Cast Member Thank you

[Olivia'sMom]

I know I have seen this somewhere but I can't find it. We want to do something special for cast members who go out of their way for us. Can anyone give me ideas or tell me what you have done in the past?

TIA

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Write down their name and the location and visit guest relations and tell them about how amazing they were.
The best is if you send in an email or write a letter about how amazing -insert name here at this location- is and we get that message printed onto a cute paper that we get to keep forever. It really is amazing when a guest takes the time out of their day to write a message!

ps: we can't accept money or really gifts.. i had a guest try to give me some pie she was tired of carrying around that she got at some place

 

[minnie mum]

Yep. I think the best thing you can do for any CM (besides being very friendly and thanking them in person) is to go to Guest Relations if you are inside a park and fill out one of the forms that they have just for these situations. We have done that numerous times.

I have heard that if you do this by emailing it's even better- as a PP mentioned. We've done this a couple of times for really amazing CMs at our resorts.

JMO, but I think most CMs would really rather have an 'atta boy' certificate (and official recognition by their fellow CMs and their supervisors) than trinkets or other items.

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

We emailed Disney after we got home when a CM went out of his way to spread some pixie dust on DD.

I received a canned response to my email BUT then got a phone call about a week later from a rep at Disney thanking me for taking the time to send in positive feedback & letting me know that my email had been fwd through their management channels & that the CM would be getting recognition for his service.

It made me feel really good to give back to someone who'd been so nice to us!

 

[stargazertechie]

I always suggest taking note of the CM's name, possibly where they are from, the date/time, and where they are working, and then emailing guest relations (wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com) when you return home.

From past discussions on this board, Disney gives more "weight" to praise that is sent after a guest returns home vs. praise that is given at Guest Relations in the park. I'm assuming the logic is that if someone takes the time to remember a CM AND send in an email after the vacation, those CMs clearly made an impression on the guest that goes above and beyond the normal Disney Difference.

I send a praise email after every trip highlighting 2 or 3 CMs that went above and beyond the call of duty.

 

[WillAustin]

We emailed Disney after we got home when a CM went out of his way to spread some pixie dust on DD.

I received a canned response to my email BUT then got a phone call about a week later from a rep at Disney thanking me for taking the time to send in positive feedback & letting me know that my email had been fwd through their management channels & that the CM would be getting recognition for his service.

It made me feel really good to give back to someone who'd been so nice to us!

I received a call like that after our last trip. I had sent an email praising a particularly great CM.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

Emails to guest communications are the best, highest form of praise, but may take a while to get to the right place.

Stopping by Guest Relations is a more immediate form of recognition. The card you can fill out there still goes to a manager and gets noted on a CM's record card.

These are the "official" ways to thank a CM, if they did a great job and you want to make sure they get recognized for it. But there are still small things you can do or hand out on a larger scale that aren't as big of a deal.

I've gotten a few small items and I still treasure all of them, even if it isn't something that goes on my record. Some examples are small cards saying I made a day magical for the so-and-so family (my fav was Jungle Book themed and read, "Thanks for going way beyond the bare necessities!" and had the family's info on the back), a single serving of instant coffee on the 24 hour day, a small Canadian flag pin (from a family on Canada Day), and a grape soda pin ("The Ellie Badge -- The highest honor we can bestow!").

Again, these are not things that are officially "recognized" by leaders or go on my record, but I've kept every single one and they're still tons of fun.

 

[bocaj1431]

Emails to guest communications are the best, highest form of praise, but may take a while to get to the right place.

Stopping by Guest Relations is a more immediate form of recognition. The card you can fill out there still goes to a manager and gets noted on a CM's record card.

These are the "official" ways to thank a CM, if they did a great job and you want to make sure they get recognized for it. But there are still small things you can do or hand out on a larger scale that aren't as big of a deal.

I've gotten a few small items and I still treasure all of them, even if it isn't something that goes on my record. Some examples are small cards saying I made a day magical for the so-and-so family (my fav was Jungle Book themed and read, "Thanks for going way beyond the bare necessities!" and had the family's info on the back), a single serving of instant coffee on the 24 hour day, a small Canadian flag pin (from a family on Canada Day), and a grape soda pin ("The Ellie Badge -- The highest honor we can bestow!").

Again, these are not things that are officially "recognized" by leaders or go on my record, but I've kept every single one and they're still tons of fun.

Last year on our first trip to DW, I was blown away by how friendly the CM's were. There were some that were so special we went to the managers of the DW hotels and Guest relations in the parks to find out what we could do to thank them for making our trip so magical. We were given the same information listed in the above post. But we were also told when they go into a file, it also will help the CM to move up through the company when management sees these type of comments.

I was told that by going to Guest services and filling out the information with the GS Rep it would be the best way to ensure the comments make it to the CM's file.

These people work so hard, in what I can only imagine are uncomfortable costumes, in extreme heat, with people who often have no manners and can be extremely rude. Yet somehow they manage to keep a smile on there faces and provide a magical experience. They definitely should be acknowledged for all they do!!!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . we can't accept money or really gifts . . .

1) Non-tipped positions can't accept cash.
2) However, we ARE allowed to accept gifts.
3) Anything up to a retail value of $75 is permissible. *

* We just have to inform management.

