Getting in a queue line right before closing at a park.

[mickeyluv'r]

You sound like one of those customers who expects to enter a store right before closing and be allowed to shop for as long as you like.

Speaking as someone who worked in customer service for many years, across multiple employers, this is basically how it works.

At every place I worked, I was instructed to SAY this to our customers, "Please take as much time as you like."

If we didn't have live customers at the end of the night, we were still expected to stay past closing to do assorted jobs- like cleaning. In most my jobs, I preferred waiting on customers over the less desirable busywork I was otherwise assigned.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Speaking as someone who worked in customer service for many years, across multiple employers, this is basically how it works.

At every place I worked, I was instructed to SAY this to our customers, "Please take as much time as you like."

If we didn't have live customers at the end of the night, we were still expected to stay past closing to do assorted jobs- like cleaning. In most my jobs, I preferred waiting on customers over the less desirable busywork I was otherwise assigned.

To add to this, I'm sure those CMs are scheduled past closing anyways, for this very reason. Just because a park closes at 10 for example, does not mean cast members for splash mountain or other rides are scheduled until 10 as well.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

No, but you might want to think about coming into the kitchen designer at 8:58, or ordering the 20-minute chocolate soufflé at closing time.

Or not. To each his own.

If the establishments (where I worked) had limits, then it was our job (as employees) to inform the customer that an item was unavailable. Food establishments often 'run out' of special food items late at night.

In other jobs I worked, we truly appreciated all our customers at any time of day, and bent over backwards to meet them according to their schedules.

If a customer plans to spend many $1,000's (say a kitchen remodel in your example), then many small businesses will do whatever it takes to earn that customer!

I worked for a company offering 24 hour service for jobs that only cost $20! That's how the business was built! We delivered service whenever our clients needed us. BECAUSE we offered superior service, our business thrived.

Happy customers = repeat customers. They also have friends and family.

 

[sgtdisney]

To add to this, I'm sure those CMs are scheduled past closing anyways, for this very reason. Just because a park closes at 10 for example, does not mean cast members for splash mountain or other rides are scheduled until 10 as well.

My wife works in retail and when she closes, they are scheduled for 45 minutes after closing. Sometimes they get out early, if the store isn't busy and sometimes they stay longer and get paid for it. It's the just part of the job. If Disney wanted to get all the employees out of the park AT closing, they would change their policies and mode of operating, and let everyone know they lines shut down an hour before closing. No one, in any customer service job expects to get out at posted closing that I know of.

 

[DWeav]

Thanks everyone for answering my question! (minus 1, my accuser)

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

We got in line for TSM at HS just a few minutes before they closed. The CM's were pleasant about it and did cut the line off once it closed. I did feel bad once one of the CM's told me he was working a 16 hour day. That's a long day......

 

[whiporee]

MN

 

[Number Six]

Even in this thread, someone said that if they faced a pre-closing-time rope, they'd go to Guest Services and politely complain (or, ask) why the ride closed earlier than closing time.

Is there something unreasonable about asking that question?

And by the way, I ask you to not insert words I did not use.

 

[whiporee]

No, there's not. Except people were saying they'd have no problem if the line closed earlier. I was pointing out that, as you stated, other people would.

I think that was pretty clear from the quote that was just above my comment. Maybe it wasn't.

 

[whiporee]

Thanks everyone for answering my question! (minus 1, my accuser)

I think what you mean to say is thanks for everyone who agreed with me doing what i wanted to do. Because even i said it was allowed. I just said it wasn't cool.

 

[DWeav]

I think what you mean to say is thanks for everyone who agreed with me doing what i wanted to do. Because even i said it was allowed. I just said it wasn't cool.

Whatever pal, I asked a question, everyone answered and you did what you do best. Judge others.

 

[Delirium]

I'm suddenly feeling remorse for what I did to the following people:
- The custodian that cleans the bathroom I used on the way out of the park. I should have just held it.
- The person that empties the trash on Main Street. I tossed an empty beverage cup in a garbage can at 12.01.
- The CM waiting at the exit to wish me a good night. If I would have just left earlier, he could have saved his voice.
- The boat captain that took us to the Transportation Center. Shame on all 700 of us that forced the Captain to make one last run that night.
- The night manager at the resort. If I would have stayed offsite, it would have meant one less guest she had to worry about.

