader had a mother in security and my friend was a CM so I thought that was the answer but I am usually wrong.

[Princess Susi]

One of my favorite Disney ads ever. I haven't seen that in ages.

But this one's just scary: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZxyXk4UsyHM
This is just too cute! I love it! In fact, oddly enuff, I was just at eBay buying some Donald Duck pins...I want to make a framed Donald sheet with a pic that I had taken at DL of Donald Duck and I, add some pins and Donald scrap pieces for my dad. He does an amazing Donald Duck! Always talked to us like that when we were kids. That hits the soft daddy spot in my heart! I love eBay for Disney memorabilia. I collect pins and other memorabilia! There are Disney things in every room in my house! We LOVE Disney! I am rather fond of Bambi and The Little Mermaid and of course Mickey and Minnie! Hubby likes POTC and Pooh! :D:
sues

[leftcoaster]

Maybe I'll just wear a "HELLO - MY NAME IS _____" sticker! LOL! :D: I just thought I'd get better interactions with CMs if they could see my name! I will keep my tag at home! Thanks for all the info! ;)

*cues up X-files episode where the guy wears a "badge" with a big X on it, and projects the badge to be an FBI badge so he can get through the entrance of the FBI building.

[CelebrationNM]

While we're on the topic of inpersonating CMs (sort of), it reminded me of this stunt that took place at APEC in Australia a few months ago. A popular Australian television show "The Chasers" had a bit of fun with this...pretending to be APEC security in this first clip:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GclCE0cLA-o&mode=related&search=chasers%20war%20on%20everything%20apec%20stunt%2 0official%20footage

And their main stunt, getting their fake motorcade within meters of President Bush's hotel. Excuse the political slamming...but enjoy the humor...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaXHKIFiTzo

[PrinceOfSka]

5th day on the job I witnessed some guy put on a name tag and walk backstage... he didn't notice the security CM behind him eying him up suspiciously (the guest was standing near a backstage entrance for a couple minutes looking around. I guess that was enough for the security CM to keep an eye on him.) The guy dashes back stage while he thinks no one is looking... second later Security CM follows him... never saw the guy again lol. Though I think they had a new doll at small world.... :P I really wish I could have followed the security guy. The dude was definitely not a CM, I mean what CM puts on their name tag before going backstage in plainclothes? that and he had a full beard :p:

and off topic about backstage stuff... it always throws me off when they are seating fantasmic dinner package people... or whoever they are that get sat by going backstage. Especially since there are no CMs in site past the gate... Its usually I am leaving the park and there are all these kids running around... I just wonder if I spent too much time in the sun.

back to op - i heard a while back that Disney had the cooperation of EBAY in finding who is selling such things as fast passes and hopper tickets. ALso I am guessing if Disney asks, EBAY will remove the listing.

[Theme Park Where]

Yeah, those are dinner package folks running around back there. They go in by Oscar's gate and up the long and winding hill. Is it just me, or does that hill get steeper every day?! Fant! has a CM down by Oscar's and another up by the theater, but the guests are sort of on their own in between.

[BRWombat]

Yeah, those are dinner package folks running around back there. They go in by Oscar's gate and up the long and winding hill. Is it just me, or does that hill get steeper every day?! Fant! has a CM down by Oscar's and another up by the theater, but the guests are sort of on their own in between.Heh. I did that package on my first trip with kids. It never dawned on us to depart from the yellow stripe. (Thanks for the idea! :D: ) It was kind of a kick being backstage -- I mean, we even commented that we could see dumpsters! Where else can a guest see dumpsters at a Disney park??

That's meant to be a rhetorical question. Please don't answer it.

[Cranbiz]

Heh. I did that package on my first trip with kids. It never dawned on us to depart from the yellow stripe. (Thanks for the idea! :D: ) It was kind of a kick being backstage -- I mean, we even commented that we could see dumpsters! Where else can a guest see dumpsters at a Disney park??

That's meant to be a rhetorical question. Please don't answer it.

Magic Kingdom at a really busy time during a parade. You get redirected out back of Main St and pass by MO-7. You really get to see a lot! But you know, It looks like the back of a strip mall.


Oh, sorry, I missed the don't answer part. :p:

[MagicDream4Me]

back to op - i heard a while back that Disney had the cooperation of EBAY in finding who is selling such things as fast passes and hopper tickets. ALso I am guessing if Disney asks, EBAY will remove the listing.Well- I wish Disney would complain! At first there were the 'secret' auctions where 'you are bidding on an envelope... anything inside is a gift', but now they are not even trying to hide! I hate to think that my family will be at WDW next week ( :D: :D: ) following the rules... and some jerk with an extra 400.00 gets to walk on every ride with an expired fastpass! :twisted: If people are selling for scrapping, which some are, I guess I understand that. (But why waste one in the first place?) I hope CMs are on to this and start checking a little better! I think someone said the new machines will help. I hope. People are even selling some kind of unlimited fastpass they got as part of YOMD! :confused: This is so wrong! :twisted: You get a special dream- and use it, then try to profit!! Another example of people not getting 'it'. :(

Speaking of YOMD- Do dreams happen at night? Most 'Dream Team" things I've read/heard happen to families early in the morning. Do we have to do Extra hours in the morning to have a shot at being chosen for something? We aren't morning people!! We stay in the parks 'til close and usually get to the parks by 10am. BUT I would definately change a few things if I thought I could better my chances to have a 'Dream Come True'!! :)

[Theme Park Where]

As far as I know, Dream Team stuff happens all day. It's "random" or at least it's done by a group that gets a specific gift to give to someone at a specified location at a specified time. No one but them knows what, where, who, or when.

BRWombat, you can't see the dumpsters anymore. They finally put a door up over them that we close just before we start letting Dinner Package people back there. You still see the backstage area of Beauty and the Beast and the stroller area, but pretty much everything else is now behind a wall of some kind.

[BRWombat]

...BRWombat, you can't see the dumpsters anymore. They finally put a door up over them that we close just before we start letting Dinner Package people back there. You still see the backstage area of Beauty and the Beast and the stroller area, but pretty much everything else is now behind a wall of some kind.You mean this view:
http://www.intergate.com/~brandall/disney2003/Chapter6_files/DSC00497.JPG
...isn't available any more??? :( :( :(

(Yes, this is a picture from the trip I mentioned earlier. Told ya it was a big deal to us that we could see dumpsters!)

[Cranbiz]

Ok Wombat, Slap yourself on the wrists for taking photo's backstage. :p:

[CelebrationNM]

You mean this view:

I can't believe you posted that picture! You just ruined the Magic for me!

;)
Nick

[leftcoaster]

I think I had that view at night, leaving F! There wasn't much to see. I would have preferred to exit near/at the gas station where the stroller/wheelchair rental is.

That exit exists only to get guests out of the F! theater quickly. But you still get dumped onto Sunset...and the gift shops.

