Tink Sightings

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"Gina was MY Tink when I was a cast member for 6 years in the middle to late 80s! Loved seeing her! Her “crash mattress” was located near my outdoor locker. I was privileged enough to see her plow into it many times! She actually spoke to me in the cafeteria on my first day!"

"When I caught Tink-she landed in two mattresses held by football players. One stood at the back braced on the telephone pole the cable was attached to, held his mattress- the other stood in front of him with his. She would hit the first one-then she and the guy would push back into the second one. I took the front position, so there was a guy behind me. Once the lights were off her, she made kind of a sassy gesture to us-then BAM!!!!!! Man she hit hard!!!! The three of us ended up At the back of the platform-and for them it was just another night. For me, I won’t ever forget seeing her coming at me. I watched her land probably a couple dozen times-only caught her once.  Needless to say-it was a truly amazing experience-made possible because one of the football players was also a drummer, and we used to chat backstage."

 "Tinker Bell is my fav at Disney. I cry when I see her in the parade. When I do the meet and greet with all my Tink gear on including shirt, tennis shoes, magic band, Tink ring, Tink watch, Tink hat, Tink necklace, Tink earrings, Tink shorts, and Tink on my shoulder. ( the new magnet one) With my Tink lounge fly. I scream and cry when she flies out of the castle. The best part is when I get to see her. Love me some Tinker Bell. The only thing I have never found is Tinker Bell socks. Still on the hunt. Love what Tinker Bell does. Fly baby fly. Love her." 

"Knowing her personality. From videos and interviews. She would say tossed. I have relayed this story before. It’s hubbies story. He worked in fantasyland attractions. Their outside break room was next to Big Thunder Rail Road. Maybe 50 yards from her landing pad. And when we say landing pad it was 2 men standing on top of the fake tree holding a mattress with handles. There was maybe 8-10 feet of “standing” room on the downside of that zip line. One night she must have gotten too much speed and came in too fast. When she was out of sight of guests. She screamed out “****." And they heard a body hitting a mattress with a thud! When conditions were just right and it was a moment of quiet in that backstage area. 5-15 later. A small little old lady would come walking by with her hair pinned up. And a black trench coat covering her costume. She was a legend in fantasyland attractions. Most knew Matterhorn. And when entering the Matterhorn. The attraction needed to close down so she and the techs could cross the track safely. Hubby did the 5th-floor tour when he trained on Matterhorn. The last 15-20 feet was a straight vertical wall climb. On what looked like pallets secured to the wall. At the top was a roof hatch you had to push up and crawl out of. He could not imagine her doing this into her late years. With gear and batteries."

"I used to dress Tinker Bell from 1999-2001. You had to be so careful with the dress because a slight bend would ruin the lights in the costume. I also fought with the Matterhorn CMs because they hated e-stopping but I refused to cross in front of a live vehicle."

"When I was a cast member at Disneyland we would try to schedule our evening break to go behind the scene to watch Tinker Bell hit that large mattress pad upon her splash into the darkness behind all the magic of the park.It was really a hoot, funny   and too wild….loved it."  

"It was fun way back in the days watching all of us cast members by the water tower at thunder mountain watching Tink land. Sometimes she wouldn’t reach the mattress so she had to shimmy her weight on the cable. It was a good night  working when your break or lunch aligned with her flight lol This was way back in late 80’s."

"Hello Gina. Iv'e  recently listened to your story on the Civil Engineering Podcast and wanted to reach out and tell you that you've inspired me to continue to learn new things and not be afraid to try out new things. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us."

"I had the privilege of working with her summer of '94. I was in costuming and would take her costume and harness, pick up her wig and helped her get dressed. She was nice enough to invite me watch her take off from the top of the Matterhorn one evening. It's a memory that I'll never forget. Thank you Gina!"

