Cast members very un-magical on our last trip

[Mouser172]

EDIT:
The CM's were pretty un-magical on our last trip, but it's no big deal, we still had an excellent time. Go Disney! Woot!

 

[Malcon10t]

A majority of the cast members acted like perturbed dollar store employees instead of magical Disneyland employees on our February trip. At the paradise grille in California adventure one CM just kind of glared at me and didn't say anything after I politely ordered 2 drinks. I know they don't get paid that well, so should Disneyland increase their wages, or just hire better humans? What do you guys think?

Wow, we were there Jan 17-20, Feb 27-Mar 2, and Mar 8-9 and didn't experience anything like that. Sorry.

 

[Belle Ella]

This is always the most heart-breaking thing for me to read, personally. Hopefully not all of the cast members you encountered gave you a bad vibe for whatever reason. I know I have my imperfect moments and I feel so bad for the guests that might have come across me at that moment. But most of us love being there and will always do what we can to make your day better. Focus on the positives

 

[Cheshirecatty]

A majority of the cast members acted like perturbed dollar store employees instead of magical Disneyland employees on our February trip. At the paradise grille in California adventure one CM just kind of glared at me and didn't say anything after I politely ordered 2 drinks. I know they don't get paid that well, so should Disneyland increase their wages, or just hire better humans? What do you guys think?

I am so sorry you experienced this.

We were at the Resort, the last full week of February, and didn't encounter what you did(and I'm grateful we didn't!)

Hopefully you just ran into some Cms who were having an "Off" day---it can happen to anybody.

Better luck next time!

 

[dragonflycurls]

I've had mixed experiences with CMs. Most are more than magical. Some may be having a bad day but can kind of put a damper on things.

 

[SMD]

A majority of the cast members acted like perturbed dollar store employees instead of magical Disneyland employees on our February trip. At the paradise grille in California adventure one CM just kind of glared at me and didn't say anything after I politely ordered 2 drinks. I know they don't get paid that well, so should Disneyland increase their wages, or just hire better humans? What do you guys think?

But did you get the drinks you ordered?

 

[apicozzi]

I don't understand what you mean by "just glared at me" did they bring you what you ordered?

 

[DharmaLou]

I'm so glad we've never encountered this on any of our 3 trips in the last year and a half. The closest I've had was just a very slow (likely overworked) server at Trader Sam's. He was still very pleasant.

 

[tiffjoy]

We've never experienced any issues in our many trips. This last trip, we had one CM go so far above and beyond with our DD, who was then 3. He spent almost 3 hours with her at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, helping her plan a "surprise" party for me and DH. He got the characters to come over (she "baked" a cake with the Country Bears and spent quite a bit of time with Mrs Clause and Minnie), got her in the side door at the Princess Fantasy Faire to invite the princesses (all the CMs there were amazing, especially the princesses), and did a whole bunch of other stuff. He was so great! My DD has the most amazing memories of that afternoon. Like anyone, I'm sure CMs have bad days. I probably have seen stuff that I just pass off as not their best moments, but certainly nothing glaring that stuck with me. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but it might have been a hard day for that CM. No excuse, I know, but I think perspective is always important.

 

[CourtFool]

You usually get a Mickey or Minnie, but every once in a while, you get a Donald.

 

[sherilaine]

I think this is indeed rare. I am a bit taken back at how friendly and kind most of the CMs are. In fact when we come across one that is maybe having a bad day, or not all that friendly, well I just chalk that up to being normal vs. the rest of the CMs that, I am sorry, sometimes seem to be medicated they are so over the top friendly.

Now, hike across Harbour to McDonald's and you will find the real world as far as customer service expectations go - that McDonald's has to be the slowest and have the worse service of any I have ever visited in my life.

Also, when you think about how much people get paid to do any of these jobs at Disney - I doubt if it's anything close to what I make and sometimes I am cranky as anything to deal with! So I don't think it's an option of hiring better human beings - I think they do pretty good to get what they get for the salary they offer.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm also sorry to hear that the OP had un-magical CMs. I've been to Disneyland (and Disney World) enough to have experienced a full range of CMs. Some are wonderful, some are ordinary, some are unfriendly. Still, I've never had a CM experience that was bad enough to ruin my trip.