NOTE: Some guests do let managers know of good service. That
is nice, and a lift to our ego. But, it does NOTHING for our pay
or advancement. If you are trying for a position where you must
interview, *sometimes* these remarks can help. Otherwise,
these comments don't do anything for us.

 

[bocaj1431]

1) Non-tipped positions can't accept cash.
2) However, we ARE allowed to accept gifts.
3) Anything up to a retail value of $75 is permissible. *

* We just have to inform management.

NOTE: Some guests do let managers know of good service. That
is nice, and a lift to our ego. But, it does NOTHING for our pay
or advancement. If you are trying for a position where you must
interview, *sometimes* these remarks can help. Otherwise,
these comments don't do anything for us.

I was told. by management at POR, when a CM gets a customer compliment which is entered into their file, It does help the CM. They explained, when the CM Applies for a better position within the park, many favorable customer compliments can help contribute to their getting that position. Obviously, it would not be the only factor.

I never mentioned anything about increasing the CM's pay, although that would be nice.

 

[Jessica14]

We let Guest Services know at MK the last time we were there. I also let a few know directly. I wish I had remembered to email though. The three young ladies who ran the POP Pool Party were great! I was also not sure how to let management know about how great Stitch was with my daughter,

 

[WDSearcher]

1) Non-tipped positions can't accept cash.
2) However, we ARE allowed to accept gifts.
3) Anything up to a retail value of $75 is permissible. *

* We just have to inform management.

NOTE: Some guests do let managers know of good service. That
is nice, and a lift to our ego. But, it does NOTHING for our pay
or advancement. If you are trying for a position where you must
interview, *sometimes* these remarks can help. Otherwise,
these comments don't do anything for us.

Guest comments may not help up a CMs pay, but "these comments don't do anything for us" isn't true either. Like anything else at Disney, how much guest comments are taken into account depends on the department, the manager and the comment. I've received pins, hand-written notes from my area VP, dinner for two at a resort restaurant and other bonuses for guest praises. Our managers read the comments at staff meetings and post them in break rooms. That may not mean anything when salaries are discussed, but it certainly does come into play for promotions, TAs and special assignments.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I've received pins, hand-written notes from my area VP, dinner for two at a resort restaurant and other bonuses for guest praises . . .

I prize the gifts from guests much higher than the WDW
freebies. Means people must have really increased their vacation
experience from the help/advice I have given. (I can still remember
getting a Figment doll from two elderly sisters, one in a chair, for
me "just being nice, and making them laugh. This is my most highly
prized gift, and sits prominently on my desk next to my monitor.)
I would like to get cash, but, policies are policies. Besides, there is
ample cash coming from business/restaurant/cab/etc referrals.

 

[swebb0310]

For my birthday this year, I wanted to have 30 magical Disney moments in my 30th year. This is my year of Disney!
Someone on here suggested that for one of my 30 magical moments, I should give magic back to others. On their advice, I made thank you cards for CMs that simply say thank you for making the magic real, my name, and 30 magical moments in my 30th year.
My first trip this year was in April. I was anxious at first about passing them out, because I wasn't sure how they would be received by CMs and other guests. It was great! The people I gave them too had already gone above and beyond, but routinely surprised me by showing their appreciation and being even more awesome.
I wrote down some of the more in depth interactions, and at the end of my trip I wrote out the cards at guests services. It was kind of funny because there was one person in particular who shared some great stories and then I forgot his name! I went back to the store on Main Street, even though I had met him the night before, and tried to figure out who it was. There were two ladies who were super helpful in my crazy quest, and so I gave them my cards. They were so excited to get them! One said that it was the first she had received, and she was happy she would have a guest story to share at their next meeting.
It made me feel happy and magical to know that I had been able to spread a little happiness and magic.
Cast members are a huge part of what makes Disney World so special.

 

[goofy4tink]

1) Non-tipped positions can't accept cash.
2) However, we ARE allowed to accept gifts.
3) Anything up to a retail value of $75 is permissible. *

* We just have to inform management.

NOTE: Some guests do let managers know of good service. That
is nice, and a lift to our ego. But, it does NOTHING for our pay
or advancement. If you are trying for a position where you must
interview, *sometimes* these remarks can help. Otherwise,
these comments don't do anything for us.

Here's the thing....Disney, and I, expect CMs to give great service. Are you getting paid a ton of money to give that great service? No, probably not. But you knew that when you signed on the dotted line. So, no..I am not giving you a little gift. I mean seriously, how much of that stuff does anyone need? And if you're a wandering CM, where the heck are you going to put it as you do your job?
I go to Guest Relations/Services on my way out of the park to give a compliment. There was one time I went into Guest Services at MK. I told the CM I wanted to make note of a CM's handling of a situation. The poor CM just got a bit while and sighed. He pulled out a form and asked when the incident had happened and how had the CM failed to meet my expectations. I told him, no, the CM had done a great job!!! Way beyond my expectations. That CM smiled a huge smile and said..and I quote...'We don't get many of these every day..this is so nice of you!!' When I told him the CMs name, he told me that almost everyone knew this CM..that he was the one CM that most people had good things to say about. But he said the CM would be thrilled to have my report in his file.
I also sent along an email to Disney when I got home.