Ideas for CM basket??

[newtodis]

I would like to put together a small (probably non-Disney) basket to leave at with the Club Level staff when we stay in December. I've been quite the pain for them I'm sure with changing around ADRs and everything else. I'm thinking non-Disney since I'm sure they see enough of that every day. What are your thoughts on what I should put in the basket for them? We live near Hilton Head Island, SC so I thought maybe some stuff from the Island and maybe Charleston and Savannah-kind of like a little taste of our "home away from home" for them??

Also, has anyone done anything like this?? What did you include?? Did you drop it off on your first or last day?? I'm not looking for anything huge-maybe $30-$40 range.

TIA!

 

[happily single]

I was going to suggest a basket made with things native to your home. Maybe throw in a few $5.00 gift cards to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks if there were a few extra special CM's who helped you. Don't forget a personalized Thank YOu card.

 

[lisa3383]

I've never done this - but you can't go wrong with Food! Maybe cookies, or something they can enjoy like that at work?

 

[minijeanie]

personally, I think money would be most appreciated...
especially in these economic times.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

There was a post a couple of years ago about this topic... we actually had some CM's come here and post on it with recommendations. I think everyone agreed that CM's prefer gift cards or cash as a thank you. Most of them have families to support and are trying to make ends meet. Nothing does that better than money. If that isn't possible then I'd say food as a second choice.

 

[newtodis]

Thanks for the tips! DH is always trying to talk me into buying gift cards for things like birthdays and Christmas and such and I can never bring myself to do it. I just think it's so impersonal. I'm sure it's just me and something I have to get over. We do have a Starbuck's here so maybe I'll stop there and Target?? I could do that for the one guy that's helped so much (Don at AKL-CL) but I would hate to buy like four and there be five people there that day or something. I know I obsess too much over things like that but I would hate to leave someone out. I guess that's why I was thinking more the basket idea.

If there are ANY CMs out there-PLEASE give me some ideas!!

Thanks guys!! I appreciate the help!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I would like to put together a small (probably non-Disney) basket to leave at with the Club Level staff when we stay in December. I've been quite the pain for them I'm sure with changing around ADRs and everything else.

I just wanted to point out, that the IPO staff who's handling all your pre-planning needs are not necessarily the same ones who work the desk at the resort. I believe a few of them rotate around, but not everyone does. If you want to be sure it gets to the correct group of CM's, I would ask them where their physical office is located and mail it to them. I've done the same thing with a chocolate gift basket and some personalized Make A Wish ornaments. I think something that everyone can share is better than individual gift cards. Plus, they have policies about the value of an individual gift and cash value tips are not something that they can not easily accept.

 

[nascargirl]

I believe castmembers cannot except money. I have seen on different posts, if they are seen accepting money they could be fired. We have either brought homemade desserts or have sent gift items from the popcorn factory. They have nice ideas that are sent pretty reasonably and come in diffferent decorative cans.

 

[Allison]

As someone else pointed out, the staff you see when you arrive aren't necessarily the staff you worked with while planning.

My understanding is also that these CM's cannot accept money.

 

[Kimberle]

As someone else pointed out, the staff you see when you arrive aren't necessarily the staff you worked with while planning.

My understanding is also that these CM's cannot accept money.

This is true. Our pre-trip planners have never been the ones in the lounge. Club level conceirges are not allowed to except cash tips.

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

Gift cards to stores like Target, cookies, visa giftcards... i mean if they arent allowed to accept cash - then they can accept giftcards right? LOL

 

[newtodis]

THANK YOU for pointing out that it may not be the same staff and that they cannot accept cash. I wouldn't have known otherwise.

Thanks again!! Now I've got to come up with something good!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Gift cards to stores like Target, cookies, visa giftcards... i mean if they arent allowed to accept cash - then they can accept giftcards right? LOL

Gift cards have a cash value, so that's a concern. Club level CM's are supposed to decline monetary tips, but will accept if you insist. They can't keep it for themselves though. It goes into a "fund" that they can use to pay for a party or something for the whole group. Gift cards would most likely be treated the same exact way.

