Are Resort CMs Getting Lazy? I felt like I was a freaking ghost for half of my trip!

[MOpGrad2013]

Our trip in 2010 to CSR gave us a good mix of folks. but overall, the CM were helpful and friendly. Those who didn't make a notice of us, were on a mission. Followed one and saw that there was a hurt guest in the lobby...that's why he didn't smile on his way past us at the CS.

Some bus drivers just loaded the buses, but when we were on the wrong bus, the driver called dispatch and dropped us at our resort stop (not the main one..the one at our room) and then proceeded to take the rest of the folks on to AKL.

It has been well stated by PP that we are more rude and more demanding now that prices have gone up on all our lives. And those of us who perhaps aren't ever in those shoes, maybe we can stop and smile at other guests in the place of a CM.

OP I thank you for bringing this view of your experience to the boards so we have the opportunity to think about and discuss it. I also hope, as others have said, you have a better trip in the future and that this doesn't spoil your memories. Of course, making a game out of it, says that you are a good sport about gray clouds.

 

[dfarner]

An unfortunately common state of the world right now. Rather than be grateful for the abundance we have been blessed with, we demand even more. We have lost our awareness that our words / actions have impact on others. Causes me to check my own behavior and express my gratefulness to CMs. I really do appreciate their work.

I completely agree! I find it really sad that many times these castmembers are young people, working through college or for the summer, and grown adults are being unkind to them. Or older folks, who are retired and just keeping busy or working part time for a little extra. We spoke with a retired man from Indiana who owns a second home down here. He was working the night parade in the MK. He's been coming down for a decade and working at the parks, and I couldn't believe how hard he was working to keep kids from climbing light posts and sitting on top of trash cans during the parade. With parents sitting right there and doing absolutely nothing!

Sorry to be off topic. I'll get off my soap box now!

 

[saskdw]

Welcome to the Entitlement Generation!!

 

[Sammie]

We have been going for many, many years and have stayed at both of the resorts you mentioned recently.

We only had very friendly cast members. But one not speaking to me, would never make an impression on me at all.

However there are times I speak first, which if this bothered you, I am surprised you did not speak a greeting to them.

Depending on how picky I want to be

.....

I am sorry, but yes it sounds picky to me.

 

[momofkids]

We were just there in November. The Cast Members all acknowledged us at least when we smiled or nodded at them. The CMs are always so great that I would notice if we were "snubbed". My husband likes to go to Disney primarily because of the niceness of Disney employees. I don't think the OP was saying it ruined the vacation. OP just said that it was noticeable and bothering him/her since the return home. I really find it hard to believe that many of you wouldn't notice that you smiled or greeted someone, and they ignored you. I would be a little disappointed in the situation too. Customer service is what we love about Disney resorts.

 

[Janny]

I wish there was more "slack" given to the original poster on these boards.
It was an observation being thought out through writing to get some feedback and closure at the same time. The continued coarseness of sociey has given people the right to respond in such a snarky way if that person didn't experience that same treatment. Chill out. Everyone has an opinion, and if that OPINION is expressed, it shouldn't be belittled. I'll give an example of snarky....."Anyone who has been going to Disney for more than the past seven years would have to have their head in the clouds if they did not see a decline in the overall treatment of guests by CM's." See? My reference to "head in the clouds" was not necessary....the other part was just MY observation and I did not need to add that insult to make my point.
Our last trip was filled with many examples of CM mediocrity which we had never experienced prior to this trip.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wish there was more "slack" given to the original poster on these boards.
It was an observation being thought out through writing to get some feedback and closure at the same time.

The thing is, the OP did not just make an observation. They asked a question, which shows in the title of the thread. If you ask people if they agree or disagree with you, then you are going to have people from both sides of the discussion post.

In my opinion, not saying hello to someone who didn't say hello first is not being lazy. And to spend part of your vacation counting the times that people didn't greet you sounds like a waste of precious vacation time. If you go around seeking flaws, you are bound to find them.

 

[declansdad]

I wish there was more "slack" given to the original poster on these boards.
It was an observation being thought out through writing to get some feedback and closure at the same time. The continued coarseness of sociey has given people the right to respond in such a snarky way if that person didn't experience that same treatment. Chill out. Everyone has an opinion, and if that OPINION is expressed, it shouldn't be belittled. I'll give an example of snarky....."Anyone who has been going to Disney for more than the past seven years would have to have their head in the clouds if they did not see a decline in the overall treatment of guests by CM's." See? My reference to "head in the clouds" was not necessary....the other part was just MY observation and I did not need to add that insult to make my point.
Our last trip was filled with many examples of CM mediocrity which we had never experienced prior to this trip.