 

[Sparkly]

All this drama over spotting that Space Mountain has a 30 minute line at 9:58 and popping in for one last ride...

 

[Mikie]

Speaking as someone who worked in customer service for many years, across multiple employers, this is basically how it works.

At every place I worked, I was instructed to SAY this to our customers, "Please take as much time as you like."

If we didn't have live customers at the end of the night, we were still expected to stay past closing to do assorted jobs- like cleaning. In most my jobs, I preferred waiting on customers over the less desirable busywork I was otherwise assigned.

I imagine different places have different approaches, but even though both may post "closing time" as 10pm, you can quickly tell which philosophy the establishment follows:

- places like you have worked where you were instructed to encourage customers to stick around and spend money (though who hasn't encountered that one shopper who looks and analyzes forever and still leaves empty-handed!)

- and then the places like my local Target and Michael's stores (off the top of my head) who start using the PA to announce the time at 25 minutes to close, encouraging you to make your final selections and scoot by closing time.

Having never heard an announcement like that or seen ride lines close early (except one time I did see Toy Story with a posted wait over an hour and some kind of "don't get in line" sign at about 30 min til close) then I think it's clear what model Disney is using.

I'd say plotting which shrubbery to hide behind so you can duck under a chained off queue is taking advantage, but getting in an open line, often waved through by smiling CMs is standard operating procedure at WDW.

 

[whiporee]

Whatever pal, I asked a question, everyone answered and you did what you do best. Judge others.

Heaven forbid people have philosophical disagreements on a message board.

You're right, though. I was judg-y. I apologize for that, because that's not cool behavior on my part. I honestly was trying to show another point of view, but i was too harsh, too often.

 

[DWeav]

Heaven forbid people have philosophical disagreements on a message board.

You're right, though. I was judg-y. I apologize for that, because that's not cool behavior on my part. I honestly was trying to show another point of view, but i was too harsh, too often.

I'm sorry for taking too much offense. I respect your point of view and understand where you are trying to come from, despite my ramblings. Take care good buddy.

 

[DWeav]

I'm suddenly feeling remorse for what I did to the following people:
- The custodian that cleans the bathroom I used on the way out of the park. I should have just held it.
- The person that empties the trash on Main Street. I tossed an empty beverage cup in a garbage can at 12.01.
- The CM waiting at the exit to wish me a good night. If I would have just left earlier, he could have saved his voice.
- The boat captain that took us to the Transportation Center. Shame on all 700 of us that forced the Captain to make one last run that night.
- The night manager at the resort. If I would have stayed offsite, it would have meant one less guest she had to worry about.

Oh my god, my wife and I couldn't stop laughing at this. You made my night. Well played.

 

[disneymom0104]

I would guess that any employee working that late shift running the ride has hours that extend well beyond the park closing. The shops stay open one hour past the park close, because Disney WANTS people shopping on their way out. Is that okay? So even the people shopping (spending $$) for the full hour after the official close, which Disney wants, aren't out of the park until more than an hour later- still needing transportation to their resort, as those people also work hours later than the official park close. Then those shop employees still work past that, closing out their cash registers, and whatever else they do to close the shop for the night. The custodians will continue to clean after those hours. I can't know for sure, but I would be willing to bet that the ride employees are scheduled at least an hour or two after park close anyway- to shut down the rides, clean-up, etc. So whatever people get in the queue as the park closes would likely still be out of the park within an hour, while the shops are still open for people to spend money. I don't know of an example that entering a queue for any ride the minute the park officially closes, would cause one to be leaving the park more than an hour later. All that to say- I don't think anyone is staying past their shift because of last minute riders. If Disney was having to pay overtime for that, they would for sure be closing queues prior to close. They aren't.

 

[whiporee]

If Disney was having to pay overtime for that, they would for sure be closing queues prior to close. They aren't.

Just as an aside, though. Jimmy's analysis on another thread shows that they did average closing an hour earlier every night in June. So maybe some of those unplanned hours add up, and this is their way of closing things down earlier instead of closing rides.

 

[disneymom0104]

Just as an aside, though. Jimmy's analysis on another thread shows that they did average closing an hour earlier every night in June. So maybe some of those unplanned hours add up, and this is their way of closing things down earlier instead of closing rides.

That could absolutely be true.