Rude CM's? Not Compared to This!!

[bobbiwoz]

Some former execs of the Disney company were recently giving workshops along the Jersey shore. The emphasis was on how to train shore workers to treat tourists with respect to keep the tourists coming back.

Atlantic City and Cape May hosted some of the workshops.

Bobbi

 

[PKK/MJK]

I think some of the SLIGHT decline in CM attitudes at WDW might be due to the increased use of the temporary College Programers. WDW is using a LOT of CPers now--great experience for them and cost-cutting for Disney. (although on occasion this does cause some friction with the full-time CMs) These kids are great, have incredible enthusiasm--and most of them work their 'tails' off--but they're young with limited experience and don't always know how to handle 'guest relations-type' situations. This is NOT a criticism of the CPers--my own daughter was a CPer twice before starting work full-time--so I know just how much they do and how hard they work---but they're just learning so sometimes they're a bit 'rough around the edges.' By the time they really understand what is expected of them, their CP is over, they're heading home and a new group is starting.

 

[pumpkinfish]

It is funny to me about all the responses to BG and WCUSA. I used to work at WCUSA for 3 summers. That job trained me about customer service and how to deal with guests, ect. DH and I have the 2 year pass that let's us go to all Busch owned parks. The other day I was at WCUSA and thinking. I know I had a great time working there (yes, even in the hot sun and cleaning those nasty bathrooms), but I don't remember smiling that much. As I looked around at all the sweepers, and grounds people I didn't really see anyone smiling. I think this is an area they can improve on.

But yes, BG and WCUSA are beautiful parks. We love to just stroll around Busch on summer afternoons/evenings and soak it all in. Of course we pretend we are strolling down Main Street, or even the World Showcase

And yes, everyone has good visits and poor visits to WDW, but they still have the best service by far. Example: At BG the other day, I purchased an ice cream cone. The employee didn't even say thank you or have a nice day. Instead, I thanked her. It doesn't quite work like that...

 

[3lilprincesses]

Although I know that Kennywood is a smaller, seasonal park - it no longer holds the appeal for me that it once did. But we still make our annual pilgrimage there for our "school picnic." And we will be back again when our daughter marches in Fall Fantasy.

that's why we were just there, the "school picnic" for USC. i think it was also Moon Twps. "day" there too. we'll keep going for that. but i agree about it not having the same appeal anymore.

 

[bytheblood]

I think the CMs in Disney, for the most part, are wonderful. You are going to run across crappy people everywhere. I think other than some of the young kids who were there just for summer jobs, everybody was super nice, helpful and wanted us to have a great time. They smiled , offered great advice on where to watch fireworks and parades and were just downright friendly.

 

[mog]

I would go beyond fairly clean and say spotless for BG. Disney still has the best employees, but IMHO BG is just as clean as Disney. It gets rated the most beautiful theme park in the country year in and year out. The way they build AROUND the trees instead of taking them down is great. You're VERY lucky to be able to go there often. We're about 5 hours away, but it's well worth the drive! I would drive that far just to go on Apollo's Chariot. Great coaster!

I don't ride coasters, but you're right - they do have some great ones and it is a very pretty park! We enjoy it!

 

[CarolA]

This is going to sound bad, but perception is very important.

I have read posts where I felt like the person just focused on the one bad apple and couldn't let it go... you see it a LOT on the DVC board. If someone doesn't get a Welcome Home, thier whole vacation is shot LOL! From that point on thier vacation is a disaster. All they focus on is the rude/cold CM. They probably interact with 20 people a day and we get a report on the one they didnt' like.

Plus sometimes you get what you deserve. Some folks treat CMs as thier personal servants. First they abuse them and then get upset when they don't get what they want.

 

[AaronandJessica]

My bad --- double post

 

[AaronandJessica]

I worked at Six Flags Great America for 2 summers while I was in college. They never hired enough staff and would always ask us to stay later and work longer. But if we worked too much and needed a say they said why, what is so important at home you cant come in. I really have very little respect for the Six Flag Company. I was 18/19 and all my supervisors were brothers and sisters of the heads of departments and they were 16. It was nuts.

So when I go to Disney there is a HUGE difference. People work there because they love it there.. Six Flags was something I wanted to do so I could say I did it, and I wouldn't work there again.. well maybe I would if they paid be over $100,000.00 a year.. Then maybe. Cause I could buy a nice house to go home to..

Be sure to thank those ride operators cause they work LONG HOURS, for little. I always THANK THEM, and tell them they are doing a good job, and bring paper and write names cause they do get something if a guest says they did something good.

Well that is my 2.. well more like 4 cents.

Happy Day all!
Jessica

 

[vettechick99]

Its so funny you post this because my last trip to Disney was in 2000 and I was feeling pretty burnt out having spent probably 2 months of my life there over a 3-year period. Anyway, DH and I went to Kennywood on a PA vacation and as we were walking the parks we saw trash here and there (Disney would never leave trash laying out!), the rides were awful (Disney has better rides than this!), employees were rude (Castmembers are always nice and happy!). Every few minutes I was internally bashing Kennywood and rekindling my love affair with WDW!

6 months later I was planning our '04 Disney trip! You sure appreciate WDW when you experience the "rest".

 

[Marseeya]

Its so funny you post this because my last trip to Disney was in 2000 and I was feeling pretty burnt out having spent probably 2 months of my life there over a 3-year period. Anyway, DH and I went to Kennywood on a PA vacation and as we were walking the parks we saw trash here and there (Disney would never leave trash laying out!), the rides were awful (Disney has better rides than this!), employees were rude (Castmembers are always nice and happy!). Every few minutes I was internally bashing Kennywood and rekindling my love affair with WDW!

6 months later I was planning our '04 Disney trip! You sure appreciate WDW when you experience the "rest".

Aww, man, you're really depressing me now! We have to go to Kennywood in just a couple of weeks for DH's company picnic and I'm thinking it's going to be a big fat bummer. Send me back to WDW!!!

I said this in my trip reports and anyone feel free to share your opinion on this, but I thought the Raging Rapids at Kennywood was better than the Kali River Rapids at AK! (except for the queue area, of course)

 

[vettechick99]

Aww, man, you're really depressing me now! We have to go to Kennywood in just a couple of weeks for DH's company picnic and I'm thinking it's going to be a big fat bummer. Send me back to WDW!!!

I said this in my trip reports and anyone feel free to share your opinion on this, but I thought the Raging Rapids at Kennywood was better than the Kali River Rapids at AK! (except for the queue area, of course)

I will say we both loved that huge green (?) rollercoaster AND the one that drops. Those were both great! Other than that, I thought the park was a big yawn. Which reminds me, I think Kali is a big yawn too! Too short and not enough action.

Have fun - a picnic there is better than just a regular ol' park. Just don't be like me and compare it the whole time.