Anyone notice a dramatic difference between DL and WDW employees?

[Dionnemay]

So as I mentioned in my Disneyland for under $2000 thread, I’m taking my parents to DL in October (9-12) which will be their first trip back in just over 20 years.

I’m a little worried because today during a visit to my favorite and most reliable review site, “Trip Adviser”, I was reminded of a problem that I myself have experienced a few time at Disneyland…RUDE Cast Members.

There were of course way more good reviews of DL but of the few hundred bad reviews- the ones in which people said they would NEVER go back and recommended travelers to go instead to WDW, where the service and experience was much better, ALL of them mentioned the same issue with the Disneyland employees- that they were rude, terse, unhappy, unprofessional or lackluster.

I thought it was just ME that felt this way- that the WDW Cast Members seem much more pleasant, helpful and generally enthusiastic about their job and eager to make guests happy?

A few times at DL I have run into rude Cast Members, characters that cold shoulder my kids or make rude gestures, employees that scold and yell at people- once a grumpy looking older man operating the grizzly water ride in CA made my 7 year old daughter tear up. We were standing in the very long line and after running around all day in 90
degree heat of course her little legs were tired and she leaned against the chain rope that formed the line and he yelled at her “Hey don’t be leaning on there, this isn’t your house”.
I had my back to her and turned around to see who he was talking to and saw my little girl looking so embarrassed and like she wanted to cry (he said it loud enough for other people to hear and turn around and look at her). I was super angry and the only reason I didn’t cuss him out right there was it was Disneyland and there were kids around and I didn’t want to embarrass my daughter further. She remembers that to this day and she’s 18 now. Not the kind of “Memories” she should have of “The Happiest place on Earth”.
What he should have done was tap me on the shoulder and quietly let me know she was leaning on it and ask me to get her off so she wouldn’t get hurt OR he should have said to her in a friendly voice, “Hey, sweetheart can you not lean on that, you could fall and we don’t want you to get hurt…”.


While I’ve had experiences like this at DL, I’ve NEVER had a problem with Cast Members at WDW.




With so many negative DL reviews citing the SAME exact thing, I’m worried that my dads first –and perhaps last- trip back to DL is going to be ruined by nasty employees.

It will be the LAST thing he expects since he last went 20 years ago and the employees were much different. Ill be so angry if one ruins it for him.

Has anyone been to DL recently to be able to tell me if its gotten any better or worse? I really hope management has cracked down on this problem but if not, and I DO run into another nasty Cast Member, what course of action do we have as guests- or do we have to just suck it up?

Also, Has anyone else noticed the difference between employees at the two parks, and WHY do you think that is?

PS...

I don’t have this experience with ALL or even MOST DL CM’s – most of them are very friendly- but it only takes ONE to completely ruin the experience.

 

[Laz]

In the times I have visited WDW and DLR, I have never experienced anything but polite, helpful cast members. At times I have seen cast members become more direct (for lack of a better word) at guests who do not listen to directions. Best occasion at for observing this directness is when DL cast members are directing traffic during Fantasmic.

 

[elaw]

I've experienced great and grumpy at both parks .... I can't honestly say one is better than the other.

 

[mt mommy]

I have experienced the MAGIC of cast members at both parks. Some characters at DLR seemed to get into character more. My theory is, maybe wannabe actors/actresses are more prevalent at DLR??

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I haven't encountered any really grumpy cast members at any parks. But at DL I have seen a lot more cast members just stand around and talk to their friends. Example: I was waiting to order at Taste Pilots Grill and the group of girls in front of me were just chatting to the girl taking the orders about their plans for the next day, in the end they didn't even order anything. So that was irritating. I've seen other examples too.

 

[Dionnemay]

I have experienced the MAGIC of cast members at both parks. Some characters at DLR seemed to get into character more. My theory is, maybe wannabe actors/actresses are more prevalent at DLR??

