Here now, a little annoyed :/

[CQuinn]

I've come across so many CMs that really couldn't care less about their jobs this trip. As a disclaimer I am pregnant and probably more sensitive than normal, but honestly I've always felt like CMs are such a huge part of the Disney Magic. I worked in customer service for a long time and part of that time was as a CM in a Disney Store. I get that everyone has a bad day, and some guests probably make things worse, but I really think they are hiring people in quantity over quality. It could be a pay issue, maybe they aren't offering enough to get people that are excited to be here. I don't know, but I always greet whatever CM that is helping me with a hello and a smile, use my please and thank yous, I don't expect to get anything for free or "extra pixie dust," but I would appreciate a smile and eye contact. Some can't even be bothered to look at me while they are ringing me up, some can't be bothered to stop the conversation they are having with other coworkers. It's driving a little crazy. And on a somewhat unrelated note, I really miss towel animals. Sorry I just needed to vent a little!

That being said, there are still some really great CMs that love being here, or at least pretend well enough. Even if it's just a hello, good morning, a wave or a smile. They put effort into guest interaction, it means a lot. I have been trying to remember to write the name of any CM that's been really great so I can let the company know about them. I don't know if it helps them out at all but if it does they definitely deserve it!

Also the weather is beautiful, good job Florida

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

That is so frustrating! I think a lot of people are a bit new, since a new College Program just started, and with adjusting to the job perhaps they are forgetting good customer service. Also, the pay is very low and that affects morale. When I was a CM, I worked with a lot of people who loved their job and cared a lot, and also a lot of people who couldn't care less about guest service.

 

[CQuinn]

That is so frustrating! I think a lot of people are a bit new, since a new College Program just started, and with adjusting to the job perhaps they are forgetting good customer service. Also, the pay is very low and that affects morale. When I was a CM, I worked with a lot of people who loved their job and cared a lot, and also a lot of people who couldn't care less about guest service.

Actually the CP cast members I've come across have been really nice and seem excited! Which is promising at least

 

[anniemae]

I've come across so many CMs that really couldn't care less about their jobs this trip. As a disclaimer I am pregnant and probably more sensitive than normal, but honestly I've always felt like CMs are such a huge part of the Disney Magic. I worked in customer service for a long time and part of that time was as a CM in a Disney Store. I get that everyone has a bad day, and some guests probably make things worse, but I really think they are hiring people in quantity over quality. It could be a pay issue, maybe they aren't offering enough to get people that are excited to be here. I don't know, but I always greet whatever CM that is helping me with a hello and a smile, use my please and thank yous, I don't expect to get anything for free or "extra pixie dust," but I would appreciate a smile and eye contact. Some can't even be bothered to look at me while they are ringing me up, some can't be bothered to stop the conversation they are having with other coworkers. It's driving a little crazy. And on a somewhat unrelated note, I really miss towel animals. Sorry I just needed to vent a little!

That being said, there are still some really great CMs that love being here, or at least pretend well enough. Even if it's just a hello, good morning, a wave or a smile. They put effort into guest interaction, it means a lot. I have been trying to remember to write the name of any CM that's been really great so I can let the company know about them. I don't know if it helps them out at all but if it does they definitely deserve it!

Also the weather is beautiful, good job Florida

Seems to be the way of the future.


It is frustrating, but just continue to focus on the good ones.

 

[JimmyV]

Pay people a low wage; show that you are not afraid to lay off workers even in times of prosperity; make the workers who do not get laid off pick up the slack for the workers who were let go; rely on college interns who are not invested in future advancement at the company; and you end up with workers who are not going to sing "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" all day long.

I really think they are hiring people in quantity over quality.

But the quantity is going down, not up. The over-reliance on the College Program is turning out to be a real scar. So many CMs are temporary workers who are going to leave after 4-5 months. It is hard to build a real sense of teamwork when you hire this way.

 

[CQuinn]

Seems to be the way of the future.


It is frustrating, but just continue to focus on the good ones.

