Originally Posted By wendebird <<Do the Cast Members at DL even say "Have a Magical Day"?>> Are they supposed to say this in WDW too? I'm 100% serious when I say in my 10 day trip, I never heard it once.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Interesting thread ... I'm an APer at WDW, DL and DLP and I have to say that overall I'm shocked at how great they are at all three resorts considering how little they get paid and how little management values them. I've thought DL had better overall CMs, although in the past few years with all the turnover that has changed. But at WDW, it kind of depends on who you deal with. Most CPers, International Program CMs and retirees are GREAT ... but none of them are doing it for the money, so they can be. When you get a 42-year-old divorced mother of four who has to work the front desk of a resort and deal with snotty tourists who may be spending more on their vacations than she'll make in a year ... well, a lot of times the phrase 'have a magical day' means something entirely different. Overall, though, I'd give WDW a slight edge right now. Oh, and despite all the anti-French crap spewed by our current administration, the CMs at DLP (except for management) are truly wonderful, even to us Americans. Most speak English, and those that don't will work with you ... and they do generally seem to care.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have to say the DLP cast have come a long way. They were fantastic in 1992 when the resort opened. by about 6 years ago they seemed to sink to rock bottom. My last trip last month, while not quite on par with Us cast, they came a long way. I amsad to hear DL has sunk so low. They used to be the very best.
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 It seems to that the friendliness of the CM is totally random. However, it always seems to me that the CM working in the hotel especially at the GCH are always very friendly and "magical". While in the parks they are a little less friendly. It has been a while since I have been to WDW but I don't remember the CM being particular friendly or unfriendly. Also, I think it totally depends on the season. This will be my first trip during the Christmas season in about 8 years so I am interested to see if I notice a difference.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Just another thought ... as I sit here and watch the daily thunderstorms build in paradise ;-) Sometimes, it really is luck of the draw. Depends on when you go, where you stay, who you come in contact with. And while obvious, I'll say that it only takes one GREAT CM to make a magical trip and one WRETCHED CM to put a serious damper on one.
Originally Posted By wendebird Speaking of magical & non-magical. Can I just say how unpleasant it was to go to the parks in WDW & not be greeted? I didn't like the self-service, thumb print thing at all. I so missed being greeted by a CM & the blue bird chirp.
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 No blue bird chip...that's just wrong! *Since tone of voice doesn't come across online...I am being serious not sarcastic!*
Originally Posted By alexbook >>And while obvious, I'll say that it only takes one GREAT CM to make a magical trip and one WRETCHED CM to put a serious damper on one.<< I'd go farther than that. For most visitors, 99 great CM's will be cancelled out by one terrible CM.
Originally Posted By DlandJB On July 17th easily the majority of Cast Members at DL had no idea it was Disneyland's birthday.>>> I'm surprised, given that they were almost all wearing Disneyland is 52 buttons on the 17th. I had a cast member at WDW slam a door in my face at the Hall of Presidents a year ago. That is the worst it has been, but I just found the majority of them either rude or totally disinterested. However, there were a couple that went out of their way to do something nice for us. Maybe the difference is familiarity. I don't need the CM in California to tell me anything or show me anything because I know my way around. I didn't need to rely on them. In Florida, being less familiar I needed to rely on them more and so found many of them lacking. But I will say there were some that were terrific too.
Originally Posted By wendebird DlandJB, I'm just agreeing with you everywhere today! I had a very similar experience in WDW as you did. I never thought it might be because I had to speak to more CM's in WDW, because I don't know their parks as well as DL. The rudest CM I encountered was the one standing "guard" outside the Crystal Palace. Had it been DL, I wouldn't have had to ask her where to check in for my reservations. Man, was she nasty.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The rudest CM I encountered was the one standing "guard" outside the Crystal Palace. Had it been DL, I wouldn't have had to ask her where to check in for my reservations. Man, was she nasty.>> I'll just say there's never a good excuse for being rude/nasty/ill-tempered with a guest unless it is a very serious safety issue. If someone is nasty, at any Disney park, you need to talk to their superior and report them.
