To the CM's on the board: what is the one "tip" you can give us?

[DT83097]

Love this thread! We gave away some FP's our last trip that we weren't going to use and the look on the couple's face was priceless (after they realized we weren't a couple of wackos)!! It made us feel good too to be able to do that. Making a goal to spread some more dust this trip. I think CM's have the best job ever - they get to spread fairy dust and & be paid for it

[dalt01]

Originally Posted by d1gitman

except that it didn't need to be stated. for those CM's not wishing to be 'outed', they don't have to identify themselves as CM's. the OP's question was for tips from CM's not "calling out all CM's, identify yourselves"

right on brotha, unsolicited advise, nobody asked for it.

[8disneyfans]

Originally Posted by WhateverLolaWants

I'm a former CM, does that count? If so, the only tip I have for people is to not go expecting a perfect trip, because if your expectations are too high you're not going to have fun. Disney has it tough. They put themselves in a situation where 200% perfect service is expected and not everything can go right. I have seen many guests breakdown for things as simple as a food stand running out of ketchup or the lines being shut down for characters.

Wait, I have another tip. If you're buying ice cream of some sort at a multiple line stand (such as Ahola to get Dole Whips), step back for a second and watch the different people get served. Go in the line where the CM is serving the ice cream that is the biggest.

LOVE the ice cream tip!!!! You ROCK

[d1gitman]

Originally Posted by Berlioz70

I didn't see this mentioned yet... but I did notice a lot of people mention buying water....

WATER IS FREE!!

Bring an empty bottle and head over to a place that serves fountain soda (not bottles). Request Tap Water and you'll get a nice cold cup of water with ice. I pour in into my bottle and then get a refill later in the day when it gets warm (or I finish it).

Free and cold water all day long.

Universal charges... so this doesn't work there.

unless you are like our family. we are water snobs and can't stand tap water. since my wife got me on bottled spring water, tap water or fountain drinks taste aweful to me.

[8disneyfans]

Set your budget
. . . then, double it
. . . then divide by three
. . . then, multiply by six
. . . then add three
. . . then throw away the budget[/QUOTE]

[DisHornFan]

Here's my best tip. If you have some sort of problem and you need us to help you, just be honest. Don't come up to me and make up some big long story about how your plane is leaving in an hour and you need a fastpass for right now even though we don't have any left. Just tell me what's going on and I will do my best to help you. I can't promise that you will always get exactly what you want, but I can promise that we are people too, and we understand that sometimes things happen beyond your control, and you need help.


Also, a tip specific to SM:

The tracks on Space Mountain are THE SAME. They are mirror images of each other. The ONLY difference is that 'A' side (on the left as you walk in) is 10 ft longer because the tracks cross one another. One does not go faster, and one does not have more drops, or anything else along those lines. I know it seems like it isn't true, I didn't believe it at first either, but I can promise you, it is true.

SO, if you are in line for Space, and we ask you to use the other side, don't be offended, you're not missing anything!!!

Thank you

[kaffinito]

Originally Posted by onelilspark

Anyway, as far as lines go, don't automatically go to the left! Check which line everyone is going into and chose the opposite one! Many times people just follow the people in front of them. On POTC, everyone was going to the left as they were chosing lines, I went to the right, walked on and noticed the other side was waiting! And listen to the CMs! At Space Mountain everyone was following those in front of them, to the left, the CM said, if you go to the right, there's no wait. Sure enough, we went to the right and walked on! Pay attention! Don't be a sheep!

With turnstiles, if you go to the far left or right, there tend to be shorter lines to enter, people won't go further than they have to. Many times the "castmember and guest entrance" has a very short wait.

YES! Always look at the line first. I have seen many people automatically go right and just as many going left leaving the middle lines much shorter. I always look first before I queue up.

Originally Posted by GreatWideSomewhere

Honestly, this may sound like common sense, but if you are polite and pleasant, we can do so much for you. Of course this works the opposite way as well....

A little pleasantness goes a loonnggg way. Makes everyone's day a lot more pleasant!

Originally Posted by MinnieVanMom

Not a CM but go to WDW way too often. I agree that you have to take the time to look before you leap. Watch where the people are going and go to the opposite. Look at the security line, the turnstile line, the CS line and find the opening. There is an entrance to every park for CM's and also for the guests to enter. All the way left at Epcot. It usually doesn't have a line at all.

