CPers: dont be "that guy"

[Bounce_Tigger]

Former CPer/seasonal CM here with a request after I experienced a cringe worthy moment last night (as a guest)

I was on a resort bus to DTD which was unloading and the bus driver was assisting 2 guests in scooters get off. The women thanked him as they left and told him he'd been amazing. From somewhere on the bus, a college aged kid announced "You are amazing. I work here too and I think oh bus drivers do an amazing job. I'm a CPer who works at MK (he actually called it M-K) I am heading to the parks but I always take the resort bus to the parks because I think it makes me a more consider cast ember, you know?" The driver didn't respond, as he was actually concentrating on his job, but that didn't stop the CPer from continuing to (very loudly) talk about how the MK was a great place to work and how he had worked 16 hours that day and was going to pop a ZZZquil that night and sleep. A family across from him asked where he worked and he told them the MK and Epcot. He said it was the best place to work and "it's where the true CMs work, because it's so magical" (a little insulting as a former DAK CM.). He continued talking about how he loved he job the whole ride despite the fact that no one was responding.

Now, I loved talking to guests about my experience, but this kid was just so abrasive and intrusive. He over shared so much and he had this air of "I'm so great because I am in-the-know". Please don't do this. Share when appropriate and don't disparage guests or other CMs.

I did have some great moments with other CPs (one on Pooh and a former one at guest relations)- they were fantastic and I loved hearing about there experience!

 

[sookie]

Former CPer/seasonal CM here with a request after I experienced a cringe worthy moment last night (as a guest)

I was on a resort bus to DTD which was unloading and the bus driver was assisting 2 guests in scooters get off. The women thanked him as they left and told him he'd been amazing. From somewhere on the bus, a college aged kid announced "You are amazing. I work here too and I think oh bus drivers do an amazing job. I'm a CPer who works at MK (he actually called it M-K) I am heading to the parks but I always take the resort bus to the parks because I think it makes me a more consider cast ember, you know?" The driver didn't respond, as he was actually concentrating on his job, but that didn't stop the CPer from continuing to (very loudly) talk about how the MK was a great place to work and how he had worked 16 hours that day and was going to pop a ZZZquil that night and sleep. A family across from him asked where he worked and he told them the MK and Epcot. He said it was the best place to work and "it's where the true CMs work, because it's so magical" (a little insulting as a former DAK CM.). He continued talking about how he loved he job the whole ride despite the fact that no one was responding.

Now, I loved talking to guests about my experience, but this kid was just so abrasive and intrusive. He over shared so much and he had this air of "I'm so great because I am in-the-know". Please don't do this. Share when appropriate and don't disparage guests or other CMs.

I did have some great moments with other CPs (one on Pooh and a former one at guest relations)- they were fantastic and I loved hearing about there experience!

Sounds like the sun had gotten to him.

 

[prk]

Former CPer/seasonal CM here with a request after I experienced a cringe worthy moment last night (as a guest)

I was on a resort bus to DTD which was unloading and the bus driver was assisting 2 guests in scooters get off. The women thanked him as they left and told him he'd been amazing. From somewhere on the bus, a college aged kid announced "You are amazing. I work here too and I think oh bus drivers do an amazing job. I'm a CPer who works at MK (he actually called it M-K) I am heading to the parks but I always take the resort bus to the parks because I think it makes me a more consider cast ember, you know?" The driver didn't respond, as he was actually concentrating on his job, but that didn't stop the CPer from continuing to (very loudly) talk about how the MK was a great place to work and how he had worked 16 hours that day and was going to pop a ZZZquil that night and sleep. A family across from him asked where he worked and he told them the MK and Epcot. He said it was the best place to work and "it's where the true CMs work, because it's so magical" (a little insulting as a former DAK CM.). He continued talking about how he loved he job the whole ride despite the fact that no one was responding.

Now, I loved talking to guests about my experience, but this kid was just so abrasive and intrusive. He over shared so much and he had this air of "I'm so great because I am in-the-know". Please don't do this. Share when appropriate and don't disparage guests or other CMs.

I did have some great moments with other CPs (one on Pooh and a former one at guest relations)- they were fantastic and I loved hearing about there experience!

You should've asked him where he worked and told his management, that is really, really bad show. Also as a cast member you are not supposed to go to the resorts and take buses to the parks, unless you are staying there, you can get in a lot of trouble for it.

 

[MaryPoppins86]

Whenever I was on the resort buses and blurred out that I was working in the parks I would only talk out the College Program. Nothing else. If they wanted information if a certain ride was fun or boring. I'd give my opinion. If they felt hesitant about visiting a certain park because they felt it might be too boring for the little ones, I would list the many things that park has to offer. Never talked about work. That is a big no, no!! Even when playing in the park with co-workers or friends. Work is not a topic we venture. You never know who might be near you, know you, and is listening on in your conversation.

 

[angeladcp]

That's so uncool.

Sometimes I would mention to guests that I worked at Disney. We would be standing in a line and they would be with their family and would ask me why I'm "alone" and I would tell them very minor things. Such as "I work here. It's a day off for me" or "I'm on an internship here at disney and it's my day off". I never went into any detail about my location. I would answer questions if they had any for me after they knew I was a cast member they would ask me what I liked to do and I would give them my two cents... "go see festival of the lion king when you are at animal kingdom. it's amazing". just things like that.

Although there was one time. It was a day off and I was in EPCOT. It was pouring rain and lightning really bad and I was sort of waiting it out under an onning in Italy and another family was on the bench next to mine doing the same. We talked for a bit. They knew I worked there, but I never mentioned my location or anything specific.

Then the next day, I was at my location in The Boneyard at work, and that family came in and they recognized me! haha. So we talked some more while their kids played, and that's when i told them about the college program and stuff. It was kinda cool. I was surprised they remembered me.

But yeah, definitely always be careful with what you are saying in situations like that.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Great post OP and as a local let me remind you of other things we see in public: wearing your nametags off property and talking about guests ( not in a good way ) my friends and I see this many times at the Crossroads especially in Taco Bell and McDonalds. You have a great life opportunity, don't throw it out the window

 

[misssullyinc]

Ugh. I've known people like this, not at Disney but I used to work at a health food store. This guy would brag about our store on Facebook over and over and shove it down everyone's throats. Eventually he was fired for stalking our manager. Yeah...

Also, if this is all not allowed, I'd report it. Especially if you have his name and location.

 

[keypooh90]

Wow. I've never had experiences with anyone like that. I did my CP Spring 2012 and I would talk to guests on my days off, but I was careful.

 

[kamik86]

See DH gets the opposite. Many people think he works there because:

1) He is extremely polite to everyone and will just randomly talk to cast members.
2) He looks about the right age for the college program even though he is a bit older
3) He knows the parks and areas so well now so will help random people
4) (This is the one that REALLY ramped up there "Where do you work?" questions from those thinking he was a CM) He has hip lanyard for his pins that apparently now only cast members can get. He got it several years ago when it was sold in the stores though.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Before the 4 Keys, and the Basics, we had the 7 Guest Service Guidelines.

#6 - Preserve the Magical Guest Experience ... Don’t get out of role, ever! Be courteous, friendly, and helpful—even under pressure. Be professional at all times, no matter what.

This sort of behaviour is NOT preserving the magical guest experience, it's more like making the guests wish that the Magic would just leave them alone.

(For all of you young whippersnappers who came into the company after I did , this also manifests itself in the Basics, "Stay in Character, and play the part", and under "Show" in the 4 Keys, "I stay in character and perform my role in the show")