CM was very RUDE on the phone and hung up on me!

[Tricia1972]

I don't think that this is a very fair comparison...

How many of you, growing up, had your birthday parties on your actual birthday? Or plan your children's birthday parties on their actual birthdays?

I did on the actual date if it fell on the weekend. However, I never ever had 15 parties in one year.

Not saying that a person can't do that, celebrate 15 times, but generally you may have one or two parties a year (two when you get older and you celebrate with your family on the actual day and then your school friends on the weekend day around your birthday).

 

[sjaakie]

Just ask yourselves :”if this was my restaurant and everyone who came to dine told me they had something special to celebrate ,would, should ore even could I give everyone a free desert ore bottle of Champaign”?

 

[Millie12591]

However (like you said), it's her job and if she doesn't like it she should probably try moving to a new area. This is another reason why it's so very important to write down the name of the person you spoke with every time!

Ha! I'm not flaming this person who wrote this, but.... I don't know if anyone has caught on, but these people don't give there real names (I'm sure some do, but most don't). I mean seriously people have you ever listened to there names?!? LOL! I thought a few times these people are putting me on with the names and low and behold!
When I spoke with this lady CM last year making my ADR's, she sneezed. No big deal, I did what I would normally do and blessed her, she was horrified that I had heard her. She thought that she had muted it I guess, but anyway she fell all over herself apologizing, as she's looking something up she started talking about her husband (I seem to have a nack for people wanting to tell me things about their lives, people who are comlete strangers just start telling me about their personal stuff, I think I have a lure or something that draws these people to me)so she's saying her husband.. blah,blah, blah (and there it was, she was quoting her dh and used her real name), when I went to thank her I used her real name and I thought that she was going to have a heart attack! LOL! I just assumed I didn't hear her name right when we started the conversation and so when she (so I thought) repeated her name I made sure I remembered it so I could use her name when I thanked her. So when I did, she admitted that they weren't suppose to give their real names and that she was sorry for having messed up. LOL I was finally able to put to rest that someone's name wasn't really Sarafanihan. pronounced Sara-fan-a-han.

 

[kimsuenew]

How many of you, growing up, had your birthday parties on your actual birthday? Or plan your children's birthday parties on their actual birthdays?

I don't know about ya'll but I very rarely attend a child's party that is on their actual birthday! We'll be celebrating my DD's birthday at Disney the week before her actual birthday. We plan to celebrate HER everyday of the trip. No we didn't note it on any of the ADR's, we never do. We just tell them when we get there or rather she does! It's an exciting/special time and should be treated as such! We have something special planned for her everyday of the trip!

For the record I'm going two days before my birthday to celebrate as well!

Me!

Well since you ask... growing up we never had birthday parties. Mom would make a cake on our birthday and parents/siblings sang "Happy Birthday" at supper (on the actual day) and that was it! Husband's family celebrated theirs in the same manner.

For our son, he only got birthday parties for the real milestone birthdays ~ his 1st, 5th, 13th, 16th (otherwise they were celebrated in the same manner as my parents did, on his birthday) but for the actual 4 parties that he had... they were on his actual birthday! To me... the actual day is special, the anniversary of the day we were blessed with him in our lives!

Again, to each his own... we are all different and being such, each of our "black and white", or "right and wrong", (thoughts/beliefs) is different! And different is good... it makes for a "never boring" world!

 

[Vemnox]

How many of you, growing up, had your birthday parties on your actual birthday? Or plan your children's birthday parties on their actual birthdays?

Yeah but do you have 5 parties? Or go to 5 different restaurants and tell them it's your b-day so they will sing you the birthday song? Or wear the pointy birthday hats for 5 days? I get your point it's just not the best example. Disney is a little bit different from Hometown, USA!

 

[Vemnox]

However (like you said), it's her job and if she doesn't like it she should probably try moving to a new area. This is another reason why it's so very important to write down the name of the person you spoke with every time!

Ha! I'm not flaming this person who wrote this, but.... I don't know if anyone has caught on, but these people don't give there real names (I'm sure some do, but most don't). I mean seriously people have you ever listened to there names?!? LOL! I thought a few times these people are putting me on with the names and low and behold!

