Special things you did for a hard working CM

[Disneytam]

Saw a few threads about rude guests and was wondering after what we as guests notice someone else being rude to a CM what have we done?

On our last trip one evening right after the fireworks we stopped into the Plaza ice cream parlor on Main Street on our way out. The lines of course were really long but CM were handing out the paper menus so that everyone would know what they wanted when they got up to order. Of course the woman and her two children in front of us couldn't decide what kind of sundae they wanted and what kind of ice cream they wanted in it when it was there turn to order. First she wanted to customize the sunday and then she started asking questions about could they split the type of toppings and then she would ask the children what they wanted! She must have changed her mind three or four times but the CM an older gentlemen kept he's cool and just kept answering her many questions. I on the other hand felt like strangling her!

When she had finally ordered and I stepped up to place our order I told the CM that I thought he was a saint for having that much patience and gave him a $10 tip, he had more than earned it! His face lit right up with a big smile and I was really glad to have made his evening. I had also planned on stopping at the Guest Services on our way out but the line was out the door and I had about had it with lines for the day.

So what are some of the things that you as a guest have done to make a CM day a little better?

 

[beesly]

I can't say I've ever done anything while at the parks, but I always take note of the names of CMs who do something kind or contribute to a memorable moment in some way, and e-mail WDW guest relations to recognize them.

 

[FastPasser.]

Saw a few threads about rude guests and was wondering after what we as guests notice someone else being rude to a CM what have we done?

I would advise that other guests not get involved while the rudeness is taking place. What you did was a correct way to respond, after the fact.
If it's an experienced CM, they should know better than guests how to deal with those types of situations. Interference will make it more difficult for them to resolve the issue. It's part of the job and most CMs are able to diffuse the issue. It's not a big deal.

I told the CM that I thought he was a saint for having that much patience and gave him a $10 tip, he had more than earned it!

You lucked out because most CMs are not in tipped positions. A word of approval from a guest as to how the CM dealt with the situation goes a long way. It reinforces the fact that they did the right thing.

 

[disneyseniors]

I always write to guest services, too and praise the CM so it gets put in his/her file.
We had an exceptional tour guide for Keys to the Kingdom, and I wrote a nice letter to the GS. They responded thanking me and saying he would receive recognition for this.
One time, my husband and I were in HS walking past EE. It was when it first opened and the huge crowd of people were heading for the ride which was closed for some reason. There were 6 CM's and a suit standing outside the entrance and bracing for the onslaught of anger. I made a point to just stop and talk to them like a normal person and wish them a good day I think they were shocked that someone actually didn't want to complain. Anyway, it was fun to talk to them.

 

[Lesley Wake]

One CM was a young girl from the College Program who was emptying the trash bins. She was wearing a pin lanyard and had one I wanted so I traded with her, but let her pick any pin from my lanyard rather than just give her a random one. She got a random princess show I had (I don't collect those) and mentioned how much she loved all princess stuff. My sister and I chatted with her some more about pins and she explained that Disney allows CMs to keep one pin to themselves if they have an extra one to trade (so basically, they can keep one of their own in their pocket and if a guest trades one they like, they can switch it out. She didn't have one and said she would cross her fingers that no one traded for the princess shoe. So I just pulled another random one off my lanyard and gave it to her to act as her "extra" so she could keep the princess shoe. It was a simple thing for me, but she said it made her day!

Also, whenever I see someone on the college program I like to ask how they are doing and if they are enjoying themselves, etc. I think they seem to appreciate someone talking with them like a human not a worker!

 

[KenHutch]

On our 1st trip we took my then 5 year old to BBB at WoD. THe girl did an incredible job, she was wearing a Cinderella dress and the CM kept saying that Cinderella had never come to her before, made my daughter feel so special. I spoke to a manager about how good she was and she then informed me I could fill out a compliment card (our 1st trip I had no idea). Fast forward to 2 years later we see the same girl in an advertisement for BBB at Downtown Disney. When we got home I double checked my pictures to make sure it was the same girl. Obviously she must of had a lot of compliment cards.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

There's a Cast Compliment hashtag for the WDW Twitter account...

https://twitter.com/wdwtoday/status/703285916148895744?lang=en

 

[WEDWDW]

So it is OK to tip at the QS locations?

