Kind of a bummer

[Brise Nannie]

The past years DH and I have noticed things are different than when we first began making trips. We've never had an outright rude CM encounter but they don't seem as friendly as years ago. They (not all) almost seem "guarded" in their demeanor. With the stories I've heard it doesn't surprise me either. I think Guests have become less friendly at times too. Just my perspective.

 

[dmonroe]

Yes! We just recently returned from WDW. Dh and I definitely noticed that not many of the CM's seemed to be having a "Disney Day" Now, I know that everyone is going to have an off day (and I totally understand that). In the past, (most) all of the CM's just seemed generally happy; and if you ran into one that was not, you noticed because it was just so out of the norm. This time it was the really friendly CM's that we took notice of because they seemed to be out of the norm this time.
I've have 3 friends that have been recently, and they noticed the same thing. Obviously, this didn't ruin anyone's trip, it was just an observation.

 

[barney4liz]

The CM's I have spoken with on the phone recently in planning some upcoming visits have been extraordinarily nice, especially compared with the telephone assistance you get from most other companies.

My favorite was the CM who was confirming my full name -- I gave her my middle initial, C., and she said "oh, C as in Cinderella?"

It sure made me smile.

 

[SilverMickey]

This has nothing to do with WDW... BUT I agree with how horrid people can be to staff in all of the travel business.
At the airport in my state a family of 6 very rude people (ages about 6 12, 13, 18, and 30-35) ate like pigs infront of us leaving all their McDonalds trash in the seats, floor and tables as they got up to board the plane, pushed and shoved to find seats on Southwest and then pushed and shoved to get off the plane in Tampa. We listened to them complain about EVERYTHING on the flight down... even that we had better seats then us and they boarded the plane before us...

Once in Tampa they got their bags and made their way to the rental company... that we had rented from. I decided to get the boys a drink and let the other family go through the rental process...

When we approached the counter the young man looked frazzeled... however he excused himself... shook all the bad vibes off himself (literally shook) and came back to us with a big grin and asked how he could help us. We gave him our paper work and thanked him very much, gave him a can of soda and chatted about how excited we were about vacation and thanked him for doing his sometimes thankless job.

Our van we reserved just drove out with that nasty family... He looked frazzeled again and got his manager on the line... He got us an upgrade to a much nicer brand new van. We said thank you and told him how greatful we were and he then told us we were the 1st people that day that thanked him. Again we told him Thanks and that we couldn't rent that car if someone wasn't doing his job... He walked us to the van and showed us the different features and when we got our bill it was less than origionally signed for...

 

[TLSnell1981]

As I read this you haven't gone yet?

So how do you already know the CM's are not magical?

IMHO this is going to be self-fufilling. If you go looking for "non magic" moments you will find them even while Magic is happening 10 feet away.... perception is huge!

The thing I miss the most is the CMs wishing me a "magical" day! That being said, if a CM seems a little grumpy....I may ask them how their day has been.....and be sympathetic.....or I may tell how much I REALLY appreciate their help. Something that simple can usually turn someone's attitude around...if it doesn't.....I just tell them to have a "magical"day.