Yet More Bupix!
It's time for another selection of BUPIX, photos taken and shared with us by our friend Bu, who (as you probably know) was a cast member back in the 1980s. As usual, Bu was nice enough to provide some text to go along with the images. First up is this picture of pretty Kara, who we've seen before; Kara Pix: yes: She was a “top 4” Ambassador finalist in 1985 and a fellow GR Lead. When the Guided Tour prices went up (I think from $4 to $7..) they thought that leads should follow TG’s on a complete tour to ensure guests were getting the quality that they were paying for. We posed as guests: hence these photos.
The one of me in front of the Capitol model: I’m not sure if this was one of the commonly referred to as “Tour of Tears”… I think it was a random day and random time. I remember that white Swatch watch when Swatches first came to the US. $40 any style. I went through a lot of watches as I’d bump them on everything, and still do. I swapped out various Mickey watches in between the “cool” Swatches. Ray Bans in that style were very popular… maybe it was Top Gun or something… sunglasses at DL tended to not last long: lost, broken, etc.
My hair in the (next) photo was actually not even regulation: I’m sure if I was in costume, hair spray would have fixed some things. Visible chains on boys was also not allowed, but I suppose when wearing a suit, it’s not seen. Interesting factoid about the white shirt: I got that from the OLD OLD Banana Republic when it sold things like safari clothes and army surplus. It had an interesting drop shoulder. It wasn’t cheap: however I think now it looks that way!
In the Small World photo you can see the TG we were inspecting: don’t remember her name… Holly? The TG’s were NOT fond of these inspection tours, and made poems about their anxiety around them. We gave them a few chances after feedback if they didn’t “pass”.
This inspection program didn’t last long if I recall. I think in today’s world it would have be fraught with HR issues: there was a lot of subjectivity around what was “passable” and what wasn’t. In digging into my memory bank, I don’t have particularly good feelings around these tours. It must have been Summer as the River stage is up, and the Columbia is out and about.
MANY THANKS to Bu for sharing his personal photos and memories!
10 comments:
Bu-
Again - thanks for sharing more images [and commentary] from your past. Always enjoyable.
Thanks, Major.
Kara is looking cute and friendly, as always.
Your hair may not be "regulation", but you were undercover, as a guest. So it's part of your disguise (if a Lead notices).
Wow, this selection of photos took us all over Disneyland today! Thank you, Bu, and Kara too, and... Hmm. I think I'm forgetting somebody. Oh well, I'm sure it'll come to me later. ;-D
So, I'm assuming that the Tour Guides knew all of the Guest Relations hosts and hostesses, so the "undercover" part was just so the guests would think you were "one of them"???
After the Tour Guides were given a "few chances," were they fired, or just demoted from the position of being a Tour Guide? Either way it seems kind of unfair. What if a TG was just having a bad day, and needed a few guests to take out their frustrations on? ;-)
That's a nice planter full of dirt, in the last pic. Some of the dirt has even spilled over onto the ground. Or maybe some kids on the Guided Tour had been grabbing handfuls of it to throw at their TG. See, I bet there were all sorts of things that could make a TG have a bad day.
Thanks for sharing your personal photos and memories with us, Bu! And thank you, Major, too!
Man, girls in the '80s were so cute!
Fun stuff Bu, thanks. I especially enjoy the model of the capital, since I see it regularly when walking my dog in Glendale...the dome is now in an Imagineering office on Flower St.
MS
Nice off-the-cuff sort of pics. Pretty girl, handsome rascal, both with great hair. I’m getting those Robert Conrad vibes again. And yes indeed, 80’s girls were something special.
I still wear those sunglasses, and I had some clothes from the original Banana Republic.
Yes, did the TGs under scrutiny know this was going on? With such a small pool of players, How would they not recognize their inquisitors? Seems like that knowledge would be hard to hide, and could affect performance, maybe even to the point of guests noticing, and having the whole charade end in tears? I can see why the practice was ended.
Other businesses (McDonald's comes to mind) had similar programs, but with organizations so big that the reviewers remained anonymous.
Thanks for sharing these views of your youth, Bu. Much appreciated!
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, I’m happy to say that there are more BUPIX coming!
JB, yes, Kara is adorable. It’s hard to believe that Bu’s hair would not pass scrutiny, it looks fine to me. You forgot to thank Tom Hanks.
TokyoMagic!, yes, you’d think that the Tour Guides would be aware that they were being evaluated. How could they not? From Bu’s description, the whole inspection thing was problematic from the start, which is why it didn’t last that long. Ha, I didn’t notice the dirt on the ground, how DID that happen?
Steve DeGaetano, it’s true!
MS, isn’t there still a model of the Capital right near the Lincoln theater?? I swear I saw it not that long ago. Maybe they moved it since then?
JG, I think girls are still great today! But we were at a special age back then and appreciated them in a whole different way. I had RayBans, though somehow I don’t think I ever pulled them off that well. I would believe that the TGs didn’t know they were being evaluated if Bu and Kara had been wearing fake mustaches, but otherwise it would be clear that they were coworkers. It seems like a strange way to make sure Tour Guides were doing their best. If they saw somebody familiar in their group, you’d assume they’d be on their best behavior for that tour.
Thanks for the pix BU. Such great times and memories we are lucky to have as former CMs! And yes...it was the people whom we were with that made it even more special. KS
Major, I just noticed the dirt on the ground. Perhaps from some of the notorious feral cats of Disneyland?
JG
I LOVE these photos and all the background info. Thanks, Bu.
Bu, in the past you've mentioned to us that you had a difficult time staying awake through the shows, as a TG -- but I bet you were able to snooze through the shows, as a TG 'inspector.' :o)
Thanks, Major.
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