I didn't know that.

Thanks.

 

[smiths02]

I will text myself the name of the castmember, location, and the compliment. When I get home, I write an email to Disney

 

[FastPasser.]

So it is OK to tip at the QS locations?
I didn't know that.
Thanks.

I wouldn't assume that.

 

[WEDWDW]

I wouldn't assume that.

Do you think it is just Plaza Ice Cream that allows it?

 

[FastPasser.]

Do you think it is just Plaza Ice Cream that allows it?

If it was a server, it's possible that it was a tipped position CM.

 

[DisneyOma]

When she had finally ordered and I stepped up to place our order I told the CM that I thought he was a saint for having that much patience and gave him a $10 tip, he had more than earned it! His face lit right up with a big smile and I was really glad to have made his evening. I had also planned on stopping at the Guest Services on our way out but the line was out the door and I had about had it with lines for the day.

So what are some of the things that you as a guest have done to make a CM day a little better?

If you remember the CM's name, the date and approximate time of the encounter, you can still email WDW guest relations to let them know

We had a CM at Pop Century that saved our last Disney trip. I got so sick I had to go to the ER, and we missed a day of FP. It normally wouldn't have been a big deal as we go quite often, but this time we had my young niece with us, and as she's from another country, there are not many times we get to have her for a WDW trip. Like this was probably the one and only time! Anyways, this CM checked in on me the next day, and asked if there was anything he could do - and he gave us 3 extra FP to use that day. Wow! We had such a fantastic time at MK with 6 FP to play with. My niece and I thanked him the next day, and we let the manager know, and I emailed WDW when we got back.

 

[Christy702]

I learned from listening to the podcasts that some people bring pre-made thank you notes to hand out to friendly CMs. They even have some templates in the Creative Design Forums.

 

[FastPasser.]

I learned from listening to the podcasts that some people bring pre-made thank you notes to hand out to friendly CMs.

That is true. Some guests go even further and make buttons and other assorted items that they hand out to CMs. CMs really do appreciate the effort and most have a box stashed away somewhere with the items they've collected over the years. Not that I would know anything about that.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

There's a Cast Compliment hashtag for the WDW Twitter account...

https://twitter.com/wdwtoday/status/703285916148895744?lang=en

Thanks for sharing. How cool is that! I like the way some of the replies are in the theme of the area that the interaction take place (aloha, bonjour, howdy, etc.)

 

[justcin711]

I had a great server at the Abracadabra bar at the Boardwalk. My husband doesn't like craft beers but he tried one anyway. Server notices he wasn't drinking it and asked what he usually drinks (Miller Lite). She surprised him with one! Turned out she ran to ESPN to get one for him. I asked her specifically what would be the best way to commend her (besides great tip) and she told us what to do. She wanted an email to her manager so I did that

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'll say thanks and I put their names, are of the park and time of day in my phone. When I interact with guest relations I'll often relay a note of gratitude and I'll often post on social media with the hashtag #CastMemberCompliment.

I don't usually make a huge deal about good or bad service...it's got to be something extremely over the top or extremely bad for me to take it to the next level. Unfortunately, my last trip had the bad end of the stick with a terrible interaction but we've got high hopes for our trip in 3 weeks.

 

[yulilin3]

other than thanking them through email and directly at Guest Relations, my kids and I used to bring candy canes at this time of year and give them out to as many CM as we could, they really appreciated the sweet treat. Many of them, especially in the college and international programs are spending the holidays away from home for their first time so it's always good to give them a bit of a pick me up, we thank them for working so hard so everyone can have a fun time

 

[Lothlórien]

The best thing you can do for any CM is to take note of his/her name, location and date and write in to guest communications. It is presented in a very special way and it makes an impact for them.