[Princess Susi]

Well- I wish Disney would complain! At first there were the 'secret' auctions where 'you are bidding on an envelope... anything inside is a gift', but now they are not even trying to hide! I hate to think that my family will be at WDW next week ( :D: :D: ) following the rules... and some jerk with an extra 400.00 gets to walk on every ride with an expired fastpass! :twisted: If people are selling for scrapping, which some are, I guess I understand that. (But why waste one in the first place?) I hope CMs are on to this and start checking a little better! I think someone said the new machines will help. I hope. People are even selling some kind of unlimited fastpass they got as part of YOMD! :confused: This is so wrong! :twisted: You get a special dream- and use it, then try to profit!! Another example of people not getting 'it'. :(

Speaking of YOMD- Do dreams happen at night? Most 'Dream Team" things I've read/heard happen to families early in the morning. Do we have to do Extra hours in the morning to have a shot at being chosen for something? We aren't morning people!! We stay in the parks 'til close and usually get to the parks by 10am. BUT I would definately change a few things if I thought I could better my chances to have a 'Dream Come True'!! :)I wouldn't worry too much about a $400.00 fast pass that has expired. Those people got TAKEN for the 4 hun. They will never get to use those passes. They will be confiscated and not be used. I just cannot believe the bidders' lists when I see these auctions. It is so sad that someone thinks they are going to bypass the system and get a"deal". They are going to get a deal, all right. A good deal of grief! I have emailed eBay EVERY time I see these bogus auctions for fastpasses or Parkhoppers with a few days on em (obviously some people don't realize that your fingys have to match the ticket because of the scan at WDW!, this does not hold true for DL where there is no scan. I have heard that they can use those comp passes they get when a ride goes 101 and the peole may sell them on eBay and I think they CAN be used. CM's, whats the word on those comp passes? Do they expire or can they be used eternally?
It IS a shame that there are frauds out there that want to take your money from you, but as P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every day!" SOME one will bid, as I have seen long lists of bidders on these items. I have been burned on pins sometimes, I end up geting a fake, scrapper or a non-Disney pin, but I turn it around and write guides for ebay about fake pins! :D: I have found eBay does not do much about these sellers when it is just a mere buyer complaining of a scam, but I bet if Disney DID contact them, they would remove it. There are so many all the time and Disney probably does have a person or team to deal with just that problem, but I don't know how effective they are. Obviously, some are still not being stopped. That being said, someone was just auctioning off all the 50th anniversary stuff, the same surplusser who takes about 20 people to the Disney sale and grabs most of the items to sell on ebay. Most regular people never get a chance at these auctions because the big surplussers grab ALL the good stuff and then make a killing on eBay. Free enterprise! More power to em, but I think Disney should maybe limit one buyer's items to a certain amount, so as to spread it around a little. Maybe they should not allow a buyer to bring 20 people to go grab up and load up all the merchandise. That seems a little unfair. I could not go anyway, I live too far away and if I REALLY wanted a beat-up 50th sign, I guess eBay would be my best bet. This ebay surplusser had the crowns from the castle and loads of 50th lamppost signs and all sorts of items. On one crown alone, the shipping was 700.00 for a big truck to drive it to your house! I did not bid on that one LOLOLOL... I only go for wittle pins and stuff!
Get your fastpasses the right way and just know that thse who are trying to get a jump on the system may be losing LOTS of money.

Just wander the Parks and you may be lucky to be at the right place at the right time! Or send in a postcard everyday! Our travel agent has a client that won a trip by sending the postcard, (NOT me! :( ), luck of the draw... :D:
sues

I have been told by CM's and there are plenty here that can correct me if I am wrong, that the YOAMD teams get totally random printouts from a computer telling them where to be at what time. I have sent in numerous entries to win and I keep reading on the other boards where the same people are saying "I got another dream today in the mail!" I was curious because it seems the same people keep winning. I emailed Jim MacPhee at Epcot to find out why the same people would be winning over and over, among other questions I had for him and he actually called me on the phone! :eek: Wow! I was taken aback. I was very happy that the Disney suits really do call the peons! He did tell me of the random process by computer and to just "keep trying". I jokingly (sorta) told him he could send me a "dream" like a stay in the castle or a free trip or even some dream ears or a lanyard and there was much laughter on the other end. I laughed too, then cried, :p: when I realized I was still going to have to send in my postcard everyday OR go to the Parks and just "be there".

Oh well... At least I tried. :D:
Have fun!
Susi

I will be stalking the Dream Team in December at Christmas! Just kidding! I will be sooooo... happy if I even win a lanyard or ears. I did buy a lanyard on eBay some time back because I wanted the pins for my collection. Did not pay too much for it, only now I probably WILL win a Dream lanyard, Murphy's Law!!!! :twisted:

[mechurchlady]

CRAP! What is going on? Why does this same box keep coming up. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: I only posted twice and tried to edit the first one and ended up with all these. I am going away now, to rest my fingers and I will come back later AFTER caffiene and post again. Perhaps my stupidity will be deleted by the wondrous Polar! Pleeeeeeease....
Congratulations on a great SGT trick, lol. Wow usually only teenagers quintuple post. Susislicker you do know that the sumbit button is not a toy or so I have been told, lol.

Now to read all five posts, lol. Which one is your final answer, lol?

[BRWombat]

Congratulations on a great SGT trick, lol. Wow usually only teenagers quintuple post. Susislicker you do know that the sumbit button is not a toy or so I have been told, lol.

Now to read all five posts, lol. Which one is your final answer, lol?Let's give her a break, Churchy. She said it wasn't her fault... and besides, it's not like she posted backstage pictures and ruined someone's magic! :o: :rolleyes:

[Shorty82]

You mean this view:

...isn't available any more??? :( :( :(

(Yes, this is a picture from the trip I mentioned earlier. Told ya it was a big deal to us that we could see dumpsters!)
How dare you commit such an outragous sin! :mad: Posting pictures of backstage, shameful shameful.

And I thought you were a honest lawyer, guess I was wrong. :(

Ok Wombat, Slap yourself on the wrists for taking photo's backstage. :p:
Cran, slap yourself on the wrists for bad grammar. Apostrophes are NEVER, EVER used to make a word plural.

[Theme Park Where]

I'll forgive the backstage picture since that view is no longer available! It's now nicely covered up with a wall. Unfortunately, the wall does NOT cover up the smell! I've never understood why everyone wants to go backstage. Backstage smells bad! :eek:

[BRWombat]

How dare you commit such an outragous sin! :mad: Posting pictures of backstage, shameful shameful.Does this mean I'm fired from my job as a CM? Oh, wait, I'm not one. :rolleyes:

Seriously, is there really a rule against guests taking backstage photographs? I don't remember it being mentioned in the dinner package material or seeing any signs to that effect.

[Princess Susi]

Congratulations on a great SGT trick, lol. Wow usually only teenagers quintuple post. Susislicker you do know that the sumbit button is not a toy or so I have been told, lol.

Now to read all five posts, lol. Which one is your final answer, lol?

