Parking lot CM's??

[dustysky]

I understand that the CM's are to stay in character no matter what that might be, but are the parking lot attendants suppose to be the *jerks* of Disney??
I am not being mean, this is an honest question on my part.
It honestly seems that EVERY time we go to Disney the parking lot CM's are just out and out rude and mean.

Yesterday at Epcot, we were waiting for the trolley and it was taking FOREVER. A couple other families were commenting about it and I asked hubby to go ask the attended if there was a trolley running. The CM got on his walkie and said and I quote "there is someone down here COMPLAINING, when is the trolley coming". I assure you hubby was not complaining, he was inquiring, the CM then turned to him and said, "hey I tell it like it is".

I think it stinks that THAT attitude is the first we seem to encounter.

Does anyone else seem to notice this?

 

[Beca]

ITA!!!! We have been yelled at on more than one occasion by parking lot CM's. I'm not sure what is up with that, but it certainly is NOT very Disney-ish.

 

[dustysky]

ITA!!!! We have been yelled at on more than one occasion by parking lot CM's. I'm not sure what is up with that, but it certainly is NOT very Disney-ish.

No it is not and it happens time after time. I just do not understand it.

 

[DeLaMer]

They might have been cranky you calling their trams a 'trolly'

 

[dustysky]

They might have been cranky you calling their trams a 'trolly'

I doubt it, that was one example of many many cranky parking lot CM's and most of the time you do not even need to speak with them to get attitude or get yelled at (for nothing).

 

[Poohbear123]

I doubt it, that was one example of many many cranky parking lot CM's and most of the time you do not even need to speak with them to get attitude or get yelled at (for nothing).

They think they OWN the Parking Lot I guess.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The parking lot people are sometimes very rude. I don't know what it is about that job, but I saw them yelling at a guy who parked at the front of a row. His daughter was getting out of the car - she had crutches!

The CM just walks over YELLING "NO! No-no-no-no!" He hadn't seen the girl yet, but still. There is a way to treat people and a way not to.

Rude, rude, rude.

 

[lindakmonty]

I don't doubt running into rude CM's at all but the times we've been there we haven't had any trouble. After they see your card they always say "welcome home" at your resort, etc. Some of them just shouldn't deal w/the public!

 

[inaminute]

I'm sure the guy that got yelled at for parking in the front was probably told to park somewhere else and decided not to listen. All the attendant knew was that he directed someone to one spot and they chose to go where they wanted. Like everything else at Disney, things are done in a certain manner. If they allowed everyone to just do as they liked, there would be chaos!

As for the emphasis on the word "complaining" the attendant might have been stressing to the person on the other end that they had to step it up--that the delays were making customers unhappy.

To be honest, I don't blame the Parking Lot Attendants for being cranky. They're dealing with people in CARS. I wonder how many times they're nearly run over on any given day?

 

[MrsKreamer]

I know some have to be rude on the trams. I have seen people running after trams trying get on, people standing while the tram is still moving, people trying to get on the tram while it is pulling away from the loading area, and people trying to get off of the tram while it is still moving. The CMs try to say it nice at first but many a time the people just did as they wanted anyway...and I amsure that these people would complain the loudest should something happen to them. Those trams cannot stop on a dime.

As for this situation, the cm could have just been having a bad day. As a former Cm it is hard to be happy/cheerful/perky non stop when real life gets in the way.

 

[C.Ann]

We didn't run into any cranky ones in the parking lots on our trip in December - and with all the Pop Warner nonsense going on you would have thought they would be snapping at everyone..

Two in particular had us cracking up with their jokes about the weather and what-have-you.. Of course we weren't complaining about waiting for the trams either - so that might have made a difference..

 

[Aidensmom]

I've never encountered a rude parking lot CM.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I never really thought about it, but we often encounter rude parking lot CM's. I guess since I'm not yet in the park, I don't expect the same level of politeness. That kinda stinks.

 

[DeLaMer]

I doubt it, that was one example of many many cranky parking lot CM's and most of the time you do not even need to speak with them to get attitude or get yelled at (for nothing).