"She was there all the years I worked in the Main Street Electrical Parade; I must of seen her fly hundreds of times while watching the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks between parades." 10/31/20

"I asked her to sign a Disneyland Line that featured her as she was going backstage after a flight. She did it, but I think I scared her a little when I mentioned that I collect Tinker Bells!" 10/31/20

"Love this story and I did see her fly in 2005. Thought it was awesome. You see Tinkerbell is my favorite Disney character "

"I watched her growing up as a child and used to dream about someday being Tink ❤ Whenever someone would ask what I wanted to do when I grew up, I said I was going to be Tinker Bell and fly down during the fireworks. In high school I grew too tall for the height requirements and after three kids am far too chubby anyways (my new dream is to be the Fairy Godmother when I'm older ha!), but she's always inspired me and has been my favorite part of the show ever since I was 2 years old. Now I see the magic in my daughter's eyes (who is also 2) when we go to Disney and she sees Tink fly down. Please tell her thank you for me. She was a big part of my childhood going to Disneyland every weekend❤"

"I worked at the park then too... we'd hurry over to see her,after the landing tower near big thunder was built....to see her being "caught"between 2 mattresses to stop her as she flew in....we dubbed it "tinker toast"...😉"

"When I was in Electrical Parade, my best friend Ronnie and I would change as fast as possible after first parade, so we could race across the park to get perfect viewing spots to watch her fly, or often, to watch her land!!!
She was amazing and beyond graceful. She brought true magic to the role. We both loved her from afar, and she made our teenage nights as young parade dancers so full of joy! 

Somewhere somewhere in the depths of my mom’s house is a vhs video my mom shot of Tink and fireworks from the skyway!!!! God, I wonder where it is? And if it even plays anymore? That might be a project for when I visit at Christmas..... "

"I remember my first time watching her when I was just a bitsy, there's a picture somewhere in my folk's albums of the moment, and watching her last flight. You could always tell when it was Gina. A bunch of us from Attractions, GC, and security stood where we could see her hit the mattress her last flight and a bunch of us bawled like babies. Tearing up right now just thinking about it. One of my most treasured memories that working at the park afforded me. #mytinkerbell "

"I worked security at Disneyland for a couple of years in the middle 80’s.  I used to bring guests/friends behind the shooting gallery to watch Tink slam into the mattress at the conclusion of her flight.  It was always amazing to me that with all of the sophisticated technology used in the park, they made poor Tink slam into a mattress in order to stop her momentum.  These were good times though and I was always in awe of Gina and the guts it took to do that every night.  Thanks for the memories!"

"I love her so much.I can't Imagine the view and what it feels like to soar to the magic castle above the fireworks. I would be much too scared though because I hate heights. Ha ha."

"I did see Tink go across the wire, I was about 9."

"I absolutely idolized her as a kid. We went weekly and it was my favorite part of my visit."

"I used to cry every time she popped out of the matterhorn I was so in awe of her!"

"I remember meeting her one night at a famous Hollywood restaurant where we talked for hours about her wonderful career at Disneyland. Very nice woman indeed."

"I knew Gina. I met her a few times while I was at work at Disneyland. We were doing some tree trimming at the Matterhorn. I was saying how I hated heights and she overheard what I said and waited until I climbed off the mountain and she came and intruduced herself. She was really nice. I don't know how she didn't get terrified of heights."

"I remember when she came in through Ball Gate with her kids on her "work days". It was a really neat memory. "

"I always loved when Tink flew in during the fireworks! "

"I loved to watch her..such anticipation. Why don't they do this anymore. Or Santa, or the yodeling mountain climbers? Liability maybe... "

"Gina made me believe that Tinkerbell was real. Just pure magic, that lady. <3 "

"There used to be video footage of tinker bell slamming into a mattress at the end of her flight. That’s the way they used to stop her. Two men holding a bed mattress. "

"So sad that I don't have any pictures with her or of her during her magic flight😭But I have to say that it was so much fun working on the Tink crew, 1989-1992 wardrobe dept, truly a once- in-a-lifetime experience!!🧚 "

Michele received 3 autographs from Tink and had this to say...

Gina "Tink", 

I really thought you might enjoy seeing my little girl when she was my Tinker Bell.  She was 4, back in 2003. We picked up the costumes when we went to Disneyland in August that year.  My son was Captain Hook. 

I just love her face when shes opening the lollypop.  Her name is Lauren, She'll be 19 in September.  And my angel Christopher, forever 16.

I hope Gina enjoys seeing her.  Lauren was the absolute perfect mini Tink. 

Thank you  again, 

Michele