I cannot believe I did that! I didn't hit submit 5 times...I have no idea what transpired when I tried to edit the first post and the 15 minutes was up and would not allow me to edit, so I just copied and pasted to a second post. I have NO idea how the others got there. It was really weird when I came back to the thread and there they were, all 5 gleaming STUPID GUEST TRICK posts! I am so ashamed.... :o: Does this mean I lose my fastpass to this thread? How can I get them the heck off off here? LOL! I think I must have a sign on my back too, that says "kick me." It is one of those kinds of days, blissfully unaware...
sues
Oh the longest post is the "real" post, the others are just a figment of your imagination! LOL! One way to get my post count up, right? heeheehee... :twisted:

[Princess Susi]

Let's give her a break, Churchy. She said it wasn't her fault... and besides, it's not like she posted backstage pictures and ruined someone's magic! :o: :rolleyes:

Thank you my marsupial friend...I honestly have no idea how that occurred, very weird! Maybe I have the mind of a teenager... Anyway, my brain now seems to be connected to my fingys again and all is well in Mudville! Hey, Denver IS Mudville. Our Rockies are doing well!
BACK to your regularly scheduled programming....
And actually I have not seen any CM costumes (although they may be there), but I have seen CM name Badges on eBay. I might just have to wear my Minnie one and have hubby wear the Mickey one. They are pretty nice, look exactly like a name tag with characters names instead. On second thought, an earlier post was right, I do NOT want to be mistaken for a CM this next trip. I want to have fun, not answer stupid questions all day, though the temptation is great to mess with people who would ask such questions! :twisted:
sues
hey would ya look at that...my post count went up a LOT this morning! :hysteria:

[ktulu]

When I did the train tour, they told us that we couldn't take photos backstage unless it was a photo of a train. I thought about getting creative with my shots, but focused on the trains instead :)

[Princess Susi]

When I did the train tour, they told us that we couldn't take photos backstage unless it was a photo of a train. I thought about getting creative with my shots, but focused on the trains instead :)

We did the Backstage Safari and we could not take any pics either. That was a cool tour, for me, because we got to tour the vet hospital where they do all those medical things to the big Animal Kingdom critters! LOL! Being a vet Tech, that WAS a treat! I have been to F! at WDW and it did surprise me that you could see the backstage with it's pants down, so to speak. I guess once you get back out to the Park, you are supposed to "forget" what you saw and immerse yourself in the magic again. But the smell, if it is still wafting over the fences...well, wait now, some places in Hollywood DO smell like that! :eek:
sues

[BRWombat]

...I have been to F! at WDW and it did surprise me that you could see the backstage with it's pants down, so to speak. I guess once you get back out to the Park, you are supposed to "forget" what you saw and immerse yourself in the magic again. But the smell, if it is still wafting over the fences...well, wait now, some places in Hollywood DO smell like that! :eek:
suesI really got a laugh out of the fact that we entered the backstage walkway from the gate right inside the park entrance... but when we exited, we couldn't go out that way; the exiting foot traffic is diverted out onto Sunset Boulevard, where we just happen to have to pass by several shops to get back to the entrance!! :rolleyes:

[SorcererMickey]

I have the best 'legal' backstage pictures. Custodial CP used to do an overnight shift (not sure about now) and we went through attractions with the lights on. We were told by our managers to bring cameras and were encouraged to take pictures!

[ktulu]

I have the best 'legal' backstage pictures. Custodial CP used to do an overnight shift (not sure about now) and we went through attractions with the lights on. We were told by our managers to bring cameras and were encouraged to take pictures!

Not to ruin the magic, you can PM me the link to the photos, or may I offer my scanning services for free if needed :D:

[Shorty82]

When I did the train tour, they told us that we couldn't take photos backstage unless it was a photo of a train. I thought about getting creative with my shots, but focused on the trains instead :)
When I took the train tour we were told not to take pictures of the security gates that go to the Magic Kingdom. We were free to take pictures of pretty much anything else though. There's not much back by the roundhouse that's sensitive or may ruin the magic for anybody anyway.

I remember when I went on the Keys tour a few years back we were told not to take pictures backstage.

[MagicDream4Me]

OH- :eek: I totally for about a SGT that I witnessed last year - until yall started talking about 'ruining the magic'. We were on the bridge near CCastle and there was a CM changing a light bulb on the ground. I assume these are the lights used in the show. You had to lean way over the bridge to even see the CM, but when we saw this SG leaning over- we wanted to see what he was looking at. :confused: Anyway this SG starts yelling down to the CM about how he was ruining the magic for him & his kid (who couldn't even see). He called attention to what the CM was doing saying ' Hey everybody-this guy is changing a lightbulb down here- we're not supposed to see them doing anything like that!" :mad: Of course, everyone comes to take a look and the CM was very nice about the whole thing and explained that contrary to popular belief- fairies do not take care of the park and if the guests wanted to see a good show that night- he needed to change the bulb! :cool: As soon as we realized what the SG was looking at- we were like- That's it? :whocares: We walked on, but could hear what went on. Some SG's hopped on the 'ruining the magic' train, but most just said- so what, idiot- it's a light bulb. :notallthe I bet he wanted comps for witnessing such a devistating sight! People don't appreciate the lengths WDW goes to, to keep the daily necessities out of sight! Thank you all CMs who have to hide things to make it magical!! :wizard:

[hobie16]

The CM should have screwed the light bulb into the SGs ass and then shoved his fingers into a power outlet. That'll show him some magic.

[MagicDream4Me]

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: GOOD ONE! :hysteria: :hysteria:

[Big Wallaby]

Lately, I've had a disproportionate number of people asking me about the backstage tours. I've found the best answer to their question is a (very simple) magic trick with time for them to react, followed immediately by showing them exactly how I did it. I choose a trick that they could learn for free on the internet, but of course, I do it a little bit differently (read: professional in style) so that they can't actually catch me doing it... then I ask if that just ruined the trick for them. If they say anything along the lines of yes, then I tell them not to take the backstage tours, as it would not be good for them. However, if they respond that they were impressed with the way it works, then by all means, they will enjoy the tour.

I also use the example of David Copperfield's presentation of Origami. In that, he puts a lady into a box big enough to hold her with no difficulty, then folds it down so it's about a one foot by one foot square, then changes the color and puts swords through it. Having worked with that illusion myself, I am more impressed with it because I know the work the assistant has to do to pull it off and not get stabbed. So if they think that if they knew how that one works they would be more impressed, then they should go on it. Otherwise, save it for someone else who will appreciate it the way it should be appreciated.

I either get a blank stare at that point, or you can see the wheels turning in their head.

[Princess Susi]

Anyway this SG starts yelling down to the CM about how he was ruining the magic for him & his kid (who couldn't even see). He called attention to what the CM was doing saying ' Hey everybody-this guy is changing a lightbulb down here- we're not supposed to see them doing anything like that!" Some SG's hopped on the 'ruining the magic' train, but most just said- so what, idiot- it's a light bulb. :notallthe I bet he wanted comps for witnessing such a devistating sight!

Unfortunately these kinds of vacationears do that JUST to get free passes or some sort of goodie! And the CM sounds like he was trying to be as surreptitious as possible! Yet another SG ruining the Magic for everyone else, the CM didn't ruin the magic! What a shame. There are jags all over the world... :(
susi

[Princess Susi]

The CM should have screwed the light bulb into the SGs ass and then shoved his fingers into a power outlet. That'll show him some magic.

