Cast members out there - any tips and things us tourists should know?

[4orm]

I've worked retail, but not on a WDW scale! Remember wishing people would know a few things...

 

[Dznefreek]

Much like the CIA and the FBI I could tell you but then I would have to kill you. (Just Kidding of course!)

 

[MrsJ Henry]

bump

 

[Soupermom]

Bumpity-bump! Good question!

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by 4orm
I've worked retail, but not on a WDW scale! Remember wishing people would know a few things...

I can't speak for anyone else but I'm not sure what you are asking. "Know" about what?

 

[4orm]

You know...when you have some information you just wish you had posted on your forehead so you would stop having to repeat yourself a bazillion times...that was my main reason for asking this is because I like to be the smallest pain in the butt as possible for the people working so hard at the parks...but I just realized the question came out a different way -so if any of you CMs have any juicy info or tips (like where to be at what time, or what helps you become 'bell family' for the day, etc...) feel free to PM me! just joking guys! I wouldn't really ask for confidential info and get you in trouble!

 

[seashoreCM]

Disney tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

There are so many tips that after writing them down, you have the equivalent of an unofficial WDW guidebook in your hand.

Some questions sound simple but are really complicated. For example, choosing the right admission ticket requires that you or somebody do a lot of arithmetic.

Much of the time, informing and educating people does not work.
They know what is the right thing to do is but deliberately do the wrong thing.

>>> Always remember that it all Started with just one mouse.

I was helping fix plumbing in an apartment and could not finish in one day. The tenant asked if the hole in the bathroom ceiling was going to be covered for the night and I said no. Then the tenant said something like "Are you sure that something foreign is not going to come out of there? If I see just one mouse." (sentence was left unfinished)

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Remember that the 3 o'clock parade is at 3 o'clock

that its Disney MGM Studios in WDW not Universal Studios

thats all I can think of for now but Ive also been up for 25 hours now...


-em

 

[PandyPaws]

when you have some information you just wish you had posted on your forehead so you would stop having to repeat yourself a bazillion times...that was my main reason for asking this is because I like to be the smallest pain in the butt as possible for the people working so hard at the parks...

The tips I have for guests come off the top of my head from working at AK's Africa/Kilimanjaro Safari, an observational standpoint. These simple tips will enhance your guest experience, making things go a little smoother, :


Strollers: Where the experience difference comes in, I believe we are the only attraction on property that takes your stroller from you, in line, and an unsuspecting guest can be caught off guard.
Bring them WITH you in line! Do not leave them parked in the village, or they will 'Magically Disappear" (actually, they will be moved over to the stroller parking area by the train station )
Also, upon approaching the stroller parking area, have your children out of the strollers and ready for the Safari, so that the CM may take your stroller to park it, or if not, be prepared to step out of the line and into the stroller area to unload your child and valuable items, and then rejoin the line. This keeps the lines moving, hence, everyone boards faster

Mark your stroller with a personal item for a visual cue...be it a ribbon or bandanna, luggage tag,or something, tied to the handle, . Lots of strollers look alike, especially those fold-up umbrella strollers sold at Walmart, etc. Very frustrating to come back and find 3 or more unmarked strollers exactly like yours and you can't often tell the difference...and once in a while someone just may take the wrong one by accident

If you leave a drink (remember, there are no tops on the cups in AK) in the stroller pockets, expect there to be a good chance it may be spilled by another guest retrieving their stroller that's parked next to yours.

If you leave food in your stroller, expect that it will be eaten by the birds. Yes, even if you close that box of crackers/roll up that bag of chips, the birds are extremely adept at wrangling food, boxes and bags from those strollers and getting at the contents. My best suggestion would be to store your food items in a backpack or other tote while on Safari for safe-keeping

Also, for yourselves, and especially for small children's comfort. please visit the restroom before entering the cue for the Safari. It's a long cue, and a long ride (two weeks!! ) and undue stress on little one's being made to 'hold it' all that time, or inconvenient for anyone having to step out of the line to go all the way back to the Village restroom.

