Question for CMs

[Lothlórien]

On each trip, I make a note in my phone of the following:

CM Name
Location
Date
What They Did (if necessary)

When I get home, I send a compiled email to Guest Communications with that information so that they are recognized.

 

[WEDWDW]

I just received a call from Guest Communications thanking me for a recent email I sent about an exceptional CM I encountered during my trip.

It is really exciting and feels so good when you get that call knowing that a wonderful CM will soon receive some well-deserved recognition!

 

[DisneyMom111]

I think having the girls make up some cute cards to hand out is adorable. I can't imagine any CM not smiling when receiving one.

The funny thing is, I have been to WDW many times and it never occurred to me to stop at guest relations to let them know about a CM doing a great job. That's what I love about the Disboards...there is always something to learn! Going to make sure to do that next trip.

 

[famy27]

I sent a written letter complimenting an amazing CM at AK and also received a phone call from Guest Communications thanking me for my letter and letting me know that the CM and her supervisor would also receive a copy of my comments.

 

[WEDWDW]

I sent a written letter complimenting an amazing CM at AK and also received a phone call from Guest Communications thanking me for my letter and letting me know that the CM and her supervisor would also receive a copy of my comments.

Yes,they always respond with a call and it ALWAYS feels great!

(Kudos for sending a HAND-WRITTEN letter-that will really impress Management!)

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

They have heard stories about how often CMs are mistreated.

Where are they hearing these stories? I haven't heard anything about CMs being mistreated often.

A personal on-the-spot "thank you" or note / comment card to guest services with their name, time, and location should be sufficient.

 

[famy27]

Where are they hearing these stories? I haven't heard anything about CMs being mistreated often.

A personal on-the-spot "thank you" or note / comment card to guest services with their name, time, and location should be sufficient.

I think anyone who works directly with the public is generally mistreated to some degree. When I worked customer service, I was mistreated on pretty much a daily basis.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I think anyone who works directly with the public is generally mistreated to some degree. When I worked customer service, I was mistreated on pretty much a daily basis.

Oh I'm certain of it but I wouldn't think of it as being "often" which is why I asked where these stories are coming from. I think your story of being mistreated on a daily basis is more of an exception than the rule, otherwise these positions wouldn't be staffed. WDW CMs don't make the kind of the money to endure mistreatment on a daily basis, period. But people aren't going out of their way to thank their waitresses, store cashiers, etc...so why would a WDW CM be any different?

 

[yulilin3]

Oh I'm certain of it but I wouldn't think of it as being "often" which is why I asked where these stories are coming from. I think your story of being mistreated on a daily basis is more of an exception than the rule, otherwise these positions wouldn't be staffed. WDW CMs don't make the kind of the money to endure mistreatment on a daily basis, period. But people aren't going out of their way to thank their waitresses, store cashiers, etc...so why would a WDW CM be any different?

I have family members and friends that are our have been cm and they are verbally mistreated every day by guests, someone screaming at them for not allowing them to join a queue to meet a character after the line is closed, not letting them go thru the fp line because someone in their party is celebrating a birthday , not letting them cross the street dieing the parade, etc ect. It's sad really, h the cm stays because they love their job, have no where else to go, enjoy the benefits. . .don't think for a second that mistreatment is an exception, unfortunately it happens every day

 

[wilkeliza]

I'll admit as a CM the times I got a card it usually got lost by the end of my shift. A thank you and a smile and maybe stopping to chat if you can see we aren't busy was enough.

As an attraction CM who was in a non-safety critical role the families I remember are the ones who would treated me like a human being and not just a Disney employee.

I know I got at least 1 card and I also got a piece of candy. I only accepted the candy because it was from one of the opening day MK Cast members who still live in the area. The couple of them met at Epcot when they were both moved to the same area when the park was opened. They got married and worked at Disney until they retired. Every week since they retired they eat lunch at Beirgarten on Wednesdays when they say it is least crowded. I'm pretty sure they still have a long standing reservation there. The wife practically put the candy and note in my pocket so I couldn't refuse.

 

[wilkeliza]

Oh I'm certain of it but I wouldn't think of it as being "often" which is why I asked where these stories are coming from. I think your story of being mistreated on a daily basis is more of an exception than the rule, otherwise these positions wouldn't be staffed. WDW CMs don't make the kind of the money to endure mistreatment on a daily basis, period. But people aren't going out of their way to thank their waitresses, store cashiers, etc...so why would a WDW CM be any different?

While not exactly daily I can tell you just on my CP (so 4 months out of the 20ish I worked for the company) I was cursed at, spit on, yelled at, verbally assaulted, and even threatened with physical violence. On a daily basis I was treated like nothing several times a day. Nothing like standing on the hot pavement in the same spot for hours waving at people from not a single person to even acknowledge your wave and smile. So it does happen. Part of being a CM is not letting it get to you and instead focus on the 1 child out of a hundred who smiles and waves back, or the one person who randomly runs across the promenade to high five your waving hand.

 

[famy27]

I have family members and friends that are our have been cm and they are verbally mistreated every day by guests, someone screaming at them for not allowing them to join a queue to meet a character after the line is closed, not letting them go thru the fp line because someone in their party is celebrating a birthday , not letting them cross the street dieing the parade, etc ect. It's sad really, h the cm stays because they love their job, have no where else to go, enjoy the benefits. . .don't think for a second that mistreatment is an exception, unfortunately it happens every day

None of that surprises me, sadly. Working with the public was eye-opening, and I firmly believe everyone should do it at least once in their life, to give them more empathy. I am now very aware of how I treat all customer service reps and try my hardest to be kind. If a CM is less than magical to me, I remind myself that they may have just been screamed at by another guest 10 minutes ago, and I try to treat them with kindness.