It's upsetting that it does seem to be the future of Disney. I don't even know what would fix it? I'm frustrated but I'm still planning my next trip so does it even matter? I am trying to focus on the good ones and there are still really great people here, for sure. I was just so upset after a frustrating time with the food court CMs. I know I'm just extra hormonal but I was so frustrated I started to tear up haha

 

[gsp4ever]

I'm always interested in speaking with the College Program participants and I suppose mileage varies as they claim to get little to no input as to their assignment. Some have been really satisfied and others have been disappointed as they'd hoped their placement might provide them with more major related experience. I remember one girl saying that she was lucky to be assigned to work in a gift shop as her roommate was assigned to an ice cream cart in MK.

 

[PrincessJo]

I've been reading a lot lately about CMs getting their hours cut, not getting raises and part-time CMs not getting any hours at all. I understand why they are not smiling much these days. They may be trying to figure out how to pay their rent

 

[walker0829]

Pay people a low wage; show that you are not afraid to lay off workers even in times of prosperity; make the workers who do not get laid off pick up the slack for the workers who were let go; rely on college interns who are not invested in future advancement at the company; and you end up with workers who are not going to sing "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" all day long.



But the quantity is going down, not up. The over-reliance on the College Program is turning out to be a real scar. So many CMs are temporary workers who are going to leave after 4-5 months. It is hard to build a real sense of teamwork when you hire this way.

I know someone who ended up going to the College Program this year and you wouldn't believe how gung-ho she is for Disney. Once she got her actual assignment and it was not any of the things she wanted, I think some of the magic wore off. I don't know what they are feeding these kids about what Disney will do for their career but some of them think they are made now.

 

[JimmyV]

Some have been really satisfied and others have been disappointed as they'd hoped their placement might provide them with more major related experience. I remember one girl saying that she was lucky to be assigned to work in a gift shop as her roommate was assigned to an ice cream cart in MK.

The CP always looks better on paper. Think about it. You are a college junior at a major university taking high level courses. Perhaps you are thinking about going to law school. Or medical school. Or business school. Or perhaps you are a programming whiz and you are going to head out to Silicon Valley for a six-figure job. And you apply for the CP and get accepted and they slot you into.....walking backwards on the rotating belt at the People Mover. It's insane. Disney has brainwashed an entire generation of talented college students that their highest and best use during their junior year is to sell Mouse Ears. Great for Disney, as it allows them to staff minimum wage, low skill jobs with high IQ talent. But just like the caged tiger in the zoo, pretty soon that high IQ talented employee is going to feel awfully restless in their menial job, and their disposition will show it. How many college students go into the program thinking that they are going to be shadowing executives behind the scenes only to find out that they are going to be manning a popcorn cart?

 

[JimmyV]

I know someone who ended up going to the College Program this year and you wouldn't believe how gung-ho she is for Disney. Once she got her actual assignment and it was not any of the things she wanted, I think some of the magic wore off. I don't know what they are feeding these kids about what Disney will do for their career but some of them think they are made now.

See above. We were typing at the same time, saying the same thing.

 

[tlmadden73]

I have yet to experience BAD customer service at Disney (or a Disney Store) .. .

But in general, you get what you pay for ... (and what you train for). If they continue to hire on the cheap with college interns that are just using this as a stepping stone .. then yes .. you will get people with the "dont' care" attitude.

The good attitude is out there, it takes quality training and good pay .. and a feeling of being "invested" in the company you work for.

Just look at the difference between how you are treated by an employee at McDonald's versus an employee at Chick Fil-A.
At McDonalds the customer is treated as a nuisance or an annoyance, while at Chick Fil-A you are always treated with a smile and a "my pleasure"

There is a reason that Chick Fil-A's are always super busy ANY time of day and McDonald's (despite being everywhere) are usually pretty empty except for people sipping on coffee taking advantage of the free wi-fi.

 

[Planogirl]

Even the most cheerful person can only put up with so much after a while. Many CM's are getting poor treatment from both the public and their employer on a routine basis and I can't say that I blame any of them if they are a bit glum.

 

[jeanico2000]

Nobody forces anybody to work for Disney. If you are a CM, you need to be courteous and patient and friendly at all times, good day or bad day, easy or not, because it's part of your job description. If you don't want/like to be with the public, don't work in a theme park. If a situation escalates, you have supervisors and security to help out. There is never an excuse, in the service industry, not to greet someone back or look them in the eye when you are ringing up a sale. I've been in the service industry since for ever, and this is not acceptable. We have to stop making excuses for inexcusable behavior.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I'm frustrated but I'm still planning my next trip so does it even matter?

Unfortunately that is exactly why Disney's business practices are going the way they are going.

 

[lugnut33]

I have a cousin who did the CP and then was hired on afterwards. She has since changed to a new company in the travel field and is so happy she did. She gets treated much better than when she was at Disney. Sorry, the CP really soured her on Disney because of the way they treat CMs.

 

[JimmyV]

We have to stop making excuses for inexcusable behavior.

It starts from the top down, not the bottom up. We have to stop making excuses for inexcusable management decisions. When you get your work "schedule" for the next month and discover that you have not been scheduled to work any hours for the next two weeks, how do you go into work with a great big smile on your face?

 

[Planogirl]

Nobody forces anybody to work for Disney. If you are a CM, you need to be courteous and patient and friendly at all times, good day or bad day, easy or not, because it's part of your job description. If you don't want/like to be with the public, don't work in a theme park. If a situation escalates, you have supervisors and security to help out. There is never an excuse, in the service industry, not to greet someone back or look them in the eye when you are ringing up a sale. I've been in the service industry since for ever, and this is not acceptable. We have to stop making excuses for inexcusable behavior.

Many of these people are very young and maybe have expectations that are too high. They don't have the experience of someone who has been in the service industry forever and I say that as someone who has also been in that industry for much longer than I care to mention. It also depends on the work environment because it can get to almost anyone if it reaches a certain level.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also, the pay is very low and that affects morale.

I wonder why they accepted the job offer then? Or do we think disney doesnt tell you what you'll be paid with the job offer? Is it a surprise?

And if the person is desperate enough to accept such a low wage I would think they would then be grateful for said offer.

Actually the CP cast members I've come across have been really nice and seem excited! Which is promising at least

Everyone is talking poorly about the CP kids except the OP said the above. She's not talking about those employees.

Pay people a low wage; show that you are not afraid to lay off workers even in times of prosperity; make the workers who do not get laid off pick up the slack for the workers who were let go...

What I want to say to an employee feeling those things...

1. Welcome to the way it has been for a long time now.

2. Hey, you still have a job! The other guy doesn't but you do. Do you want to keep it?

The CP always looks better on paper. Think about it. You are a college junior at a major university taking high level courses. Perhaps you are thinking about going to law school. Or medical school. Or business school. Or perhaps you are a programming whiz and you are going to head out to Silicon Valley for a six-figure job. And you apply for the CP and get accepted and they slot you into.....walking backwards on the rotating belt at the People Mover. It's insane. Disney has brainwashed an entire generation of talented college students that their highest and best use during their junior year is to sell Mouse Ears. Great for Disney, as it allows them to staff minimum wage, low skill jobs with high IQ talent. But just like the caged tiger in the zoo, pretty soon that high IQ talented employee is going to feel awfully restless in their menial job, and their disposition will show it. How many college students go into the program thinking that they are going to be shadowing executives behind the scenes only to find out that they are going to be manning a popcorn cart?

If only there were an Internet-based platform where college students could join and speak to each other about their expectations and experiences. Gosh. Someone should create some sort of "social media" where that's possible.

Oh wait a minute. There are, like, a thousand such platforms for exactly that.

And the OP isn't talking about CP people.

 

[JimmyV]

And the OP isn't talking about CP people.

Odds are...they are.