:twisted: Oh you are so devious, hobie16, Zzzzzzzzzzzzttttt......
THAT was funny! :hysteria: I am choking on my cocoa this morning. This is why I love to start my day at SGT! All the BEST people with all the best jokes are here...
oh look, there is a frying SG! Zzzzzzzztttttt.... :shock:
susi
(my fingys are working better today, Churchy, LOL!!!)

[BRWombat]

Lately, I've had a disproportionate number of people asking me about the backstage tours. I've found the best answer to their question is a (very simple) magic trick with time for them to react, followed immediately by showing them exactly how I did it. I choose a trick that they could learn for free on the internet, but of course, I do it a little bit differently (read: professional in style) so that they can't actually catch me doing it... then I ask if that just ruined the trick for them. If they say anything along the lines of yes, then I tell them not to take the backstage tours, as it would not be good for them. However, if they respond that they were impressed with the way it works, then by all means, they will enjoy the tour....Oh, by this standard, I am the prime target audience for backstage tours. I used to spend lots of money, probably hundreds of dollars all totaled, at magic stores just so I could learn how they worked! I rarely ever performed them, or even practiced them enough to get good. Still have them all, somewhere... :o:

[Princess Susi]

I also use the example of David Copperfield's presentation of Origami. In that, he puts a lady into a box big enough to hold her with no difficulty, then folds it down so it's about a one foot by one foot square, then changes the color and puts swords through it. Having worked with that illusion myself, I am more impressed with it because I know the work the assistant has to do to pull it off and not get stabbed. So if they think that if they knew how that one works they would be more impressed, then they should go on it.
:waves: I wanna know...I wanna know... puleeeeeeeze?????
susi

[Rob562]

I bet he wanted comps for witnessing such a devistating sight! People don't appreciate the lengths WDW goes to, to keep the daily necessities out of sight! Thank you all CMs who have to hide things to make it magical!! :wizard:

Makes me wonder what he would have yelled at the pyro CMs at Epcot loading the seawall charges for IllumiNations... Or at the ones driving the barges out in the afternoon.

As for re-entry passes, I still have a bunch of passes for Test Track that I got years ago. One of them is a yellow "license to re-enter" that's good for an entire party, and I have 9 purple "re-entry passes" that are for one person each.
Way long ago, I started chatting with a CM at the front of the queue during a rain closure because his nametag's listed hometown was two towns away from where I grew up. Turned out, his roommate was someone I went to high school with. (I think that's when I got the yellow pass) The next year, he was working the GM info desk in the post-show. I stopped to chat and he gave me a TON of the purple passes, but I've only ever used a few. (Espcially since the Single Rider Line was introduced)

I just recently found the passes again while cleaning out my junk drawer. I assume they're still valid?

-Rob

[Shorty82]

Or at the ones driving the barges out in the afternoon.
I was thinking the same thing. I hope he doesn't get stopped by the drawbridge being up while the barges are brought in.

The guy was overreacted, especially considering the CM was down below a bridge changing a bulb and sounds like couldn't be seen unless one leaned over the rail. It's not like the CM was changing the bulb in a street light on Main Street or anything.

[MagicDream4Me]

I personally wouldn't mind seeing it done on Main St.! SG's expect waaaay too much! If they realized 1/4 of what goes on each day- they would be more tolerant. And I am totally ignorant about the daily routines- but I got sense enough to know that catering to ten of thousands of SG every single day takes quite a bit of organization and work! I hope I encounter a SG this trip! (4 DAYS TO GO!!! :D: :D: ) Well, I wouldn't want to cause a SGT, but I know there will be plenty there- I just hope I get to witness one! This time I'll be more prepared to tell them a thing or two! I wish I would have told that SG that he was ruining the magic for me and everyone else far worse than the CM changing the bulb!! Then again, SG are SG, so would it really be worth it? :( The one thing I know I won't stand for- a SG being man to a CM! :twisted: I would definately say something then!

Totally off subject, but... I read in a book that all counter service in AK has free ice water. Is this true? I'm trying to plan our days at WDW and I'm not gonna' carry all those water bottles in if I don't have to. Thanks!

[Shorty82]

Totally off subject, but... I read in a book that all counter service in AK has free ice water. Is this true? I'm trying to plan our days at WDW and I'm not gonna' carry all those water bottles in if I don't have to. Thanks!
Not just Animal Kingdom. All of the counter service places and the snack stands with soda fountains in the parks offer a free cup of ice water. Just go up and ask and they'll give you one. Stands without a soda fountain have no running water nor ice so they don't have glasses of water.

[MagicDream4Me]

OMG :D: You just saved me 100 dollars!! Thanks! My DD always wants water - so I buy a bottle. 2 or 3 sips later, she doesn't want to carry it. So we throw it away- or I carry it, but then it's hot, so she wants a new bottle...blah, blah, blah... This will be sooo much easier and she'll have extra $ to spend! Thank-you!!! ;)

[Big Wallaby]

:waves: I wanna know...I wanna know... puleeeeeeeze?????I'm afraid that is a no. The Origami is a $25,000 illusion, and most of what that cost is is the secret. You'll have to forgive me on this one. In fact, there's one illusion that, while it costs much less, Valentino, the Masked Mollusk... er, Masked Magician, was going to uncover the secret on Fox TV. A few societies of magicians stopped him with threats of various natures. You *don't* want to mess with the IBM, SAM and the rest of 'em. Trust me.

All of the counter service places and the snack stands with soda fountains in the parks offer a free cup of ice water. Except at Club Cool. They have enough Beverly there to last you a lifetime.

[mechurchlady]

Free ice and water plus free napkins and condiments. Only people on special diets are allowed to bring in sandwiches and meals but if you are really cheap then you can sneak in food and doctor it with free fixings.

[Walt Disney]

Now-I did come across a 'Mickey Ta Da Bubble' cast member pin with 'MARIE' on it. I had to buy it! :mickey1: Is it PC for me to wear this nametag at WDW, or would it bother CMs? Any input appreciated! :)

I buy and sell CM stuff all the time on eBay (I even know the lady you bought your nametag from, the ta-da is the giveaway - i have bought many times from her, and she from me). I am not a cast member, i just play one on the Internet. I don't know if The Mouse has a problem with it, but as far as I know, they have never contacted me or the other sellers about it. I even know the TDA people in Anaheim visit my Museum. I think the only thing they care about is when cast members sell the sign-in admissions that they get. Many CM's have been fired for doing it.

[MagicDream4Me]

I still think I'll leave the tag home... Probably wouldn't be a big deal to wear it- but I don't want kids thinking I'm a cast member. Or SG! I may buy one at the park and have something funny put on it- any ideas? :rolleyes:

With the free water, I can now have myself a pine float! (now that I know what it is! :p: ) Hmm... what about cinnamon picks?

One more thing- If the CM's change tags all the time- how is management going to know who I'm talking about if I want to praise a CM?!? :confused:
"No - we don't have a 'Roberto' that works at POTC"! :o:

OK- last one - Do CMs hate it when guests ask if they can sit in a certain seat on an attraction? ie.. front row, Row 1 gate B, etc.? :D: I realize most things can be enjoyed from all areas...but I do have a couple of favs that I would like to get primo seats. I would be willing to wait for the next ride. Is it worth it to ask?

