Top 3 Announced in the CMO Contest
With nearly 500,000 online ballots cast, the field in the Disney Dream Chief Magic Official (CMO) competition that once numbered 1,300 contestants has been narrowed to the Top 3: David “Blooper Reel” Hawley of California, Justin “Adventurosity” Muchoney of Pennsylvania and Tripp “Radio DJ” West of Georgia.
Online voters cast ballots throughout March for their favorites among the Top 10 finalists. (Watch videos and read profiles of the Dream CMO finalists from earlier posts.)
The Top 3 vote getters travel to Walt Disney World in mid-April for a head-to-head competition that will be videotaped and voted on again by the online public April 17-21.
The reality television-style tests of creativity, enthusiasm and Disney theme park knowledge include:
Stroller mix-up — Match the stroller with the correct accessory bag.
Towel folding — Create a towel animal following a training session.
Noise making — Generate the loudest crowd reaction.
Park information — Offer assistance, directions and tips to visitors.
Face painting — Create a design following a training session.
The overall Dream CMO winner will be crowned in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on April 22. The winner serves as a goodwill ambassador at Disney parks in Florida and California.
It should be noted that I incorrectly picked West to finish last on a number of occasions. I was disappointed that Patrick “Mr. Cut-Out” Hurd did not make the cut.
I’m picking Muchoney to win it all. Who are you rooting for?
— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer