Great trip - but what about the rudeness!

[luvdisney999]

Would just like to vent for a moment. I realize that Disney World is a magical place, but that the magic doesn't always last 24 hours a day. You run into rude and often times inconsiderate people throughout the parks. You just can't let that ruin your day.

But I'd just like to say that when that rudeness spills over into the Cast Members - we've got a problem.

Here's the story. We walked over to Festival of the Lion King in Animal Kingdom about 45 minutes before the show. My mother wanted to get a really good seat b/c this is her favorite show. All the other shows and parades we have ever seen, our pictures have had people's heads in them. Now I don't mean just a little bit, I mean more heads than anything else.

Anyway, we didn't want this to happen this time. Granted, that was our own fault for arriving 10 minutes before every other show. So we arrived 45 minutes early and entered the theatre right after the other show had let out. The first cast member that I met welcomed us and told us we could sit "anywhere we like - the first 2 shows are rarely full." So Mom and I got a great spot down near the front on a spot on the bleaches where our row stuck out a little bit. We knew people would sit in front of us, but their heads would be over further.

So, we waited and waited. All of a sudden a CM came over and told us to move to the other end of the bleacher. Normally, we are happy to comply, as everyone wants to see the shows and Disney wants to fit in as many people as possible. However, this CM says to the other one, "Don't worry about the other side, I'm just going to fill this one completely." Then, he rudely tells us to move.

Well, my Mom was crestfallen, as we had waited 40 minutes now for the seats that we wanted and the CM was being completely condensing toward us. I calmly tried to explain to him that we had choosen these seats and were one of the first people to come in here. His reply was a snear "Well, these people paid for their tickets same as you."

Well, we didn't move and a family tried to pass us to fill in this small spot. Ended up the CM was trying to pack the side so much, that they had to split up. I looked across the theatre at the other sections and majority of the seats were empty! Even after the show started, all of our side was full, two of the other sections only had a few people in them. When we went to make our animal sounds, it was way off b/c those sections had so few people, instead of being more even. There were MORE than enough seats for everyone and I didn't understand the CM's need to pack our section and be inconsiderate to do it.

Maybe I'm wrong, and feel free to tell me, (no flames, though, please!), but shouldn't CM's be the least rude people at Disney World. There were people that would show up 5 minutes before a show and stand right in front of us and then put their children on their shoulders and completely block our views. Yet, I said nothing. I believe that if a show is important to you to have a good view, then you get there early enough to hold it. Is it really fair for someone else to walk up 5 minutes ahead of time and stand in front of you and block your view?

But again, this is Disney World and it is our vacation, so we let these things go. But when a CM is being rude and condensending, then what hope do we have that the visitors won't be that way? I am used to it from other guests, but not employees. As someone who works in customer service, I bend over backwards for my guests everyday. I didn't know I'd have to do it for employees on MY vacation?!?!

So, just wanted to vent and your comments are appreciated. Just wanted to get some hope that most Disney CM's (and visitors) aren't like this one. Just wanted some hope. Thanks!

 

[crazyj4488]

It's rare for a CM to act this way but it does happen. Cm's don't get paid very well in my opinion and they have to deal with a lot each day. I really admire them for being such wonderful and patient people but one bad apple can really put a damper on your vacation experience.

While I was attending Baylor University, the college program tour came in and interviewed people interested in working at the parks. They had very rigorous standards and interviews. I skipped out because I didn't want to extend my college stay any further than necessary but I did talk to the CM's running the recruitment program very heavily. It takes a certain type of person to carry out the job properly.

When I get really old, I want to retire with a bundle of money to live comfortably in Celebration and work the turnstiles at WDW just to pass the time and keep myself active. I think greeting everyone coming into the parks would be great and much better than being stuck greeting people entering Wal-Mart. Hehe.

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

I agree with you. We just got back and the CM's just weren't as friendly and welcoming as our past trips. I know they have a hard job and I was always impressed how they could be so happy all day long, however this trip most (not all) seemed to be doing the minimum that was required. We never encounted any "rude" ones though, the magic just didn't seem to be there.

 

[safetymom]

I see lots of friendly CM's at the parks. There may be a few that aren't as happy as you like.

I know she wanted a great seat but at every place Disney seats people they want you to fill in the row. They don't want you to pick your place and have everyone climb over you. There may have been a reason they didn't fill in those other sections.

 

[kirbsam]

i am sorry you had trouble with one cm. please, dont condmen the rest of the cm's because of one. i am sure you encountered literally, thousands on your trip. i truly cant remember any rude cm's on my trips. and rest assured that the vast, vast majority are great, wonderful and full of magic.

