Autographs - Goodies for the CMs

[flateacher]

On the Wonder this past March we gave our room steward a bag of assorted candy on the last day in addition to his tip. He was soooo thankful! I was actually shocked how happy he was to have the candy - we included extra tip with the tip "ticket". But it was the candy he raved about!

He said he was starving and asked if we minded if he ate some of the candy right then and there! He started chowing down! I was happy I had given him the candy since I wasn't sold on the idea.

I also gave candy to the CM's for the autographs - so this just reinforced it was a good call.

 

[twopeasonepod]

This could be a chance to bring a local specialty

We will bring some local(Japan) stuff that we have enjoyed for the CMs.

We always bring chocolate covered macadamia nuts, caramacs, and cans of just regular and honey mac nuts for the CMs at the Lab, etc. I think it's great to give stuff they can't easily get on their own.

Of course we always give servers/host/bar good ole extra cash.

 

[Sandya]

I was talking to our CM and he actually said that they go to Walmart on Port Canaveral and buy what they need... So I whish I had known this and buy some $5- $10 extra gift cards instead of candy since they get tons...... Maybe that is an option.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was talking to our CM and he actually said that they go to Walmart on Port Canaveral and buy what they need... So I whish I had known this and buy some $5- $10 extra gift cards instead of candy since they get tons...... Maybe that is an option.

But how many, and how large, gift cards would you get? You have no way of knowing how many CMs actually do the autographs on your item. It could work out to a pretty pricy autographed whatever.

 

[jilljill]

Non-tipped positions are not allowed to accept cash gifts - DCL and Disney policy. Any cash that is given to non-tipped positions is pooled together and used for group parties and such. While some think they are giving the CM a personal tip in reality they aren't. Those in non-tipped positions are also technically not allowed to accept any cash equivelant gifts such as gifts cards or calling cards - those also get pooled and are given out by the managers as gifts.
If you want to give something to non-tipped positions consider edible items in individual bags/wrappers.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I vote NO for cash!

$10 divided byy all the signers on my picture frame nets them almost 45 cool pennies each!!! OOOOOOOOOOH BOY!

Of course, it COULD net the first signer $10 and nothing fo rthe others, I guess

You're operating under the assumption that more that one person is doing the signing on each item. ;-)

 

[Plaid Princess]

Since DCL (well, all Disney properties) doesn't sell chewing gum, because of the messiness of it, I wouldn't do gum.

All the more reason to do the gum, it's harder for the CM's to get!

 

[mdurette]

Last month I was at BJs (a local club store) and saw the huge bags of M&Ms and I had a coupon. So I bought 2 thinking they would love that. I was right - they loved them - but I hated them since they weighed so darn much and took up a lot of room in the luggage. What the heck was I thinking!!!!

 

[mandelaura]

Hi! Cruising on DCL is new to us so I am a bit confused on this autograph thing. Are you saying that I can drop off a book, photo mat, etc at Guest Services and it will be returned with character signatures???

 

[jilljill]

Hi! Cruising on DCL is new to us so I am a bit confused on this autograph thing. Are you saying that I can drop off a book, photo mat, etc at Guest Services and it will be returned with character signatures???

Yes, you are allowed 2 items per cabin.

 

[mandelaura]

Wow! That is awesome, thanks! I'm assuming you leave the "tip" when you drop off the items?

 

[EvaSue]

Hi, former entertainment cast member here. Booze and gum sound awesome, haha... Unfortunately, hard alcohol is not allowed in crew cabins, only beer and wine. Non-candy snacks sound awesome, a lot of the entertainment staff are very conscientious about what they eat because gaining or losing weight is not really acceptable. A sincere, handwritten thank you card would be well received.

 

[Pixie Naseweis]

Good morning everyone,
It is nearly 11 am in good old Germany and there came in quite a few new answers during nighttime. Thanks to all of you.

To make it easier for all who are longing for some ideas I wrote a summary:

DOS
Fun-size candy bars
Chips
Candy assortment bags
M&Ms
Life savers/mints
Local specialities
Chocolate covered macadamia nuts
Caramacs
Nuts
Gum
Non-candy snacks (favorite of an insider)
Games/activity stuff
Girl Scout Cookies
Thank you card

DON’TS
Cash (due to regulations)
Calling cards
Gift cards
Heavy items
Mini alcohol bottles (due to regulations)

With all this input I think about buying some Haribo Goldbears. They won’t melt, they won’t break, they come in small bags, they are fatfree (okay, not sugarfree), they are a local speciality (Germany, home of the Goldbears). And I still stick with the gum. If I can think of some non-candy snacks, I will tell you.

Oh, EvaSue, thank you for the idea with the thank you card. Should be first on the list .

That's for newbies like mandelaura: Put your stuff in a zipper/zip lock bag, wrote your stateroom number on it, put pencils in different colors in the bag and add some goodies , drop off your stuff at Guest Service and wait. They will return the signed items - normally - to your stateroom at the end of the journey. Have fun!

 

[tinyteen19401]

Well I don't know what to give now..I really don't know how many signers there will be, so I suppose cash is out. I'm not a big fan of candy myself. Ugh. I hope I think of something before Thursday!

After reading everything, what about small bags of nuts? They won't take up much room and they can all share it.

 

[EvaSue]

Mints, too! Lifesavers actually makes an awesome mint. Also, cast members get bored, anything activity, game, or craft related would be a great way to say thank you, too! Nine months is a long time to be away from home!

 

[TDC Nala]

It sounds like it would be best to stick with food items. Wrapped, sealed candies, gum, mints or chips. Nothing homemade.

 

[Pixie Naseweis]

Just edited the summary (thanks to EvaSue and TDC Nala).

What do you think about Sudoku? It is very popular in Germany and it works without language.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just edited the summary (thanks to EvaSue and TDC Nala).

What do you think about Sudoku? It is very popular in Germany and it works without language.

We are a Sudoku loving family!

That said, getting puzzles is really easy, what with internet access, newspapers, books. Maybe not that spectacular a gift.

 

[Lori1960]

I would not give nuts cause you don't know if anyone would have an allgey to nuts

 

[chris31997]

Hi, former entertainment cast member here. Booze and gum sound awesome, haha... Unfortunately, hard alcohol is not allowed in crew cabins, only beer and wine. Non-candy snacks sound awesome, a lot of the entertainment staff are very conscientious about what they eat because gaining or losing weight is not really acceptable. A sincere, handwritten thank you card would be well received.

Thank you. That should be sooo obvious, sometimes the obvious just goes right on by We encourage the kids to say "thank you" and to show appreciation. We try to do that also. But did not think about it for the people signing the stuff

I will make sure to include that with our stuff.