Just Back....Strange Observance

[SRUAlmn]

We just returned a week ago from our 10th trip to WDW, and I noticed something that we've never seen before. Maybe it's because I've taken the KTTK tour 3 times and I look for certain things more than most people? We noticed a large number of CMs out of their costumed area and socializing with CMs in other areas, and in almost every park. We first noticed it at MK and I thought maybe something was wrong in the Utilidors. Tropical Storm Debby had just gone through a couple days prior. Do they flood? But then we noticed it in AK and Epcot too. It was very odd and it was the first time we've ever noticed this happen. Has anyone else noticed this lately?


ETA: My OP caused confusion, so I wanted to clear it up here. I have taken the KTTK tour 3 times in the past in which they explained the importance of having the Utilidors and that costumed characters should never be seen outside their intended area to ensure the quality of the SHOW. Knowing this information is what caused me to think it was weird when I was visiting as a guest (not on a tour) this past visit and saw multiple CMs in multiple parks who were in an area that didn't go with the costuming they were wearing. They were either passing through to get somewhere (leaving a shift perhaps?) or they were standing around socializing with CMs who were costumed for that area. I saw this happen in MK, AK, and Epcot.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . We noticed a large number of CMs out of their costumed area and socializing with CMs in other areas, and in almost every park . . .

1) Very common.
2) Many CM's don't care.
3) Many bosses don't want to become involved.

 

[SRUAlmn]

1) Very common.
2) Many CM's don't care.
3) Many bosses don't want to become involved.

Well, that's a bummer! I know on the KTTK tour (all 3 of them) they mentioned how hard Disney works to be sure the magic and show aren't ruined by having improper costuming in the wrong areas. It was actually THE reason Walt wanted to build the Utilidors. Even as an adult, it made me do a double take and was kind of annoying. What a shame that no one cares anymore

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

If the CMs were "off stage" it is perfectly acceptable behavior.

 

[Lady_Gracey999]

Well, that's a bummer! I know on the KTTK tour (all 3 of them) they mentioned how hard Disney works to be sure the magic and show aren't ruined by having improper costuming in the wrong areas. It was actually THE reason Walt wanted to build the Utilidors. Even as an adult, it made me do a double take and was kind of annoying. What a shame that no one cares anymore

I was thinking of this too. If Walt was here today I wonder how things would be. Sad.

 

[tinkerpea]

If the CMs were "off stage" it is perfectly acceptable behavior.

If the CMs are OFF STAGE then they should be in normal clothing not in their themed outfits ment only for a certain area!
That was the whole idea of different outfits they where ment only to be worn in certain places that they was working and to be seen nowhere else .

Years ago there would NEVER be a CM out off their themed area in their outfits they would have gotten a severe telling off, Its so sad how the illusion of Disney and what Walt wanted for Disney has slowly started to go down hill.

I love Disney and dont see myself stopping loving it any time soon but i do wish that they would stay with the tradition as it was really something to only see the outfits when going through the correct area!

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

IF they are off stage..meaning behind the scenes .they CAN be in costume.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

I'm so confused.

 

[kaligal]

I'm so confused.

OP mentioned seeing employees out of their area, socializing with other employees. She also mentioned that she has taken tours. Some people have put those things together and think she saw this on a tour, behind the scenes...which she did not say.

CMs socializing with each other is becoming more and more common. I've even heard them gossiping about other employees being sent home or fired for fighting in front of guests at Liberty Tree.

 

[Heidi Lou]

I agree with you...it is strange. The last few times we have been i have made comments to the people i go with about how much disney is "slacking" so to speak these days. Whether it is right or wrong, i know this never used to be the case. Besides the costumed cm's being in different parts of the parks, I have noticed CM's cursing or talking bad about one another right in front of guests faces, or garbage cans over flowing at such a ridiculous rate...it just wasn't the disney i remember in the past! So, OP, i know what you mean!

 

[Finally08]

I agree with you...it is strange. The last few times we have been i have made comments to the people i go with about how much disney is "slacking" so to speak these days. Whether it is right or wrong, i know this never used to be the case. Besides the costumed cm's being in different parts of the parks, I have noticed CM's cursing or talking bad about one another right in front of guests faces, or garbage cans over flowing at such a ridiculous rate...it just wasn't the disney i remember in the past! So, OP, i know what you mean!

Yep, we have seen this more and more in recent trips. Lots of CMs working together carrying on personal conversations, many that are not at ALL appropriate to be had in front of guests. I've heard quite a few complaining about their jobs or other CMs.

 

[LazyDaisy]

Bummer.

