I hate the workers at Disneyland!

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I saw another post from princess on the DCL forum, complaining about the cruise too.

 

[DL4my2kids]

we have been treated really well. My DH would stand for nothing less. I hope this one time doesn't stop you from trying it again. I hope someone there was just having an "off" day.

 

[NStramler]

I have been to both parks and I can tell you based on knowledge and friendliness DLR wins hands down!

I agree!!!! We love Disneyland and are on our way there tomorrow for three days!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

 

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

I am so sorry that the OP had a bad experience. That is very unfortunate. When we were at the park in July of '06, it was very crowded and VERY hot (109 our first day) and if there was ever a time a CM should be allowed to be grumpy (no pun intended ) it would have been then. However, we were greeted with nothing but smiles. When we had the occasion to talk one-on-one with different CM's we asked how they beat the heat. They told us the fully costumed CM's weren't out for any more than 15 minutes at a time and the other themed CM's were rotating every 30 minutes. You would think that would cause chaos, but we never noticed a lag in service or a frown anywhere.
In fact, we were walking past an area where Eeyore was obviously walking toward the backstage area - and you know that costume HAS to be a hot and heavy one - and he stopped to squat down and greet my kids and pose for pics. That was a great moment for them and I think proof that the CM's usually go above and beyond....
I think sometimes mindset has a lot to do with it. Unfortunately, one bad experience will sometimes make you look for more, and if you look hard enough you can probably find bad service even in the Happiest Place on Earth.

 

[TravelinGal]

Count me in the DLR CM are more friendly than WDW. Don't see where you're coming from on that one.



(not that there's a big problem with WDW CM - just that overall DLR CM were more happy go lucky, chatty etc)

 

[prncssmel]

While not all DL CM's are perfect (we expect a lot out of them for very low pay), the majority I have experienced (go 3-4 times each year) are fantastic. In WDW, we had a few bad CM's (mainly hotel people), but most were wonderful. In fact, at both places, we have had many CM's who have gone far above and beyond, and we have gone to City Hall to report on how fabulous they were. I have only ever reported on bad CM, and that flat out lied to us in WDW.

As for the photogs, we have had some blurry pictures, but a few blurry pics out of the hundreds we have taken is nothing to me. I also don't get how fingers could be in the pic, based on how the cameras are. If there is a problem, though, I would call Disney about it and talk about a partial refund for the CD if the majority of the pictures are like that.

 

[oldcrow]

I worked at DL for a brief 3 month period, mostly working guest control during Fantasmic! I can tell you that for the most part CMs working that job are being as nice as possible. Unfortunately there are rules working guest control, no stopping in the walkways, no sitting on trash cans, no standing on the walls, etc. No matter how nice you tell someone that their kid cannot stand on a trash can to see the show, we always got upset and cranky parents accusing us of being mean. We were trained to simply offer alternative viewing locations, but that didn't always work. After 14 hours of sweating and chasing after their kids, parents tend to take things out on the Fantasmic! guest control CMs. Unfortunately, that's some of the last CMs they encounter and their impression becomes negative.

One night, as a guest was trying to park her stroller in the middle of a walkway, blocking the entrance to POTC, I tried to inform her of a better place to park the stroller. She immediately became angry at me even though I was speaking to her in my most calm and happy voice. When I suggested to her that if she left the stroller there it would be moved to a stroller parking area, she said very sarcasticly, "well thanks for being NICE about it." I said with my calmest voice, "I'm sorry mam, I'm just trying to save you the trouble of looking for your stroller after the show because where you are parking it now happens to be the emergency first aid location where we will bring someone if they need medical attention" Which was true. By the way, please don't stand outside POTC to the right hand side of the entrance, by the brick wall during Fantasmic!, that's the area I'm referring to.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I too agree that the OP is over exaggerating. Every time I've been to DLR, I have experienced nothing but very nice CMs. And of course there are going to be some who aren't as cheery as others, but I don't think 'hate' was the correct word to use. It's hard to believe that EVERY CM you came in contact with was rude to you.

As for the pictures, I have heard that some PP photographers are NOT trained photographers, but they try their best to take wonderful pictures for us. But with such a big camera that they use, it's hard to believe that their fingers can get in the way..

 

[4Ollies]

The CMs we have dealt with at WDW have been friendly and helpful for the most part. We expect the same when going to DL next month and I'm sure that's what we will find. We have met several who went out of their way to be fun and helpful. Watched one who cleaned the walks play "soccer" with kids who couldn't (or wouldn't) ride Rock N Roll Coaster, one at Animal Kingdom use my boys new animals to talk, etc.

CMs are working and they can't always be happy. They have real lives that can interfer just like everyone else. If you are in a bad mood then your perception of the CMs is probably going to be bad. In a good mood, then they all seem happy.