[mechurchlady]

They have lots of CMs named John but if you say "A cashiier named
John in the Emporium at 2:27 pm on 10-23-2007" and explain what he did then they will usually know. They do keep good records usually, lol.

Ask politely and you probably will get what you want. I have seen CMs let people wait for a front seat on bobsleds and splash mountain.

Pine nuts, ice cream and 7-up sounds like an interesting pine float.

[lady ulrike]

One more thing- If the CM's change tags all the time- how is management going to know who I'm talking about if I want to praise a CM?!? :confused:
"No - we don't have a 'Roberto' that works at POTC"! :o:

OK- last one - Do CMs hate it when guests ask if they can sit in a certain seat on an attraction? ie.. front row, Row 1 gate B, etc.? :D: I realize most things can be enjoyed from all areas...but I do have a couple of favs that I would like to get primo seats. I would be willing to wait for the next ride. Is it worth it to ask?


In general, the CMs who change nametags are not the ones who will do something you will want to compliment. All CMs lose their nametag occasionally nut if it's a good CM it'll be a rare occasionand the leads will probably be aware of it and so know who the compliment belongs to.

As for asking for a specific row, I'm always fine with it, if you ask right away. Soething to the effect of when the CM asks how many are in your group say, '4 and can we have the front row' just don't get assigned a seat walk uo to the load area wait for the ride vehicle to show up then come back to me and say, 'oh can we have the front?'

Now with that said, with some rides and some CMs, there may be a problem with it, but if it's not a fast loading ride, like Space, there's rarely a legit reason for denying it. We do deny front row requests at Small World if there's no one else in the boat for balance reasons, but there'
s no one in front of you then anyway.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Oh, by this standard, I am the prime target audience for backstage tours. I used to spend lots of money, probably hundreds of dollars all totaled, at magic stores just so I could learn how they worked! I rarely ever performed them, or even practiced them enough to get good. Still have them all, somewhere... :o:

DW and I went on the seven hour tour at WDW last month! It was totally worth it. We had been going to DL DCA and WDW for years and finally took it. The best part was meeting the CM's "backstage" and seeing how certain things are done. The only problem was we had a possible SGT in the making, one women was LITERLY writing down every word the CM that was giving the tour was saying! He was nice about it, but you could tell that it got a little old after a while!

AS to the origional OP, WHY would anyone want to dress like a CM? We get the name tags just to commemorate our trips, as they mean a lot to us. (We got engaged at DL in California and Married at WDW, years before they had the "magic" wedding stuff)

If I was mistaken for a CM (wearing shorts, with facial hair, and looking hot and sweaty!) I would probably give directions to the main exit gate "because you are too stupid to be a guest here today!" O.K. I'll go back to sleep....

[Princess Susi]

I'm afraid that is a no. The Origami is a $25,000 illusion, and most of what that cost is is the secret. You'll have to forgive me on this one.

Of course I forgive you! I know that magicians are very careful about their act. I was kidding...Magic is cool, I love watching a really good magician. I am just in awe of what they can do and I can never figure out how these things are done. Isn't there going to be a show on the tube that features Uri Geller asnd Criss Angel facing off coming up soon on NBC? That should be interesting! Illusionists! Cool... :cool:
sues

[Kwahati]

I am just in awe of what they can do and I can never figure out how these things are done.

It's called "voluntary suspension of disbelief" and I find most of the people who are best at it (the people who love magicians the most, but "can't" figure out how it's done) are the same people who can get really into Disney! (It's not that you can't figure it out...it's that you're somewhat actively choosing not to in many cases. Your mind stops you from figuring it out because you're happier with the answer being "it's magic!" Note: not all cases. Copperfield has been my hero since I was very little and there are lots of things I've seen him do on TV and live, and I've gone through frame by frame on many of them, that I still can't figure it out!)

My favorite thing in Disneyland is the Magic Shop on main street. It's honestly a little over priced, but the people they get working in there are often pretty good. My roommate usually picks out one illusion that he sees the CM's do and buys it for me when I'm not looking. Then he forces me to learn it and do it for him repeatedly until he can figure out how it's done. For anybody who knows common card illusions out there (Wallaby et al.) I had him trying to figure out CardToon (version 2, I think...the one with the cannon) for almost a year before I finally gave in and showed him how to work it! After one trip, when I was still in the military, he dragged me all around a dorm doing a version of the "hidden deck" illusion I call "Dream Deck" for hours before I showed him how and promptly let him screw up performance of it for the girl he would eventually marry so I could teach him the value of practice prior to performance of an illusion!

By the way, Wallaby: I like your answer about why not to reveal the secrets, but a close friend of mine (the guy who got me into magic and brought me to my first IBM meeting) had a slightly better one: "Well, if you make a large enough donation to the [Wallaby] school of magic, I'll teach you anything you want to know!" (Translates to the same thing as what you said: basically, "I'd teach you, but the secret and apparatus is too expensive to give away!") :D:

[Big Wallaby]

Kwahati... If you like performing magic, then you need a "Control Deck". If you're interested, let me know. I can send you right where you need to go.

In magic shops, everything would seem overpriced, but again, that's because of the secret. To put the Origami together yourself would cost somewhere in the range of $3,000... or less if you're cheap... but to know the secret, that is where the other $22,000 comes in.

The neat thing about stage illusion is that it's very difficult to catch. I know how Criss Angel does most of his stuff, I know for a fact that I can do everything Copperfield can do, given the money to buy the equipment necessary... yes, even Flying as he did so many years ago. The thing that I can't touch with Copperfield is the way in which he engages the audience, and that is where my respect for him lies. Technically, I am probably as good a magician as him... but he performs illusion like no one else out there. I just find it sad that he's sorta going the same way as Criss Angel and David Blaine in that he is making it a spiritual thing, despite the fact it's not, but mechanical. But no one can touch Copperfield's love of his audience. A few years ago, he was out performing something like 700 shows a year, got deathly sick and continued playing, because he would not have disappointed his fans. It took doctors and heavy sedatives to convince him to take a break, and even with that he cancelled as few shows as possible. Now, you know he didn't do the shows because he needs the money, but for his audience. I drove the flight attendants on a flight he had been on one night, and it turns out that his humanity is that he has a fear of flying. However, before he knocked himself out on the plane, they said he was the nicest celebrity they've ever flown with. You could have mistaken him for a laid-back version of a Japanese businessman.

The second best magician, in my book, is Lance Burton. He's another one who is first concerned with engaging and enjoying the audience, with the illusions themselves second.

In case you can't tell, I have a certain thing that is important to me when it comes to magic. In my head, I probably hold anywhere between 1.5 and 10 million dollars in magic secrets, which for an illusionist is not much, when it comes right down to it. But all those secrets do nothing for me now, because they in no way help me to entertain my audience. I take that back... when I am waiting for a bus to show up in front of a line, I usually pull something out of my pocket and make it disappear/reappear/redisappear and so on for kids of all ages. But my stage illusion history means little to me, except in that it helps me to understand the magic I protect where I am now.