Lol, maybe. But they are probably the ones MOST "into" their character. I have by no means experienced rude CMs on EVERY DL trip but the times I have really stick out (I mean, Disney is supposed to have some of the best employees) and Ive ONLY experienced it at DL.

My theory on the grumpiness is either they are beleaguered from dealing with so many entitled, demanding and condescending Celebrities (with LA being so close), or the irritable guests snapping at them due to crowded parks (DL does seems to over pack the parks to beyond capacity), or the process of being hired at WDW is much more detailed than WDW. I know friends who waited weeks and through several interviews to get hired at WDW plus WDW pulls in people from around the world- while DL seems to hire them mainly from the surrounding area.

Maybe since WDW employees have to go through so much to get their jobs, they appreciate it a little more?

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I haven't run into many grumpy cast members in either park, but for some reason, we always get unhelpful cast members at the hotels at WDW. Never had that problem at DLR.

I think even cast members are people. Sometimes the magic gets a little thin and it's hard to remember that you work at the Happiest Place on Earth. It sucks that one guy tarnished your daughter's memory of DLR, but hopefully she has lots of great ones to make up the difference.

 

[valiamo]

I have always found cast members to be a delightful bunch both on the East coast and on the West coast. I have never seen "nasty" cast members on either side of the country. It is amazing what a smile and a "hello "CM name" can you help me" will do.

I have seen a lot of very nasty guests that would cause me to boil over, but they were always handled with respect and calmly.

At times I am appalled at some of the guests "sense of entitlement" and the "Guest is always right" attitudes. They don't care if they are wrong, they just want it before and better than everyone else. In 98% of the cases, it was the guest that was in the wrong, and they are embarassed that they got caught.

If you are heading to DL (or anywhere for than matter) expecting a confrontation then you will probaly get one. Not everything will go right with your visit, and it is how you handle the ups and downs of the visit that makes or breaks the visit.

I am sure that your Father will have a great time, and will enjoy the time spent with you and the family.

 

[jemmi]

We were just at Disneyland for the first time this past May. We found all the cast members to be very friendly. My husband and I both commented on how all the workers we had interaction with were very friendly and took time to talk to us and help if they could. Everyone has a bad day but we didn't run into any rude cast members.

 

[Dionnemay]

I have always found cast members to be a delightful bunch both on the East coast and on the West coast. I have never seen "nasty" cast members on either side of the country. It is amazing what a smile and a "hello "CM name" can you help me" will do.

I have seen a lot of very nasty guests that would cause me to boil over, but they were always handled with respect and calmly.

At times I am appalled at some of the guests "sense of entitlement" and the "Guest is always right" attitudes. They don't care if they are wrong, they just want it before and better than everyone else. In 98% of the cases, it was the guest that was in the wrong, and they are embarassed that they got caught.

If you are heading to DL (or anywhere for than matter) expecting a confrontation then you will probaly get one. Not everything will go right with your visit, and it is how you handle the ups and downs of the visit that makes or breaks the visit.

I am sure that your Father will have a great time, and will enjoy the time spent with you and the family.

Thanks for the well wishes and Im sure your right , he'll love every minute and just being there with his grandkids no matter what-hes a fun guy.
I would be bothered more probably. I never go expecting grumpy CMs - its Disney so that's why its such a shock and disappointing buzz-kill when you run into one.

I do understand there are rude guests that make it difficult...I have seen them and I could never work at Disney because I know I'd lose my cool. But you'd think people know what they're signing up for when they apply and what the expectations are of them . If you know you're a short tempered person or don't handle irritating people very well, DL and DW are the LAST places you should apply to lol.

I'm probably just being over paranoid, wanting my dad to have the best trip. I should have never read those reviews, lol, I wasn't even thinking about any of this until I did.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Remember, most people are more ready to complain than they are to give a compliment. For every bad review you read, there are probably many more compliments that didn't get posted. We've had great, good, so so, and poor CM interaction. As a guest, you do have the option to leave feedback at City Hall (DL) or the Chamber of Commerce (DCA), which we do fairly often. We make sure to note poor behavior and how we think it could be improved and we also make sure to compliment CMs who really make the magic happen. Generally speaking, we've found that our attitudes go a long way toward making sure that our experience with CMs is positive. Given what you've shared about your dad, I'm sure he'll be the first one to give any CM a big smile and an encouraging remark. They're going to love him!

