Been reading so many horror stories about bad CMs

[Dis2times]

Can anyone offer some reassurance? I keep reading about rude CMs from front desk people to wait staff at restaurants. I have to say, I am EXTREMELY sensitive to tone of voice (I'm a southern gal and like Southern hospitality.)

Can someone please tell me that overall CMs are great? Or are we pretty much bound to run into rude CMs wherever we go? For me, part of the whole magic is the attitude of the CMs.

TIA

Lisa

 

[Dis2times]

BTW, last time we were there was 1995 (gasp) and I don't recall any neg experiences, but I was much younger at the time.

 

[gingermommy94]

We were there last year and the year before that..and we didn't NOT encounter one bad/rude CM. They were all very friendly and helpful.

My faith in Disney and their CM's is as strong as ever!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Remember that for every bad report, there are hundreds and hundreds of great ones! On a website, you really only heard the bad ones - people don't usually post just to tell good stories!

In all our time there, we've never had a bad CM. =)

 

[Kuzco]

I think experiences with rude CM's are rare, but sometimes you will have them.

But for the most part, everyone will be extremely friendly and what you would expect from a CM.

And I still believe, that on the whole, the number of people that post on these boards with bad experiences is far outnumbered by those that have good experiences! Bad experiences are rare and unexpected, so I also think that people are more apt to post the bad.

The only poor experience I've had with a CM is at Le Cellier. My friend asked for lemon in her water and a little sugar packet and the waitress said that it sounded like she was making lemonade and that she'd have to charge her. But I've been to WDW many many many times, and that is seriously the only poor experience I've had!

 

[G00fyDad]

from what I've heard, (here comes a grain of salt thing) Disney will usually terminate a rude CM after the second report. So you may be less likely to have one than you think. Plus, no offense to anyone here that has had a bad experience, ( I wasnt there when it occured) but some people bring out the worst in some. My sister is like that. She can make a nun cuss. I read one post somewhere by a Disney CM at a resort that said a guest came to the desk and immediately started going off on her without first explaining the situation. (I think I'd lose it on the guest too) Then the guest starts yelling for the CM's supervisor saying that they (the guest) did nothing wrong and caught attitude from the CM for no reason.

 

[golfgal]

Not that there are not some truely bad CM's out there, but I think that for the most part, the guests cause the problems more then the CM's and the CM's react to that because they are human. I think that if you go in expecting upgrades, exceptional service above and beyond the even above and beyond they offer, demand things, etc. you are going to run into a "bad" CM. If you are polite and accomodating to the fact that Disney is a busy place and not everyone is going to get everything they want, you will be fine.

A good example is the lemonade post from above-it does sound like she was trying to make lemonade-is lemonade that expensive that if she wanted lemonade she couldn't afford that? The CM probably shouldn't have said anything, but the guest shouldn't have tried to take advantage of Disney either.

 

[PratersloveDW]

One of the reasons that we love, so much, to go to Disney is because of the service that you recieve. Most all of the CM's are very polite and eager to help. You may run into a CM on your trip that isn't exactly in the 'Disney' spirit. Just try to not let it bother you and move on. Remember, they have to deal with a lot too. Not something you want to encounter or worry about on your vacation but just be sure to not take it personal and keep having fun!

Have a Disney Day!

 

[nowellsl]

I've been to Disney lots! I have never had a negative experience with a cast member. Other visitors - yes, cast members - no.

 

[LindaR]

The Disney Company has some of the highest standards in the industry! That being said, I will also say that times have gotten tougher and the amount of training a CM receives is not nearly what it used to be. We have gone fairly frequently and have noticed a decline in attitude. What does that mean to you? Probably nothing! Like I said, they still have high standards and you may not even notice a "difference".

I would not worry. Don't "expect" something bad to happen or you may project that attitude and get it back!

On the very slight chance that someone offends you......speak up THEN. Don't wait til you come home from your vacation. Not much can be done to correct it later.

