Everybody seems to think the magic is gone

[disneynutz]

IMO, the CMs are part of a culture to go above and beyond to take care of customers, and it is driven by the executives. It comes directly from Walt. He believed he would make money if he treated people well and gave them value for their dollar. Making money is a cornerstone of any business (and I don't hold it against any business), but I think there is a Disney difference, and we call it "magic." The executives are very well aware that they have to deliver the "magic," along with many other things in their complicated business. So I agree with the pp that some supervisor or manager approved mailing that package.

Stories like the one the pp wrote make me smile, and the CMs are the heroes in delivering the "magic."

A supervisor or manager approved the mailing of the package not an executive who has put a limit on how many packages can be mailed. The people who meet guests, who remember the Walt stories, Walt's way if plusing it are the ones who continue the traditions and the magic. The executives are the ones that decide when they are allowed to open the other lanes on a ride or schedule more buses, or clean the bathrooms.

Bill

 

[imaginiff]

Felt the magic this week. Two resorts...nice and clean. Food and Wine Festival....decided to spend the extra bucks for reserved seating for Party for the Senses. It was the most unbeliveable party EVER!!!! Our tenth I think....outstanding food, wonderful wine and everything else. The show was outstanding. Not happy about price increases....but...guess what, car needs repairs and the price is gross!!! Gas prices are down and guess what.....prices for air fare in May are out of this world!!!!!

 

[DonDiegoDeLaVega]

My Wife and I returned from a 10 day trip to AK in October. We were celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary.We have been Members since 2007 (AK& 2009 BLT) Upon arrival to the resort we were greeted most warmly by a cast member who asked our names. we told her who we were and she proceeded to give us Anniversary Buttons. After a brief exchange and check-in with the front desk(also very engaging and sincere, with anniversary wishes ) we proceeded to our room.
I had made a request to be near transportation and main lobby, we were given both. Upon opening our room we were met with an extremely large Gift Basket filled with Mickey and Minnie plush
figures, a beautiful wedding picture frame...a Disneyworld photo album...2016 Calendar ...and 3d glasses to watch the fireworks. After looking at the card several times to make sure it was for us
we both looked at each other and smiled with delight. It was from the DVC member Satisfaction Team, wishing us a wonderful stay and Happy Anniversary! How wonderful to start the vacation this way. Dinner throughout the week was exceptional as well with several cast members congratulating us on 40 years. Both at the Brown Derby and Trattoria El Forno the servers "treated us" us to champagne and strawberries. Truly two more fine examples of Cast Members providing a most memorable experience. On our actual date we dined at Victoria and Alberts and were met with more of the same. So many more moments for us throughout the week with family continued. Upon return home i contacted DVC Member Satisfaction by E-mail to thank them for setting the tone for the vacation, to my delight two days later I received a call from Cleone at DVC. they said how grateful to hear from us . She indicated that they try to send some pixie dust as often as they can to members But especially appreciated us taking the time to thank them, complaints and concerns come in very often but not to many "Thank You's". After a wonderful conversation of almost 30 mins sharing that this is where my wife and i went 40 years ago for our honeymoon i replied how gracious they had been.
i was reminded of how fortunate we are to spend several weeks a year at the resort and coming twice or more a year. Lastly what a great decision it was to become members. it has afforded us the chance to create new special moments and even more memories. Remember to thank those who make your time special and who knows you may see some pixie dust come your way.
Certainly costs have gone up and crowds have gotten bigger changing they way we all vacation, But as a close friend reminds me "a bad day on vacation is better than the best day at work"
Thanks for letting me post....on to the February Vacation!!!!

