Ever have CM's take the Magic out of it?

[Raidra]

We've pretty much had really good luck with CMs at Disney. It's one of the things I really enjoy about going.

We did have one incident last year where the CM didn't really do anything wrong, but from reading stories on here, I had expected a little more help. We were in MK on our last day and had already sent all of our luggage to the airport. My son threw up all over me.. all down the front of my shirt, but also inside my shirt, inside my bra. I'm a bigger girl, so I knew I'd have a hard time finding a shirt my size, and I was really not looking forward to cleaning out the puddle of vomit in my bra, and then having to go bra-less the rest of the day. So I went into a store and explained what had happened to the cashier, and asked where exactly I could find my size shirt, because I didn't want to spend any longer than absolutely necessary browsing through a store while covered in vomit.

Well, he was very unhelpful, kind of pointed in the right direction, and didn't do anything else. I felt bad for the other shoppers because I'm sure I didn't smell good while I was looking through the racks, and then I had to change and wash up in a bathroom stall with rough, wet paper towels. I wasn't expecting free clothing or anything, but some assistance would have been nice.

 

[steeners81]

In many many visits to the park there has only been one time that a CM "took the magic out of it". We were sitting waiting for the nighttime parade when we noticed a little girl wondering around obviously lost. While a family next to us tried to help her we ran to the closest CM to alert her to a lost child. Her response was basically that's not my problem and walked away. After sitting there in shock for a second i asked my DF ( who is an ex CM) isn't there a protocol for a lost child and he said he and its not that. Luckily within a few minutes of getting back to the child her family found her.

I have had far more experiences with CM's who have gone above and beyond to make our trips more magical!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

In the last couple visits, I've noticed CMs interacting out of character with each other, venting, gossiping, etc. I feel that it's taking the magic out of the attraction. I even had the young girl who was wrapping my DD hair give a play-by-play of a date she had with another CM. Totally inappropriate conversation.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Lets face it everyone is human and not perfect or have a off day, so I am sure this happens from time to time (by the way the gals in BBB do not work for disney, they are a contract company employees, not that it is a excuss).

I have found the 1000's and 1000's of CM's almost always give a great show and excellent attention to the guests. Most will go over the top to help you to find a answer to a question or help with any situation.They actually love to spread the *Pixie Dust*




AKK

 

[W.E.D.]

Once, and I'm very happy to say only once, have we encountered a CM that kind of stole the magic, however briefly.

In '01 DW and I were waiting for The Circle of Life film to begin. The CM was giving the little speech before the movie. There was a child somewhere in the auditorium that started crying. Everytime the child would cry, the CM would stop and deliver an icy, very nasty looking glare in the direction of the family. We thought this was very uncharacteristic of a CM. Why not try and work it into your speil, maybe add a little humor to the situation instead of anger?

After reading this thread I think we can say these things stick out in our memory because they are so rare. When I went to post this it hadn't even dawned on me that our incident occurred over ten years ago and I can still remember it exactly. Overall, I think that says something positive about a majority of the CMs working to make our vacations magical.

 

[fairestoneofall]

Few years ago, my daughter was so super excited to finally meet her fav. Peter Pan. As we patiently anticipated our turn, she ran up to meet him and he proceeded to tell her "Now you know...I am not real....this is just pretend" Damage was done and her little heart was broken. Good thing the fairy god mother was the next character we met, cuz she really helped diffuse a tense magical disney moment.

that is VERY rude. they should never ever say such a thing to a child (or even to an adult).

 

[missoverexcited]

On our recent trip the first CM I spoke to at 9am on our first day was really rude to me - she was signing children up for Jedi Academy but she wasn't rushed off her feet, there was no line and the first show wasn't full. I was really taken aback and it did make me wonder if Disney magic was a thing of the past since we hadn't been for 12 years, but everyone else was great.

 

[TeamTilson]

I haven't had any magic moments ruined by CMs, there was a CM who I was grateful for that stood his ground against a large group so that it would be fair for all....

We were waiting in a HOT and LONG line to see Donald at AK. He was the only other character left that my family really wanted to meet. I noticed a woman in front of us who was by herself. I didn't think anything of this, because I know that there are solo travelers who also want to meet characters.