 

[Donaldfan176]

I was thinking of this too. If Walt was here today I wonder how things would be. Sad.

Rest assured that if Walt was here things would be different.

 

[nooneshome]

Rest assured that if Walt was here things would be different.

Yes, there would be people screaming "Look there's a dead man - why is his head frozen??"

 

[staceymarie]

I never noticed this issue on my prior trips. I will try to take note this time!

If that is happening, it's a shame! They should tighten the strings on that particular policy as it is one of the details that makes Disney special and what Walt envisioned this special place to be. I don't know that it's something to complain about formally(not that anyone's complaing! I know this is just an observation OP!) but maybe a little note to them to tell them that it has been noticed? Who knows where any of those suggestions go though. The times have changed so much now that it'll never be the way it once was which is sad (and makes me feel old!).

 

[SRUAlmn]

OP mentioned seeing employees out of their area, socializing with other employees. She also mentioned that she has taken tours. Some people have put those things together and think she saw this on a tour, behind the scenes...which she did not say.

CMs socializing with each other is becoming more and more common. I've even heard them gossiping about other employees being sent home or fired for fighting in front of guests at Liberty Tree.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Maybe I didn't explain it very well. On the tours they explained the reason for the Utilidors and the policy that you should only be in your properly themed area when in costume, but the observances I made were during regular time as a park guest, ON stage. I'll say, the largest occurance was during our lunch at Tony's. I would say during our hour long lunch we saw about 20 CMs go past and around the corner (between Tony's and the Chapeau) and into the backstage entrance door. They were already costumed in multiple, varying things, so it was really weird. It was the first time at Disney I felt like we saw people coming and going from WORK. They had like sweaters and purses and everything I thought they had a backstage way to get into the park, right? Why were they all coming past Tony's?

We also witnessed a lot of gossiping and inappropriate conversations in front of guests. I feel like it makes me old to say this (and I'm only 34,) but I work a lot with young people, and the new college generation has a very different idea of professionalism and I think that's very evident in the College Program CMs. It's so unfortunate.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I never noticed this issue on my prior trips. I will try to take note this time!

If that is happening, it's a shame! They should tighten the strings on that particular policy as it is one of the details that makes Disney special and what Walt envisioned this special place to be. I don't know that it's something to complain about formally(not that anyone's complaing! I know this is just an observation OP!) but maybe a little note to them to tell them that it has been noticed? Who knows where any of those suggestions go though. The times have changed so much now that it'll never be the way it once was which is sad (and makes me feel old!).

Thanks, I'm glad it didn't come across as complaining because that's not the way I intended it. It's just really disappointing. I thought about sending a letter, but I didn't want to sound like a complaint. I'll have to think about how I can word it to show that I am a die-hard Disney fan and that I felt disappointed by seeing policies not enforced that resulted in a loss of magic and show.

 

[Hook's Girl]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Maybe I didn't explain it very well. On the tours they explained the reason for the Utilidors and the policy that you should only be in your properly themed area when in costume, but the observances I made were during regular time as a park guest, ON stage. I'll say, the largest occurance was during our lunch at Tony's. I would say during our hour long lunch we saw about 20 CMs go past and around the corner (between Tony's and the Chapeau) and into the backstage entrance door. They were already costumed in multiple, varying things, so it was really weird. It was the first time at Disney I felt like we saw people coming and going from WORK. They had like sweaters and purses and everything I thought they had a backstage way to get into the park, right? Why were they all coming past Tony's?

This is their way to get backstage and it has been for 40 years. There aren't Utilidor entrances everywhere and this is the closest place for Main Street Cast, which wear "multiple, varying things". I think you just never noticed this Cast entrance/exit before!

 

[SRUAlmn]

This is their way to get backstage and it has been for 40 years. There aren't Utilidor entrances everywhere and this is the closest place for Main Street Cast, which wear "multiple, varying things". I think you just never noticed this Cast entrance/exit before!

I probably hadn't noticed it before because we never ate at Tony's and we never spent a large amount of time sitting in that one area. So this is just the entrance for Main St cast? We saw costumes from other lands going past too. Main St costumes wouldn't have looked that out of place, but these did. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Goofy's_Biggest_Fan]

I'm so confused.

Me too.

The OP said they were on the KTTK, which by definition means that they were seeing things the general public do not see. Were these CM's out in the open for all to see, or were they in a break area only accessible to guests who take a "behind the scenes" tour? If they are on break, should CM's from say the Haunted Mansion and from Buzz Lightyear be allowed to socialize out of sight from the general public?

Sorry, I'm a little dense this morning!