The World Is A Changing

[simonfam76]

me and my family encountered same problem this past weekend. mom flew down from colorado to take us on a surprise trip to disney for the weekend. we were actually only there for one day but while heading into the disney allstar resort area the guy at the guard post was rude. asked us where we were going and ofcourse we told him to check into allstar sports and when we asked where it was he said "you'll find it". with a rude tone. didn't let it get to us though. made us want to get back down there as soon as we could. we all love it there.

 

[LlamaKuzco]

Whenever my family and I would encounter a rude CM ( about 5 in over 16 trips) we would ask for their name. The second we asked they were the nicest people around. Whenever you see a rude CM ask for their name and report them. At the very least they will be reprimanded.

 

[Suebie]

The rudest encounter we had was with a security guard at the MK. When we asked him for his name, he refused to give it to us and got downright belligerent.

Here's the story: We got caught in a torrential downpour on the way from the buses at MK to the monorail. We were dressed for Narcossee's and could not make it to the monorail via the path that leads directly to it from the buses as it was blocked by a huge "lake" that formed from the downpour. Our only choice was to go through security and back to the path (about 10 ft. between security and the path). The security guard insisted that he check our backpack even though we said we were just going to the monorail and the only reason we were going this way was because the other path was blocked. In fact, he didn't just do the "cursory" check all the other security guards had done in all the other parks all the days we were there. He insisted on checking all the way down to the bottom of the bag and every pocket! He was clearly enjoying the fact that we were dressed, drenched and delayed. Living about 10 miles from Ground Zero and having smelled the burning bodies and ashes, I am all for security checks, but I have to say Disney's security checks are nothing but window dressing. If I wanted to blow up WDW, I wouldn't have cared about the big puddle as I would have walked right through it. I could carry explosives underneath my poncho, walk through security and say I have no bags, and no one would be the wiser! The point is, it was raining like you can't even imagine and we needed to go 10 feet. If the security guard was really concerned, he could have watched us walk to the monorail!

After seeing how much he was enjoying himself, we asked for his name. That's when he refused to give it and sarcastically told us to have a nice day. He then gave us the finger by sticking his thumb up in the air and saying, "thumbs up to you." I think we all know he wasn't sending us a warm and fuzzy greeting.

Ozymoe - I know you asked for other stories but I'm out of time. If I can I'll write more tomorrow.

We immediately reported the incident to the concierge at the Grand Floridian and she was good enough to get the manager who in turn called the head of security. Cudos to all of the them.

Trust me we did not let these nasty CM's get us down. We managed to have a good time in spite of it but it is very disheartening.

 

[Ozymoe]

That sounds awful...I am wondering about the "no nametag" situation. All the CMs checking bags that I have encountered have been wearing name tags. I think it is a Disney misdemeanor if one does not wear a nametag on duty. I do know that in the past some of the nametags do not have the CM's real name printed on them, though...

You didn't say, but did you stop on your way through to ask permission to go through without being checked? I know that you felt you had the right to walk right on by the guard since you were merely going around a puddle, but is it possible that he initially didn't realize that's what you were doing, "took offense" and then decided to really "make you sit up" for what he felt was you "slighting him"? Not that that's any excuse for rude behavior...but could this have been why the situation deteriorated so rapidly?

My experience with bag searches has been I have had to open all the pockets on my bag as well as have it "poked" with a stick right to the bottom...It's gotten so I don't even question this, I just have every zipper unzipped, every flap unflapped, every snap unsnapped AND I hold the top layer of my bag's contents in my hands so they can see down to the bottom...before I ever get to the security guard.

Lol, takes me just about as long to stuff everything back in the bag and zip, snap and buckle it all up after going through security as it does to pack the bag in the first place! Sigh...if you haven't had to do this and I have...what does that say about me? I must look like a terrorist, I guess. Yes, a plump old broad gripping a Mary Poppins bag...I have criminal intent written across my every feature lol!

I'm glad your dinner at Narcoossee's wasn't spoiled by all that nonsense. What a way to start a dinner date!

 

[Suebie]

We immediately told him we were just going to the monorail and were just going through security because of the huge puddle. He did have a name tag but his name was Michael, a very common name, and we wanted a last name.

The security checks during our stay had all been very cursory. We've been to WDW where they have really insisted on looking in each compartment but this visit was different in that they hardly looked at all except for "Michael".

 

[Ladybugsy]

Do you think the rudeness could be coming from the new generation of CM's coming into the parks? I watched 60 minutes the other night and the story was about how teens today have NO CLUE what the "real world" is going to be like. Their work ethic is skewed, and they will be expecting praise and success with little or no effort. They are big on instant gratification and the notion that they are more important than everyone else because kids have been so coddled to. They are very protected, and more empowered than the teens of other generations. Being the mom of 2 teens myself, I can somewhat see this as being a possibility. Although after watching that show, I'm making a few changes. What I'm saying is...maybe it's just a sign of the times. Althought that doesn't excuse rude behavior in any way.

eta: I"m speaking of the general population of teens...not trying to step on anyone's toes...just wanted to contribute to the conversation.

 

[Ozymoe]

We immediately told him we were just going to the monorail and were just going through security because of the huge puddle. He did have a name tag but his name was Michael, a very common name, and we wanted a last name.

I understand why you wanted a last name, but he was well within his rights to not give it to any guest. I wouldn't have given you my last name in that situation had I been the guard either...regardless of whether I knew I was being rude or I felt that I was being patient...he knows that Disney knows who "Michael" is if you complain.

...so what did you have at Narcoossee's? I am dying to try that restaurant! I hear they serve some amazing dishes!

...oh, and more on the other rude behavior you encountered too, please...I am so hoping this isn't a big trend!

 

[agotta]

I understand why you wanted a last name, but he was well within his rights to not give it to any guest. I wouldn't have given you my last name in that situation had I been the guard either...regardless of whether I knew I was being rude or I felt that I was being patient...he knows that Disney knows who "Michael" is if you complain.

...so what did you have at Narcoossee's? I am dying to try that restaurant! I hear they serve some amazing dishes!

...oh, and more on the other rude behavior you encountered too, please...I am so hoping this isn't a big trend!

I will back you up on this. As a former CM, I would NEVER give a guest my last name and my manager would have backed me up on this. I truley feel sorry for those with bad experiences, but as much as we all like to think of Disney as Magical, you can't force someone to act perky and happy 100% of the time. And, if no one reports these CM's, who will ever know they are not doing their job correctly? Please keep in mind all the positive CM's that are out there and enjoy their job and are great at it.