When it was her turn, she turned towards the exit and shouted really loud in a foreign language. At that moment there were 20+ people who started filing in from the exit line (a tour group perhaps?) and all started taking personal pictures with Donald. My jaws dropped because I dreaded waiting for this large group to be done with autographs and photos. Immediately the CM working the line told the woman "NO. We cannot do this. These families have been waiting a long time for photos and autographs. You cannot wait in line for 20 people. If they want to meet the character, they will have to wait like everyone else." Everyone in line applauded and cheered while the group cursed and threw rude hand signals and spit on the ground as they walked out.

It's almost like me waiting on TSM and then holding the line, opening the exit doors, and telling all 20 of my friends to come on in totally disregarding the line of patient waiters in line behind me....

When it was our turn, I shook his hand and thanked him for saving my sanity!

 

[kaleighmariesmom]

Just got back and noticed a lot of ruder CM. One was at the ice cream place in Epcot. SHe made an ice cream sunday and kept calling out for someone to get it. When no one came she said " I wanna punch someone in the face every time they do this. " then she looked at me and smiled and sarcastically said "I guess that wasn't very disney like was it" .... I just shook my head. . then she said "well where I am from it is normal to want to punch someone in the face"

 

[k5thbeatle]

I never let this bother me and let it roll off my sleeve but I have noticed a significant amount of rude and thoughtless cm's especially in more recent years. Oh well, their problem not mine but I can see where it could create an image problem.

 

[Joanna71985]

Lets face it everyone is human and not perfect or have a off day, so I am sure this happens from time to time (by the way the gals in BBB do not work for disney, they are a contract company employees, not that it is a excuss).

The CMs in BBB are Disney CMs (they aren't third-party).

 

[ben1993]

Can't think of any bad experiences with CM's, Anyone that works in retail or hospitality will know those days where you really can't bare to inanely grin at another rude customer, but overall CM's do an outstanding job.

 

[bdoyledimou]

At Landscape of Flavors in AoA the staff at the Tandori Kitchen -- ALL of them -- were surley and rude to each other, to guests, everyone.

Was not cool.

Also at LoF -- i commented on how good the Mac and Cheese for the kids meal looked (it looked awesome) and was told by the server "Well you can't have that so pick something else".

I think we also met the "Mad Line monitor" who separated DS and I from DD(12) on splash mountain. She let me and my son go through, then blocked the line and started letting FP people through -- when i mentioned DD was with us, she said "if she was WITH you she would be on this side of the rope wouldn't she?"

We stood against the wall while she let through about 60 FP people -- just rude.

 

[Finally08]

Just got back and noticed a lot of ruder CM. One was at the ice cream place in Epcot. SHe made an ice cream sunday and kept calling out for someone to get it. When no one came she said " I wanna punch someone in the face every time they do this. " then she looked at me and smiled and sarcastically said "I guess that wasn't very disney like was it" .... I just shook my head. . then she said "well where I am from it is normal to want to punch someone in the face"

OMG...where was she from???
It seems like almost all of the rude encounters we've had have been at Epcot. Almost every trip we encounter someone there that just makes me shake my head.

 

[dsneprincess]

August 2010 Mickey's Philharmagic Gift Shop. We were at Disney with friend, only their DD11 had an annual pass for a variety of issues. (a really long convulted story!), but that was the way it was. We had had a previous issue where a CM wouldn't accept her pass for discount with her room charge, so they had to get me for mine. (this one actually worked in their favor as mine was a PAP for 20% off instead of her 10%, but CM handled well & apologized said didn't want to lose her job, Disney was strict, etc., so no issue there...this was a pin cart. Philharmagic store, the CM accepted the pass & completed the transaction, however, I was the next customer in line. Obviously, she didn't know we were all together as she proceeded to moan & complain to her co-worker that she knew it was some sort of scam, why would an 11 year old be the only one with an AP, she was so tired of people, etc. Just really stupdifying, really didn't know what to say....all I could think was really? It was about 60 cents on a lollypop. Her parents ended up carrying her passport, AP & KTTW card all week, just to get discounts. CM ANYWHERE else, I would have spoken to manager, just couldn't believe this happened at Disney!