It depends on what your perception of 'nothing' is. The parking lot is probably the single most dangerous place to be at WDW. Why? Because the general public is (or should be) in control of the heavy machinery. The CM's at this point can only direct traffic so much, can only tell people to walk IN FRONT of the parked cars so much, can only insist that the front spaces are for people with legal handicap access plate so much, before the public has to take responsibility for themselves. I'm not saying you were doing any of these things, but these are things they deal with literally hundreds of times EVERY day. I'm in the parks almost weekly, and I've never been treated rudely in the parking lot.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I'm not trying to make an excuse for rudeness, but I would guess that parking lot CM is among the least magical assignment at WDW.

All the people heading into the park are anxious and perhaps grumpy because it is taking SOOOO long to get into the park.

All the people on the way out are tired and grumpy because they've just spent 12 hours in the parks.

You couldn't pay me enough to be a parking lot CM!

 

[RadioNate]

One of my many jobs at WDW was in the parking lot...and yes you are definately allowed to be 'not as magical' as other CMs.

There are safety issues that come into play and frankly a lot of guests don't want to follow the rules. There is a specific way to park cars that helps minimize traffic back ups onto the feeder roads...this is crucial at peak times. One car doing it's own thing screws it up. They want to get cars parked fast. They want people to walk in certain areas so they aren't hit.

They don't want people jumping on and off trams.

I promise you, every parking lot CM has a stoy of some guest falling off their tram. They've all been hit by cars...screamed at, sweared at...SPIT at. Told off for trying to make someone go down to the end of a row.

Trams are 15 ton vehicles that can NOT stop on a dime. Each car has a seperate air braking system so it doesn't jacknife. There is no reverse.

Lot CMs are a great group, if you follow the rules. However, their formost job is to keep guests safe. While they try to do that as nicely as possible a lot of times people don't respond to nice suggestions.

 

[poohandwendy]

I've never encountered a rude parking lot CM.

Me neither.

But, the last time we drove to WDW, I remember we were saying that job must suck. I can't imagine it's a very magical feeling, working in the parking lot. At least in the parks, you are surrounded by the magic...so it seems like a happy attitude would come more natural. In the parking lot, I think it probably just feels like any other job. I dunno.

 

[poohandwendy]

One of my many jobs at WDW was in the parking lot...and yes you are definately allowed to be 'not as magical' as other CMs.

There are safety issues that come into play and frankly a lot of guests don't want to follow the rules. There is a specific way to park cars that helps minimize traffic back ups onto the feeder roads...this is crucial at peak times. One car doing it's own thing screws it up. They want to get cars parked fast. They want people to walk in certain areas so they aren't hit.

They don't want people jumping on and off trams.

I promise you, every parking lot CM has a stoy of some guest falling off their tram. They've all been hit by cars...screamed at, sweared at...SPIT at. Told off for trying to make someone go down to the end of a row.

Trams are 15 ton vehicles that can NOT stop on a dime. Each car has a seperate air braking system so it doesn't jacknife. There is no reverse.

Lot CMs are a great group, if you follow the rules. However, their formost job is to keep guests safe. While they try to do that as nicely as possible a lot of times people don't respond to nice suggestions.

OMG, you reminded me of the last time we were in a WDW parking lot.

It was crowded and the trams were filling up very quickly...this one guy just flipped OUT because there wasn't enough room for all of his party. I mean...cussing up a storm. Now, my kids are older so it really didn't upset me as much as it would a parent of a young child. (actually made everyone in our party start laughing to be honest) But, it was sooooo inappropriate. Unbelieveable how mad this guy was. I mean, this was on the way IN to the park, not leaving after a long day of heat, crowds and walking.

The CMs were remarkably calm and professional about it. I don't know how they kept their cool.

I am sure they deal with much more than people could ever imagine. Just like any job dealing with a wide segment of the population on any given day.

 

[DisneyStar006]

I have to agree!

I was driving in to AK last month and it was early (morning EMH) so I probably wasn't fully awake yet, and accidently followed the car in front of me to disabled parking without realising. The CM stopped me and said rudely, "What do you want?!" I probably looked at him blankly and then he said, "Well, are you disabled?" Thats where I caught on, and apologised and backed up. I know it was totally my fault...but everyone makes mistakes

I have always found the tram CM's to be great though

 

[DisnyMama]

It's those bright yellow uniforms. Wouldn't you feel a sense of power wearing those things?