I just love this photograph taken in the employee cafeteria at Disneyland in 1961. I am not sure if this was staged or if it was a candid photograph, but regardless I would have loved to be present at the time this was taken.
Their smiles all seem so genuine and are just the kind of smiles we have come to know and expect from a Disney Cast Member. Do you ever wonder how they are able to maintain such authentically bright smiles? Take a look at a portion of this Disneyland Employee Handbook printed in 1962, it may help to explain the authenticity of their cheerful expressions. Maybe this world would become a little more magical if we all learned this artistry 🙂
AN HONEST SMILE...
At Disneyland a pleasant smile is a personality
trademark which we use all the time in greeting and directing
people.
Unfortunately, a smile cannot be painted on, like
lipstick. You can't turn it on and off like a water faucet.
And, in fact, a "forced smile"...the "grin and bear it" type
may be worse than none at all.
You've got to have an honest smile. It's got to come
from within. And...to accomplish this...you've got to develop
a sense of humor and a genuine interest in people.
There are a few tricks which will help you develop an
honest smile, and here they are - -
Don't take Yourself too seriously
One reason people can't smile
with others is because they
can't smile at themselves. The
first lesson in smiling...have
a good laugh at yourself.
You're a bit funny (or dumb)
yourself sometimes.
A frown won't help
Maybe if you are a judge or the
villain in a play, a frown or
grimace will help you in your
work. But generally it won't do
anything but harm, and
particularly at Disneyland.....
the Happiest Kingdom in the
World.
You get paid for smiling
If nothing else helps...
remember that you get paid for
smiling. You don't have to
laugh -- just smile.
Another way you can develop your smile is to use smiling
phrases.......
~Maureen