[Cheshire Figment]

I have met George Reiger, the Disney Tattoo Guy. His profession is a close-up magician. Which is why there are no tattoos on him above the bottom of his neck or on his wrists or hands. He does not want them to be targets for people to look at when he is performing.

He was a speaker last year at a NFFC World Chapter meeting (and also attended the Convention at WDW last month).

[Princess Susi]

It's called "voluntary suspension of disbelief" and I find most of the people who are best at it (the people who love magicians the most, but "can't" figure out how it's done) are the same people who can get really into Disney!

I agree! :D: Disney is magic for me the moment I get on the Magical Express and never ends until we get off the bus back at the airport at the end of the trip! I think we get transformed and taken to that "other" place that only real Disney enthusiasts know. To other's, (SG's) it is just another theme Park to go on vacation to. I love Magic and Disney and to me they ARE one and the same. There really is nothing like watching the best magicians or illusionists do their art, in the same way I am transfixed EVERY time I see the Fireworks and watch for the Hidden Mickey in them (at DL) and respond naturally with a childlike enthusiasm when I see the characters or a parade. Sometimes tears even well up when I hear the music or see a particularly moving encounter with a child and character. (Even tho I have no kids and have NO desire to own one! ;) ) It is all quite awe-inspiring to me, how these things change our everyday lives to something to be marveled at! :D: That is pure Magic! I would say Walt was a great magician! He definitely was a master at illusion, NO doubt!!! :)

One of my all time favorite movies is still "Houdini" with Tony Curtis. I just love that movie. I agree, there seems to been a real sea change in the style and direction that some Magicians are going these days, like Criss Angel. I actually prefer the old school style. I would love to see Lance Burton in a live performance.

Oh boy, now I am REALLY anxious for my next trip in December to DL to go to the Magic Shop! That is always one of our stops on Main Street as well! Ooh, I am going to have to find some new fun things!!! I am hardly very good at it. I think that comes from my not *really* wanting to know, even tho a small part of me does! I think I do prefer to be mezmerized by the sheer coolness of it all! :cool: And knowing those secrets would just cost too damn much! :p:
sues
I look forward to your disappearing tricks, my Grand Wallaby on our next trip to The World! :D:

[Kwahati]

I also love Lance Burton, but more because I'm envious of his handling abilities with his animals. David Copperfield is on a completely different level in my mind because he's trying to evoke a visceral or emotional response in his audience. I think that's what you're mistaking for trying to put "spirituality" into the illusions. Also, I like that he's (from what I've seen, although it's possible I'm wrong) always quite careful to refer to it as illusion rather than magic. In fact, the last time I saw him perform live, the show was entitled "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion". However, if an illusion you know is fake can create a real emotional response in you, isn't that magic?

Cris Angel, on the other hand, kinda bothers me too. First, I don't like that he routinely refers to what he does as magic (half the time, he acts like he doesn't even know how he does it--I was taught a somewhat more smug form of illusion: my mentor told me that a good magician is always thinking "I know exactly what your card is, and you're a moron!" which is a harsh way of saying the magician shouldn't be surprised by his own illusion). Second, I don't like the character he plays. Third, I'm not that impressed with many of the illusions. I think he shows too much setup sometimes and I can figure out what he's doing before he even does it. Maybe it's just the way his shows run, but it kinda ruins suspension of disbelief for me. (To be fair, my roommates and I do watch his show periodically, so he must be doing something right.)

But I'm with Wallaby: Touching the audience with the performance is the key. As such, the best story tellers are some of the best illusionists. This is why Walt was one of the best illusionists of all time and why none of us have any trouble with the phrase "Disney Magic!" (Even though we can see the smoke and mirrors!) :D:

[Theme Park Where]

I met David Copperfield once. He performed at my college campus. The tickets were rather expensive, and I'd actually just seen his show in Chicago on a break, so I decided not to go. My roommate and I were in the dorm when one of our good friends came rushing in from seeing the show. Copperfield was doing autographs after the show and she didn't want to go by herself. Would we rush back with her so she could get a picture with him? We hustled back across campus to the auditorium to find the doors closed and a guard outside. She told the guard that she'd been in the show and wanted a picture, but she'd been nervous about going in by herself (she was like that, wouldn't go out by herself much). The guard told us that Copperfield's orders were that he wouldn't go home until everyone who wanted one got an autograph or picture, so he let us in. We were last in a line of about 10 or 12 people still waiting. When it was my friend's turn, she asked us to take the picture for her. We snapped a photo then Copperfield gave her a kiss on the cheek, causing her to promptly swoon. We ended up carrying her back to her dorm. Copperfield was a mixture of worried and amused. He was also exhausted from doing his show and spending another hour or so signing autographs and taking photos, so I'm sure he wanted to go back to his hotel and crash. We thanked him for staying the extra time with us and hauled Julie back to her room. He was completely charming and generous with his fans!

[Big Wallaby]

...The guard told us that Copperfield's orders were that he wouldn't go home until everyone who wanted one got an autograph or picture, so he let us in... Copperfield was a mixture of worried and amused... He was completely charming and generous with his fans!Yep, you've nailed the personality.

I understand that when not on stage, he's an extremely private person, which, of course, explains (if you've ever played with those personality matrixes) why he wants his performance to be so special for people when he does it.

Looking at Copperfield's website, I concede that I was probably wrong about the whole spiritual aspect, but that he is probably going for the more emotional aspect that has made him famous.

Either way, he's good enough to pull it off, over and over again, for millions and possibly even billions of people.

[Kwahati]

We snapped a photo then Copperfield gave her a kiss on the cheek, causing her to promptly swoon.

That's so awesome (and funny)! He's such a rockstar of magic!

[Princess Susi]

There is the MOST amazing video of David Copperfield "flying" at one of his performances over on YouTube. It just boggles my mind. My brain hurts just trying to think about *how* it *might* be done, but it sure looks like fun! Reminds me of the flying dreams I have where you just soar and move through the air (no strings attached! ;) He is incredible!!!!!
I think David Copperfield is truly an amazing human being. I love to watch videos of his performances, have not been lucky enough to see him in person. The fact that he is handsome as hell does not hurt either! :p:
sooze

[drcorey]

There is the MOST amazing video of David Copperfield "flying" at one of his performances over on YouTube. It just boggles my mind. My brain hurts just trying to think about *how* it *might* be done, but it sure looks like fun! Reminds me of the flying dreams I have where you just soar and move through the air (no strings attached! ;) He is incredible!!!!!
I think David Copperfield is truly an amazing human being. I love to watch videos of his performances, have not been lucky enough to see him in person. The fact that he is handsome as hell does not hurt either! :p:
sooze

look on youtube for criss angel's levitations. it's great.
he does it in bars to win drinks and bets.
wonder how many drinks he can drink before he can't levitate anymore...

[Big Wallaby]

There is the MOST amazing video of David Copperfield "flying" at one of his performances over on YouTube. It just boggles my mind. My brain hurts just trying to think about *how* it *might* be done, but it sure looks like fun!I actually saw his entrance by the same method, although he didn't use it for a whole show segment like that. I do happen to know the secret, although I am not telling. What I will tell you is that it is one of those illusions that becomes more impressive when you learn the secret and kow the incredible work and rehearsal that went into pulling it off. He rehearsed intensely for a couple years before putting it on stage. Then, the things he does to throw you off, and the handling of his assistants make for a truly wonderful storyline and show.