I have been to WDW in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013. I haven't noticed CM mediocrity at all. Maybe it's because I'm not looking for it and constantly evaluating the CMs. With the number of people working there, I'm sure you could find some that are not as good but why let that be the focus of your vacation?

As to the OP, she asked a question and people have been answering it.

 

[gogo]

A few more comments regarding this thread:

When someone posts a question or relates their experience, it's fine to disagree with them. Example: OP noticed less than friendly CM's, the posters that had the opposite experience posted their opposite experience indicating that they encountered only friendly cm's. But, the rudeness is saying this is the strangest comment I've ever read on the dis. Or, if you want to spend your vacation time counting how many cm's don't say Hi is a waste of time, etc.

And, what does rude guests treating the cm's poorly have to do with the OP? Just because there are rude, ignorant people who travel to Disney doesn't have anything to do with the OP. Example: If I go to a restaurant and my server had a bad day dealing with rude people, I certainly should not be treated poorly or ignored by the server. Time to find another job if you treat everyone poorly because the rude guests get to you.

I reiterate, my personal experience with cm's has been fine or I'm sure I wouldn't keep returning but someone else certainly can have a different experience.

 

[Tiggr924]

We definitely didn't have this issue at all on our recent trip (just got back a few days ago), though honestly I doubt it would have been something we would pay close attention to. The only slight mishap we had was a housekeeping woman sighing and rolling her eyes when we asked for 15 minutes in order to get out of the room. While we were initially surprised by this, we chalked it up to it being the end of the day (4:30ish) and her being tired. When she came back, she was super nice. We didn't let it disrupt our day in the least.

 

[penel3]

It seems a bit unusual but while I find it curious I wouldn't have let it bother me. CMs acknowledging me doesn't make or break my vacations.

CM acknowledgement DOES make or break my vacation! If I receive poor acknowledgement from a CM at any hotel, it upsets me greatly. I feel "unwelcome" and not valued as a customer. I rate a hotel based on the respect of ALL staff.....whether I am at a Comfort Inn or a Disney Resort. 90% of our hotel stays are upscale, with high end rooms, always club level if available/offered. We do stay at Hampton Inns, Comfort Inns when that is really all that is available in the area, and the customer service matters to us. I will overlook many issues, IF I am acknowledged by staff with a simple "hello, good morning or smile" when passed in the hall, or entering/leaving the lobby. I think THAT says a lot about the overall happiness/morale of the organization. So I completely agree with the OP.

too many WDW trips to mention, 2007 Wonder Concierge, January 2013 Wonder Concierge, WDW AKL Concierge Nov 2013, March 2014 Walter E. Disney Suite (finally!!!!)

 

[maxiesmom]

If you look at the OP's trip, it comes out to just over 2 CMs a day didn't great them in the manner they would like. Two a day out of how many they must encounter on any given day? Twenty? Forty? That is a pretty low number not greeting the OP in the manner they expect. And while they may find it complaint worthy and taking note of, many of us don't.

Any time you fixate on the negative, then you will find it, and it will take over your vacation. Kind of sad that the OP had so many good CMs during their trip, and yet chose instead to focus on those they felt slighted them somehow by not saying Hi.

 

[Missytara]

If you look at the OP's trip, it comes out to just over 2 CMs a day didn't great them in the manner they would like. Two a day out of how many they must encounter on any given day? Twenty? Forty? That is a pretty low number not greeting the OP in the manner they expect. And while they may find it complaint worthy and taking note of, many of us don't.

Any time you fixate on the negative, then you will find it, and it will take over your vacation. Kind of sad that the OP had so many good CMs during their trip, and yet chose instead to focus on those they felt slighted them somehow by not saying Hi.

I was hoping the thread would finally go away, but I felt compelled to post after your response. I have a friend who will have a fantastic trip, but it will be all about the negative.

We have concluded it is her way of getting attention; she does not know any other way of getting it.....sadly.

 

[darkwing818]

I kind of read between the lines and I didn't take it that the OP was disheartened by CM's not saying Hi. It sounded like it was being ignored or acknowledged when there were just the two of them in a hallway, etc. When something repeatedly occurs, I think a person does take notice.

