Best way to give kudos to magical CMs?

[BelleBway]

Just back from WDW *sniff sniff*

I'd told my nieces that cast members were friendly and helpful, and they really enjoyed talking to various CM's and doing some pin trading with them.

During the course of our stay, there were 2 or 3 CM's that were such outstanding examples of WDW magic that I really want to make sure they get recognized- is there a preferred way to do this? Email address/ mailing address? Thanks in advance!

In case anyone is curious, they are:

Scott from Le Cellier gave each of my nieces a pin at the end of our meal after he'd seen the girls playing with their lanyards- totally didn't have to do that!

Nydia from AKL mousekeeping- she made a couple towel sculptures, including a cake for my niece's 12th birthday. She also did fun things with all of our stuffed animals. We were lucky enough to talk to her in person a few times and she was a total joy. I've never really been one to tip mousekeeping, but I had to give her something (especially considering the mess she had to deal with since the girls' stuff was exploded all over the room!)- and I really want to make sure that management knows how wonderful she is.

Finally, one of the BEST moments of our trip was meeting Doug who works in the shop at the exit to the Stitch attraction in MK. My 8 yr old niece, M, had a habit of going over to the stuffed Stitches at every store we entered and carrying a bunch around- including the jumbo sized ones. Doug totally played along with her, at one point covering her in Stitches of various sizes! They also engaged in a light saber/ sword battle. 12 yr old niece was videoing it all on my point and shoot camera... the 4 of us (Doug, me and the girls) shared so much silly laughter! At one point he told me that I was a good aunt for letting the girls play around. My response was "She's smiling, so it's all good!" M had been in a few crabby moods the last few days of our trip, so that made this time extra special. CM Doug was just all sorts of awesome in making us all smile together. (while still answering questions from other guests as they came up)

[Robo]

Originally Posted by BelleBway

During the course of our stay, there were 2 or 3 CM's that were such outstanding examples of WDW magic that I really want to make sure they get recognized- is there a preferred way to do this? Email address/ mailing address?

eMail-

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com


Snail Mail-

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Site names, dates, locations and times... as much detail as you have.

[BelleBway]

Originally Posted by Robo

eMail-

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com


Snail Mail-

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Site names, dates, locations and times... as much detail as you have.

Thanks muchly!

[Dawn68PA]

I take credit-card sized thank you cards. Homemade. I usually put a Disney character on there and a "Thank you!" or "You're one of the reasons we love WDW!"

I gave one to a CM at Soarin' last year and he said it was the best thank you he'd received and would show it to his manager. It made me feel great because I made him so happy after he had already been very nice to my DH.

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by Dawn68PA

I take credit-card sized thank you cards. Homemade. I usually put a Disney character on there and a "Thank you!" or "You're one of the reasons we love WDW!"

I gave one to a CM at Soarin' last year and he said it was the best thank you he'd received and would show it to his manager. It made me feel great because I made him so happy after he had already been very nice to my DH.

Those cards are great, and I've used them myself to give an instant thank-you to CMs who go a little above and beyond.

But there is no substitute for sending in a letter or email to WDW Guest Communications. Guest responses of that type are documented and attached to a CMs personnel file, and can help them get promotions, raises, transfers, awards, etc.

So do both.

[Rainkiss]

What a great idea! I'll be shamelessly stealing it for our trip.

[LockShockBarrel]

I love people like that, especially if you've had a rough or bad day. Just knowing someone seems to give a darn about you can be such a boost.

Unfortunately that whole good customer service thing can be a double edged sword. I work at a grocery store, Wegmans, which is known, like Disney, for it's emphasis on customer service. It seems to be that places that push the good customer relations are the ones where people think all the have to do is pitch a fit and start the threats and they'll be treated like royalty and get upgrades and perks and free things. I've seen it all too often at work, "Well this is Wegmans, aren't you supposed to serve me on bended knee and cater to my every whim?" and I've read about it all over these boards, how people scream and cry and the easiest way to deal with them is to just give them what they want.

We've had tons of great experience with CMs at Disney, and also at Discovery Cove. We have a service dog who comes to the parks with us and he's treated like a king. Water for him is offered anywhere we eat, and occasionally CM's have said "We could cook him something if he needs it!" In October a CM overheard my father and I talking while in line for Finding Nemo the Musical, he was saying something like "...from what I could see" (he's legally blind, and has some vision but not much) so the CM pulled us aside and said "I overheard you guys talking, and heard that you can still see a little bit, I'm going to take you into the theater so you can figure out where you'll be able to see best from." She totally didn't have to do that, and could have just left us to be in the wheelchair section. At Discovery Cove, we had to keep the dog away from certain things, for instance he wasn't allowed within 20 ft of the dolphin lagoon. It was a rather busy day and there wasn't any place we could find with shade for the dog to lay in. A custodial worker actually approached us and asked if the dog was ok or if we'd like him to set up an extra table in the shade exclusively for us so that we always had a shady spot for the dog to be. Again, WAY beyond what we ever would have expected.

