Originally Posted By wonderingalice Funny story from this past Tuesday... The parks were jammed with Spring Breakers. Haunted Mansion is an easy wait, though... The line moves almost continuously. So, Mr. Alice and I joined the crowd for about a 10-15 minute wait outside - no biggy. Good time in the Stretching Room and the Gallery - though there was am immediate back-up of people as we exited the SR. No biggy; we just enjoyed the portraits awhile longer than usual. So... We round the corner to the Doombuggy loading area and there's a street-clothed management CM announcing that it's "Three riders per Doombuggy! Three riders!" Obviously, it was directed at the kids who might choose to have their own, solo ride or groups of friends/family that could ride together nice and snug. We step into our Doombuggy and suddenly, there's this strange man with a camera and one leg inside with us, saying "scoot over!" *LMAO* Mr. Alice begins to move closer to me - out of shock more than anything - when it suddenly dawns on the guy there's NO way he's going to be able to squeeze in with us. We're now at the staircase and the guy leaps out and then into the buggy behind us - with two little kids already in it! *LOL* Mr. Alice and I are cracking up laughing, and I'm like, "What a nimrod! How could he POSSIBLY take the CM's instructions THAT literally and horn in on strangers, let alone a couple?!?" *LOL* We did ride three to a Doombuggy the first time Mr. Alice's mom joined us - she's small and we had her in the middle. But it was VERY tight (and she absolutely thought we were going to tip over backward when leaving the attic - so much so, she jumped in the seat... *LOL*), so her and I rode together on the next ride through. So, would YOU take the CM at THAT much face-value? ;-)
Originally Posted By BeautysBeast WEll..while at DLP i had gone on the BTMR alone, making my way thru the fastpass the CM told me that single riders wernt allowed during certain hours.I looked around perplexed and bummed till the other CM cracked a smile and told me the one was just kidding and to carry on lol
Originally Posted By threeundertwo Call me silly, but I hate sitting in the middle of a Doombuggy. I just hate having that hitchhiking ghost sit on my lap. I make one of my kids sit in the middle. I've never told them why.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice *LOL* BB... Sounds just like I would react! I'm great at "dishing," but not so quick on the uptake when I'm on the receiving end. ;-) 2/3... That's an interesting phobia that deserves a good name... How about Midghosthitcharobia...? And it also gives me a hilarious "visual" of the outcome had our camera man stayed put... Mr. Alice in the middle - with THE strangest expression on his face - as we passed those mirrors at the end. *LOL*
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan Great story. Glad he hopped out of your buggy. But those poor kids! If my kids were old enough to ride in their own doombuggy, I certainly wouldn't want a complete stranger in there with them......close quarters!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Wow. I'm glad to see that the upper levels of managment aren't entirely out of touch with how the attractions actually work. On a similar note, I had two strange experiences in DL about a week ago. It was pretty late and the park was getting pretty empty, so I went over to Big Thunder (I made a solo trip), and they actually put somebody with me. I didn't really mind, but I just thought it was interesting since that ride has a lot of bumping and nudging and I've seen tons of singles on it before (I've also done a triple...not so fun!). Later, on Splash I went where the CM directed me, and sat in the front row. Then he directed some random girl to the row right behind me. And then we dispatched. So there we were. Just me in the front and her right behind me, semi-straddling me. It certainly made for an awkward 9.5 minutes and big splashes at the bottom of every drop, but the picture at the end is priceless! I can't wait to see what the suits do when it's their turn to load the Matterhorn!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I hear ya, momofbuzzfan! It WAS weird... All the "suit" really needed to do was add, "If you're in a group..." Then the easily-pressured camera guy wouldn't have felt confused or compelled to comply to something that didn't make any sense for a single rider.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 So... We round the corner to the Doombuggy loading area and there's a street-clothed management CM announcing that it's "Three riders per Doombuggy! Three riders!" Obviously, it was directed at the kids who might choose to have their own, solo ride or groups of friends/family that could ride together nice and snug.<< I hope hope hope you took his/her name down and reported them for both breaking dresscode and being rude. If you didn't please do so in the future.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 nevermind I read your post wrong the CM wasnt rude but it was still wrong for them to wear streetclothes.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Skellington88, sometimes managers end up covering for CM's at the last minute and they don't have time to go to costuming and check out a costume to hop on an attraction for a break or whatever. We used to work turnstiles at the Main Entrance when it was very busy in our street attire because it was a short term fill-in-the-gap kid of help. It's definitely not ideal because it detracts from the show, but if the option is to close the attraction because there is no one there then I think the better option is to put a manager in the position until a costumed CM can be found.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice ^^Yep... I'm certain he was only working in that capacity because of the huge spring break crowd. I should have been more clear about him being a management cast member.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Oh WonderingAlice, you were clear about the CM being a manager-type. I posted that because Skellington88 suggested that you report the CM for violating the dress code. I was just pointing out that sometimes managers step in during an unexpected rush. Either way, your story about the guy that jumped in with you and your hubby cracked me up. Maybe there's a maximum of three to a cart, but it's not a requirement for dispatch!