As always, if you feel someone is going above and beyond to help you, be sure to send a letter to their manager. The letters are used during review time and an overall pay increase is something that will definitely benefit the employee more than a one time $25 gift card.

 

[puzzles]

I agree with sending a nice note to the manager for those who have gone out of their way to be extra helpful. A nice unsolicited note in their personnel file is probably worth more than a gift card

As far as your basket idea - I think that is wonderful and I would just fill it with lots of little easy to grab snacks & they can all share it. That way no one is left out and its not specifically for any person. You are thanking them all. I think they would really appreciate it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Expect for the Animal Kingdom Lodge Club Level which are on their own, I believe that all the other Deluxe Resort Club Levels share the same IPO offices. I know that the Contemporary shares with the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian shares with the Wilderness Lodge and finally the Boardwalk, Yacht Club and Beach also share with each other. So chances are you won't see them at any of the Club Level lounges, since it's a different set of Cast Members working there and because they have nothing to do with the IPO Cast Members. Also if you plan to get them any gifts with a $ value, I believe it can not be more then $75.00 in value and they still need to give it to their managers or something like that so it can be shared among each Cast Member.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I would like to put together a small (probably non-Disney) basket to leave at with the Club Level staff when we stay in December. I've been quite the pain for them I'm sure with changing around ADRs and everything else.

1) Sounds nice.
2) Of course, you know that they are not the ones doing the ressie changing?
3) The IPO people are different that the Club Floor people.
4) Also, giving them cash can get them fired.

 

[TeenaS]

Some of the IPO cast members work extra shifts at the club level desks but not often.

Your suggestion for a gift basket is very nice. We cannot accept money PERIOD!!! We can get fired. If a cast member accepts a tip because a guest pushes and pushes and pushes, we must turn it in immediately or we will be fired.

We can accept gift cards up to a value of $75 and other gifts up to a value of $75 with the exception of alcohol. NO alcohol.

Some repeat guests I know bring us gifts from their home area like tastycakes from Philly, candy from Chicago, hot stuff from New Orleans, etc. Some repeat guests come with Disney gift cards ... from $5 to $75. Last week a cast member got handed a $10 Hess gift card ... that was the best gift ever!!! We also receive home made cards from kids and honestly receiving those cards from the kids makes me so happy and grateful that I have the job I do. Even a verbal thank you is super nice!! At Christmas last year, a guest brought me a tin of homemade cookies ... that was super!!!!

And last but not least, a letter sent to guest communications at WDW is fantastic!!!! Sometimes it takes 9 months to get to us but eventually it does and it means a great deal that someone took the time to write a letter about us.

Hope this helps.

 

[kafitty]

i don't have any suggestions beyond what anyone else has mentioned, but i did want to say how nice it is for you to think of the CM's!
In ANY service industry, it is always sooooo nice to have guests really show their appreciation. Most of us work really really hard to make our guests happy, and we love to know when we've succeeded!!

 

[Cricketmint]

I've done a gift from the popcorn factory as well, (its something they can all share and enjoy together) I've done this one the past 2 times and they loved loved loved it! (its 49.99 and worth every penny! plus they do have smaller sizes at smaller prices if thats something that fits in your budget a little better)
http://www.thepopcornfactory.com/pr...e=s_collection&fc_track1=&cur_index=&channel=

plus I like to include a personal thankyou note! The other thing I do to is find out where to send a letter to their upper management, (a big big boss or even ask their reg. boss if they would forwarding it on to his boss) I think this is more rewarding because Disney prides itself on family and service, and when they have guest feed back saying someone gave them that, there going to reward the cast memeber(s) Weather its a raise or promotion ect... Thats just IMO, the best thing to do, (esp if you dont have that extra $$ to spend on a big gift) I've done this 2 years in a row now (3trips total) and 2/3 of the times I got a thank you note from the CM(s) thanking me so much for my generous and thoughtful note to their boss, 1 of them was a student intern also, and got a job offer from Disney because of her hard work. So it made me feel great that I helped make someones dreams come true!! )

 

[Blessedx3]

Since the Cm's are in different areas (IPO and CL floor) how do you get the basket to the IPO CM's if you are doing one basket for each???