[johnGorski]

The email is great to send in a complement. Last time we went I stopped by guest services to give a huge complement to Kalvin "Morocco" our waiter from the Liberty Tree Tavern. He was the best went well above and beyond, but what made him special he had to deal with at least two very difficult groups one was actually belittling him such as tossing gravy on the floor instructing him to clean it up, adults BTW. Kalvin just smiled it off anyways we visited with him for awhile, he interacted with my niece and nephew telling them stories on how the food was made ect and how to use pixy dust. Funny thing is this Kalvin dose his gig at WDW every other weekend because he enjoys it, he is completing his residency to become a radiologist.

[Dizzyworld]

Originally Posted by LockShockBarrel

Unfortunately that whole good customer service thing can be a double edged sword. I work at a grocery store, Wegmans, which is known, like Disney, for it's emphasis on customer service. It seems to be that places that push the good customer relations are the ones where people think all the have to do is pitch a fit and start the threats and they'll be treated like royalty and get upgrades and perks and free things. I've seen it all too often at work, "Well this is Wegmans, aren't you supposed to serve me on bended knee and cater to my every whim?" and I've read about it all over these boards, how people scream and cry and the easiest way to deal with them is to just give them what they want.

We love Wegman's! I am going there later today here in MD. I agree that good customer service can be a double edged sword because of certain people abusing the system. But it is the terrific customer service that draws us back to Wegman's, LLBean, WDW, etc.

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by LockShockBarrel

I love people like that, especially if you've had a rough or bad day. Just knowing someone seems to give a darn about you can be such a boost.

Unfortunately that whole good customer service thing can be a double edged sword. I work at a grocery store, Wegmans, which is known, like Disney, for it's emphasis on customer service. It seems to be that places that push the good customer relations are the ones where people think all the have to do is pitch a fit and start the threats and they'll be treated like royalty and get upgrades and perks and free things. I've seen it all too often at work, "Well this is Wegmans, aren't you supposed to serve me on bended knee and cater to my every whim?" and I've read about it all over these boards, how people scream and cry and the easiest way to deal with them is to just give them what they want.

We've had tons of great experience with CMs at Disney, and also at Discovery Cove. We have a service dog who comes to the parks with us and he's treated like a king. Water for him is offered anywhere we eat, and occasionally CM's have said "We could cook him something if he needs it!" In October a CM overheard my father and I talking while in line for Finding Nemo the Musical, he was saying something like "...from what I could see" (he's legally blind, and has some vision but not much) so the CM pulled us aside and said "I overheard you guys talking, and heard that you can still see a little bit, I'm going to take you into the theater so you can figure out where you'll be able to see best from." She totally didn't have to do that, and could have just left us to be in the wheelchair section. At Discovery Cove, we had to keep the dog away from certain things, for instance he wasn't allowed within 20 ft of the dolphin lagoon. It was a rather busy day and there wasn't any place we could find with shade for the dog to lay in. A custodial worker actually approached us and asked if the dog was ok or if we'd like him to set up an extra table in the shade exclusively for us so that we always had a shady spot for the dog to be. Again, WAY beyond what we ever would have expected.

I don't think that a place giving excellent customer service is the problem; it's unreasonable customers who are the problem. They will be unreasonable whether they're in Wegman's, WDW, or the local McDonalds that's noted for horrible customer service. They're just unreasonable people.

With the trend these days toward lousy customer service in just about every business, I think it's even more important to be appreciative of those people who give excellent customer service.

Originally Posted by Dizzyworld

We love Wegman's! I am going there later today here in MD. I agree that good customer service can be a double edged sword because of certain people abusing the system. But it is the terrific customer service that draws us back to Wegman's, LLBean, WDW, etc.

I work just across the street from that Wegman's. I go there once in a while for lunch or dinner - the variety of prepared foods is fabulous, and the quality is great, too.

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm not saying that companies should avoid emphasizing customer service, just that it can be frustrating when people come in and think "All I have to do is be obnoxious and I'll get what I want, because they want to please everyone"

As far as you guys in MD, in the next few years be on the lookout because you might be getting more stores. The next big area to get Wegmans in is the Boston area, but they want to keep moving east and eventually south. Also be on the lookout in the fresh bakery for pretzel rolls, they're delish and from what I hear very similar to the pretzel bread at Le Cellier.

[goofieslonglostsis]

Definately let WDW know. Both the snail mail and email address can be found on the WDW website.

I had a good experience with some CM's in 2007 that basically saved that trip. So, after getting back home, I sent WDW an email letting them know about what happened and which CM's were involved. I did receive an email telling me 'thanks, we appreciate it', never hearing anything after that. Fast forward to 2008. Back again at CBR and a couple of CM's recognize me. I didn't bring up the subject, but a CM did. He thanked me for taking the time to write the email. It did make it's way to them and apparently did more for them than 'just' be put in their files.