MK CM dispositions

[ngh]

OK--I haven't seen this addressed on here recently, so I'm wondering if it's just me.... We were at all 4 WDW parks from 4/13-4/18. Crowds were pretty light last week, but got much heavier this week (a noticeable increase in the number of Red Sox shirts!). While the CMs at MGM, AK and Epcot were very friendly, personable, helpful, etc., etc., we definitely did not feel the same way about the MK CMs. One of our days at MK was a "light" day, the other was a "heavy" attendance day. There was one particular CM at one of the Main Street shops that was very nice, and we had fabulous waiters at CP and CRT, but, otherwise, DH and I agreed that "abrupt" might have been the kindest description for the majority of them. The "character guards" seemed to be the most unpersonable and harried (you would have thought they were Secret Service and Rafiki (just as one example) was the president), while the people running rides and attractions were merely going through the motions. I thought this was very strange--not at all how I remembered the CMs from my previous visits, and unique to MK. Anyone else notice this???

 

[Metro West]

Yes..I've noticed this too. But, my main complaint would be the security and bag checkers outside the gates. In this past year, I have yet to have a friendly guard check the camera case when I bring it along. Usually, it's open that bag and then I'm pushed through the gates! No thank you or glad you're here...nothing!

 

[SusanDK]

We also encountered many surly bag checkers on our last trip. But one was quite friendly at the International Gateway of Epcot, which was a nice change.

When he looked in my husband's bag and saw a video camera, he asked him if he was planning to tape Illuminations, which he was. He told him that when it appeared to be over, not to stop the camera, because of the extra Christmas fireworks that would come after the regular Illuminations. We knew this since we'd seen Illuminations earlier in the week, but we thought it was very nice for him to tell us and be so friendly.

Susan

 

[goofy4tink]

We have had pretty good interactions so far this year. The only time I can think of that attitudes got a little iffy was on August 13...Hurricane Charley arrival day. But, I did cut the CMs some slack that week-end!!!

As far as the bag checkers go....I almost make a game out of making them smile. I can only imagine how boring it must be to stand there, hour after hour, going through people's belongings. So, I am little miss perky...I think there has been only one time that I haven't gotten a smile, funny comment back, whatever. To him I just said..."And you have the most magical day ever!!!" He just stared at me as I walked away. He's probably still scratching his head over the crazy lady at the gates!!!

 

[ncbyrne]

Yes, I have noticed and yes, I agree, it seemed worse at MK. My last trip was a birthday trip for my DGD. She was wearing her birthday button and a lanyard with pins for trading. One extrememly friendly CM (Robert) exchanged pins 2-1! We started up a conversation about the OPs topic. Even he agreed that the standards for hiring had slackened over the past few years. He smiled and said that he was trying to make up for it. He succeeded and made our day.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I also noticed that last May at MK. It was pretty sad. I have to wonder why it seems to be predominately at MK. Makes me think they have a training issue or management issue at that park. When we went in January everything seemed ok, hopefully whatever they were going through they are aware of and are trying to get a handle on now.

 

[Feralpeg]

If the MK CMs were the ones on Main Street, I blame it on the music. Although I love the music, I think I'd lose my mind if I had to listen to those same songs over and over and over.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, I hadn't been to WDW since 1989 so I don't have a basis for comparison. But I thought the CM's at MK were very nice when we were there in January. Granted the crowds were very low.

Our favorite was Margo on the Jungle Cruise. She let DS "drive" the boat. She was so energetic and fun! We took a picture of her with DS at the end of the ride. It was our second ride at MK and she really made DS feel special.

We also had a terrific waitress at CP.

I can't think of any CM at MK that made me feel rushed or ignored.

As for the bag checkers, we could have had a cannon in our bag and they wouldn't have found it. They just sort of peered in over the edge of the backpack and waved us through. Has anybody ever seen them confiscate anything?

 

[Stitchfans]

There was only one lady who I would consider rude during our trip. She works at Rosie's at Epcot. She didn't hear our order correctly and was rude about it. I didn't really pay much attention to her remark, but it kind of upset my husband. I just told him to forget it and lets go on. It was real busy and I suppose it can get to anyone once in a while. Has to be stressful sometimes. By I thought all the CMs with the charcters were pretty neat. Bag checkers weren't real friendly but that isn't a fun job. I noticed if I smiled and joked a little with them I got a grin at least from some of them. I have a pretty stessful job so I figure anyone can have a "bad moment" at their jobs cause I sure have a couple of my own sometimes. It's only natural.

 

[swilphil]

We were there the week before Easter, and all the CMs I encountered were lovely. There were a few guests that were rude, but that's certainly not WDW's fault. Most of our time at MK was in the morning. A great woman at Tinkerbell's Treasures let my sons wake up Tinkerbell one day, and gave them each a certificate and stickers. We loved our Jungle Cruise boat driver. We also had a few security guards that were actually chatty, but it was at opening. I imagine after a long day, everyone is not as chipper.

 

[jlaspoq]

Our experience at MK Easter week was wonderful - we were there three days and met some wonderful CM's. Only one irritated me, and that was the one "guarding" the seven dwarves - I had never seen all 7 together and wanted a picture - so I was standing off to the side to take one - didn't care who else might be in it. They refused to let me take the picture since I hadn't stood in line.... I thought that was odd. I wasn't trying to meet them, or take a picture WITH them, just OF them. He was a bit insistent, and it was our last moment at MK after a wonderful week.... I decided not to let one interaction ruin the week and just shrugged it off. We met great CM's at the turnstiles and at bag check, as well as trying to help us find Belle, and working with us to replace our FP defective tickets. Everyone else at MK was truly wonderful.

