What is your perception vs reality of being a CM

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

The work area dictates the type of CM you will encounter, most of the time. Most "Old Timers" who are just punching the clock go to resorts. They dont have to deal with many guest and they are off at a decent hour of the night. They can get by with doing the bare minimum.

 

Animal Kingdom also has allot of old timers but they arent as bitter. They get the guest interaction, but still get off at a decent hour. Theyve been around a while and it shows sometimes in the way they treat guest and act at work. They are the ones who know all the rules and use them to their benefit.

 

The MK has the younger, pixi dust infused CMs. The ones who want to be there. The ones who will go above and beyond to help a guest feel special.

 

I like to play a game when visiting the parks. I can spot a CM deployed from another location just by the way they act. You can almost always pick the MK CMs from a mile away. AK CMs ussually do not come to the MK to work, they cant handle the pressure. Resorts never leave resorts. But if youre ever at another park and get great service, most likely its a CM from MK.

 

Well said.

 

It is during the day shift at resort gift shops that Twin #2 runs into the dud CM's.  They don't work at night.  They've been there long enough that they get to work the slow day shifts.  They don't want to interact with guests or have to smile or anything crazy like that.  Fortunately, there aren't a lot of CM's like this property-wide, but they do get concentrated in the resort gift shops during the day shifts.

 

TCD

[Lou... 3,118]

Ray posted what he feels is magical. Has any one else experienced what was a magical moment for them?

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

Getting selected as Veteran of the Day and participating in the Flag Retreat at MK was very magical.

[red...Susan 37]

Chatting with people, I see very few people when I am at home. CM taking the time to change food items to suit what I want. A special treat for my dog. ( she really loved the bones). Just the small things make my day more magical.

[djsamuel 322]

I should have been clearer with my comments. My comments about the "old ladies" most definitely doesn't apply to all older CM's.  A lot of CM's are older, and most of them are awesome people and great CM's.  But there are quite a few who are bitter and resentful, and lazy.  They don't give a hoot about being magical.  They hate their jobs. They hate the young college kids who are sent to work with them.  And, they probably hate themselves.  The managers don't do anything about them, because they need people who are going to be there day in and day out.  So, they look the other way.  These bitter old ladies are rude to guests. They are rude to their coworkers. They do stuff they're not supposed to do whenever the manager isn't looking.  They leave work that they're supposed to do for the college kids, because they know nobody is going to do anything about it.  Those are the old ladies I'm talking about

 

And, I can see where having to work with young, snotty, spoiled college kids might be unpleasant.  Not all of them have the best attitude either. But, for the most part, these college kids come to Disney World because they very much want to be a part of the magic.  In training, they are pumped full of pixie dust and turned loose to be the best CM's they can be.  It's a real drag for those who get stuck working with some far from ideal crabby CM who is just there to punch the clock.

 

 

That is so awesome!

 

Way to go!

 

TCD

 

You hit the nail on the head.  I've seen some cast members, young and old, where you just want to ask them why in the world they are working there.  There are certainly other jobs that are less demanding that pay at least as good (which isn't saying a whole lot).  There are some that NEVER use their passes to get into the parks, and will say that they never want to be near Disney when they are not working.  You're right, they just need a job, and don't think about where they are working, yet will not work elsewhere.

 

Some may look at the CPs as "snotty spoiled college kids", but many don't.  There are some who, just like some other cast members, refuse to do their jobs, and put more effort into avoiding work than actually doing it, but there are many who my wife really enjoyed working with.  She worked Magic Kingdom, Studios and the Polynesian (her first position) before her current job, and she always enjoyed many of the CPs.  

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Ray posted what he feels is magical. Has any one else experienced what was a magical moment for them?

 

The most magical moment we've had at Disney was in November 2011.  It was Anna's first trip to the Fort, and we had planned a "Fort-only" trip as park tickets were not in the budget since we had given all of our free cash flow for the year to Putin and his cronies.  A CM had gotten wind of this and felt that we, in particular Anna, should have a day at the MK.  So he met us at the entrance gates one morning just before rope drop and got us into the park.  Plus, they were hoppers so we were even able to spend the evening at Epcot.

 

That was a magical moment for us. 

[Lou... 3,118]

Getting selected as Veteran of the Day and participating in the Flag Retreat at MK was very magical.