I don't know if YOU'VE caught on, but the names are so unique and awkward because they are unique 'stage' names so that no two names are alike. People don't just give weird names for the fun of it.

 

[AbbyPan]

wow, I read through these posts and i get the feeling that not everyone has read all of the OP's posts. She's not expecting a party. I think if all she gets at 1 or 2 restaurants is a "Happy Anniversary" she'll be perfectly fine...

The OP is perfectly aware that the Anniv noted to an ADR doesn't translate to a freebie 12 out 12 times....more like 2 or 3 out 12 at the most!

AND why did disney create the buttons anyhow, isn't it to let CM's know that your trip is a special celebration?

 

[glitterkittyy]

OP, if you want to celebrate your whole trip to make up for lost times with your hubby, go for it! I hope you have the trip of a lifetime and make some very special memories.

Happy Anniversary!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

But, look at it from another view, if EVERYONE asked EVERY CM to notate a birthday/anniversary for each of their ADR's..they would never be able to get ADR's for people who just want a meal on their vacation. I think it is a courtesy that they acknowedge special dates, not a 'requirement'.....my daughter will be turning 9 while we're in Disney, I asked they note it on the ONE ADR we have scheduled for that day...because it IS her birthday...the day before the day after are not her birthday and in my book that is fraud. YOU may be celebrating your anniversary for the entire week, but I don't think you can EXPECT Disney to....for them to even acknowledge you actual anniversary is a courtesy and extends beyond the scope of a CM's job requirements to arrange a reservation for you.

Tara

I want to comment on this. Disney DOES encourage their guests to note special occasions and many CM's will ask during the call. ADR's are just that....people scheduling their meal, if a mention of a special occasion is made it does not change anyone else's ADR or make it more difficult to get one. You call, you make your ADR. You wait too long you take your chances.

Now when your party gets to the podium 9 out of 10 CM's will ask if you are celebrating a special occasion. You noted it on your ADR or not, you can let the CM know and maybe you will get a nice Happy Birthday or a Happy Anniversary wish. You may get a cupcake, you may not. Disney does not care why people schedule their vacations they just want them to continue scheduling them in their resorts and spending their money in their parks on their souvenirs, buying Mickey ears with veils, humongous hats shaped like birthday cakes, all kinds of paraphernalia pointing to special occasions spent at Disney. The cupcake, if you get one is not a lovely cake that serves 10, it is a cupcake. It does not take away from dessert, if anything people will order more for the table, ice cream and then if you are like us, a bottle of wine as well.

This is personal preference. If Teresa wants to feel a little special for a week fine. If Disney spreads a little Pixie Dust over her and her DH, good! They do it for others and they want to, and it translates into return guests. If this was not a practice that Disney wanted to continue the cupcakes would disappear, the pixie dust on some tables would not be there and you can bet the Hostess would not be asking if you wanted to mention a special reason for the trip.

I've been watching this OP plan her trip and then change her plan and then plan again and then postpone for a few years now. I hope that when the two of them get to Disney they get to enjoy a magical time that they can say was worth the wait and if a few CM's congratulate them then I am happy.

 

[schwaja3]

I just want to add my 2 cents about my experinence. I called to make my ADRs and was able to make at 10-12 of them. Some of them overlapped, since I wasn't sure which resturant I wanted. The CM I spoke with said that I wasn't supposed to do that, but he would "let me" this one time. I thanked him and then hung up.

The next day I realized that I forgot to mention an allergy that we have, so I called back. This CM was the nicest lady I've spoken with at Disney. She added the note to every ADR, and when I realized that she had to do everyone indiviually, I started to appologize. Her response was that it was her job and she was happy to do it, since she wanted us to have a "magic" vacation.

So, 2 calls, and 2 completely different attitudes.

always remember, if you get a grouch at first, call back and you might get an angel.

 

[tnmomof4]

When we went last year it was the week of my twins birthday. I only asked for it to be noted on one meal, which was the meal I bought them a cake. They also got cupcakes at several other places too without even having to ask. I guess because they had the birthday buttons on. It was a nice surprise and completely unexpected. Here is why they had the buttons on.

