Originally Posted By ABBY In our May trip I had an experience with 1 extremely rude cast member. Just about everyone else was wonderful, there were a few "it's only a job". I'll tell ya though what that one person did really hurt my feelings, not because she was rude (I encounter rude people almost every day) but because of where I was and my high expectations of Disney cast members. I expect them to treat me with the same enthusiasm I have for DL. I want to live in "fantasyland" while I'm there.
Originally Posted By NJ AP Unlike Abby's experience, sometimes it is not one event or person you can point to. An overall unhappy experience is a lot harder to tell Guest Services about than pointing to one CM or situation. Yes, DL needs to know, but sometimes we need time to figure out how and what to say so we do not sound like we are whining guests.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Last Saturday morning we had an impatient ticket taker, too. I fumbled with an Entertainment Guide, and she all but snapped at me to move along. I just attributed it to the early morning rush, and unusually large crowd brought on by Nemo.
Originally Posted By PARADE OF DREAMS Arghh Teens they are so lazy( at least some of them ) children are good until they turn about 16 then they turn on us.But I guess that is because !6 is becoming a more mature teen
Originally Posted By Actress56 as a current disneyland cm, i am on here every so often reading what our guests have to say. i never support the actions of cast members being rude, but i do point out the reality that, even at disneyland, there are some bad apples. there are cast members who love working at the park. who enjoy the park on their days off (if they have some). and then there are those that do just look at it as a job. they show up, do the minimum that is required to the point where they don't get in trouble, and then go home. again, everyone expects so much from disneyland and from the company. service is what the company prides itself on. but to say that wages have nothing to do with the attitudes is naive. yes, you accept the wage when you hire in, but there is no way to describe what it is to work in the park day to day, especially during our peak seasons. i love working in the park. but i also have to have two other jobs to make a living. but i stay because i love meeting guests and being able to tell people that i work at the happiest place on earth. again, reality is, not everyone is like that. no one or thing is perfect in this world. there is always going to be something to improve on. and the best way to do that is to let the company know. go to city hall. let them know what you have come across. however, in doing that, remember that giving respect gains respect. dont go in screaming, as many guests do, that you deserve a refund or another day in the park becaues the fireworks were cancelled. or threaten a cast member because nemo was a three hour wait when we can't control that. be reasonable, and the cast member will be reasonable with you. again, not making excuses for other people. i would love to say that every person is able to check their attitude when they get to work, but think to yourself, have you been always 100% all the time? chances are, you have had one bad moment every so never.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt ^^You sound exactly like one of those great cast members that make visiting DLR so enjoyable. Keep up the great spirit and attitude. Please know that we appreciate your efforts.
Originally Posted By junglejoy I miss the days when we'd go to DL after a 6 month hiatus and recognize CMs. I never see the same ones twice anymore. They used to be older, more seasoned and told way better stories - or will willing to "shoot the breeze" as we waited in lines. I did run into a very friendly, positive CM while waiting for Pirate's Lair. He was so enthusiastic about the new attraction. When we returned to NOS, he made a point of coming over to us to ask us what we thought of it. I was pretty amazed!
Originally Posted By TinksBestFriend Actress 56, You must be one of the wonderful CM's I see all the time while waiting for the Parade or Fireworks or just walking around and enjoying the Happiest Place on Earth. And this is to Thank You for making Disneyland a wonderful experience for me every time I visit.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice ^^Ditto... Thank you, Actress 56. junglejoy, there are a few CMs that we recognize time and again (and we're out-of-town APs - only make it to the parks two or three times a year. And just once this year - coming up in December)... My favorite is the lovely blonde woman who drives the old-fashioned, fringed-top vehicle on Main Street. We rode with her a couple of years ago and learned that she's been with Disneyland for YEARS and in the same job for almost the entire time. We always make a point to wave at her whenever we see her cruise by, honking her horn and smiling as she goes.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice ^^Oh... And Rachelle at the Cove Bar in DCA, too... THE best and friendliest bartender I know! She's been there every time we have for the last four years. Not sure how long before that.
Originally Posted By Actress56 why thanks everyone. the reason that you aren't seeing many cms that you met from previous trips is that most people arent sticking around. many new cms are there for a few months and then leave, while cms that have been there for years are working too many hours to make up for the shortage and could be making much better wages somewhere else for their knowlegde.
Originally Posted By NJ AP We have a couple of favs from the two years we have been AP holders. Our DD tends to hang out with the characters, so we hang out with their escorts and let DD and characters share the magic. We've tried to find a couple of favs to let them know personally we still think of them. What we have been finding out through the grapevine is our favorites tend to get promoted to mroe hidden areas, such as parades, characters, and corporate. WonderingAlice... I know exactly who you mean. She is lovely! I also like tall skinny Steve who drives the antique vehicals on Main Street and the band director.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove To Actress56 and all the other CM's: thank you. We never forget the ones who make our vacation special...never! And the rare ones who destroy it (only happened once, but it was a doozy eventually become....dust in my foggy memory. I think I'll be much more apt to compliment all CM's who make my day and be sure to stop by City Hall and make my stand in the future.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice NJ AP... I'd love to meet the band director, but being the mushpot I am, everytime I'm near the band (especially when they're playing), I'm on the verge of happy tears. DOH! Afraid he'd think I was some kind of unstable loony tuner! (Hush now, ya'll! ;-) *L*
Originally Posted By Party Teacher My favorite is Silvie the Silhouette lady. She's been there for over 35 years. PT
Originally Posted By imadisneygal The band director's name is Art. He's very sweet and so are the rest of the band. You should go up to them, WonderingAlice! They're definitely very friendly and won't bite...I promise!
Originally Posted By Pollyana I also would like to say thanks to all those wonderful, warm, funny, and caring CMS...That is what makes Disneyland such a magical place!
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 I was going to write about a CM I really like and two of you have already mentioned her! (The blonde who drives the Main St. vehicles.) I'll have to keep in mind to leave a nice comment about her at City Hall on my next trip.
Originally Posted By joeysmommy I encountered a wonderful CM on Main St last year and emailed Disney guest services when I got home. I also sent an email about the great cm's we experienced at TOT. I did encounter a few teen CM's with attitude but I figured kill them with kindness and maybe a little sarcasm I hope the positive emails really do help out the cm's at review time. That's got to be hard to be "happy" all the time.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Thanks, imadisneygal! *LOL* I'll give it a shot... And try not to cry all over 'em. ;-) Great plan, Tinkerbell819! We should do the same for her...