 

Timing is everything for that.

Most people that want to be considered find out too late on how to go about having their name submitted.

 

CM taking the time to change food items to suit what I want. A special treat for my dog.

 

Nice things Susan, but they're things that the CM should do as part of their job.

 

You hit the nail on the head.  I've seen some cast members, young and old, where you just want to ask them why in the world they are working there.  

 

I'm going to have to take a slightly different view.

To many CMs at WDW, it's a job, it's an income. They don't buy into the hype and the cool aid drinking. I have absolutely no problem with that.

However I do expect them to do the job as it's expected to be done and from those CMs, a little bit of acting is required to pull it off, and that's ok. 

 

The most magical moment we've had at Disney was in November 2011.  It was Anna's first trip to the Fort, and we had planned a "Fort-only" trip as park tickets were not in the budget since we had given all of our free cash flow for the year to Putin and his cronies.  A CM had gotten wind of this and felt that we, in particular Anna, should have a day at the MK.  So he met us at the entrance gates one morning just before rope drop and got us into the park.  Plus, they were hoppers so we were even able to spend the evening at Epcot.

That was a magical moment for us. 

 

I bet he got as much enjoyment doing it, if not more, as you and your family did.

[djsamuel 322]

Ray posted what he feels is magical. Has any one else experienced what was a magical moment for them?

One always stands out. Several years ago, my mother in law came down from NJ to visit. It was her first visit since my father in law passed away about 5 months earlier. We decided to take her to Yachtsman's Steakhouse since her and my father in law loved eating there. When I checked in, I asked for a nice table by the window and explained the situation. We were given a great table, and after we were seated, the server came over and handed my mother in law a long stemmed rose. My mother in law asked the server why she was getting it, and she replied, "Just because you're special". Over the course of the night, the server was terrific, the manager came over to make sure everything was good and even the chef came over to see how the meal was. Nobody ever said a word that they knew she was a recent widow. My mother in law was on cloud nine, and now, over 12 years later, my wife and I still remember that night.

[Okieatheart 33]

Well said.

 

It is during the day shift at resort gift shops that Twin #2 runs into the dud CM's.  They don't work at night.  They've been there long enough that they get to work the slow day shifts.  They don't want to interact with guests or have to smile or anything crazy like that.  Fortunately, there aren't a lot of CM's like this property-wide, but they do get concentrated in the resort gift shops during the day shifts.

 

TCD

 

I guess I've been really lucky because every "old-timer" I've encountered has been pleasant, friendly, and attentive both during the daytime and in the evening.  I've had "old-timers" offer to go to the back to try to find a size for me, visit with me about Texas, ask me about Ft. Wilderness, and so on.  The only times - two, to be exact - I've been treated rudely came from young people.  One was reading an obviously riveting e-mail on his phone and couldn't be bothered to check out my bag of popcorn at the Confectionary.  The other one - in response to my question - rolled his eyes and pointed, never uttering a syllable.  (I wanted to ask him if he could see his brain when he did that.)  I'll deal with the jaded "old timers" anytime.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I was trying to think of a "Magical" event where a CM went above and beyond to make a magic moment for us.

And the moments that come to mind are the little ones.

The time a CM gave my DD another Mickey premium bar after she dropped it.

Or everytime DD has been at the BBB. Those CM always make it magical for her.

Or the boat captain that gave her, her first transportation trading card.

Or during DDs first trip to the world. We checked into the ASMusic resort and we were hungry so we went straight to the food court and immediately a CM walked up to DD and gave her a sticker. DD was so happy. For the next week everytime that CM saw DD she said "hello princess gracie" and gave her another sticker.

But probably my favorite magical moment didn't happen at Disneyworld.

When we were on the Magic we were heading to the kids club. And DD was in her Belle dress we were walking down the hall and Belle came out of an adjoining hallway and asked DD were she was going and then asked if she would escort her there. Belle took her by the hand and walked her to the kids club. Then that evening when we headed to our room for the night there was a. It envelope hanging on our door. In the envelope there was an autographed pix of Belle a note thanking DD for walking with her to the kids club, and a picture of belle and DD in the kids club.

I could name a dozen of these simple little things CM have done to make our trip more magical.