 

[DarthMole]

I think this is indeed rare. I am a bit taken back at how friendly and kind most of the CMs are. In fact when we come across one that is maybe having a bad day, or not all that friendly, well I just chalk that up to being normal vs. the rest of the CMs that, I am sorry, sometimes seem to be medicated they are so over the top friendly.

Now, hike across Harbour to McDonald's and you will find the real world as far as customer service expectations go - that McDonald's has to be the slowest and have the worse service of any I have ever visited in my life.

Also, when you think about how much people get paid to do any of these jobs at Disney - I doubt if it's anything close to what I make and sometimes I am cranky as anything to deal with! So I don't think it's an option of hiring better human beings - I think they do pretty good to get what they get for the salary they offer.

I couldn't agree more. We were there last month and except for an odd experience with an elderly server at Steakhouse 55 the morning we left, the CMs were fantastic.

I actually don't like the "or just hire better humans" line. It's demeaning when you know nothing about the person except for your very brief interaction.

 

[Nonsuch]

Yoda has the answer...

Luke: There's something not right here... I feel cold. Death.

Yoda: [points to a cave opening beneath a large tree] That place... is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go.

Luke: What's in there?

Yoda: Only what you take with you.

 

[jenpace]

I actually don't like the "or just hire better humans" line. It's demeaning when you know nothing about the person except for your very brief interaction.

I'm pretty sure the OP felt pretty demeaned by the CM who was very rude. I'm okay with the "hire better humans" comment under the circumstances.

 

[Malcon10t]

I couldn't agree more. We were there last month and except for an odd experience with an elderly server at Steakhouse 55 the morning we left, the CMs were fantastic.

I think I know the server you are talking about. If I am correct, she is an older female? If so, she really is a sweet person. I think she comes off abrupt when she really is just trying to keep up. We've had her numerous times, and the first time thought she was kind of strange/rude, but have since figured her out. She will bend over backwards to make sure you are having a great meal. And that everything is how you want it. We really enjoy her now, but we did wonder at first.

 

[Astylla]

I personally feel the "hire better humans" is a very cold remark that us uncalled for however I don't think you meant any harm just expressing your rightful opinion. I also thik the best course of action is to both contact Disney with your concerns/complaint and you can always ask for a manager in your way out to express your concerns.

Sometimes as we are all humans even the best of us can falter and bringing it to our attention can give a different perspective. I had been in retail/restaurant for a combined 15 years and normally I was always upbeat and personal but sometimes I let things slip in , and needed coaching by my superiors.

I also think sometimes perception can be a tricky thing. I do feel that some ( not saying you personally) have such high expectations of every single person to be skipping along singing Zippity-do-dah that anything less is disappointing.

I can say personally I have yet to ever experience a situation where I felt needed to comment but am sorry this was yours. I hope everything else was okay.

 

[Allison]

I just got back a few days ago and felt the CMs were absolutely lovely. I had the opportunity to interact with severals CMs at the Fantasmic Dessert seating, the World of Color reserved dining section, at a couple of restaurants and in general while enjoying the parks and attractions. I found them to be extremely friendly and helpful.

 

[cheesuscripes]

We just got back yesterday from 4 days in the park and I thought the CMs were awesome. My son and I had a great experience with one on the Haunted Mansion. We had just left the expanding room and were on our way down the hall to board the Doom Buggys when my son said he needed to hit the bathroom. I thought he was just nervous and told him he had to wait, but one of the cast members in white (custodial?) happened to walk by and my son asked him how to get out. So he led us out a side exit that came out under the stand by line. The cast member said he could get us back on the ride, but when we came out by the stand by line some other guests stopped him with questions. I didn't want to hassle the poor guy so I thanked him and took my son off to the bathrooms by the Mint Julep Bar. I waited outside for him, and when he came out we turned to head back to the exit of the ride to wait for my husband and daughter. The cast member who helped us out went to the bathroom area to find us and took us back up to the front of the line and right into the lobby to go in with the next group. I couldn't believe he did that! It was so sweet and we thanked him profusely. That pretty much summed up the level of service we had our whole trip.

 

[Mouser172]

Regarding the "hire better humans" line, that comment was made in jest. And I shouldn't have said "the majority of CM's." Maybe because I'm usually in such a zippity doo da mood when I'm in Disneyland, I expect too much from the employees. It does get tiring being all smiley and personable for 8 hours a day.