Finally, be polite. Even when people are being rude just smile. You can only control your reaction, not what others do. Try to do something nice for someone else.

Originally Posted by Berlioz70

I didn't see this mentioned yet... but I did notice a lot of people mention buying water....

WATER IS FREE!!

Not only that, but there are drinking fountains ALL OVER THE PARKS. That water is really free and there are usually no lines at all for it. I don;t carry a bottle or anything with me now, I just head for the drinking fountains.

And my tip would be to strike up conversations in lines, bus stops, or where ever you might happen to be. You can meet some really fascinating people that way! I have met a woman from Amsterdam, a family from Belfast, A fellow whose a Big League baseball mascot, and many others who all have interesting stories to tell.

[saratogadreamin09]

Not a CM but a disneyfreak who has been a lot of times


I have three tips

1) Try not to make money an issue. I know this is hard for some people but disney is expensive and you dont get to go there all the time. Your on vacation so its ok to treat yourself for a week. Its the reality of going to disney.

2) RELAX. If you plan out every minute of you day something is bound to get messed up and then it'll ruin your whole day. Disney is a place where things aren't going to go as planned because of crowds. You also have to remember a park day can be exhausting so dont plan late nights after a day in the park.

3) Remember disney is so much more then just parks. If you have time make sure to take in the resorts, DTD, and the recreational activites.

[vladimir10]

Originally Posted by WhateverLolaWants

I'm a former CM, does that count? If so, the only tip I have for people is to not go expecting a perfect trip, because if your expectations are too high you're not going to have fun. Disney has it tough. They put themselves in a situation where 200% perfect service is expected and not everything can go right. I have seen many guests breakdown for things as simple as a food stand running out of ketchup or the lines being shut down for characters.

Wait, I have another tip. If you're buying ice cream of some sort at a multiple line stand (such as Ahola to get Dole Whips), step back for a second and watch the different people get served. Go in the line where the CM is serving the ice cream that is the biggest.

OK, for that tip. you deserve an award or something!!!
:ba nana:
:wors hip:

[DizzDoll]

I just have one very silly question about a post I've seen here 3 or 4 times and was never fully explained - hope you can help. My silly question is: WHAT THE HECK IS A BUDGET?????

[floydfamily4]

Originally Posted by GreatWideSomewhere

Honestly, this may sound like common sense, but if you are polite and pleasant, we can do so much for you. Of course this works the opposite way as well....

Thanks for this reminder! When DH and I went for my 30th bday (8 years ago today) he struck up a pleasant conversation with a CM who offered to take our picture. As we were chatting we asked about a good place to watch Illuminations and boom - the CM radio'd someone and we were given seats right on a balcony at some restaurant in front of the lake! It was such a cool way to end our time at Epcot and totally unexpected. He was such a nice guy and my husband always says "I don't meet strangers just unmet friends". Anyway I just thought I would share that story

Dawn

[SandiKB]

Originally Posted by dogodisney

Sounds like my DH. Whenever we go on a trip I try to plan a budget and be frugal because my DH is always complaining about the money. Once we get to our destination, he's usually the one that is more willing to spend money.

OMG! Are we married to the same man? LOL Last trip my DD wanted pink minnie crocs, and I wouldnt buy them, the second morning we're there, DH goes down to get coffee, and what does he return with? Yup, pink minnie crocs! LOL

[jkid721133]

bump

[geenerbell]

I was really disappointed that I couldn't get an early dinner reservation for Chef Mickey's for our March trip. One day it came to me that final payment is due 45 days prior to arrival (if booking thru Dis). So, I counted back 45 days from my desired reservation date and called on that day in the afternoon. The magic happened and I got a 5:00pm ressie. The cast member and I were both shocked and surprised. The thinking behind this is some may need to reschedule or cancel plans before final payment is made.

[letthewookiewin]

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

Set your budget
. . . then, double it
. . . then divide by three
. . . then, multiply by six
. . . then add three
. . . then throw away the budget

I love this!! My DH and I were talking about the WDW we are planning for May 2010. When he saw the cost of the trip, he started complaining that I wasn't on a budget. I insisted that I was on a budget, I was on TheRustyScupper budget. Then I showed him your post. He just laughed and said "well as long as your on some kind of budget."