 

[nolenbelledavis]

My only kind of negative about a CM was that we went on a Discover the Magic Tour and one of the tour guides was texting on her cell phone several times during it. I thought that was unprofessional. She also yelled at people in the boat in front of us on Pirates to stop taking flash pictures. They did it again any way, and I thought it was more rude of them than her.

We had a CM give us Good Citizen pins at DL last year. My DD is so proud of that pin. She has taken to WDW and DL since then. I think we got it because we were friendly with the CM after she told us we couldn't take our ice cream on the Winnie the Pooh ride. I think she also gave us a fast pass for 6 people for any ride too.

So much about the experience that people have is what they make of it. And we live in OK, so between each park, but we really prefer DL.

 

[losfp]

Re: the bad reviews and bad experiences, it just shows that CMs are human too, and sometimes you will get someone on a bad day.

On our trip a couple of years ago , we spent a week at DLR and without exception, every one of the CMs we encountered were lovely and attentive, most giving our then 4 year old daughter extra attention. She loved being called "princess" if she was wearing a princess dress. Maybe it was because it was a quieter time of the year (just before Halloween), maybe it was the Australian accents prompting curiosity.

On the trip we are planning for next year, I am looking to do about 10 park days in WDW, about 7 park days in DLR, 7 nights on the Disney Fantasy and 5 nights at Aulani. If we end up with only a couple of bad apples in that bunch of days, I will consider us very lucky. Things happen when you're on holidays, and you can either roll with it, or let it ruin your whole trip. I hope we can do the former if we're in that position.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I've experienced great and grumpy at both parks .... I can't honestly say one is better than the other.

I agree. They're just different on each coast. Locals in California who go all the time don't want/need to be doted on by aggressively eager CMs, so the CMs don't dote. Once-in-a-lifetime WDW guests are more receptive to aggressively eager CMs, so the CMs in WDW act much more effusively than they do in Anaheim. It's only natural.

I will say, though, I that I encountered way more surly or sucky CMs during 5 days at WDW last year than during my past three multi-day trips to DLR.

(Well...except for the two CMs who almost ran Ryan over with the Frontierland glowstick cart after F! on our last trip there. But I reported them to City Hall.)

 

[valiamo]

Thanks for the well wishes and Im sure your right , he'll love every minute and just being there with his grandkids no matter what-hes a fun guy.

I'm probably just being over paranoid, wanting my dad to have the best trip.

Just remember that it is ALL about Dad and him being with family, nothing else should matter.

Enjoy the time you have with him, and cherish the moments you have in Disney.

Take LOTS of photo's and post some of them here for us to see the great time, you will have!

We will wave to you out of the Airplane as we head home, with sad pouting faces (that leaving Disney look).

 

[Dionnemay]

Just remember that it is ALL about Dad and him being with family, nothing else should matter.

Enjoy the time you have with him, and cherish the moments you have in Disney.

Take LOTS of photo's and post some of them here for us to see the great time, you will have!

We will wave to you out of the Airplane as we head home, with sad pouting faces (that leaving Disney look).

Lol! I will definitely take a ton of pics- I'll put some here too. Hopefully everything will go great my moms favorite treat was/is the Dole whip so if she gets one of those after 20 years, that will make the whole trip for her.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i completely agree.
i went to DL for the first time in june 2013 and i was highly disappointed with the cast members.
in fact they were not cast members to me they were just employees.

they acted like they hated their job and wanted you to know it.

when they were on break they just wandered around the park with each other complaining about their job and gossiping about other employees.
that may be fine when you are a walmart employee but not when you work for the mouse!

i had several interactions with unhelpful or just plain rude employees during my visit.

the reason i went was cuz my sister is a teacher and chaperoned the FBLA students from her school to the nationals which were held at the Anaheim convention center so it gave me the perfect excuse to go.
i do plan on going back when the nationals are held there again in 2017 but i won't go out of my way to go there.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

My only kind of negative about a CM was that we went on a Discover the Magic Tour and one of the tour guides was texting on her cell phone several times during it. I thought that was unprofessional. She also yelled at people in the boat in front of us on Pirates to stop taking flash pictures. They did it again any way, and I thought it was more rude of them than her...