 

[auntpolly]

I agree he didn't have to be so rude, but I think maybe the first CM really kind of mispoke when he told you to "sit anywhere you like". They kind of do try to get everyone to move the whole way in across the row in all of the shows and attractions with theaters. Most times they say it and don't enforce it, but if it's really crowded, they all make people move over.

I've seen CMs being rude, too, but almost always it's because they are enforcing some rule. I just want to say to them - hey! You don't have to talk to people that way! But maybe after day after day of guests trying to walk all over you it gets to you and you snap at everyone.

 

[kilee]

Unfortunately CM's are people too. There's been times when all of us are just having a bad day and take it out on the wrong people. I would think this was probably the case.

As for FOTLK, we've sat down low, to the side, and up high. We've always had great views.

 

[missypie]

We were at WDW for 10 days recently and had a few - but not very many - rude CMs. One girl at Morocco at WS was so rude that it became a running joke for the whole trip (but I guess the folks in the countries are only quasi CMs). If you want a dose of "reality", go to one of the Orlando area Walmarts or other such places about mid-trip...you will be gald to get back nto the Discney cocoon!

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

I'm not making excuses, as we are all human, but I know how tough it is to deal with the public and keep a happy smile on your face. Unfortunately you don't know what happened before s/he dealt with you. I'm sure there were many factors in his behaviour, just keep that in mind.

I'm glad to hear though, that you did enjoy the show. The tumble monkeys are some of my favorite acts at the the Animal Kingdom.

 

[WaltD4Me]

FOTLK is probably my most favorite show at WDW too!

Anyway, I know you just wanted to vent, I vented about a very nasty bus driver too after our December trip, but what kirbsam said is so true....you probably dealt with hundreds of CM's on your trip, so think of the ratio (1 bad CM to 100's of good CM's) and try not to let the one negative experience get to you or spoil the magic.

Disney does have by far the best employees in the theme park industry in my opinion. At most other parks I've been to, the ratio of good to bad employees experiences is the reserve of Disney....1 good to hundreds of bad!

 

[Baloo]

I've run into a few rude CMs now and then and some OUTSTANDING ones too.You know what you should do when EITHER one happens?

Make a trip (we usually do it on our way out) to Guest Relations and fill out a report. That is one of the BEST ways to let Disney know what's going on in it's parks with it's CMs.We always make sure we get the CMs name and what attraction/restaurant etc. they were working. Someone at Guest Relations will write out what happened on the report while you're there.The CMs really do hear about the reports.

We LOVE being able to have an "extra magic" CM to say something good about each trip.

 

[dixipixi]

We were at WDW last week and I have to say we were very lucky when it came to CM encounters. Everyone we saw was extremely friendly and helpful. I cannot say enough good things about them. They do have a very hard job and the weather last week was just awful with all the rain. But, the CM's we dealt with always had a good disposition.

DH had one bad experience at our hotel gift shop. When he called the front desk to report the CM (who was not just rude, she was actually pretty nasty and had a really bad attitude with not only DH but her co workers as well), he was transferred immediately to the duty manager who apologized profusely and worked to rectify the situation. While on the phone, DH did not just complain about the one bad apple, he praised every other CM on the property and called many by name (which surprised me). I honestly think it was because everyone else had been so nice that DH was more prone to notice the bad attitude of this one particular CM.

 

[luvdisney999]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their comments.

I agree that everyone has a bad day. But, I have bad days too, but still have to keep a smile on my face. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident.

I didn't have any positive experiences with any CM's - really wish I had, since it would probably have evened it out better. I know Disney is reality and they aren't paid well, but guests are trying to escape reality and enjoy the magic!

Just hoping to find more considerate people everywhere in the world. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent - my real reason behind the post. I know everyone here would understand and share my love of spreading the magic at Disney and in the world. This starts with trying to be considerate to everyone. Anyway, thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

I do suggest filing a complaint with Guest Relations when it comes to rude CM's, and would go so far as to, at the very end,m discreetly ask for a small perk such as an extra fast pass or complimentary ice cream for each family member. The main purpose is to make the complaint sink in.

For the specific situation of the OP I would simply respond first "I want to stay here" and disobey the rude CM. If the CM persists, my second response would comment on the CM's rudeness.

Now if the CM decided to get tough and bring reinforcements for something as petty as this I would, later at Guest Relations, ask for something big like restaurant entrees for the family.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[alanda]

We have just returned, and for the first time ever encountered a couple of rude CMs - nothing too heavy - just a bit brusque and not as smiley as we were used too. But it was just a couple - and they were older CMs - there were many others who were fantastic as usual.