 

[lovethattink]

I noticed that the CM operating the Small World ride was particularly chipper, greeting each boat with a sweet smile and friendly wave. Beyond that, the CM's didn't seem too friendly. My husband's favorite saying is that only 10% of the work force does their job the way they should, and that 10% can't carry the burden the other 90%. Somewhere along the way, work ethic has gone our the window. I see this in my own son's school work. I strove for excellence in everything, and he settles with doing the least he has to get the work done.

 

[experiment626mom]

Sometimes a hi or a smile or a thanks, is really all a cm needs. (Sometimes not) You have to realize how many people these people interact with on a daily basis, and how many people ream them out for the wait, for having their bag checked, etc. I assume that after while they just would rather keep their mouths shut and not make eye contact.

 

[MinnieM21]

The only rude CMs we encountered were at the Main Street Bakery.

There was one guy and three ladies working there. We went inside to get some mixed fruit and there was no line. The CMs didn't even greet us and right when we came up to the front, one of the girls said "I get off now." and all of the other girls started talking about how they're off now. They could have at least helped us! The guy then went on to talk to them about he wished he was off now and they were all just goofing around.

I was getting tired of waiting so I said hello and said that I would like mixed fruit please. He looked at me and just stood there and started talking to the other girls!! I said excuse me and repeated myself, and he just stared at me again and looked away and rolled his eyes! I was seriously about to leave. I repeated myself again and he said what kind? I said I would like mixed fruit. The guy was confused about what kind of fruit I wanted and asked me again and I pointed to the mixed fruit. So it took him forever to figure it out and he went over to the area where they kept the fruit. He just stood there staring at the fruit, taking grapes out, looking at it, then taking canteloupe out and looking at it. I told him I would like mixed fruit please, the one with the melon, canteloupe and grapes mixed together. The guy was still confused! It took me forever to get MIXED FRUIT and the guy was SO rude and so were the ladies.

That's my vent of the day.

 

[Alice Sr.]

The only rude CMs we encountered were at the Main Street Bakery.

There was one guy and three ladies working there. We went inside to get some mixed fruit and there was no line. The CMs didn't even greet us and right when we came up to the front, one of the girls said "I get off now." and all of the other girls started talking about how they're off now. They could have at least helped us! The guy then went on to talk to them about he wished he was off now and they were all just goofing around.

I was getting tired of waiting so I said hello and said that I would like mixed fruit please. He looked at me and just stood there and started talking to the other girls!!

That's my vent of the day.

Similar to our Philharmagic experience. There were 4-5 CM's all chatting it up and they were seriously annoyed by people wanting to be let into the holding area and it's not like someone was giving them a hard time. I have seen that before too and that was not the case here. The guy in front of us asked them what their supervisor's name was and that got their attention, they were very professional after that.

I know by far the majority of CM's are remarkable, so hopefully no one will think this is a bashing party. The OP made an observation and I think it's good to bring out the concerns so WDW will read this and take appropriate measures.

 

[Aimee K]

We also encountered many surly bag checkers on our last trip. But one was quite friendly at the International Gateway of Epcot, which was a nice change.

When he looked in my husband's bag and saw a video camera, he asked him if he was planning to tape Illuminations, which he was. He told him that when it appeared to be over, not to stop the camera, because of the extra Christmas fireworks that would come after the regular Illuminations. We knew this since we'd seen Illuminations earlier in the week, but we thought it was very nice for him to tell us and be so friendly.

Susan

We went to AK Thursday morning, and the bag checkers there were counting Bananas and M&M's. Our guy was up to 15 bananas, and was a little disappointed we didn't have one in our one little fanny pack. He then proceeded to announce my dd4 very loudly as a 'Princess Phoebe, now entering the Animal Kingdom for a very magical Day' It was great fun, and she felt like a Princess all morning.

Aimee K

 

[MinnieM21]

Similar to our Philharmagic experience. There were 4-5 CM's all chatting it up and they were seriously annoyed by people wanting to be let into the holding area and it's not like someone was giving them a hard time. I have seen that before too and that was not the case here. The guy in front of us asked them what their supervisor's name was and that got their attention, they were very professional after that.

I know by far the majority of CM's are remarkable, so hopefully no one will think this is a bashing party. The OP made an observation and I think it's good to bring out the concerns so WDW will read this and take appropriate measures.

Exactly. I think the majority of CMs are wonderful and every CM that we encountered was incredibly friendly snd helpful. It was just a couple of CMs at the Main Street Bakery who were less than helpful.

 

[Gary M]

Last December we only saw two nasty CM's. One was at the Main Street Bakery in the MK and the other was loading elevators at TOT in MGM. These women were in horrible moods to everyone. I guess two out of the 100's of CM's that we saw isn't bad.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am always overwhelmed by how friendly the CM's are at DW and do notice when one is less than cause of my high expectations. Wonder how many rude Guests they encounter?

If each security guard spent an extra 10 seconds with each entering guests the lines would be even worse. IHO it is a silly exercise in futility anyway. JMO though.

This site is fantasic for DW management to get free feedback on their properties. Must be why I have never heard of them hiring Mystery Shoppers. I would be willing to get in line two weeks ahead of time and sleep in the parking lot for that job. LOL

Slightly Goofy