Also I know all of these CM were just doing their job. And maybe they only did it because it was their job. But that doesn't matter to my DD or me. All that matters to me is that my princess feels like a princess and that has just doesn't happen at any other amusement park.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

... I know all of these CM were just doing their job. And maybe they only did it because it was their job.

 

But that's the thing... Disney creates the magic by making things like this part of the job.  And CMs make it even more magical by not just doing their jobs, but by doing them well.  :)

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

But that's the thing... Disney creates the magic by making things like this part of the job. And CMs make it even more magical by not just doing their jobs, but by doing them well. :)

Well said.

[devores 382]

Ok, story from last night.

 

One of my photographers was standing on the TST porch watching the parade. One of the perks of the job, get paid to watch the parade. But anyway, he saw a woman sitting on the bench and watched her throw a bag of candy in the trash. She had a defeated look on her face. The photographer walked over and asked her if everything was alright. She explained to him that she had just had surgery and could not have the sweets that were offered in the treat trails at the party.

 

Now, the photographer could have simply said, oh Im so sorry. And walked away, instead, he ran around the MS area and gathered her treats that she could eat. He brought the bag back to her and she was so surprised and grateful. That simple gesture made her night.

 

It is Disneys job to offer treats for everyone, and his job to inform the guest where to get them. But not physically get them for the guest. He went above and beyond.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Great story, Dave! 

 

Being in a position to do something like that for a guest would be something that would be very appealing to me if I were a CM. Yes it's a job, but how many jobs give you the opportunity to really make someone's day?

[Lou... 3,118]

I guess I've been really lucky because every "old-timer" I've encountered has been pleasant, friendly, and attentive

 

I've been treated rudely came from young people.  

 

 I'll deal with the jaded "old timers" anytime.

 

I would have to agree.

[djsamuel 322]

 

 

By: Alexandra Blazevich

  Even when it comes to the entertainment industry they will never lay you off.  Excuse me?  I know this is not true.They will do whatever they can to keep you employed. When Disney can no longer use someone for a face character, (Princesses, Gaston, etc.), they will still keep them employed doing other entertainment duties.

 

 

To further illustrate the fallacy of this point, 300 IT workers at Disney received their severance notices today.

[Lou... 3,118]

To further illustrate the fallacy of this point, 300 IT workers at Disney received their severance notices today.

 

Didn't see that. Is that at WDW or the Disney company?

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I guess I've been really lucky because every "old-timer" I've encountered has been pleasant, friendly, and attentive both during the daytime and in the evening. .

You obliviously never rode on one of Lou's bus.

STAY OFF THE BUSES!

:rofl:

[Lou... 3,118]

You obliviously never rode on one of Lou's bus.

 

One of these days you're gonna think, gee, I wish I could get into that Illuminations VIP viewing area so that I don't have to find a spot an hour before they start.

And you'll also think, I shoulda been nice to ole Lou because he has the power to do that.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

One of these days you're gonna think, gee, I wish I could get into that Illuminations VIP viewing area so that I don't have to find a spot an hour before they start.

And you'll also think, I shoulda been nice to ole Lou because he has the power to do that.

What?

Who the heck hacked into my FF.net account?

Somebody call Super Geek!

Who would dare besmirch Lou's fine name and reputation?

Who ever did this should be ashamed of themselves!

But we all know its Daveintn's fault!!!!

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great story Dave.

I bet she has told that story to a dozen people by now.

Question for Dave and/or Lou.

What, if any, is Disney's official policy on CM going above and beyond the call of duty to help a guest and make a magical memory for them.

Like Dave said. The CM could she just told her where to get the special treats.

[Lou... 3,118]

What?

Who the heck hacked into my FF.net account?

Somebody call Super Geek!

Who would dare besmirch Lou's fine name and reputation?

Who ever did this should be ashamed of themselves!

But we all know its Daveintn's fault!!!!

 

Mo, I think Ray deserves a gold star for creativity.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Mo, I think Ray deserves a gold star for creativity.

Up arrows are great too!

:rofl2:

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Mo, I think Ray deserves a gold star for creativity.

 

Well I did already give him an up arrow but...

 

[djsamuel 322]

Didn't see that. Is that at WDW or the Disney company?

 

At WDW today.  A friend of mine got it.