For safety's sake, please, do not stand up in the Safari vehicle

Fast Pass:Do not return to the fast pass entrance until your return time printed on the ticket, or after. Use your window time to enjoy other attractions and areas, relax on a bench, enjoy a snack, etc. Often, many folks return 5, 10, 15, even 20 minutes ahead, creating lines in the village. Self-imposed-waiting in lines rather defeats the experience and convenience of the Fast Pass system. This also causes confusion to others who's return time is ready, yet they unknowingly step into the line with the false impression that they have to wait.
I have also seen unnecessary anger and upset in the following example:
Guest A has a return time of 11am, yet returns at 10:45, only to stand aside, perhaps behind others who have done the same. As time approaches, Guest B appears at the return entry at the proper time, exactly as CM announces 11am returns may now enter. Guest A then gets angry because Guest B has basically done the proper thing and inadvertently passed through the entry 3 or 4 persons ahead of them as the CM gets "rushed" by all of the early birds Guest A is now unhappy, as they were there 'first' and that Guest B has 'cut ahead' of them

And lastly, for safety's sake, please, please, please, do not dart across the street in the middle of a parade route, unless there's is a designated crossing area, manned by a CM controlling traffic. This is for the safety of the guest as well as the parade performers/vehicle drivers

note * Above tips delivered with a smile and my best intentions for enhancing the most fabulous vacation of your lives

 

[4orm]

Thanks so much! Those are the kind of tips I'm looking for! The CMs know better then anyone, how problems can arise , and what little tid-bits can come in handy, because they live it everyday!

 

[PandyPaws]

Just thought of another, hehe

Wheelchairs and ECV's, (especially if in a large party) :
A minor one, but helpful just the same...Have the wheelchair/ECV guest at the front of your group, not last (which is usually the case for some reason ) At the end of the Safari cue the wheelchair/ECV guest AND their entire party is directed through a gate to an alternate loading dock. Oftentimes, by the time the CM stationed at that gate sees the wheelchair/ECV guest, the rest of the party have filed past and must be called back through the crowd This is probably also helpful for many, if not most attractions throughout WDW, as wheelchairs will most often be directed alternatively from foot traffic somewhere in the cue or into theater seating areas or between turnstyles, etc, at some point

 

[Tigger&Belle]

PandyPaws, that reminds me of the laugh we got when going to the stroller area, I believe after the safari. The CM in the stroller area asked me if ours was the blue stroller. Of course I said yes and was impressed that he knew until we looked around at the sea of blue strollers. The really funny thing is that he was standing right in front of ours, maybe even touching it, which added to how impressed I was (until I realized the joke).

After that my sister and I noticed how much more common blue is for a stroller color and how much easier it would be to spot a stroller of a different color. I had my lime green ribbon on my stroller handle so I had a little easier time finding mine.

T&B

 

[sconnell]

I found these tips very helpful! I would love to hear from CM's from other places around the World. We want to make your jobs easier and our trips smoother! Thanks!

 

[SkylarKD]

Originally posted by PandyPaws
If you leave food in your stroller, expect that it will be eaten by the birds. Yes, even if you close that box of crackers/roll up that bag of chips, the birds are extremely adept at wrangling food, boxes and bags from those strollers and getting at the contents. My best suggestion would be to store your food items in a backpack or other tote while on Safari for safe-keeping

PandyPaws > great tips, especially this one!

 

[Grumpy92]

When entering an attraction and they tell you to pick a row and move all the way down. Please dont stop in the middle. Believe me there are no bad seats at WDW.

There is no monorail to the MGM Grand or Universal. Dont let your children sit on the railings in the middle of the monorail car. They often come to sudden stops and the child will go flying.

If there are two entry lines, Often the left line is the shorter or quicker line.

Please pay attention to the instructions given, especially when a ride comes to a stop.

Disney transportation is pretty good. You do need to give yourself an hour to get somewhere especially if you have a PS or a meeting time you are trying to make. I think most guest are not used to using public transportation and are so eager to get to the park that they find the transportation frustrating & slow.

Finish your food & beverages before you get in an attractions line.

We really try to do the best to fill your request but they are not guaranteed.

Finally be considerate of others. Use common courtesy with your fellow guest.

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