[Princess Susi]

OKay youse, guys, I just watched Origami and I got 25,000 dollars. Who do I make the check out to? :confused:






....JUST KIDDING :p:

It IS amazing to watch that illusion! WOW! I cannot figure that out, but it is amazing.
sooze

[Rob562]

Count me as part of the group that really likes Copperfield for his showmanship. He definitely knows how to get involved with the audience, even from the stage.

I'm also pretty good at figuring out his largest illusions, but it's the smaller sleight-of-hand tricks that I'm usually stumped on. :)

As for Lance Burton, while he may be a good showman, my opinion of him was lowered quite a few notches a few years ago. He did a TV special where his final, big illusion very obviously used video editing. (It was the one where he was chained to the tracks of the Desperado roller coaster in Nevada)

-Rob

[Big Wallaby]

Okay, that video is rather hokey. However, it's not one of those things of his that I like either. If Burton's not on the stage, he's lost, because he doesn't have the audience energy to feed off of. This is one of those cases, and while he's not doing anything that has never been done before (using slight video editing to make it more "exciting") it was pretty poorly done. Love the end! "That was stupid. That was really stupid."

[decay1009]

OK, hair aside, does anyone remember Doug Henning? And what the heck happenned to him? I remember growing up he was my favorite magician in the mid to late 70's, and then faded as David Copperfield emerged. As I recall, he had the animals like Sigfried and Roy and a very warm personality. Funny thing is, now I can't remember even one of his illusions or a "signature" trick...

[mechurchlady]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Henning

He changed magic from tuxedoed stiff shirts to fun and happy magic. He died at the age of 39 in 2007 of liver disease. Around 1990 he got into mysticism and became the laughing stock of the world for his belief in mysticism and vedic. Read the article to find articles on his magic.

[Princess Susi]

Yeah, Doug Henning! That's the name my feeble brain was trying to come up with yesterday when we were posting about David Copperfield. I remember him from the 70's! He was cute too! :p: I always got crushes on guys with long curly dark hair and big bushy moustaches! Except Tony Orlando. Not him. Or Ron Jeremy, DEFINITELY NOT him! :gross:
soooooooozie :queen: Queen Wannabe, that's me!

[Big Wallaby]

\Funny thing is, now I can't remember even one of his illusions or a "signature" trick...He introduced the world to Origami.

[Walt Disney]

The difference is that CM nametags are white. Nametags for guests are red, blue, green, and apparently purple.

Of course, wearing any color will cause SGs to think you're a CM. Some CMs will think so too, which can get pretty funny if you want it to.

Once, back before Mickey made me shave off my moustache, I walked up to the turnstiles at Epcot wearing a red one. The CM opened the stroller gate for me and asked if I thought we'd ever get Test Track fixed.

I told her no. :wreck:

I had a local company make this up for me:

http://www.nametagmuseum.com/museumtag.jpg

I wore it to Disneyland this past April. Got quite a few confused looks from the CM's there. Surprisingly, no guests asked me any silly questions.

[Princess Susi]

*TRUE STORY, NOT A JOKE* (I have to paraphrase that here at SGT, you never know.....)

I heard on the news this morning that the Feds raided David Copperfield's home. They took his computer, a camera and a bunch of personal stuff. They are not saying what he is being investigated for. They also found money stored in a warehouse! Weird! It will be interesting and sad to find out what he did. A camera and computer being confiscated makes me worried that he was into something really heinous. :eek: I hate to think that. Maybe it was tax evasion, what with the money in the warehouse and all. :(


Maybe he should have made it all disappear before the Federalis got there!
susi

[Big Wallaby]

*TRUE STORY, NOT A JOKE* (I have to paraphrase that here at SGT, you never know.....)

I heard on the news this morning that the Feds raided David Copperfield's home.It's interesting, from what I am reading he didn't fight it or anything and went on to perform his two regularly scheduled shows that night.

Hmm.

[ktulu]

Some woman said Copperfield raped her while she was in the Bahama's.

[Princess Susi]

Some woman said Copperfield raped her while she was in the Bahama's.

WHAT? He doesn't need to rape women. He can have any woman he wants! That is weird and if true, YIKES! :eek: I have a hard time believing that story! How much $$$$$ does she want? That is what it always comes down to with these celebrity: raped, hit, beat me up, crashed into my car, broke my camera stories. Although some of them ARE true. :(
Holey Moley, say it ain't true Mr Copperfield! :(
soooozie

[BRWombat]

According to a few links found through Google news, including this (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303427,00.html), it's an FBI investigation stemming from an allegation of sexual abuse in Seattle. Which doesn't quite add up to me, because I'm not sure why the FBI would be investigating that.

[Princess Susi]

Unless it has to do with child porn on the computer. Why would they snatch his 2 mil? Very strange case indeed. I am sure the details will leak out as they always do in these investigations...I hope all the secrets of his trade stay secret, if that is what he has in that warehouse.

Maybe he should have made HIMSELF just disappear!
susi

[BRWombat]

Latest word is that the incident allegedly occurred out of the country, in the Bahamas, but did not report it until she returned to Seattle, so the local police called in the FBI.

[leftcoaster]

WHAT? He doesn't need to rape women. He can have any woman he wants! That is weird and if true, YIKES! :eek: I have a hard time believing that story! How much $$$$$ does she want? That is what it always comes down to with these celebrity: raped, hit, beat me up, crashed into my car, broke my camera stories. Although some of them ARE true. :(
Holey Moley, say it ain't true Mr Copperfield! :(
soooozie

Plus he could just make womens clothes disappear, and hypnotize them into having sex with him.

[DisneyMom]

Plus he could just make womens clothes disappear, and hypnotize them into having sex with him.


Well, that explains all of you guys who are preoccupied with "Magic" :rolleyes: :p:

[Big Wallaby]

I'm going to guess it's a Kobe Bryant kind of case. She claims he raped her, but only after returning to the US, and that means after some time has gone by.

Notice, from the sound of things he's totally cooperating.

Then, of course, you have Nancy Graze (spelling intentional) going all out on it. I'm sure if you believed her, he's the worst guy that ever walked the face of the planet. And he probably sits in a basement and makes bombs, too. Of course, he spends so much time on stage and preparing for the show, who knows when he does it, but I'm sure he must if you listen to her.

[Big Wallaby]

Reading more reports about this, and knowing what I have heard from people who have worked with Copperfield firsthand, and what I know of his schedule and other factors, I have high hopes that it's a false accusation. And if it is, I hope the lady rots for it. Of course, on the other hand, if it turns out that he did manage to sneak a rape into his lineup, then he should burn for it, too. But again, I have to side with the character that I have seen and heard about from first-hand witnesses, as well as other magicians.

