Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<My personal impression was that at Walt Disney World the best cast members have gotten even better in the past 7 years (like, markedly better than in 1999-200 when I was last there, and FAR superior to the Tokyo CM's I encounter so much more often..>> I CAN SO NOT WAIT TO HEAR TDLFAN's take on this!!!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Since WDW won't allow gum sold on property, I should think they would ban it for CMs. Logic? Or is this just another place where rules are made to be ignored? I think it's normal to feel like people are talking about you, when you hear them talking in another language or whispering. Just rude anywhere.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Just one other comment on the gum. This really should be strictly prohibited. At least, they haven't decided to start marketing Goofy's Candy Co. Gumballs to improve the bottom line. Gum is a no-no for guests (at least purchasing) and should definitely not be allowed for CMs ... and in any professional work situation (and that would include any Disney CMs who deal with guests) it is highly unprofessional.
Originally Posted By Mr X **Even after they turned to look at Orwen they didn't ask her how they could help her. They merely stared at her and waited to be prompted. Very bad show.** I didn't notice this at Disney, but I DID notice it in many other places in America. It really blew me away, and frankly it was yet another impressive step DOWN in the ever declining customer service standards in America.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^It's the WalMarting of America. It starts on Wall Street and in the White House and trickles right on down. You go into a McDonald's in Europe and they're clean, almost upscale, with eight to 10 registers of people working and taking orders. You walk into a McDonald's in Florida and they're filthy, they have people that bearly speak English behind the counters and they have on register working with an L-shaped line heading toward the seating area. Customer service doesn't exist because some consultants determined that it doesn't result in added profits. LIke I said, welcome to the third world! Enjoy being China's bitch!
Originally Posted By Mr X **You go into a McDonald's in Europe and they're clean, almost upscale, with eight to 10 registers of people working and taking orders.** Yup, Asia too.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo My Mom really noticed this too. While Mr X was visiting the East coast, my native Californian mom went home for the first time in 22 years. She was sorely disappointed and has said it is unlikely she will ever return. It made her feel better about living in Europe.
Originally Posted By mousermerf I guess i'm a git, but the McD's in the UK (which to me is Europe - did i miss a geography class?) aren't any nicer then US McD's. They do have more variety in food though.
Originally Posted By Mr X **My Mom really noticed this too. While Mr X was visiting the East coast, my native Californian mom went home for the first time in 22 years. She was sorely disappointed and has said it is unlikely she will ever return. It made her feel better about living in Europe.** Sadly, I would probably feel the very same way if not for the fact that my family is all back there. There's a whole big world out there to see, and much of it is far superior to America these days quality-wise.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<There's a whole big world out there to see, and much of it is far superior to America these days quality-wise.>> So sad, but so true. And it will never change so long as the same two parties screw everything up for their special interests. It's pathetic what has happened here.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I hear you Mr X. And my mom is worried sick about our upcoming trip. the growth in crime rates really had her scared. As for the UK McD's some are better than the US versions, but the ones on the mainland Europe are even better. for the record, although my family would consider us to be living in Europe, many Brits would not and get very angry at that thought. It would be like someone saying LA is in Mexico in their books.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Newsflash: LA is Mexico. Just returning from WDW, I also noticed an awful lot of CM gum chewing. I also noticed multiple CM-to-CM onstage conversations, complete with backslapping and hand language. At the time I thought it a little rude, especially when I did TONS of shopping and needed help from time to time to complete my purchases. We were ignored more than once. I didn't really take offense, but thought it very odd that my almighty dollars did not take precidence over what nail color would go with their New Year's Eve outfit.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< There's a whole big world out there to see, and much of it is far superior to America these days quality-wise. >>> Why do you hate America so much?
Originally Posted By mickeyboy43 Chewing gum repulses me only when people "smack" and dont chew with their mouths closed. As for the casual talking. Unacceptable.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< it seems extreme to feel that one CM cannot talk to another CM if nothing is going on. That wouldn't be working, that would be prison. I'm just not sure why that would spoil the magic. I wouldn't expect human beings to act any other way. >>> As others have alluded to, the problem is that it makes the CMs less approachable. Even if they are paying attention and break off the conversation at a moment's notice if a guest approaches, a guest seeing two CMs engaged in a conversation may not want to interrupt. Plus, there's the issue of two people engaged in a conversation tending to pay less attention to their surroundings, such that they might actually miss a cue from a guest that they need something. <<< Good CM's will sort of stare blankly off into space (actually watching the crowd) while talking to the person right next to them - and of course breaking off mid sentence to see to a guest's needs. >>> That's the way to do it. If they don't appear to be having a conversation, then there's no problem. The purpose of the rule isn't to prevent CM-CM conversation or bonding, but to make sure nothing gets in the way of the guest experience. And the CMs eating on stage, especially with outside food, is also a no-no and detracts from show. <<< It's almost like saying, "I can't believe it...a CM actually went into the restroom, in full costume. Why don't they hire CM's that don't need to do that kind of thing. Walt would be shocked! Talk about destroying the magic! >>> Actually, I'm almost certain the CMs should not be seen using the restroom in costume and are required to use off-stage restrooms. The only time you should see a CM in a restroom is if they are janitorial or security performing their official duties and not actually using the facilities as a guest would.
Originally Posted By Mr X **Actually, I'm almost certain the CMs should not be seen using the restroom in costume and are required to use off-stage restrooms.** According to the official Disney policy, in some cases certain cast members aren't even allowed to use backstage facilities in costume...this is enforced more strictly at TDR than anywhere else I do believe. And NEVER is any employee allowed to use any onstage facilities while working, even if the park is closed! As for eating onstage, that is also against official policy, but then again so isn't gum chewing (I'm fairly certain of that...but not 100%).
Originally Posted By jdub That it's in Spanish makes no difference to me whatsoever--the chatting in ANY language is unprofessional, whether by Disney employees, grocery clerks, movie ticketsellers, baristas--customer service in general is getting less professional all around.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost <<<According to the official Disney policy, in some cases certain cast members aren't even allowed to use backstage facilities in costume...this is enforced more strictly at TDR than anywhere else I do believe. And NEVER is any employee allowed to use any onstage facilities while working, even if the park is closed!>>> Amazing! There once was a time that I thought being a CM would be great, but, you guys have convinced me that I would rather be a prisoner of war than a CM. They don't pay near enough to demand that much out of a person. Especially when it is to appease a bunch of rude, demanding and spoiled park guests. Totally not worth it. It's a good chance that the realization of that is the cause for the change in everyone's behavior. <<<certain cast members aren't even allowed to use backstage facilities in costume>>> That is possibly the dumbest rule I have ever had the bad fortune to hear about. I think Disney has spent way to much time with animatronics. Robots only require an occasional oil change.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl ^I'm sure that is for sanitation concerns. The more elaborate the costume, the easier it would be for a strap to accidentally fall into the toilet, etc. As for talking onstage, I think you need to keep in mind the fact that Disney theme parks are in the service industry. If the world didn't have demanding and spoiled people, Disney parks wouldn't exist. (They don't have to be rude, however) Any talking onstage should be hard to notice if you are not looking for it. The alternative is how Six Flags does it.