I don't think the post was strange at all. It was something the OP experienced and wanted to comment on it. Let's not make people afraid to post comments or experiences.

Sorry to disagree with you, but I agree with the other PPs, who seem to think the OP's post was a a bit off the charts. As others mentioned, I also wondered why the OP never seemed to acknowledge any of the CMs first. Just how I see it.

 

[gogo]

Sorry to disagree with you, but I agree with the other PPs, who seem to think the OP's post was a a bit off the charts. As others mentioned, I also wondered why the OP never seemed to acknowledge any of the CMs first. Just how I see it.

Actually, I think the OP did say she smiled at all of them when there was an encounter. What's wrong with expecting hotel employees to acknowledge their guests? I don't think that is being demanding or unrealistic.
As previously stated by another poster, the way hotel employees treat their guests has a lot to do with return visitors. If others don't care about a smile or acknowledgement that's fine too.

I can respect others opinions without saying they are strange or off the charts just because it does not reflect how I may personally feel. And, you don't have to be sorry because you disagree with my post. That's ok

 

[dfarner]

A few more comments regarding this thread:


And, what does rude guests treating the cm's poorly have to do with the OP? Just because there are rude, ignorant people who travel to Disney doesn't have anything to do with the OP. Example: If I go to a restaurant and my server had a bad day dealing with rude people, I certainly should not be treated poorly or ignored by the server. Time to find another job if you treat everyone poorly because the rude guests get to you.

I stated my observations of rude guests because we are all human, and whether you feel it shouldn't weigh on the castmembers, my opinion is that it does. Yes, if you go out to dine and your server was treated poorly before you they should still treat you kindly and do their job, I agree. Perhaps I should have been more black and white in stating that perhaps the few castmembers that didn't acknowledge the OP were having bad days themselves because others had been unkind to them.

 

[darkwing818]

And, you don't have to be sorry because you disagree with my post. That's ok

Sorry you don't think I needed to say "sorry that I disagreed with you" I just trying to be polite.

But I still think the original post was a bit off the charts. But I guess we agree to disagree.

 

[gogo]

I stated my observations of rude guests because we are all human, and whether you feel it shouldn't weigh on the castmembers, my opinion is that it does. Yes, if you go out to dine and your server was treated poorly before you they should still treat you kindly and do their job, I agree. Perhaps I should have been more black and white in stating that perhaps the few castmembers that didn't acknowledge the OP were having bad days themselves because others had been unkind to them.

Again, if the cm's that the OP came in contact with were still peeved about a previous rude guest, they should probably look for employment that doesn't come in contact with so many people in a day. But, thanks for clarifying.

 

[emilyindisney]

It seems a bit unusual but while I find it curious I wouldn't have let it bother me. CMs acknowledging me doesn't make or break my vacations.

I'm sure they are told to always smile & speak but honestly come on they are surrounded by thousands of guests a day I think they should be given some slack.. They are human first disney employee second..

Now if a CM is just out & out rude to you like ignoring you when he sees you asking or waiting for help or not very pleasant when you are helped is a completely different story.

I once read a TR where someone complained that they stayed CL and the CMs there didn't call them by name each time they entered the lounge??? I know WDW is expensive & Disney customer service & hospitality is world renown but come on aren't we expecting a bit much for our money?

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & CR Sept 8-15, 2013

Couldn't agree more!

 

[mirage0306]

We are here now...been here for 10 days and leaving tomorrow. We stayed one night at POR and the remainder at BC, club level. I have noticed most all of the castmembers we have encountered-at the resorts, parks, or restaurants-to be friendly and helpful.
I have also noticed a ridiculous amount of unsupervised, loud, badly behaved children everywhere. I have noticed guests YELLING at lifeguards at the pool. I have noticed a woman belittling a club castmember for not having sugar-free cookies at her disposal at 10:00pm. In short, I have noticed an abundance of rude, snarky guests with an extreme sense of entitlement and no sense of ownership for their own vacation enjoyment.
These castmembers come from all over the world, and deal with people from all over the world. I think they do their best to help each guest have a magical vacation.
So sorry your experience wasn't what you had hoped for. Maybe your next trip will be better

Sounds about right (unfortunately) to me. In fact, I just read your post to my husband. He said, 'I like that person!"