[Princess Susi]

It seems these cases come out of the woodwork every so often. :sharkbait
They get an ambulance chaser to represent them and then go after the celeb like chum! Usually the celeb wants it to go away fast, so they settle and another greedy maroon gets paid. Just like she probably should have been in the first place. That's what she ends up looking like. The Kobe Bryant case was just another of these. People (celebs, usually) with deep pockets seem to have a target painted on them.
I would like to believe that David Copperfield is not the type to do this sort of thing. It simply does not make sense. And as Judge Judy says..."If it does not make sense, it cannot be true!" Maybe they can have her for judge at the trial! :judge: (picture the judge with a cute little brown bob haircut and a lacy collar...)
susi

[leftcoaster]

Then, of course, you have Nancy Graze (spelling intentional) going all out on it. I'm sure if you believed her, he's the worst guy that ever walked the face of the planet. And he probably sits in a basement and makes bombs, too. Of course, he spends so much time on stage and preparing for the show, who knows when he does it, but I'm sure he must if you listen to her.

First, I want to say that rape is a heinous crime. Anyone who is convicted of raping another person, especially a man, should be made to spend a night in general population of the state prison.

Having said that, if someone falsely accuses another of rape, that person should be sentenced to pay the attorney's fees of the accused, and take out a full page ad in the largest city newspaper apologizing for lying and to say that the accused is innocent.

Nancy "grace": This is the same "woman" who announced last month that she is getting married, only because she is 4 months pregnant.

This is the same "woman" who chastised a woman in Florida who had a missing son. That same woman killed herself a few hours after being "interviewed" by Nancy "grace." Oh, and the family has filed a lawsuit against ms. "grace."

This is the same "woman" who immediately said on her show that the three Duke lacrosse players "were guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Those three lacrosse players have since been proven innocent.

This is the same "woman" who said that John Mark Karr "was guilty by all accounts of raping and killing Jon Benet Ramsey. Her accusation was proven wrong.

This is the same "woman" never mentioned that a key witness for the prosecution of Andrea Yates (the woman who drowned her 4 children in Texas a few years ago) lied under oath (which was why Andrea Yates was granted a new trial).

Nancy "grace" needs to DIAF.

[hobie16]

The Nancy Grace parodies on Boston Legal and Saturday Night Live really nail her. It was nice to see her getting with a shovel on BL last season. That and Denny Crane nailing her in a conference room. :D:

[Zazu]

Judge Judy says..."If it does not make sense, it cannot be true!"Obviously, Judge Judy never worked at Disney!

[stefunierocks]

Look rape is a very real thing, and I think that rapists are sick people who should most definitly be punished to full extent.

Unfortunatly, there are a lot of women out there, who consentually agree to sex, and then because said celebrity dropped them once they were off vaca, they decide to 'have theirs' and seek revenge the only way they can because the guy is a celebrity. And so as to not tarnish his name fully the celeb must comply.

Dont believe there are women like that out there?

Consult theknot.com forums for the EXTREME crazies of the world. Including the women who 'oops' the men they married into pregnancy. There are posts dedicated on there to ideas, like poking holes in condoms, putting clear nail polish on BC patches, etc etc

Some women (and men i guess) will go to great lengths to get their way, even if they ruin lives in the process.

[Cheshire Figment]

I would not be a rapist because of four reasons, shown below in decreasing order of importance.

1 -- Sex between people should be fun for all involved. In the case of rape at least one of the parties was not having fun.

2 -- If it was someone I know, it could ruin a friendship.

3 -- If the person not only knew me, but also knew other friends of mine, it could cause severe damage to my reputation. (Also my mother might also find out, and she would be vexed.)

and, 4 -- It is illegal and could get me sent to jail.

[stefunierocks]

im known as the more sexually liberated one of my group.

Ive always joked that I could talk a rapist into having sex with me, instead of raping me. That way we could both enjoy it. And then afterwards Id "use the bathroom" and call the cops.

at least I wouldnt die!

[mechurchlady]

what was the original post?

[DisneyMom]

im known as the more sexually liberated one of my group.

Ive always joked that I could talk a rapist into having sex with me, instead of raping me. That way we could both enjoy it. And then afterwards Id "use the bathroom" and call the cops.

at least I wouldnt die!


Actually, I've read that getting your attacker to see you as a person rather than just a victim is a good tactic to take if there is no escape apparent.
My former co-worker escaped from harm when she screamed bloody murder at her potential attacker and scared him off. He had broken into her home. Thankfully,the Sheriff caught him later.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

what was the original post?

Something about auctioning off a rapist on Ebay who likes a Nancy Grace/judge judy look alike who is friends with them? (Whaaaat?) :bubble:

[BRWombat]

what was the original post?This thread may qualify for the most extreme OT swing ever. :eek:

[hobie16]

From the Dilbert Blog

David Cop a Feel

Did you see in the news that a woman has accused famous magician David Copperfield of sexual assault?

http://openbanter.com/showpost.php?id=621

If he’s innocent, I would like to be David Copperfield’s defense lawyer. I would argue that my client doesn’t need to assault women because he knows magic. When he wants some action, all he has to do is make a willing woman materialize. The judge would admonish me for not being serious, at which point I would do a theatrical turn toward my client and say, “BEHOLD!” In a prearranged move, Copperfield would pull a blanket from his sleeve, drape it over the defense table, wave his arms, and a pair of feet would appear under the table, high heels facing the judge. Then my client would lean his head back and start moaning.

The judge would start banging his gavel, (so to speak), and I would turn to the jury and yell, “I REST MY CASE!”

If that didn’t work, I’d put the accuser on the stand and ask, “How can you be so sure my client touched you?” As she answered the question, I would nod to my magician client and have him do the trick where his hand comes out of my zipper and waves hello. Then I would say in my most sarcastic voice, “SO, TELL US AGAIN HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT KNOWING WHERE MY CLIENT’S HANDS ARE.”

Then I would ask the bailiff to bring me the Bible on which the accuser swore an oath. I would ask the accuser to read any passage aloud. By then, my magician client would have pulled the switcheroo, and the accuser would be reading something from Mein Kampf. I would turn to the jury and say, “That’s not the Jesus I know!”

I haven’t heard what evidence the prosecution will present, but for the sake of this blog, let’s hope it involves a semen-stained dress. When the police officer shows the court this piece of evidence, I would ask him if there was any way my client’s DNA could be on that dress without sex. The police officer would say sex was the only explanation. Then I would ask the bailiff to turn down the lights. I would signal to my client to do his magic, then take out a black light and show that the policeman’s own uniform is covered with my client’s semen, and not just a little. He’d look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy exploded on him.

I only joke about this because I think it’s unlikely the alleged crime happened. But if it turns out that the handsome, famous, charismatic magician who earns over $40 million a year and dates supermodels is forcing himself on women, I support the death penalty. And that’s only partly because watching him try to escape from the gas chamber after he’s strapped down would be good TV.

[Big Wallaby]

I only joke about this because I think it’s unlikely the alleged crime happened. But if it turns out that the handsome, famous, charismatic magician who earns over $40 million a year and dates supermodels is forcing himself on women, I support the death penalty. And that’s only partly because watching him try to escape from the gas chamber after he’s strapped down would be good TV.

I agree wholeheartedly!

[MagicDream4Me]

SEE..I knew I had this site figured out! So, you all got my point from my original post... Buy on Ebay enough and you will get screwed without your permission!! ;)