Have fun!

 

[Tabetha]

A good example is the lemonade post from above-it does sound like she was trying to make lemonade-is lemonade that expensive that if she wanted lemonade she couldn't afford that? The CM probably shouldn't have said anything, but the guest shouldn't have tried to take advantage of Disney either.

And from another perspective - I would have thought that the guest was just trying to cover up the icky Florida water taste!

I agree that you'll hear a lot more complaints than reports of the status quo of good CMs. Just follow the golden rule, and you should be fine!

 

[estnh]

As frequent Disney visitors for the past ten years, one of the main attractions for us is the wonderful attitude and spirit of the CMs.

I do think Disney standards (and probably the way they treat their employees)have slipped in recent years, but the huge majority of the CMs that we have encountered are simply wonderful--I believe that the spirit of the place somehow transposes most of them into very special people. For every bad experience we've had with a CM, we've had hundreds of good ones.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Thankfully I've never encountered a 'GRUMPY' CM; I've always been lucky to have awesome CM working with me, face to face or over the telephone....and as it was said earlier in the thread, there are thousands of good CM stories out there, don't focus on the negative ones.....

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I can't say I have ever run into a rude CM. Some may be more helpful then others, but can't say any were rude. The other side to rude CM's is the additude of alot of the quests. It amazes me how some people act. The "me" society seems to be growing in leaps and bounds.

 

[zagafi]

Eh, some people just look at everything as 'half-empty' and have a hard time finding the good in any situation, IMO.

 

[experiment626mom]

We were just there on New Years weekend, and the CM's were great. In all of the trips we have done, I have never run into a rude CM. It didn't matter how crowded things were and how many of us asked the same stupid question we've all ways gotten a pleasant answer and if time, a chat.

Ya' know CM's are human and if you come at them rudely and demanding, sooner or later they will react. Just use your southern charm and I'm sure you will have wonderful experiences with every CM you come in contact with.

 

[Miffy2003]

We got back from two weeks onsite, a week on the coast and another three days onsite. We didn't experience one rude CM. Almost all of them were extremely friendly, pleasant, polite and made us feel special. There was the odd one who was less "magical" than the others but noone was rude.

Mind you we are from the UK and we aren't used to such superb service over here, LOL.

 

[Jennie in TO]

Was there for 7 days last January and didn't meet one nasty CM. All were wonderful. Just booked another few days for this February and even the ressie agent was great.

 

[NMAmy]

We were there for two weeks over Christmas and didn't encounter any rude CM's. Rude guests, yes--CM's no.

Since most people post bad experiences--let me post some good ones.

We had two fantastic captains on the Friendship Boats who led Christmas sing-alongs and let kids sing into the microphones. We were on their boat twice and had a blast.

We had a great CM who entertained us when the Rock-n-Rollercoaster broke down by asking us the trivia question, " What Disney film is both animated and live-action 100% of the time?" No one guessed correctly by the time the line started moving--when people were asking him for the correct answer he replied, "Me? I don't work here, how would I know?" He made the time pass very quickly.

I was trying to get into the Living Seas to see Turtle Talk with Crush and the line to get in to the pavilion was enormous. A cm overheard me say that all I wanted to do was see Crush. He laughed and took us in the back way so we could get in the line for Crush without going through the Living Seas.

And every server at Whispering Canyon was a hoot!

So, don't worry. And if you run into someone with an attitude, ignore it and enjoy the many cm's who are so wonderful!

 

[riu girl]

In my opinion based on our only WDW family trip, the CM's are what make disney what it is. I couldn't believe the friendliness and willingness to go the extra mile. THEY are the reason we are already planning our next WDW vacation.

A couple (of many) Examples:
I was sung "happy birthday" by numerous cm's (I was wearing a WDW birthday button)

Where else in the world does a bus driver start a WDW song sing-along?

etc etc

Suzy V.