 

[RevKjb]

The only "less than magical" CM's we've run into were at HS. We found the CM's at Starring Rolls Cafe to be curt, unfriendly and scowling. I would've chalked it up to a long, bad day behind the counter, but it was only 11am and not busy at all. Oh well.

The only less than helpful CMs we ever have experienced (and more than once) has been at HS. They are NOT helpful with our special needs son and his disability pass. They are markedly different form the CMs in the other parks. If it happens again during our December trip I will say something. Hope the CMs cheer up and become actually helpful.

 

[Timmy Boy]

I would not let a CM take the "magic out of anything" because short of slapping me in the face or shoving me or perhaps cursing me out......I don't really care how they treat me. They don't fit into my expectations for my vacation--this would apply to any vacation and any hospitality worker. I just have no idea why people let small things bother them or care about these type of things. So a CM did not grin at your child or was talking cr*p about someone else--who cares.......seriously.

The only thing that "bothers" me about Disney CM's is that for the most part they are more anal and preach more about all the freakin rules that Disney institutes. That is the only thing that annoys me about their behavior. Yes, I know that car 23 miles away is coming and I cannot place a toe outside the white line...............and the trams are so dangerous and anyone under 38 cannot sit on the outside.............and dare I try to walk/run in front of the parade that is 2 miles away...........but all these anal things do not bother me, they are just things that me and boyfriend laugh at when we are at Disney. The way they treat everyone like they are infants and everything is SO dangerous.

Next time, maybe they won't care at all and people will get hurt. They'll let everyone run everywhere all over parade floats, in front of trams, jump out of moving ride vehicles, all to make sure they aren't being inconsiderate by having someone follow a rule that takes 2 seconds.

I'm sure they could care less if you get hurt, it's their managers who make them do it. If someone does run in front of a parade float and die, that family will sue obviously, and the manager will turn to the CM who was responsible at that time.

 

[sfbank]

We were just at Disney in August for our annual trip and I was actually thinking how wonderful every CM we came into contact was. Sure you had some that were there to do their job and not be overly pixie dustified. There were others we enjoyed visiting with. Never once did we have a rude cm. I think with the amount of people Disney has to hire and the general public they have to put up with day in and day out, they do a pretty good job. Face it, the public is not all the lovey dovies here.
Case in point. I had a person, won't even call him a gentleman make his way into the office I work in yesterday. Started yelling at the girl out front. Having been there 12 years, I went to give some reinforcement. Let him yell a little about mail he was getting asking for our company to quote his business. Said he was going to write a letter to the editor, write the attorney general, etc... he had called our office 3 times already, etc.... lie #1
He finally took a breath and I smiled and asked him if he had anything better to do There he was big important man belittling someone because he got a piece of mail. We physically removed his name from the computer in front of him, smiled, and told him to have a nice day as he walked out the door.
Dealing with the public every day gives me even more of a reason to give the CMs a break and if I am in line at Disney and someone has been an idiot before me, I break the ice and act like that same person sarcastically just to make the CM smile. Life is too short

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I did during our 2009 trip. Since the parade was rained out and postponed our entire plan went out the window. We spent 3 hours at MK, without riding anything. It took that long to get around and out of the park. While in Main Street we saw a "civilian" screaming at his partner for having to work overtime. The CM (still in uniform) started a physical fight with him and eventually punch him. What a horrible way to spend our first day at WDW. I would have said something to management but all I really wanted to do was get my family to another park. We then went to Epcot and had a fabulous time.

 

[AndreaA]

I think we also met the "Mad Line monitor" who separated DS and I from DD(12) on splash mountain. She let me and my son go through, then blocked the line and started letting FP people through -- when i mentioned DD was with us, she said "if she was WITH you she would be on this side of the rope wouldn't she?"

We stood against the wall while she let through about 60 FP people -- just rude.

I think this is the second or third mention of CMs separating parties in line. If it happened to me, I would absolutely tell my family members to duck under the rope and come with me. If the CM tried to start anything, I would tell them to call a manager. I'm pretty sure it goes against their rules to split up families.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The CMs in BBB are Disney CMs (they aren't third-party).

If so it has changed in the last year or so, becuase the one I was talking with awaiting my DGD said they were contract workers to WDW.

AKK