The tour guide could well have been texting another CM at the next ride stop for your group. They do this to let the other CM know how many are in the group, whether there are any special needs, and when the group will arrive. It is doubtful that the guide was texting friends or just chatting. We've asked our tour guides about special needs (e.g. flash photography on dark rides triggers migraines for me), and they all have texted ahead to the next ride to alert other CMs (like the ones who announce over the PA, "No flash photos!"). Good for your tour guide for being vigilant (although I agree she probably could have been more professional in her attempt). She might have been trying to protect someone in your tour group and yelling was all she could think of at the moment.

 

[Dionnemay]

i completely agree.
i went to DL for the first time in june 2013 and i was highly disappointed with the cast members.
in fact they were not cast members to me they were just employees.

they acted like they hated their job and wanted you to know it.

when they were on break they just wandered around the park with each other complaining about their job and gossiping about other employees.
that may be fine when you are a walmart employee but not when you work for the mouse!

i had several interactions with unhelpful or just plain rude employees during my visit.

the reason i went was cuz my sister is a teacher and chaperoned the FBLA students from her school to the nationals which were held at the Anaheim convention center so it gave me the perfect excuse to go.
i do plan on going back when the nationals are held there again in 2017 but i won't go out of my way to go there.

I knew I wasn't crazy! lol! Well, as a kid when I went, I never had any issues- at least that I can remember- at either park, I LOVED every minute and wanted to live there like most kids haha!

As an adult now, I've taken my kids to Dl 5 times- 3 or the 5 times I experienced the type of cast members you described- not many- maybe just two and only one encounter was enough to ruin the trip, the other two really just king of shocked me (It supposed to be the Happiest place on Earth) - mainly because there was no reason for their "tude"--it wasn't like any guest was giving them a hard time or anything, they were just ...well, mean for no reason and it disappointed me, but not enough to mess up the vibe of the trip.

Like I said though, only ONE encounter was bad enough where I thought the guy needed to be fired- he behaved more like a "Carnie" in one of those cheap traveling carnivals than a Disney Cast Member.

I love Disney- if I cant afford or spare the time for WDW, I go to DL to get my fix but I definitely prefer WDW. Maybe because its so much bigger but the atmosphere there just seems way more magical and intense . My kids are psyched to go to either but even they like WDW more because its bigger and has the water parks...plus they get to stay longer and take a plane to get there lol.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. Ive never heard the cast members gossiping while they walk around but then, I dont pay attention to peoples conversations while I'm there

Nothing has happened so bad that I would NEVER go back, as some people said in the few negative reviews on Trip Adviser.

It would take a LOT to keep me away from Disney permanently.

 

[Laz]

i completely agree.
i went to DL for the first time in june 2013 and i was highly disappointed with the cast members.
in fact they were not cast members to me they were just employees.

they acted like they hated their job and wanted you to know it.

when they were on break they just wandered around the park with each other complaining about their job and gossiping about other employees.
that may be fine when you are a walmart employee but not when you work for the mouse!

i had several interactions with unhelpful or just plain rude employees during my visit.

the reason i went was cuz my sister is a teacher and chaperoned the FBLA students from her school to the nationals which were held at the Anaheim convention center so it gave me the perfect excuse to go.
i do plan on going back when the nationals are held there again in 2017 but i won't go out of my way to go there.

Interesting. I am an FBLA advisor who also attended nationals and DLR with my members. We encountered nothing but friendly and helpful cast members. I guess it was just the timing of our visits.