When we went to city hall the day of my twins birthday to get their buttons, the CM at city hall who said he was a manager told my twins to wear their buttons the whole time. I told him it was their birthday today and was a little bit apprehensive... and he said it doesn't matter. He said that is the fun of celebrating at WDW because magical things will happen to you. He said that we should celebrate every day by wearing the buttons the rest of our trip. He said that they try to make everyone celebrating a special event feel special their whole trip. He said they are prepared to do this.

He came from behind the desk, and told my twins that lots of magical things would happen to them if they made sure to wear their buttons every day. He told my twins to be waiting for special things to happen when they eat. I never would have had them wear them every day except he told us to. He made it a big deal to wear them every day. He told them just wait and see what happens. He said that WDW was the best place in the world to celebrate.

So if a manager says that it is okay to wear a birthday button your whole trip, then they must think it is more than okay. He did this in front of 5 other CMs working at City Hall. He even gave my other boys birthday buttons, but wrote UN (birthday). Now we didn't feel right about wearing those and didn't, even though he told my other boys them to wear them too so magical things would happen to them too.

So to me from what this manager said, they really aren't that worried about giving out too many cupcakes. They just want to make sure that everyone celebrating a special event is made to feel special.

 

[Disney8704]

Aw I feel so honoured you were watching me plan my trip for the past few years. I didnt think anyone on here actually followed my trip planning.

I've been watching this OP plan her trip and then change her plan and then plan again and then postpone for a few years now. I hope that when the two of them get to Disney they get to enjoy a magical time that they can say was worth the wait and if a few CM's congratulate them then I am happy.

 

[Disney8704]

Wow thanks for your story. I feel a little more relieved that out of all CMs a manager would just come right out and say hey celebrate your birthdays during the whole trip. That made me feel better for having my anniv. note put on all my ADRs. Like you said, if a manager says its OK. Then its OK. I think of it what would Walt wanted? I think personally Walt would love for people to celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, etc during their whole trip.

When we went last year it was the week of my twins birthday. I only asked for it to be noted on one meal, which was the meal I bought them a cake. They also got cupcakes at several other places too without even having to ask. I guess because they had the birthday buttons on. It was a nice surprise and completely unexpected. Here is why they had the buttons on.

When we went to city hall the day of my twins birthday to get their buttons, the CM at city hall who said he was a manager told my twins to wear their buttons the whole time. I told him it was their birthday today and was a little bit apprehensive... and he said it doesn't matter. He said that is the fun of celebrating at WDW because magical things will happen to you. He said that we should celebrate every day by wearing the buttons the rest of our trip. He said that they try to make everyone celebrating a special event feel special their whole trip. He said they are prepared to do this.

He came from behind the desk, and told my twins that lots of magical things would happen to them if they made sure to wear their buttons every day. He told my twins to be waiting for special things to happen when they eat. I never would have had them wear them every day except he told us to. He made it a big deal to wear them every day. He told them just wait and see what happens. He said that WDW was the best place in the world to celebrate.

So if a manager says that it is okay to wear a birthday button your whole trip, then they must think it is more than okay. He did this in front of 5 other CMs working at City Hall. He even gave my other boys birthday buttons, but wrote UN (birthday). Now we didn't feel right about wearing those and didn't, even though he told my other boys them to wear them too so magical things would happen to them too.

So to me from what this manager said, they really aren't that worried about giving out too many cupcakes. They just want to make sure that everyone celebrating a special event is made to feel special.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Wow thanks for your story. I feel a little more relieved that out of all CMs a manager would just come right out and say hey celebrate your birthdays during the whole trip. That made me feel better for having my anniv. note put on all my ADRs. Like you said, if a manager says its OK. Then its OK. I think of it what would Walt wanted? I think personally Walt would love for people to celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, etc during their whole trip.

I think that goes hand-in-hand somewhat with the premise of the Year of a Million Dreams. They want people to feel special and have a reason to celebrate at Walt Disney World because you'll keep them in mind next time there's a huge celebration to be had.