 

[phisigprincess]

We found the photopass photographers in DL to be exceptional. They took more time than the ones in WDW and made sure they got creative shots each time. One spent a ton of time with us by Paradise Pier so that he could get the exact shot he was looking for. Different strokes, I suppose.

 

[pixiewings71]

Anyone else find it interesting that the OP hasn't been back after her post? I have no doubt that we will not be seeing fingerey (LOL) pictures from her.

 

[shyboy72]

Anyone else find it interesting that the OP hasn't been back after her post? I have no doubt that we will not be seeing fingerey (LOL) pictures from her.

I don't think she will. I think she opened a can of worms with this one. Shame too because it would be interesting to see the "evidence."

 

[TinkerbellTris]

I have experienced both good and bad at WDW and DL. We are frequent visitors to both DL and WDW, and I know there have been some bad CM's and there have been some excellent CM's. I think there can be some exaggeration added to the events when a CM has poor customer service...I can see where it sort of wrecks your day to be treated poorly at DL or WDW, but I work in customer service and there are day's, let me tell ya, where you just are not 100%. Maybe the CM the OP dealt with was having an off day. But further more, I have always been one to voice my opinion directly to the CM who was not being very nice, and they changed their tune right away. But honestly, in all my visits and all the years, I can count on 1 hand how many bad experiences I've ever had at both parks.

 

[december]

I worked at WDW and have seen some of the nicest, and some of the seriously not nice CMs you could imagine. It runs the gamut.

Now I've never been to DL, but I'm sure it's very much the same. Thing is, I'm going on the college program there (in 4 days!) as a photopass photographer, so I hope I can change a few minds. I know I'll have bad days and blurry pictures, but rest assured, I will try to be kind and take as decent of pictures of guests as I do in my free time.

You are going to DL as as photographer? I'll be there in 9 days with 15 in-laws! I've told them the photopass cd is my treat, and given each family a list of locations for special shots. We had some great shots at WDW Thanksgiving week-since it was just me and my kids it was so nice to have someone else to take the pictures.

The only grumpy cm we've experienced in 2 WDW trips was the lady who checked us out at AllStar Sports in 2006. Not very magical. Other than that, they've been really great!

 

[toyota]

I would say 99% of the cm's are extremely positive and provide excellent interaction. I don't think I could remain as positive doing the job they do (the jobs are so varied).

We just got back from a 6 day visit to DLR. We left a backpack and DD's ears hat in Soarin'. As we were near the end of the exit, we realized we left them. We went to the greeter, told him the situation, and he said to go back down the exit. I waited until the show was over, went in and looked below out seat and didn't find our stuff. Long story short, later we went back to the greeter, asked if our stuff had shown up. Huge relief, the back pack had (that had money, cc's, APs, etc.) but no ears hat. So, he said "Let me see what I can do for you". Then he called someone (a Soarin' CM named Heather) who gave us a "no strings attached" slip of paper to replace the hat free of charge! A very nice thing to do! DD was very happy. So were we. So I'd say they are very guest service oriented!

 

[KerTggr]

A couple things I always keep in mind:

• DL has a higher attrition rate than WDW.
• The photopass photogs are not trained photographers (the photogs that work Disney Events are). These are also not WDW employees - rather they are employed by the photography vendor. (FYI - this is also the case with the surveyors and balloon sales at WDW)

Last week, we went to DL and had a great time. While the workings were a little slow (lots of trainings happening for summer searsonal employment), everyone was uber friendly.

 

[bonita_babe232]

Last trip when we went my son got sick twice! The first time was in goofys candy store in DTD we felt so bad but the lady was great about it she said not to worry about it and was very nice/friendly/helpful then the second time we were walking down the pathway of DTD by the trams and my son got sick again! well they were having a sewer backup so there were tons of CM people around blocking the area, well as soon as my son got sick a few ran over to see if he was ok, and the poor sweeper guy who had to clean up my son's puke gave him a sticker with a Dr.Mickey on telling him to feel better! I don't see better service then that! I don't think i would be to nice and chiper if i had to clean up some kids puke!! but both times they were great and more worried about my son then having to clean up the puke!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

and the poor sweeper guy who had to clean up my son's puke gave him a sticker with a Dr.Mickey on telling him to feel better!

How sweet of him!!

 

[Jenn1116]

and the poor sweeper guy who had to clean up my son's puke gave him a sticker with a Dr.Mickey on telling him to feel better! I don't see better service then that! I don't think i would be to nice and chiper if i had to clean up some kids puke!!

My eyes are tearing up!

That's a wonderful CM story!

 

[JohnZ46]

I go to both DLR and WDW and I can honestly say that I've never noticed any dramatic difference between the two.

Maybe I'm just lucky* but I've never experienced rude CMs at either place. Maybe a couple bored ones but nothing that really bothered me.


*(but not so lucky that I've ever been dreamed.)