 

[disneynutz]

My Wife and I returned from a 10 day trip to AK in October. We were celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary.We have been Members since 2007 (AK& 2009 BLT) Upon arrival to the resort we were greeted most warmly by a cast member who asked our names. we told her who we were and she proceeded to give us Anniversary Buttons. After a brief exchange and check-in with the front desk(also very engaging and sincere, with anniversary wishes ) we proceeded to our room.
I had made a request to be near transportation and main lobby, we were given both. Upon opening our room we were met with an extremely large Gift Basket filled with Mickey and Minnie plush
figures, a beautiful wedding picture frame...a Disneyworld photo album...2016 Calendar ...and 3d glasses to watch the fireworks. After looking at the card several times to make sure it was for us
we both looked at each other and smiled with delight. It was from the DVC member Satisfaction Team, wishing us a wonderful stay and Happy Anniversary! How wonderful to start the vacation this way. Dinner throughout the week was exceptional as well with several cast members congratulating us on 40 years. Both at the Brown Derby and Trattoria El Forno the servers "treated us" us to champagne and strawberries. Truly two more fine examples of Cast Members providing a most memorable experience. On our actual date we dined at Victoria and Alberts and were met with more of the same. So many more moments for us throughout the week with family continued. Upon return home i contacted DVC Member Satisfaction by E-mail to thank them for setting the tone for the vacation, to my delight two days later I received a call from Cleone at DVC. they said how grateful to hear from us . She indicated that they try to send some pixie dust as often as they can to members But especially appreciated us taking the time to thank them, complaints and concerns come in very often but not to many "Thank You's". After a wonderful conversation of almost 30 mins sharing that this is where my wife and i went 40 years ago for our honeymoon i replied how gracious they had been.
i was reminded of how fortunate we are to spend several weeks a year at the resort and coming twice or more a year. Lastly what a great decision it was to become members. it has afforded us the chance to create new special moments and even more memories. Remember to thank those who make your time special and who knows you may see some pixie dust come your way.
Certainly costs have gone up and crowds have gotten bigger changing they way we all vacation, But as a close friend reminds me "a bad day on vacation is better than the best day at work"
Thanks for letting me post....on to the February Vacation!!!!

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience but I have to ask, what prompted the satisfaction team to send you a gift basket? Did you have pervious contact with them for some reason? How did they know that it was your wedding anniversary?

Bill

 

[saycindy]

IMHO-Whenever we travel other than WDW, I realize how much magic there really is in Disney. I'm willing to pay more to get more at WDW. We go almost yearly and very trip we experience at least one CM going above and beyond for us! It is not perfect but close enough for us!

 

[rwcmath]

My sister has planned a trip to WDW for 3 years. It begins tomorrow, and she's had FP+ for the party of 8 since the 60 days out! Last week, a relative asked to be included, and he's traveling from China!

There's room in the Kudani savannah 2 bedroom, I arranged for ME, all that was needed was hopefully to get some FP+!

My sister needs help planning, ( I had booked everything including FP) but we are now in totally different areas. I told her to ask Disney's CM when she buys the ticket for some FP help. The CM was able to get this grandfather every FP as the rest of the group! This is for a trip that begins tomorrow!

I think it is excellent customer service, my sister is ecstatic !

 

[freediverdude]

I would say that yes it's not quite as special as it used to be 10 or 20 years ago, but that it still offers a great vacation, and offers more in one place than a lot of other destinations.

 

[DonDiegoDeLaVega]

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience but I have to ask, what prompted the satisfaction team to send you a gift basket? Did you have pervious contact with them for some reason? How did they know that it was your wedding anniversary?

Bill

The only thing I did was add the special occasion at online website check in ... As well as make request for certain room location...that's why we were so amazed... Never had any other contact prior to coming... And only about two years ago did we send an email to the satisfaction team to say thank you for a CM who changed a dining res last minute without penalty for a party of 5

 

[gdrj]

I know it came from a cast member, but it went thru the resort to get process and sent.. I believe that most of the magic people get from Disney is thru cast members, I'm sure they must go thru management to get approval for it!!!!

Agreed. That is where most magic comes from. We had an issue, nothing too major, checking in at one resort a few weeks back. We then spent the night out to return to chocolates and a bottle of wine. It exceeded our expectations.