Think about it. If somewhere wears their Birthday or Anniversary pins the entire length of stay, the more people that are bound to see it. And they'll say to themselves, "Hey, that's so cool! You can get all this attention by celebrating your birthday here!" And they'll want to come back and celebrate their celebrations, too. It's good business.

 

[kimberh]

I have read part of this Thread. Last year I added to one ADR that we were celebrating my Birthday, Every table service restaurant had a decorated table. I was almost embarassed. I had really hit it off with the CM while on the phone. He was so nice. He had been at Ft. Bragg the same time my Husband was, we had lived on the same street, in the 70's. I don't even remember how this came up in conversation. He made our trip so wonderful!

OP, I do wish you and your husband the best trip, I hope your tables are decorated. My father served in Viet Nam twice, I know the sacrifice Militiary families make. There will be more Anniversaries away from each other, if he stays in the service, God Bless your Family. Have a great trip! I am sorry you were treated rudely, I wish you had a name so that you could have reported it.

 

[sandym718]

I don't know if YOU'VE caught on, but the names are so unique and awkward because they are unique 'stage' names so that no two names are alike. People don't just give weird names for the fun of it.

Yep, doesn't matter much if it's their "real name" or not. If they are doing it correctly, they should always be using the same "fake name". If you have a complaint and go to a supervisor, they should know who the "fake name" refers to.

in my position, we have the option as to whether or not to use our real names. Our calls are confidential, we do not ask the callers name (just zip code and age, sometimes city, both necessary to see which services they qualify for). Some of the I&R specialists are not comfortable giving their real name to folks, and that's fine. They use another name, which our supervisor and the rest of us know. I, personally, just use my real first name, but I would never give my last. There are no other Sandy's so it's not an issue. If there ever would be, and someone demanded, I would give Sandy M., no more.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I have read through the entire thread and OP I do think you and your husband should celebrate the whole week. You both deserve that.....

However (flame suit on) I disagree with "How" you want to be treated.

If you wear the pins they give out for free everyday and I agree 1000% with that then every CM will greet you with a Happy Anniversary and that is great and will make you both feel good and others will say wow, I want that when I come back next time etc.

When you are looking for something for free that bothers me. I work in the travel industry and I can't tell you how many customers have called me and argued with me because they felt they "DESERVED" something because it was their birthday, anniversary or what have you.

When I say "DESERVED" they meant an upgrade or their room decorated etc.

It doesn't always happen and sometimes especially on cruises you have to pay for that.

It just seems to me that if you want it on EVERY single reservation I would be annoyed as well. Because you want something for free. That is just how it comes across to me and that is where I don't agree with how you are feeling about the CM.

Everyone has their own situation and sob story. I am glad that you are able to be with your husband and that he came back - many others did not so if you don't get that "pixie dust" just think how lucky you both are to be together to celebrate.

 

[SnwflkCts]

a peanut allergy is a serious illness ...

I picked a bad analogy -- Lord knows I have enough diseases & problems to know not to pick another out of my hat ... sorry ... (peace).

Really ... I just feel bad that this thread degenerated into the usual celebration debate & thought I was bringing it back ... but a rude CM debate isn't much better.

PS: (totally off topic) Thank you Mermaid Arial about liking my kitties names. We lost one named Mustache almost exactly a year ago. Poor Peanut Butter was soooo sad - and my DSIL said I needed a "Jelly" to go with PB -- I couldn't call my little baby girl "Jelly" so since we got her near Easter we called her Jelly Bean & PB loves her! (3 {BIG} boys and just one little girl kitty & she rules the roost!).

 

[tipsytrtle]

sometimes i get a awesome CM, sometimes a ok CM and sometimes while not a downright rude CM, you can tell that they arent so excited about their jobs. I can usually tell within seconds that they arent interested in helping and i end the call. I also will hang up if the phone is answered with a sigh or with a voice i cant understand, while I am not at WDW yet, when I call to make arrangements or changes I expect the same service as if i were already in a park

 

[wdwhereicome]

All I have to say is:

Teresa, party your socks off!

And a special to your DH for his service!

I hope your entire trip is full of magical moments.