Has this happened to any other solos at WDW?

[Simba's Mom]

Several times, when I've been in a park solo, I've had a family come up to me asking for directions. Usually they start with, "Do you work here?" I used to just say no and walk away, but once I realized that they've all been after the same thing (and what's nice is that I can always tell them how to get to where they want-a particular resturaunt, the nearest rest room, a resort they want, where can I get a taxi, etc.), now I just say, "How can I help you?" without saying yes or no. Do any other solos find that happens? My family says it's probably just because they expect people to be vacationing to be with their families, and if you notice, people who work there are often walking around alone. It's kind of neat! Any other solos get this?

 

[spiceycat]

oh yes....

generally not when I am a solo - but with mother.

once there were some Europeans who had the wrong map (the English one) - mother flat out refused to allow me to take them to the front for the correct one.... so I tried in hand signs to show them where they needed to go - we were in Italy....

most of the time the people asking speak English...

I have been so bad that I have seemed a bunch of people grouped over a map and told them where to go.....that was probably rude of me....

 

[tednvon]

I'll just bet that anyone who has posted more than 10.000 times on this board just oozes of Disney knowlege, and no matter what you are wearing or where you are at, your aura says "Ask me, I know!"

All the best...Ted

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have it a little different. From a place where I used to live I could easily tell when people were lost. I will go up to people and offer to help. But even when at a park other than where I work (and not in costume) I often do get asked for help.

 

[eeyorepooh]

It's happened to me. That happens to me a lot wherever I go, for some reason. I think it's because I walk fast- I must look like I know where I'm going!

 

[WillCAD]

It happens to me constantly, but it's not just because I'm solo.

I carry a big SLR camera, I wear a utility belt with my Mickey poncho, a water bottle, and a bunch of other stuff on it, and I have a lanyard around my neck with my park pass in it. I often wear polo shirts in the park. Put that together, a lot of people who are unfamiliar with WDW just assume I work there and ask me directions to every place under the Florida sun.

I try to be nice about it and direct them, since I know the parks well enough to direct people without refering to the map, but after half a dozen or so in a day, it gets a little old.

On my last trip I had some woman practically jump down my throat complaining about how the characters just LEFT without giving her 2-year old an autograph. She ranted for about 30 seconds before I could interrupt her and tell her that I don't work here, then she continued to complain to me anyway. I guess she thought that when I said "I don't work here" she figured I meant that I just don't work in this department.

 

[spiceycat]

love your maps!!!

 

[tednvon]

Just my luck...I could walk around Disney World in a bright outfit with a big

"I KNOW DISNEY WORLD, JUST ASK ME" sign........and nobody would ask!!

You guys are great!

Ted

 

[CoasterAddict]

OH, this happens to me *all* the time. Even when I'm not wearing my VIP guest button that looks like a cast member button to unsophisticated visitors. Lots of folks ask me, "do you work here?" Yeah, like they'd let me dress in shorts and a tank top if I did. I usually can answer their questions, though, so I do. Spread the magic.

 

[eeyoregon]

I've never done WDW solo but as the kids get older, my day will come. I do however get approached at every store I am at. I can be pushing a cart, have a purse on my shoulder and my sunglasses on top of my head and I will get, "excuse me, do you work here?"??? I guess I just have "that" kind of face??

I did learn to NEVER wear khaki pants and red shirt to Target!!!

 

[Otimon]

This thread is very interesting to me as I am a CM and work at Epcot as the Super Greeter for the East side of Future World. My job is to acknowledge and talk with as many guests as possible, answer questions and offer assistance to them whenever needed.

I'm often in the park as a guest and no one ever approaches me with a question because they think I might work there. Just out of habit I often offer assistance when I'm a guest myself, but no one ever asks me first. I guess you folks just have the Magic look!

We're very glad you're there. Best wishes.

 

[spiceycat]

I don't know about magical - harmless - definitely!!!

I would love your job - on second though no - I hate the florida sun.... very, very fair skin.

 

[Terk-1]

Yes, but I don't mind. Actually, I find myself approaching people taking a photo to see if they want to be in the picture too. Most people are ver appreciative about it.

 

[ppiew]

I have had a 'different' experience. When wlkng on the Yacht Club Boardwalk, a young couple (tired and stressed out) and a screaming toddler came by. I knelt down and talked with the little boy and he soon stopped crying. Mom & Dad 'melted' too and thanked me profusely! I went on my way and was headed out the door of the Yacht Club and this little boy ran up to me and said "Grandma Disney, Grandma Disney" - I stopped and it was the same little kid I had spoken with earlier (with mom and dad). He said 'thank you for making me feel better' ( or something similar). The 'Grandma Disney' choked me up! Believe me I will help anyone from now on! It made my whole day!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

This happened *VERY* frequently to me. It is because I usually wear my
Guest of Honor badge. Usually they don't ask if I work there or not. They just come up to me and ask me for directions. If I am certain of my information, and I usually am, i just give them the directions without saying that I don't work there. Seeing that I am usually solo, I really appreciate stopping to talk to people !

 

[Kaycee]

It happens to me constantly, but it's not just because I'm solo.

I can verify this because I saw it happen. Will and I were chatting in MK last December when someone walked up to Will and asked, "Do you work here?" I had read Will's trip reports where he referred to this always happening to him, so it made me laugh to actually witness it!

 

[Kaycee]

I have had a 'different' experience. When wlkng on the Yacht Club Boardwalk, a young couple (tired and stressed out) and a screaming toddler came by. I knelt down and talked with the little boy and he soon stopped crying. Mom & Dad 'melted' too and thanked me profusely! I went on my way and was headed out the door of the Yacht Club and this little boy ran up to me and said "Grandma Disney, Grandma Disney" - I stopped and it was the same little kid I had spoken with earlier (with mom and dad). He said 'thank you for making me feel better' ( or something similar). The 'Grandma Disney' choked me up! Believe me I will help anyone from now on! It made my whole day!

What a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Well, I do work at WDW, but I often get people coming up to me and asking me questions when I'm not in costume (or even the park I work at).

One night, I was trying to set up my camera for a shot near one of the side pathways in Epcot, and someone asked me if that pathway was the entrance to Imagination. (It wasn't)

Probably my funniest experience was that I was in street clothes, in my park (I had come in to do my schedule bid). I was standing near the entrance to my attraction, talking to 2 of my managers (both of whom were in "manager attire", complete with pin lanyard, nametag, ID, and radio earpieces), a guest comes up to ME and asked me for directions to the nearest restroom. Apparently, I've got "I work here" tattooed on my forehead.

 

[smilingmouse]

I used to work at WDW. Now, when I am back as a "regular" guest, I am often asked for directions. I usually help them since doing so is quicker than explaining that I'm not a CM.

 

[eeyorepooh]

Yes, but I don't mind. Actually, I find myself approaching people taking a photo to see if they want to be in the picture too. Most people are ver appreciative about it.

I do that too! I wish people would do it for me more often...I often feel like I'm imposing when I ask folks to take a photo so I can be in it.