Originally Posted By pecos bill I would feel very uncomfortable if I were riding solo and had a stranger packed in with me. This would be unacceptible on Splash and Matterhorn, and wouldnt be much fun on Mansion and Big Thunder either. I cannot imagine them pairing strange adults with young kids on any rides.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice *L* You're right... I just re-read my original post (thought I'd left out "managment" or somethin'... It really was bizarre... Poor guy must have thought the Disney Police had spoken - NO Exceptions! *LOL* On a side thought... Do management CMs ever dress in attraction-themed costumes in similar situations?
Originally Posted By wonderingalice And pecos bill... I agree - It would be uncomfortable for adults/teens... and downright wrong with young children (such as those this guy ended up with).
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Our director used to schedule in-costume days for managers in Guest Services so we could keep abreast of the operations in our areas and to see what the CM's experienced on a day to day basis. If they knew in advance that a manager would be working in an in-costume location for the entire day then yes, I'd think they'd get a costume. Generally, though, managers are not performing those roles for extended periods of time. I was a big fan of the in-costume days!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS It is so odd that this subject was brought up. I think there was alot of tension in DL because of the holiday week. I think they were trying to jam as many folks as possible on the rides at one time. Yesterday I was in DL alone for a few hours (as PB had a "guest" with her and wanted to be alone.) This is what I experienced: BTMR: I had a fastpass, used it, and was asked if I would share a seat with another single rider. What could I say? It was a little girl, maybe 8 yrs. Thought it odd that the parents wouldn't mind, but no big deal. Of course I'm heavier than she was, so I'm not really enjoying the ride at all as I was having to have to hold on extra tight as to not get arrested for sitting on the poor girl during the turns and rabbit hills. Winnie the Pooh: I wasn't allowed to ride by myself on this one, either, even though it was a 3 minute wait. That's right - 3 minutes. They put me in the same row as a little kid who couldn't fit with the rest of their family. Talk about uncomfortable! And stupid. HM - I actually was told by the CM to jump into the doombuggy with another single rider that was standing right in front of me in line. Are you kidding me??? I didn't listen and took my own buggy, because after all, I am 999haunts and don't have to share my buggy with anyone if I don't care to. That's what I think, anyways. DLRR - I was actually asked by a CM if I wouldn't mind moving from where I was sitting so a complete family could have my row. I couldn't believe that one. At least they asked me nicely, though. POTC: I actually thought I would have my own row on this one, but ended up having to share with a family who split rows. This was very awkward. I had to listen to the whole family ooh and ahh about the fact that Jack was now visible, and the man kept turning back to the rest of the family nearly hitting me each time he did so. The only time I was allowed to ride by myself was on the Fantasy Land rides. They didn't care that I was a single rider.
Originally Posted By jonvn why does this stuff never happen to me? Ever? Not saying that it doesn't happen to others, but gee...
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight <<why does this stuff never happen to me? Ever? Not saying that it doesn't happen to others, but gee>> Well Jonvn, get yer fanny over here to DL for one of the LP meets and maybe it will. LOL
